AN: This is my first fan fiction so sorry in advance. This takes place after whatever the most recent Arrow episode was. I got the idea after the bombshell in season 2 about how Oliver has a kid. Potential Olicity for obvious reasons. I do not own Arrow CW does.
Everyone was cooing over baby Sarah like it was the first time any of them had seen her. Felicity was especially obsessed with Dig's baby and couldn't take her eyes off Sarah.
"Thanks again for coming." Diggle, Felicity, Laurel, and Oliver had crammed into the apartment two hours ago to help Diggle out with Sarah while his wife was working.
"Are you kidding? This is way better than the night I would be having!" exclaimed Felicity.
Oliver smiled to himself although his heart was heavy. Sure, he was happy for Diggle but he couldn't shake that feeling of what could have been. Laurel took a worried glance at Oliver.
"Do you want to hold her?" The room became silent and everyone looked at Oliver.
Oliver felt his chest seize. He wouldn't be able to be that close to the adorable, squirming bundle. He was finding it hard enough to be around the baby's glowing-with-happiness father. He had a familiar surge of panic. This isn't like that Oliver thought to himself.
"Um…I'm good." He smiled his fake publicity smile.
"Oh, you know you want to!" Felicity grabbed Oliver's arm and pulled him up from his spot on the couch. "What? You can jump off buildings but you can't hold a baby?" Everyone chuckled except Oliver who paled and was looking a bit sick.
Oliver pulled away and backed up. The laughing ceased. I continue to be the luckiest guy in the world. He was a coward. Oliver hadn't had to deal with this regret in ages, not that he had ever forgotten about it.
"I c-can't" Did Oliver Queen just stutter? His friends were seriously worried now.
Diggle set Sarah down her crib. I'm not ready to be a dad. Oliver remembered whispering weakly. No, but someday. It is my fondest wish for you. He had been weak. He'd let go then and now it would stay with him forever.
"Ollie?" Laurel stepped towards Oliver.
Without thinking twice Oliver left. The girls looked at Diggle for permission to follow. Diggle nodded.
"Call me when you find out what's up." The girls nodded and headed out.
Diggle sighed and looked over at his daughter. "I guess it's just us then."
