AN: Wow you guys, just wow. I can't believe we passed 80 reviews so quickly! Amazing. I've been in the hospital the last few weeks, so I appreciate all of your patience and your responses for the story. Let me know what you think of this chapter! And thank you WinterRain36 for the ideas!
ARP: Thanks so much! I'm glad you like the story so far and my ideas. Sorry for the delay but I hope you like the chapter!
Guest: Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Ms Luna Moon: Thanks so much! I'm delighted you're like it.
OlicityAlways: I'm not sure if Oliver ever thought of Felicity while on the island, as he seemed pretty consumed with only thinking of Laurel; I mean, he didn't even seem to think about Sarah until he was captured on the ship. So I dunno, lol. I'm so happy you like the story so far and I hope you like this chapter too.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Arrow.
Chapter 3: Summer with the Queens Pt. 2
"I really don't think this is necessary. I mean, the press'll get tired after a while, right?" Felicity mumbled as she twisted her hands in anxiety, staring at her reflection in the elevator.
"I am not worried about the press, Felicity. The article simply reminded me of my responsibilities as head of this family that I'd been neglecting and we're here to make arrangements for Marie's future." Moira Queen replied as she fixed her hair before stepping out of the elevator, head high and back straight.
Felicity had to take a calming breath before she followed, not wanting to let those they passed to see how unnerved she was about this entire situation. They made their way into what she guessed was a conference room, where several men and woman were already seated.
"Moria." A stylish blonde stood from the table and the two clasped hands.
"Jean, thank you for coming. This is Felicity Smoak." Moira introduced, motioning the young woman forward. Stepping more fully into the room, Felicity gave a nervous wave to the room, her cheeks hot as all eyes turned towards her. It was perfectly clear they were judging her and she didn't particularly like it.
"A pleasure, Ms. Smoak. Let us get started." Jean said and nodded towards the table, where the three took their seats.
"By her presence, I'm assuming the article was correct?" A bolding man asked, leaning on his elbows so he could get a closer look at Felicity, who fidgeted in her seat.
"Yes, Mr. Thomas, the article presumed correctly in that Marie is my granddaughter." Moira replied with a pinched expression, not liking his tone.
"How can we be certain? She could just be trying to weasel money out of you, or gain fame by being associated with your family."
"Do you really think me so gullible, Mr. Thomas?" Felicity bit down on her brightly colored lip to keep from starting to ramble as Moira glared icily at the man, the temperature seeming to drop with every second.
"N-No, of course not Mrs. Queen." The man shook his head, not wanting to risk losing his job.
"I have a DNA test result sent by Dr. Lamb that gives irrefutable proof of the child's parentage." Jean announced, the man next to her handing her the document from the file they'd compiled for this meeting.
"Her name is Marie." Everyone glanced over at the blonde, who was slightly irritated they kept referring to her daughter without using her name.
"Of course, Ms. Smoak. Our apologies." Jean gave a small smile, looking more sincere than the others.
"Felicity, Jean and her firm are going to be handling the legalities of our situation. The PR team is here to plan on how to properly address the public." Moira said, motioning to each party.
"What legalities?" She asked, sitting forward with a questioning look. Moira and Jean both exchanged a look.
"Marie is a Queen, Ms. Smoak. And with that comes specific obligations." At her confused look, Moira gently squeezed her hand.
"Jean is here to set up trusts for you and Marie, as well as changing my will to include you both."
"Moira, I told you I don't want your money."
"I know, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to make sure you and Marie are taken care of; you're family." Felicity gave a heavy sigh and shook her head, knowing the older woman could be so damn stubborn.
"Moira—"
"It's going to be done, Felicity. I've already made all the arrangements. All you have to do is sign the documents." Moira spoke over her, her face set in determination.
"I won't say no to Marie, but I really cannot accept money on my behalf. I'm perfectly capable of earning my way in the world and making a life for myself and Marie." Felicity replied, just as stubborn.
