5 Month's Later
The month of June in Starling was truly a beautiful sight. Especially now that it was at peace again, after Slade's attack. A new Mayor had been elected and the Vigilante Task Force had been dismantled. Quinton had even been promoted to Captain. Their lives had returned to normal. Well as normal as their lives could be. Moira was still in a coma. She had improved but not enough to be woken. She and Oliver were hoping that she'd wake up before the baby was born but it didn't look as though that would happen.
Arrow business was slow. The crime rate was at all time low allowing Oliver to only do occasional patrols but he mostly left it up to Diggle and Roy. Thea had joined the team and she had been teaching her how to use the computer systems, Roy was even training her. Oliver hadn't been thrilled about it one bit but all it had taken was one sentence for him to quiet on the subject.
"I'm taking time off after the baby. Someone needs to be able to do my job Oliver," she'd said as she spun in her chair. She was happy to be back home, in the old foundry that is.
"No one could ever do your job. But I'm glad you're taking time off. You deserve it." he had said. She had smiled and he'd just shook his head. He knew, that she knew that she had him wrapped around her little finger.
One month after the attack Oliver had woken her up early one morning insisting that she get dressed. She had asked where they were going but he wouldn't answer her, only smiled as he opened the car door for her, the early morning sun shining down on them illuminating their faces in a soft orange. They had taken a drive along the coast and she had just closed her eyes, enjoying the smell of the water and the cool air on her face. Not long after the car veered into a long driveway and to a stop in front of a house...well mini mansion rather. She'd turned to Oliver but he'd only jumped out of the car and came around to help her out.
"Oliver what are we doing here?" He glanced towards the house then back to her.
"Making a home." She understood then and before he saw it coming she had jumped into his arms and planted a kiss on his lips that had grew deeper. His hand slipped up under her shirt to press against her back. She pulled back and he actually whimpered. She drifted away from him and towards the house. "Felicity... what-" he stuttered.
"How many rooms does this house have?"
"Uh..five. Why?" He'd asked confused, his forehead crinkling in the way that she loved.
"We better get started then," she threw over her shoulder with a wink as she sauntered towards the door. "You coming?" He just stood there for a second before his face lit up she took off running, only getting half way there before he caught up with her and swept her into his arms. She had squealed and giggled. She didn't even know she could do that. His lips had came down on hers even as he had carried up onto the porch, one of his hands fumbling in his pockets for the key. When he finally managed to pulled it out with a chuckle she took it from him and slipped into the lock. His lips were pressed to her neck when she pushed the door open. She didn't really see the house until a few hours later, but she and Oliver had thoroughly explored it.
A week later they were moved in. Thea had helped her decorate and Oliver, Roy and Diggle had moved all the furniture until they were satisfied. Lyla had started to come around more often and weekly family dinners had become a thing. After all she had a huge kitchen at her disposal. She was surprised to find she was actually a pretty good cook too. There was always one empty place at the large table and she could tell it saddened Oliver. She would reach over and take his hand and his frown would automatically turn into a smile, like her touch reminded him there was cause to be happy.
Another weekend she and Oliver had tackled the babies room. The walls were painted a light baby blue, soft rugs laid on the floor, a crib went against one wall between two windows covered by thick white curtains. A rocking chair sat in the corner, the baby quilt Moira had given them draped over the back. Stuffed animals filled the crib, the changing table was fully stocked and the baby's dresser was already filled to the brim with baby clothes courtesy of Thea.
After it was all finished she and Oliver had just stood in the doorway, his arms wrapped around her, his front pressed to her back and her head under his chin. They stood there for a long time, in complete silence except for their quiet breathing just taking it all in until the sun had start to set and the room had fallen into darkness. Oliver had then taken her hand and led them back to their bedroom where they had both fallen asleep wondering how this was their life now.
More time passed and before she knew it she was nearing her due date. Oliver was always prepared, keeping his keys in his pocket or by the bed at night. He had packed them both 'go-bags' as he called them so they could leave at the first sign of labor. Any time she made mouth noises or groaned Oliver was automatically on the alert rising from his position, his hand reaching into his pocket. She would then send him a look that had sitting back down.
