The pain was excruciating, like someone was repeatedly stabbing her all over. It was temping to give up. To just quit. But quitting had never been Felicity Smoak Queen's style.

Sweat was clinging to her brow and Oliver pushed some of the hair away to lay a kiss on her forehead.

Dr. Graves stood up from where he had been checking her progress and deposited his gloves into the bin.

"You're close Mrs. Queen. I know you're getting tired but we need that baby to drop some more."

"What can we do?" Oliver asked. She scoffed internally at the word 'we.' What was wrong with her? Of course he said 'we.' They were partners, in everything, especially this.

"Take a walk," Dr. Grave's replied. Oliver blinked.

"I know I'm not a doctor and excuse me for saying this but what good is a walk going to do? She can barely stand up."

"Tell him in less gross terms please. I still want to have to have a sex life after this," she panted and Oliver sent her a look. Apparently labor made her filter malfunction even more than usual, or maybe it was because it was true and she just didn't care anymore.

"Gravity Mr. Queen is a powerful thing," Dr. Graves answered simply.

Oliver glanced at her. "I should have known that."

"You did," she reassured him. Funny. Wasn't he supposed to be reassuring her?

He ran his hands through his hair making it stand on end in a way that she would have found sexy if she wasn't you know, in labor.

"Okay. You want to try walking?"

Honestly, her legs felt like jello, someone had stabbed a knife in her back and she had to pee, but sure she'd take a walk.

"Anything to get this over with faster." Upon her answer Betty started to unhook her from the monitors. A few minutes later she shifted on the bed, her feet dangling over the side as Oliver put and arm around her back. The nurse brought her a pair of slippers and she smiled her thanks for the thoughtful gesture. She groaned as she stood up earning her a concerned look from the nurse and her husband.

"I know you're set on a natural birth Felicity, and it's not my place to try and convince you otherwise but I've been a nurse a very long time, I know what's coming and it gets a whole lot worse before it gets better." Betty turned to Oliver. "It's your first baby. The excitement is lost when you see the person you love in so much pain. Talk to her, get her to at least consider the epidural." She put a gentle hand on his arm as she passed. When she got to the door she turned to glance at them. "Now would the perfect time," she said before she slipped from the room.

Oliver helped her from the bed and into the hall. She took his hand for stability. Her cent er of gravity was way off.

"I really wish you'd reconsider Felicity," Oliver pleaded, his heart in his eyes.

"Oliver, we've talked about this," she sighed in exasperation as she paced.

"I know but Felicity-" He cut off when another contraction gripped her. She reached blindly for him and he was at her side in seconds, supporting her as he guided them to the wall where she held onto the railing. She focused on her breathing, barely aware of Oliver at her side from the pain.

When the contraction started to release her from it's clutches she glanced up at Oliver to see the worst expression she'd ever seen gracing his features. He looked like he was being tortured. She hated herself a little then. Her refusal to have the epidural and having what Oliver deemed unnecessary pain had created that look. She'd caused that, by being stubborn.

All the pain and the emotions of the past few hours caught up with her then and she surged forward, Oliver catching her in his arms easily as she slumped against him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered into his chest.

He didn't say anything for a moment. "What for?" He asked. She could practically see his brow furrowing in confusion.

"For being obstinate." She felt his chest rumble, the familiar sigh of laughter.

"I'll admit it's not your greatest quality but it is one of the reasons I love you so much." She managed a huff of laughter as she tugged on his shirt. "I just... hate seeing you in so much pain. You know I'd do anything to take it from you but I can't and for a man used to taking action it's killing me to just sit here and do nothing. I feel so helpless."t

Had he looked at her he would have seen her shocked expression. He had gotten so much better about sharing his immediate feelings, letting every raw emotion seep through his voice that it never failed to surprise her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, her palms pressing into his spine and snuggled her head deeper into his chest, feeling his heart beat against her cheek. Tears bit at the backs of her eyes and she tried to blink them back but a few escaped.

