I refuse to admit how long it took for me to decide on a baby name that didn't make me cringe in horror when I thought about using it throughout the fic. Naming OCs is kind of big deal with me because a name says so much about a person. So often I find incredibly weird names that detract from the story or completely generic ones that make it hard for me to take the plot and its characters seriously. So I'm glad you guys liked little Norah. Also, I LOVE Barry in this! He is such a great best friend and I don't even have to struggle to know what he would do and say in these situations. I think Norah and Uncle Barry are going to be thick as thieves one day.

The song for this chapter is I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) covered by Sleeping At Last. Gorgeous!

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

Chapter Seven: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

Oliver pushed away from his laptop and pulled on his jacket. He'd just confirmed his plans for tonight's date with Felicity. Excitement built in his stomach at the thought of seeing the beautiful, blonde woman he'd run into in the park earlier that morning. He'd known something was different about Felicity Smoak the day he'd met her and spending time with her had only solidified in his mind that she was a truly unique individual. He didn't know anyone in the world who babbled as much when they were nervous –or who made it such a cute habit. On top of beauty and humor, Felicity was genuinely an intelligent woman. She was well versed in several subjects and could hold her own in an argument. She was generous and selfless.

She was also trying to adopt a foundling infant she'd rescued from a box.

It was thoughts like that last that made Oliver have to stop and convince himself that this woman was, in fact, real and not a figment of his lonely imagination. Sure, he'd never thought about kids as being something in his near future and he'd certainly never considered adoption. But he couldn't deny that when Felicity had spoken of her experience with this little girl and the conviction she felt about being the person to provide for her, it seemed like the right thing to do. Like destiny. They hadn't discussed it much past that because after finding out that she had committed herself to such a monumental life change with only a single date under their belt, he hadn't known her well enough to make such a commitment. But he had to admit that every time he saw or spoke to Felicity, he felt more and more like he would adopt a dozen kids if it meant that they could be together.

But that was crazy, right? People weren't that sure after less than a dozen dates about a long term relationship. Were they? He didn't want to be rash; he'd left that behavior behind him five years ago. But he couldn't stop thinking about Felicity. Not in a distracting way where he couldn't be productive or function but he seemed to find reminders of her throughout his day and it left him feeling an emptiness that could only be satiated by talking to her or seeing her. She had managed to crawl into his heart and make a place there for herself and he had to admit that he had no desire to evict her.

His ringing phone pulled him from his thoughts and he picked it up, grinning broadly when he saw Felicity's face and name covering the screen. He answered it and took a breath.

"Hey, I was just thinking about you," he said, hoping his voice didn't betray the serious nature of said thoughts.

"Were you? Was it to call and tell me you have to cancel," she asked hopefully and his smile fell, heart clenching in disappointment.

"No. Do you need to cancel?" She was silent on the other end and his disappointment deepened. "Felicity, it's fine if you can't do this tonight. I know stuff comes up."

"It's not that. It's just… okay, well I'll just say it. After I got home from the park this morning, the social worker was waiting for me. With the baby." Oliver felt his chest tighten. "I had no idea that they were even close to deciding, let alone giving her to me. But there she was. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. It feels… unreal, kind of like I'm dreaming. But she's here. And… and she's mine," she said fervently and he could hear the tears in her voice. "She's mine and it hasn't been very long but I love her so much it hurts. It feels like my heart can't hold it all and when I look at her, I feel like my body is too small. Like it's too small to hold all this love and protectiveness. It's just so… oh crap, I'm so sorry. I was just calling to tell you that tonight I really need to stay here with her and try and figure out our routine and get to know her and here I am just spouting off these sappy, mushy, deep feelings. I'm sorry, Oliver. I was really, really looking forward to tonight. Is this… is this okay? Are you okay cancelling?" A smile had slowly grown as she had babbled and now he was grinning into the phone.

"It's fine," he said sincerely. "I completely understand. You need this time. You both do."

