A/N: Thank you so much for continuing to love this story. This chapter was a little unexpected but a lot of fun. Mama Smoak decided she needed to join the party and drop in on Starling City for a visit. Hope you enjoy, and please let me know what you think!
Chapter 28
A full week after the incident with the Count, Felicity and Oliver walked back through the front doors of Queen Consolidated.
Oliver had wanted to insure that all trace of that night had been erased. The window had been repaired, all evidence of the police investigation put to right and his office refitted with new furniture. There wasn't so much as a sliver of broken glass remaining to remind them of what had happened.
Regardless, he could still feel the coil of tension that rolled up Felicity's spine as they stepped out of the executive elevator and heard the sharp breath she took even though he and Digg flanked her.
Her bruises had healed, the wound in his arm only a twinge when he lifted it, but she'd still woken up shaking in his arms more than once and he knew that going back to the office would be difficult.
Felicity paused before the outer doors to the office, blowing out a long breath before she unconsciously smoothed a hand over her middle and resolutely grabbed the handle in front of her. "Break time's over," she declared, marching forward and leaving him and Digg standing in her wake.
Digg just grinned and shook his head, while Oliver stood for a second longer, blocking out the memories of walking into the darkened space that night and not knowing what he would find.
Deciding to take his cue from her, Oliver adjusted his tie and made his way into his own office, keeping one eye on Felicity all morning as she flit from one task to the other barely bothering to sit down.
He'd finished with the last call of the morning and was about to review an update from the PR head on the latest media coverage and requests when a shrill, piercing shriek cut through the air.
In an instant Oliver was on his feet, sprinting for the door, Digg already up and placed in front of Felicity's desk with a hand on his holster but it wasn't Felicity who had yelled.
A blonde woman in a tight fitting blue dress dropped the handle to her suitcase with a clatter to streak across the floor towards Felicity.
"My baby's having a baby!" she screeched, arms outstretched and it was only Felicity's dumbstruck exclamation of 'Mom!' that had Digg lower his hand and step aside at the last second.
Oliver slowed his approach as the two women met at the corner of the desk, Felicity looking stunned and shocked while the stranger who he could only now assume to be her mother bounced up and down on her stilettos.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to get here, baby girl but you know how hard it is to rearrange my schedule. Luckily some of the other girls owed me a few favors and I decided to just cash them all in at once!" She talked as fast as Felicity, arms wrapping around her tightly as she hugged her. Felicity's hands had just come up to return the embrace when her mother pulled back, smoothing a hand across her daughter's face in a loving gesture.
"Mom...what are you doing here?" Felicity looked nervously from her mother to Oliver, eyes wide behind her glasses. He could see how overwhelmed she was. He knew Felicity would have said something if she had known her mother had been coming for a visit.
"Where else would I be, Felicity? You told me you were fine and I believed you and then I caught a clip on TMZ of what actually happened! You were held hostage and almost killed and since I can't trust you to tell me the truth I had to come see for myself."
"Mom you can't just...show up without telling me, this is my job." her voice was low and tight, and in an instant Oliver was at her side.
"Mrs. Smoak, it's a pleasure to meet you." he said smoothly, one hand going out in offer to her mother, the other wrapping around Felicity's waist effectively drawing her a few more inches away, giving her the space she needed just then.
In a flash sharp blue eyes were zeroed on him with laser focus. "Mr. Queen, wow, I mean...of course Felicity told me about you and the baby and...I just…wow." both her hands wrapped around his, cool and loose as he smiled politely.
"Please, call me Oliver." he insisted.
"Oliver, yes, of course and you must call me Donna. The only one who calls me 'Mrs. Smoak' is my gynecologist and no matter what I say he won't-"
"Mom!"
Felicity's mortified shout would have been amusing if he couldn't feel how on edge she was.
"Mom! You can let go now."
Donna waved a nonplussed hand in front of her face, slowly releasing Oliver with her other hand before turning watery eyes on her daughter. "Oh my gosh, let me just look at you though. My beautiful girl you're even more gorgeous now with this little peanut in there." she placed both hands on Felicity's stomach, "Have you felt her yet? I remember the first time I felt you move, oh baby girl there is nothing like it. I mean, I did think it was gas the first few days and then it sort of hit me. It wasn't. It was this life. This amazing new person was growing inside of me. And look...look at you! You get to experience it too. I'm so happy for you."