"As the mother of my granddaughter, it is my responsibility to make sure you're taken care of as well. There is no point in arguing dear, as the paperwork has already been drawn up." Moira nodded at the man next to Jean, who pulled out a handful of papers and slid them over to her.
"I've indicated where you and Ms. Smoak must sign."
"Thank you Mr. Jones." The matriarch said and took the pen Jean offered, quickly flipping through the pages and signing her name with a flourish. When she was done she handed Felicity the documents and pen, brow arched as if daring her to try and fight her.
"I really—"
"Just sign the papers Felicity." The young mother bit at her lip at the exacerbated tone of Moira's words, not wanting to upset the woman. She'd already lost so much that the last thing Felicity wanted to do was add to her pain by refusing her. It was just too much, way too much.
"What am I signing, exactly?" She questioned as she picked up the pen, resigned that she was going to have to do as Moira commanded. There was no way to say 'no' to her, as she literally just bulldozed over anyone or anything that got in her way. And Felicity respected that about her, even if it made her uncomfortable in this instance.
"Marie's name will be changed to Queen to prevent anyone from trying to negate the legality of her inheritance. You are the executor of her trust and have access to it until she comes of age; if you'd wish to change the age requirement, we can do that."
"Hmm. Yeah, I think that'd be good. I don't want her to have ready access to this kind of money when she turns eighteen. Maybe 21? Or 25?" She said, looking over at Moira for help, as this was beyond her realm of expertise.
"I believe 25 is a very good age; it will give her time to mature and understand the responsibility that comes with this type of inheritance. I've seen what too much too early can cause, and I don't want that for Marie." The older mother's voice caught at the reference to her lost son, making Felicity reach out to lightly squeeze her hand and give a sad smile.
"I'll make the change." Jean said, snagging the papers back to make the notation before handing them back and Felicity initialed the newly inked lines before flipping to the last page and signing her name with a flourish.
"Have you come up with how to handle this?" Moira asked, her attention turning to the other group of people that hadn't spoken, save the balding man.
"We believe a press conference to address the rumors would suffice. That way, the public knows the truth without the tabloids being able to twist your words around or take them out of context. This way we can control what is said." A middle aged woman with dark brown hair said, handing a folder over to the matriarch, which held the arrangements that just needed authorizing.
"Very good. I'd like to have the conference as soon as possible." She said as she read over the specifics.
"Most of the press is outside the building already, Mrs. Queen. We could have everything ready within the half hour."
"That would be very good. The sooner the better. I do not want any confusion or doubts to who Marie's father is, was. Get everything set up; Felicity and I will grab something to eat from the cafeteria while we wait."
The young blonde marveled at the authority the other woman possessed, as everyone began moving as soon as she gave the order, giving true meaning to "the Queen had spoken". The conference room was emptied in seconds, with Jean and Moira exchanging quiet words before she was being escorted back towards the elevator by the uniformed man that'd driven them to the office.
"That went faster than I originally thought." Moira murmured as they waited for the elevator to reach its destination.
"All of that really wasn't necessary, Moira."
"Hush, dear, I won't hear any more of it. Now, what do you want to eat? Maybe just some coffee and we can get something more appetizing on the way back home."
Felicity just followed after the woman, shaking her head to herself. The Queens were like tornados, sucking in everyone around them and forcing them where they wanted them, no matter how much the other person might protest. She'd be more concerned about it if she was their enemy, that was for sure. As it was, she was just thankful to not be on the destructive side of the storm.
/*/
The press conference was quick and to the point, Felicity thankfully being kept to the side and not allowed to be questioned. Moira confirmed Oliver had fathered Marie before leaving on the yacht and that Maria had been welcomed into the Queen family without prejudice or shame. The reporters had clamored for more, for juice they could make money from, but the Queen matriarch had been abrupt and refused to allow the gossipers to get anything from her or Felicity.
