An awkward silence fell over the two women. Felicity had gone back to the sofa, but couldn't pay attention to what was playing on the screen. Her mind was too occupied with thoughts of Thea. She knew Oliver would bring her back, but could he truly fix whatever was going on with her? And what was that exactly?
Laurel tapped het foot impatiently. She wanted to be out there with Oliver, helping Thea. She didn't want to be trapped in Felicity's living room. However, she still couldn't bring herself to leave. She sighed as she cast an envious glance at Felicity's bump. She always thought it'd be her having Oliver's child. She closed her eyes as she tried to steer her mind away from going down that road.
"They're okay," Felicity spoke.
Laurel opened her eyes to see her staring at her. She thought she had been worried; if only she knew what she was truly thinking.
"I'm not worried about them." Laurel said.
"Good because you shouldn't be. Oliver would never let anything happen to Thea, even if the issue is something internal. He'll help her and--
"I know," Laurel said sharply, cutting her off. She didn't want to talk either.
Felicity raised a brow at her, but didn't say anything else. She rubbed her belly softly as she looked away.
"Is something wrong? Are you okay?" Felicity asked after a moment had passed.
She couldn't help but to be concerned. Laurel seemed on edge ever since she arrived. She assumed it was because of Thea, but now Felicity wasn't so sure.
"Why do you ask?"
"You've had this look on your face since you walked in, like someone ran over your cat or something." Felicity titled her head to the side.
"I'm fine, Felicity. You can stop worrying about me." Laurel said as she looked the other way, clearly avoiding looking at her.
Felicity started to say something else, but closed her mouth. She didn't understand Laurel's sour mood and she was done trying. She had enough on her own plate between being plagued by memories of her father and preparing for her daughter's arrival. She picked up the remote and switched to another show on Netflix.
Laurel turned to face the TV too, hoping it'd help pass the time. She couldn't help but to notice how quiet Felicity had been. That was completely unusual for her; she was never silent.
"Hey Felicity?" Laurel called out softly.
"Yeah?" Felicity answered without turning around.
"Sorry about biting your head off. I'm just thinking about Thea."
"I know. I understand."
"And I guess it's a little hard for me to process the whole pregnancy thing. Don't ask me why. I couldn't tell you if I wanted to. I'm happy for you both honestly. It's just...well It's-
"You and Oliver have history that proceeds me. I don't expect our relationship to be easy for you to accept." Felicity said, surprising Laurel.
"I mean it's kinda weird for me too when I think about what you guys had. I don't want to feel awkward and I don't want you upset." Felicity continued.
Laurel nodded. She could see why Oliver loved Felicity so much; she was a pretty awesome person. She was a great friend too and Laurel mentally kicked herself for feeling jealous in the first place. Oliver and her were over years ago, even before he left on the Gambit with her sister.
"Sorry," Laurel said once again.
Felicity smiled and got up to give her a hug. Laurel accepted the embrace. She felt better after being honest with both herself and Felicity. She hoped now that she could move past it and truly be happy for her friends.
_
Oliver parked his bike in an alley outside his former club. He looked around as he made his way inside. Malcolm had saved the place from being brought out by someone else. However, the club had never reopened. He opened the door as he took one final look around.
An arrow came spiraling towards him, but he managed to catch it.
"Thea, it's me." He said as he followed the direction the arrow had come from.
Thea sighed as she appeared from out of the shadows.
"Ollie," was all she could say.
Her voice sounded broken. He could tell she had been crying.
"Speedy," Oliver said softly using her childhood nickname and now codename.
He stepped closer to her as he made out her figure in the dimly lit space. He engulfed her in his strong arms and she didn't bother pushing him away. She needed him just as badly as he wanted to protect her.
"I'm here, Thea. It's going to be alright."
