The Omega Project

Untitled Part 14

Oliver woke early the next morning. Knowing that Felicity and Sophie were in the next room had kept him awake. Throwing on a t-shirt and sweats, he headed to the kitchen. As he set the coffee pot to perk he heard someone behind and turning he caught his breath when he saw Sophie standing there.

"Hi!", she said, blinking sleepily. Her hair was mussed, she had on one of his t-shirts, and she was holding a stuffed bear rubbing her eyes. She looked adorable.

"Good Morning Sophie.", he said softly. He looked for Felicity but didn't see her. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I woke and couldn't go back to sleep. Mommy was still sleeping.", she said rubbing her eyes.

Oliver walked over and pulled out a stool from the breakfast bar. "Why don't you climb up here and I will make you some breakfast.", he said. His heart was beating rapidly in his chest and he was nervous. He had been around kids before but it had been a long time ago. And this was different. This was his daughter. He was her father. He wanted to make a good impression.

"Can we have pancakes?", she asked excitedly, crawling up onto the stool.

Oliver nodded, "With strawberries?", he said, looking at her questioning.

She grinned widely. "And lots of syrup."

"You got it!" Oliver started to pull out he ingredients for the pancakes. "Um, Sophie? Would you like to help me with the batter?", he asked hesitantly.

Sophie nodded, and jumped down from the stool. She placed her bear in the seat and gave it a stern look, "Now you stay here George! I have to help Daddy with the pancakes."

Oliver's heart about burst when he heard her say Daddy. It was the sweetest sound he had ever heard.

She walked over, and Oliver picked her up and sat her on the counter. He grabbed a big spoon, a big bowl and then the ingredients. He walked Sophie through what to put in the bowl and when and then let her stir. She giggled when he took some batter and tapped her nose. He talked to her asking her questions as they prepared the food. She was so very smart. Just like her mother, he thought.

Felicity woke, stretching. It had been a long time since she had slept that deeply. Suddenly she sat up quickly. Where was Sophie? Felicity pulled on her clothes and raced out of the room. As she neared the living room she heard giggles. She paused before slowly making her way toward the kitchen. Her heart almost burst when she saw Sophie, sitting on the counter with batter and flour on her face, and Oliver standing next to her with flour on his cheek and the biggest, goofiest smile she had ever seen. She quietly sat down at the bar and Sophie grinned when she saw her.

"Mommy! Daddy is teaching me how to make pancakes.", she said with a grin. "George is watching.", she pointed to her bear.

"Wow, pancakes. I am impressed.", Felicity said, smiling at Oliver.

He shrugged. "I learned to cook over the years.", he gave her a warm smile.

Sophie watched in fascination as Oliver cooked and then flipped the pancakes. He gave her a plate and had her hold it and then flipped one onto the plate. Sophie giggled so hard, she almost dropped it. Oliver put her down, as he plated the food, and checked the bacon.

"Is Roy still sleeping?", he asked as he placed the food on the table.

"I guess so. I have not seen him.", she said. Oliver ladled some strawberries over Sophie's pancakes and added some syrup before she dug into her food.

"It is so good Mommy and I help make it.", she said, as syrup dripped down her chin. Felicity glanced at Oliver and his eyes were solely on Sophie. She saw the love and softness in his face, and her heart broke for him. He had missed so much.

They heard Roy coming down the hall, and Sophie yelled, "Uncle Roy!!! Come on! I made pancakes." Oliver and Felicity laughed as Sophie took credit for the pancakes. Oliver did not mind one bit.

Roy took a seat next to Sophie and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Well then I am sure they are great.", he said.

Oliver looked at them both. "I thought today we could go and get you all some clothes and anything else you need." he said.

"Oh that would be wonderful.", Felicity said.

Oliver looked at Roy, he hesitated before asking. "Roy, do you have any family we can contact? That you need to find?", he asked.

Roy looked at Felicity and then back at Oliver. "I was on the streets before A.R.G.U.S., took me. I haven't seen or heard from my family since I was twelve." Oliver gave him an understanding look. "Well then you can stay here with us." He said.

Roy looked at him in surprise. "Are...are you sure? I don't want to impose.", he said.

Oliver looked him in the eye. "It is no imposition. You are obviously important to both Felicity and Sophie and that is all I need to know."

Roy gave him a thank you smile. They all at their food, which was polished off in record time. Roy offered to do the dishes, and once he was done, Oliver texted John to check in and let him know where they were headed before they all piled into Oliver's Range Rover and headed to the mall.

Oliver had them pick out clothes, shoes and any toiletries they needed, and then Oliver announced they needed to get some toys for Sophie. She squealed when she saw the toy store. It was her very first time inside one, and Oliver grinned from ear to ear. He and Sophie raced through the store, and before Felicity could protest, the cart Oliver had grabbed was full. Felicity tried to get Oliver to put some stuff back, but he was not having it.

As they all drove home, they ran through Big Belly Burger and grabbed some lunch to go. Felicity looked back at Sophie who was sound asleep in her booster seat that Oliver had bought in the store. She then glanced over at Oliver as they waited for their food. Everything seemed so domestic, so right. This was how she had imagined their life the nights she had lain awake thinking of him, thinking of Sophie.

Her eyes started to glow as she thought of all the time they had missed. All the time that had been wasted. And for what?

Oliver noticed her growing aggitated, and he reached over and placed his hand on hers. It calmed her instantly, and she held onto his hand until he had to grab the food.

As the drove back to his apartment, Felicity looked at Oliver again. He was so handsome, so mature. And she was finding he was very good with Sophie.

Maybe they could really be a family or was it all too good to be true?

They carried their things to their rooms and then ate their dinner. Felicity smiled as Oliver and Roy talked about work and Oliver offered to talk to his best friend Tommy about getting him a job at his bar.

As the evening was winding down, Oliver walked over to Felicity and whispered. "Maybe after Sophie goes to sleep, we can talk?", he asked.

Felicity smiled. "I would like that." Sophie walked over and gave Oliver a hug. "Goodnight Daddy!", she said.

Oliver sat on the couch as Felicity took Sophie to their room. That hug had been everything.