The new mother was just thankful it was all over and she was allowed to return to her life, even if it was irritating that people now stared and whispered whenever she went somewhere. Like now, as she was sitting with Marie at a café, her laptop in front of her and her programming code running. She'd wanted to get out of the mansion and spend the day with her daughter, but now she was regretting it as they were the talk of the small café.
"So I feel even weirder about flirting with you now." The blonde gave a start at the voice, looking up to see the charming smile of Tommy Merlyn, the billionaire standing to the side with a cup of what she presumed was coffee.
"Do you have something against single mothers?" She questioned with a quirk of the brow as he gave a chuckle and sat down, making a face that had Marie giggling loudly, drawing even more attention.
"They do tend to have a lot of baggage that I don't want to get involved with." Felicity shook her head at his smile, bouncing Marie on her knee and grabbing a napkin as the baby started blowing bubbles.
"Maybe you just haven't met the right person."
"Hmm. I still can't believe he actually knocked you up. I mean, that's not something we ever thought would happen." Tommy said with a shake of his head, setting his cup down.
"Given what I've read about your exploits, I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner, actually. The two of you are…were very reckless. I'm just glad all I got from Oliver was Marie, as there's really no telling what he might have caught." She shuddered a little, the knowledge that she could have gotten a STI along with a child not lost on her.
"This coming from the woman who went home with Oliver after only a few hours?" Tommy asked with a laugh, no ill intent in his words as he smiled charmingly at her.
"That was literally a one-time thing for me, and I got more than I bargained for. I'll be staying clear of careless sex—not that I won't have sex again, because I will. Not that I'll have it with just anyone; I do have standards. I mean…3-2-1." Felicity could feel the hot blush on her cheeks as she forced herself to stop rambling, the amused look on his face making her redden even more. She really needed to stop putting her foot in her mouth if she was going to be around billionaires this often.
"We should get out of here."
"Why?" Felicity gave a confused look as she glanced up, not knowing where that had come from. Tommy finished his coffee and stood to toss it in the trashcan, wiggling his fingers at Marie until she reached for him with a giggle.
"The paps are arriving and I doubt you're very good at maneuvering around them yet." Her eyes shot to the window, where numerous people with cameras stood, trying to get a good angle on the three of them.
"Damn. How'd they know I was here? Is it always like this?"
"Someone tipped them off and yes, it's always like this. Starling City doesn't exactly have a high celebrity count, so they swarm the ones we do. And you, Blondie, are the newest star of the city." He replied with a smirk and chuckle, taking the baby from her arms with ease.
She quirked a brow at him, as she hadn't pegged him as a kid person, but Tommy just shrugged and bounced Marie in his arms, being rewarded with peals of laughter that made both adults smile. Sighing, Felicity quickly closed her laptop and put it back in her bag and stood, grabbing the stroller that she'd pushed to the side.
"You know they're gonna make it look like you're interested in me if you don't give her to me, right?" The blonde asked as he refused to hand the smiling child over, content to hold her close to his chest.
"I have no problem being linked to a woman as beautiful and charming as you." He said with a grin, making her blush and shake her head, figuring it was the same smile he used to get many a woman into his bed.
"I'm already being called a gold-digger and tramp, so I guess adding one more billionaire to the tally won't really matter."
"Hey, it'll die down in a few weeks. You're just fresh meat they can't resist, and with you not talking to the tabloids, they're filling in the gaps with whatever will sell more magazines." Tommy bumped his hip against hers as they headed towards the door, making her puff out a breath before nodding.
"I know. I just hate that Marie is being put through this."
"She won't even remember it. All that matters to her is that you love her and are looking out for her." Felicity turned to him, having to tip her head back to look up at him, hand reaching out to stroke Marie's soft cheek.
"You're not anything like what I thought you'd be." Tommy's lips twitched into a small smile as he shrugged.
