A/N: Hey guys! Thanks again for the response. I'm sorry not to post sooner. Family time and Christmas took away any opportunity to finish this chapter the past two days. So to make up for it here's a chapter twice the size of the first two! You're welcome.
Also I haven't been able to proof this really well because I'm just so excited to get this out there. So please forgive me for any spelling mistakes!
The Christmas Date
Part Three
Felicity froze ready to dive into the car and drive far, far away as fast as possible. She did not sign up for a hostile environment.
Oliver transferred the bags in his right hand to his left and grabbed Felicity's hand pulling her along. "Speedy..." his tone held a hint of lecture to it, warning his sister to be nice. "Can we at least make it inside before the inquisition begins, please?"
"Hey you're the one who brings a surprise girlfriend to Christmas," Thea scolds. "And I have to find out about it from Mom! Not from you. I can't believe you didn't tell me."
"It was a spur of the moment decision. And you've been pretty busy. I haven't seen you in weeks, Thea." Before the banter went any farther, Oliver led them all into the cabin's entrance and set down the bags. He let go of Felicity's hand to pull his sister into a bear hug.
"Ollie, put me down!" Thea swatted his back giggling.
Taking in the scene, Felicity couldn't help but smile as she finally got a glimpse at their brother-sister relationship in person.
Backing away from his sister, Oliver grabbed Felicity's left hand once more.
"Thea, let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Felicity Smoak." He turned back, flashing his mega watt smile to Felicity and placed a feather light kiss to the back of her hand. It had her struggling for air. "Felicity, this is my sister Thea, who apparently has no manners."
Once again Felicity had to remember this was just pretend, but now that he had put his lips on her skin twice she found it hard to differentiate from what was truth and what was not. But she pushed those thoughts away and stretched out her right hand to the other woman in the room. "Thea, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Oliver has raved about you ever since I met him." That wasn't a lie.
With their driveway altercation still fresh in Felicity's mind she was surprised to feel Thea pull her into her arms for a hug.
"Well, Oliver has told me virtually nothing about you," Thea said as she released Felicity, "But anyone who puts that beaming smile on my brother's face is good with me!"
Felicity brushed off the compliment. "No, I think he's happy to see you. Not that he isn't happy with me. Believe me we're a deliriously happy couple. The kind that can't keep their hands off each other, but that's not why he's smiling. My hands had nothing to do with that. Oh god, what I meant was that your brother misses you. He told me about your club and how you've been spending most of your time there." Oliver and Felicity exchanged a look, Oliver doing his best to not laugh at her ramble. He was impressed that she had deduced all that information from their short time together. She clearly had paid attention. "So tell me how everything is going."
"You are seriously adorable," and Thea latched her arm with Felicity's leading her to the living room. Oliver took that as his cue to run their bags upstairs. Although he didn't want to leave Felicity for long.
Climbing the long staircase Oliver's mind replayed the last few minutes. He didn't know why he kissed Felicity on the forehead. That was a lie. He knew why. It had felt right in that moment. He had wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be fine. He could feel the nervous energy radiating off her and attributed it to her introvert personality. Every time he was with her he found himself wanting to make sure she felt comfortable - more than just because she was helping him out.
But what he didn't expect was the tingling sensation that he felt after the kiss and it wasn't even on her lips. But it was that feeling that made him try another kiss this time on her hand. Oliver wanted to know if that electric feeling from before was a fluke. It wasn't. He felt that same tingle which caused his face to split into a grin.
However, Oliver was sure Felicity didn't feel the same way. How could she? It was the same argument he had with himself just a few days ago. Since his return from the island he was trying to turn his life around and Felicity was the kind of person he wanted to change for. She was perfect, but she deserved a man on her intellectual level. He could barely log into his own computer. And yet Oliver had this feeling of wanting to win her over. He didn't have time to explore that thought as Thea knocked on his door.
"Hey big bro, you might want to play the knight in shining armor for your new girl down there. Felicity is on one couch with Mom and Walter on the other. You really need to go save her."
