#wahhhhh……… it’ll be okay. whatever.

[mauxanhduong]

i feel like if i put my head down rn i could fall asleep in seconds

[ourwritinginvein]

The Best Influence-Chapter 22

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Read from the Beginning

Oliver walked with Felicity to the car, and chuckled at her reaction to him strapping the car seat in perfectly. He closed the door, and opened the door of the passenger seat so she could get in. As he got into the driver's seat he noticed Felicity's eyes on him, but he only asked what was up when he reversed the car and noticed she was still staring at him.

"How was that so easy for you?"

"How was what so easy for me," Oliver asked genuinely confused.

"You just strapped that car seat in perfectly fine like some sort of super human."

Oliver chuckled, "Thea was born when I was almost ten. I used to help my parents out sometimes, and other times I'd just watch them and see how they dealt with her. But I appreciate the compliment."

"I couldn't even get my pet goldfish to eat it's food."

Oliver laughed hard at that.

"I'm serious," she continued. "I had it for three days and then I woke up and found it laying face down near the filter."

"Ouch. Well on the bright side, this baby is already dead so you can't kill it."

"Hardy har har," she sarcastically said.

"Don't be so hard on yourself." he insisted. "Besides it's a partner project. I'll help you out."

"Thanks," she smiled before looking out the window. They drove the rest of the way in silence.

Oliver helped Felicity out of the car, and then got the bags while she took the carseat our of the backseat. He waited for her to gather her belongings as well, and hand it to him before locking the car as they walked towards the mansion. It was quiet as usual but he knew that his mother was home.

“Mom,” he called out. “I’m home.”

“In the dining room,” she called back.

Oliver laid their belongings on the couch in the living room, and he and Felicity walked towards Moira who chuckled upon seeing them, well upon seeing the car seat with the doll that Felicity was holding.

“How was your day,” she asked in a teasing tone. That was Oliver remembered his mother’s words this morning, and rolled his eyes. Of course Professor Stein had told all the parents, but he couldn’t give the students, the actual people doing the assignment, a warning. “Eventful,” she asked.

“You could say that,” Oliver replied dryly.

“I’m sure you’ll do just fine, sweetheart. I’m just glad you have Felicity as a partner. Martin called after he assigned the partners, and your mother and I were so delighted dear,” she addressed Felicity.

“Oh no,” Felicity muttered under her breath.

“Oh, neither of us will get in your way. We promise, but Donna came over earlier today after Martin called and dropped off a bag of clothes for you, so you can spend the night here if you wish. If not Oliver can drive you back home-“

“What? Stay here,” Felicity asked.

“Yes, for the sake of the assignment. If you decide not to however-“

“No, it’s…it’s fine,” she smiled. “I mean it’ll be easier with both of being hands on, that is if your okay with it,” she turned to Oliver.

“Sounds good to me,” he shrugged.

“Okay,” Moria started. “Your bag is in the guest room opposite to Oliver’s, so it’ll be easier for you two to travel between rooms when needed. Donna also told me to inform you that Oliver can spend the night at your place tomorrow if you wish Felicity, or you guys can stay here again. Whatever the two of you decide, it’s unto you, but Oliver has to take clothes from here in the morning if you guys are staying in the Glades. If you’re staying here tomorrow Oliver still has to drive to the Glades, and you have to pack some clothes for another night or however long you’re staying. I’m going to see what Raisa is making for dinner. Remember that you both still have homework. Don’t get too distracted,” she finished walking away from them.

There was a slight awkward moment after Moira left room which only became more awkward when Oliver cleared his throat a little too loudly.

“So um…what should we do now?”

“Well, Professor Stein did say to try and carry out your day as it is, but adjust it when the doll cries so I guess we should get started on our homework.”

“Alright.”

They walked back to the library, and Oliver moved a chair back for Felicity and then the one next to it so he could set the baby down. Afterwards he sat down in the chair next to it, and slowly opened his textbook, glancing up when he saw Felicity shift her chair a little further from the baby. He wondered what was wrong, but remained silent, deciding she’d tell him when she was ready.

Chapter 16: Glycolysis he began to read.

“Wahhhhh,” the baby wailed. Felicity jerked and Oliver jumped up. He unbuckled the doll out of the seat and lifted her into his arms. He used the bracelet on the baby’s back until he heard the chiming sound, and Felicity already had a diaper bag out. He let her chime in as well, and then he paused.

“Should we change her on the table?”

“It’s not the dining table.”

“Yeah but still,” Oliver said over his “daughter’s” wails which were getting louder.

“It’s a doll Oliver,” she argued.

