There is possibly a major 4 X 10 spoiler, read at your own risk! If you have seen the Australian promo, then you'll be fine to proceed, just know there is a possible spoiler. Also, the "surprise" is of my own invention, it is not a spoiler, at least as far as I know it isn't.
I own nothing, all rights reserved … enjoy!
"As many of you have learned, I recently got engaged to my girlfriend Felicity Smoak." Oliver was choking out every word, straining to say what he knew he had to. None of it was true, but he still found it difficult to address the crowd. "She, Felicity was injured in a shooting, it was an attack by Damien Darhk … she didn't survive." The camera flashes and hum of chatter stopped, and everything stood still, silence enveloped the room as Oliver continued. "I will need some time to adjust to this loss, and mourn, so I am halting my campaign. I realize that this city needs a leader more now than ever before, but I am no good to any of you in my current state." No one spoke or moved, it was so quiet that even the low hum of the mic system was audible. Then what seemed to be a wave of reporters all started shouting out questions at once. The sudden onslaught of commotion was enough to change Oliver's placid temperament, and he ended his brief report with a few bold statements. "I have nothing more to say, I only wish that I could have traded places with her. I plan to stop Damien Darhk with my resources, and I will make sure he pays for what he has done. He has taken his last life … thank you." As he stepped away from the podium Oliver noticed his phone buzzing, it was Thea and she sounded worried, and if her initial reply didn't convey her fear, her news certainly did.
"You need to get to the hospital now, there is something wrong, you need to get here now." Laurel and Quinten saw Oliver, and they followed him out into the cool night air.
"There is something wrong with Felicity, we have to go, Thea says something has gone wrong." Oliver was frantic, how could this be happening, did a ghost get to her, did Darhk find out and pay off a hospital staffer to poison her, whatever it was, it wasn't good. The three of them scrambled to get into the car, they all decided Quinten's cruiser would be the fastest way there. With sirens blaring, they sped to the hospital.
"Oliver, what is going on, you are scaring me," Laurel could see his eyes brimming with tears as she asked again, "What did Thea say, just that something is wrong?" Oliver was silent, and Quinten just kept his eyes glued to the road, his foot pressed like a block of lead on the gas pedal.
With uneven and shallow breathing Oliver looked up at Laurel and then dropped his face in his hands, he had no idea what was happening, all he knew was that Felicity was probably scared and in pain … and he wasn't there with her. "We just have to get there, now!" The urgency in his voice startled Quinten and Laurel as they flew through the red lights, only a few more minutes and they would be at the hospital.
"I am going as fast as I can Oliver, there is only so much I can do, I'm sorry." The emotion in Quinten's voice was obvious, he was scared too, and Lance was never one to scare easy. Just moments before they were at the DA's office setting the plan in motion, but now … now everything had been turned on its head. The sirens rang out piercing the air with torturous shrieking. Finally what seemed like an eternity passed, and the detective's cruiser flew into the hospital's entrance gate. Quinten slammed on the brakes right in front of the lobby doors.
"I'll meet you both inside as soon as I can." Oliver nodded at Quinten, then leaped out of the car, and sprinted for the doors and Laurel was not far behind. In a panic he raced through the lobby and into the stairwell, and didn't stop until he had reached the 4th floor where Felicity was waiting in recovery.
oOo oOo
Oliver flung the 4th floor door open, nearly ripping it off of its hinges. His heart was racing, and he felt lightheaded, but he kept sprinting toward her room. He had almost reached it when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"No one is allowed in there," he turned around to see Donna sitting on a small couch, her arms on her knees, she was so pale. A breathless Laurel soon joined them, and Dig rounded the corner of the hallway right after.
"What, what do you mean no one is allowed in there, you're her mother, I'm her fiancée … they have no right!" Donna looked at him, her face was stained with tears, she had been crying.
"Oliver, thank God you're here, they won't let us see her, they said they needed to assess the damage first." Thea's voice was strained, she had just come out of the elevator, she had been walking around the hospital, trying to calm down, but it didn't help.
"They haven't told you anything? They can't just lock us out here without explaining what is wrong!" Oliver's eyes shot over to Diggle, who was standing arms crossed, a furious look on his face.
"They had security escort me downstairs, because I was causing a disturbance, she told me her legs felt funny, there was a doctor in the room with us, and the next thing I know, I was being asked to leave." John breathlessly tried to explain what had happened.
