Hello, everyone! So sorry for the delay in updating. Between school and binge-watching all my favorite shows before the new seasons come out, I've hardly had time to write! Anyways, I hope you enjoy.

Happy Reading!

Summary: Fourth time's the charm, right? Wrong! Coffee doesn't solve all of life's problems, unfortunately.

Disclaimer: I wish Arrow was mine...

She wore emerald green Mary Janes; they were healed and one of her favorite pairs because they reminded her of him. Tall, dark, and handsome. The man of her dreams.

The blonde smoothed her hands over the non-existent baby bump, slightly nervous because she still hadn't told him about the baby.

The news was not expected nor was it ever really talked about. She recognized the fact that this was probably not the best time to bring a child into the world what with how busy their lives were but, was there ever a perfect time?

She knew she just needed to tell him even though the idea was slightly terrifying, not knowing if he would run away or stay and be the best father he could be.

She smiled, although she wasn't sure if she was quite up to the task of shaping a person, she somehow knew that no matter what happened, her child was going to be special. He or she was going to do great things one day.


Felicity adjusted the strap of her emerald green Mary Jane's, using the wall as support. Her name was being called from upstairs and she could vaguely hear doors opening and closing.

"Where is that tie that Gorge gave me?" Oliver's voice floated down the stairs.

She paused, pursing her lips and standing upright before yelling back, "Why? You hate that tie."

A few seconds passed before he shouted in response, "I have a meeting with the district overseers today and I really don't want to hear Gorge complain for two hours. So, I was thinking that if I wore the tie he gave me, maybe he'll be in a slightly less grouchy mood today and save the rest of us from hearing the things that he wants fixed but doesn't do anything to actually fix the problems."

By now he was leaning over the railing, clearly waiting for a response. Felicity refrained from rolling her eyes. That was something marriage taught her; husbands depend on their wives when looking for things they had misplaced.

She had been warned about that from her married friends, but she assured them that Oliver knew where everything was because, duh. He was the Green Arrow. He remembered things. Of course, it would be the same for marriage (not that she told them her reasoning).

However, she found out that apparently, married Oliver Queen forgot where he put his clothes. Maybe it was a thing that all husbands do.

"I put it on your tie rack like I do with all of your ties."

Oliver frowned, "I looked there."

Felicity raised her eyebrows, "Well, look again."

Oliver went turned and went back into the hall. She sighed, running her hands over her non-existent baby bump.

After Sara and Laurel found out, Felicity removed all of the baby items she had hidden around the house because she had decided the anticipation was going to kill her. Besides, Oliver didn't seem to be cooperating because he wasn't playing very well, but to be fair, he was an unwilling participant which really means he was playing a game he didn't even know existed.

Which leaves her with the recurring theme of how she was going to tell Oliver about the baby. At this point, maybe she should just wait and let it tell him.

Oliver came downstairs tying the tie he supposedly couldn't find without her help.

Felicity smiled at him as he walked up to her and wrapped his arms loosely around her, "So, I see you found it," She reached up and adjusted the knot, "What would you do without me?"

Oliver looked at her tenderly, "I'd be lost."

She reached up to give him a kiss, knowing exactly where he would be if she wasn't there to make sure he found the joy and beauty that can make life so full.


"Go fish," Sara said in a deadpan.

They were gathered around the seating area in Felicity's office at Queen Incorporated. She watched as Laurel picked up a card, her face scrunching up in a grimace. Apparently, it wasn't the card she was fishing for.

Thea had a book in front of her, Laurel had two, and Sara had none. Felicity, however, had four.

What? It wasn't her fault that she grew up in Vegas playing every card game known to man. Of course, it helped to be a certified math genius.

It was a usual occurrence that when her best friends showed up at her office, they played a card game. Now usually, they gambled but Felicity had given out all of the candy she kept in the office to the kids standing right outside of the high-rise. They looked bored and hot as they took shelter from the sun under one of the few large Oak trees right in the middle of downtown.

