#####OQ####

And, just as he knew they would, Riley and Anna exited the elevator behind him. Scanning the waiting room, he noted Alonzo sat on his left beside David with his back bowed, his dark head hung low, his mind only on his phone and for an instant, Oliver hung back by the elevator and watched.

David sat slouched way down in his chair, his dark head thrown back, resting against the back of the chair, eyes closed, with a tiny dark headed boy plastered tightly against him. The young boy had his head burrowed deeply into David's broad chest as the small child tried to nap. He gauged the child to be around three even if he did have his two middle fingers stuck in his mouth, while his small left hand stroked David's right forearm, and the teen slowly patted the tiny child's back.

The scene tightened his gut and he exhaled sharply as he continued to survey the room.

On David's right sat three larger boys looking down at their phones. And from his recon work, he knew the two large identical twin boys were Alonzo's younger brothers and the smaller young thin boy belonged to David.

From the corner of his eye, he noted that both Adrian and Malone lounged, playing on their phones, sitting beside each other, in a far corner of the room, and the idea that they were friends with Tyler gave him pause for he hadn't known.

Three young girls, two blonde and one curly dark headed, lay on their stomachs on the floor, their heads propped up on their elbows, completely engrossed in someone's tablet. The smallest blonde child said loudly, "I want to pick, and I pick Dora."

"No, let's watch Scooby Doo," said the dark headed girl.

"I want to watch Sponge Bob or Teen Titians," said the other blonde.

"No, Sponge Bob!" David said sharply, without opening his eyes

And Oliver wondered why no Sponge Bob?

The disagreement on the floor got louder, and while he watched, David, who never opened his eyes, said quietly, "Emma, you chose the last cartoon. Give someone else a turn."

"But I want to watch Dora!" And the smallest blonde youth glared hard at David just before she sat up and crossed her arms in front of her chest and stuck out her bottom lip.

"And we don't always get what we want. Trust me, I know."

"But, I want to watch Dora." And Oliver thought there sat a tiny Thea intent on getting her own way.

"I know you do but if you give me grief, Emma, you'll be going to bed early with no screen time, now give your sister a turn."

"But?"

"But nothing. Better yet, Sofia picked the next cartoon. Put it on Scooby, Kayla."

"I'm starving," said the tiny blonde girl, clearly changing tactics. "And I'm thirsty too. Davey, can't we go home? I want to go home. Please!" And the tiny child batted her eyes at him, which David never saw since his eyes were closed.

Oliver realized he would have melted if that child had just done that to him.

But David only sighed deeply before he said a with a wave of his hand, "There's a water fountain right over there, ask Kyle to help you. And I know you're hungry. I am too, but remember we're going to get to see the new baby. Remember Tyler and Mindy's new baby? And your mom put something in the crockpot. So, don't worry, we'll eat just as soon as we get home."

"Silly Tyler's baby needs to hurry up." She stuck out her bottom lip. "Davey, can't you make them hurry up? I'm ready to go home."

"I know you are, Emma, and we'll go home soon. Here I have some gum." Without opening his eyes, he put his hand in his jacket pocket, and barely cracking his eyelids, he tossed the pack of gum toward her with the words said, "Good catch, Emma. You can hand the gum out. See if the boys want some too and share with your sister and Sofia."

To which Emma beamed, as she handed her sister a piece of gum then offered a piece to the other girl, who looked at Alonzo.

"Alonzo, can I have gum?" The dark headed girl asked, giving her brother a sweet grin.

"Sure, just means I won't have to feed you as soon. David, I'll take a piece if you have extra. And Sofia what do you say?"

"Thank you, David." The dark headed girl said never looking up from the tablet.

"Sure, Alonzo, get a piece, it's an eighteen pack. Emma, Kayla what do you say?"

"Thank you," they said in unison, as Emma got up and gave each of the teenage boys a piece of gum, as the boys mumbled their thanks, barely looking up from their phones, before the tiny girl tossed the gum back to Alonzo, who caught it with the words, "Nice toss, Em."

Alonzo took a piece of gum before he looked down at his phone and said, "Thanks, David. Hey, Nick just texted and said he's riding in to work with his mom to see the baby and should be here soon. He wants to know if can cop a ride home with you. And do you have your phone turned off? Nick say's you're not answering his texts."

"I don't have any minutes. Would you text him I'm sorry, but we're walking today. Dad's car's broke down in the yard again. Won't start."

"Well it least it's in the yard."

David patted the young boy's back solidly as he said, "Yeah could be worse. It could be sitting in impound because the cops towed it. Hey, ask Nick if he'll walk home with us and help me carry either Emma or Max. Kyle gets tired too quickly, and I end up carrying them both."