Oliver took the steps by three he heard Thea call out her approval of Felicity something he would process later. He collected himself before walking into the room finding it ever so easy to put on a smile if it meant seeing Felicity.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry it took me so long with the bags."
Felicity sent him a desperate, deer caught in the headlights looks. It was just so Felicity, Oliver thought. He joined her on the couch wrapping an arm around her back. He leaned in to place another kiss near her ear - seriously at this rate he wasn't ever going to keep his lips off her - but he brushed it off as an opportunity to truly apologize. "Sorry," his warm breath sent a shiver down her spine that puzzled Oliver. Was she affected by him? He couldn't explore that thought either with his mother and stepfather sitting just a few feet away from them.
All Felicity could do was plaster a fake smile to her face promising herself she would make Oliver pay for leaving her alone.
"Oliver," came Walter's British accent. "We had no idea you were dating Miss Smoak but it's a pleasant surprise."
"Yes, Oliver," came Moira's even and dangerous tone, "no one had any idea you were dating. Not even your sister which I find hard to believe."
Oh, god. Moira knew, Felicity thought. They were done. Panic settled over Felicity and her heart rate increased. If Moira found out they were faking it she would probably destroy her company, everything Felicity had worked for could be gone because she had agreed to this stupid idea that had come out of charming and hot Oliver Queen's mouth. She was dead.
Oliver's grip tightened around Felicity, "Mother, we wanted some time to ourselves to explore our relationship before the press invaded our lives. I can't imagine you would begrudge us alone time." Good. Oliver had saved them. Felicity could back down from the ledge.
"But totally appropriate alone time. Nothing sexual," Felicity finally found her voice at the worst possible time. Dear floor, please swallow her up whole and spit her out back in time where she had never met Oliver Queen and his family. "Sorry, my brain to mouth filter acts up at the worst times."
Oliver laughed, loud and boisterous, filling the entire cabin. The laugh was mostly attributed to Felicity's babble, but the other reason his laugh boomed came in response to his mother's series of facial expressions. "It's all part of her charm!"
"I'm sure," Moira said quickly and it didn't escape anyone's notice.
"Mom, did you know Felicity started her own company after graduating from MIT early?" Oliver thought he'd steer the conversation to safer territory by trying to impress his mother.
"We even tried to lure her away to QC before she graduated, but she was determined to make her own mark. Very admirable, indeed." Bless Walter's heart, Felicity thought. He was trying to help break the tension palpable throughout the room.
It was obvious to Felicity that Moira command attention and power in any ran she sat. It scared Felicity more than a surprise visit from Donna Smoak. However, Felicity was certain the biggest hurdle she faced was getting Moira to believe she wasn't intimidated by her. Hard to do when you're clearly intimidated. Moira was a shark in the water and Felicity reeked of blood.
Sitting up from the couch, Oliver pulled Felicity with him fingers tangling once more. "I think it's time I get Felicity settled in and we change out of these clothes for dinner. We'll see you down here shortly." Without giving his mother time to argue, Oliver whisked the two up the stairs. "We survived our first encounter."
Barely, Felicity thought, but chose to stay silent. She didn't think opening her mouth would help anything right now. It just got her in trouble.
Oliver brought Felicity to the second floor lined with minimal decorations and many rooms. Oliver opened one of the bedroom doors where Felicity found a mahogany room warm and inviting. It was furnished with a desk and sofa with a bed against the far wall. It was the largest bed Felicity had ever seen. She also thought she spied a door for an en suite bathroom. The whole things screamed luxury and she couldn't believe she had the room to herself.
"About that," Oliver started at her non-inner thought, "my mother said all of the guest rooms are being renovated. So..."
"- we're staying here together," Felicity finished for him.
"But don't worry, Felicity, I'll sleep on the sofa and you can have the bed," Oliver spoke quickly feeling just a but uneasy because part of him could see the two of them in this bed together as picturing her blonde hair covering his nose and mouth.
"Oliver, I'll take the sofa," she argued. "There's no way you and your muscles fit on that sofa comfortably. I only said 'you' right? Either way you should take the bed."
"No, I insist," Oliver picked up his own bag putting an end to any further debate. "I'll change in her if you want to get ready in the bathroom?" He shyly suggested.