"Sooo," Laurel shifted her cards around, "What's plan D for telling Ollie about the baby?"

Felicity shook her head, "I have no idea," She lifted her gaze from her cards to rest on Thea, "Do you have a 5?"

Thea checked her cards, then stuck out her tongue as she dutifully handed the card over. Felicity laughed in triumph as she placed down another book, everyone groaning at her success.

"Why do we even play with you? You always win!"

Felicity smiled in glee, "You just love me."

Play went on in minimal silence until Sara shifted in her seat.

"I thought of a great idea for telling Oliver. You should hire one of those biplanes to carry a banner behind it saying 'Congrats Oliver! You're going to be a father!' That would make a really good story," She fought a smile tugging at her lips.

Felicity stared at her like she had grown another head, "Are you kidding me?! NO! I've already told the three of you and that's three more people than I planned to tell before Oliver, so no! I am not going to let another soul know before he gets the news."

Laurel and Thea were trying to hide their smile and Sara couldn't contain her amused look, "Sorry. It was just an idea."

Felicity frowned begrudgingly, "Well, at least it's better than the idea I had at two O'clock this morning when I couldn't fall asleep. I was debating on inviting my mother to stay and letting her 'accidentally' inform Oliver right after I leave the country."


She leaned up against the balcony railing, taking in a deep breath and surveying her surroundings. She loved this spot. It was so high up and she felt free; like she could do anything she set her mind to. The lights always amazed her, the way they sparkled and kept the city alive even at night. There was a cool breeze that whipped her hair and bit her nose, but she didn't mind, she liked it.

She thought of her baby, the one who wasn't even bigger than a lime. She thought of all the dangers that lurked in the city she loved so much.

She caressed her stomach, "Don't worry little one. I'll protect you from all the bad guys that want to hurt you. Your mommy loves you so much and so will your daddy but, I haven't worked up enough nerve to tell him you exist yet."

"Can you believe me? See, even mommies get scared sometimes," The blonde let out a sigh, "Does that make me a bad mother? I hope not cause you're stuck with me now."

She sighed again, biting her lip in worry as she looked over the lit up skyline.


Felicity sighed as she opened the balcony door and stepped out, coming to lean on the railing. She looked out over the city that she and the team strived every night to save. It was beautiful at night, the lights lighting up the night sky, keeping the city alive even at a late hour.

She hated heights, it was true, but for some reason standing on the top floor of the tallest building in the city looking down at the ants on the sidewalk didn't seem to faze her. It almost comforted her. It always had, ever since Oliver coerced her into being his highly overqualified secretary.

Maybe that's why she liked it, because the first time she came out here, it was to comfort Oliver who was stressed by being the Green Arrow and keeping Queen Consolidated, at the time, afloat. She remembered walking out on a night like this to see him bent over, his elbows resting on the railing and his head in his hands.

She remembered her heartbreaking at the sight of his face. He had been crying, his eyes were hollowed and red, his beard grown out more than normal, his hair sticking up at odd angles from running his hands through it. At that time, Oliver normally hid any weakness from her and it had been shocking to see him open up to her.

She had held out her arms, not saying anything, and he just collapsed into them as he cried. She held him and rocked him and cried silently right alongside him. She cried for Oliver, for the city, for the people they couldn't save. For Diggle, for Thea and even for Sara and Laurel who at the time, made her feel weak and defenseless.

The next morning, neither of them said anything about it but Oliver seemed to have an extra bounce in his step and she knew that that cry had been good for them both.

Felicity rubbed her stomach. Her baby, that was only as big as a lime (she did research).

"Hey, sweetie. It's your mommy, but I guess you already know that, huh? You can't hear yet but since you are in there I feel slightly less crazy when I talk to myself. I still haven't told your daddy about you. I must confess, I'm kind of scared. Not because I'm afraid he won't love you, no, no he's going to love you so much that it hurts. It's that he'll be afraid that someone might hurt you because you see, your daddy is the Green Arrow and he protects the city from really bad guys. So that means he has enemies, so he's always afraid that they're going to come and hurt the people he loves as revenge. Like me and now you."