"Okay, here's your gum back."

Alonzo thumbs flew on his smart phone as the small child on David's lap picked his head up, pulled his fingers from his month with a pop and said earnestly, "GUM! I want gum, Davey!" As he grabbed the pack from David's hand.

"No, Max. you'll just swallow it." David snatched the pack back away from the child's chubby hands, while trying to pull the boy's head back down with his large hand.

"No, I won't swallow it, and I WANT UP." The child's face screwed up as he fought David's hand to sit up.

"Yes, you will."

"But I want gum."

"Here, Max, play on my phone. It's the ant game."

"I want to play on your phone," said Emma hopefully.

"Watch the tablet, it's Max's turn."

"But?"

"But nothing. Don't you dare whine, Emma. That's your warning. Pushing me is a bad idea today, I'm tired."

The teen's voice solid and strong made the child frown but she didn't whine, and David barely opened his eyes as he reached in his back pocket for his out of minutes smart phone. Quickly, he swiped his way to something that instantly entertained the young boy, while the small girl glared hard at them both, her bottom lip stuck out and quivering as she sat arms crossed in front of her chest.

But no, she didn't whine, and Oliver just looked on in amazement, while thinking that his own mother had never had this much control over Thea, ever.

And David clearly ignored her unhappy face as he closed his eyes again.

"You work the docks again this morning?" Alonzo asked, still into his phone.

"Yeah, and I've got to be there at four am tomorrow. I can get about three hours of shoveling fish before school."

"How much you got saved now?"

"Not very much, for sure not enough for a down payment on a car. And dad knows I've got some money saved." He sighed then said, "Honestly, I know my money's gone to help fix his car but we need a second ride. This walking's killing me."

"You're never going to own your own car if you keep giving your dad your money. Don't you pay for enough? I know you're paying your own car insurance already."

"Between aftercare payments, fines and probation fees I'm getting nowhere. I've even given up my phone right now."

"You're dad and stepmom need to grow up and help you more. They should be the ones paying for aftercare not you. They're not your kids, you know?"

"Yeah, right. Well someones got to take care of them. And, I got careless and got busted again which makes it my fault. Dad's got rent and the rest. At least he's working right now, and I get to drive when the car's running, and we don't have to walk all the time. We have to get the car up and running again."

"Well, then get the car fixed for you're starting to look like hell, David."

His tone resigned, Oliver watched David sigh deeply before he said, "Tell me something I don't know.

David's words and tone caused him to press to his lips together in a firm line, realizing he totally understood. Yes, he'd seen times in his life where he'd accepted his lack of control, and no matter how much he didn't want something to happen or how much he hated that moment in his life, he couldn't change or stop the future and unbidden, the H scar on his back started to throb.

Ignoring the scar, he pondered that he'd pegged David as nothing but a pot dealer, a repeat offender, a total screw up but he hadn't known the teen worked the docks in the wee morning hours before school. No, he hadn't known David worked hard labor in the cold three hours each morning before school even started.

Yes, he'd begun to understand why David got high in the evenings, for he's seen him standing on the porch smoking pot in the dark. And now he knew the kid smoked after an eighteen hour day, and now he knew why David slept through classes and had lousy coordination and why he sucked at soccer for he was worn out.

Alright he'd known David cared for his siblings after school, but he hadn't known the youth would willingly give up his phone and his savings to fix his Dad's car, so he wouldn't have to continue to walk, carrying both his baby brother and his tiny step sister. Now, he realized David either walked or ran at least eight miles each day just to go to work, to school, to soccer practice, then back to aftercare and then back home again.

He frowned remembering where David lived, as he realized these kids would have to walk about four miles to get home, and he couldn't even offer them a ride since he rode a bike and the Porsche only seated two. David must truly like Tyler to even be here, for no public transportation existed in this town, and he and his siblings had walked a couple of miles from school just to be here right now.

Alonzo's phone dinged, and he checked it and said, "Nick said he'll help carry Max, since he's lighter. You know I'd help you but we're going the other way and we're walking too. Sorry."

"I know you would. Thanks, man."

His voice dropping, Alonzo said quietly, "No prob. Do you really think there's something home in the crockpot?"

David's smile barely broke his face. "I can hope. But I'll stop and get bread before we get home. I've got peanut butter and enough milk for the smaller ones. We'll get through. We always do."

Alonzo chose this moment to look up from his phone, clearing catching him eavesdropping, while his chest tightened wondering if these kids were going home to bread and peanut butter. Hmm, maybe he could do something about that. This town did have pizza delivery.

"Incoming. It's Coach," said Alonzo, smacking David on the leg in a clear warning.