Felicity softened as her mother continued to rub circles on her belly, "I haven't felt her yet. I mean him or her. We don't know."
Her mother's head didn't raise as she continued marveling at the sight before her, "It's a girl. I can tell. And don't worry about not being able to feel her yet, she's still tiny, but you will, trust me. Soon it'll be elbows in your ribs and feet on your bladder and you'll love every second of it." Donna popped up with a small shrug, "Well maybe not every second. But it's definitely worth it."
"An avocado." Oliver interjected, causing both women to turn his direction as if they had forgotten he was even there. "The baby...it's the size of an avocado now." he explained at Donna's confused look, "You were right about them always comparing the size to food."
Felicity blinked wetly, but smiled. He was glad he could provide some sort of comfort to her just then, though she seemed to be not quite as off as she had been when her mother had walked in with no notice.
"Well as long as there are no plans to turn my grandchild into guacamole I don't care how she's described." Donna said with a laugh, "Can you imagine, me, a grandmother? And I'm perfectly fine with it."
Felicity didn't seem to know what to say to that and Oliver decided to wisely follow her lead by simply smiling without uttering a word.
"So, Mom, what hotel are you staying at? We still have...a lot of work to do today, but I'm sure Mr. Diggle wouldn't mind taking you over so you can get settled."
Oliver knew she was trying to get her mother out of the office he just wasn't sure why. He also knew they only had one more meeting after lunch, he'd purposely asked for their first day back to be a light one.
Digg shifted imperceptibly on his left at being offered up as Donna's driver causing Felicity to wince and send an apologetic look his direction, "Sorry, Digg. Mom this is Oliver's bodyguard and driver John Diggle. He's also a very good friend."
"Nice to meet you." Digg said with a nod of his head, while Donna Smoak made no effort to hide her appreciative look as she took him in for the first time.
"Mr. Diggle...Felicity, you never told me you worked with such good looking men." she said in a stage whisper that was heard by everyone.
"Mom!"
Digg just chuckled, "I'd be happy to drive you to your hotel."
"Oh, well, not that I wouldn't love that but...I'm not staying at a hotel, baby girl. I just figured I'd stay at your place like I did last time."
Felicity froze, her eyes meeting his as they both undoubtedly ran through the potential mine field that was Donna Smoak and Moira Queen under the same roof.
"Um...well...that's…"
Oliver slid closer, Felicity's hand coming up to rest along his arm, "Felicity's moved in with me, Mrs. Smoak. With the baby coming and the worry with the press attention it just seemed like the right thing to do and now after the events of last week well...you can understand why I don't want to let her out of my sight."
If it was possible for a sigh to have multiple syllables, Donna made it happen. With her hands clutched against her chest she looked up at Oliver adoringly, "Of course. Oh my gosh I completely understand. And didn't I tell you to call me Donna."
Oliver smiled widely, glad to have crossed that particular hurdle, "You did. I'll do better. Donna." he punctuated her name with one of his trademark grins earning him another sigh from her and an elbow in the side from Felicity.
"Stop trying to woo my mother," she growled beneath her breath, turning towards him slightly.
His head dropped down to her ear, "I'm not wooing her. You're the only Smoak woman I want to woo."
She tilted her head to the side with a small grin, "Consider me woo'd, Mr. Queen."
Digg loudly cleared his throat making Felicity jump and turn back to see her mother watching them with a broad smile.
"I'm sorry Mom, if I'd known you were coming I would have booked you somewhere. Just give me a minute and I'll find you something."
"Oh, Felicity, you know how much I hate hotels. I work in one six days a week. The last thing I want to do is stay in one when I'm off work."
"Maybe Mrs. Smoak could stay in Felicity's empty apartment." Digg suggested making Felicity bounce on her toes as she turned to him, pointing excitedly.
"Yes! Yes! You, John Diggle are a genius!"
"Oh well, of course baby, if that's okay with you." Donna replied, but the enthusiasm had left her voice.
"Of course it's okay, Mom." Felicity answered immediately, for once unable to see how disappointed her mother was.