"I was trying to clear the financial side of things, to pay for her medical expenses, then next thing I know, I hear Thea and John yelling at the doctors, and nurses. It was horrible, they just threw us out." Donna's voice echoed down the hall, everyone was standing in complete panic, what now? Then the click of a door handle commanded their attention, as a doctor stepped out of Felicity's room, with a look of dread on his face.
"I am so sorry for the confusion and forced removal, we had to have a moment alone with Miss Smoak." The doctor looked frightened, because not only were Dig, Oliver, and Donna glaring at him with fury, now a flustered Quinten approached the scene; looking less than happy. Laurel and Thea just watched as Oliver stepped toward the visibly shaken man.
"We, want to see her, now, and if you tell me I can't I promise, you won't like my reaction." Dig raised his arm to try and calm Oliver, even though he was thinking the same thing.
"I need to speak with you about what has happened first, there have been some unexpected complications," the small man in the white coat starred at the group. "Please Mr. Queen, I need you to calm down, all of you please know it kills me to have to tell you why we locked that door. Donna was the first to find a spot on the tiny stone couch, a wearied Quinten joined her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Whatever you have to say, please say it, we deserve that much, what is wrong with my fiancée?" The six of them starred at the man with the clipboard, the silence was almost painful, than the doctor finally spoke.
"Our surgical team was not a thorough as we had first been told, this was partly to do with a faulty x-ray machine, which was not recorded until after the surgery." He glanced around nervously before continuing, "There is likely a piece of the original bullet that splintered off, which seems to have caused severe damage to her spine. Over the past couple days it has moved closer, and it is possible the fragment has now made contact with her spinal cord." No one said anything, they all just stared at him, then Donna finally responded.
"So, are you saying that the damage is going to cause paralysis?" Her question hung thick in the air, and it seemed like everyone was holding their breath for the doctor's reply.
"Your daughter is already showing signs of paralysis, and going in to get the rest of the bullet out, will likely cause further damage … but that will be nothing compared to what will happen if we leave it there." Oliver inhaled deeply, and Donna began to let out light sobs, this couldn't be happening.
"How do you know that the bullet is still in there, did you see it?" Oliver was hopeful that it was all a huge misunderstanding, and that Felicity would be fine.
"No, but medically speaking there is no other explanation for her deteriorating condition. She is losing feeling in her feet and calves, this means that a foreign object is lodged up against her spine, which could only be a fragment of the bullet we took out of her a day and a half ago." Every trace of optimism drained from Oliver's face, paralyzed, for how long, was she ever going to walk again? "The damage to her spine could be permanent, especially if we wait any longer. I am so sorry, but we need you to make a decision on whether we can move forward with removing the rest of the bullet?"
"Who, who needs to make a decision," Oliver furiously glared at the doctor.
"Well next of kin, meaning her mother," everyone froze and looked down at Donna, whose face was still wet with tears, "Miss Smoak I need your okay before we can ask her." She wiped her cheeks and stood, walking slowly toward Oliver she reached out and grabbed his hand.
"You do whatever you can to save her spine, and fix this mistake, you hear me!?" Donna's voice grew loud with anger, but she stood her ground, "you better do everything you can." She tightened her grip on Oliver's hand, he only stood there silently, in disbelief.
"Can we see her before you take her into surgery, I mean that isn't too much to ask is it?" Oliver's voice was hard, and he held the stare of the doctor as he replied.
"Yes, I have to go in and discuss this with her, we aren't sure whether she is totally responsive because of the pain medication, as well as everything she has been through in such a short amount of time. For these reasons we have to run all major medical procedures by the relatives also. You are welcome to come in and help me explain the severity of the situation to her, if she refuses the surgery, it is possible we won't be able to proceed, which is where you come in." He glanced at Donna then at Oliver, both of whom were focused on every word the doctor said.
"Well what are we waiting for, let's go in and talk to her, we can't waste any more time." Oliver's tone was strong and demanding. Everyone else stayed in the hallway as the two of them entered the room behind the doctor, nothing could have prepared anyone for what came next.
oOo oOo
As soon as Felicity heard the door open, and saw the three of them she was wrecked with emotion. "Oliver! Mom, what is going on, I can't move my legs, no one will tell me what's happening!" The terrified look on Felicity's face was enough to ruin Oliver's already broken composure. He quickly ran to her side, and wrapped her up in his arms. Tears poured from his eyes, and he was suddenly harassed by a sick feeling in his stomach.
"We're here, it is going to be okay, we will get through this, I love you." Oliver's words were received for only a moment as Felicity responded.
