The Canary's Lullaby

Chapter One

7 months later...

"This just isn't working! Urgh!" Laurel grunted as she frustratedly threw yet another dress onto the bed of the condo she rented outside Starling City University. It seemed to be the millionth one she had rejected but she was quick to remind Oliver that it was only the fifth. However, the growing pile of colourful fabrics on the full sized mattress seemed to say otherwise.

The Queen family had a business dinner scheduled for that night. As the heir to the family business, Oliver's attendance was required. Being well aware of his parents' views on Laurel's pregnancy, he did not hesitate to negotiate the terms of his attendance. "Only if I can bring Laurel. You can tell your associates we're married if it makes you feel any better", he grinned. Moira and Robert rolled their eyes but reluctantly agreed.

"You look amazing. Everything's going to be fine", Oliver assured the expectant mother as she emerged from the bathroom dressed in sweatpants and his hoodie. The only two things in her wardrobe that were even remotely comfortable at this point.

"Ollie, smuggling a watermelon would look cuter than this. I'm the size of a house" Laurel sighed in defeat as she settled herself onto the edge of the bed. "Do you even want to take over Queen Consolidated?"
 

Over the past five years, Oliver had been asked about his future dozens of times; by teachers, peers and especially his parents. He avoided answering at all costs, because truthfully, he hadn't put any thought into it. However, as he accompanied his heavily pregnant girlfriend on the edge of her bed, he finally found his answer.

"My future is right here" he sighed happily as he laid a free hand on Laurel's growing bump and looked blissfully in her eyes. At this revelation, Laurel felt a series of rapid movements.

"Looks like someone is dying to see the outside" Laurel chuckled.

For the briefest of moments, Oliver checked his watch. He was ten minutes late for dinner. But he didn't care.

"You know what?" he began decisively. "I say we skip dinner with my parents' colleagues and stay in for the night. Maybe see what's new at Seattle Grace".

"I like the sound of that" Laurel smiled as she leaned forward for a kiss; which Oliver reciprocated.

As she rested her head on his chest, Oliver grabbed the remote from the coffee table to his left and turned on the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy. "You know, I still don't know how I feel about Addison" Oliver said.

"Give her time. She'll grow on you" Laurel chuckled as she melted into his warm and protective grip.

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The young couple unexpectedly dozed off during the last 8 minutes of the episode. Laurel twisted and turned in bed, finding it harder and harder to get comfortable these days. It felt like a sword fight was being conducted from inside of her. She then rose abruptly from bed with a steady grip on her swollen belly. She winced at the pain of what she was almost certain was a contraction. "Oliver! Get up!" she exclaimed as she frantically shook him awake.

"Huh? What's wrong?" he asked groggily, rubbing the crusts out of his eyes.

"I think today might be the day" Laurel answered as she nervously bit on her lower lip. In a matter of minutes, her panic stricken gaze quickly went from Oliver to the ground as she discovered a puddle of liquid on the laminate floor. It was a clear substance that had trickled down her leg.

"I'll call Doctor Schwartz. You, let your family know" Oliver said hurriedly, feeling as if his fingers couldn't dial fast enough.

"My dad wouldn't care even if I called" Laurel responded through gritted teeth as she breathed through another contraction.

"Well, there's always a chance that your mom or Sara could pick up. Please, just try" Oliver begged.

Laurel's panic only escalated as she dialled both her mother and Sara's cell phone numbers and no one picked up. She couldn't bear calling Quentin and risking another angry lecture. As far as he was concerned, there was only one daughter left to be proud of. The phone threatened to slip out of her trembling hands as she attempted to call her mother a third time.

The expectant mother breathed a sigh of relief as Dinah finally picked up on the third ring.

"Laurel?" the older woman answered, shocked to be hearing from her daughter after almost three weeks.

"Look, I know I messed up and said Ollie and I could do this on our own. But I can't be a little adult right now. I need my mom" Laurel sobbed. Her tear stained face glowing a deep crimson from the intensity of the pain. Thinking back to their last horrific encounter would've been too much to bear at a time like this.

"I'll be right there, sweetie. Everything's going to be just fine" Dinah replied as calmly as could muster. But truthfully, her nerves were shot through the roof as she feared for Laurel's life.