"How long are you planning on staying? I'm sure we can juggle the schedule around some so you and Felicity can have some time together." he pointedly didn't look at Felicity as he waited, knowing she was avoiding spending time with her mother, but knowing she'd regret it if she didn't get to see her while she was in Starling.
"I'm just here for the weekend, but I don't want to be a bother. Felicity is right I should have called."
"No, Mom, it's okay…" she said quickly, worrying her bottom lip guiltily.
"I just wanted to see for myself that you were okay. When this little one is here, you'll understand."
Felicity moved forward, pulling her mother into a hug, "I already do, Mom. I'm sorry."
The two women held each other for a long moment until finally Donna pulled back, laughing lightly as she dabbed under her eyes, "Thank god for waterproof mascara, huh?"
Felicity swiped a hand under her glasses in response, "Ugh, these pregnancy hormones. I swear either I'm crying or I'm pinning Oliver to the nearest flat surface."
All the air seemed to have left his throat as he stared at her, certain she hadn't just said that to her mother. Digg turned away, covering his mouth with the back of his hand while Donna only looked taken aback for a second.
"It's one of the perks, baby girl, enjoy it."
Felicity's eyes shut tight and he could almost hear her counting to herself.
"We only have one more meeting scheduled this afternoon, why don't you two take a long lunch, and we can all have dinner together tonight." he suggested, not knowing the response he'd receive, and wanting to change the subject as soon as possible.
Donna's eyes lit up while they waited for Felicity.
"Are you sure, Oliver. It's only our first day back and there's so much we missed. I've been trying to get caught up all morning, but-"
He placed both hands on her shoulders halting her ramble, "Hey, we're okay. And you're been working straight. Go have lunch with your mom, this will all still be here when you get back."
She hesitated for only a second, but the look she gave him let him know she was well aware of what he was doing. "Okay, as long as you're sure."
Oliver's lips dropped to hers briefly, "I'm sure." he whispered against her, forgetting for a moment that they had an audience.
Felicity turned pink when she remembered, self consciously swiping at her mouth as she moved away from him.
"Well, um, I guess I'm free if you're ready."
She made her way behind the desk to grab her jacket and purse, Oliver glad to see that Digg was already moving to the doors with every intention of going with them.
"I'm starving," Donna said as she sailed by, tucking Felicity's arm through hers as they walked, "You know they don't even give you peanuts anymore when you're on a plane now."
"Have a good lunch." he called after them, trying not to smile as Felicity shot him a somewhat desperate look over her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Oliver, I'll have her back before you know it." Donna said as they waited by the elevator.
His eyes settled on Felicity, one hand carefully resting on the swell of her stomach. "I always worry." he muttered under his breath so only he could hear.
When the doors opened Donna's rapid chatter was cut off as Quentin Lance unexpectedly emerged.
"Detective!" Felicity exclaimed.
"Ms. Smoak, glad to see you back to work." he said with a nod, "You feeling better, sweetheart?"
"I am, and Oliver had all the repairs done so...it's almost like it never happened."
She was just trying to make him feel better, but Oliver caught the slight hitch in her voice and by the way Lance's eyes narrowed he did as well.
The detective hummed a reply but before anyone else could speak Donna shifted from one heel to the other, clearing her throat a little too obviously.
"Oh, sorry. Detective, this is my mother Donna Smoak. Mom, Detective Quentin Lance of the SCPD, we uh…" she trailed off, unable to figure out a way to explain how they knew each other.
"Ms. Smoak has helped us with her technical expertise a time or two." Lance said quickly, giving Donna a smile Oliver had never seen on the man's face before.
"I'm sure she has, Detective, my girl's a genius."
"That she is, and I can see where she gets her beauty from as well."
Donna preened, one hand flicking a fall of hair over her shoulder, the other lying lightly on Lance's wrist.
Felicity flicked an almost pained look his way as if she couldn't believe what was happening.
"You're too kind, Detective."
"Well we were just on the way out to lunch. Very important to eat. Especially since I'm eating for two now so we've really gotta go, Mom. Detective, you didn't need me did you? Because I can stay if-"
"No, sweetheart, I need to speak to Oliver for just a minute, you go enjoy your lunch." he said kindly, before turning that same smile back on her mother, "Donna, it was a true pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise...Quentin."