"Don't you see Oliver? Just you being here for me right now is everything. You show me you love me in a thousand different ways every day but the little things right now, whether it's getting me ice chips, rubbing my back, or letting me break your hand during contractions. That Oliver is doing something. We're in this together, just like we do everything else. Don't doubt that."

He held her closer, his chin resting on the top of her head where he had just placed a kiss. He was so completely selfless, especially when it came to her. Marriage was about compromise, give and take but lately all she had done was take, so caught up in what she'd wanted that she didn't stopping to think about what he needed. She couldn't imagine that there was a thing in the world that she wouldn't do to keep him from hurting and he had been enduring her pain just as much as she the past few hours.

After those thoughts it was an easy decision. It was Oliver...

"I'll do it."

There was a beat of silence before he answered. "What?"

She pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"The epidural. I'll do it," she explained.

"But I thought-," he started only to stop.

"We have something in common. We both hate to see each other in pain. I love you Oliver. I'd do anything for you, I'm only sorry that it took me so long to realize that."

He looked at her in wonder for a long moment before he pulled her back into his arms.

"Thank you," he breathed, his hand cupping the back of her head.

"Is everything alright here?" Betty asked, coming upon them.

Oliver glanced at her seeing confirmation and she nodded.

"Felicity decided that she wants to Epidural." Relief filled the older woman's eyes.

"I knew this hunk could convince you," Betty said with laugh and a wink in Oliver's direction.

"It's usually the other way around, but I've been learning to take thinks in stride," she announced as she tucked her head under Oliver's chin.

"I'll get the Anesthesiologist," said Betty, hustling away leaving the unsaid 'Before she changes her mind' hanging in the air.

"That woman can move," Oliver noted.

"She's a labor and delivery nurse Oliver, she'd probably give you a run for your money."

"Since you're fixing to give birth to my child I'll ignore that," he replied with a smirk.

"You'd do it even if I weren't," she stated as she went back to walking, hands on her hips.

"Why's that?"

"Because you love me of course," she said matter of factly.

"That I do," he confirmed with a small smile as she continued to walk the hall under his watchful eye.

Donna appeared at Oliver's side. "How's she doing?"

"Better now. She decided to get the epidural," Oliver told her.

"I knew she would. My baby's smart, stubborn like her father but smart." Donna sighed. "I wish he was here. He's missed everything," she finished heatedly.

"His loss." He said, his voice tight. He wondered how a man could leave his wife and daughter behind. Did he have no soul? Or was it because of something else? His training and years of experience kicked in then and he couldn't help but be curious. Had Felicity's Father left for some other reason?

"Donna, do you mind if I ask-"

"About Felicity's Dad?" she interrupted.

"Yeah, she hasn't told me much."

"There's not a lot to tell." She watched Felicity, sending her a small wave when she looked her way which she returned. "You're family now, you deserve to know."

He pulled them to a section of wall that had chairs and they both sat down. He made sure he could see Felicity. She was holding onto a wall now, panting through another contraction. He started to move but she flapped her hand at him and he grudgingly returned to is seat.

Donna glanced at him. The woman thought she and Felicity didn't have anything in common but she was wrong. He believed that Felicity got her caring nature and her work ethic from her mother.

"What can I say about him really? Other than he was a petty criminal?" She said into her lap as she fiddled with her fingers. "He came into the casino one day. He was the most handsome man I'd ever seen. I was just a cocktail waitress, I didn't expect him to notice me...but he did and he swept me off my feet. He said that I was a surprise, that he'd never expected to find someone like me."

"Smoak women will do that to you," he said and Donna laughed ,shaking her head.

"Felicity did a world better than I did," she replied. "After her Father left, she was...hesitant to open up to anyone. She didn't give her love freely and that hurt her relationships. You changed all of that Oliver. You've given her her life back and make my girl so happy. I could never express how happy that makes me."

If only Donna knew it was the other way around. It was Felicity who had given him is life back.

"If it anywhere near how happy she makes me then I have an idea."