Clearly busted, he moved, walking toward the young men and their families, their responsibilities.

Malone and Alonzo stood quickly as he entered the waiting room, and although Adrian stood, he came up unhurried to his feet, his chin stuck out. David stood last, rubbing his eyes roughly with one hand before putting the small boy deftly on his left hip, and Oliver wondered at how adapt the seventeen year old seemed at taking care of four children, while the thought that he probably had years of experience under his young belt, crossed his mind.

And, now that he looked closely, he clearly saw the clear total fatigue on David's face. The young man had more on his plate than he'd thought or even considered. Yeah, David, the pot dealer, stood before him doing his level best to take care of his stepsisters and brother while his dad and step-mom worked and left the responsibility on his thin shoulders.

"Coach, you're here," said Alonzo.

"Of course, I'm here. Tyler became a father today. He has a new son, and he's a member of my team, just like all of you are part of my team. So, I'm glad to see you here, Alonzo and David." He gave a wave as he said, "And Malone and Adrian, good to see you here too."

"Thanks, Coach," David looked downward as he hitched the boy up higher on his hip and slipped his phone back into his back pocket.

"David, introduce me to your family. Who is this young man you're holding."

"This is Maximillian, my baby brother, who didn't take his nap today and now won't let me put him down."

"Not a baby," the young child said, turning his head solidly into David's chest.

"Yes you are," Emma said knowingly.

"Emma don't say that, Max is a big boy." The teen said sharply but Oliver noted the child's middle fingers had returned to his tiny mouth.

"But we call him Max. Hi, my name's Emma and that's my sister Kayla." The small blonde had moved to stand bravely beside her step-brother and she stuck her small hand out pointing, "And that is my brother Kyle over there. He's a computer nerd."

David rolled his eyes and Kyle frowned, while he said, "The best kind of nerd, Kyle," as he held out his hand, thinking that yes, without a doubt, Emma made Thea look like an amateur, and for sure they were kindred souls, both masters at getting their own ways.

And the child plainly forced him to smile.

Kyle stood and gave him a careful handshake then quickly stepped back, saying, "Nice to meet you." However, the boy'd lied for he barely concealed his total dislike, and he had a feeling the boy blamed him for David's hard life right now.

Emma cleared her throat and he turned and leaned down and took her tiny outstretched hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Emma."

Kayla had stood too but had stepped behind David, and after releasing Emma's hand he waved and said, "Hi, Kayla."

She peeked out behind David's leg but didn't speak.

"So, are you Davey's mean soccer coach?" Emma asked with a slight frown.

"Emma! Hush." David looked stricken. "Excuse her Coach, she's only six and doesn't understand."

"I do too understand. I heard you say."

"Emma!" The look David gave her said clearly for her to hush.

Oliver couldn't help it, he laughed and shook his head before saying, "David don't worry for Emma, you're right, I am the mean soccer coach. Now who are these other young men? Your brothers, Alonzo?"

David exhaled sharply and said, "phew," under his breath.

"Yes, Coach, these are my twin brother's Emmanuel and Lucas. Boys this is Coach Queen, my soccer coach."

Both boys stood and one stuck out his hand and said, "I'm Emmanuel," giving him a firm shake, clearly trying to prove his brute strength.

The other boy then stuck out his hand and said, "And I'm Lucas, nice to meet you Coach Queen."

"Nice to meet you too."

"And the dark headed girl is my sister Sofia."

The small girl jumped to her feet and moved toward him her hand held out, and he leaned down and took her hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Sofia."

"Grandma says we have to come and watch the games even if your team sucks at playing soccer, that we have to come out and sua. . . What's that word, Alonzo?"

"Sofia!" Alonzo and David both said sharply.

"Support?" Supplied Kayla peeking from behind David's legs.

Out of the mouths of babes, he thought. "Well, Sofia if they suck you'll just have to tell your brother and his friends that they need to practice more. Does Alonzo ever practice with his ball at home?"

Alonzo straightened and glared at his sister then exhaled through his nose as she said, "All the time. Grandma banned his soccer ball from the kitchen after he broke."

"Aren't you missing Scooby, Sofia?" Alonzo said, his strained voice, clearly interrupting her before she could finish her sentence.

Meanwhile, a click of heels caught his attention, and he knew the instant, Felicity rounded the corner with a small wave and a light filled smile. A smile that made his chest swell and put such a smile on his face that he couldn't hid it, not even in front of his team.

"Oliver, you have to come and meet the new baby. He's past cute." The look on her face pulled at his heart as she said, "Hello, boys, you need to come and see too. But first I want you to introduce me to these little people. Wow, are you kids adorable or what?"

