COFFEE DATE

SPECIAL THANKS TO ff user avaatquevale2250 ( u/4859666/avaatquevale2250 ) for editing. YOU ARE AWESOME!

"Sadie? Where are you?" Oliver yelled. He'd left his daughter on the couch where she was watching Frozen for the tenth time today, but she wasn't there anymore.

"In my room, Daddy. I'm painting!" said a tiny voice in response.

Oliver walked into his daughter's room, and he definitely didn't like what he saw there. Sadie was standing near a wall, the new paint she got from Diggle yesterday all over her clothes, hands, floor, and the wall. She was painting on the wall! That view left Oliver speechless.

"Look! Elsa! She's blue." When no response came from Oliver, Sadie turned around and looked at him with wide eyes. "Do you like Anna more?" She asked sounding a little worried.

"I like it more when you paint on paper," he managed to respond. He couldn't be mad though. He tried. He painted this wall three months ago, but his little princess could paint this on his most expensive suit and he would still admire her art.

"Daddy, paper is too small!" Sadie wailed as she shook her head."Elsa is blue, and so am I!" she stated proudly as she pointed to the blue paint on her shirt. She moved to a different spot, pointing at yet another color. "And pink. Do you want me to paint you too?"

"Since you already colored the wall, I think there's no harm in painting me there, too. What do you think?" He walked up to her she hugged his leg with her pink hands. It reminded him of Felicity and her fluffy blanket. He had to tell Sadie he's going out soon. He hoped that this mess won't make him late.

"What color?" asked Sadie looking thoughtful.

"Green. Do you know which one that is?" She shook her head. Oliver pointed to her. "Like your skirt."

"Kay!"

Sadie grabbed a brush and found the green paint before continuing her work on more of the wall. He knew he shouldn't have, but he thought it was cute. Cute like Felicity. He really liked her. He should tell her about Sadie though. They are going just for coffee, but he has to be honest with her, even if he was afraid she'd run away. His phone rang, which pulled Oliver out of his thoughts. He rolled his eyes when he saw the caller ID.

"Hi Tommy, where are you?" he asked a little anxious. He hoped Tommy would be here on time, and he wouldn't be late to meet Felicity. He couldn't wait for their date. But it was it a date? They never really clarified what it was.

"What do you mean late? I don't care that you've just got up." Oliver was panicking. Just like Tommy. "That was your idea to leave me in that club. And I've never thought I'll say this, but it wasn't your worst idea." It turned out to be a very good idea. "Get your tail here right now." Oliver hung up the phone before turning to his daughter.

"Come on, little one, we have to clean that paint of your face," Oliver said while picking up Sadie. She hugged him and grabbed his face with her paint-covered fingers. "And my face," he chuckled. "You're going to stay with Uncle Tommy today, okay? Daddy has to go somewhere, but not for very long, I promise."

"Okay. Tom is funny. What's his favorite color?"

"I have no idea, ask him later." He looked at his daughter, and he was pretty sure his face looked like rainbow. She looked very proud of herself.
When Tommy finally arrived, Oliver was trying to make Sadie look like a polite child. He managed to get some of the paint off her face and hair, but spots were dried on her clothes.

"I thought you'd never come," Oliver huffed. Sadie held his hand, but she looked terribly offended that she didn't have pink hair anymore.

"I know, I know! This is the part when you tell me about responsibility, right?" Tommy made a weird face and touched Oliver's chin. "Man, why do you have paint on your face?" Oliver gave him a glare and Tommy took a step back, his grin growing. "Sadie, why do you have paint... everywhere?"

"That's a long story. Little princess, go to Uncle Tommy. Daddy will be back soon. Call me if you need me and make sure she eats dinner." He kissed his daughter goodbye and let Tommy carry her to the living room. He was almost thirty minutes late. He hoped Sadie would give his extremely late friend a hard time by painting him pink from head to toe.

xxx

Felicity was waiting in a small coffee shop. She didn't have Oliver's phone number, he didn't have her phone number, and she was cursing herself for not thinking about it when he was asking her out. That headache was a powerful distraction. She thought she would wait an hour, but not any longer. Sitting in front of the shop by the window, she finally saw Oliver running on the sidewalk. She smiled to herself and waved to him when he saw her. His face lit up when he came inside and stood next to the table she occupied.

"Hello beautiful, waiting for someone?" he teased. "Maybe a late jerk who doesn't have your phone number?" Felicity was smiling, and Oliver could tell she wasn't mad.

"How did you know?" she giggled.

"Sorry, it was an emergency," Oliver admitted as he sat next to her.

"Is that paint on your face?" Felicity questioned as she moved closer to him.

"I... Please tell me it's not pink."

Felicity giggled again. "It's not pink. It's green." She smiled sheepishly. "Oh, wait there's pink on the other cheek."
Oliver rolled his eyes and sighed.

"It's a long story. Maybe we should order something first?"

