Author's note: sorry it has been a while... holidays are busy with three families to visit (technically 4 visits because my family get us twice)... anyway I am getting close to the end of this story and have decided there will be a short story after it for our little ones arrivals... so I have 6 chapters for you now and next time I post will be the end of this one and possible the full short story... not sure yet
As always a big thanks to my beta warehouseluver13 for all your hard work
Please review and check out my polyvore for this story... I try to message back on reviews but I may not get all of them... I do read and love each one
Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow or it would never go off for any hiatus... missing it terribly right now.
"Anything?" Diggle asked softly as he pressed into the doorway. It was nearly dinner time and Oliver had been out for almost 24 hours.
"Nothing. I know Constantine said whatever Darhk did to him wiped him out almost but this is the longest I've ever seen him down. Tatsu said he was out for nearly a week when he lost to Ra's but he was at least making noises or moving in his sleep. He's so still now. It's scaring me." Felicity was sitting in the bed next to him, folders with work papers spread out around her and her tablet in her lap. Connor had woken up that morning and helped her gather a few things she needed for work before getting ready to head to school. Diggle and Darren had accompanied him to school and kept a watchful eye on him until he was returned home. Once home he was allowed to play inside as Donna and Thea watched on. Roy had taken it upon himself to entertain the young boy with video games and movies while Felicity stayed in her room, in her ever vigilant spot overlooking Oliver's resting body.
"Felicity, you know better than me that it would take the four horseman, every natural disaster and a zombie apocalypse to prevent Oliver from being here with you. He wants this more than I think even he really knows. You are everything to him. You and that kid down the hall as well as the two right there. So don't give up hope yet. If anyone can will him to wake up and come back to us, it's you. You always did give him the best pep talks, remember?"
Felicity smiled as she remembered Oliver noting once how no matter how low and defeated he felt all he needed was one of her pep talks and he was ready to take on any army that came his way. "Thanks Dig." She smiled as she tightened her hand in Oliver's.
"Well I will send dinner up to you. I know Connor is wondering a lot about his dad. Seems he has more questions today than he did yesterday."
"Well I did tell him a couple stories last night. I figured he needed to know what his dad really was like. I didn't say anyone's name unless he knew it. And I left out the more depressing or dangerous ones."
"Dangerous? Felicity they have all been dangerous."
"Okay yeah but I mean the more deadly ones or ones where one of us may not have been so safe. I also didn't tell him about Oliver's connection to Slade or about the man at all. I called him Deathstroke and only told him a little about him. It's still hard for even me to talk about."
"I will do the same then. He wanted to see Oliver's bow and hood so I gave them to him and he has been running around downstairs playing Arrow and chasing Roy, the evil guy, for the last hour. See?" Diggle pulled out his phone and showed the photo to Felicity who giggled at the sight and smiled. Before she could ask, "I'm already sending it to you and Oliver. He's a good kid. Glad to see he got his father's heart."
"That he did." Felicity smiled softly as she looked back at her husband, resting silently beside her. Just then one of the babies kicked and moved. "Oh! Now come on. What did I say about kicking Mommy while she is talking?" Felicity snapped while looking at her belly and rubbing the spot previously kicked.
"Acting up?"
"Yep. They are just as stubborn as…"
"Both their parents?" Diggle commented only to get a disdainful glare.
"I think they're trying to tell me it eating time. I swear every 2 hours I am eating something."
"Then I best get your food sent up." Diggle smiled then moved out of the room.