"Please don't say that Ms. Felicity," said David, "Emma's bad enough now."

Quickly, David and Alonzo made the introductions this time as he stepped back and watched her animated face, while she shook hands with the small girls and charmed each of the young boys, including Malone, who seemed rather speechless, a feeling he totally understood. Adrian, however, refused her hand but she recovered the slight with the words, "Well come on everyone, let's go meet Tyler's and Mindy's baby. He's adorable."

And, he noted her face held a soft glow when she said the words, and he realized that yes, someday, maybe soon, Felicity would want a baby. Yes, someday soon he would find that he too would want to have a baby with her and his heart sped up as she grabbed his hand and began to pull him down the hall and like the pied piper a crew of children followed behind her.

"Felicity, give me a second." He pulled his hand out of hers. "Malone, Adrian could I talk to you a minute."

She searched his face then said, "Okay, room 5028."

He let the others walk down the hall then said, "Do you two want to do me a favor?"

Both youths stopped cold and looked at him wide eyed.

Malone swallowed hard then spoke first, "Yeah, Coach what can I do?"

"David and his family need a ride home. And so does Nick."

"I don't have a car seat and can only ride five."

"Now, you're straight and narrow? Malone, I've read your file, how many mailbox did you take out in one night? And then there was last week."

Malone looked down at his shoes and said, "My wrist still hurts."

"Good, I meant for it to. Now, I suggest you load everyone up and don't get stopped taking them home. Four miles is a long way to walk carrying a toddler. When was the last time you walked, Malone?"

"Okay, Coach," said Malone, "I'll do it."

"And me?" Asked Adrian.

"Alonzo and his family need a ride too."

"I'll ask him but, Coach," said Adrian, with a clear frown and a shake of his head, "Alonzo will probably turn me down. He doesn't like me very much."

"Well offer anyway. You might be surprised. And thanks you two. We need to be a team and help each other. Now let's go met Tyler's new baby."

####OQ#####

Stopping in front of the door, he gave a small knock and a tiny female voice said, "Come in."

Opening the door, his heart leapt into his throat, as he took in the sweet sight of dark headed, lanky Tyler, sitting in a chair beside the bed, with a very awed filled expression on his face, as he carefully cradled a tiny blanket wrapped bundle in his arms.

Anna and Felicity hovered nearby with bright smiles on their faces, while Riley stood in the background, looking stiff, rigid and plainly uncomfortable. Unable to help himself, he almost smiled as he noted Riley biting his bottom lip, while he intently watched Anna's bright face. Watching, he saw the man rub his palms down the front of his jeans, his blank face devote of emotion, before he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Yes, the man clearly seemed uneasy.

Looking up at him, Tyler said with a catch in his voice, "Coach, you came?"

"Of course, I came. I told you I wanted to meet your new son. And that's a nice looking boy you have there. Have you named him yet?"

He reached for his mask, as he struggled to get the cheerful words out, and he'd even remembered to add a smile at the end, even though that small bundle of new life and that glowing look on Felicity's face twisted his stomach into real, true knots.

What if Felicity honestly wanted a baby? What if he honestly wanted a baby? Could he handle a baby? Could he handle Felicity pregnant with his child? Could he handle Felicity growing large with HIS child?

David at seventeen clearly knew how to be a better father than him at thirty and that thought distressed him, troubled him greatly.

Tyler's girlfriend Mindy looked worn out, but she gave him a large knowing smile, and looked quite pleased with herself, as she sat up straighter in the bed, facing him.

"We're still working on his name, Coach," said Tyler, his affection for Mindy showing clearly in his voice as he said, "Mindy, this is my soccer coach, Oliver Queen, or Coach."

"Nice to finally meet you." She extended her small hand, and he carefully gave it a shake, as he found himself avoiding looking at their baby, the baby that Felicity and Anna were currently gushing over, and he forced himself to focus on Mindy's words, "And thanks for releasing Tyler from practice. Tyler's talked about you a lot."

"Has he? Well, releasing him wasn't a problem. This is a special event. He should have been here with you. And I wish you both congratulations on your new baby."

More people entered the room and he took a step back allowing another young girl to give Mindy a huge hug. Yes, the room had begun filling up. A lot of people were talking at once, too many people at once, as his chest tightened and he realized how much harder breathing had become.

"Can I hold him?" Anna's face clearly eager, he watched Riley stick his hands in his back pockets. And Oliver recognized the signs of distress, of the man's clear withdrawal, a favorite move of his, especially when he felt emotionally threatened, which seemed most of the time, a small voice said in his head, and he reached into his own pocket and touched her hairtie.

Just fifteen more minutes, he assured himself, he could do this. This would be over soon.