"Thank you," she said with fervor. "Seriously, I know that you weren't expecting this and this is so much more than you signed up for when you met me." He was about to answer with a denial but a shrill cry sounded across the line. "Crap, she's up. I have to go. Thanks, Oliver. Bye!" The line went dead and Oliver frowned slightly.

So they'd talk later?

Oliver considered himself an intelligent guy. He'd been to college but more importantly, he understood people. He knew how to read between the lines and pick up on hints. So the fact that he hadn't heard from Felicity in three weeks seemed like an obvious rejection and he should just move on.

Except he couldn't. Not at all.

All of his text messages went unanswered and the few times he'd called Felicity's office, her assistant had said she was out of the office. By all stretches of the imagination, a complete cut-off said 'it's over'. But he didn't want it to be over. He wasn't done with her. And he knew that it wasn't just her, that being with her meant becoming an 'InstaDad', so to speak. And call him crazy but he wanted that. He hadn't even met this child but he knew he could lover her, would love her with his whole heart just because he loved her mother.

He loved her.

He loved Felicity.

The thought jerked him back to reality. He was staring out the window as the CFO of QC went over the quarterly budget review. He loved this woman with all of his heart. The last place he should be was in a meeting across town and not with her, assuring her that he was in this for the long haul. He stood up abruptly, interrupting whoever was speaking and all eyes turned to him, including his mother's.

"Oliver, is there something you wanted to say," she asked, tone telling him that the answer better be no.

"Sorry, I just… I need to go. Right now." He walked quickly from the room, barely noticing the murmurs of surprise and speculations behind him. He climbed into the elevator, Diggle not far behind him and rode it down impatiently, fingers tapping against his leg. Diggle chose not to say anything but truth be told, he had suspected that something like this would happen. Oliver practically burst from the elevator and moved quickly to his car, ignoring the few people who ignored or didn't recognize the determined and slightly crazed gleam in his eye and attempted to say anything to him. Diggle climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. The car moved and Oliver knew he didn't need to tell Diggle where he was taking him. They pulled up outside Felicity's apartment and Oliver took a deep breath before exiting the car and moving to the front door. He knocked smartly and waited with baited breath for an answer. After several minutes, the door swung open and the sight before him stopped him short.

Felicity –at least he was sure it was Felicity –was dressed in an overlarge pair of cotton pajama pants and a t-shirt. The shirt was covered with stains and spots, as were the pants. Her hair was half pulled into a messy bun but mostly falling out. It was dark and greasy, like she hadn't washed it in a few days. Her eyes had dark circles under them and her entire posture showed unfathomable fatigue. She straightened in surprise when she realized who was knocking on her door.

"Oliver? What are you…" she seemed completely confused by his presence at her apartment.

"Felicity," he said, trying to keep the breathlessness from his voice. "Listen. I know that a smarter man would have taken the hint when you didn't answer his messages and had your assistant tell him you weren't there every time he called. I know that when we met, you had no idea if you would get this baby or not. And I know that we didn't really talk about it because it was too big and too soon for us to be making decisions and declarations. But I'm not a smart man. Not when it comes to you. I hate that I haven't seen you in almost a month or heard your beautiful laugh. I get it, if dating me and having a baby is too much for you but I need you to know that it's not too much for me. I want nothing more than to be here to support you and your daughter and to love you both with everything I have because I do, Felicity: I love you. I love you so much that it hurts sometimes. I love you so much that I can't think of doing anything without knowing that you'll be there with me. And I'm asking you to please, please give me a chance to prove that to you. I'm asking you to let me love the both of you." Felicity stared at him in a complete state of shock before she opened her mouth to speak.