Today had been one of those days where she had felt quite awful. Oliver had been tense all day so she had finally insisted they go to bed at eleven. He had eagerly agreed, always the one to make sure she had enough rest. That's how she woke a couple hours later, her hand automatically moving to her stomach. She looked at the clock. It read 2:18. She groaned internally.
At 39 weeks pregnant sleep had become something she day dreamed about because Little Queen had decided he liked to do parkour during prime sleep hours. Her abdomen and back were cramping but she didn't think much of it considering that she'd been having Braxton Hicks for the pasts month. The first time she had them Oliver had insisted that she go to the hospital but she had put her foot down. Her mother had told her all about false labor and there was no way she was sitting in the hospital for hours for the doctors to tell her she had overreacted. She stared at the clock as one more minute ticked by. She was so tired yet wide awake. How was that even possible?
Her back ached, she was exhausted, her ankles were swollen and she didn't remember the last time she had seen her feet. She could never get comfortable, not standing up or sitting down. Roy had stopped making whale jokes a few weeks back when she had burst into tears and blubbered about how fat she was and how she just wished the baby would come so she could have her body back. Oliver had just pulled her into a hug and rubbed soothing circles on her back. He must have shot Roy a dirty look over her shoulder because he hadn't said one more word to her. He had actually gone out and gotten her a pint of mint chip and apologized profusely, even going as far as to say she was the prettiest pregnant woman he had ever seen. She had smack him on the arm with her spoon at the but he had only smiled as he edged away from her. She hadn't really meant anything she'd said but her emotions had taken over, she told him as much but he just sent her a 'yeah right' look.
She felt a kick to her ribs and groaned. Baby Queen had decided that was his favorite place to hang out. She hoped her lungs were comfortable enough for him. She craved that first breath she'd be able to take when he was born. She was tired of wheezing like an old woman. Another five minutes ticked by and she couldn't take it anymore. She had to move. She was more uncomfortable than she had ever been. She tried to re-position herself gently so she wouldn't wake Oliver. As soon as she moved he did too and moment later he was plastered to her back. She let out a happy sigh as his heat soothed some of her pain and smiled at the fact that even in his sleep his fingers sought her belly. It was his new favorite place. Like father like son she guessed. Every night when they climbed into bed he would place a kiss on her belly and just lay there talking to to it, her fingers combing through his hair and her eyes closed as she just listened to him, letting his voice lull her to sleep. Those were the moments she lived for. They made every uncomfortable day worth it.
A sharp pain went through her back and she sucked in a breath. Maybe she shouldn't have had that spicy omelet for dinner. Half an hour slipped by and her back was still cramping and sleep had decided to avoid her still. Her bladder was crying for relief so she decided to get up. Maybe she could get some work done or watch TV until she was tired. Oliver was still snoring softly in her ear as she slipped from his grasp. It was always a difficult task as she practically always had to pry his fingers from her body. He mumbled something in his sleep as he rolled over to her side of the bed, his hand outstretched searching for her. She put a pillow in his arms so he would be at ease, she knew it was a pore substitute but hoped he wouldn't notice. She just couldn't stay in that bed one moment longer. That was something she'd never thought she'd say. Ugh. She was one step from the bathroom when it happened, quickly she flipped on the bathroom switch to see a pool of water on the floor. Her eyes snapped up to look at herself in the bathroom mirror. Was this what she thought it was? It had to be because she would not just pee on herself, her bladder was not so great at the moment but it wasn't that bad.
She thought back to everything her mother had told her about going into labor and this definitely fell into that category.
She went to the bathroom and changed into the clothes she had laid out for such a occasion as this then laid a towel on the floor so she wouldn't slip. She walked over to the bed, Oliver's face was bathed in the soft glow of the bathroom light as she called his name softly as not to startle him. "Oliver. Wake up."
"Hmm..." he said turning his face further into her pillow.
"I'm in labor."
"I don't like our neighbors," he muttered. She shook her head and put her knees on the bed.
"No not neighbors, labor," she told him.
"What about light saber's?" He murmured sleepily.
She lost her patience then as a cramp racked through her lower back and stomach.
"Oliver! I'm. In. Labor!"
His eyes popped open as he rolled backwards and right off the bed, his body making a loud thud as he landed. She crawled to the middle of the bed and sat on her knees and just waited. It took a good five seconds before his head popped up, his hands laying on the mattress.