Felicity looked down at Oliver then gathered up her papers and tablet, laying them on her nightstand. She wiggled in the bed and lowered herself down so that she could lay her head on his shoulder, her hands twisting and grazing his arm. "Oliver? Baby? I don't know if you can hear me. Doctors say that people in comas can hear what's going on around them but you're not in a coma so I'm not sure. Not that I want you in a coma. I don't want you asleep. Well I mean I do want you to sleep. Everyone needs rest. But I want you to sleep a normal amount. Not the amount you are now. But I know you were hurt. Badly. And you need rest so I'm not saying not to rest and get better because I want you better. I need you better. I have a scared little boy who wants his dad. Not to mention two little ones on the way that need a father. And you have a sister who needs you now more than ever because she is having to deal with her dad being evil and her other half brother being not only back from the dead but also brainwashed into being an evil henchmen for a powerful evil guy. Man I am saying the word evil a lot. And I'm babbling. How is it that I only do this around you but I also do it even when you are knocked out and sleeping? I swear there is something terribly wrong with me."
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. I like your babbles." A husky and rough voice softly rumbled beneath her cheek and she looked up to see Oliver sweetly smiling at her. "I love them. Always have. When you didn't do them around me, I missed them the most so please never stop."
"Oliver!" Felicity gasped as she cupped his cheeks and moved to hug him. A gentle sob escaped her as tears formed in her eyes and quickly slipped down her cheeks.
"Hey! Hey! I'm okay. I'm here. With you. No crying okay?"
"Happy tears. I promise. I was just so scared. I thought…"
Oliver cut her off by pulling her down to his lips and kissing her tenderly, wanting to rid her of any fears by giving her all the love he could in that moment. When air became a need they pulled just far enough apart to gasp in lung fulls of air but their foreheads never separated. "I love you Felicity Queen. More today than ever before."
"I love you too." Oliver coughed slightly as the scratchy dryness of his throat finally became noticeable. "Oh! Here let me get you some water." Felicity sat up and bent over where she had a water bottle sitting on the table next to her. When she turned back, Oliver was sitting up further on the bed, propped up against the pillows and headboard.
Oliver took the bottle, smiling once again then took slow small sips. "So what happened?"
"What's the last thing you remember?"
"Sara beating Tommy. I heard a body drop to the floor and turned to see if she was okay. Then a stinging sensation, almost a burning one, filled my chest. I saw Darhk then black."
"Darhk did something to you that weakened you. You're okay now but you need to rest and take it easy for a few days. Constantine said that he will be back to check on you in a week."
"Where'd he go?"
"He said something about chasing down an artifact he thinks can help us against Darhk."
"What about the others?" Oliver tensed up and started to rise up out of the bed but was stopped by Felicity.
"They are safe. Connor is currently running around downstairs somewhere in your hood with your bow in hand chasing Roy, who is playing the bad guy. Thea and Mom are keeping an eye on those two while Raisa makes dinner and Diggle actually should be heading back with my dinner in hand. Lance is at the precinct dealing with the ghosts they caught during last night's clean up. Laurel was going to swing by in a bit and check on you after stopping at the Bunker. Ray and Cisco are still working on the concealment pods for the Merlyns, who are both still knocked out and under guard by Sara and Nyssa."
Oliver grinned as he leaned back into the bed. "Well guess since you all have it all handled you don't need me." He shrugged trying to get a start out of Felicity. He knew he had when her eyes tightened up.
"Don't you even think it. I have a young boy downstairs with a list of questions a mile long for his hero dad, a family of misfits all worried sick about you and two babies who are becoming more stubborn like their father everyday. I swear they will never listen to me if they are anything like they are now."
Oliver laughed joyfully as he wrapped his arms around his wife. "I love you so much, you know that."
"Of course. I am the only one crazy enough to sign on to put up with you for the rest of my life." Felicity huffed then laughed. "I love you too."
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"Oliver, I told you, you need to rest. Up and walking around is not resting." Felicity groaned from behind him as she followed slowly behind him. Oliver had gotten up and decided it was time to see the rest of his family, including his son. He needed to see that they were all back safe and sound with his own eyes.
"And I told you, I feel fine."
"You know I despise that word, Oliver!" Felicity glared at him as he turned around to meet her at the top of the stairs. He helped her down the staircase slowly, insuring no tripping or accidents.
"I feel rested enough, Sweetheart. I need to see everyone right now."