"I accidentally ran my phone through the washer and haven't got my replacement yet. I've been working from home until I know what to do with Norah and it's been emails and my home phone," she said weakly, voice choked with tears. "I promise I haven't been ignoring you. But I wasn't sure that you wanted… this," she said, gesturing behind her and he saw diapers, clothes and various baby items sprawled across the furniture and floor. "And I was scared that you didn't. Too scared to actually ask you. And every time I go to call you or email you, Norah starts crying or poops so bad that it comes out every opening of her diaper and then I get so preoccupied cleaning up I forget what I was doing. And I haven't slept in more than a week," she choked out, almost in hysterics as tears poured from her face. "I'm so tired," she sobbed and he moved forward to catch her as she fell into his chest and wept. He shushed her and moved her into the apartment, kicking the door closed gently behind them. He guided her to the couch, quickly moving a stuffed duck out of the way and sat her down. "I don't remember the last time I showered," she cried, fresh sobs wrenching from her throat. Oliver chuckled softly and gently wiped his thumbs across her cheeks to clear the tears. "And then you show up on my doorstep and you say these beautiful things and I look like I got hit by a truck!"

"You do not look like you've been hit by a truck," he said and she gave a watery chuckle. "You are beautiful. Now, you go get in the shower. I will clean up and make you some dinner."

"But Norah," she said, eyes moving to a door past his shoulder that he knew was her spare bedroom. Or had been.

"I will take care of Norah," he promised, pulling her up and setting her in the direction of the bathroom. She walked unsteadily down the hall to her room and appeared a moment later holding clothes before she slipped into the bathroom. He listened for the shower to start running and then set about to complete his task. He combined all the toys and moved them to a basket at the end of the couch with more inside. He pulled out his cell phone and texted Diggle a grocery list after gauging the available offerings in the kitchen –which were few and far between. While he waited for Diggle to get back, he began to fold the tiny clothes littering the floors and furniture, trying –and failing –not to smile at the natural and domestic task as well as the size of the clothes. Diggle got back ten minutes later and brought everything in before leaving with a promise to drop his motorcycle off later so Oliver would have transportation. Oliver thanked him, ignoring the smug twinkle in his eye and got to work on dinner and putting groceries away.

He had just finished cooking steaks and was taking asparagus off the stove when he heard the soft pads of Felicity's footsteps behind him. She was in clean pajamas and her hair was still wet but she looked better. She was holding back shyly, fingers playing with the edge of the counter nervously.

"Feel better," he asked kindly and she smiled.

"A bit. Thanks for… this," she said, gesturing once again to the now tidy apartment.

"It's the least I can do. And it certainly won't be the last I do it. Now, I have a nice steak and some asparagus for you. Take a seat." She sat at the table and he placed a plate in front of her. She began to eat, slowly at first but picking up in pace as she had, what he would guess, was the first home-cooked meal she'd had in who knows how long. After dinner, he cleared the dishes, placing them in the dishwasher and led her to the couch. He flipped on the television and changed it to the BBC. Doctor Who was on and Felicity smiled and snuggled up against him.

"Oliver," she asked softly.

"Hmm?"
"Are you sure about this? That you want this… us?" He tilted her chin up and stared into her eyes before smiling warmly.

"I have never been so sure of anything in my life," he said and placed a soft kiss on her lips. He pulled away and she smiled back at him and buried her head in his chest. After several minutes, he began to extricate himself from her grip. "Want some ice cream," he asked and she laughed.

"Please," she declared and he laughed and went to dish some up for them. When he came back she was sitting up, leaning sideways against her pillow, eyes close and breathing deeply. He smiled and set the ice cream down before lifting her into his arms and carrying her to her bed. He pulled the blanket up over her. A small cry broke the silence and she stirred, frowning.

"No, sweetie, you sleep. I'll get her," he said and she relaxed back into the pillow. He closed the door partially behind him and entered the room next to hers. It had been decorated with an assortment of geeky things as well as some pink and girly décor. He approached the crib in the corner where he could see the blanket moving as small feet kicked it. He peered inside and smiled softly. Norah looked up at him, blue eyes bright. She stared at him for a moment, as though confused by this new face that wasn't her mother's before her mouth spread into a tiny, gumless grin. His own smile widened in response. He reached into the crib, gently cradling her neck and bottom as he pulled her out.

"Hello, beautiful girl," he whispered. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said excitedly as he felt warmth spread through his chest and his heart begin to grow until his chest felt tight as this tiny baby crawled in there next to her mother.