Flawed Design
Chapter 2
. . .
Long after Felicity fell asleep, Oliver had a fleeting thought. His head felt so full. He remembered Thea saying that when she was little.
He had to call her back. Thea had been hysterical when they called. She wanted to come back. She and Roy were somewhere in India and ready to hop on the first plane back. He'd told her to stay and she wasn't happy.
More than anything, he realized he wanted to tell her. He was going to be a father again, and he swore he would do it this time. At first, in the moment the doctor had announced that Felicity was carrying their baby he had felt consumed by guilt. She had put herself in danger, she had put herself and their baby in danger to protect his son. Oliver knew that she would never see it that way, he never doubted that Felicity loved William any less than she would love their son or daughter, but the thought of it consumed him. He didn't think he would ever forgive himself if something had happened.
He wanted this with her more than he had ever wanted anything in his entire life. It felt like everything was coming together.
Finally, he couldn't handle it any longer. He kissed the top of her head and slipped quietly just outside of the room.
His wife was okay, and they were going to have a baby.
Quickly, he punched the call button and waited for his sister to pick up the phone.
For a moment, he was stunned by the deep male voice on the phone.
"Oliver? What's happening?"
A moment passed and he realized it was Roy.
"Everything is good right now. Stable. Felicity is sleeping."
It was amazing how relieved he felt to say it. She was going to be okay, everything was going to be okay.
Roy exhaled. "Thank god. I know what you're going to say, but we're at the airport. Thea is getting the first flight out of Delhi, and you're not going to change her mind."
Oliver shook his head, he knew he should know better.
"That's fine."
He heard a scrabbling of voices, and before he could say anything else he heard Thea's voice.
"Ollie! Ollie we are on our way back right now. Roy said she's ok? Is Felicity ok?" The hysterical note of panic had yet to leave her voice.
"It's okay. She's okay right now. We're going to be in the hospital for awhile but she's stable, sleeping right now. William is at home." Oliver took a deep breath, "Speedy, I need to tell you something."
When she didn't immediately correct him for calling her Speedy, he knew she was worried about him.
"Felicity and I are going to have a baby. She's pregnant."
For a moment, he couldn't hear anything coherent. He realized that she was relaying the news to Roy, and he realized he just might have screwed up. They had made an agreement, Felicity had wanted William to be the first to know.
"Speedy! Thea!" Oliver hissed as loudly as he dared into the phone. "You cannot tell anyone. Anyone. I promised…"
He sighed, he was an idiot. He hadn't been thinking. Something had just snapped in his brain.
"I promised Felicity we would tell William first."
"You idiot." Thea told him over the phone. "The baby is going to be healthy right? Fine?"
"Right now the doctor gave the all clear. They don't think the baby was harmed at all. Everything seems normal."
Thea squealed, "Ollie! A baby!"
Oliver felt the idea settling in, and was almost scared to be as happy as he felt. It killed him that he had missed out on so much of William's life. Ten whole years.
"I'm doing it right this time, Speedy." He said quietly.
"Our lips are zipped, I swear." Thea said, "But...talk to Roy for a second, tell him...I mean I did, but I have to do something. We'll see you in about ten hours."
Oliver almost laughed, and then heard Roy's voice again.
"Oliver, we are so happy for you." Roy said, in a much calmer tone than Thea took. "You and Felicity are going to be...incredible parents."
"If she doesn't kill me for spilling the beans." Oliver glanced into the room. Felicity was still sound asleep. "Keep an eye on Thea, will you? I love her, but secrets aren't her strong suit."
"Always." Roy said, "I'm really glad they're okay. We were…"
Roy seemed like he was about to say something else, and then changed his mind.
"We are just relieved."
"We'll see you two when you get here." Oliver told him, "I have to get back to Felicity."
"Of course." Roy said, "Wish her the best from us."
"I will." Oliver assured him.
He returned to her room and settled down into the chair next to her. For once, the bad had come with some good.
. . .
