Chapter 13

Next day was a busy day for Felicity. She had to talk with her group in Central City in skype. They had a lot of decisions to take regarding the extension of the business.

Then Moira called her at lunch and apologized for last night disastrous dinner. Felicity assured Moira that she was forgiven. But Felicity was not relieved. She felt like something was changed in their bond. She always relied on Moira for strength. She had the feeling that she couldn't do that anymore. She didn't understand Moira's behavior last night. But she was not going to let Moira bully her. Moira was her mentor in standing up to herself, and she learnt well.

Yet Felicity felt guilty over threatening Moira. She didn't want to hurt her. She was defending her son. Just like Moira would do if she was ever put in that position. Felicity justified herself.

Thea also called her and asked her to have breakfast next morning with her. Felicity promised her that she would come. Thea was going through a rough patch. Roy's state was not better. So Felicity thought that it would be better if she had a heart to heart talk with her best friend.

William was with Diggle whole day. And when Diggle came to drop him at home she invited Diggle to dinner. She knew Diggle didn't like going home very much now that Lyla was not with him. It must be so lonely for him to be in the space where they shared since the day they got married.

After dinner she tucked William into his bed and stayed there until he fell asleep. Diggle was at the living room having a beer when she sat down beside him.

"So… How things going with Merlins, Felicity? Did Moira contact you?" Diggle asked.

"Yeah, she did. She called today at lunch and apologized for her behavior." Felicity answered while pouring herself a glass of wine.

"And…?"

"And I told her that I forgive her."

"But..?"

"But, I feel like I'm missing something here, Diggle. Moira is not someone I want as an enemy. She was basically my mother. I don't understand why she acted like that. I came here to live freely. I don't want look my behind every time I go out from the house. I can take care of myself and William. But I don't want to put him at unnecessary risks." Felicity knew if she could discuss her insecurities with someone, it was Diggle.

"I don't think that Moira will try to harm you or William, Felicity. But you have to be careful about how you act around them. I know you consider them as your family. And they do too. But time changes people. You have to give a think about that, cause now you have another family as a mother to a 4 year old." Diggle said.

"William is nearly five now, Digs. He is curious. He wants to know about his parents. I just thought that it would be good if he get to know his family. I didn't expect Moira to behave like that." Felicity said.

"I know that you want what is best for him. But I don't think that it is Moira that you should worry about." Diggle's words surprised Felicity.

"What do you mean? You think I should worry about someone else taking William away from me? Why do you say something like that? Do you think that there is something going on out there? Is it Rochevs?" Felicity was stumbling with words.

"No. No. I didn't mean Rochevs. Even if there could be a chance that they will try something to get revenge for the way they were insulted by Queens and Merlins."

"Who I meant you to be cautious of is Laurel, though." Diggle said calculatingly.

"What? Laurel? No. Dig. I admit that Laurel was way out of line yesterday. But you have to understand that she is hurt. It wouldn't be easy for her, to concede that the man she loved most of her life cheated on her, every time she sees William. I can understand her pain. It would be like if I saw Oliver sleeping with Isabel. Even when Oliver had no commitments towards me, I was hurt when he announced his involvement with Isabel. I couldn't be here, so I left. It was not the fact that he decided to marry someone. It was that he decided to marry someone I already despised. Who I knew would not be enough. I felt betrayed. He deserved more than that. I can't imagine how hurt Laurel would have felt when she heard about William. Add to that he already cheated on her with her own sister, whom she can never hate even if she tried. William is kind of Laurel's Isabel, who reminds her that she was not enough and never will be." Felicity's voice was strained as if she was going through the same pain as Laurel at the time.

Diggle watched her carefully and sighed.

"You are too good, you know. The world is not so much passionate towards good people, Felicity. I don't accuse of Laurel for anything. But I have seen that Laurel is meeting Moira very often these days."

"Of course she would, Diggle. They have a wedding to plan." Felicity interrupted.

"And I was there at the dinner last night, Felicity. Although it was Moira who started the conversation about you and William's future, it was Laurel who goaded you towards a verbal fight with Moira. Moira was just mentioning her concern towards your future. It's because of her grandson, you are holding on moving ahead your life. You don't go out anymore. You don't date. You never let anyone other than us near you or William. Moira worries for you too." Diggle's words amplified the guilt she was feeling before.

"I know." Felicity managed to utter.

Diggle looked at her sympathetically.

"You are not wrong, Felicity. But, Moira is also not at fault. She didn't mean any harm. Though I can't declare same about Laurel. She wanted to make a point. And she did." Diggle was right. Felicity felt that in her gut. She didn't want to condemn Laurel. But, thinking back, she could see how Laurel played her insecurities and how foolishly she herself took bate.

"But, why would she do that? I meant no harm for her." Felicity mumbled, mostly to herself.

"Because of the same hurt you mentioned before and some other insecurities in herself." Diggle answered.

"I don't see.."

"Felicity, she feels that she is not enough and not will be enough. But not because of William, but because of you." Diggle said impatiently.

"Me? But, How?" Felicity was gaping with big blue eyes.

"Can't you see? She is threatened by you, clearly." Diggle said. Felicity couldn't see how Laurel, The gorgeous Laurel could feel threatened by her.