"Get through what, what is going on, please tell me." Donna was gasping at this point trying and failing to stay calm, it was all too much to handle. "The loss of feeling in my legs, it is serious isn't it, something is wrong with my spine?" Donna moved in by her daughter's side and took her hand, and then the doctor slowly approached her bed. Oliver was trying to slow the tears, but his attempts only made it worse, he looked up at her with already swollen eyes.
"Miss Smoak," the small man in the white coat finally spoke, "I am afraid that during your surgery a fragment of the original bullet splintered off, and is now damaging your spinal cord. If we don't go in and remove it, then it is likely your condition will only get worse." She looked at him with a blank expression on her face, all eyes and ears were focused on her, waiting for a response.
"So, you need me to tell you I am okay with you opening me back up to dig around for a fragment of metal in my spine?" She was clearly angry about the whole situation, but she was definitely aware of everything happening around her. "Okay, you say that you can stop the progression of the paralysis if you remove what's left of the bullet? What happens if something goes wrong, will I be able to walk again after all of this?" Her questions were met with absolute honesty as the doctor replied.
"Depending on the extent of the damage so far, and where the fragment is, it is possible your paralysis will only last for a short time. However, the contrary is also true, if it is lodged deeper then we suspect, there is a chance that the damage your spine has sustained … could cause permanent paralysis." Felicity's face contorted with fear, if there was a chance she could never walk again, she would be a tremendous burden on her loved ones.
"Do everything you can to get in and get it out, please, that is all I ask." The doctor nodded and explained the consent forms and paperwork she would have to complete in order to go forward with the surgery. Then the room seemed to be spinning, and it wasn't because she was dizzy, a sick feeling rose in the pit of her stomach. "I think I am going to throw up, is there a waste basket nearby, oh hurry, please!" Oliver frantically handed her the small trash bin, then there came a terrible gagging and Felicity's body shook as she let her lunch make its debut. A minute later all seemed to be fine, but her face said otherwise.
"Baby are you alright," Donna looked at her daughter and then glanced at the doctor. Then he looked at Felicity, and she shook her head attempting to say no. Seeing this confused Oliver, he wanted to know what was happening, so he grabbed his fiancée's hand and squeezed just enough to get her attention.
"Felicity, is there something else going on that you're not telling us?" Oliver then looked back at the man holding the clipboard, and glared for a few moments, what was going on? "If there is something else that is wrong with my fiancée, I think I have a right to know." The room was silent, and then Donna spoke.
"Okay, there is clearly something else happening, and I would just like to say, I am the mother; so I deserve to know as well." Felicity had a nervous look on her face, and it was with good reason.
"Miss Smoak, I can only inform them of your condition if you say so, there is such a thing as doctor patient confidentiality." Donna and Oliver glanced from Felicity to the doctor, what on earth was he talking about?
"Okay, it is time, we need to talk about it, especially now that I have to go back into surgery." The doctor nodded, Felicity looked at her mother, then met Oliver's gaze, he looked terrified, and it killed her to see him so scared. "I wasn't the only one who made it out of that surgery," He starred at her not saying a word, "Oliver, I'm pregnant, the baby is fine, I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I found out after I woke up, they explained to me that they had record of a mass in my uterus. They say I am somewhere around six to eight weeks along. The morning sickness has already kicked in, that is why I just threw up. You have every right to be upset, and I am glad this is coming out now, I hate keeping things from you." Donna's hands flew to her mouth, her, a grandma! Oliver breathlessly stared at his fiancée, a baby … that was really big news.
"Will it survive the surgery, I mean if our baby made it through the first one, the second one should be okay, right? Wait, pain killers aren't good for pregnant women to take!" A few moments went by before the doctor replied to Oliver's concerns.
"Yes Mr. Queen, there is only a small chance your baby would sustain any harm, if everything goes according to plan, both mother and child will be just fine. Also, we currently have Miss Smoak on a pain med called Paracetamol, which is safe for her and the baby." Oliver let out a deep sigh, and Donna began to cry, holding her face in her hands, she moved in close to her daughter, and kissed her forehead. Felicity's face flooded with relief also, as the doctor reassured them the baby would survive.
"It will be okay honey, I can't believe this, so much is happening so fast! I love you, and you know I am with you one hundred percent. We are going to get through this together." Donna wiped her face, shook the doctor's hand then dragged him out with her as she left. "Let's give these two some time alone," Oliver and Felicity smiled at her, then the door closed with a click.
"A baby," Oliver's tone was soft, and he made sure to smile at her when he said it. That gorgeous smile, she had seen it so many times before, but this time it wasn't reciprocated. "What is it," he asked in alarm, did she feel sick again, whatever it was he was going to be there for her and the baby every step of the way.
