Title Of Story: Second Chances
Chapter Number: 4
Chapter Name: Happy Birthday

Felicity
Madelyn Grace Queen Smoak was born May 20th at 03:21am and was 5 pounds 6 ounces. I was in labour with her for 17 hours and I was pushing for 1 hour and 30 minutes, I had never been in so much pain in my life but when the midwife put my beautiful baby girl in my arms for the first time I nearly melted. All the pain was forgotten about and I didn't even realise that I was getting stitched up, through the whole experience I had my mom holding my hand, telling me how well I was doing and she cried when Madelyn was first born… we both did.

She was so perfect it was unbelievable. The top half of her face looked like Oliver and then the rest of her looked like me, she was a perfect mixture of the both of us and she was so scrumptious! She had these chubby little cheeks that I couldn't help by squeeze (gently) at every opportunity. My mom adored her and was the exact same as me when it came to Madelyn… me and my mom have had a chequered past but with Madelyn I can't fault her, she absolutely amazing with her and Madelyn loves her Mimi.

The only person that was missing in Madelyn's life was her father and there was no one to blame but him. When I told Oliver that I was pregnant he flipped and walked out on me, I decided that I wasn't going to wait for him to be ready so I left. I moved to Vegas with my mother and I left my life in Starling City behind me so I could raise my baby in a place where there's no vigilante's running around, it was safer for her. I know Oliver's been looking for me because when I first left Starling City he called my mom every day looking for me but she kept telling him I wasn't here. Diggle even showed up one day looking for me. I didn't want to see Oliver again after the way things ended between us, he just didn't want to be with me and he doesn't love me like I thought he did. I decided to change my surname to my moms maiden name to avoid all the systems I could pop up on, so now I'm Felicity Megan Towner.

Madelyn was only young and she didn't understand that her dad was missing from her life but I knew one day she would ask questions, when that day came she was going to hate me and go looking for Oliver… I know it. I honestly think that bringing up Madelyn away from Oliver and The Arrow is safer for her, she's safe and she will never know the sort of evil that I've seen. I still feel bad that she doesn't have a dad in her life because I know how it feels and it really sucks, especially when all of your friends are daddy's girls.

I don't really want to dwell on Oliver today because today is a special day… it's Madelyn's 4th birthday and she was going to have an amazing day. She had some of her friends coming round for a teddy bear picnic (Madelyn loves teddy bears) and they were going to play some games, swim in the pool, eat some cake and dance to some of their favourite music. Me and mom had a hard time finding a present for her because she has everything that she could want! Her room was covered in teddy bears, DVDs, Barbie's, dollies, prams, books and posters… there is nothing left for her to have.

When I got to Vegas I wasn't sure what I was going to do for work but Ray had a computer company here and he said I could have a job there at the same salary of my old job. When he found out I was pregnant he was shocked to say the least and he automatically knew that me and Oliver split because of me being pregnant. Ray wanted to go and find Oliver to pick a fight but I managed to talk him out of it, I didn't wany Ray getting hurt. He eventually promised to stay away from Oliver. The only person I had really stayed in contact with was Ray, he knew Madelyn's birthday was today and he usually sends a card and a present.

My mom was working her ass off so she could spoil Madelyn rotten and I'm glad to say that my mom has a much better relationship with Madelyn then she did with me when I was younger. Madelyn only knows love and kindness, I'm glad she wasn't being brought up in Sterling City with all of that death and violence… I know Vegas is a questionable place to bring up a child but me and Madelyn had our own lovely little house in a nice neighbourhood and a little pool in the backyard.

From my bed I could hear little feet pattering on the wooden floors coming towards my bedroom and knew that Madelyn was awake, my bedroom door opened and Madelyn looked at me with a beautiful smile on her face. She jumped onto my bed and crawled over to me "Good morning my little munchkin" I said to her and kissed the top of my head.

"It's my birthday" She said happily.

"Is it?" I questioned pretending to be confused.

"Yes" She yelled happily.

"How old are you today?" I asked her.

"Four" She replied holding up four fingers.

"You're four?" I questioned in mock surprise.

