Hi!

Thank you so much for your support (reviews & alerts), this is really intimidating to write a story in a foreign language.

I hope you will enjoy this new chapter! have you guessed what they find out?

And just like last week, if you want to know the title of the next chapter, read the last line.

Chapter 2

The one where Oliver and Felicity find out

Felicity is doing her best to keep her Caramel Flan Latte from Starbucks in its container when she enters the Arrowcave 2.0, arms full of bags.

One with some decoration stuff. Managing changes has always been difficult for her. And yeah… she's an IT girl. But dealing with Windows 7 after a pretty lame Vista version is nothing compared to spending night and day in a bunker. A bunker she's not used to. So she has brought some candies, a blanket for fresh nights, some comics and her PS Vita for long ones, even a Cosmo she has not read yet. Katherine Heigl is on the front page with the title: "she's done playing the blonde cliché". Screw her, she has always hated this woman.

One with 2 bottles of washing liquid. Superheroes underwear are not self-cleaning you know. They're just underwear. Same thing for sportwear, towels, and other glamorous textiles that people who just watch the show don't even suspect the factuality. But hey, someone has to wash them. And it's not gonna be her. Not pants at least.

The last one with some food. They literally live in this room. You can't survive if you don't eat. And she's Jewish. Her ancestors have crossed the desert. She couldn't. Not with some cheese in her pocket.

When she left her apartment this morning, she was hoping that her three men would rush to relieve her. She was wrong. Roy is not even here, and Oliver and Diggle… well that's weird.

She lets all her damn bags hitting the ground just before remembering she has brought her console … Brilliant.

But actually, she cares less about it than about the scene in front of her.

"Why are you hugging without me?"

She's the girl. She's the one they're used to hug. They don't do it between men. They could, but they don't. Not the tactile type.

Oh my god, someone is dead.

Why is not Roy here yet?

It only takes the boys two seconds to turn towards Felicity with an awkward smile but her brain has already imagined more than fifteen ways to die for Harper. One of them was choking on Lucky Charms. Definitely plausible.

They both shrug. Yeah, no big deal. You know, just a hug. Between male friends. It happens.

No it doesn't.

Oliver scratches his head.

"Digg is offering me his spare room for a couple of weeks."

Thank God, nobody died.

She turns to him, with a curved eyebrow and her arms crossed.

"You… have accepted something from someone?"

She's skeptical and Oliver perfectly understands what she's referring to. When Walter reached him a few days ago to talk about Queen Consolidated and his bank account, Oliver warmly welcomed the first topic and completely avoided the second. He asked for Walter's business skills, not for his funds.

And because of his pride, he has nowhere to live. He could go to the hotel, he still has enough money for that. But he doesn't.

He could sleep at her place. But he doesn't, because "you're a girl Felicity". Thanks for the news.

He could sleep at Roy's place. But he doesn't, because "no way, that kid used to sleep with my sister in here!"

But Felicity has never thought he could sleep at Digg's place. Because it has lately become Digg and Lyla's place. The woman likes Oliver, of course. But she could have said no.

"Lyla is a woman too… you know that, right?"

Felicity's hurt.

Since Slade's episode, she can barely stand unspoken truth. He doesn't want to live with her, she gets it. But it seems that her gender has nothing to do with it. He doesn't want to live with HER. She asks herself if he's afraid to be raped in his sleep. She finds it hard to not see him as an asshole right now.

Her reproachful look hits the man with full force but Oliver takes it without batting an eyelid. Of course he can live with a woman. He just can't live with this woman, in front of him. And now she gets it.

John clears his throat because a) he's still there and he would remind his two goofballs of his presence, and b) he has an announcement to make and he's done with postponing. Lyla is going to kill him. Besides with Oliver crashing at his place, it has become an emergency.

It seems to have worked because both Felicity and Oliver are staring at him.

Showtime.

"Guys… about that…"

Now John. Be a man.

"Lyla's pregnant."

He closes his eyes because honestly, this situation is too awkward for him.

For a second, he is wondering if he has really said something because all John gets is a freaking silent.

Felicity has always something to say. Even when she shouldn't. So, when she should and she hasn't… this is pretty disturbing. Lyla is going to kill him.

She finally opens her mouth, but no sound is coming out. Her face speaks for itself. And it's screaming disbelief.

She checks behind her back, looking for what exactly… she couldn't tell. She doesn't know anything anymore actually. Maybe Lyla with an eight months pregnant belly… which is impossible, because she saw her two days ago. Kids don't grow in two days… right? Maybe Felicity's looking for a camera. New cave hazing.