Felicity rolled her eyes and sighed a breath of frustration as she gave in to his argument. She knew that he was worried about their son and wanted to confirm for himself that the young boy was safe and healthy. She would allow it this one time. "Fine. But you sit down once we are downstairs and you will take it easy. Understood?"
Oliver snickered as he helped her down the few last steps, a sly grin on his face. "Yes dear."
"Hey Man! What are ya doing down here?" Diggle asked as he ventured into the foyer, followed closely by Raisa.
"He is too stubborn to stay in the bed and rest. It's not like he almost died or anything." Felicity huffed, her aggravation showing in her tone. "Now go sit Mister. And don't even think about arguing with me or playing around with Roy and Connor. Those two will be too much for you in your state."
"Sweetheart, I am…"
"So help me Oliver, you say that word again and you will find one of your arrows in a very unfriendly and uncomfortable position. One your head seems to be in most of the time." Felicity barked at him as she turned towards their housekeeper to find out about the dinner plans.
Diggle fought to hide his amusement at Felicity's outburst. "Come on man. It's safer to just let them be like this and listen to them when they are at this stage."
"Stage?" Oliver asked concerned for his wife's wellbeing.
"Pregnant women and nesting stage." Diggle whispered as they passed into the sitting room.
"John Diggle, I heard that!" Felicity scolded him from the other room causing both men to cringe slightly.
"Ollie! You're awake!" Thea called as she moved to his side, wrapping her arm around his waist as his went around her shoulders.
"Yeah. I'm…"
"If you say fine I will hit you. I am beginning to understand why Lis hates that word so much. You guys have no idea how to really use it."
"Speedy, I am really okay. A bit sore and upset that I can't really remember it but other than that I am good."
"Well good because I finally have both of my brothers back, sort of, and I am not willing to give either of you up again." Thea and Diggle helped Oliver fall into the seat of a nearby sofa then took their seats, Diggle in a chair to his right and Thea next to him.
"Felicity told me that Darhk tried to touch you, whammy you as she said, but it didn't affect you. Are you sure you're okay?" Oliver scanned over her small frame with concerned eyes.
Thea huffed a laugh and rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Darhk whammied me, which was my term first, but I'm good. Lis and Dig wouldn't leave me be until I was checked out too. So all clear."
"What about Merlyn and Tommy?"
"Still knocked out and locked away. Sara and Nyssa are watching them. Once Ray and Cisco figure out the containment pod thing, we will start washing the brainwashing drugs out of Tommy."
"Have them go ahead and start. I'm sure Cisco has some kind of system to lock him up with so he can't get loose."
Diggle looked at him, studying him to see if Oliver had thought this all out. "You sure? He might try to escape."
"I'm sure. Just tell Cisco to make sure he can't. We need Tommy back to his normal self as soon as possible. We need to see what he can tell us as well as what he remembers for these last few years. We don't know how long he has been with Darhk or what he did to him." Diggle nodded in agreement and stood to make the call. He passed Felicity as she came into the sitting room. "Everything okay with dinner?" Oliver asked sweetly as she entered.
"Yep. Raisa is a miracle worker. I swear if we ever use the pit on anyone again, it should be that woman." Felicity smiled as she sat down, get two very serious glares in response. "Too soon?"
Thea giggled as she raised up. "Let me get Roy, Connor and Donna. Where are we eating?"
"Let's say the living room. I think we all need an easy, quiet night at home tonight. Sound good?" She asked as she glanced at Oliver.
"Wouldn't want anything else. Speedy, can you help me up before you go?" Oliver held out his hand for her to take and help steady him as he rose up off the sofa.
"Thought you were good, Ollie." Thea teased as she pulled him up.
"Just a bit sore."
"Well you are getting older, old man." A youthful voice laughed behind Thea. She looked over her shoulder to see Roy coming in the room, with Donna and Connor following close behind him.
"Very funny. Remind me to increase your training requirements since you think I'm old but I can still beat you while sparring." Roy rolled his eyes and moved to help Oliver move into the living room.
"I just let you win."