"Laurel is afraid of history repeating itself, in many layers." Diggle said.

"What do you mean?" Felicity asked.

"Two decades ago, when Rebecca Merlin died, leaving Malcom alone with a child, Moira left her own family and married Malcom. Today Oliver is dead and you are raising his child. Laurel is afraid that Tommy will leave her for you." Diggle explained.

"That is the most ridiculous thing I heard in past few years, Dig. I don't think that Laurel have to worry about anything regarding Tommy. And there is nothing similar about our situation and Moira's situation at that time. They got divorced and married for very different reasons." Felicity never told Diggle or anyone about what Moira told her that night. But, Felicity was so sure that Diggle knew something even though she didn't say anything.

"You know that. I know that. But, Laurel doesn't know that Felicity. Look at this from her angle. There is you, who is practically family to the Merlins. And you are raising Oliver's child. Tommy is his best friend. He is also very fond of you. He would never back off from the responsibility of his friend's child. If you and Tommy got married you two can give William stability. So, who is the intruder here? Laurel, of course. And I bet that if Laurel wasn't there already in the picture, Moira herself would have suggested a marriage between you two." Diggle's words seem to sink into her heart. She was panicked.

"But, Tommy and I don't have such relationship. He is like a brother to me." She gasped.

"But, he is not your brother. And he flirts with you."

"Tommy flirts with any living thing. It's in his nature. That doesn't mean he will marry someone he doesn't love." Felicity argued.

"You don't know that for sure, Liz. If he had to choose between you and Laurel, are you sure that he won't choose you? After all it's you who raises his best friend's child. And you are close to his heart too." Diggle's answer didn't soothe her.

"But, he loves her." She murmured.

"Felicity, go back to your own argument again. Oliver loved her too. At least he told so. But, what happened? He cheated on her, even with her sister. He impregnated a girl when he was dating Laurel. She was not enough for him. But when he was with you, he didn't cheat on you."

"We were not together. Why does everyone think that we were together?" Felicity interrupted and then shut her mouth at Diggle's stare.

"Because, for all of us it seemed as there was something going on between two of you. I had never seen him that focused on a girl before and you were totally besotted with him."

"We were always arguing and fighting" Felicity interrupted again.

"Like a married couple." Diggle added and Felicity shut her mouth again.

"So, what I was saying is that you two look good. You were good together. And he was contained with you. If Laurel was not enough for Oliver, who she dated for years, how could she be sure that she would be enough for Tommy? He has a record with women, which is worse than Oliver's. Hence repeating the history, her history with Oliver this time. She is feeling insecure. This situation with William has heightened her doubts." Diggle explained.

Felicity was silent. Wheels of her mind turning and turning,

"Exactly how many times did Tommy visit you in Central City for last three years?" Suddenly Diggle asked.

"Two times. But he called me every week." Felicity answered.

"Yeah. I think he knows about Laurel's feelings. Or at least he has a hunch about them. That's why he stays away from you. Like you said, he loves Laurel. He doesn't want to hurt her, so he stays below the radar. But he also noticed what happened last night. He is not an idiot. I don't think that Tommy will be silent next time, laurel insults you." Diggle said.

"But, what is there for Laurel if Moira is upset with me? Why she rile me against Moira?" She wondered.

"You are a smart girl. Why do you think?" Diggle saked her.

"Does this have anything to do with their marriage? If I gave up William's custody to Moira, I will be out of her territory. Moira wouldn't want Tommy to marry me. And if Laurel can assure Moira that she would take care of William, her position in Tommy's life and Merlin family is confirmed for life." Felicity was thinking aloud.

"That's what Roy suggests." Diggle said.

"Roy? How often do you guys discuss my life, behind my back, Dig?" There wasn't any anger in Felicity's voice. Just amusement and a little bit wariness.

"Oh, a lot. Now that we both are somewhat single men." Diggle chuckled.

Felicity sighed. She knew they loved her enough to put their own problems aside and help her solving her own ones.

"Why do these things happen to me, Dig? I just wanted to make everything better for everyone. I don't want to marry Tommy or anyone for that matter." Felicity was fed up with everyone making things complex for her. Why the heck does Laurel think that she would want to marry Tommy? It just doesn't make any sense. She thought to herself.

"Don't worry yourself by overthinking girl, we are here for you. I didn't want to worry you. I told you this because I want you to be cautious around Laurel and not baited into any trap. She isn't the best lawyer in this city for nothing." Diggle's phone started ringing.

The name 'Lyla' was flashing on the screen.

"Oh, it's your wife, Diggle. Take it." Felicity's voice was teasing.

"Ex-wife. And close your mouth, Lizzy. It should be something important. Otherwise she won't be calling me at this time." Diggle said while reaching for the phone and stepping towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, Yeah, if you say so. Or maybe she misses you. Whatever, take your time Diggle." Felicity shouted laughing.

Diggle answered the phone and Felicity took her tablet and opened her favorite computer game.

Nearly after five minutes Diggle returned. His face was paled, Felicity noticed.

"What happened, Diggle? Why are you upset? Is anything wrong with Lyla?" Felicity stood up and went to him. She was concerned with his obvious distress.

"Lyla is fine. It's about Oliver. They've found him. He is alive." Diggle said.

Felicity felt all her air leaving her lungs.