Carefully, with the utmost care, Tyler handed the child over to Anna, and Felicity took a step forward and certain awed glow crossed her face, a look that pulled on his heartstrings and made it increasing harder to breath.

Felicity said, "I want to hold him next. Oliver, do you want a turn?"

An overpowering need to escape this room, to get away from the baby, to get away from that look on her face filled him, made his heart beat faster, and unable to stop himself, he took a step back.

And Riley must have been thinking along the same lines, for the man unexpectedly turned and said in a strained voice, "I'll be right back," before taking quick steps to cross the room, open the door, and flee the room.

For once he and Riley were on the same page.

"Yeah, I'll be right back too," he agreed, moving, escaping the room full of people. Swiftly, he walked down the hall, his eyes finding a restroom sign. Opening the door, he found the room thankfully empty, and he breathed out.

Walking to the sink, he gripped the countertop as he stared downward, looking at his shoes, not daring to look in the mirror. No, he didn't want to view his reflection, as he stood for an instant breathing in and out, trying to slow his racing heart.

Abruptly the door opened, and Riley Clark walked in and he pressed his lips together into a hard line, as he thought just like a bad penny that man always turned up.

Without a word or even a glance his way, Riley crossed the room, turned on the cold-water faucet, and began to splash water on his face. Watching him, he kept his thoughts to himself. After dousing his face several times, Riley held on to the sink, his head bowed, as he quietly snapped out the words, "Anna wants to have a baby soon. Does Felicity?"

If Riley would have sucker punched him, he'd have been less surprised.

"I can't say we've discussed it."

"Lucky you for once the baby door is open, you can't shut it. But after tonight, just wait you'll be discussing it. Women want babies."

Riley ran his hands through his hair and then scrubbed his face before saying, "First you feel like you need to marry her and then you buy a house and then . . ."

"And, then you find yourself breathing too shallow. Pay attention to your breathing, Riley, you're going to hyperventilate."

"I'm not either." Turning, he eyed him coldly, his face hard.

"Right. Riley, maybe you should turn the cold water on and put your hand in it. It'll help ground you."

"Oh, now, aren't you the comedian today, Oliver. And I can tell you're loving this." He placed his head in his hands for a moment then straightened and then turned the water on and stuck his hand under it, shutting his eyes before he said, "Just go away, Oliver. I don't want or need your advice. And I know how to have a panic attack all by by myself, and I'll survive this one, for trust me, I've got plenty of experience."

"Yeah, and what a better place to have one than a hospital?" His tone dry, he added, "Though trust me, unless you like having people touch you, the hospital's not the place to have one."

Riley rubbed water on his face with his hands again, then turned off the water with the words, "Unlike you, I got used to people touching me when I lost my legs, and I mean it, Oliver, unless you want to discuss babies, and the fact that Anna wants one, leave me alone."

Narrowing his eyes, he said, "Well I would but first I want to know what happened to the man that said he wanted to have children with Anna back in the restaurant. Let me guess I've caught the great Riley Clark lying?"

Looking down, Riley shook his head. "Okay, go on and gloat you ass. Guess you're happy you caught me? Alright, I admit I told a white lie to make Anna happy."

"But you still lied."

"Like you've never lied. You're the pot calling the kettle black here. How dare you judge me?" Riley's face reddened, while the scar on his cheek whitened. "You lie to your women, your lover about important things, like those teens attacking you with metal pipes."

"I told her."

"Only because I forced you too. Don't go there with me, Oliver. I don't have the patience or the time for it. I have enough problems right now, since Anna wants a baby, and I'm not ready."

"Anna's pushing you to have a baby?"

"Pushing? Hell no, she's using a bulldozer."

A slight smiled lurked below the surface, for maybe he found himself enjoying Riley's melt down. Yeah, maybe he liked watching Riley fall crashing off that pedestal everyone seemed intent on placing him on.

Okay, indeed yes, he liked, no truly enjoyed watching Riley's discomfort, enjoyed watching him fall from grace.

Unable to stop, he ribbed the man with the words, "Well, Riley, maybe it's time to have a baby. I have friends who have a baby. She's cute. Her name's Sara."

"Oh, yeah, that's truly helpful, tell me to have children. Well, that's easy for you to say when you and Felicity haven't even discussed children? When are you going to have the TALK?"

"Later."

"And why not now?"

"Because."

"You're such a jerk, Oliver. Don't act like it couldn't happen and don't try to tell me you're not having sex, because I won't believe you."

"I didn't say that."

"Good thing, since I've seen the way you look at her. And let me tell you, your look's intense. You want her and it shows."

"Well, our relationship's new yet."