She sniffed, wiping away tears. What? So? Talking to her unborn baby was emotional. Sue her.

Felicity bit her lip as the cold air whipped her blonde hair, "Even mommies get scared sometimes but your daddy will protect us, Peanut. I hope that doesn't make me a bad mother because I'm afraid you're stuck with me now."

"How am I going to tell him about you?" Felicity sighed into the wind, her hand resting on her belly.


"Hey John," Oliver said distractedly as he ran his hand over his mouth. He was sitting in Felicity's chair down in the lair when Diggle descended the metal stairs to come to stand in front of him, arms crossed.

"What's on your mind," He asked leaning up against one of Felicity's work tables, "You look a million miles away."

Oliver glanced up at him, sighed and leaned back in the chair, "It's Felicity."

John furrowed his brows, "She's okay, isn't she?"

"I don't know," Oliver spun slightly in the chair, his face worried.

Digg raised his eyebrows, "What do you mean you don't know? You live with her, Man."

He sighed, "I know and normally I know what's up even if she doesn't feel inclined to tell me, which has happened but, she's been acting so odd these past few weeks." Oliver shook his head, "Have you noticed anything weird?"

The other man tilted his head, "Well, now that you mention it, she has acted kind of skittish lately and more scatterbrained than usual."

"See," Oliver frowned, "I know she's been busy at work and with stuff here but not any more than normal."

"Why don't you just ask her what's wrong?"

Oliver huffed, "Do you remember when Felicity had the flu?" At Digg's nod, he continued, "Well, it started with me noticing she was acting cranky, so I asked her what was wrong. She nearly bit my head off, saying that I didn't trust her judgment about her health and told me if I ever made an assumption again, I would be sleeping at your house for the foreseeable future."

John's mouth twitched, "Yeah, but didn't she apologize after the fact?"

"She did, and I know that other stuff was just the fever talking but I don't want to take any chances this time around."

The two men sat in quiet, thinking about their blonde IT girl.

Oliver nodded slowly, "Yeah, I think I'll just wait and let Felicity tell me if anything's wrong. It's probably that time of the month if you know what I mean."

Diggle gave Oliver a sympathetic look. They both had been on the receiving end of their wives' wrath during that time. In fact, they both have gotten kicked out of their houses and had to crash at the others. From experience, it was best not to say anything out of the ordinary and bring home lots of chocolate.

Dig gave Oliver a slap on the back, "Alright, man. I'm going to go train. You coming?"

Oliver hummed, "No, you go on. I'll join you later."

He nodded and walked over to the punching bag.

Biting his lip, Oliver spun slightly in Felicity's chair, trying to remove the worry that he couldn't seem to shake.

He couldn't help it, he really couldn't. No matter how much she assured him that she would never withhold information about her health, he would never be able to not worry about his wife. She was his whole world. He didn't know what he would do if something happened to her, never mind something permanently happening to her. Actually, he did know. He would be shooting arrows in all of the street thugs, regardless of what they did or didn't do and they would be kill shots.

It scared him to know that he relied so heavily on her to keep him sane. It scared him to know that she had the power to crush him. He was literally putty in her hands, not that she would ever do anything to intentionally hurt him, but that fear was still there. She was his saving grace and he couldn't live without her. He loved her so much it hurt.

Oliver rubbed his hands over his face. Felicity probably just had a cold and he knew it was getting close for her period to start, so that must be it.

Yeah, she was fine.


Jitters was her favorite coffee spot, it even trumped Starbucks. Coffee was the gateway into a fantastic day, so she chose her coffee spots very carefully. When she found out that being pregnant meant no caffeine which meant no coffee, she was absolutely and utterly devastated…for about 10 minutes, then she went back to obsessing over everything she had probably been doing wrong while she was pregnant-yeah, she didn't know she was pregnant during that time, but still!

