"I wish you weren't leaving."

Felicity's eyes watered slightly as she folded her clothes into a bag. "Because we're divorced," she answered, refusing to turn around to face her now ex-husband,"and I need a fresh start and this is the answer, Barry."

"And it's necessary for you to move to Starling?" Barry's voice was low.

"We can't stay here," she said, looking at his miserable face. "I've got a new job and the boys need this just as much as I do. They need a fresh start and so do I."

He stepped closer, tentatively resting his hands on her waist and pulling her close. "I'm sorry," he breathed into her hair.

"I know and so am I," she whispered as a part of her still loved him too. "This changes a lot in terms of family structure and jobs and who we are and who we used to be, Barry, but nothing can ever change the fact that you're the father of my children and you'll always be a part of our lives... I just can't stay."

Nodding to himself but unable to muster a response, he released her and left the room to say goodbye to his sons.

Quickly scanning the room for anything she had left behind, Felicity reached for a family photo displayed on the nightstand. Clutching it, she descended down on what was now solely Barry's bed and ran a finger across four smiling faces that grinned at her.

It hurt to look at it, she thought, as a tear cascaded its way down her cheek. Stung. Burned.

Her marriage was over.

What had been a perfect relationship had diminished into pieces, leaving nothing but a dull ache behind in her chest as she surveyed the room that she'd occupied with Barry; the room where she'd loved him and he'd loved her and they'd been together and content and happy until they weren't happy anymore.

Turning back to her last bag, she pulled up the zip, only to drag it down the hallway. Standing in the doorway of her ex-husband's room and shutting the door behind her for one last time, she headed towards the living room where she watched a tearful goodbye ensue as her sons were engulfed in their father's tight embrace.
"It's okay,boys," he told them with a small smile. "I love you a lot and I'll come see you all the time."

"Can't I stay here?"a frown marred five year Jamie's face as his eyes watered.

"You'll be fine, buddy," murmured Barry, kissing the top of the little boy's blonde head.

Seven year old Alex cast his mother a serious look before throwing his arms around his father's neck. "Love you, Daddy," he muttered.

Felicity tore her eyes away, her heart hurting at the sight unfolding in front of her. She hated that they'd chosen to get divorced. She hated that she was uprooting her boys and taking them away to a distant city, far far away from their father. She hated herself for not trying hard enough to make things work with Barry and she hated that her family had been torn apart-

Barry rose to his feet, one hand enclosed in each boy's. Turning to Felicity, he threw a smile in her direction (for the boys' benefit, to show them that even though mommy and daddy were done with each other, they were okay and they would be okay in the future too)

"We'll call you as soon as we land," Felicity promised, swallowing the urge to let out a loud sob.

Barry nodded and pried Jamie's arms from his leg. "Alex," he said,"Go up to your room and check to see if Jamie here hasn't forgotten his Mr. Bunny, please."

The boy instantly left the room and bounded up the stairs. Left alone with only Jamie between them, Felicity stepped closer to Barry. "I'll miss you," she half-whispered, almost unwilling to admit it.

Strong arms held her tightly as the man she once loved squeezed her shoulder. "I wish it hadn't ended this way," he replied.

"I know, Barry, me too," she said, letting him go.

Shrugging, he ran a hand through his hair. "Take of yourself, Lis," he said, just as the doorbell rang and jerked them apart. "Don't work too hard." He cast a glance towards the front door, knowing that a taxi was here to take Felicity and the boys down to the airport. "Promise me that you'll be okay?"

The blonde let out a shaky laugh. That was the Barry that she knew and had loved and married. The man who was always concerned about her and what she did and how she did it. "Visit soon?" she offered, pulling away from his embrace. "The boys would love it."

Sighing, she reached for her two bags, the only pieces of luggage that she was carrying, considering how the rest had already been shipped to her new appartment in Starling City.

"I will," replied Barry.

"That's all they're asking for."

*o*o*

Alex folded his arms against his chest. "Was this really necessary, Mama?" he asked, not really looking at his mother as he posed the question. "I already miss home and Daddy and Grandma."

"Oh baby-" Felicity's face broke into a sad frown as she saw her oldest son's red rimmed eyes. Clutching a sleeping Jamie against her chest, she extended her free hand down to ruffle her other boy's hair. "This is for the best," she said. "Trust me. I know it isn't fair and you never wanted this but cut mama some slack, eh? You're my big, brave boy and I need you to help me." She paused in her tracks. "Please."

Alex chose not to answer just as a tall dark haired man approached them. "Uncle John!" he let out a scream, choosing to ignore his mother and hurtle towards the man in question.

"Hey Alexander Allen!" called out the man named John, almost instantly lifting the boy onto his shoulders. "Well, hello to you too." He smiled at his younger step-sister and pulled her in for a quick hug. "Good to see you, Felicity." Even if it wasn't in the best circumstances.

Well. I'm clearly on a roll.

Want more?

Wanna know what Ollie boy's like? ;)