“Right,” he replied putting the doll down on the table. He took the diaper from Felicity and out it on the table next to her, and then he removed the dirty diaper, and changed her into the clean one. They held their breath for a second hoping that was the correct solution. They both huffed out a sigh of relief when their daughter made a satisfied cooing sound. He chuckled quietly as he put her back into the car seat.

“What,” Felicity asked sitting down in her chair.

“Nothing. It’s just well we got through that one pretty quick.”

“I know,” she agreed with a smile. “Let’s just hope it stays this easy.”

Oliver nodded, and opened his mouth to reply but she had already turned her attention back to her homework. He shrugged, and continued with his work for some time-well for another minute before he was interrupted by another wail coming from their daughter. He saw Felicity close her eyes tightly, and got up before she could.

“I got this,” he told her as he tried to feed her. There was no way it could be another diaper change…not this fast anyway. When that didn’t work he began rocking her. The cries got slightly softer but they were still there. He looked at Felicity who was staring at him, and saw that she needed to study.

“I’m gonna go into the other room with her,” he told her.

“You sure?”

“I got her,” he assured her.

“Call me if you need any help,” she told him even know they both knew he wouldn’t. He smiled, and winked at her.

“Mommy needs to get an education so she can put a roof over your head,” he jokingly told the doll.

Felicity chuckled, “And what about Daddy?”

“He’s a lazy bum who’s going to inherit his family’s company anyway, but he’ll study tonight after you"re asleep,” he replied to their daughter after Felicity narrowed her eyes at him.

Felicity chuckled, and he winked at her before leaving.

In his room, he sat on the edge of his bed, and gently rocked the doll back to sleep. He hadn’t even realized he was humming until Thea poked her head into his room.

“Gently,” he warned her as she tried to get on the bed. “This is a project for school, and I can’t get a bad grade.”

“That’s a first,” she teased him.

“Hey, I’m trying,” he replied.

“Can I hold Thea,” she asked.

“Her names not Thea. It’s Sienna.”

“That’s a stupid name. I’m gonna call her Thea.”

Oliver sighed knowing that there was no point in arguing. “You have to be very careful,” he warned her, helping her hold the doll in her hands so that the head wouldn’t fall back.

“Let’s sing her to like you used to do to me,” she suggested.

“No.”

“You were already humming to her when I walked in. Please?”

“…What do you want to sing?”

“The song daddy sings to me.”

“Okay,” Oliver began. “Why don’t you start us off?”

“I’ve got sunshine,” she sang, “on a cloudy day.”

“When it is cold outside,” Oliver joined in, “I’ve got the month of May.”

“I guess you’d say what can make me feel this way? My girl, my girl, my girl, talking ‘bout my girl,” they sang together.

“Come on Felicity,” Thea said out of the blue, and Oliver looked up to see Felicity in the doorway. He smiled at her, and shrugged at Thea’s actions to which she returned a smile.

“Oh no, I’m not a great singer,” Felicity protested.

“It doesn’t matter. You have to sing,” Thea insisted.

“Okay, but you asked for it. I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees,” she sang perfectly on pitch.

Thea joined in and Oliver just watched his two girls-well not his girls per se but…his girls. He joined in on the chorus and took their daughter from Thea’s hands when the song finished, and put her back into the crib.

“You see, a song makes everything better,” Thea reminded him.

“I guess it does,” Oliver replied, turning to Felicity. “You finished your homework?”

“Somewhat. I still have to study for my programming exam but other than that I’m pretty much done.”

“That was fast,” Oliver commented.

“Oliver, you’ve been up here for two hours.” Felicity told him.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Thea told him. “Felicity helped me with my homework and told me that you were taking care of the baby, so I came up to see you.”

“Wow! I didn’t realize the time had gone by.”

“Well, let’s hope you feel that way by the end of the week,” Felicity chuckled. “By the way, Raisa says to come down for a snack. She said she made your favorite.”

“Mine,” Thea asked hopefully.

“No, I don’t think so. Just Oliver’s.”

“Why does she like Oliver more than me,” Thea pouted storming out of the room.

Oliver rolled his eyes at his little sister, while Felicity chuckled and moved towards him, extending her arms so she could help him off the bed. She also reached around him to grab the car seat which held their child, and smiled slightly before closing her eyes for a moment. Oliver wanted to ask her what was up, but she was too fast for him.

“What is your favorite snack by the way?”

“I hope you like fudge brownies,” he smiled putting an arm around her.

“Oliver Queen, I think you know the way to my heart.”

He laughed out loud, but inside he kinda hoped he did.