"Yes, totally, but I doubt it will be better than staring at your face." Felicity blushed, her cheeks as pink as Sadie's paint. Oliver started thinking of his daughter again. He had to tell Felicity about her. "I can't believe I just said that."

"Well, if I was smart, I would've washed my face. But I wanted to get here before you left."

"Well, it's a good thing that I kind of like the paint," she teased. They got their orders, and while waiting in line, they talked about everything and nothing. Oliver marveled at how easy it was to talk to her.

"About the paint thing," Oliver started. He hoped she won't leave when she found out. She still had something to eat and drink. He didn't know how to define their meeting. He considered it a date, but he didn't know if she did. If it wasn't a date... well, maybe he could wait to tell her about Sadie.

"Don't worry. You still look manly, even with a pink cheek. Okay, why do you have a serious face?"

"Because... I'm wondering if... Do you consider this a date?" Oliver couldn't help himself. He just said what he thought, and he hoped he wouldn't regret it. He didn't. Felicity smiled shyly and looked in his eyes.

"You invited me, you tell me," she whispered hesitantly.

"Then it's a date," Oliver smiled sincerely. He was about to open his mouth and blurt out that he has a daughter, but he panicked. He really liked her. He didn't want to ruin it. "So tell me... where do you work at?"

"Steele Incorporated. I'm an IT girl. What about you?"

"You work for Walter Steele?" Oliver's smile died on his face. Walter Steele was his mother's new husband. He never had a good relationship with his mother. After a very long argument, she kicked him out of the house. He deserved it, but they never really reconciled. She married Walter not too long after that. "He's my mother's husband. He also helped me a lot when I was starting as a CEO of Queen Consolidated."

"Are you two close, you and your mother?"

"No, not at all. Last time I talked to her was three years ago. Walter only helped me because my father asked him to. And I think he never told my mother. I... wasn't a perfect son. Actually, I was the furthest thing from it. My father was just like me, so I had a good relationship with him. We had a similar lifestyle. When he died, I started doing even more crazy things."

"I'm sorry." Felicity covered Oliver's hand with hers, and he couldn't focus on anything but her touch.

"I haven't talked to my mom, but I told you that already. You may not remember though. You were very drunk."

"Hey, I was just very tired," Oliver pointed out playfully. Speaking of sleeping, Sadie was probably taking a nap already. He should be going home, but he couldn't bring himself to it. He was just sitting there, staring at Felicity. He hadn't even noticed when they started holding hands. There was just something about her...

Xxx

By late afternoon, Oliver and Felicity were walking the streets of Starling City talking about a movie they've just seen. Their date turned out to be a lot longer than Oliver and Felicity thought at first. The evening was warm, and Felicity felt comfortable in her purple dress. They left Oliver's car in a parking lot next to the coffee shop, which they were on their way back to. Oliver's phone rang, interrupting their loud laughing.

"Sorry, I hope it's nothing important," Oliver said while checking his phone. It was Tommy. He wanted Oliver to go out for three years now, so he wouldn't interrupt his date unless something happened. "I have to take this."

Felicity just smiled and nodded her head. She wondered why he suddenly seemed so nervous.

"What's up?" Oliver sighed as he answered the phone. He was listening to what Tommy was saying, his walk becoming slower and slower, until it finally stopped.

Felicity walked a few more steps before she whispered "I'll wait there," and pointed on a bridge before them.

"You did what? Make her stop screaming, Tommy, I can't hear you. Is she hurt?" asked Oliver trying to keep his voice quiet, but anger and worry were taking the best of him.
"Okay, okay. I'm not surprised. I would start crying too! Try to calm her down. I'll be back soon," Oliver promised. So, that's it for his nice date. He walked up to Felicity, placing a hand on her shoulder. She turned around with a smile.

"Did something happen?" she asked with concern in her voice. Oliver thought there wouldn't be a better moment.

"I have a daughter," he said, watching her face. She raised her eyebrows in shock and waited for further explanation. He was glad she didn't shrug his hand from her shoulder. "I left her with my friend, and... I'm sorry, I have to go home."

Felicity was standing in front of him a little startled, but finally managed to say something. "Oh! Is she okay? You look worried."

"Yes, she's fine. My friend, who acts more like a child than mine sometimes, started teaching her baseball in the apartment. He hit the TV, and she wanted to watch Malascar this evening and..." Was Oliver babbling? Yeah, he definitely was.

"Wait, what?" Felicity tried her best not to show her confusion

"Um, Madagascar. She can't pronounce it, she says Malascar." Felicity laughed when she realized, and Oliver joined her. "But I left Tommy and a baseball bat in one place, and I should've known better, but-"

"Now she can't watch it because the TV is broken so she's crying?" Felicity finished his sentence smiling sadly. Oliver nodded.

"Exactly. And she got terribly scared, too and now she can't calm down. I'm not sure if she can understand the movie, probably not, she's not even 3, but she's enchanted by it."