Anything which could confirm or deny what Diggle has just said because right now… she has no idea what she has to do.

Oliver is not really helping.

He looks so… has he taken some pills this morning? because he has absolutely no reaction. Oh wait, he's actually inclining his head on the left side… as if he's trying to understand the meaning of "pregnant". He looks like a dog. Like… Mr Skittles, Felicity's childhood pug. She had to change his name when she was 9 and was old enough to understand what really meant "Mr Skittles" for the rest of the world. He became Joe.

And we don't really care about Joe right now. Because John has just made an announcement.

Lyla's pregnant.

Pregnant.

Pregnant?

Sounds finally come out through her mouth but she doesn't recognize her own voice.

"Like… like a baby or something?"

And she's the genius of the team…

Diggle is smiling at her.

"Yeah, something like that."

She inclines her head too and actually it's not a bad idea because John looks more like a dad-to-be sideways than ride side up.

"Oh my God, you're serious?"

She's in shock as she starts realizing what it means. Digg is serious. Serious about the most serious thing in life.

She moves forwards, her right hand covering her mouth and Diggle simply smiles more widely, hands in his pockets.

"A baby Diggle… for real?"

As she keeps moving, he finally opens his arms because he knows his girl. She throws herself in them for the firmest hug she's capable of. She's definitely a hug person.

"I am SO happy for you!"

Oliver has a glance at Felicity's shaking shoulders and finally decides to pronounce his first sentence for an eternity.

"Felicity, are you crying?"

The blonde raises her head, allowing both of them to see her wet cheeks. She chooses to ignore Oliver's smirk and pushes her glasses up.

"What? I am sensitive! I'm so sick of always crying for bad things lately. And this is the most exciting news I have heard like for… ever."

After Barry, Moira… the mansion… this is definitely the breath of fresh air she needs.

As she's wiping her face with her sleeve, she goes back to allow Oliver to move closer.

Here we are…

John takes the lead.

"I know what you're thinking."

Oliver doesn't want kids because of the life he leads.

John's words put a light smile on his face.

"I don't think so. I don't even know what to think, or what to say…"

He's… lost.

Oh yes… so lost right now.

How can your life be so fucked up that you're more comfortable with dealing with hard news than with good ones? Extraordinary ones.

"Maybe congratulations?"

Felicity's own smirk is annoying.

This is clearly payback and okay, maybe he deserves this.

But this girl is annoying. She's exhausting. He's going mad because of her. He has already.

Oliver's jaw muscles tense up.

So annoying.

"Of course, congratulations…"

She gets a cold gaze but Oliver quickly refocus attention to… the daddy.

"It's just… I'm in shock. Is this how you're supposed to announce you're going to be a father..."

Really man? It was a terrible announcement.

Oliver raises eyebrows.

"Felicity?"

He takes a glance at his girl. Her stupid grin is still there, but she tries to focus on what he has just asked her.

She settles herself on his side, staring at Digg.

"No, he's right…"

She points Oliver.

Of course he's right.

"That was pretty lame…"

And she solemnly declares: "John Diggle, you have failed this announcement".

Okay, Oliver is grinning too now. He's impressed and she's so annoyingly amazing.

That's his girl.

"Nice job!"

Felicity keeps smiling and shrugs. She's trying to be cool, but she must confess that she has trained herself in front of her mirror for weeks when she joined the team. With a hooded jacket.

"Yeah, I know right?"

Cool, she says.

John pretends to be offended. But he's not. They're right, and he surely won't tell Lyla when he comes home tonight. She offered him to rehearse. He said no. Worse, he laughed in her face for this stupid idea.

Well, you know… karma is a bitch.

"So… asking you right now to be godparents seems to be a pretty bad idea too huh?"

He did it. He has just spit it out. Too brutally maybe, again, because all he hears is silence.

Again.

It starts to get really boring.

They're staring at him, confounded to say the least. John doesn't see why. Like Oliver said once: "this started with the three of us". They spend all their time together. They practically live together. Neither Lyla nor him has a strong bond with relatives (Carly for obvious reasons, is a touchy subject). John Diggle has built his own family and it's right in front of him.

"I'm asking you, you know…"

Still no reaction.

Oh, they have to be kidding. Digg rolls his eyes.

"I'm asking… which implies an answer."

Felicity is the first to make a move. Naturally she is.