He'd never admit out loud that he felt like a piece of his friend had been returned to him; as he held Marie close to him, he didn't feel like he was floundering as much as he had been since Oliver's accident. He'd been a wreck for a year now, and only with the appearance of these two remarkable females did he finally feel things begin to settle back into place. It wasn't the same as having Oliver, but it was the best he could get and he wasn't going to lose that connection now that he had it.
"Let's get out of here."
She nodded and turned back to push through the door, not realizing the picture that'd been captured would indeed paint them as more than just "friends". But this was the life she'd agreed to when she'd signed those papers and would just have to get used to it. And as long as no one was slandering Marie, she could deal with whatever the gossip rags spit out.
/*/
And boy did they come up with some ridiculous stories, especially with the pictures of her and Tommy to add fuel to the fire. But he just shrugged it off, coming by once to twice a week to hang out and play with Marie, making it obvious he was more than the playboy he let other see. Marie absolutely adored him, her round little face always lighting up when she'd see him and her pudgy little arms reaching out to him, wanting to be picked up.
The man ate up the attention, often bringing little gifts for the baby, her favorite being the plush blue hippo that Felicity knew cost more than any stuffed animal ever should. But she didn't put up a fuss, as she'd caught him whispering about Oliver to Marie several times and knew he hurting just as much as Thea and Moira and she didn't want to be the one to make him clam back up.
So she, Thea, Marie and Tommy could often be found in the media room, laughter filling the air as they joked and played around, content to just be. There was no one reminding them of the people they'd lost or the pain they were in; it was just enjoyable evenings with entertaining movies and good company. Thea and Tommy even told funny stories about Oliver that actually managed to lighten the mood, the two starting to really heal, for which Felicity was thankful.
Moira even spent some time with them, but the older woman wasn't as comfortable relaxing around Tommy, as she still had trepidation about his father and whatever he had planned, so she used the time the young man came over to go out with Robert's friend and current CEO of QC, Walter Steele.
For the first time since the accident she was able to be around a man and actually enjoy herself, to begin to open up to another person again. He was patient and undemanding, just wanting to help her heal, letting her know he was always there for her, night or day and that he was always willing to listen if she needed to talk. It wasn't much of a wonder that she found herself falling for him more and more every day.
And tonight she was going on her official first date with Walter, as she'd kept their meetings to herself so as not to hurt Thea's feelings. But she was ready to put the past behind her and move on to her future, which she was hoping included Walter. She'd always love and miss Robert, but he wasn't coming back and she couldn't stay in the cocoon of mourning and isolation any longer. As for Oliver, well, she'd never get over losing her son, no matter how many years passed.
"Are you sure I look alright?" Moira asked once more as she put in her diamond earrings, glancing at the simple blue cocktail dress she wore.
"You look great mom. Walter won't be able to keep his eyes off you." Thea reassured with a tight smile from where she sat next to Felicity on Moira's large bed. They'd helped her decide on which outfit was best for the date and helped the older woman calm her nerves, as she hadn't been out on a first date in more than twenty-five years and needed a few pep talks.
"The dress is simple but elegant, Moira." Felicity smiled when her eyes met the older woman's in the mirror, getting a smile of thanks before Moira was sliding in her heels.
"Are you sure you'll both be alright?" She asked, grabbing her small clutch.
"We'll be fine mom! Go." Thea hoped off the bed and lightly pushed her mother towards the door, making Moira laugh before she pulled the girl into a hug.
"Don't stay up too late, Thea. You've got riding lessons in the morning." The brunette gave a sigh and rolled her eyes as she stepped away, hating she wasn't going to get to sleep until noon like she'd planned.
"Yeah yeah." Moira just chuckled and smoothed a hand over her daughter's hair.
"You both have a good night and I'll see you in the morning."
"Have fun." Moira waved to Felicity before she ducked out of the room, heading towards the front parlor, where Walter was waiting. Felicity slowly got off the bed and came over to where Thea was standing, the girl's attention having shifted to a framed picture of her parents that was sitting on the table next to the door.