A bittersweet expression crossed Donna's face and he took her hand. He could see she was thinking, mulling over how much she would tell him. He waited patiently until she started again.

"The man I married, he lived two lives. One where he was with us, another that was completely a mystery from me. I lived in bliss the first few years we were together. Having Felicity took some of my attention off him and he was able to get everything past me. It didn't hurt him one bit to lie and I never questioned him. He was so smart, into all the tech things Felicity is, and I didn't feel smart enough to question him. After all I was just lucky to have a man like him. I didn't realize he was destroying me until it was too late."

She took a deep breath, gathering her fraying emotions before she continued.

"Many things he did hurt me but but bothered me the most was how he treated Felicity. He barely had anything to do with her until she showed him that she was smart. Then after that he took her on like a student, teaching her everything he knew like some protege. She took in all in, I sometimes wonder if she was smarter than even him.

He listened intently, just letting her tell the story without interruptions.

"It all came unraveled when Felicity was seven. He started getting even more secretive, disappearing for days on end. I always assumed it would be the last time I'd see him, then he'd come back muttering about nonsense and sequester himself in his office, working all hours of the day and night, not stopping for anything. I once saw his door open and there were all these papers on the table, like plans for something. He had been a criminal in the underground of Vegas and at first I thought he was running drugs. But he wasn't. It was something much worse. I learned that he was setting up his own cooperation of sorts. He even went by this ridiculous code name. Damien Darhk."

Oliver's spine straightened, a chill running over him. The name didn't' ring a bell but it gave him a bad feeling.

"I only found out by accident and when I asked he wouldn't tell me anything else. I worried about Felicity's and I's safety. I put my foot down, I told him that I would not let him hurt our daughter and that he needed to leave. He told me that what he was doing was almost over and that he had to do it or he would be in trouble with a lot of bad people. So I let him finish and I let him stay, instead of doing what I should have done. We were attacked once by a group of men once. Felicity doesn't remember. Not too long after that he left. I was angry at first but then I started to wonder if he'd done it for our safety. That's what I wanted to believe anyways. But over the years I think he abandoned us just because he had no use for us anymore. Maybe we were just his cover until he got what he really wanted."

He squeezed Donna's hand and she gave him a teary smile.

"The point is Oliver, I've made a lot of mistakes but my Felicity isn't one of them. That man gave me that beautiful girl over there and I would do it all again just it have her.

He couldn't help but think if Donna's hadn't been strong he wouldn't have Felicity right now. Everything that she gone through gave him the woman he had today. He and Donna had things in common, just like him and Felicity. They were both willing to do anything and go through anything for the amazing woman who was currently going through pain just to bring a son and grandson into the world."

"Thank you Donna, for telling me, for giving me Felicity and the life she's brought with her. My life would be drastically different without her, and it wouldn't be one I'd want to live."

She covered his hand that was still holding hers, with her other hand.

"Thank you for loving my baby and for listening."

He smiled and nodded before taking a peek over Donna's shoulder at his wife. She was leaning against the wall watching them, a soft smile on her face. Nurse Betty came up beside her then, closely followed by a man in a white coat he assumed was the anesthesiologist. He stood up, watching as they spoke to her out of the corner of his eye before making their way to the room to prepare for the procedure.

"If you ever need to talk Donna I'm always here," he said sincerely.

She nodded as she wiped her face from the tears that had fallen earlier.

"You better get going," she urged him, gesturing to Felicity who was waiting on him. "Everyone will be wondering where I went."

"Everyone?" He asked.

"You didn't think everyone was just going to stay home did you?"
He laughed. No he didn't. He knew their family better than that. He could practically see the ragtag bunch sprawled out in hospital chair patiently awaiting news. It made him that much more happening knowing Thea, Roy, Diggle and Lyla who had joined their close knit group soon after Slade's take down were there for them, like always. Lyla and Felicity had become good friends, as well as Thea and they had a 'girls night' once a week. He still didn't want to know what a girls night was and what it entailed. He was comfortable with it remaining a mystery.