Then she felt a brief moment of loss when she discovered that even smelling the heavenly stuff made her want to puke but seeing as how it made her want to puke, she didn't dwell too much on it. However, it was a happy surprise that during her usual morning meeting she found that she wasn't trying to tamp down nausea from smelling her employees' coffee, instead, it smelt just as heavenly as she remembered it.

So, it was with a grateful heart that when Felicity strode into Jitters, the strong smell that hit her like a tidal wave did not make her want to run to the nearest bathroom. It was the same delightful smell that lifted life's burdens.

She spotted her handsome husband sitting at their usual table. Jitters was one of their go-to spots if a day was stressing them out and they just needed a good talk and some coffee. They did this quite often so it didn't surprise her when she got a text from Oliver saying, "At Jitters" which really meant "Honey, I need a break from dealing with boring legal stuff and I need to see you to either tell you all about it or to talk about something totally different to get my mind off it. I love you so much. See you soon."

Felicity was a pro at reading 'Oliver Code'.

It wasn't until she was halfway there that it dawned on her that when she didn't get any coffee, from her favorite coffee house, no less, Oliver would definitely realize something was up (Although at the rate he seemed to be going these days, he might not pick it up.)

She still wasn't sure what she was going to do when Oliver went to order their usual. Felicity guessed she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.

Oliver stood up when he caught sight of her coming towards the table, "You are a sight for sore eyes. I needed a break from being Mayor."

He gave her a sound kiss but kept it brief because well, they were in public.

Felicity slid into her chair as Oliver did the same, "You mean, you needed a break from the people who like to butt-heads with you."

"Maybe I just wanted to see my beautiful wife," His lips quirked up.

She pointed her finger at him, "Oh, you're good. Definitely scoring those husband points."

This time Oliver full out grinned.

Felicity soaked in the sight of his care-free behavior knowing she would never tire of seeing his happy smile. Too often did he wear the weight of the world on his shoulders and it broke her heart to see but he had learned to share the burden and for that, she was proud. She knew how hard it was for Oliver to involve people in what he deemed was 'his problems' but he had come to learn that it was the team's problems. He didn't have to do it alone.

Oliver's eyes sparkled as he reached across the table and caught her hand, "What are looking at?"

"Just you," She gave him a soft smile.

"I love you so much," He pulled her left hand to his lips and kissed her wedding rings.

Felicity tried her best not to melt at the sight. There was something about him kissing her wedding rings that made her swoon. She swears he does it on purpose.

Oliver scooted his chair back, sliding out. He leaned over to give Felicity a kiss on the cheek, "I'll go order. Your usual?"

She froze. How is it that every time an opportunity to tell Oliver about the baby presented itself, she floundered?

Felicity gave a short nod, letting out a breath when Oliver turned around to get in line. What was she thinking? Oliver would know something was up if she didn't take a sip of her double shot expresso within five minutes after he handed it to her.

She bit her lip. Maybe she should just try and make the best of this. Felicity wasn't sure about letting him find out in a crowded coffee shop but, at this point, she'd take what she could get.

Now she actually had to come up with some semblance of a plan before Oliver came back. He would expect her to drink the coffee like one does when you get a perfectly good cup of coffee but instead of trying to dodge around drinking her expresso like she was originally thinking but refuse it outright maybe he would figure it out if she kept him guessing as she gave him little hints.

Felicity tapped her fingertips on her lips as she watched Oliver order their coffees out of the corner of her eye. She nodded slowly, yeah, this could potentially work.

Oliver picked up their drinks and Felicity quickly diverted her gaze, pulling her hands down. She bit her lip and started toying with her wedding bands.

"One double shot expresso for you," Oliver sat the cup down in front of her, "And one regular black coffee for me."

He slid back into his seat and took an experimental sip of coffee, taking his time to savor the flavor. Felicity watched longingly. How she wished she could do the same but her 'condition' prevented. As soon as the kid was weaned, she would be drinking a gallon a day to make up for the 8+ months of being caffeine free. This kid was already so loved for her to be sacrificing her precious coffee.

Felicity wrapped her hands around the warm mug and fixed her eyes on Oliver.