After eating copious amounts of fudge brownies, the two of them went back up to his room. He sat on the chair, and she was sprawled out across his bed with her Programming textbook open, and a light blue high lighter in her hands. He really should’ve started on his essay, Felicity had already finished hers, but he was too distracted watching Felicity while she was studying. She was so engrossed in what she was doing that she didn’t notice him staring. He could count the little creases between her eyes when she found something confusing, and then how her face would automatically brighten when she figured out whatever it was that was confusing her. She tended to bite her lips while highlighting something important or when writing notes, and she would tap the highlighter on the side of her head when she was bored, or so he assumed. It was only when the baby started crying again that Oliver looked away from Felicity. She sighed and got up from the bed, and smiled at him telling him to finish the essay. She then changed the baby’s diaper, and waited for the cooing sound. When it came both of them sighed in relief.

“You know, we’re pretty good at this parenting thing,” she said, placing their daughter back into the car seat. She then ran over and knocked on Oliver’s wooden desk. “Just in case,” she mentioned.

He shook with laughter, “Just in case,” he agreed.

“How much of your essay did you get done?”

Oliver gulped and Felicity sighed. “Move over. I’ll help you.”

Thirty minutes later he was done with his essay and both of them were sitting on top of his bed.

“So I’ve been meaning to ask,” Oliver started, “I can’t help but notice your hesitance to our daughter.”

“Our assignment,” she corrected him. “I would never be hesitant to our daughter,” she said her face instantly turning red. “I didn’t mean-It’s not that I don’t want to-Not that I do want to-I’m sure you’d make very nice babies-What I am I saying? Can you just kill me now?”

“No,” Oliver chuckled. “I want to know why.”

“Why what?”

“Why you’re hesitant to our ‘assignment.’”

“I’m young,” she shrugged.

“Okay…so is the rest of the class.”

“It’s…my mom wasn’t a teen mom, but she had me young.”

“What’s so wrong with that?”

“Nothing. It’s just-“

“If you really don’t want to tell me you don’t have to.”

“It’s not that. It’s-I ruined my mom’s life.”

“What?”

“My mom had me young, and I ruined her life.”

“I highly doubt that’s true Felicity.”

“Oliver, she didn’t finish college because she couldn’t focus on her school and me at the same time. She could never have full time jobs when I was a toddler because she had to watch me, so she would take two or three part time jobs where her shifts would be really early or really late. She never had many friends ‘cause people would always talk about her for having a kid so young without a stable partner, and need I go on?”

“Felicity, all of those things may have happened, but it doesn’t mean you ruined her life. I think it made your mom stronger.”

“Well she wouldn’t have to be stronger if it wasn’t for me. And I don’t want to have go through the same life she had.”

“I still say you’re crazy for thinking you ruined your mom’s life, but I promise you that you have a bright future ahead of you.”

“Yeah? And how do you know that,” she challenged.

“I’m a fortune teller,” he shrugged simply.

“Really?”

“Really,” he winked at her.

“And how does one become a fortune teller,” she asked.

“I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you,” he winked at her.

They smiled at each other for a few moments, before Felicity broke eye contact with him, and picked up his planner. “Come on, you still have so much homework to finish.”

“Please don’t remind me,” he groaned.

She smacked him playfully on the head, “Don’t be a bigger baby than Sienna.”

“But I thought she wasn’t a real baby, Felicity, She’s just a doll,” he teased her.

She stuck out her tongue at him,”And for that we’re starting with physics.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” he gasped.

“I dare,” she dramatically said placing the textbook in front of him.

Two hours later, Oliver had finished most of his school work, and only had one subject remaining. Chemistry, He was about to start on that as well when the door of his room opened.

“Thea,” he groaned without looking up. “How many times do I have to tell you to knock?”

When Felicity didn’t smack Oliver on the arm for being rude to his sister, he looked up at her to see her staring at the door. He followed her gaze to the doorway and saw his father standing there.

“Oliver,” he said curtly.

“Yeah,” he asked.

“I’m sorry to interrupt the two of you, but dinner is ready.”

“Great,” he said sarcastically. He couldn’t help it, he just couldn’t get along with his father. Felicity however tried to placate him.

“Thank you Mr, Queen. We’ll be down in just a minute.”

Robert nodded, and left leaving the door open. Oliver waited till his father rounded the hall before getting up and closing the door with a little too much force.

“Oliver,” Felicity said softly,

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he muttered,

As if their daughter were real and could pick up on sound of the door slamming, she began to cry on cue.