"A lot!" Thea chuckled.
They moved into the living room, Oliver and Roy leading the pack. Connor was standing next to Donna staring at Oliver but refused to move close to him. As if he was unsure around him now.
"Hey buddy. It's okay. I'm good. Just a bit sore. I've been through a lot worse than this."
"Oh trust me, he knows. Your wife thought it would be a good idea to start filling his head with all the tales of your victories. He has been trying to pull more and more details out of all of us all day." Donna giggled as she sat down in a chair to the right of the big sofa. Oliver was placed down gently on the big sofa, in the middle, as Felicity took her place at his side. Thea and Roy sat on the other sofa but Connor still wasn't sure about being close to his dad so he stood next to Donna.
"Sweetie, it's okay. You can come sit with us." Felicity held out her hand for him to take.
Sensing Connor's reluctance, Oliver noted, "It's okay. You can sit wherever you want buddy." Oliver smiled softly at his son but Felicity could hear the pain and hurt in his voice. He never wanted to scare his son and by Connor finding out as he did, that is just what happened.
Raisa came in with dinner, a wonderful smelling chicken soup and sandwiches, at that point. "Mr. Oliver, Mrs. Felicity told me you had woken up. I am glad to see you are feeling better."
"I am Raisa, thank you." He smiled up at her as he took a plates and bowl from her.
"Я надеюсь, что это не имеет ничего общего с Bratva. Они слишком опасны, чтобы смешивать с. (I hope that it had nothing to do with the Bratva. They are too dangerous to get mixed up with.)"
"Нет, Raisa. На этот раз это был не Братва. Спасибо за глядя на семьи, хотя. (No, Raisa. This time it was not the Bratva. Thank you for looking out for the family though.)"
"Всегда, Mr. Oliver. Если вам нужно что-нибудь, все, что вам нужно сделать, это попросить. (Always, Mr. Oliver. If you need anything, all you need to do is ask.)"
"Thank you Raisa." She finished presenting the meals to the rest of the family, sitting Connor's on the coffee table so he could sit on the floor and eat.
Connor stared at his father, mouth and eyes wide open, as if the last few minutes had completely changed the man he saw in front of him. "What did you say?" Connor asked curious.
"Mr. Oliver just thanked me for watching out for all of you, his family."
"You sounded different! What was it?"
"Russian. I learned it while I was away." Oliver explained. Then he smiled and held his hand out again, facing up as a soft invitation to his son. "I can teach you if you'd like."
"Really?!" Connor bounced a bit, excited to do something cool that none of his friends could do.
"Yeah! It could be our secret language. Only Raisa would be able to understand us."
"Not even Mommy knows it?"
"I know a little but your dad knows a lot more." Felicity grinned as she took in the scene. Her hand rubbed over her belly as she sat her plate down and watched the scene before her play out. Her hand moved to rest tenderly on Oliver's arm, silently giving him all her strength and support.
"Cool! Okay how do we start?" Connor jumped up and down and clapped, excited to have something special with his dad again.
"Food first, Sweetie. You need to eat before it gets cold." Connor began to pout as his chin fell against his chest and his head dropped low.
"How about I teach you how to say what we are eating?" Connor nodded vigorously as he moved his plate closer to his father's and took a seat next to his leg on the floor.
Over the next few minutes and between bites, Oliver taught him several Russian food phrases as well as a couple greetings. Anytime Connor struggled with a word or phrase, Oliver would restate it slowly, enjoying taking the time to teach his son something new and bringing their close bond back again. So once dinner was finished, the dishes were removed and most of the team had errands that they were going to run before the night's patrols. Felicity stood to see them out and after saying goodnight to them, she walked back to the living room to find Connor on Oliver's lap, Oliver's strong arms wrapped around him in a secure shield, as he read a book that Connor knew by heart to his son in Russian and teaching him more and more words. Felicity's heart swooped and melted in her chest and she fought back tears as she felt two little flutters in her belly of their other children wanting to make the presence known.