The pause before Lance's name made Oliver's eyebrows lift into his hairline, Felicity still looked slightly shell-shocked as the elevator doors opened with a soft ding.
He gave her a half a shrug as she entered, her mother almost tripping because she had her neck craned around trying to catch one more look at Lance. Digg finished ushering them in, giving him a look as he held the doors, waiting for Oliver to let him know it was okay to leave. This would be the first time they'd been truly separated since the Count and even though he knew she was safe with Digg it set him on edge.
She still looked slightly apprehensive-whether from the separation or the surprise of her mother- as the doors slid shut, taking her from view and he didn't turn to address Lance until he could no longer hear the elevator.
"What can I do for you, Detective?" he asked evenly though a part of him was worried Lance was there to go back on his word and arrest him.
"Just dotting the 'i's' and crossing the 't's'. Captain wants something official from your Applied Sciences department saying how they came up with the cure."
"Sure, that shouldn't be a problem." Oliver felt the knot in his gut ease as he led Lance into his office placing a quick call down to the head of Applied Sciences.
"It'll be ready for you to pick up on your way out." Oliver announced, fingers steepled on the top of his desk as Lance nodded his thanks. When the man paused, glancing back towards the long empty elevator Oliver looked at him in question.
"So, that was really Ms. Smoak's mother, huh? She's uh...quite vivacious."
Oliver felt a prickle of discomfort work it's way up his back as he circled around the desk, hoping if he started walking towards the door Lance would follow.
"I've only just met her but...she cares for her daughter."
"Right, of course. I could tell." Quentin ran a hand over his head almost distractedly, "She's not from around here is she?"
"No. Just here for a short visit." his reply was shorter, more restrained because the situation was becoming more and more disconcerting and he was wishing that he hadn't told Felicity to go.
"Well, I hope Ms. Smoak enjoys her time. Thanks for your help, Queen."
Oliver worked through lunch, trying not to look at the clock every few minutes or worse text Felicity incessantly. When she sent him a selfie of her and her mother smiling and a note saying they'd be back at work in half an hour he felt like he could relax some.
He waited as long as possible to head into his two o'clock meeting with finance, not stepping a foot inside the conference room until he got word from Digg that Felicity was back inside the building. Then he let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding and pushed through the door.
When he emerged an hour later Digg was sitting in a chair near the elevators with a bemused expression.
"How was lunch?" Oliver asked in greeting.
"Your potential future mother in law has quite the appetite." Digg replied acerbically earning him a glare.
"Felicity's fine. I think she's still a little off balance because her mother's here, but they seemed to have a good time."
"Good. I don't know a lot about their relationship but I think it's important to her." his eyes cut towards her desk which he could clearly see was empty. That fear that always bubbled just below the surface began to rise up, every muscle in his body beginning to tense as his senses became sharper.
"Easy, Oliver, her and her mother are in your office. Felicity wanted to put her feet up and I'm supposed to be out here on 'Rochev watch' to make sure there aren't any unnecessary surprises."
Oliver bristled at the idea of Isabel causing any more problems for them and gave Digg a stiff nod. "We're done for the day. I don't know if Felicity will be up for the foundry tonight with her mom in town."
"She hasn't said anything to me, but Mrs. Smoak did mention the dinner you promised no less than five times."
Oliver's head fell back with a low groan, "Right. Dinner." He looked at the hallway again and then back towards Digg, "Wish me luck."
He'd just rounded the corner expecting to see the two women sitting on the couches but instead they were standing, Felicity with her back to the door mostly blocking her mother from view and from the tight set of her shoulders and the way her hands waved as she talked he knew their conversation wasn't an easy one.
Oliver paused with his fingers curled around the handle as Donna's words stopped him.
"I know how hard it was, Felicity! He left me! He left...he left us! And I do not want you to have to go through that. You are too smart and too wonderful and too capable."
"God you just can't make up your mind can you! One second you can't stop gushing over my rich baby daddy and the next you're warning me not to end up like-" Felicity stopped cold, her words echoing around the office as she kept herself from completing the sentence.
