Felicity got the baby! What?! I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I understand the adoption/foster process doesn't work the way it does in this lovely little story. But I think this would be incredibly boring/depressing if I followed real life.

The song for this chapter is I've Just Seen A Face as covered by Dawn and Hawkes. This captured the excitement and utter terror Felicity was subject to.

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Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own Arrow or its characters.

Chapter Six: I've Just Seen A Face

Felicity stared at the infant carrier in disbelief. She'd been doing this for an hour now. Barry was moving around the apartment, making phone calls and fidgeting. The tiny baby –her baby –was sleeping soundly, tiny lips pouting and eyelids twitching occasionally. She looked so small. Felicity felt overwhelmed. She'd fought so hard for the chance to love this tiny girl and now that she had her, she had no idea what to do. A million thoughts were running through her head. She needed to get baby things! She needed a crib and a stroller. And clothes! How could she forget clothes?! She knew there was so much more that she was forgetting. She jumped up, panicked.

"I have to go," she said. Barry popped his head out of the kitchen, face twisted in confusion.

"What? She just got here. You can't leave."

"I need things. I don't have any stuff for her. I need… I need a crib. And those things that you use to wipe up vomit. I can't remember what they're called but I think you're supposed to use diapers? Oh my god, diapers! I need diapers! Babies go through a lot of diapers! And wipes! And that white stuff you wipe on them when they have a rash. And she doesn't have a thing to wear except that bag that Sara gave us. And binkies. Wait. Is she too young for binkies? And I need bottles. Is there a special kind of bottle? I heard that colic is really bad and I don't want to get her the crappy bottle that gives her colic. I need baby soap. I don't know what makes it different except that it smells like new babies. You know that smell? It's like magic or love or something. Where do I even go to get this stuff? Is there a baby store around here? Is there a store just for babies?" Barry grabbed her shoulders at this point and stopped her frantic pacing around the sleeping baby and her apartment.

"Felicity," he said forcefully and she stopped, staring at him, eyes still wide and crazed. "Stop. Slow down. Breathe. We can get this stuff for her. I might not know a lot about babies but you have friends who might know or who can ask their moms. Okay? No one expects you to just know everything automatically. First thing's first. What is her name?" Felicity's face went white.

"Oh god, a name! I didn't even think about what to name her! I'm worrying about binkies and she doesn't even have a name!" Barry shook her slightly to stop her from spinning out of control again.

"Stop," he said firmly. "You have to have given it some thought when you were waiting."

"Sort of. I mostly thought about all the things I did not want to name her. Obviously it would be too obvious to name her something like Zelda. Besides, only celebrities can get away with naming their kids something outrageous. I mean, Blanket? Apple? Kal-El? If you're going to name your kid after a super hero, don't choose something stupid like Superman's Kryptonian name! I had no problem thinking of names I would never name her! It's a lot harder choosing something when she's going to have it forever. What if I name her something that I love and she hates it? And has it changed to something like "Diamond Princess" when she's older?"

"I'm pretty sure she'll be more likely to want to be Diamond Princess when she's three," Barry teased and Felicity felt her face break into a smile. "Look, you're stressing too much. As long as you don't choose something insane –like naming her after a fruit –any name will do for her. Go with your gut. As for now, get your shoes on while I pack the diaper bag. We're going to go get stuff!" Felicity laughed lightly and complied.

"Look at this one, Lis! It's Green Arrow!" Felicity laughed, pushing a cart down the crowded aisles of the baby store –which was totally a thing –while Barry ran around like a flash of color, pulling things off racks to show her and tossing stuff in the cart without even asking if she wanted it. She appreciated how excited he was about this: it eased her immediate panic and insecurities enough to think logically. He didn't wait for her response and tossed the onesie in the cart loaded with baby supplies. She was pushing an emptier cart, most of the room taken up by the baby carrier while her daughter –because that didn't sound weird at all –snoozed away. She stared down at the soft curves of her face for the millionth time and smiled to herself when she let out a tiny sigh and moved her small hand above her head.

"Okay, so we've got a stroller, diapers, clothes, bottles, formula, binkies, a mat for tummy time, lotion, soap, washcloths, that awesome hooded towel that makes her look like a duck, a crib, crib bedding, changing pad, mobile, books, toys and that carrier-backpack thing. Are we forgetting anything?"

"I think with half the store in our cart, we've got everything," Felicity said only half sarcastically. "Let's go and grab lunch on the way home." Barry nodded enthusiastically and pushed his overflowing cart toward the checkout while Felicity followed. He began to load all the merchandise onto the counter quickly and the lady behind the register watched wide eyes, mouth half turned up in amusement.

"First time parents?" She asked kindly. Felicity quickly shook her head.

"No. I mean, yes, I am. But he's not- we're just friends."

"Oh honey, you don't need to feel awkward. I've seen it all," she assured them. Barry was trying to hide sniggers under his breath. Felicity turned red.

"No, I meant we aren't together. I just adopted her."

"Oh that's so sweet! There are so many children out there that need a loving family. Can I take a peek?" Felicity brought her cart closer to the register and the woman looked in and smiled warmly. "Oh isn't she just the cutest thing in the entire world! Look at those little lips! What's her name?" Felicity's smile faltered.

"I haven't actually decided on one yet," admitted quietly.

"That's okay, sweetie. Naming a kid is the hardest part outside of childbirth. Do you have someone to make the decision with?" Felicity shook her head, feeling more and more like she was lacking something she couldn't name. "Lucky you! You won't have to argue about why you want to name her something only to have it shot down. I wish I'd had it that easy." Felicity smiled politely and swiped her card when the total was announced. She had to take a deep breath at the high number but she knew that it was all necessary. Plus, she'd just gotten that bonus from Lila. She wondered if the woman had known that she'd be going on a shopping spree soon. "Y'all take care now," the clerk said and Barry and Felicity pushed their carts out of the store to Felicity's car where they played a game of real-life Tetris, managing to fit everything in (with some creative maneuvering and Barry having to hold three bags on his lap with another three at his feet.

Felicity stopped at their favorite burger joint and they took their food and loot back to her apartment. The baby was now starting to make little mewling noises of discontent and Felicity figured they couldn't have timed their arrival better. She grabbed a new bottle, washed in the sink and then filled it with water and formula –which smelled like rotten dirt, in her opinion –and grabbed her little girl. She settled her in her arm on the couch and placed the bottle in her mouth. She sucked on it eagerly, tiny noises of contentment sounding as she gulped and Felicity smiled, eyes getting a little hotter and blurrier as she stared at the tiny human she'd fought so hard for.

Barry finished bringing in their massive haul and sprawled on the couch, jostling Felicity.

"Careful," she whispered at him. He raised his head and winced.

"Sorry. I'm going to eat and then start setting some of this stuff up. Caitlyn said she had some stuff for you but that she wouldn't bring it by until after she's done with work." Felicity nodded, eyes locked on the small cheeks and mostly bald head of her baby. There were silky blonde hairs dusting her small head and her thick black lashes brushed her cheek.

"Norah," she said softly as Barry started to pull food out of the bag.

"What," he asked distractedly. She looked up at him, eyes watery but a happy smile on her face.

"Her name is Norah," she reiterated and she tenderly brushed a finger down her daughter's cheek , warmth filling her chest until her heart felt like it would burst.