"So are you really okay with this?" She questioned quietly, wrapping an arm around the girl's hunched shoulders.
"I guess. I just…I miss him." Thea whispered, fingers tracing her father's face.
"I know you do." Felicity squeezed her shoulders, which began to shake as Thea lost the battle with her emotions. Turning, she threw herself at the new mother, body shaking as she sobbed into the blonde's chest.
Felicity worked the picture out of her hand and sat it back on the table before wrapping both arms around the brunette, hands stroking soothingly over her back. There wasn't any more she could do, as there were no words that could ever make the pain of losing a parent and sibling easier to bear. It was a throbbing pain that'd be with Thea the rest of her life, no matter what.
The two remained like that for several minutes until Thea's cries trailed off into hiccups and sniffles. Felicity pulled back, wiping the lingering tears away with her thumbs and giving Thea a sad smile.
"Why don't we go get some ice cream? I'm sure Raisa has some stashed in the freezer." Thea gave a little nod as she rubbed at her face, not sure what had brought on the waterworks. But she felt a little better, as if a pressure that'd been pressing into her since she found out about her mother's date had eased a little.
"It's alright to be upset your mom is starting to date, Thea; natural, even. But I think it's also good your mom is getting back out there. She looks happy." Felicity murmured as they started down the hallway, the baby monitor jiggling against her hip from where it was clipped into her belt.
"Yeah. I want her to be happy. I just…I miss my dad. And Oliver. I miss them so much." Thea's lips trembled as she twisted her hands in front of her.
"I know. But I think it's time for you to start moving forward too. You'll never be able to replace either of them, but you can be happy, Thea. And you deserve to be happy." The brunette looked up at her before she gave her a hug, making Felicity smile as she squeezed her back.
"You and Marie make me happy. It's like I got a piece of Ollie back, but I also got a sister and niece too."
"Good. Now let's go make some sundaes." The two shared a smile before they hurried down the stairs, ice cream beckoning.
/*/
"Excuse me, Ms. Smoak, but there are guests for you at the door. Should I bring them into the den?" Felicity's eyes shot up to Raisa, who stood at the door, a brow raised in question.
"Uh, no, I'll go to them. Thanks Raisa." The blonde said, blushing at the mess she'd made of the den.
It was one of the rare days that both Moira and Thea were out of the house, leaving Felicity and Marie alone. And she'd taken full advantage, building a pallet of blankets and pillows for them on the floor in front of the television. She'd been vegging out watching the sixth season of Buffy while Marie played with her stuffed toys for the last couple of hours and enjoying every minute of it.
Quickly getting up, Felicity brushed off the popcorn that'd fallen into her lap before scooping Marie up, with baby tucked into her chest, the blonde started towards the entrance hall, giving Raisa a smile as she passed, the Russian wiggling her fingers at Marie to get a laugh.
"Surprise!" Felicity jumped at the shouted word, mouth dropping open in surprise.
"Mom, Dad? What are you—Robin?" The blonde was suddenly babyless and being hugged tightly, Marie having been stolen by an overeager grandmother.
"My grandbaby! Oh I've missed you." Charlotte cooed at the child, kissing her soft cheeks and making Marie giggle as her hands came up to cutch at the silver necklace that was dangling from the woman's neck.
"What are you guys doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you, because I am, obviously. But this is the Queens' house and I don't know how Moira'd feel about surprise guests. I mean, I'm sure she wouldn't mind, but she tends to like warning before people just drop by. Not that—"
"Just breath, pumpkin." Steven said with a smile, pulling her out of Robin's arms to give her a tight hug and a kiss on her cheek before turning to his wife and granddaughter.
"Your parents wanted to surprise you and I convinced them to let me tag along. I was missing my BFF and my favorite niece. This place is awesome, by the way. You sure know how to pick 'em. Well, Andrew was a douche, but never mind." Robin said, shrugging as she leaned around Charlotte to make faces at Marie.
