Chapter 10

"Harry!" Ollie bounced excitedly when he saw his friend run up to him. Oliver watched the interaction with a fond smile, they hugged and Ollie helped Harry take off his shoes so that he could play on the bouncy castle with him. Oliver turned when he heard giggling and saw Felicity in a bright conversation with what Oliver assumed to be Harry's mom. He had never really thought of Felicity as social, before he had left there was never really any time for friends, she was either at QA in an office on her own, and then she was at the foundry. Oliver had assumed when they had first met that social interactions were not that common for her because of how she rambled, but then he realised that was part of her charm. But watching as she spoke, he was happy to see that she had friends.

"Oliver, this is Angie, Harry's mom." Felicity smiled introducing him, once again he had been caught staring. Thankfully, Felicity didn't seem to mind.

"Hi. It's nice to meet you." Oliver smiled shaking her hand.

"You too. Glad to see you home." She said lightly and turned to see her son waving at her. "Harry is rather fond of your son. Not to mention all he spoke about last night was how Ollie's dad read stories at nursery with funny voices…"

"You did?" Felicity smiled tilting her head to the side and watching as Oliver blushed.

"Was the best part of Harry's day yesterday," Angie grinned, winking at Felicity who giggled again. Oliver loved that sound.

"It was fun." Was all Oliver could think to say. The doorbell rang and Oliver used that as a quick escape and went to answer it, he almost wished he didn't when he saw John, Lyla and Sara at the door.

"Hi," Oliver opened the door.

"Oliver." Lyla nodded and walked past him with Sara, John just walked past the cake box in his hand.

"Digger!" Ollie's loud voice raced through the hallway.

"Hey birthday boy." Diggle smiled and ruffled his hair. "You know what this is?"

"Cake! Cake!" Ollie replied jumping up and down to try and see what it was.

"My cake." John smiled.

"No! My cake!" Ollie giggled back. "Oliver Digger got cake." Ollie pointed when Oliver walked past.

"Does he?" Oliver smiled. "For me?"

"No me." Ollie giggled and used Oliver's legs to climb up to see the cake but Oliver scooped him away so he couldn't.

"You can see your cake later. Now, let's go and see if Ray's big feet have popped the castle yet." Oliver smiled and Ollie nodded giggling hysterically. John watched the two walk away and sighed, as much as part of him wanted to he couldn't bring himself to forgive him for everything he had done, no matter how good he was with Ollie, or how much that little boy adored him.

"Hey Felicity," John smiled as he caught her alone in the kitchen. The party had been in full swing for almost three hours now with more children from Ollie's nursery arriving.

"Hey," Felicity smiled and turned to see him. "I'm sorry that we haven't had a chance to talk…"

"Felicity, you have no reason to be sorry." John assured her. "I understand that you have your family now, as much as you might deny it you've wanted this for a long time."

"Are you angry at me?" Felicity asked quietly. That was what she was scared of. Her and John had bonded so much over the betrayal of Oliver, when it was just them at the two of them at the foundry they shared memories and tears and angry rants that they wouldn't let anyone else ever hear. But now it was as though she had just pushed those moments aside and welcomed Oliver back with open arms.

"Oh Felicity, no, I am not angry at you." John said gently. "I know that it's not easy for you either. But you are doing what you know is best for Ollie,"

"Do you think it's best for him?" She asked.

"Yes. He needs his dad in his life, and Oliver needs his son." John nodded. "And you need Oliver too." Felicity just bowed her head. He was right, she really did need him in her life, but admitting it now made her feel weak almost. "Now, come on what's bothering you?"

"Nothing," Felicity smiled. "I just...It's a bit busy out there, and I just needed a minute."

"Okay." John said softly. "Ollie is a great kid, Felicity. You've done such an amazing job with him."

"I didn't do it alone. I had you, and Ray, Thea and Laurel. I was never alone with him." Felicity smiled.

"But it was mostly you, we were there for the both of you, but all of the decisions, everything that little boy is, is from you." John smiled and rubbed her shoulder. "Now, shall we go outside and gather everyone for cakes and presents?"

"That sounds good." Felicity smiled and wiped her eyes quickly. John just smiled and guided her back out.

John called everyone to sit down and then he and Ray added the candles to the cake and carried it out, singing Happy Birthday, all of the guests started to join in too and Ollie even started singing, not understanding they were singing it to him. Oliver and Felicity were sat with Ollie between them and he had both of their hands in his and was holding them tight. When Ollie saw the cake he gasped and looked over at Ray who beamed at it too. It was a miniature robot with O in the middle.