"What's her name?" asked Felicity hesitantly. She wanted to ask about girl's mother, but she knew she shouldn't. Not yet.

"Sadie."

"It's nice! I named my teddy bear Sadie when I was little. It was pink, and he sang something when I squeezed his hand. And I'm rambling again. The point is I've always liked that name," she gushed as she shook her head and blushed.

"Pink teddy bear named Sadie? That's funny. Sadie loves pink."

"So do I!" Felicity giggled as they walked to Oliver's car.

"I'm driving you home, right?"

"No, I can walk. You should go back to Sadie before she drowns your friend with her tears," Felicity chuckled. The remnants of her blush came back full force. "Do you want my number? I mean, if you don't, that's fine -"

"First of all, what kind of guy would I be letting you walk when I promised I'd drive you? It's not that far out of the way, so please let me keep my promise," he added with smile. "And I definitely want your number in case I'm late for the next date." Oliver realized what he said, a blush of his own formed. "I mean, that is if you want to go out with me one day again?"

"Now you're babbling! I thought it was my thing," she laughed beautifully. "Of course I want to go out with you again!" She knew a child was a serious situation, but she really liked Oliver and wanted their relationship to be an actual relationship one day. She didn't believe in love at first sight, but she felt like she could easily fall in love with him.

Oliver felt relief washing over him as she said it. Felicity made herself comfortable in the passenger seat. They quickly exchanged phone numbers before Oliver started the car.

"Do you have a special place where you want to go next time? Or do you want me to guess?"

Felicity laughed again. "Guess!"

"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow. Deal?"

"Deal. I just hope you're not that kind of a guy who says he'll call but never calls," she teased. She knew he would call. He had it written on his face.

They were near Felicity's apartment when her eyes rested on a billboard. An idea sparked in her mind.

"You could buy her a new TV on your way home, you know? You still have an hour before Malascar starts," she said thoughtfully. "And don't look at me like that! I've always had trouble with it, too."

"I'm looking like that at you because it is a great idea." He parked the car in front of the building where Felicity's apartment.

"Thank you. I'm surprised you remembered the way," she said amazed.

"I told you! I wasn't drunk, just tired." They both laughed in unison.

"And thank you for the date. I haven't had so much fun since... Honestly, since the last time we met. Minus the headache."

"And embarrassment when I found myself covered with your lovely blanket."

"Hey, my blanket is cute!" Felicity tried to look offended, but she was failing miserably. She blushed when Oliver leaned a little closer to her.

"Is that weird that I want to kiss you on the first date?" He desperately needed her to say no.

"We were making out on a cab seat last time, and it wasn't even a date, so I think a goodbye kiss is okay." Felicity was blushing perfectly and looking at him a little shyly. He leaned a little more and pressed his lips to hers.

"See you soon, beauty," he whispered.

"Don't fall asleep while driving, sleepy man."

"Not a chance, I have a TV to buy." He couldn't believe he winked at her when he said it.

Xxx

"Sadie? Tommy? I'm home!" Oliver put the huge box on the floor in the corridor. He heard the sound of little feet on the floor before he saw Sadie running towards him. She was obviously crying, her little cheeks flushed while her sobs shook her small body. Oliver kneeled near the new TV, and Sadie hugged him like her life depended on it.

"Tom not funny, not funny!" she cried as he gently picked her up and carried to the living room. Tommy sat on the couch with a puppy dog eyes.

"Hey Oliver! You look handsome!" Oliver gave him a glare, and Tommy got up from the couch.

"That TV was old and ugly, anyways!" Oliver admitted. Tommy glanced behind him in the hall, seeing the new box.

"Yeah, that's why you bought a brand new one twice as big as the old and ugly one."

Oliver grinned. "And now go make it work. You have 10 minutes."

"Yes sir!"

"New TV?" asked Sadie a little confused, because "new TV" was all she got from what her dad said.

"Yes sweetie, new TV so we can watch Malascar together." Sadie hugged him even tighter while Tommy was hooking up the new TV. Oliver was actually impressed he managed to do it right the first time.

"Okay, man, it's all done! Sorry, I had no idea she'll get scared like that! It wasn't that loud when it crashed."

"Thank you for taking care of her," Oliver said as he smiled at Tommy.

"She's adorable, and I'm glad to help you go out more! See you at work. You'll get your money back tomorrow."

"Tom!" Sadie shouted as the movie started. "Can you watch with us?"

"Sadie's right! You just bought us an amazing, EXPENSIVE TV, so you can at least look at it," Oliver teased.

"Haha, very funny! Only for Sadie," he smiled when the girl laid her head on his shoulder. "And after she falls asleep you're going to tell me everything about your date."

"Sure! I'm really glad you left me in that club and never came back, you know?"

"I know. I can see it in your eyes," Tommy pointed out with a smile.

Thanks for reading :) I'm also posting this on tumblr ;)