Felicity kept coming up with excuses to put off telling anyone about the pregnancy. The first day had been bad because she was on too much pain medication, the second day was the same, the third day her mother wouldn't leave the room and she wanted to tell William on her own. On the fourth day, she reminded Oliver about how he had told Thea without him and how furious she was, on the fifth day she ran out of excuses.
"Felicity why not?" Oliver finally pushed, "You said you wanted to tell him first? What's wrong?"
She knew what was wrong from the beginning. On her second day in the hospital, it occurred to her loud and clear. What if this hurt him? William had been through so much. What if he thought that he was being replaced? What if he thought that they wouldn't love him so much? He'd been through more in a year than most people went through their entire lives.
"What if he isn't ready?" Felicity finally managed to vocalize her fears to Oliver. "What if he thinks that this means that we-you-love him any less? Oliver…"
"He knows how much we love him, and that isn't ever going to change." Oliver assured her. "I think William knows us better than that, but it's your choice. We can tell him when you're ready."
Later that day, after her mother left to get lunch with Quentin she realized she was ready. She wanted him to know, and she wanted it to be just the three of them.
She was sitting up in bed, fully disgusted by the food that she'd begrudgingly eaten for lunch to please Oliver, William on one side of bed, and Oliver on the other and realized-she needed him to know.
"William," Felicity glanced over at Oliver. "There's something your dad and I need to talk to you about."
She'd practiced it in her head over and over and over again, but in this moment she'd lost any eloquent way to express this.
William looked concerned. "Is something wrong?"
"Sort of the opposite." Felicity said.
She desperately hoped that he wouldn't see it as bad news.
"It's good news." Oliver stressed, waiting for Felicity to take the lead.
Felicity took a breath and hoped for the best.
"Your dad and I just found out that we're going to have a baby, so...you're going to have a brother or sister."
Both of them waited. Felicity was stunned by his reaction.
William jumped up and gave her a hug.
"I really hope it's a sister." William said, his eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait. That's pretty cool."
For a moment, his face changed and he frowned.
Felicity was concerned, "What's wrong?"
"Are um...we going to have to share a room?"
Both Felicity and Oliver laughed, but she was relieved when Oliver had an answer.
"No," Oliver told him, "We're going to find somewhere new to live, preferably a house with a yard, but you won't have to share a room."
"Having a sister would be really cool I think."
Oliver chuckled, "I haven't told you enough about having a little sister, have I?"
"Aunt Thea is practically your best friend." William said, rolling his eyes. "I can't wait. Besides, I can teach her how to do all kinds of things like how to throw a ball and do fractions."
She'd been trying to hold it back, but she started sniffling and then she started to full on sob.
"I'm fine." She said, seeing the look on Oliver's face, "Just…"
She gestured for the tissues.
'William, I'm really glad you're okay with this."
Felicity blew her nose into the tissues and tried to pull herself together with a deep breath.
"You're going to be a good big brother."
"Donna is going to be so excited." William said, "Remember how excited she got about that baby your cousin had? Ours is going to be so much better though."
"Speaking of that." Felicity said, feeling an abject sense of horror about her mother finding out through the grapevine. "Make sure you don't say anything just yet. We want to tell her next."
"Okay." William nodded his head, "I can keep a secret."
. . .
She was so relieved to be out of the hospital that she couldn't even be mad that Oliver had relegated her to the couch.
"You have to go back to work at some point. I'm fine." Felicity rolled her eyes, "Even the doctor said it should be a standard pregnancy from here on out."
"I'm going to the office for a couple hours later on." Oliver told her, "Roy and Thea will be here. I already have dinner covered. They-and by they, I mean Roy-just have to reheat dinner at 350 for 30 minutes."
"I don't need a babysitter." She rolled her eyes, she wouldn't be able to handle nine months of this.
"It's not babysitting." Oliver informed her, "Thea wants to plan your baby shower."
Felicity groaned and sunk as far into the couch as she could.
"Your sister is a tyrant."
She could already imagine the bash that Thea wanted to throw. She took to party planning like a fish to water.
"I'm sure Roy will keep her in line."
Felicity laughed out loud. "I think we both know that no one keeps Thea Queen in line."