"Aren't you going to try it?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

She held back a sigh, how is it that he immediately notices if she doesn't take a sip of her coffee but doesn't realize what she's been trying to tell him for weeks now? At least, so far, it was going as planned.

"I can't," She stated simply.

Oliver looked at her skeptically, "Why not?"

Felicity shook her head, fighting back a smile, "I can't drink caffeine."

Now he was really looking at her like she had lost her mind, "You can't drink caffeine? Who are you and what have you done with my wife?"

She rolled her eyes, "Nothing is wrong with me. I'm just not drinking caffeine for a while. That's all."

"You aren't drinking caffeine for a while," Oliver stated, eyebrows raised, "Felicity, you literally can't live without the stuff. What's made you stop?"

Felicity slid her wedding band up and down her finger nervously, "Oliver, why would a woman stop drinking caffeine?"

He looked at her, dumbfounded, "Are you going on a diet? I mean you look great. You certainly don't need to."

Felicity sucked in a deep breath, because seriously? How long was it going to take?

Just as she was about to say something that would really make him understand, a voice at her elbow interrupted.

"Hey, guys! Long time, no see!"

Felicity closed her eyes in frustration.

She was going to kill Cisco.

She opened her eyes to see Oliver shaking hands with him and Barry. Felicity hadn't known they were in town and she had no idea why they were there but frankly, she didn't care. There could be a gang of Meta-humans running around Star City and she wouldn't care, at least not until Oliver knew that she was having a baby.

Barry smiled that big goofy smile of his in her direction and she did her best not to glower, "Hey Felicity! We were hoping to see you while we were in town."

Felicity put on a bright smile, "Well, you've seen us! I'm sure you have really important things to do. It's a shame you can't stay."

Oliver looked at her strangely, but Cisco and Barry didn't seem to notice her overly excited tone because Cisco started pulling up a chair, "We have time besides I want to hear about those new arrows you were working on."

She looked at Cisco in exhausted disbelief. Apparently, he didn't know how to take a hint.

She propped her chin up with her hands, fighting the urge to strangle Cisco or Barry…or quite possibly both of them.

Oliver shot her another confused glance while he talked to their friends, "Yeah, you're welcome to sit with us. Are you in town for," He paused to clear his throat, "secret business."

The conversation faded as Felicity sighed and thought about all the possibilities of staging a city emergency and convincing Oliver to stay with her while Barry and Cisco save the day leaving them alone so that she could finally tell Oliver he was going to be a father.

She sighed again while she watched their animated conversation in exasperation.

At this point, Felicity was resigned to the fact that she may never actually get to tell Oliver that she was pregnant. She guessed he'd figure it out when she started to develop a baby bump and Thea started buying every baby product she could find.


The young blonde sighed as she walked down the street. Her feet were killing her from the 3-inch stilettos she had worn that day and her shoulders hurt from a day of stress.

She was on her way to the bar that she knew he would be at. She knew she had to tell him before it got much later, and she started to develop a baby bump.

Of course, he needed to know. He was the father after all and even though he did have the nerve to knock her up, he deserved to know.

They would have to become more mature. Her especially because it was her job to make sure the kid grew up to be the best person he or she could possibly be.

She placed a hand on her midsection and sighed. More than once she wished that she hadn't been so careless as to get pregnant, even if the father was the love her life, because heaven knows that they can barely afford an apartment let alone a child.

Not to say that she didn't love her baby, no, she loved it so much it hurt. She just wanted the best for any child she would bring into the world like most mothers. She wanted her kid to grow up care-free without having to worry about where their next meal would come from or being able to have an allowance and not having to sacrifice it because that money was needed to pay rent.

She stopped on the sidewalk as people bustled by and looked across the street, into the window of the bar. She could see his dark hair as he tipped his head back to drown the shot of what was most likely whiskey.

He was laughing with his friends. She bit her lip. This news was going to change their lives and he was going to have to stop drinking so much. She didn't mind it when they got together but she wasn't pregnant then.