She blew a kiss to Felicity before she slipped from the Maternity ward allowing him to return to Felicity's side.

"I'm not going to ask." She said as soon as he was close enough to hear.

"Really? That's unlike you," he replied with a chuckle.

"I want you to think you've grown as a person and...I really just want to get this over with."

He shook his head. "Come on let's get you drugged up."

She groaned. "Why do you have to say it like that?"

He laughed as he scooped her up in his arms making a small 'Eeepp' slip from her lips and carried her to the room where the Doctor was waiting and slipping on a pair of gloves. He set her gently on the bed and she turned terrified eyes on the metal tray holding a needle that was set next to the bed. He saw her breathing pick up and the panic building behind her eyes. He could see she was shaking and he put his arms around her, absently rubbing her back in a soothing gesture. He hated this. He could tell the Doctor was almost ready so he pulled back, taking her face in his hands. Her eyes shot away from him.

"Hey," he called. "Look at me." Her eyes turned to his. "Good, now take a deep breath."

She sucked in a breath through her nose. "I don't think I can do this," she whispered.

"You can do anything," he assured her. It was true.

"Here's a pillow Hun," said Betty from beside them and he pulled away to look at her. Felicity grabbed his shirt to keep his close, her hands turning red from her grip on the material.

"Why do I need that?" Felicity asked, terror evident in her voice.

"You have to be very still so holding onto something will help stabilize your spine," answered Doctor Andrews with a reassuring smile.

She took another breath and closed her eyes. There had to be something he could do for her. An idea hit him.

"Can I do it?" He asked. The Nurse glanced at the doctor and he nodded.

He immediately moved forward to hold her. She wrapped her arms around him, her nose between his collarbone and her hands taking fist's full of his t-shirt as she braced herself.

"You're going to be fine, you've been through a lot worse," he said softly, only for her ears. She nodded against his chest and he held his breath as he saw the doctor go around the bed to her back. He knew they needed to do it before the next contraction hit.

"Are you ready Mrs. Queen?" He really wished people would stop asking her that. Of course she wasn't ready to have a needle in her spine. "You're going to feel a pinch."

He wished Doctors would stop saying words like 'pinch' or 'slight pressure' too because it most certainly was always way more than that.

"Yes," she mumbled against and the doctor looked at him, he gave him a nearly imperceptibly nod before going forward.

The only sign that Felicity gave that she was in pain was body stiffening and her nails digging into his back. He prayed for it to be over quickly. It seemed like it took forever when in reality it only took a few minutes before she was being lowered back onto the bed, the monitors reattached and a IV added.

"You okay?" He asked her. She opened her eyes and gave him a wan smile.

"I've been through worse," she reiterated, her eyes drifting shut again.

He huffed and took her hand as he sat on the corner of the bed.

"Not going to say I told you so," he replied and her eyes cracked open again.

"Appreciate it."

She slipped off to sleep then.

She had managed to catch a few minutes of rest in between contractions before they became to close together. After that everything moved in a blur and before she knew it Doctor Graves came rushing back into the room, another nurse running behind him tying the back of his gown as he secured his cap.

"I heard that we're ready in here?" he asked excitedly.

She was glad he was excited because she was not, well kinda excited because she was going to become a mom today but at the same time she wasn't looking forward to the whole pushing process again.

"Yep, at least I think so, not really sure cause I, you know can't feel anything," she replied, a lame attempt at humor under the circumstances.

The Doctor laughed as he sat on a stool and wheeled over to her. Oliver was standing next to her and looked about as white as the hospital sheets.

"You okay?" She asked him. Surely the almighty Arrow wouldn't pass out at his own child's birth. Right?

"Mmhhmm," he said, the sound coming out like someone was strangling him.

"Oliver Jonas Queen, I swear to Google if you pass out I will kill you then bring you back to clean up the mess. Then I'll hold it over your head for the rest of your life and into eternity." His jaw had fallen open at her tirade and now snapped back shut.

"Got it?" He nodded weakly. The nurse couldn't hold back a chuckled and Oliver sent her a look.