It was far from the end of the world, she decided. It had been a long time since they had a win, since they had something good to celebrate and the world not crashing down around them. Finally, they had something truly good to celebrate, and she was incredibly happy for it.
Even with Oliver treating her like an invalid.
. . .
"My brother is such is good house husband."
Thea made this declaration as she finished off a generous piece of the vegetable lasagna that Oliver had left them to reheat for dinner.
Felicity laughed.
Roy had to admit that it might have been one of the best dinners he'd ever had. Good food had been lacking in their trip across the globe. However, considering the company he felt like he had to stick up for Oliver. He was pretty sure that Nyssa had tried to pass off rabbit as chicken.
"Isn't that kind of sexist?" Roy asked, finishing off his second plate of food.
Roy quickly regretted the question when he got two deeply annoyed frowns from both Thea and Felicity.
He had a feeling a lecture was coming, and was deeply relieved when William spoke up.
"Felicity, I forgot to tell dad. I need some toner to print out my paper for school tomorrow." William said, "I have to print it tonight."
"Well unfortunately Felicity still isn't cleared to drive." Thea said.
Roy realized an opportunity had finally hit to escape from the baby shower planning drama.
"I'll take you." He offered quickly, "We'll bring back some ice cream for dessert."
"Hard to say no to ice cream." Felicity mused, then sighed. "Okay."
She glanced over to William. "Run and get my purse, will you?"
"Yep." William looked as thrilled as Roy felt to escape all of the estrogen.
"Keep an eye on him." Felicity warned him, "Make sure you're back by nine."
Roy was about to agree, reminding her that it was just a quick run out of necessity but Felicity seemed to think otherwise. When William came back, she handed Roy a credit card.
He gave Thea a quick kiss and with William behind him they dashed out the door, and he closed it behind them.
"So, toner, huh?" Roy chuckled after they were in his car.
William clearly had his dad's gift for lies. Outrageous and unbeleiveable.
"It's so boring." William groaned, "I love Aunt The, but a balloon is a balloon!"
Roy snorted, he had to agree. As much as he loved his girlfriend, you could only have the same conversation about balloons so many times.
"Well we have two hours until we have to be back." Roy said, turning the key in the ignition. "What should we do?"
"Can I drive your car?" William asked hopefully.
"Ha. No." Roy told him, "Maybe when you're sixteen."
"Seemed worth a try." William mused as the car took off down the street.
"How about arcade?" Roy suggested. "There is a great place a few blocks away. I used to hang out there as a kid."
"Awesome." William said. "Sounds like a plan.
Roy handed him Felicity's credit card. "Stick that in the glovebox."
As soon as William opened the glovebox, Roy swore, and tried to stop him but it was too late. William pulled a small box, the lid knocked askew. It fell off completely as William picked it up. Inside was a diamond engagement ring. The ring he'd purchased it in Egypt for Thea.
"It's a ring." William said.
So it was. And he'd had all the best intentions. Now that they were back in Star City for more than a flyover visit, he'd had a plan. When the moment came he was going to pull Oliver aside, and he was going to ask for permission to marry Thea. He knew that it was stupid and old fashioned, but he didn't want to blindside him, and he wanted Oliver to know exactly what Thea meant to him. He wasn't a gangbanger anymore, and he wasn't a vigilante. He would, and could give her a good life. He loved her.
"Are you good at secrets?" Roy asked him resignedly.
"Are you going to marry Aunt Thea?" William asked him, still looking the ring over.
"That's the plan." Roy told him, "I was going to talk to your dad, ask him for his permission."
"How come?" William asked."What if he says no?"
Roy got a chill as William asked that question.
"Well, I've loved your Aunt Thea for a long time." Roy answered after a minute. "I don't think he's going to say no…"
"Dad is sort of overprotective."
Roy laughed, "No kidding."
"However, I've loved Thea for a really long time, and I want her to be my wife."
"I think you should work on you speech." William said, carefully putting the ring away.
