Author's Note: Trying to get updates out. Been trying to figure out what the issue is. It's apparently a browser issue, but has been impossible to get any kind of response and just sort of had to play around and figure it out on my own! If you're ever in doubt about an update, always feel free to PM me on here, tweet me, or check AO3. AO3 is always going to have the up to date stuff plus stuff I can't post on here.


Walter being at the mansion when they showed up was a godsend. Felicity really wasn't sure if she'd be able to endure a dinner at the Queen Mansion if Walter had been absent. He just did such a good job at balancing out Moira and keeping the peace. Plus, Felicity just loved listening to him talk. In a way, Walter really felt like a surrogate father to many of them.

"I'm so glad that everyone's able to make it," Walter greeted. He grabbed Felicity almost the moment she entered and hugged her first before moving on to shake Oliver's hand. He greeted Sara and Diggle a moment later. "It's so good to see you all…and I cannot express how gorgeous both of you look," Walter said.

"It's good to see you, Walter," Oliver told him.

Felicity was fairly sure that every single person was going to feel better once they saw Walter. "I wasn't sure that you'd be here tonight…"

"I wouldn't miss a big family dinner for the world," he told her. "Come along now… The others are all already here…" He motioned in the direction that they were to go and then took Felicity's arm as they walked further into the house. "It's been too long…"

"Too much work for all of us," Felicity told him.

He wrapped an arm around her. "You and Oliver really should take a proper holiday and let Tommy handle the company for a week or two. You know that I'd be more than happy to assist him while you two are away."

It was such a sweet offer, but of course, there was more than just Queen International, it meant two less in the Foundry. She knew that it could all be handled, but it wasn't just her decision. It was something that she needed to talk over with Oliver. Felicity actually wouldn't mind it. They'd been so busy and even though they'd only been married for less than six months, she felt like they really needed the time for them. Right now, there just didn't seem like enough time in the day and she almost wondered if that's why she'd been having such a rough day…if it was because she was just getting run down with just being overloaded.

"That's really sweet of you," she said with a bright smile. "I will definitely talk it over with Oliver."

"You do that," Walter told her and separated from her as they reached the living room where every one else was gathered.

It looked like they were gathered for some kind of gala, but it was just family dinner, which made it sort of weird. Felicity reminded herself that they had to put on an act for Melanie. Tonight she was just Oliver's wife and Tommy's friend, nothing more. Thea was Oliver sister and Tommy was Oliver's best friend…they couldn't be her siblings around Melanie. It broke her heart a little as she reminded herself of that fact. She launched herself towards where Tommy was with Melanie and a little girl that had to be Clarke as they talked with Oliver. A smile was firmly in place and she pulled in a good deep breath as she approached.

"Hi there," Felicity greeted as she looked towards Melanie. "It's so good to see you again."

"Felicity, let me introduce you to Clarke," Tommy said as he put his arm around the little girl.

She looked a lot like Melanie, the same bright eyes and brown-copper hair. Her hair was curled and it was clear to Felicity that she was enjoying being dressed up, though the rest of them probably not so much, but Clarke kept holding onto the hem of her skirt and would twirl a little here and there. "Hi there," Felicity said as she crouched down, so that she was at the little girl's level. "I"m Felicity. It's good to finally meet you."

"I like your dress."

Felicity smiled at her. "I love yours, too."

"It's like a princess," Clarke told her as she spun a bit in the dress, holding the skirt out as far as she could.

"You definitely look like one."

"I'm missing a crown," Clarke argued.

Felicity nodded slowly. "Maybe I could fix that for you."

"Really?"

Clarke had lit up almost immediately. All Felicity wanted to do was to make that night special for Tommy, Melanie, and Clarke. This was a big deal and if she couldn't be Tommy's sister, then she still wanted to make the best impression she could as Tommy's best friend's wife. Felicity nodded. She was fairly sure that she had a necklace, costume jewelry not anything crazy expensive upstairs, and she was sure that she could pin that to Clarke's head and it would be close to a crown.

"You don't have to do that," Melanie said quickly.

Felicity shook her head. "It's really not a problem—"

"Time for dinner," Oliver said as his hand touched Felicity's arm.

It seemed soon, but she was certain that Moira had the night scheduled. She looked over at Clarke. "It's going to have to wait, I'm afraid. Remind me later, though, okay?" she said with a smile.

"Okay!" Clarke said quickly.

Felicity wasn't sure how dinner was going to go, but she knew one thing. She liked how happy Tommy looked. He, Melanie, and Clarke looked like a perfect little family and they all deserved it. Tommy had been through hell and brought back from death, he deserved peace and happiness. With Malcolm gone, the company merged…all of the weight of the Merlyn empire wasn't solely on his shoulders. They were all bearing that weight, just as much as they were with the Queen family's legacy. It was all a lot for one single person, but it wasn't just on one of them… It was a lot easier to manage when it was Oliver, Felicity, Thea, Tommy, and the rest of Team Arrow. No matter what, they were all a team. Even if their surname wasn't Queen or Merlyn, they were still one family.