"Did you say you were in labor?"
She nodded. "Yep," she said popping the P.
Now she had seen Oliver move fast, whether it was running down some criminal or trying to get her clothes off during a heated make out session, but never had she seen him move as fast as he did a second later. He was off the floor and running out the door.
"I'll get the car," he yelled over his shoulder.
Oh boy was this going to be fun. She went and stood in the doorway watching Oliver hurry down the hallway. The bedroom door across the hall opened and her mom stumbled out rubbing her eyes. She had been staying with them for about a month now stating that there was 'no way I'm missing the birth of my little nugget.'
"What's going on? Where's Oliver going?"
"To get the car apparently." She crossed her arms and smiled. "Don't worry he'll be back." Her moms forehead furrowed in confusion. "I'm in labor."
Her mouth dropped open and she rushed forward. "Are you okay? Have you timed the contractions?"
"They're not five minutes apart if that's what you're thinking. First babies take a while so I'm not in a hurry."
"When are you going to get over your fear of hospitals?"
"When I'm dead or they stop using needles."
"Trust me baby girl when you're screaming in a few hours you'll be begging for those needles."
"I told you Mom, we're doing a natural birth. Those drugs can't be good for the baby."
"Felicity, honey that baby was in your belly for 9 months, I doubt a few hours of a drugs is in your system are going to do any permanent damage."
"Mom," she chided. Her mom put her hands up.
"Alright, alright. Just remember that I was the one who told you to get the epidural."
Oliver came rushing down the hall towards her and took her hand, tugging her along behind him only a few feet before she stopped him.
"Oliver, we can't go yet."
He turned back to her, looking at her incredulously. "Why not?"
"For one we don't have our bags." He rushed into their bedroom and grabbed their bags.
"Are you forgetting something?"
He looked around and then shook his head. "No."
"I mean I don't mind if you want to wear that but I don't want to have to worry about the nurses trying to jump you when I'm a sweaty mess that's bearing your child." He looked down, his eyes going wide as he realized he was only wearing the sweatpants he slept in. Her Mom eyed his chest appreciatively and she sent her a look that had her scurrying into her room to change. "It would give me something to focus on though."
She expected him to smile or laugh but he only took a deep breath. "Oliver relax. Everything is going to be fine. What happened to Mr. Calm- Cool-And- Collective?"
"His wife went into labor."
She opened her mouth to reply when another pain hit and she bent over double. "Owwww..."
Oliver was immediately at her side, his hand on her back. "Felicity," he called.
"I'm...okay," she panted. "Wow...I didn't expect to have one like that so soon."
Donna came bustling out in a tight pink dress and heels. "Really Mom?"
Donna ran her fingers through her hair then smiled while applying her lipstick. "I have to look good for the pictures," She then picked up her bag and blew a kiss. "I'll meet you in the car."
She rolled her eyes as her mom strutted down the hall. "I am so not ready for this."
"Yes you are. We've did the classes, we have a plan-"
"Oliver, I'm not talking about that, women have been having babies forever, I'm talking about my Mother. How am I supposed to deal with her when I'm trying to push-" she winced and stopped her line of thinking. "Too graphic, I'm just..." she sighed. "It's my mom Oliver, she's probably calling everyone to tell them I'm in labor. I wanted it to be between us two until he got here. Not that I don't love our family it's just that I'll feel rushed and-"
Oliver cut her off as he stepped forward and took her face in his hands, staring at her in that way that made her melt.
" I don't want you to worry about anything, I'll take care of it."
"You always take care of me."
He pecked her on the lips. "Get used to it, you're stuck with me for the 60 years if I have anything to say about it."
"That sounds good to- owww!" She grabbed Oliver's arm, her nails digging into his skin. He held onto her with one arm and clicked his watch with the other one. "Are you seriously...counting...the minutes...owww...between contractions," she panted.
"That's what you're supposed to do," he looked down at his watch. "Seven minutes apart that time, that doesn't seem right." He looked at her with an expression full of worry. She let go of his arm.
"We need to go. I'm moving faster that I should be," she announced as she started down the hall, Oliver at her side.
"How long have you been in labor?" Oliver asked, his arm around her waist. She froze only for a moment before she continued on. "Fel-i-city," he ground out. "I know that look. How. Long."