"Go ahead, say it…" Donna said bitterly, "Like me."
"No, Mom, that's…"
"It's true though. You know I never saw it coming...with your father...I had no clue. And for years I felt so stupid. I thought...how could I do this to you. How could I have put you in that position. To miss the signs and not be able to spare you that pain." Donna sniffed loudly, taking a long shaky breath before she continued. "You and him...you were so in sync. You could talk about computers and those journals he'd keep stacked up around the house and you were only seven! Seven and I already felt like I was losing you. And then...he left and all I could see in you was him. You were all I had."
"Mom...Oliver's...he's not like Dad, he's not going to-" but her voice broke and he remembered the night he'd scared her, the night she'd sobbed in his arms because she thought he was going to run and as he clenched his fist at his side and pushed through the door he wondered if those fears would ever truly be gone.
"I'm not going to leave them. You have my word." His heart was pounding in his chest, the conviction of what he said thick in his throat because it was more than a statement, it was a promise, a vow, something unbreakable that he would do his best everyday for the rest of his life proving to her if he had to.
"Oliver-" Felicity breathed out as she spun to see him, both her and her mother's faces pinched and spotted with emotion.
He didn't stop moving until she was in his arms, the pain behind his chest that had begun at the thought she might never be able to fully trust him easing a bit as she melted into him, as if they had been two parts of the same mold that had found their way back together again.
For a moment they were alone, his entire focus was on the woman he held, the one that had stood beside him and had his back when he was certain he didn't deserve it. He'd do anything he had to in order to erase any doubt she might have. His hands came up to cup her face, thumbs gently moving over her cheeks, a frown creasing his forehead when he wiped away the remains of a few tears. "You're my world. You and our baby. I can't do this without you, and more importantly I don't want to."
She blinked rapidly, lashes no more than wet spikes behind her lenses as she looked at him with nothing but love. "Oliver...I know that. I do."
"I'm not sure you do, but I'm going to do everything I can to prove it to you." he answered softly.
A not so quiet sniffle from a few feet away broke them from their bubble, but Oliver didn't let her go as he turned to face her mother, wrapping his arms tighter around Felicity until she gave in and snuggled closer to his side.
"Mrs. Smoak...Donna," he corrected at her swift look of censure that reminded him of Felicity, "I understand your concern for Felicity and while I'm sure I don't know everything about her father I do know enough. My word may not mean anything to you, but it's all I have to give. But if it makes you feel better we went to my lawyers weeks ago to make provisions for Felicity and the baby in the event of my death." he felt Felicity flinch in his hold, gripping him tighter, "They are my sole heirs and will be completely taken care of. Everything I have is hers and as far as I'm concerned that holds for now as well."
Donna was stunned silent, something Oliver was beginning to discover was something of an anomaly, much like her daughter.
When she could speak all she did was make small, sobbing noises before leaping forward to throw her arms around both of them.
Oliver stiffened for a moment, but when he heard Felicity's soft "He's a good man, Mom." he had to swallow hard and tolerated the embrace until Donna moved back wiping her eyes and apologizing.
When she'd calmed some and Felicity had retrieved tissues from her desk she directed that sharp gaze back on Oliver. "I'm sorry, but she's my only child, she's my world too."
"I understand."
"Well, enough with the waterworks already." Donna declared with a too bright smile, "I think I could use a little rest and a chance to get settled before you take us out tonight, Oliver."
He nodded his agreement, recognizing the lifeline she was throwing all of them and grabbing it with both hands, "That sounds like a good idea. I insist on Digg driving you to Felicity's apartment and we'll pick you up at seven?"
"You're so sweet, Oliver." she said before turning to Felicity, "I'll see you soon, baby girl."
Once they were alone he let one hand slowly stroke across her belly, "You okay?"
"Yeah," she replied tiredly, letting her head sink forward until it met his chest, "I'm sorry you had to overhear that, she just-"
"She was hurt in the past. She's trying to protect you. It's understandable."
"But she doesn't know you, Oliver. She doesn't know us. And this is how it's been my entire life with the mixed messages. She's always been proud of my accomplishments but I also got an equal amount of comments about how pretty my hair looked, or how nice my dress was. I've just always felt like nothing I did was good enough."
