Felicity was holding Scarlett tightly while Oliver drummed his fingers on her thigh. His mind was far away. When the knock came to the door he answered. William walked in with two burly men. Oliver nodded to them.
"Thank you."
William looked relieved to be somewhere familiar. He ran over to Felicity and grabbed Scarlett's hand.
"Hi Barley. Did you miss me?"
Scarlett cooed. Oliver sat back down and William looked at him.
"Where's my mom? I need her to sign my permission slip to go to the science museum next week." He turned to Felicity. "They have a new space exhibit."
Oliver sighed. "Umm we need to talk about that."
"Ahh I can't go?"
Oliver smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "You know how I came and got you today as The Green Arrow?"
William nodded and Oliver continued.
"I did that because a bad guy took Felicity. When we got her back I needed to get you and your mom somewhere safe. So I went by the apartment and...it was on fire."
William looked confused. "You lite it on fire?"
"No the bad guy did. Your mom was inside."
He seemed to understand what that meant. His face turned to sadness. He then sniffled. Oliver moved closer and knelt in front of him.
"It's okay to cry."
William wrapped his arms around Oliver and cried into his shoulder. Felicity stood and walked upstairs to give him a moment. She laid Scarlett in her bassinet and covered her with a mint minky blanket. When she stepped into the shower the weight of what had happened hit her. She didn't realize that she had been cold until the water hit her skin. She shivered and turned the hot water up until it burned her skin. She took her time washing her hair and body. When she finally stepped out the ateam in the bathroom was so thick it was difficult to see. She grabbed a towel and wraped it tightly around herself. She brushed her teeth and brushed her hair before pulling on her grey t shirt and purple floral pajama pants. She left her glasses off and walked downstairs. William was still crying quietly into Oliver's shoulder. She stepped into the kitchen and made hot chocolate. She walked out and found that William was much calmer. Oliver was handing him a tissue when she spoke to him.
"Here Buddy."
William accepted the mug and nodded. "Thank you."
She handed Oliver a mug and he smiled.
"Hot chocolate?"
She shrugged. She sat down with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders next to William and sipped her own. After a while he set his mug down and sat back into the couch. Then he slumped over and fell asleep. Oliver sighed.
"He wore himself out."
She nodded. "He's been through a lot today."
"You have too."
She shrugged. He took the empty mugs back into the kitchen before scooping William up and carrying him upstairs. He laid him down on his bed and covered him with a minky blanket. He found Felicity in her room rubbing Scarlett's back. He leaned against the doorway.
"He's out."
She nodded. "So is she. She had a big day today."
He wrapped his arms around her back and peered down into the bassinet. She leaned into him and sighed.
"What do we do now?"
"Wait for Laurel's advice."
She nodded. He hugged her close for a minute before pulling away. She looked at him.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to sleep on the couch."
"You can stay."
He looked in her eyes and nodded. He flipped off the lights and she grabbed him. He kissed her deeply and led her onto the bed. They snuck under the covers. Oliver tucked her into his side and kissed her head.
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The next morning Laurel came over early. Oliver was making breakfast while everyone else slept. She spoke to him quietly.
"How is he?"
"He cried himself to sleep."
"And Felicity?"
"She was jumping at the slightest noise." He wiped his hands on a dish towel before turning to her. "What do I do with William?"
"Well the paternity test that you and Samantha filed stands. I'll ask the judge to release him to you. He has no other relatives so you stand a strong chance of getting custody."
He nodded. "I should have saved her."
"Ollie you did everything you could. Even the A.R.G.U.S agents couldn't get her out."
"How do I tell him this when he gets older?"
"You'll tell him the truth when the time is right."
Felicity walked in carrying Scarlett. She looked like she had barely slept. Laurel smiled.
"Hey. How's the wrist?"
"Okay." She grabbed a mug and poured herself some decaf coffee one handed. "He's still asleep."
Oliver nodded. Laurel set her briefcase down and reached towards her.
"Mind if I hold her?"
Felicity past Scarlett to Laurel. She smiled up at her. William walked into the room a few minutes later. Oliver smiled.
"Hey, hope you like pancakes."