Oliver sighed, and covered his face with hands, and Felicity walked over to the doll, and tried to get her to stop crying. After a few moments with no avail, Oliver walked over and took the doll from her. He hushed their "baby" back to silence right before she cooed. He put her back in the car seat crib, and turned to Felicity to apologize.

"It's okay," she says before he even opens his mouth. "Let's just get downstairs before the food gets cold."

He nods and carries the crib with him, pausing for her to leave the room first.

Dinner is quiet for the most part. When they get downstairs the only sound the can hear is the clanking of spoons and forks against plates. Oliver sits to the left of Moira, while Felicity sits on his right next to Robert. Thea is seated on Robert's right. Oliver places the car seat on the floor between him and Felicity, and Moira raises her brows and scoffs at him.

"What," he asks. She ignores his question and takes the empty chair on her right, and moves it in between Oliver and Felicity and places the crib on top of it, turning to Oliver giving him a pointed look.

"I understand she's not real, but she's supposed to be an example of what it would be like if you actually have children right now, and there is no way you're placing my granddaughter's crib on the floor with her in it!"

"I'm sorry mom," he mumbled awkwardly as she made her way back to her seat. Moira shook her head at him once more before turning to Felicity to make small talk. Oliver stayed silent as Felicity told Moira and Robert about her classes, and grades, and how tutoring Thea was going. His little sister was quite enthusiastic about the topic and jumped in as well. After that conversation died down Thea mentioned how their baby was so cute, and how she wished she could be an aunt already. As if dinner couldn't get more awkward, Oliver thought, Moira coughed loudly, and drank water to cool off, while Felicity stared down at her plate, and Robert looked at Oliver. Oliver shrugged and downed the rest of his water as well.

"What," Thea continued oblivious to their obvious discomfort. "Oliver and Felicity would make really cute babies!"

Felicity had decided right then to take a sip of water, and of course she choked on it. Oliver tried to pat her back, but at Thea's comment she shrugged away from his touch, so Oliver drummed his fingers on the table staring at it.

"Thea, that's enough," Moira reprimanded her.

"Fine. Last thing. I want to be the godmother of your baby guys," she states.

Miraculously, at that their "baby" let out a long, loud wail, which leads Oliver and Felicity to finally look at each other and break out into laughter. Robert and Moira even chuckled, when Thea gasped in offense.

"How rude," she exclaimed.

"Sorry, Thea," Felicity tried to cover up her laugh. "If you'll excuse me I need to um take care of whatever it is. Thank you for dinner," she finished before getting up.

After Felicity left the room, Robert turned to Oliver.

"So Oliver, have you thought about joining QC?"

Oliver looked at his mother, who seemed very interested in her mashed potatoes at the moment. He turned back to his father, and smiled tightly before getting up from his seat and excusing himself as well.

"Ollie," Thea called out. "Can I have your dessert?"

"Sure, Speedy," he answered, as he heard their mother scold her once more.

The door to his room was open, and Felicity was on his bed holding their "baby" in her hands, and shushing her as if she could understand. Oliver stood at the door for a minute just taking in the moment, but it didn't last long as she broke the silence.

"Can't you just take pity on me, and come over and help me," she asked without looking up from Sienna.

He chuckled and walked over to her, taking their "daughter" out of her hands, and bounced from leg to leg slightly, calming her down.

"You're a natural Oliver Queen."

"I had practice with Thea remem-"

"Don't," she held up her hand to silence him. "Just take the credit I'm giving you."

He nodded and sat next to her, after putting down Sienna.

"What happened? Why'd you leave dinner right after me?"

"It's not important. It's just-"

"Your dad?"

Oliver sighed, "Yeah. He just knows exactly how to get under my skin."

"You're strong Oliver. Don't let him."

"It's not easy," he reminded her.

"I'd say you're doing a good job so far," she commended him.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, and not just about that. Like you're doing a good job in general."

"You're so specific," he deadpanned.

"Alright, alright," she took his hands in hers, sensing that he was pulling away. "I don't know-"

"Great-"

"Oliver. You're being a good son. You're dealing with your dad, and still maintaining to keep a level head. You're a great big brother, and from what I learned today someday you'll make a great dad."

"How do you know all that?"

She shrugged, "I'm a bit of a fortune teller too."

"Oh really," he teased.

"Really."

"Predict something for me."

"I just did. You'll be a great dad one day."

"Other than that."

"You see? This is why I don't go around telling people of my powers. They become greedy," she teased.

"Just one more," he leaned closer to her, "Please," he whispered.

He heard her breath hitch, and should've moved back, but he stayed right exactly where he was, inches from her lips.