"And since you seemed reluctant to introduce us to Mrs. Queen, your father and I had to take matters into our own hands. She invited us to stay the weekend so we could all get to know each other; we are all family now, after all." Charlotte said, giving her daughter the arched brow look that told her she was in trouble. It was ridiculous that she was twenty and her mom could still make her feel like a naughty child.
"You talked to Moira?" She asked in surprise, looping her arm with her dad's as she leaned against his side, realizing how much she'd missed her family while she'd been away.
"Yes. We've actually spoken a few times, as we both felt Marie needed grandparents that at least knew each other. And she arranged so that we could spend time with you before dinner." The older version of Felicity continued, bouncing Marie in her arms and smiling at the loud giggles it caused.
"Look, I'm sorry I didn't invite you guys, I just…I didn't want to rush things. They're still hurting and I just wanted them to have this time with Marie to heal a little." Felicity said, her mom's eyes softening and a small smile gracing her lips as she handed Marie to Robin so she could embrace the blonde.
"You're such a good girl." She said softly, stroking the soft curls before stepping back.
"Now go get changed, I want to go out for lunch and see a little of the city." Sighing, Felicity rolled her eyes but took Marie from her friend and headed towards the stairs.
"I'll show you to the den to wait." Raisa's voice spoke up, startling them as they hadn't heard the maid arrive. The blonde knew her mess was probably already cleaned up and made a mental note to thank the woman as she started towards her room, feeling bad she'd had to clean up after her. She'd tried to be self-efficient since she'd been there and didn't like anyone having to clean her messes, even if that's what they were paid for.
"I'm gonna help Izzy pick something to wear." Robin waved before dashing after her friend, bumping their hips together when she reached her.
"I'm missed you Izzy." Robin said as she looped her arm with the one that wasn't holding Marie, the blonde giving her a smile as they made their way into the east wing and to the room Felicity had been given.
"Me too. I'm glad you came."
"Of course I'd come to see you! Even if we'll be going back to school in a couple of weeks." The two shared a smile, Felicity handing Marie to her friend so she could open her closet to pick something to wear.
"How was the Europe?" Robin had spent her summer backpacking around, spending her days languishing on beautiful beaches and seeing ancient ruins with several of their friends. They'd been planning the trip since the year before and Felicity had been on the list until she'd hooked up with Oliver and gotten pregnant. Not that she regretted it, because she didn't. She just really wanted to visit the Louvre and sip wine in an Italian vineyard.
"It was alright. It would've been better with you. Carly wouldn't have slept with an old French dude if you'd been there." She said, laughing and shaking her head while she snuggled Marie against her chest as she sat on the huge bed.
"She didn't." Felicity's eyes widened in surprise, making her friend laugh more and nod.
"Oh but she did. Poor girl won't ever live it down. So how's the life of a billionaire compare to your old one?"
"I'm not a billionaire, Robin. And the Queens are just like any other family, with their ups and downs. They do have more refined tastes though." Felicity replied, pulling out a pretty pink sheath dress that she slipped on and paired with black heels. It wasn't super casual, but it also wasn't fancy, meaning it was perfect.
"Oh I've seen the articles girlie. So you and Tommy Merlyn." Robin grinned at the blonde's flush and eye roll.
"I told you not to believe anything they write. Tommy and I are just friends."
"Hmm." Ignoring the laughter in her friend's voice, Felicity went into her bathroom to brush her hair into a pony tail and apply some light makeup. Once done she went into the adjourning nursery and pulled out a purple dress for Marie, also grabbing up the diaper bag and making sure it had everything before returning to her room.
"So what're you gonna do after December?"
"What do you mean?" The mother asked, taking Marie and pulling her onesie off, checking her diaper before sliding the dress up her small body and buttoning it into place.
"Well you're going to graduate, so are you gonna stay up in Boston or return to Coast City? Or are you gonna come back here?"