"Well...now that I think about it, maybe those Braxton Hicks weren't actually Braxton Hicks." Oliver looked up, his finger rubbing at his temple.
"Felicity-"
"No time, gotta go," she cut him off as she shot forward and out the front door.
"You're avoiding."
"I'm fixing to have your baby. I think I should get a pass, just for today." She sent him a wink and let him open the car door for her. She climbed in and glanced at her mom was in the back seat her fingers flying over the keypad of her phone. Her blonde too-perfectly-coiffed-to-be-three-in-the- morning hair standing out in the dimness of the interior. Oliver started the car and steered it out the driveway, the inside of the car only lit by her Mother's phone screen.
"Please tell me you're not telling everyone Mom. We talked about this," she whined.
"Calm down, I just let them know what was going on and that I will keep them updated."
"Really?" she asked hopefully.
"Yes, I may not listen to your techie stuff but I do listen," replied Donna with a squeeze of her shoulder.
"Thanks Mom." She was tearing up and Oliver handed her a tissue from the console. She seriously hoped this crying thing would be done with after the baby was born. After that it was silent other than the beeping of Oliver watch every contraction, he would coach her through every one as her head leaned against the dash. Her mom had leaned forward and started to rub her back. After a particularly rough cramp she sat back, wiping the back of her hand across her already sweaty brow. She felt like she was burning up. She closed her eyes and just focused on her breathing.
"Can you turn up the AC Oliver?" A moment later cool air swirled through the car and she turned both air vents her directions. "This is why I like cold weather better, you can put clothes on but you can only take so many off." Oliver sent her a look out of the corner of his eye, a smirk on his lips. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Not a word."
His eyes moved back to the road and she glanced at her mom in the review mirror. A smile was playing across her lips and her face looked downright...should she say cheery? She doubted it was because of her entertaining double entendres.
"Mom you okay back there?" Donna's head snapped up like she had been caught with her head in the cookie jar. Her eyes were wide and she could see a blush on her cheeks even in the semi-darkness. "Please for the love of Google tell me you're no sexting."
"Felicity, please I have more class than that," Donna scoffed.
She sent Oliver a look but her only covered a laugh by coughing. He didn't fool anyone. They were going to have to work on his acting skills.
"Okay, then why are you all smiley back there?"
"No reason, my daughters having a baby. Can't I be happy about that?" She asked, her calmness forced.
"Nuh-uh, that's not you're 'I'm excited about something' smile, that's your guy smile."
"No it's not," she denied causing Felicity to reach for her phone. Donna tried to pull it out of her grasp but she sent her a are-you-arguing-with-a-woman-in-labor look and she relinquished it to her, but not without locking it first. Other than the pain of a thousand deaths that shot through her abdomen every six minutes this whole being in labor thing had it's perks.
The phone lit up asking for a pass-code. "Really Mom? I'm an IT girl." She quickly unlocked the phone. "By the way, don't use your daughters birthday as the code, too easy, even for the worst hacker. Remind me and I'll ma-" She cut off when she saw a line of messages appear on her moms screen. She gasped. Oliver jumped as his head whipped in her direction.
"I'm driving faster!" He said as his foot pressed down on the accelerator, the yellow lines on the asphalt flashing by in a blur as the car sped down the dark roads.
"It's not a contraction Oliver." He looked at her puzzled. "Though I wish it were," she said as she looked back at the phone and shook her head.
"What's wrong?" She
"Just the fact that Quinton Lance won't be able to escape having you as a son-in-law, poor man. And he tried so hard." She had the suspicion that in different circumstance that the car would have come to an abrupt stop but it only slowed for a moment before they were moving at normal speed again.
She turned in her seat. "Why didn't you tell me Mom?"
Donna stared out the window, her face no longer cheery. "I didn't want to tell you before knew it was something. Next thing I know we've been dating for two months, I was afraid of your reactions if I told you after all that time."
She closed her eyes. Her Mom hadn't been happy in a long time. How could she be mad that she was now? Especially after all that had happened with Dad. Her Mom had changed a lot over the past year and she deserved to find someone that would love her, take care of her and support her crazy ideas. If that man just so happened to be her husband's ex's Dad and the Captain of the SCPD then so be it. It wasn't her place to deny her mother one ounce of joy.