"You're silly" She said.

"I'm silly?" I asked and she nodded, I started tickling her and she started giggling out loud making me laugh as well. Just as Madelyn was about to tickle me I heard the doorbell go "Shall we go and see who's at the door?" I asked her and she nodded.

The two of us got off the bed and went to the front door, Madelyn stayed behind me as she always did when we answered the door. I opened the door and I heard Madelyn giggle as she saw my mom on the other side "Mimi!" Madelyn yelled happily and threw herself into my mom.

My mom eventually made it into the house and she put the bags she had in her hands on the kitchen counter, I greeted my mom with a kiss on the cheek and then Madelyn grabbed my moms hand and dragged her away to her room. I took a sneak peak in the bags and saw that she had Madelyn's cake and four large presents for her, I smiled as I put the cake in the fridge to keep it cool.

From Madelyn's bedroom I could hear giggling so I decided to go and investigate, I stood in the doorway of Madelyn's room and saw her and my mom dancing around. Madelyn had made my mom put her favourite song on her phone and Madelyn was singing along… with most of it "Don't ware Mimi out before your party" I said to her.

My mom and Madelyn stayed in her room for a little while playing which was helpful to me because that meant that I could start getting set up for her birthday party. It wasn't until 2pm so I still a while to sort things out but I'd rather get it done now rather then wait until the last minute. Also we were going out for something to eat this morning instead of staying here, it was Madelyn's birthday and I was going to make sure it was one to remember for her.

Suddenly I heard a bang and then crying, I rushed in to see Madelyn holding her head and she was crying loudly "What happened?" I asked my mom.

"She was dancing around and tripped on one of her toys, I don't know if she hit her head on the floor or the wall" She told me.

I picked Madelyn up and walked into the kitchen with her "Let me see" I told Madelyn, she moved her tiny hand out of the way and I saw a little red bump on her head "Oh baby" I said in a softening voice. Madelyn wrapped her arms around me, when she's hurt or sick she likes to cuddle up to me and I think it's the only time she'd rather go to me then my mom… she loves my mom.

"Shall we take her to the emergency room… just to get checked out?" My mom asked.

"Yeah" I replied and my mom started getting Madelyn's things together "Madelyn sweetie, go to Mimi so I can put some clothes on real quick" I said but Madelyn shook her head. I had to take Madelyn with me and sit her on my bed as I quickly changed into some tracksuit bottoms, a t-shirt and then into the bathroom so I could brush my teeth. I was ready in under 5 minutes which is a record for me "C'mon sweetie" I said and picked her up again.

We were seen pretty quickly because of Madelyn's age and also due to the fact that it wasn't very busy today. The doctor said that she didn't have a concussion but she may have a headache for a couple of hours, he gave her some medicine so it didn't hurt so bad but apart from that she'll be fine. I decided to cancel Madelyn's party today because I knew that she was going to be all cuddly and not in the mood for a party… she's got quite the temper on her.

My mom had gone to call everyone for me about an hour ago and she explained the situation to them for me, they all sent their love and said they would come round in the next couple of days to see Madelyn. I was just glad that she was ok, I didn't mind that she didn't have a party although it's sad that she won't get one this year I know it's for the best right now.

As soon as we got home I made me and Madelyn some popcorn and some juice and then I put on her favourite DVD on, 101 Dalmatians, she loved the dogs and has been dying for a dog for the past year… I'm not really a pet person. Just as the movie was starting the door knocked, I got up from the sofa and went over to the door expecting it to be either my mother having forgotten something or someone she forgot to call about cancelling the party.

I opened the front door but there was no one there but on the doorstep was a pink glittery bag, just sitting there. I picked it up and looked at the tag and saw that it was for Madelyn but there wasn't a name on it, I have no idea who it's from.

In three chapters I have got 25 reviews, 39 favourites and 103 followers... I cannot thank you all enough for the growing support for me and my story! You guys really are the best people ever in this world. I really hope you enjoyed this chapter and it was worth the wait, this is chapter 1 of 7 in the next seven days. Thank you all for reading and I hope you all continue to read, review, follow and favourite me and my story XX