"I don't know. Moira is trying to woo me to come work for Queen Consolidated, which would put us closer to both grandparents. But you're not graduating until May and I'd miss you." Felicity shrugged, picking her daughter up and positioning her on her hip, Robin sliding the diaper bag over her shoulder.
"I think QC would be a good fit for you, Izzy. Close to the family but not so close your mom would drive you crazy all the time. Me and Carly'll be fine at school, even if we'll miss you. I'm going to be a radio dj, so wherever there's radio, I can work; say in Starling."
"You'd move here?"
"Course I would. What's the point of having a great job if you don't have any friends to hand out with? We'll make Starling City our bitch."
"Baby ears!" Felicity said with a laugh, having missed her friend more than she'd realized. She'd known Robin since the second grade, when she'd made a couple of girls that'd been picking on Felicity to cry, and she hated being away from her for so long. After her Lizzy's death, Robin was the closest thing she had to a sister and Felicity didn't ever want to lose her.
She still wasn't sure what she planned to do after graduation, as she'd had to change her plans when Marie'd been born. Now she had to think about what was best for Marie, which included needing flexible work hours and available daycare. She'd end up going wherever their needs were met the best, even if that wasn't Queen Consolidated.
/*/
After spending the afternoon wandering the city, the group came back to the mansion to have dinner with the Queens. And while everyone was very civil and gracious, there was an undercurrent of jealousy that made Felicity uncomfortable.
Thea was jealous over the bond between Felicity and Robin and the fact that Robin labeled herself as Marie's aunt. The girl wanted the two all to herself, even if it was a little irrational, and the kept shooting Robin dirty looks that had the older woman arching a brow but shrugging it off. When you were Thea's age, it wasn't uncommon to get attached to your friends and get upset when they had other friends besides you, so Robin didn't take it personally.
For Moira, she was jealous over Charlotte and Steven, as she'd grown very devoted to Marie and didn't like sharing her with another set of grandparents. Of course, the woman was much too sophisticated to ever let her feelings be known, but it didn't stop the small seed of upset from being planted in her stomach. She'd simply have to get used to sharing her granddaughter, as Marie wasn't just hers and would be going to Boston with Felicity in two weeks anyway.
Felicity just enjoyed having everyone together and breathed easier when the adults all seemed to get along, keeping up a conversation with Thea to make sure the girl remained engaged as well. It was a little tense starting out, but when Robin began speaking about fashion, the girl lit up like a Christmas tree and the two quickly got lost in a discussion of the fall collection. The blonde just smiled, as she didn't have the faintest what they were talking about, but was glad they were actually talking now.
Charlotte, Steven and Robin stayed the weekend, spending time with Felicity and the Queens. It was important to all of them that Marie knew she was loved by them all, so they put aside any hurt feelings they might have over having to share the child, as it was best for her to have both sides of her family on good terms. And it wasn't the others' fault for existing, so they all just had to realize that the minute Moira invited Felicity to spend the summer had changed their lives forever.
After they left, Moira and Thea spent almost every minute with the new mother and daughter, realizing their time was coming to a close and they didn't want to waste any time they did have. It was a little stifling for Felicity, but sure endured because she knew it's what the Queens needed and she just wanted them to be happy.
But their time did come to a close sooner than they'd like, as Felicity and Marie were both headed to Boston before they knew it. It was a sad day in the Queen Mansion, but Moira had sworn they'd be taking trips up the east coast to see them when they could, as she didn't want Marie to forget who they were by a prolonged absence.
That, as well as making sure QC offered Felicity the best internship available was all she could do while she waited to see if she was going to be kept from her granddaughter if Felicity took another company's offer. She just had to cross her fingers and hope for the best.
AN: Okay, so I know the chapter wasn't as good as the last one, but I just had to get this out so we could move on. I apologize if it was a letdown or if there were many mistakes. I don't have a beta for this so I only catch so much. Please let me know what you guys thought. Thanks!