Title Of Story: Second Chances
Chapter Number: 10
Chapter Name: Back To Reality

Felicity
The last few days with Oliver have been amazing. He has really gotten to know Madelyn and she loves him, she's grown attached to him and every night he tucks her into bed and reads her a story. He would stay for a while after she had gone to sleep so me and him could talk and reacquaint ourselves with each other and then he would leave but he would always be back before Madelyn woke up. Everything was going so well but I was worried about what would happen when Oliver went back to Starling City… he had Arrow duties there and couldn't stay here forever with us and I knew that. We would have to talk about what was going to happen next, would I move closer to him or would he give up being the Arrow and move out here?

I know that being the Arrow means so much to Oliver and he's doing for the memory of his father and to make sure Starling City is rid of the evil people that reside there but will he willing to give it up for Madelyn and me? If not me then Madelyn? I don't know if I can ask him to do that as I know how much it means but at the same time I'm not sure that I want to leave my home. Me and Madelyn are so happy here and she doesn't know that sort of evil that resides in Starling City and I don't think I want to expose her to that but also I want me and Oliver to be a real family with Madelyn. That's what she deserves, I don't want her to get so used to being around Oliver and then having him gone and only seeing him when he can make the time.

Things with Oliver are never going to be easy and I think that I need to speak to him about distancing himself from Madelyn so she's ready for it when he leaves again. I know it will upset him and I know Madelyn will miss him but it's better that it's done now instead of in the future. I hated the position that I was in but I need to do this not for just Madelyn's sake but for mine and Oliver's as well, it was going to be like losing him all over again and I remember how much it hurt the first time.

I looked over at my clock and saw that it was 6am meaning that Oliver will be here in the next hour or so. There was no point in trying to get back to sleep so I got out of bed and put my dressing gown on over my pjs and walked into the kitchen making myself some coffee. After making some coffee I sat down on the sofa and I was going to put the TV on but I knew there would be nothing on and the noise of the TV would just wake Madelyn up before Oliver got here.

The door knocked lightly and I looked at my watch to see it was only 6:10am which was a little early for Oliver. I walked to the front door and looked through the peephole to see Oliver standing there, I opened the door for him and the two of us walked through to the living room "You're here early" I stated as we sat down on the sofa.

"Yeah… I'm sorry I'm early but… I just had a call from Diggle and he really needs me back in Sterling City. Something's been going on the last couple of days but he didn't want to call… he said it was urgent" He explained to me and my heart broke as I realised that this was him saying that he was leaving "If it's OK I wanted to stay until Madelyn woke up so I could say goodbye to her" He said.

"No" I stated.

"What?" He questioned.

"You can't do that to her Oliver, just go now and I'll tell her you didn't come here today because you're unwell or something" I told him.

"Please Felicity don't do this, I just want to explain to her that I'm going away for work. As soon as it's done I'll come back and see the two of you again… I'm not leaving for good I swear" He explained.

"We need to make a choice. You can't just walk in and out of her life when you have the time, you need to either be there for her all the time like a real father or you just need to leave now and just forget about the two of us" I told him.

"I can't just forget about the two of you I've been looking for you for four years, I can't just walk away after finally finding you… I can't stop being the Arrow either and you know my reasons more then anyone for being who I am. Don't make me choose Felicity" He pleaded with me. I was about to reply to him when his phone started ringing. He looked at me apologetically "It's Diggle" He told me and I nodded as he answered the call "Hey… not yet… what? How?… Do you know who?… I'm leaving now" He said and then hung up the phone putting it back in his pocket "Roy's been shot, I have to go" He stated and walked towards the front door.

"Oliver I don't know if I can take the pain of you walking out again" I admitted.

"Then come with me" He replied.

"I can't just up and leave. I have my mother here, my work and Madelyn has her friends and day care… It's not easy to up sticks and leave" I said.

"You did it easy enough when you left me" He replied.

"I left you?" I questioned feeling myself get angry.

"Look I have to go, Roy's in a bad way. Tell Madelyn I will come back as soon as I can and I love her" He told me before opening the front door, walking out and closing it behind him… like he did before.

As I looked at the closed front door I started to think more about Oliver's offer to go back to Starling City. There were 101 reasons for me to stay here and only one reason to go there and that was Oliver. To be honest Oliver weighs out all of the 101 reasons to stay because I know that there is never going to be anyone else in my life who loves me as much as I love them and there is no one else who could come close to being Madelyn's father. Could I really leave behind my mom though? Madelyn and my mom are so close it would feel like I was taking Madelyn away from her… there was too many choices to make and it was way to early in the morning.

I heard the pitter patter of little feet and saw Madelyn coming out of her room rubbing her eyes with her hair all over the place "Morning baby" I said to her.

"Where's daddy?" She asked me with a yawn.

"Daddy had to go away for a couple of days… for work" I told her.

She looked down sad at the floor and just stayed standing on the spot "Can we go too?" She asked after a few moments of silence, she looked up at me with her big blue eyes… like puppy dog eyes that she knew I wouldn't be able to resist.

I brought her over to the sofa and sat her down on my lap "Daddy wants us to go there but it's a long way from here and a long way away from Mimi" I said to her.

"Can Mimi not come too? We can all go" She told me.

"Honey it doesn't work like that. Mimi has her work, home and friends here… I think for now we'll stay here and we'll wait for daddy to come back" I told her.

"I want to go see daddy" She stated.

"Remember what I said? It's a long way away from her and Mimi and she can't come with us… you would have to go to a new day care and make new friends. Do you want to do that?" I asked her.

"Yes" She replied.

"Let's make you some breakfast whilst mommy calls some people" I told her and we walked into the kitchen together. I made her some toast with Nutella on and some milk, she walked over to the table and sat down. Once I knew she was occupied with her breakfast I walked into my bedroom grabbing my phone and calling the only person who I knew would be able to help me right now.

"Hello?" A sleepy voice questioned on the other end of the line.

"Ray… It's Felicity… sorry to call so early but I need some help" I told him.

"What do you need?" He asked.

"My old job at Palmer Technologies… if it still exists" I said.

"Of course it does. I never hired anyone for your position when you left… why the sudden change of heart to come back?" He asked.

"Me and Oliver are trying to work things out" I replied.

"Right.. And when are you coming back?" He questioned.

"Today" I answered.

So... this is the last chapter for the week and I am overwhelmed with the support from all of your guys over the last 7 days. Who do you think the Arrow will be after? Do you think Roy is ok? Do you think Ray is all that he seems? Do you think Felicity and Oliver will work things out? How will it be for Felicity to see everyone on team Arrow again? Will Felicity take her old job back at team Arrow... so many unanswered questions but don't panic I will be uploading the next chapter within the next 7 days. I'm not exactly sure what date but it will definitely be in the next 7 days... I hope you all really enjoyed that chapter I really hope you all continue to follow, favourite and review my story as well as follow and favourite me. Thank you XX