And family was what mattered.


"I'm so glad that everyone could get together for dinner," Moira said delighted. "It's been so long… This big house get so lonely when it's just me."

Felicity didn't miss Walter reaching out and covering Moira's hand with his, it brought a small smile to her face. She loved Walter and he made Moira so much more bearable. She actually really hoped that they got back together. She knew that there was a lot of history and lies in the past between them, but Walter was the only person who seemed to make Moira even a little bit happy these days and he still seemed to love her. Felicity also liked to think that Robert Queen would have liked to have known that his children had a father figure even if it couldn't have been him.

"Maybe we should plan this dinners more often," Walter spoke up.

The only big problem with that, of course, was that it was interfere with Arrow business along with likely their Arrow schedule. It still seemed so silly, but it was the best way for them all to have time off at night and be able to have the relationships they had. Felicity just didn't want to have to give up any more of her alone time with Oliver than she already did because of having to work later at Queen International.

"Maybe we can talk about it at lunch next week," Oliver replied. "If you'd like to join us, Walter?"

"I'd be delighted."

Lunches.

It wasn't like Moira didn't see her, Oliver, and Tommy on a weekly basis, though she supposed that she missed seeing Thea as well. With none of her children living at home and them all busy with their own lives, she could see how it could get extremely lonely even if you were Moira Queen with all kinds of projects to keep busy.

Oliver took her hand and squeezed it. She looked over at him and gave him a smile. Felicity really would rather be spending the evening with Oliver. Really good take out and then the rest of the night wrapped in each other's arms under the sheets of their bed. There just wasn't enough time for them sometime.

"You know, it's been so long since children have been in this house," Moira brought up a while later. "It was such a wonderful thing to hear."

"Clarke's not usually so loud and excitable," Melanie said, almost apologizing.

Felicity was certain that Melanie Walsh was just as terrified of Moira Queen as the rest of the world was. Of course, Felicity knew that that was certainly a smart thing to be. Moira was definitely not one to be messed with in any way. She could make your life hell, but Moira was just so excited about Clarke and how happy Tommy was…Felicity didn't see Moira going after Melanie in any way.

"You know, I would love hear the sound of children in this house more," Moira continued a moment later. "Grandchildren would be lovely…"

Grandchildren was something that everyone knew that Moira wanted. Neither Oliver nor Thea had quite figured out how to fit that element into their lives. She and Oliver had JUST brought up that topic. Felicity still didn't know how she felt about it. About a baby. How it would all work. She'd thought about it. She'd thought a lot about it, but she was fairly sure that her biggest fear was for her and Oliver to become distant if she had to back away from the Arrow business in order to take care of the baby.

"I volunteer Tommy," Thea spoke up quickly. "He's practically a Queen."

Tommy nearly spit out the wine he'd been drinking and shot a look towards Thea, who just seemed even more amused than before. If she and Thea couldn't be his sisters to everyone, it didn't mean that they couldn't ACT like sisters. Thea definitely had that down. "I—I um—"

"It's okay, Tommy, none of us actually expect you to have a grandkid next month," Sara spoke up with a small smile. It was clear that about everyone else except Tommy was enjoying the sudden change in direction with things.

"That takes nine months," Thea added.

Laughter spouted out and Tommy just shook his head, but a firm smile on his face.

"I hope you don't mind my daughter's forwardness, Melanie," Moira half apologized. "We love Tommy so dearly. He DID spend much of his life in this house…and I think even when he wasn't here, he was with Oliver. I DO think of him like another son…and I am very happy that he is so happy with you and Clarke. You can't blame us for hoping that we see a wedding…and children."

"Don't forget those grandkids," Thea echoed.

At least the spotlight wasn't on them, so Felicity was thankful for that. She just needed time to think and process and she was certain that Moira would bring it up to her and Oliver in more of a one on one situation soon enough. That was what the world seemed to expect even if the world evolved and women were in positions of a company. Moira still expected that she have the family that she wanted.

"I think that it's so nice that Tommy has such a nice family here with all of you…" Melanie told them with a smile. "You've all been so nice and welcoming…"

They were a family.

There was somewhere deep in Felicity that really appreciated Melanie saying that out loud. It made her feel a little better about things, especially all of the change that she knew would be coming. Of course, Tommy was going to Melanie. He would be crazy not to. They'd just all have to learn how to balance their secret life with the one that had to be public.

"Nothing is more important to me than family," Moira told her with a smile.