Riley pulled himself up to sit on the sink's countertop, and Oliver saw him, reach and rub just below his knee and knew the man's leg pained him. And he almost felt sorry for him then Riley ruined the moment by saying, "And there's your damn dependable PTSD showing. Once again, you've giving me single word answers, with no explanations. And you're lying to me. Do you know that you excel at lying? Anna told me you've known Felicity for four years. Count them FOUR."

The man held up his hand to show one, two, three, then four fingers then returned to rubbing his leg with the words, "Damn your PTSD. It's better to let them draw their own conclusions. Keep quiet and don't help them. Well, you just wait until Felicity gives you that we're both getting older and it's time to have children discussion."

He refused to answer him, knowing Riley'd busted him out, had caught him lying about how long he'd known Felicity, and yes, he's know her for a long time, wanted her forever and had denied himself, punished himself for even wanting, for even thinking about reach for her. Yet, in truth, their relationship still felt new to him.

But, still he listened, for he couldn't help himself, as Riley rubbed that knee and said, "Yeah, just wait until you find yourself where I am, where Felicity's ready, past ready to get on with her life and is pushing you for a child, and you're like me, just not ready to be a father. Hell, I can barely handle myself, what would I do with a kid? And I looked at that young girl and that scared young boy and seriously what are they going to do with a baby? Play house?"

Rolling his neck, he paused, pressed his lips together for a second before he answered, "Isn't that we're doing, Riley? Only their baby's here and I guess they're just going to have strap in and ride the ride. I'll admit I don't have the answers but at least Tyler seems to love Mindy. That's something."

"Love doesn't fix everything." Riley's words were bitter.

Narrowing his eyes, his chest constricted as his jaw tightened. The emotion love had become genuinely important to him and her love meant everything to him, more than he would ever be able to put into words and his tone came out sharp. "Don't you dare belittle love, Riley. I've known both sides of the street and love trumps hate every single time. And it's darn sure somewhere to start. I'll admit I need Felicity's love. Where would I be without it? I'd be alone. What about you and Anna? Do you want to be alone?"

Riley went quiet for an instant, then said, "No and I agree both of us have been alone. And it's not a good place to live. But it love doesn't make me ready to be a father."

He met Riley's eyes before he said, "No it doesn't, but I'm glad those two young kids want to try to raise this baby. They could have given the baby up for adoption but they didn't, not that adoption is a bad idea either since they are young."

"No, they're choosing to tough it out, at least for now. But what about later, what happens when the new's wore off, when the baby's screaming at night, when the money's short and all they do is fight? What about then?" Riley jumped down from the countertop, staring him down.

"I don't know. I do know it's going to be tough for them to make it work but life's hard sometimes."

"No kidding, Oliver. Real words of wisdom there. Glad you have their relationship figured out."

"Yeah, tell me about it DOC, since it sounds like you don't have your own relationship figured out. And I'm supposed to come and see you to get better?"

"You could get better. It might happen if you'd try."

His hands became fists before he added, "Did you know that Mae and Felicity are shoving you down my throat like you're the Messiah? But I'm thinking I'm seeing the real you right now, and you need to back off and give me a break."

Riley slammed his hand on the counter before he said, "A break? You have to do some work before you get a break. And I haven't even started pushing you, if anything I've backed off but then you're always working an angle aren't you, Oliver? Always looking for a way out." Leaning back against the counter, he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "You're standing there with both your legs and you still can't stand up can you?"

"I am standing up. Maybe it's you that isn't."

He'd moved closer to the man and Riley leaned in, his words harsh,"Quit LYING, to yourself, Oliver for NO you're not. Okay, I get that you don't want to come and see me, that it's easier to keep doing what you're doing and not work to get better but stop using my problems as a way out. My current problems have nothing to do with what I do during my office hours. I'm a professional. This is my PTSD I'm fighting here, my insecurities, not yours. I'm not talking about your insecurities in your relationship. We can talk about those later."

"Not happening and yeah, I see you're struggling here." But he couldn't keep the smirk off his face, and he didn't even feel bad for it.

"You could at least try to hide how much you're enjoying my discomfort. I know you have insecurities too. Don't act like you don't. Tell me you don't struggle with your own relationship, and I'll call you a liar to your face. Felicity's coming to see me now and you need to remember that." Riley raised one eyebrow at him.

You smug asshole, entered his mind, as he narrowed his eyes. "What happened to client doctor confidentiality?"

"Nothing. Did I hear guilt?" He cupped his hand beside his ear.

Oliver ached to punch him, hard, his back straightening, his belly knotting. His words were low and hard. "You're crossing a line, Riley. I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"No, I'm not. You know she's seeing me, and you know Felicity wants you to come and see me too. She needs you to get better so your relationship can move forward and then she can push you to have babies too."