'That's not the exact speech." Roy said defensively as they pulled into the parking lot at the arcade. "But can you promise not to tell? I'm going to talk to your dad this weekend, and then, hopefully, propose to Thea."
"I can do it." William nodded his head. "You'd be a pretty cool uncle though, so I hope my dad doesn't kill you."
Roy rolled his eyes, Felicity was rubbing off on this kid.
. . .
Another night passed, and Oliver found himself pouring over office paperwork unable to sleep.
Four months into Felicity's pregnancy and he had always assumed she would be the one struggling to get a good night's sleep, but for the third night in a row he found himself unable to sleep for two reasons. He'd hesitated the night before breaking up a robbery, and he was at a loss for how to solve youth crime in the Glades.
He sighed, setting the paperwork pack down and straightening his back as he heard a noise on the stairs. His eyes narrowed, he he watched carefully, only to find Roy walking down the stairs. He was relieved that if nothing else, his sleeplessness hadn't effected Felicity.
"Can't sleep either?" He asked, as Roy walked into the living room.
Roy shook his head. "No point in keeping Thea awake too. She switches it off better than me."
Oliver understood immediately. "It's not easy to sleep...easily."
"Since you're here and...I'm here." Roy finished sloppily, "Can we talk?"
"That," Oliver sighed, "Sounds like we are going to need a drink. Vodka?"
Oliver walked over to the bar. He wished he had rescued the bottle from the bunker. He felt like he was could use it. At least he had some decent russian vodka.
"Is it the stuff from the bunker?" Roy asked, a skeptical look on his face.
"No." Oliver laughed, "Would you prefer whiskey?"
Oliver grabbed the bottle of Jack, thinking about how that had been John's preference too. He missed him. Oliver shook the thought off, there was enough on his plate apart from yet another friend who no longer spoke to him.
"Yeah, that's fine." Roy nodded his head.
As Oliver poured the drinks, he noticed that Roy looked nervous. He waited to set the drink down in front of his friend before asking the question.
He had to admit he was relieved that they were back. He worried constantly about the two of them on their mission with Nyssa.
"Is everything okay with you? You seem nervous."
"Oliver," Roy paused taking a long swig of whiskey from the glass he held. "I want to ask Thea to marry me."
For a full moment he was stunned. He could have imagine Roy saying a number of things, but this was not one of them.
Roy barreled on, tugging a box out of her pocket. "I bought a ring, three months ago. I love her. I've always loved Thea. I don't think I ever have love someone more, or I ever could, and I want to marry her."
Oliver considered toying with him. It had been so long since he'd played the big brother card, and it just didn't seem fair. He hadn't seen Roy this afraid since the first time he shot him. He had liked that.
"Are you asking my permission?" Oliver feigned shock and surprise.
"I feel like I can't win no matter how I answer that question," Roy said. "Thea isn't so keen on that permission thing."
"Yeah, being married to these bullheaded women isn't an easy task." Oliver got up and gave him a hug. "Good luck, and get a helmet."
When he sat back down they were quiet for a moment.
"I'm really glad Roy. You know, I'd give you the take good care of her speech, but...you always have."
"I always will." Roy assured him, "With my life."
"So for how long do I have to lie to my wife, and son, and sister and pretend I don't know anything?"
Roy laughed, "About that, William uh-already knows."
Oliver looked at him in surprise. He couldn't believe that William hadn't told him.
"How?"
"We hit the arcade a few days ago and he found it in my glovebox." Roy shrugged, "I didn't have a good lie, and I didn't want to lie. I was just waiting for an opportunity to talk to you alone."
"Well, apparently he can keep a secret." Oliver said, "Do you have a plan?"
"Yeah, I do." Roy smiled. "She wants to go to Verdant tomorrow, and then we're going to grab lunch. Right around the corner is where we met the first time, I'm going to ask her there."
"Be careful." Oliver reminded him. "Tread carefully out there."
He hadn't forgotten that this city was dangerous for Roy. As far as the SCPD was concerned, he was dead. Being in this city could take his life from him.
"I will." Roy said, "Thank you Oliver."
. . .
