The Road

To Starling

Part 3

Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here.

Summary: The baby of Shado and Oliver finally arrives!

It'd taken five hours before Shado had at long last given birth and Slade had had a good laugh from the window of the door when Oliver passed out after seeing his kid for the first time. Thanks to the Mirakuru in him, the alcohol's effects hadn't lasted a great deal and a stern warning from Lance had him putting the bottle away much to Sara's amusement. Laurel had yet to come back and no one was really complaining about that either. The arrival of a tearful but happy Dinah Lance had led to a tender reunion between mother and daughter that had gotten Anatoly some playful teasing when it was thought he was crying over the scene. Tommy had made a vow to not ever get a girl pregnant unless he really loved her as this whole waiting thing was just Hell. That and this was just ruining the amount of fun he and Ollie could be having now that he was back.

Which would include tons of girls who would be pretty happy to see the man alive and well! Moira was still having trouble coming to grips with the fact that her son had gotten some girl pregnant while he'd been believed dead and paying this one off was most likely out of the question as well. Walter had left about two hours ago to ensure things were running smoothly at Queen Consolidated after ensuring she'd be okay and not in danger of fainting again. The mother of two considered the possibility of telling her son of Samantha's child if he proved himself with this woman and their child. However, she was vastly unamused by Slade Wilson's amusement after learning her son had fainted when the child was born! And after a short waiting period, she and the others had been allowed to visit the new parents and their child.

One of the things that was immediately noticable was the fact that Oliver had one of his hands in a cast. The other was that he was happily crying over his child. "Hah! The strength of a woman in birth is what truly breaks you huh Kid?" Asked Slade with a smirk that made Oliver roll his eyes at the man and causing Moira to frown at him.

"Oh come on Slade, I doubt you would have faired any better." Commented Sara with a smile that only grew wider when he didn't make a response to that.

"So what's the verdict Queen?" Asked Lance in curiousity that had honestly surprised Dinah since she would have felt that Quentin could care less about this sort of thing. And that he had only stuck around for as long as he had because of Sara wanting to see the new baby.

It'd be Shado who would answer after the new parents shared a look between one another. "Her name is Huanle de Zhufu, or 'A Blessing of Joy' if you wish to go with the English translation." Answered the mother with a tired but proud smile on her face as Oliver gently took their baby girl into his own arms.

The name was fitting considering the few joys and blessings the group had during their time away and she was certainly a combination of a blessed joy. Lance couldn't help the laugh that escaped him as karma definitely had a sense of humor! "Quentin! Why are you laughing at a time like this!?" Asked Dinah in a surprised tone of voice who felt his doing that was rather horrible timing!

"Cause! Queen's having a girl is karma! Pure and simple karma!" Thea had to admit he had a darn good point there! But she couldn't wait to spoil the baby rotten as per her right as an aunt!

A part of her hated the fact that she wasn't going to be getting him all to herself but she was none the less genuinely happy for her big brother and wondered when Shado would become her sister-in-law? Something to definitely harrass her big brother about for sure when there was a better time for it! The group crowded around Oliver and the baby girl with Shado watching from the bed and wishing her father was here for this as well. The thought of him was enough to make her want to cry but she would hold back as she would prefer to do such a thing in private with Oliver and their child. "Oh Oliver! She's so beautiful!" Cried out Moira as she gazed upon her granddaughter.

"You got that right mom." Added in Thea with a smile as she gently rubbed one of the baby's fingers.

"Most beautiful sight comrade! Protect til last breath is a promise!" Came the promise of one Anatoly Knyazev who suspiciously looked like he had tears welling up in his eyes.

That was a promise Slade definitely could get behind as well. "This child shall have my sword to protect her as well."

Both Oliver and Shado were grateful as can be by the words of the two men and Moira, Lance, Dinah, Tommy, and Thea were all equally surprised by the strong and promising words by the two men. "Don't forget about Auntie Sara now." Teased Sara who couldn't wait to see the little girl wrap Ollie around her little finger.

Oliver looked towards Shado who smiled at him and he gave a smile of his own, a baby with this amazing woman was the last thing he ever would expected to happen to him. But he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. "Thank you, all of you." Oliver finally said in a sincere but serious voice.

Author's Notes: I could probably say this is the last of this little series, but I would be lying as there is no doubt more I could do with it. Especially with an older Huanle. I know the choice of name is a little strange but I honestly thought it would be fitting considering all they had been through in the past few years. R and R!