"We were careful, I don't understand how this happened, we were always careful." Her gaze fell to her lap and she continued, "are we really ready for a baby Oliver … this is a monumental responsibility." Her question caught him off guard, was she asking him whether they should abort? Clearly her emotions, and the traumatizing events she had been through were messing with her judgement.
"Felicity, we have fought side by side for years, I love you, and that will never change. This baby is a piece of us that will live on long after we're gone, that isn't something to fear; it is something to embrace." She nodded in agreement, her face hot with shame at even hinting toward something so drastic.
"You just found out about your son, and now I drop this bomb, I am sorry that this happened." Oliver began to shake his head, correcting her right away.
"Hey, listen to me, you are the woman I love, and you're carrying my child, I am not upset … I'm thrilled. Even though we weren't expecting it, and you are concerned about your condition, and the pregnancy, I wouldn't trade you or our baby for the world." He leaned in a softly kissed her lips, they just rested in the moment, but it was quickly interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Hey, your mother is quite the secret keeper, I hear that you are expecting, and that the baby is fine." Dig moved across the room with the rest of the group on his tail. "So, I hope you don't mind us all barging in at once we wanted to check on you, and see you before they prep you for surgery." A huge smile was clear on Thea's face as she beamed at the couple,
"Wow, I am going to be the most amazing aunt ever, this baby will love me!" John chimed in also, wanting to take the title of Uncle Dig.
"Hey, I'll be the favorite uncle, this is going to be great, Sarah and the baby can grow up together, and we'll teach them everything we know." Diggle gave Oliver a quick wink and walked over to shake his hand, "seriously you two, congratulations, do you mind at all if I call Lyla and let her know, I told her I would keep her updated?" Felicity nodded, she was almost surprised by all of the support, here she was in a hospital bed surrounded by loved ones, and she finally felt a bit of peace.
"I am sorry honey, I had to tell them, they were all very concerned about you," Donna looked sincere and Felicity smiled reassuring her it was okay. "So, they say the surgery won't harm the baby in any way, which is good, but how are you feeling about all of this?" Everyone's eyes fell on Felicity,
"I am a little nervous, it won't be too much longer that they prep me for the O.R." She looked around at everyone and continued, "but having all this support will definitely help ease some of my anxiety." A deep exhale sounded from her chest, and she smiled to reassure everyone that she was ready. The group began to come up one at a time hugging and saying their "I love you's." It got a little emotional a couple times, especially with Thea. She made sure to try and bring everyone to tears.
"I love you Felicity, you are one of the strongest women I know, I will see you again soon, okay?" Thea finished her goodbye, and slowly walked out. Laurel could barely hold herself together as she hugged Felicity and then Oliver before leaving, right behind Thea. Dig gently hugged Felicity, like he was afraid he might crush her in his massive arms, but he was sure to give Oliver a nice bear hug, squeezing him enough to make him grunt in discomfort.
"Dig, your smooshing me man," John finally released his friend smacked him on the back, nodded, then headed out of the room. Quinten stood back respectfully, not wanting to impose, but Donna broke him of his bashful attitude a drug him over to shake Oliver's hand.
"I love you so much baby, and you," she looked at Oliver, "I love you too." He grinned wide at her words. "I will see you as soon as you wake up from the procedure, and not a minute after." Donna kissed her daughter on the forehead, then grabbed and squeezed Oliver's hand before walking out of the room, Lance wasn't far behind. When they were alone again, Felicity finally let the tears flow freely, she was scared, but she didn't want to admit it, even to Oliver.
"If something goes wrong, don't blame yourself okay, none of this is your fault," her voice was soft, but he heard what she said, and he quickly replied.
"You will be just fine," he placed a hand on her stomach, "you both will, so I'll have nothing to blame myself for, besides getting you pregnant of course." A smile rose to Felicity's face, he was such a goof sometimes, almost always able to make her feel better.
"Thank you Oliver," he looked into her stunning blue eyes before responding.
"For what?" He just waited for her answer, grabbing her hands and holding on to them tightly.
"For loving me," Her vivid smile told him everything he needed to know, but he was the thankful one. Oliver leaned in close, lightly kissing her, then he looked again into her eyes,
"Always." He pulled her close, and they sat in silence, words weren't necessary.
oOo oOo
Hey, thank you so much for reading, I hope you liked it. This chapter is most likely the conclusion of this particular fan-fiction, but there may be more from me in the future.