William nodded and sat at the table. He glanced between Laurel and Oliver before speaking to her.
"You're the lawyer right?"
She nodded. "Laurel."
"What's going to happen to me?"
She sat down and adjusted Scarlett. "I'm going to talk to a judge today and he'll probably allow you to stay here with your dad and Felicity."
He nodded. "They won't try to take me away?"
"I promise you that no one will take you anywhere."
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A few weeks passed and Oliver was given full custody of William. They turned Oliver's room into his. They were surprised how quickly he adjusted. Felicity was glad to have something to do other then take care of Scarlett. She started volunteering at William's school and went to his baseball practices. She and Oliver were in a more awkward place. They were together yet not together. They were so caught up in taking care of the kids, being vigilantes and every day work to truly define what they were. One evening Felicity came home from grabbing William from baseball and found Dig in their apartment. She smiled.
"Hey Dig."
He smiled. "Hey." He looked at William. "How's the team looking?"
"Our short stop is slow but the second basemen is good at picking up the slack. I think we have a good chance."
He nodded and reached for Scarlett. Felicity handed her over before speaking.
"So to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Lyla is making dinner with Evie."
"That's nice."
"We're going to take the kids."
"Huh?"
Oliver walked in and smiled. "Hey guys." He saw Dig and looked surprised. "Dig? What are you doing here. I told you to take the night."
"I know. I was just filling Felicity in. Lyla and I got the kids tonight."
"Okay?"
"So you two go out. Movie, dinner, get her in the backseat of your car. I really don't care. You two need a night alone."
Oliver smiled. "Okay. Have fun."
Felicity handed Dig the carseat. He fastened Scarlett in it and grabbed her diaper bag.
"I'll have them back at 10."
Oliver nodded. Once they left he looked at Felicity.
"Well lets go."
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They ended up at Big Belly Burger. Oliver laughed once their food arrived.
"Of all the places in town we end up here."
She smiled. "Well the first time I saw you outside of Queen Consolidated was here."
"Wow what does that say about us?"
"We are friends first."
He nodded. "Okay I can live with that."
They were quiet for a while and he smiled.
"Did you see Scarlett this morning with William?"
"No what did she do?"
"She started laughing at him. Like an actual laugh."
"Aww I can't believe I missed it."
"She's getting too big."
"I know. I'm only halfway through my leave and i'm already dreading leaving her."
"Well you can stay home with her if you want."
"As cute as she is I miss being able to talk to adults."
He chuckled. "I can always hire you as my personal assistant."
"No way. I did that and it was an epic fail."
"True."
They ended up laughing all through their meal. They left hand in hand. When they got home they sat on the couch in front of the fire. Oliver glanced over.
"I've been thinking about something."
"Uh oh."
He smiled. "Well we've been really good lately. Well for a while actually."
"We have."
"Maybe we can start over."
"What do you mean?"
He hesitated before speaking. "I want to marry you. But I don't know if..."
"I want to marry you?"
"Exactly."
She sighed. "Well..." She turned and saw that his face had fallen. She laughed and slid onto his lap before kissing him. "What the hell."
He looked confused. "You want to marry me?"
She nodded. "We've proven over the last few months that we can get through anything together and you have actually let me in. Besides we're practically married already."
He smiled and kissed her. "Felicity Smoak will you let me have the honor of being your husband?"
"Yes."
He tightened his grip on her and kissed her deeply. He disappeared up the stairs and returned with her engagement ring. He slid it into place smiling.
"Now it's perfect."
She nodded. "Well there is one more thing."
"What?"
"I got cleared by the doctor."
At that he snatched her into his arms and carried her up the stairs.
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A few days later Felicity was pouring herself some tea while holding Scarlett. She glanced up when she heard William walk in. She smiled.
"Good morning. What would you like for breakfast?"
He sat down at the table and noticed her ring. "Are you and Oliver getting married?"
She set a glass of orange juice on the table for him and nodded.
"Yes we are. We just didn't want to make a huge deal out of it."
"Why?"
"Well we've been engaged before. We called off our wedding. This time we just want to keep things simple."
He nodded. "Are you going to have a wedding?"
"A small one. With just friends and family."