"I predict...I predict..."

"Yes?"

"That you're going to be doing your Chemistry homework, and I better be right about that," she said getting up dropping his hands.

He sighed, and nodded. He picked up his Chemistry textbook, while she headed towards the door. She turned back, and he tilted his head in question.

"You watched Sienna while I was studying, I think it's only fair I get her tonight while you finish up."

"It's okay Felici-"

"Oliver. I got her. We'll be right across the hall if anything happens," she teased.

God, he wanted to kiss her, but instead he just chuckled and nodded. "Good night Felicity."

"Good night Oliver."

"Good night Sienna," he said as she opened his door again, she turned around and rolled her eyes at him. He winked at her and blew a kiss in their daughter's direction before she chuckled once more closing the door, murmuring the words "World's Best Dad."

Oliver decided against going to see Felicity after he finished his homework, and got ready for bed instead. He turned off the lights, and drifted off to sleep. He tossed and turned but for some reason he felt lonely; the bed he'd slept alone in for the past 17 or so years now felt empty. He tossed and turned until he finally got shifted into a comfortable position. It seems like he had just fallen asleep when he heard a loud wail, and Felicity's shushing. He turned to his side and saw that his alarm clock read 2:04am. He tried to ignore the cries hoping that Felicity had it under control, but after another couple of seconds where it seemed like her wails were only getting louder Oliver got out of bed.

He knocked on the door to the guest room, and walked in seeing Felicity walking in circles pleading with the doll to stop crying. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw him.

"She-"

"It's okay," he assured her. He walked over and took the doll from her arms, and Sienna continued to cry, but her wails quieted after sometime.

"It's not fair."

"Hmm?"

"You can make her stop crying in less than a minute, and you look like a Greek God!"

She clasped her hand over her mouth, not meaning to let the second part of her sentence slip. She opened her mouth again to apologize, but instead just left it open staring at him, but not his face. He lowered his gaze to where Felicity was looking and realized he wasn't wearing a shirt, he wasn't wearing pants either, just a pair of boxers. He looked up at her again, who still had her eyes on his chest, slowly her eyes moved down. He smiled, but then cleared his throat, and she jumped with embarrassment.

"Thanks again," she murmured.

He nodded, putting Sienna down, and as he did she started to cry again.

"Are you frakking kidding me," Felicity whispered.

"It's okay, I got her."

"No, she's supposed to be mine tonight. The doll is gonna have to deal with it whether she likes it or not."

"I can stay and help."

"No, it's fine."

Oliver looked at her and smiled at the way she looked at Sienna wearily. "Are you sure?"

"Okay, maybe I need a little bit of help. But you need to put on clothes. Lots of it."

He chuckled, and agreed, handing Sienna to Felicity to rock her while he went to put on some clothes. He came back, and held Sienna for about 45 minutes before all of her crying died down.

"Do you think that's the last one," Felicity asked.

"Doubt it," Oliver replied with a yawn.

"So...what now?"

"Get some sleep," Oliver suggested.

"Right. Um."

"I can sleep on the floor."

"Oliver-"

"Whatever makes you comfortable."

"You can sleep with me. I mean not sleep with me sleep with me, but sleep with me as in actual sleep, and snoring, but not actually snoring, because I don't think I can take it and with the baby already crying and-"

"Felicity," he cut off. "I understand."

"Great...just-just keep your clothes on."

Oliver hated to tease her but oh no he didn't. "Are you sure," he raised his brows at her. He watched as her eyes travelled down his now clothed chest, and he cheeks turned bright red.

"Yes," she whispered loudly throwing a pillow at his face. "Very sure. Clothes on."

He chuckled,"I'm just kidding Felicity, but if you ever change your mind just let me know," he continued to tease her.

"Can I get exchange douche Oliver for mine please? I mean not that you're mine in any way, but you're mine. I know that sounds like the same thing but it sounds like two completely different things in my head," she finished closing her eyes.

Again Oliver resisted the urge to kiss her. "I know Felicity," he said lying down. "And in a way, I'll always be yours."

She said nothing for a long time, and then she turned towards him. "Good night Oliver."

"Good night Felicity. Good night Sienna," he added before she took an extra pillow and smacked him with it. He could've pulled her into his arms, he could have kissed her, at least stroked her hair, but he resisted the urge to do all of those things. She turned away from him again, and he turned off the desk lamp as his eyes adjusted to the dark, he focused on the rise and fall of her back. She shuffled a few times before getting back into a more comfortable position.

"World's best dad," she murmured once more.

He smiled and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep feeling much less lonely.

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