"Leave it alone, Riley. I'm done with this conversation. I can't do this right now." His hand reached in his pocket, once again hunting her hairtie, needing to touch it. And his chest had begun to tighten again, and the need to get out of this hospital, to get out of this conversation before he did something he might regret, like knock Riley down, filled him.

"No way am I backing off. Anna likes Felicity and yes, you can do this. I can't is nothing but an excuse, and as normal we're right back to our pissing contest."

"You started it this time."

Scrubbing his face with his hands, Riley sighed deeply and turned his back to him, turning the water back on. "Maybe, but I'm not up for your stupid game today. Alright, I get that you don't like me, that I rub you the wrong way, well guess what Oliver I don't like you either, but I'm stuck with you. Anna likes Felicity and they're friends, which means we're stuck with each other."

He answered him with silence and a frown and Riley went on, "As normal I get a no answer from you. Okay, whatever, but you just wait until Felicity starts talking about babies and how we can rip out your office and turn it into a nursery in no time, and let's not forget about names and diapers, clothe or disposable? Now that's a discussion that will scare the hell out of you."

"She wants to rip out your office?" And he smiled at that thought.

"Yeah." Riley looked into the mirror, monetary bit his lip before going on to say. "And now Anna wants to talk about breast feeding and natural childbirth, and how I'm going to be there for the delivery."

"Delivery?"

"Yeah, she tells me that if I put it in, then I can be there when it comes out."

Oliver gave a small snort.

Riley turned and pointed before he said, "Don't you dare laugh, for right now she's in there holding a baby."

"Delivery really?" And he remembered Diggle'd been there during Sara's delivery, and the man still wouldn't talk about the details.

Not that he'd wanted details. The words too much information crossed his mind.

He shook his head before he said, "You're right, Riley, you're totally screwed."

"Like you're not? Felicity's got that baby look too. I saw it. Won't be long and you'll be singing a different tune, one where a tiny person is calling you Daddy."

His breath quickened and he removed his hand from his pocket and waved a finger with the words, "She's not ready. I'm not ready." He held both hands up palms out. "You can just hold off there. We aren't ready for a child. Felicity understands that. I know her."

Pushing back those thoughts yet again, he refused to think about becoming a father, even if it warmed him to think about her being large with his child. Yes, just thinking about her having his baby did something to him deep inside, and he shut those thoughts off cold.

"You think you know her. Well you just wait. And we both know that as men we're fooling ourselves thinking we have our women figured out. What a crock. Let tell you that we don't have them figured out at all. Hell, I don't have Anna figured out most days, and I've got a couple degrees in psychology."

The look that Riley gave him made his bite his lip to suppress his laugh, for the look on the man's face held pure panic. And he found himself almost feeling sorry for the man. "Well, Felicity hasn't said a word about babies."

Riley gave him a small grin before he said, "Just wait, she will. It seems to be part of a woman's makeup. They want babies. They need babies. Guys, we want sex," he gave him a knowing grin, before he said, "lots of sex, but women they want babies. And since we want sex, we give them babies."

Yes, he wanted sex, not more responsibilities, yes, lots of sex. "You right about the sex part. But, truthfully, I don't think I can handle a baby right now."

"Exactly." Riley said grinned back. "But back to Tyler and Mindy, they don't have a choice anymore. Now you know we both have to go back to that room and be supportive."

"Yeah." He bit his bottom lip.

"And Oliver, I still want you to come and see me. You need to get a handle on your PTSD."

"What like you?"

"Yeah, like me." And he laughed out loud and Riley held out his hand.

Oliver hesitated then took Riley's and gave it a shake, a strong shake with the words, "Want to arm wrestle and get it over with?"

"Why I'd win. Remember no legs?" Riley tightened his grasp, testing him, pulling strong against him as he pulled back and he had to admit to himself that Riley's arm just might be a little stronger than his as each of them pulled against the other, with neither giving an inch.

Riley said sharply pulling against him, "From the looks of it, it'd be close. Do you want to beat each other up or do we just go back to the room and be supportive?"

"I guess I choose supportive, though I still think I can take you. I'll let go if you do. On three?"

Riley nodded, and said, "One."

"Two," said Oliver.

"You are past competitive. Anyone ever tell you that?" And Riley pulled back against his hand.

"More than once and three."

Riley nodded then released his hand with the words, "Felicity's going to want a baby, you mark my words. Babies are like a damn virus. Babies spread."

And Oliver answered him with silence.