She opened the fridge and started pulling ingredients out with difficulty. Scarlett kept squirming in her arms. William looked back at her.
"So if you marry my dad, that makes you my mom right?"
"Your step-mom."
"Do I...do I need to call you mom?"
She sat down across from him and spoke earnestly. "You already had a mom and she was incredible. I do not want to replace her. So you can call me whatever you want."
He smiled. "Thanks Felicity."
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Thea stepped into Oliver's office.
"Okay you have 3 meetings today one of which is with the Police Commissioner. Also The Star City Ledger would like your take on the clinic that just opened in The Glades."
He nodded. "Alright. Tell The Ledger that I am thrilled to see the community rallying together to help eachother and that I will personally see to it that this clinic stays open."
She nodded. "Okay you have an hour to prepare for the Police Commissioner."
She walked back out and he started reading through the files she gave him. He had only been reading for a few minutes when his secretary spoke.
"Mayor Queen, you have a call on line 3 from your son's school."
Oliver raised his brows and grabbed the phone.
"This is Mr. Queen?"
"Hello Mayor. This is Mrs. Carter the principal of the elementary school."
"Of course. Is William okay?"
"Well he was involved in an incident here. I need you to come into the office immediately."
He looked at the clock and sighed. "I'm on my way."
He hung up and grabbed his jacket. He stepped out of the office and looked at Dig.
"Pull the car around." He stuck his head into Thea's office. "Speedy I need to take off for a few minutes. If i'm not back in time, stall."
She nodded. Once in the car Oliver called Felicity.
"Miss me already?"
He smiled. "Can you be ready in 10 minutes?"
"Sure why?"
"Something happened with William at school. I think we both should be there."
"Okay I just need to get Scarlett in her car seat."
He hung up and looked at Dig. "Can you swing by the apartment?"
He nodded. "How much trouble do you think he's in?"
"No clue."
They quickly picked up Scarlett and Felicity and headed to the school. When they arrived Dig escorted them inside. The receptionist nodded.
"Mayor Queen. Principal Carter is ready for you."
Dig looked. "I'll wait here."
Felicity handed him Scarlett before following Oliver. When they entered the office they found Mrs. Carter sitting behind her desk staring at William. He looked up when they walked in. He looked terrified. They sat down and Principal Carter smiled.
"I'm sorry to pull you away from your work Mayor but we do have a problem."
"Problem?"
She looked at William. "William would you like to tell your father or should I?"
William looked like he may throw up. She sighed and spoke to them.
"William was involved in a fight. He tackled and older boy during recess and shoved his face in some mud."
Oliver looked shocked. William glanced at Felicity before muttering something none of them heard. Prinicipal Carter looked at him sharply.
"What was that William?"
He trembled as he spoke. "He took it...it wasn't his."
"What?"
He looked at Oliver. "David took Mia's homework and turned it in as his own. Mia got detention. I just wanted him to tell Mr. Todd the truth. He laughed at me. So I pushed him. I didn't mean for him to fall."
Oliver nodded and looked at Principal Carter. "My son was standing up for his friend. I see no issue with that. However I believe I read that school policy was for him to complete an extra credit assignment?"
"Usually but your son was caught fighting. Besides we have David's side of the story to think about."
Felicity, who had been typing on her phone interrupted.
"This wouldn't have anything to do wit the fact that David's father is Craig Thompson? I see here he just donated a new library."
Oliver looked at her glowing with pride. He then looked at Mrs. Carter.
"I believe that David should be punished for cheating and William should be given an extra credit assignment to complete. If there are any issues with David's father I will be happy to take time out of my schedule to speak with him."
She seemed flustered. "Of course Mayor." She looked at William. "You may go back to class. Mr. Todd will give you your assignment."
He nodded. They all stood and walked out. Dig held the door before following them into a quiet hallway with Scarlett. Oliver looked at William. He spoke before Oliver got the chance.
"I'm sorry. I know fighting is wrong but he picked on Mia just because she's a girl."
Oliver knelt down and smiled. "William, I'm proud of you."
"You are?"
"Yes. You stood up for what you knew was right. You defended your friend. I will defend you to the end for that."
Felicity nodded. "You were a hero today."
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