She was determined to make this the best life she could possibly give a child.

Taking a deep breath, she ran across the busy street and came to a stop in front of the glass door. She smoothed down her dress and pushed open the door, the bell ringing.

Smiling, he turned his head.

She took a step into the bar.

Here goes nothing.


Thea, Sara, and Laurel exchanged amused glances as Felicity got done ranting on how Barry and Cisco just had to come to Star City and ruin her fourth plan to give Oliver their happy news.

"Please tell me you didn't actually kill Cisco or Barry. That would be difficult to explain to Caitlin, Iris, and Harry," Laurel crossed her arms.

Felicity stopped mid-pace, rolling her eyes, "No, I didn't kill them, but, I sure felt like it."

Sara nodded, grinning, "For one person you sure have had a lot of bad timing."

"Thanks, Sara," Felicity glared and resumed pacing, "Well, does anyone have any ideas? I'm all ears."

"Hold a press conference. Ollie would definitely find out then no matter who's in town. Of course, everyone and their brother will find out too but, at the rate you're going, this may be your only hope," Thea shrugged her shoulders.

Felicity threw up her hands, "NO! I will tell Oliver myself no matter how long it takes! Unless it takes longer than 7ish months, then the baby will tell him."

Later that night, Felicity sat on her and Oliver's bed and looked at a faded picture. Oliver was in the shower, so she was alone for the time being as she ran her finger down the tattered edge of the photograph.

She looked at the man's face. She had always wondered, if he looked so happy here, then why did he leave?

Although she had never heard it said out loud, she knew that ultimately, she was the reason. Not her exactly but, the fact that she was a baby, that's what made him leave.

She hadn't heard the story until she was packing for college and stumbled across the photo in the depths of a closet. She had asked for the story and instead of it being told with bittersweet nostalgia, it was told with tiredness and reluctance.

Felicity never asked for any stories involving him again. It just brought up hurt feelings.

A tear escaped her eye as she studied the faded picture with sadness. She ran her fingertips over the youthful faces of times long ago.

The couple smiled happily, if not tiredly and stressed. Their background, an old bar full of memories, now painful to think about.

Their faces held hope and promise for the future.


Her emerald green high heels clicked as she walked across the wooden floor of the old bar. Old time blues filled the room and she was surrounded by the smell of cigarette smoke and beer. This was the bar that they met in, so it was only appropriate that she would be giving him this news here.

"Hello, my love," His rich voice surrounded her, and she gave a small smile.

She fiddled with her purse straps, "I've got something I need to tell you."

"Of course," He led her over to a table in the corner and pulled out a chair for her, "What is it?"

She sat down and captured his hand from across the table, "It's rather unexpected and I certainly didn't mean for it to happen but…I'm pregnant."

He looked at her in shock, "Pregnant? As in we're having a baby?"

The blonde nodded, "I know this wasn't planned and I know that we're barely scraping by with just the two of us let alone having a child to take care of but, I think we can do it."

Noah smiled, his eyes sparkling, "I think it's wonderful! Let's go celebrate!"

He pulled her from the table as he led them to the other guys who were smoking and laughing by the bar, "Hey guys! Guess what!? Donna's pregnant!"

Donna watched as the men laughed in surprise, holding up their glasses and calling out congratulations.

Noah was swept up in the midst, shaking hands with everyone as people approached her to give her hugs.

Bernie, the bartender/owner of the bar took out an old-fashioned camera from under the counter, "You two kids get together. Let me take your picture."

Noah and Donna wrapped themselves around each other. The flash went off.

This was the start of something beautiful.

Okay, so this chapter was a little random. I've never really written 'flash-backs' like that before but, there it is. I'm blaming 'This Is Us'. I've been re-watching all the episodes in preparation for season 3! Which premieres TONIGHT! If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend you do. It's great.

Back to the point, I hope you enjoyed my little leap of faith. Please tell me what you thought of it. I actually had a lot more fun with it than I expected!

Questions, comments, concerns? Leave a review!

Love, Freckles