"Just let us now if you're going drop so we can attempt to catch you," she said. "Though you are rather large. On second thought here's a chair, try to land in that."

"I'm fine," Oliver gritted through his teeth.

"I need you to push Felicity!" The doctor called, jolting him out of his mood. He was back at her side, holding her hand.

She pushed for a while before slumping against Oliver's arm that was helping to hold her up.

"Where's...is...Ortho... located?" She huffed, sweat glistening on her face.

"One floor up. Why?" Betty asked, bewildered at her question.

"Oliver's going to need it," she managed before a contraction hit and he let out a little wine at her grip on his hand.

"Push Felicity," Betty said.

"Isn't that what I've been doing," she thought sarcastically.

"Yes honey but you're not quite there yet," answered the nurse before she went back to talking to the Doctor.

Apparently she hadn't thought it silently. "Frack," she whispered.

Time stopped then. It was only her and Oliver...and the pain.

Some people said birth was horrid, others beautiful. Some said it wasn't painful while others said it was the worst thing they had ever experienced. While Oliver held her, encouraging her the whole time, through the pain she could feel him whisper that he loved her against her sweaty temple, though it wasn't what normal people would describe as beautiful, and it certainly wasn't without pain all she knew was that when they laid her baby boy, wriggling and screaming on her chest was that it was the most amazing moment of her life.

Oliver was crying, tears rolling unchecked down his cheek as he kissed her, her tears mingling with his, the salt stinging their lips, but neither of them cared.

Looking back years later she probably wouldn't be able to tell you what happened between them cleaning him up and returning him to her waiting arms but she was pretty sure it included Oliver holding her close as he cried against her neck. It was beautiful, because the tears weren't of loss, or grief but of joy. He finally had proof that he was living. She was sure he would struggle with it over the coming years but she'd be by his side every moment to bring him back when he drifted or got scared. She watched as her husbands eyes move to the bundle in her arms, wrapped in a blue blanket with a matching hat on his small head. His large hand moved to touch his small one but just as he got near he drew away.

"Oh Oliver," she whispered. He was so open to her then that she could see everything he was thinking. She took his hand.

"These aren't the hands of a killer, they're hands of hero, scarred and broken but strong, capable of saving lives and protecting what they hold most dear." She twisted the ring on his finger. "They've shown love and kindness, they've made promises and held hearts, especially mine."

She glanced down at their son, laying calmly in her arms, a tuft of blonde hair on his small head, his blue eyes blinking back at his parents. She looked back at her husband, his eyes shining with tears again. She squeezed his hand hand before releasing it.

"We are the world Oliver." She lifted the tiny bundle, holding their son out to him. "Here's your universe."

He looked up, blinking back tears before leveling her with a look that showed just how much he loved her and how she had given him everything. He kissed her softly and it conveyed every emotion. She pulled back, nuzzling her nose against his neck for a moment before offering him the baby again.

He took him then, ever so gently and held him close to his chest, his large arms making look like a giant beside his newborn son. His fingers traced over his soft cheeks and counted his fingers and toes, marveling at how small they were. He just stared for a long time before he put an arm around he, holding her just as close as their son.

"Welcome to the world Gage," He glanced at her, a blinding smile on his face. She smiled too, suddenly glad she had let him choose the first name.

"It fits," she breathed as she pressed a kiss to the baby's tiny fingers.

"It means pledge," he confessed as he looked at her, catching her eyes. "My pledge to you that I will do my best to be a good husband and father and that I won't ever leave you willingly. Ever. I promise to protect you and our family and to love you for every second of every day for the rest of my life and even after that."

He wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek and she burrowed into his side, her hand still placed lightly on her son's chest. She had picked their sons middle name long before Oliver had chosen, it was a name that would honor the past and build the future.

"Welcome to our world Gage Thomas, you are very, very loved," she announced softly to the now sleeping infant.

If she could have read Oliver's thoughts then she would have known that their son wasn't the only one that was very, very loved.

But then again, she already knew that.

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