Title Of Story: Second Chances
Chapter Number: 17
Chapter Name: Pros And Cons

Felicity
It's been a week since me and Oliver discussed moving to California to start a new life together. We hadn't spoke much about it since then but that's because we've been busy with Madelyn, she's been scared to sleep in her own bed and she's become very wary of strangers. She hasn't left Oliver's side since the incident and she doesn't like being away from me for so long so there's been a couple of days that I've had to go to work with Madelyn and Oliver together. Thankfully Ray is such an understanding boss and he's been doing his best to cater for me and Madelyn. I know him and Oliver are not the best of friends but they have been putting aside their differences for me and Madelyn, I can't ask for more then that.

Since our conversation about leaving I have been looking at houses in California and looking up the area. We need somewhere that's safe, good schools, beautiful location and somewhere that offers the jobs we would be good for. Obviously I would need a job in IT or something similar to what I am doing now. Oliver on the other hand would be a completely different story. He didn't get good grades at school, he's never had a real job before and he has a record from him partying days and to top it all off a multi billionaire company fell whilst under his leadership.

Surely Ray would have some sort of contact in California that would be able to eat least help Oliver out. I would be able to find my own job as I have such good experience, good grades from school and college and I have worked with such amazing companies… plus I think Ray would give me a good reference. I don't think it would take too long for me to find another job there, IT firms must always be looking for new employees.

I really hope that Oliver will realise that me and Madelyn need him and he needs to give up being the Arrow, Diggle and Roy have it covered now. It sounds harsh but they don't really need Oliver anymore. The other two can carry on the battle and if they are having a really hard time then Oliver could always come back every now and again to help his friends. I'm not trying to say he has to give everything up completely and cut everyone out of his life and leave his old life behind.

Personally I really think us moving would be the best thing for Madelyn. With me and Oliver in California she can finally have a stable family life and grow up normally like she deserves. She doesn't have to worry about being kidnapped ever again or deal with all the bad and evil that comes with living in Starling City. I know that if I can make Oliver understand that then he wouldn't even think about giving it up. He would do anything for Madelyn.

"Felicity!" Oliver called out into the apartment as he opened and closed the door.

"Living room!" I called back.

Oliver walked in and we smiled softly at each other. I noticed that Madelyn wasn't with him "I left her with Diggle and Lyla… I think there's a few things that we need to discuss" He told me and I nodded. "Come to the table with me" He said. Me and Oliver walked over to the dining table. I sat down in my normal seat, Oliver disappeared for a little while and I heard him rustling about. He came back a couple of minutes later with a notepad and a pen "We're going to write a pros and cons list for California" He stated.

"Pro, Madelyn will get a normal family life" I said.

"Con, the people she now classes as family will be left behind" He replied.

"Con, we don't have secure jobs there"

"Pro, I can be there all the time. Not running out on Arrow business"

"Pro, we get a fresh start"

"Con, I don't get to finish what I started"

"Pro, You won't get injured anymore"

"Con, I'm leaving others to finish my dirty work"

"Pro, you won't get shot at"

"Con, I leave my little sister behind"

"Pro, Madelyn won't be a target"

"Con, I can't help Thea with Merlyn"

"This can go on forever" I told Oliver.

Oliver laid down the pen on the table next to the list and sighed. I leaned back in the chair also sighed. Me and Oliver have our pros and cons list but I don't think we were any closer to making a decision that we will both be happy with.

"I don't know what else to do!" He exclaimed.

"Oliver I think what you need to remember is that the reason for moving, is not to take you away from what you love and your family. It's to give Madelyn the best life possible with the both of us there" I explained to him.

"I know all of that! If it really was that simple then I would pack up everything and leave this very minute" He started "It's not that simple though, we have our friends and family to think about. I don't think I can just leave here and leave the burden on the job to Diggle and Roy when it was me that started it" He said "If it wasn't for me then they wouldn't be involved in this in the first place" He finished.

"Oliver I love you so much and you know that I will stand by you and be there for you no matter what you decide but what I want you to do is think about Madelyn and how that will effect her life" I told him.

"All I do is think about how my actions effect her… it's all about her" He said to me.

"I can't tell you what to do" I started "I can tell you what I want us to go and what I want to happen but it's down to you what happens" I finished and he just nodded twice at me before standing up "Where are you going?" I asked.

"For a run" He answered.

He slammed the door closed behind him. I wanted to scream out in frustration! If he didn't want to go then all he had to do was say, he doesn't need to be going to all this trouble to try and convince me that it's a bad idea. I want to go and be somewhere safe where Madelyn can have the life she deserves but I'm only going if the three of us go as a family. I won't leave him behind, I refuse. I couldn't do that to Madelyn again.

I looked at the pros and cons list staring at me and it took all my strength not to screw it up, stamp on it, burn it and bury it! I know Oliver felt like he was abandoning his mission and leaving others to clean up the mess he made but they were doing it whilst Oliver was away. When he was looking for me, when he died God knows how many times, when he was too injured or because he was dealing with Thea. If they could manage then, I'm sure that they could manage now.

Diggle dropped Madelyn home telling me that Oliver was not going to be able to pick her up himself as he was very busy. Diggle wouldn't tell me what but he told me to give him space. I put Madelyn in bed and listened to her cry for half an hour because Oliver wasn't there to tuck her in, read her a story and search her room for 'bad men'. I finally managed to calm her down and she finally fell asleep cuddling the blanket Oliver got for her.

I was curled up on my side of the bed with my back to Oliver's side of the bed. A big fuck you to him, as he wasn't here for me to actually tell him what I really think of this. I had bit my tongue for so long now, I just want to scream and shout from the roof of Palmer Industries so everyone could hear me. A tear slipped down my cheek and before I could stop it I started sobbing, I could feel my shoulders shaking and I could feel my pillow getting wet from my tears.

I heard the front door closed and then heard someone trying to be quiet. How comes Oliver can sneak up on the Chinese Triad but he can't sneak into his own home? I looked to the doorway of the bedroom and saw Oliver leaning against it crossing his arms over his chest "Diggle said you were upset earlier" He stated.

"Thank you for gracing me with your presence" I said angrily before turning away from him and trying to control my crying.

"Felicity I'm really sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to get so mad and I really didn't mean to make you so upset. I just wanted time to go out and think everything over, you're reasons for leaving and my reasons for staying" He explained to me.

"Madelyn practically cried herself to sleep tonight because you wasn't here" I informed him, wanting him to feel bad.

He uncrossed his arms and sat down on the bed next to me. I sat up and faced him "I'm sorry" He said.

"It's not me you need to apologise to" I replied.

"Believe me when I tell you that I want what is best for you and Madelyn. I want to give her the life she wants and I want to be there for her all the time" He started "I was thinking about everything and I realised that it wasn't something I needed to think about, you and Madelyn were my family now and I need the two of you… I know I can't give Madelyn the life she deserves here which is why I've decided to go… let's go to California and really start fresh this time. No Arrow, enemies, getting shot at, getting kidnapped, getting stabbed, getting beaten up" He finished.

"You mean it?" I asked him.

"I'm not the Arrow no more" He replied.

Sorry with for the long wait my lovelies but here it is finally! I really hope you enjoy the chapter. Do you think Oliver will be able to just stop being the Arrow? Do you think that they will move to California and be able to live normal lives there? Will it be a happy ever after or will this decision blow up in everyone's face? I would really love it if you could leave a review to let me know what you think. Also if you haven't already then please check out my other stories Saviour and Drunk Felicity. Also don't forget to follow and review Xx