"Mom," she called and her mother turned glassy eyes to her. "All I've ever wanted...was for you to be happy. If that's Lance, then I'm happy for you."
"Really?" Her mom sniffed.
"Really," she confirmed and patted Oliver's arm. "Right Oliver?"
"What? Uh-yeah. Completely," he stuttered but recovered quickly. "We're happy for you Donna."
"Oliver how many times do I have to tell you to call me Mom?"
"At least once more," he replied.
Another pain hit and silence filled the car once again. When they reached the hospital her pains started to increase and Oliver practically ran into Emergency entrance. She opened her car door and put her feet on the ground, not ready to stand quite yet. Oliver hadn't come back yet, probably because he was busy terrifying the nurses. Not too long later a man came out with a wheelchair, led by Oliver and she visibly sighed in relief.
"Hi Mrs. Queen. How are you doing?" The man asked as he came forward, his skin darkly tanned against the whiteness of his uniform. Great, she had a surfer dude as her nurse.
"Other than someone stabbing me with a knife every five minutes, I'm great."
The man whose tag read 'Cameron Ryder' just smiled like he dealt with irate soon-to-be mothers everyday.
"Actually I do," said Cameron. She closed her eyes. Her filter had apparently gotten worse when pain was added. She should really sew her lips shut. "Actually I don't recommend it, it would be quite painful and how would you eat?"
She gritted her teeth and pressed her lips together to bite back any more words that could flow from her apparently loose tongue.
"Maybe we should skip the conversation and just get her in the chair Stan," said Oliver, his face tight with impatience. She didn't even admonish him. That was how much she just did not care right then.
"Actually it's Cam," the nurse said he stepped forward to help her from the car. Oliver moved first and Cam stepped back allowing him to lower her into the wheelchair. She squeezed Oliver's hand and he didn't let go until they had wheeled her into into a private room in the maternity ward and she had to change into a gown. She was already so tired and she hadn't even done anything yet. How on earth was she going to do this?
"Felicity?" She lifted weary eyes to look at him where he was standing by he bed holding a gown in hand.
"You can do this."
"But what if I can't?"
"You're the strongest and bravest woman I know, you can do anything."
"There's nothing brave about having a baby." He sat on his haunches in front of her, his fingers laced with hers.
"That's where you're wrong. You're doing something I could never do Felicity. You carried our baby for 9 months, your body built him, knit together by God in your womb and now you're going to bring him into the world. That is the most amazing and mind blowing thing to me and you'll never understand just how much I respect you for the pain you're willing to endure to add to our family."
His palm came up to cradle her face. "I believe in you," he said strongly, not a hint of doubt in his voice. She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a kiss to his cheek. There was no need for a thank you. That was the amazing thing about them, they didn't need words to convey what they felt, only a simple touch.
Her whole body sagged with fatigue as Oliver lifted her onto the hospital bed and helped her undress, sadly not in the fun way. He was tying the back of her gown when there was a knock on the door. Her mom poked her head in and she waved her forward.
"How's it going?" Donna asked.
"The doctor hasn't come in yet. She's had one more contraction since you've been gone," Oliver answered for her. "And she's due for another one in..." he glanced at his watch. "15 seconds."
"Well thanks for warning me," she grumbled sarcastically. She could feel the already familiar tightening in her back and lower stomach as another pain came on. Her Mom hightailed it from the room. There was a reason Donna Smoak had only had one child and it had nothing to do with an absent Father. Another knock on the door later and a Doctor and nurse came in and shook Oliver's hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. Queen, I'm Doctor Graves."
"That's not comforting at all," she said through a pant.
The Doctor laughed a little obviously used to the joke. Why had she not realized that until now? They had only met with him two times and she hadn't noticed his last name, too focused on her babies progress. Oliver hadn't liked their previous doctor so they, or rather he had sought out the best doctor. He had an unfortunate name but according to Oliver he was one of the leading Obstetrician's in the country.
The Doctor chuckled at her statement and looked at his clipboard. "Let's get you hooked up to the monitor, then we'll see how far along you're dilated and hopefully soon we'll bring baby boy into the world."