####OQ####

Later after he and Riley had returned to the room, he'd done his level best to pay attention to the new baby, to Mindy and to Tyler. But, he'd declined holding the baby. Slowly the rest of his team had left with their siblings. And his mind revisited an exhausted David and red haired, Nick carrying tiny Max and Emma home and he'd been glad to see David hesitate but then accept Malone's offer of a ride after his sister Kayla had looked up at him and said, "Yes, please David, can we ride home with him?"

He had a feeling Kayla knew walking home was a long way on her short legs, and he found himself hoping her mom had truly bothered to leave them dinner in the crockpot. Surprisingly, Alonzo had also accepted a ride from a shocked Adrian. Now, looking at his phone, he realized he'd stayed way past the thirty minutes he'd promised himself but he knew he still needed to talk to Tyler.

"Hey, Tyler, can I have a word with you in private." He nodded his head toward the door.

Tyler grayed a bit but rose and followed him out the room.

Walking down the hall, his hands in his pockets, he touched her hair tie and tried to gather his thoughts, as a small waiting room came into view. An outside garden lay right outside the waiting room, and he pushed the door open and entered the garden. Walking over to the tall ledge, he surveyed the city's grave yard and an employee parking lot five stories below him.

Tyler crossed his arm in front of him, clearly hugging himself and nervous.

Unsure what to say, he gathered his wits, his thoughts. Finally he sighed then said, "Tyler, you're a father now. Mindy and that baby boy are depending on you. I know this is hard on you. How are you holding up?"

The young boy breathed out slowly before he said quietly, "You want the truth?"

"Yeah, why not? The truth's a good place to start." Though he couldn't stop his sharp exhale as his chest tightened, knowing the truth and he didn't always reside in the same place.

"Coach, I'm terrified. My dad blew us off years ago. I've never had a dad. I don't know what to do, how to act. And, have you noticed my mom not even here. She's not thrilled about the baby and truthfully Mom's not good at being. . ."

The young man stopped talking. His words hung in the air and Oliver added, "at being a mom, maybe?"

"Yeah, that's a good way to put it. Most of my life, Mom mainly left me alone and let me figure it out for myself, and I have trouble with my temper. I got into one too many fights at school and that got us into the court system and now we can't seem to get out. Once they get their hooks in you it seems like you just can't get out." The words poured out of the young man's mouth like water, "I know I'm on probation and I deserve it, and I know I have to play soccer, but Mindy doesn't like my mom, which means that no way will she ever move in with me."

"Tyler, Felicity didn't like my mom either. Not even a little but that doesn't stop me from loving Felicity."

"Really? Truthfully?" The teen's brown eyes met his. "But what am I going to do? I don't know what to do with a baby. I mean they're going to send Mindy home in the morning and what happens next. I don't know what to do."

"I know you don't but what you have to do is love that baby and you go on. All right, Mindy's not going to live with you. Well then you don't live together for now but you still do your job."

"My job?"

"Yeah, your job is to help Mindy with the baby and that means everything from bottles to diapers, to babysitting. This is your son and he needs you, needs to see you. He's your responsibility."

"Babysitting? I don't know if I can do that."

"Sure you can. You created him. You need to help out. Hey, I've a friend with a baby and he calls it doing Daddy duty."

Tyler grinned just a little.

"And Tyler your job's to finish high school, and to apply for college and to go to college."

The youth hung his head, before he said, "College isn't going to happen now. My life's over. I had a scholarship to go to Dallas. But now. . .now I'm done. It's over . . .It's . . ."

He left the sentence hanging.

"No, your life's not over, it's just changed. Now you start community college next fall, and you keep working your part time job and you buy diapers and you come to soccer practice and you finish your probation. But above all you don't get Mindy pregnant again for a long while. You protect her and your son."

"Okay, Coach." Tyler replied reddening.

"Tyler, I mean it. You use protection. I know you want her body but you have to protect her, keep her safe. She's your baby's mother, your son's mother. Get her on the depo as soon as possible. And NO sex until you're sure it's safe. You have to be the strong one and say no."

"I don't know if I can." Tyler looked down into the parking lot.

"Yes, you can. You will care of her and your baby. Be a man. I have faith in you, and I know you're trying, Tyler, I know you will do this." He held out his hand with the words, "Remember if you need to talk to someone, I'm here. I'm your coach now, and I'm willing to listen. And I truly believe you can and will do this. You can be a good dad. You can finish school. Make your son proud. Remember he's your son. You created him and he and Mindy need you. And you can do this. Just do your jobs. I know it's hard but do your jobs."

Tyler looked long and hard at him before he held out his slim hand and said, "Thanks, Coach. I'll try."

"That's all I ask."

And the youth shook his hand hard then the two of them walked in silence back to Mindy's room.

####OQ####

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