"That's not true. She loves you."
"I know that," she mumbled into his tie with a sigh, "Mothers…"
His chest lifted in a stilted huff wisely deciding she didn't need him making a comparison to his own mother and how at least hers hadn't been responsible for destroying half the city.
They stood like that for several minutes, both giving and receiving the comfort and security that was needed.
When she did speak he almost wished she hadn't.
"So, I think my mom has the hots for Detective Lance."
Four hours later they were pulling up to one of Starling City's finest restaurants while Donna continued to primp into a compact.
"Mom, you look great."
"Felicity you may be used to going to places like this all the time but I'm not." she said with a slightly nervous laugh, snapping the compact shut before stowing it in her purse. "How did you get a reservation so last minute?"
"Well...I called." he answered honestly, knowing Felicity would roll her eyes.
But Donna just nodded in understanding, "Of course, of course."
He'd been a bit apprehensive about dinner but it went well. Donna was more than willing to carry the conversation and it didn't take long for Felicity to relax, though he was sure part of that was because he'd secured them a private room and they'd managed to enter the restaurant without being spotted by the paparazzi.
When the topic turned to stories from Felicity's childhood she protested, "Please, Mom, no!" but her tone lacked conviction and Oliver slid a hand over her knee, squeezing teasingly before asking her mother to continue.
"Well one of my favorite memories is when she used to have to come with me to work sometimes." Donna said with a wistful smile, "I work at Caesar's now, but back then I waitressed at a casino off the strip. My boss was a good guy and on the days where he scheduled me early he'd let me bring Felicity in. She was allowed to sit at the bar on the end near the kitchen and honestly she was always so good and so quiet she probably could have sat there all night and no one would have noticed."
Oliver grinned at the image of a young Felicity, no doubt bent over a book without a notice to what was going on around her.
Then a thought struck him and he sat up straighter, a private smirk only she could see crossing his face. "Wait, I have to ask...could this be where you learned how to count cards?"
Donna screeched in laughter as Felicity buried her head in her hands, mumbling about how he was a traitor.
"So she told you about that did she?" Donna asked gleefully, "Oh, please Felicity, this is my favorite story and I never get to tell it."
Felicity response was to groan as she waved a hand in resigned acceptance and Oliver sat back with a hand laid across her thigh, eagerly waiting to hear more about her past.
"Well like I said she was so good and so quiet no one noticed her. She always brought her homework or her book and she never made any trouble. But my girl...her brain was always working. There was a blackjack table near that side of the bar. I didn't know for months...not until Clyde, my boss, happened to be bartending one day and heard her saying whether to hit or stand under her breath and realized she was guessing what was being thrown on the table next to her. And she was always right."
Felicity groaned in embarrassment and for a second he was worried about what the boss's reaction had been.
"Did you get fired?"
"Oh no, never. I was too good. And Clyde liked Felicity, but he made her sit with her back to the table after that and told her she wasn't allowed to talk to the players."
Oliver remembered how she'd used that particular skill to get her way into an underground mob casino and by the swift look she sent him she was thinking about the same thing.
"Well, you're just full of surprises, aren't you?" he said teasingly, enjoying how two high points of color brightened her face.
"Don't think you can bat those big blue eyes at me and think I'm going to count cards for you, mister. I'm not that easy."
His laugh took him by surprise, it was the lightest he'd remembered feeling in a while, probably since the night the Count had taken her. "I wouldn't dream of it." he whispered with a wink, knowing their exchange was too obvious, but also knowing Donna wouldn't have a clue what they were really talking about.
He sat back as Felicity tried to one up her mother in retaliation, watching the light dance in her eyes, the way her hair swirled as she moved her head and gestured wildly at parts, the two women leaning towards each other with a bond that had been forged through necessity because they were all the other had.
There was a small pang in his chest as he thought of his own relationship with his mother. He could count on one hand the number of times he'd felt that close, that connected to her. Something that went beyond duty and family name. There had just never seemed to be enough time and now it was too late.
His words to Felicity about the crib came back to him. This was their life and their baby. It was their opportunity to make their own path, and he didn't doubt for a second that with her by his side they'd find their way.