"It's a robot." Ollie told Oliver quietly.

"I can see that." Oliver giggled.

They cut the cake and gathered the presents from Ollie's nursery friends because they would be going soon. Ollie was very pleased with all of his presents from them, he had received some superhero toys and books and Harry had gotten him a remote control robot dog. Ollie secretly loved that one the best. When all of his nursery friends left Ollie waved goodbye hugging them all and thanking them for coming, then he ran up to Felicity and cuddled her.

"Are you okay baby?" Felicity asked, Ollie just nodded his head in her shoulder. "Been a busy day huh bub?" Ollie nodded again and chewed on his thumb. "Come on, it's just family now so you can chill a bit." Ollie nodded and looked up to see everyone chatting and he smiled. "Want to play with your robot dog?" Ollie nodded and jumped down to get it.

"He okay?" Oliver asked, he had been sat with Thea catching up a little.

"Think it's all been a bit overwhelming for him today." Felicity said softly. "But he's enjoyed it. Think he's tired." Oliver nodded and watched as Ollie laid on the grass playing with the robot, it wasn't long before he fell asleep. Ray was the one who spotted him and picked him up and laid him in the shade grabbing a pillow and a light blanket. Whilst Ollie slept the adults continued to speak, talking about work and everything and Oliver sat back watching, once again being reminded that he didn't have much place here. Felicity noticed and took his hand giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just thinking." He said quietly, staring at their hands.

"About…?"

"What's next for me," Oliver whispered.

"We'll figure it out, together." Felicity promised.

"Together." Oliver smiled back.

Ollie woke up two hours later and was back to his energetic self and it was now time for his presents from his family. They were sat by the bouncy castle, Ollie's new pet dog - Bingo - was walking back and forth, Ray was rather enjoying controlling him. Every now and again he mumbled something about the technology and how he would change it and make it better. But Ollie just shook his head and cuddled the robotic dog dearly.

Thea was first, she of course had gotten him some more clothes, Ollie giggled he especially liked his new red converses and put them on straight away. Laurel and her father had brought him a set of police cars and he excitedly started to make the siren sounds. John, Sara and Lyla had brought him some action figures and army trucks. "Your present from me is waiting for you at home." Felicity smiled at him and Ollie nodded.

"And we are going out somewhere tomorrow so you can pick yours from me." Oliver smiled.

"Where going?" Ollie asked.

"Somewhere special." Oliver winked and Ollie clapped excitedly.

Ollie then turned to Ray. "Robot?" He giggled looking at his godfather.

Ray jumped up and a few minutes later he came down with a large box. "Come and unwrap it." He said placing it on the floor. Ollie scrambled up and tore the paper away. Under the paper inside a clear box was what looked to be a mini Atom suit.

"Ray…" Felicity said softly, and almost warningly.

"It doesn't fly!" Ray said quickly. "Too high i mean."

Felicity just shook her head but she was smiling so fondly at them both. Ray opened it and helped Ollie into it. Ollie did look quite amusing in it, the blue and red metal made him look taller and chunkier and he wore the biggest grin beneath the hood. He pressed some of the buttons loving the different noises they made. Ray stood behind him and pressed a button on the back and held Ollie's hand and the young boy squealed excitedly as he hovered off of the ground a few inches.

"I fly!" Ollie cheered and clapped making him fall back to the ground. "Again!" He screamed and everyone laughed, even Felicity and Oliver who had shared concerned expressions. "Thankoo Ray. Love ya!"

"Love you too little robot." Ray grinned and for the next two hours they spent the time playing with the robot suit, everyone else headed home and it was just the four of them left. Every time Oliver saw Ray and Ollie play he tried not to feel jealous, he tried to remember that Ollie was two and had the best present he could ever ask for from Ray that was why he was so happy and clingy to him, but it didn't make the jealous ease away.

"I'm sorry." Felicity said quietly.

"Nothing to be sorry for." Oliver promised. "I'm just…"

"I know," Felicity took his hand. "But remember tomorrow it will just be the three of us. Ollie and Ray are close because there were times where i couldn't cope so Ray would take him out, they have a bond that I don't think will ever change. But it doesn't mean that will stop him making a new bond with you." Felicity leaned against him and Oliver nodded slowly, he wrapped his arms around her feeling the need to be close to him and he was glad that she didn't pull away.