"Oh… of course, yes, of course!"

She throws herself in Digg's arms.

Again.

"Oh my God, I'm…"

Her voice breaks and she starts sniffing.

"I knew I should have used my waterproof mascara!"

Her make-up is flowing down her cheeks. She must look like a raccoon.

A raccoon with pink lipstick.

Adorable, really.

Oliver comes to shake Digg's hand but their mutual emotion is too great. They hug each other. Felicity is crying even more because seeing those two cave bears together is like a fucking Chrismukkah.

Oh and she's going to be a Godmother.

She's so gonna rock.

Oliver's strangled voice hardly reaches her ears.

"You're gonna be the best father this child could dream of. I have no doubt about that…"

Both move back to stare each other in the eye. John slighty shakes Oliver's shoulder with his right hand: "Thanks bro".

"This baby is a blessing. And I promise you to love him… or her…"

Oliver looks at Felicity and grins.

"…with all my heart."

He means it. Every word. He loves the father. He will love the kid even more. The greatest achievement in a man's life is to build a family with the woman he loves. His own giving up doesn't mean he can't wish it for his partner.

John is grateful to Oliver for his words. He's not a talkative person, just like him. They are gold. But technically, he needs an answer.

"So… does that mean you accept to be his godfather?"

Felicity comes a little closer but Oliver keeps his eyes on Dig. He slightly nods and replies: "I would be honored".

That is exactly what it is. It's an honor.

And this is a fucking great day.

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Felicity looking at him with insistence. He thinks she's smiling.

"Oliver… are you crying?"

Damn it.

Yes he is. She can see that. Digg can see that. This is huge.

He doesn't cry, actually. But he definitely has tears in his eyes. Or he's having an allergic reaction to dust… or good news.

Who knows?

She does.

He's definitely moved to tears and this is huge.

But it kind of reminds her this look he had at the mansion and her heart breaks at this memory.

"I love you" he said. And he took it back.

I love you, she thinks. And she can't change her mind.

Oliver is simply looking at her, not knowing what to reply for his defense.

"Just… shut up."

He smiles and she smiles back.

This is exactly why she can't change her fucking mind. Their connection. He can take back all the "I love you" that he wants, but he can't take back his gazes, his smiles and all the little things of which she has exclusive rights.

He can't take back his friendship.

Diggle is not far from "having an allergic reaction" in his turn.

Everyone is crying in this damn room!

But Felicity has something else in mind: "I have one question". She only looks at John.

"Do you want a boy or a girl?"

He shrugs.

She doesn't want to because she cares too much. "It has to be a girl" she adds. "Too much testosterone in here".

And by here, she means this cave. Digg, Oliver, Roy… This has to stop.

"Lyla and me need some support. And I know if it's a boy, he will become a super ninja before he's even five". Both men can't help laughing at that weird vision.

But… he also could become a nerd. This would be awesome.

But she still wants a goddaughter.

Oh, she has something else in mind. "Okay, one more question". Huge deal.

John gives her an indulgent look.

"Sure."

"If Lyla and you die in an accident or something, which would be awful by the way… who would have the custody? Me or Oliver?"

The sweet blonde from MIT or the dangerous broody guy? Hard choice, really.

Oliver gives her his special did-you-just-say-what-I-heard-you-say? look.

"Hey, don't judge me. Judge the system. And the drunken douchebag who has just killed them."

Digg rolls his eyes.

Actually it's a serious issue. He will have to think about it. But not today. Today is awesome.

He shrugs, and answers in an easy tone of voice: "Or… you could get married".

Guess what? Silence… again.

Their faces are priceless.

Felicity is staring at him, hands on her hips and head to one side. All her body is yelling: "Come on!" John notices her blushing, as always, but he's done talking. He's done enough actually and he's quite proud of himself.

But his favorite reaction remains Oliver's.

Just in the same position as before, he raises an eyebrow. But for lack of blushing, John notices an almost imperceptible twisting of his lips. Something Oliver tries to hide by hanging his head and looking at his shoes. Too late. Dig has seen it. And he knows what it is. It's a smile.

Yeah, today is definitely awesome.

They hear footsteps and turn toward the latecomer.

"I know I'm late" Roy says, "Sorry". Then he notes embarrassment on Felicity and Oliver's faces before looking at Diggle's satisfied smile.

Okay… Something happened here.

"What did I miss?"

A penny for your thoughts!

title of next chapter: The one with Felicity's freakout