After dinner and dessert, they were all heading out of the dining area. Moira had ordered additional socializing. Walter had left towards the end of dinner, he said it was work related, but that he'd be back. Moira had seemed a little worried, but Felicity was fairly sure that the rest of them were more worried about him not being there to ease things over.

"Is there going to be dancing now?" Clarke asked, she was practically hoping.

Felicity was certain that the rather large piece of chocolate cake probably wasn't going to help Clarke with her hyperactivity. She was still adorable, though.

"Normally we only open the ballroom for big parties," Moira told Clarke.

"But I'm sure we could open the room, Mom, right?" Thea asked Moira. "I'm sure I could hook up some music to dance to."

"Of course, I'll have the staff open the ballroom—"

"Moira, can I have you for a moment?" Walter's voice filled the room and everyone turned to see Walter peeking into the room.

Moira looked to all of them. "Just a moment, Thea—"

"I'll have them open the room then," Thea said with a smile.

At least Walter was back, Felicity took that as a good thing. She wondered what was going on, but Felicity was certain that they'd probably find out after Melanie and Clarke left. Whatever was going on, they probably just didn't want to say anything in front of them and ruin Tommy's night, especially since it had been going so well. Everyone seemed to love Melanie and Clarke and it was clear that they both made Tommy so happy.

He deserved to be happy.

Once Moira had left the room with Walter, she turned back to Tommy, Melanie, and Clarke. She'd wanted to have some more time to chat with Melanie since Moira had insisted that they socialize more.

Clarke turned to Felicity, she was still bouncing. "You said that you had like a crown I could wear," she whispered. "You said to remind you, so I'm reminding you."

She hadn't forgotten.

Felicity looked to Tommy, a smile on her face. "I'll be right back. I just want to run upstairs and get something." Even though she and Oliver lived at their home, there were still a few things upstairs in the room that had once been hers at the mansion. She moved away from them and motioned to Oliver, who was talking with Roy, Diggle, and Sara, that she'd be right back.


"He can never know!"

"Moira, Oliver deserves—"

Oliver's name was what had caught her attention as she'd been making her way past Robert Queen's old study. Walter and Moira were being rather loud and she just couldn't not overhear them. When it came to Oliver, Felicity knew that Moira liked to keep things secret and Felicity just felt like she needed to know what they were talking about. If it had to do with Oliver, then it had to do with her.

Felicity wouldn't let Moira threaten their happiness.

"He hasn't known for THIS long. Could you imagine what would happen if Oliver found out that I kept his son from him? That I paid off that woman—"

"You can't always be thinking about how it's going to affect you, Moira."

A son.

Oliver.

Oliver had a son.

Felicity felt like she couldn't breathe for a moment. Oliver had a son? Oliver had a son that he didn't know about… Moira had apparently paid off the mother, most likely to keep quiet about said son. Her eyes watered as she tried to think about how she was going to tell Oliver about it. She couldn't keep this secret. She wouldn't. Felicity and Oliver weren't keeping secrets.

But wow…

This secret.

It would change everything.

A son.

"Well, what am I supposed to do? They finally don't all hate me! Could you imagine if this came out?!"

"It all happened a long time ago, Moira. If you explain it to Oliver…"

"I can arrange for the boy to be placed in a boarding school in Europe. Give him the education he deserves—"

"Moira! He's grieving! He just lost his mother! Are you really going to take away his family?! He's YOUR grandson!"

The weight of this secret.

She wouldn't keep it secret, but still… Just to hold onto it for these mere seconds…it was too much, too heavy of a burden. Felicity really couldn't breathe. She was starting to feel lightheaded and reached out to steady herself. Instead, her hand pushed against a vase, when she tried to stop it from falling, Felicity was the one who ended up on the ground and the vase ended up smacking her temple. It was definitely loud enough for Moira and Walter to hear, as they came out a moment later. The world was spinning and her vision started to blur. The vase wasn't broken, but she could see the blood on it as she pushed it weakly with her fingers. Felicity blinked wildly as her mind raced with thoughts.

This secret.

Oliver's son.

It would change everything.

Everything for Oliver.

Everything for her.

Everything for them.

The door was pulled open and Walter was immediately crouching down at her side with Moira looming over her. Felicity didn't know what to think, but as hard as she thought about what was going to happen…the thought of Oliver having a son out there…a motherless son…was all that could hold her focus.

A son.

"How much do you think she heard?" Moira asked Walter.

"It doesn't matter right now," Walter told her, his attention on Felicity. "Felicity? Can you hear me? Can you say something?"

"Oh my— What can I do?" one of the servants asked as she approached. Felicity knew that her name was Raisa. Oliver cared a lot about her, she'd helped raised him and he had never forgotten about that. Raisa was crouching down, checking on Felicity before anyone could say anything. "Should I get Mr. Oliver?"

"No, no," Moira said quickly.

