This is my wishful thinking about episode 3x18 of Arrow with Donna's return. So, there are no Olicity babies, but we have Donna dropping some truth bombs, so...


Mother knows better


When Donna Smoak saw the news about the attack on the president and owner of Palmer Technologies, the woman remembered the last talk she had with her daughter and how Felicity ended up confessing there was something going on between them. Donna gushed over his power and good looks, but frowned when she heard her daughter's tone. It was not of someone fully committed into a relationship, it was not like Felicity at all. She usually gave all of herself into everything, sometimes too much, however, Donna, with her mother sense, could tell there was something else.

Not that she thought or expect Felicity to say she loved the man. She knew her daughter and those three words were the hardest thing she would ever say to someone. But there was a lack of something, something that Donna only felt once in her life time and that resulted in the woman she called baby girl. Yes, her love ended in sorrow and tears, but at least, it gave her the most precious thing in her life. So, she knew there's was something going on with her girl and that more than anything made her take a stand.

And, finally, deciding herself, she packed her bags and took a plane with Starling City destination.


When Donna met Felicity on the hospital, she saw how worried her daughter was and thought that maybe she was wrong, maybe her daughter's feeling for the man currently laying on a hospital bed were stronger than she first conceived.

Felicity hugged her mother fiercely, sighing when their bodies touched and Donna squeezed her back, combing her hair with her fingers.

They sat in one of the plastic chairs lining on the hallway, while Felicity explained the attack on Ray and how he was stable and now had to rest and recover, letting her as the responsible person for Palmer Technologies during the conceivable future.

Donna noticed Felicity fidgeting on her seat, biting her lower lip, looking around like she was expecting someone to pop out of nowhere. Donna wondered if it was all worry about Ray and was readying herself to pep talk her daughter when Felicity's phone rang and she jumped. She took her phone from her bag and Donna glimpsed a man's photo and a name. Oliver Queen.

Felicity walked away from her, immediately putting the phone against her ear. Donna couldn't hear what was being said, but she could see her daughter's demeanor. Her face, at first, was worried, but while she talked her shoulders sagged and she sighed, and finally her face calmed down. Donna saw the transformation and finally understood what was really weighting her daughter down. Yes, she was worried about Ray Palmer, but her demeanor now, talking with Oliver Queen, told her everything she needed to know about her daughter's heart true wishes.

When Felicity joined her again, Donna took her hand and squeezed it.

"Honey..." Donna started slowly. "Are you sure about what you are doing?" She asked and Felicity's eyes widened.

"What... What are you talking about?" She stuttered.

"You and Ray..." Donna said and she saw Felicity sigh.

"Oh!"

"I just saw your face change in a way I couldn't thought possible, and not because of the man in that hospital bed." Donna explained and Felicity looked down at her phone, like she could still see Oliver's face in there.

"Mom..." Felicity started, but her mom stopped her.

"I know I'm not the best example in love life, however, I can see it when it's there and I can see it there... But not when you look at Ray after he survived an attack, but when you receive a simple phone call from Oliver Queen." Felicity paled and her mother smiled sadly at her.

"Felicity, I won't dictate your life choices, I don't have that right, however, I can counsel you at least... And what your body tells anyone just close enough to see it is your heart is not in here, but somewhere else with a dark-blonde man." Donna said simply and Felicity looked at her mom with fire in her eyes.

"It was his choice, not mine." Felicity replied with finality and Donna breathed deeply. Her daughter was too stubborn for her own good and her walls, built through many years of lost and sadness, were held high.

Donna sighed.

"Okay, I won't give you anymore advise, I just hope you don't regret your choice or lack of it, later. You are a brilliant woman, with a heart made of gold, and I don't you to suffer." Donna rose, kissed her daughter and told her she was going to Felicity's home for the night.

And then, she walked away, without looking back, feeling her daughter's eyes glued to the back of her head. She wanted Felicity to really think about her life, to find out what would make her truly happy, settle for the easy happiness or fight for a hard won but marvelous one. She hoped her daughter still liked to fight like during her teen years.

Donna was so immersed in her inner thoughts and her daughter's life, she wasn't taking any mind to her surroundings and she almost crashed against someone when turning around a corner.

"Oh, sorry!" Donna said.

"Are you alright?" A male voice asked.

And what a voice!

It was gruff and deep and Donna had to step back. The man had graying hair and a dark jacket. His eyes were tired and dark shadows appeared under them. His face was haggard and Donna had a sudden wish to smoother the wrinkles in his forehead.

"I'm fine, thank you." Donna said and the man, smiling sadly at her, bypassed her and walked away from her.

Donna followed him with her eyes and the man turned once, catching her and blushing.

Unknown to them, it was the first time Donna Smoak and Quentin Lance met. But it wouldn't be the last.