"I don't know what happened out there. I wanted to ease back and tie the guy up, like usual, but something changed. It was like...something inside me pushed me to keep going. I hit him again and again. I didn't even hear Laurel trying to tell me to stop until I felt her tug on me. I then turned my anger on her and shoved her. I went back to unleash whatever pent up frustration I had inside on the guy until she used her siren power thing on me. My ear still hurts." Thea explained and finished with a sad laugh.
"It's the pit. Malcolm said you'd be different once you came back, but I thought-I hoped he was wrong." Oliver said.
"He wasn't. Who knew Malcolm Merlyn was capable of telling the truth?" Thea laughed sarcastically as she stepped away from her brother's arms.
"Let's get you home, Thea. You'll feel safer there." Oliver suggested.
"Are you sure? What about Felicity?" Thea looked up at him feeling unsure.
"She wants to see you too. We aren't afraid of you if that's what you're thinking." Oliver tried to reassure her.
"Why not? I'm afraid of me; what I could do." Thea confessed.
Oliver sighed. He wished he could bottle her fears up and throw them away. He'd blame himself normally but he'd take her back to the pit a thousand times over if it meant saving her life. He'd never regret doing that.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
Thea nodded her head and allowed him to lead her out. He hopped on his bike and she trailed after him on hers. Together, the Queen siblings made their way back to the apartment Felicity and Oliver shared.
_
Oliver unlocked the door and nudged Thea inside. She walked in slowly. The sound of the alarm briefly going off startled Felicity, who had fallen asleep on the sofa. Oliver quickly punched in the code and disabled it.
"Oliver?" Felicity asked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.
"Yeah it's me. Thea is here too. Where's Laurel?"
"She left a while ago." Felicity tried to sit up and Oliver leant a hand to help her.
"Thanks,"
Thea still hovered near the door. She was debating on whether to run or stay. She knew Oliver would chase after her if she left, but she'd be willing to risk it.
"Hey Thea," Felicity said softly with a warm smile.
Thea offered her a slight nod of the head. She didn't want Felicity to get too close. She didn't trust herself in that moment and she'd hate herself forever if she hurt Felicity or her niece.
"I'm glad you're okay," Felicity said still approaching her.
Thea looked back at Oliver, pleading with her eyes for him to intervene. He picked up on her fear, but he trusted Thea. She wouldn't hurt Felicity. He gave her an encouraging nod. Felicity had already opened her arms and was pulling Thea in for a hug before Thea could move away.
She stood there frozen for a moment. And then her arms slowly hugged her back. A tear fell from her eyes. She didn't know how truly terrified she had been until that moment. The hug helped put her at ease. It made her feel safe and loved; not like the monster she felt like she was becoming.
Oliver smiled from behind them and then went over and wrapped them both in his arms.
"We're here for you Thea," His voice boomed slightly from above their heads.
"Thank you," She said as her voice cracked with emotion. "I love you guys."
"We love you too," Felicity and Oliver replied in unison.
_
Felicity had given Thea a pair of her pajamas that she could no longer fit and she went off to shower and sleep in the guest room. Oliver and Felicity were preparing to call it a night as well. Felicity fluffed one of the pillows on her side of the bed before laying down.
"It's been a long day." She sighed as she turned over on her side.
"You can say that again." He said as he inched closer to her.
"Thanks for helping with Thea." He said as he rubbed her belly.
"Must you do that every night?" Felicity laughed.
She was joking of course. She thought it was adorable whenever he touched her stomach.
"Yes. I didn't get to for an entire week." He laughed too.
He brought his face down and kissed her on the forehead.
"Rest, you both need it." He said softly.
"You too Mr. I-carry-the-world-on-my-shoulders." She said before a yawn escaped her.
"Okay," He said.
Felicity closed her eyes and Oliver followed suit. Sleep eventually overcame both of them.
***A/N: I may even upload an extra chapter over the weekend. I'm just so happy I actually finished this fanfic because I seriously struggled with the beginning. It took me a while, but I got more confident in it. I'm glad I stuck it out. I hope you guys are enjoying it!!***