Felicity wanted to talk, but she couldn't. Her head was spinning and pounding all at the same time. She just couldn't handle it. She lifted her hand and tried to touch Walter's arm. Though Moira might seem to want her dead, she knew for sure that Walter did not. He was always the one who was defending her and she was certain that she could count on him to do the right thing right now.

A son.

Oliver had a son.

"Let's get her up to bed," Moira said after a moment. "We wouldn't want to ruin Tommy's night."

"She needs a doctor," Walter spoke up, firmness in his voice.

"Raisa, can you call the doctor? Ask him to come in the back door? We'll make sure Felicity makes it upstairs."

Felicity watched as the servant moved away from them and she tried to get words out again, but they just couldn't.

Secrets.

Lies.

Old secrets.

A child.

A son.

Oliver's.

After a moment, darkness just took her over and she didn't fight it.


When she woke, Walter was there sitting at her bedside. Tears immediately started to fall from her eyes as she remembered what had happened…and WHY it had happened. She'd been born into a world of secrets and lies, but never had to live into it…not until recently. It was hard. She wasn't a person who kept them, especially not from Oliver. Secrets ate away at your soul and Felicity just didn't want to have secrets between her and Oliver… It had never worked before and she knew that it would never work now that they were married. Honesty was so much more important now.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like everything's going to crumble around me," she whispered as she closed her eyes again.

"That's not going to happen, Felicity," Walter said so believably in his beautiful voice.

She wanted to believe him.

She did.

It was hard, though. Felicity KNEW the secret and she knew that it would change things. Even IF Moira was the one that told Oliver, it was still going to change everything. It had seemed like they'd just finally gotten into a good place, well…as good as they could get. When it involved Moira Queen, her not plotting your death on a daily basis meant that you were in a pretty good place.

"Oliver has a son."

She could tell that Walter had been waiting to see how much she'd exactly known. Felicity wondered if Moira was downstairs trying to cover for her. There was likely a cover story, for Melanie and Clarke's benefit. Felicity didn't want to ruin Tommy's night, though, even after they went home… She just hoped that they were all driving together and that Tommy wouldn't be staying behind. He didn't need to know about any of it until later.

"Yes, so it seems," Walter told her.

"Did you know?"

Walter sighed. "I suppose I know many of Moira's secrets… Some of them I knew before the Gambit went down…and some I was informed of after we'd been married for some time…"

Felicity slowly sat up in bed, her head was spinning, but she leaned back against the headboard and stared up at the ceiling and it wasn't so bad. She only felt slightly like she was going to throw up. "I can't keep it from him… He DESERVES to know…"

"I agree with you," Walter said gently.

Her eyes closed and she let more tears fall. This was going to be so hard. "But Moira doesn't want to tell him—"

"What Moira WANTS is not always what is right, Felicity," Walter said as he reached out and took her hand. "The road to hell was paved with good intentions… Sometimes Moira forgets that… What she did, she did a long time ago…and Oliver was very different…he may have been an adult at that time, but he was not yet a man. I think you understand what I'm saying."

"That doesn't make it easier, Walter," she told him as she looked over at him.

It didn't.

Felicity was fairly sure that nothing would.

"I know, Dear," Walter told her. "But it MIGHT make it easier for Oliver to accept now…"

It was true that she didn't know Oliver growing up, so she really couldn't be a completely verify what he was saying was true… But Felicity HAD done enough research on Oliver's past and she KNEW exactly how far the Queens would go to protect both of their children, so she knew that she wasn't surprised by this new development. The more she thought about it, the more she really felt like she should be shocked that there weren't other children that had come out of the woodwork.

"There aren't any other secrets about Oliver that I should know about, are there?"

Walter tilted his head from one side to the other. "Not that I can think of right now."

"No other hidden children?"

"Not that I know of."

She really wasn't sure whether to be relieved by his words or worried that there were others out there that Moira had hidden. Felicity wasn't normally one to go in and hack for information on her mother-in-law, but she was going to make an exception. Felicity needed to know who Moira was paying off and why. She was fairly sure that she could also find out information on these people…if she could figure out the mother of the child…then maybe she could look up some information on her, too.

"Not really that comforting," Felicity told him.

"I'm sorry I don't have more to tell you."

"I have a way of figuring out things when I really want to," she whispered.

Walter nodded. "I have faith that you'll do what you think is right."

"Moira HAS to tell him, Walter…"

"I'm going to go down and check on things," Walter told her. "The doctor will be here quite soon. We just want to make sure that you don't have a concussion."

Felicity just nodded. She didn't know what else she could really do. Once Walter was gone, she looked around and wished that her phone was up there, so that she could start looking up the information that she was going to find. Sighing, she leaned back against the headboard again, looked upward, and then closed her eyes a moment later.

How were they going to get through this?


TBC…