The Doctor left saying he would be back soon. Nurse Cam came back in and hooked her up to multiple IV's, the wires inspiring over her arms. A thick strap was fastened around her waist and her brow rose. "It's so we can tell when you're contractions are coming," he explained. She moved a little on the bed, not quite comfortable with the band and of course Oliver noticed.
"My watch was working just fine," he stated causing her to squeeze his fingers tightly.
"Any questions?" Cam asked.
"I have a lot of questions but-" she cut off, breathing through the pain. "Breathe sweetheart, It's almost over," Oliver assured her, his voice a little strained.
"I can't seem to think of them at the moment," she finished her earlier statement, finally let go of Oliver's hand. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Oliver was stretching his fingers. She had hurt the almighty Arrow. How about that?
"Well if they come to mind, don't be afraid to ask. You wouldn't believe the things I've heard and seen."
"I bet," Felicity said and Oliver lips twisted in something that definitely wasn't a smile.
She thought back to a few minutes ago and something struck her.
"Did you call me sweetheart?"
Oliver blinked. "Uh..." He stuttered and she marveled at how rare it was to see him completely and utterly out of words.
"You did call her sweetheart," Cam interjected and Oliver sent him a glare that had him scurrying to get the Doctor.
"I didn't even realize I did it," he finally answered. His eyes were wide and she couldn't stop a tiny giggle from escaping. He blinked again and she laughed a little harder, holding onto her belly. "What's so funny?"
"First it was Babe, now it's sweetheart. It's kinda funny. I wonder what other names you have in that brain of yours from your playboy days," she chuckled.
Oliver sat on the side of the bed, his thigh pressing into the side of her stomach, soothing some of the dull cramps. His fingers stroked a piece of blonde hair behind her ear and a look crossed his face that she couldn't quite decipher. He looked...serious.
"I've made a lot of mistakes, especially with women. Felicity...you're the one thing I haven't messed up. I wish I could erase my past, so that you didn't have to-"
"Oliver," she stopped him, not letting him go further with his dark thoughts. "How many times do I have to tell you I don't care about your past? It doesn't matter now, you know why? Because you're right here, all of those mistakes led you here, to me. I will never, ever hold the past over your head because I love our life. I hope you know that." She stared deep into his eyes, hoping that she was conveying the sincerity of her words.
He nodded, many emotions crossing his face, obviously to choked up to speak. He pressed a kiss to her lips instead, one of his hands cradling her cheek. He pressed his forehead to hers and she sighed.
After a few moments she spoke up. "For the record, I don't mind if you call me Sweetheart, but only when you're really in love with me, not when your angry about something and trying to appease me."
Oliver broke out into laughter, pulling back and shaking his head. "I love you...Sweetheart." She smiled and threaded her fingers through his. "Oh and for the record you're the only woman I've called 'Sweatheart'."
"Is that counting girls too?"
"Girl..." he said simply and she tilted her head waiting for his next words. "You are my girl Felicity."
"Stop being so sappy, you're gonna make me cry again," she said, tears already building behind her eyes. "They say that when couples have babies its when the husband really gets to know his wife. By the end of the night you may want a divorce."
"Never, it isn't even a possibility Felicity, nothing you could do or say would ever make me leave you. That's been proven," he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. He pressed his lips together again and appeared to be thinking. "Oh here's my personal favorite 'It feels good having you inside me.'"
She groaned and covered her face with her hands. Her embarrassment evident. She felt Oliver move closer to her. "That's been proven too," he whispered in her ear and she involuntarily shivered as his warm breath fanned across her neck, making goosebumps pebble on her warm skin. She peeked through one finger to find him smirking at her.
She slapped his arm. "Oh shut up. Remember who keeps your secret," she threatened.
He just sent her a lopsided grin and opened his mouth to no doubt reminisce about a few more of her Freudian slips when the Doctor arrived, pulling on a pair of gloves, a female nurse at his side who looked to be in her early fifties. She sent a prayer of thanks Heavenward. She liked Cam and all but she didn't need another man in the room with what she was going through. She had a feeling that she just wouldn't care about modesty after she had the baby.
"You ready Felicity?" Dr. Graves asked, another person too cheerful for four in the morning. She glanced at Oliver, he stared back, giving her hand a squeeze of encouragement.
No she wasn't ready, she didn't think she ever would be... but with him at her side she could do anything.