Felicity readily agreed and took her bag into what she soon discovered was an equally massive bathroom. While finding places to set her makeup bag and straightener, Felicity's mind drifted to the man who was changing just a couple of feet away from her. He was probably naked right now and that idea excited and terrified Felicity. Over the last 48 hours her mind had drifted to Oliver often as they encountered so much. Just minutes ago his arm had been around her waist bringing a heavy reminder of his presence. She wasn't sure how she was feeling. Everything blurred together.
Trying to shake out of her foggy mind, Felicity grabbed a wash cloth and began to wipe her fresh in an attempt to freshen her makeup. When her hand traveled to her forehead she was reminded that was another place Oliver had touched her. Her fingers ghosted over the spot where his lips were remembering how warm his lips felt and how wonderful he smelled. At the time, she thought he was just playing the part, but he appeared proud to introduce her to his sister and mother. Then his arm around her while they were on the couch, what was that? She had once again believe it was all for show, but the way his fingers kept circling her skin didn't feel friendly. It felt quite the opposite as if he couldn't keep his hands off her.
Felicity was shocked out of those thoughts but a soft thumping on the door.
"Felicity, I just wanted to let you know I'm ready whenever you are. Just in case you were wondering when to leave the bathroom, that is," now it was his turn to sound nervous.
"Just five more minutes please," and Felicity heard him tell her there was no rush. She quickly changed from one dress to another - this one a rich navy color. It was sleeveless with a belt cinching her waist. With one final look in the mirror Felicity left her refuge, her safe spot, in the bathroom.
She found Oliver leaning against the bed checking his phone. When she stepped out he quickly dropped his phone letting her know he very much approved of the dress - sophisticated yet alluring. He had the sudden urge to run his fingers up and down her bare arms. He unhappily, however, refrained from letting that thought play out instead choosing to take an enormous gulp of air.
"Ready to face the firing squad for round two?" He tried to make the mood more playful, but there was a charge between them that didn't fade.
Making it tougher, Felicity found his hand once again saying, "Let's go fake it! Ugh, my brain thinks of the worst way to say things."
That had the two of them laughing as they walked down the stairs and they entered the dining room in just the same way where they were greeted by an unexpected visitor. "Tommy!? What are you doing here?"
So this was the infamous Tommy Merlyn, Felicity thought.
"You know how big of a jerk my father's been since, well forever, so your mother took pity on me and invited for Christmas dinner." The two buddies embraced jovial with hearty pats on the back exchanging Merry Christmases. "But why are we talking about my father when you have this gorgeous creature with you. Hi, I'm Tommy, Tommy Merlyn. But you can call me whatever you want, especially if it's yours."
Tommy tried to pick up Felicity's hand to give it a despicably sloppy kiss, but Oliver quickly swatted it away. "I don't need you pawing my girlfriend, Tommy. This is Felicity Smoak." Tommy's eye brow hitched up at the word girlfriend.
"Oliver has told me about you, or should I say, warned me about you."
Tommy's laugh rang throughout the room. "I promise I'm more bark than bite - most of the time," he added as an afterthought.
"It's nice to meet you, Tommy."
Oliver fit Felicity into his side possessively, "That's enough conversation with a Merlyn. I don't need you corrupting Felicity."
"Corrupting!" Tommy said with a fake expression of shock, "You mean you're afraid she'll fall for my charm and devilish good looks like Stacey Smith did the summer in between sophomore and junior year."
"The fact that you can recall the specific year is disturbing, Merlyn," said Thea joining the group in the dining room. "Mom and Walter are on their way down. I see you two survived this afternoon."
"By the skin of our teeth," Oliver laughed.
They made it through the salad before questions about their relationship dominated the conversation.
"Ollie, how did you two get together?" Tommy asked, unknowingly throwing his friend under the bus. How did he and Felicity forget to come up with an answer to that question prior to arriving? Probably because they were too busy actually getting to know each other.
"Yes, Oliver," Moira chimed in looking like a cat that caught the canary, "we would like to know how this happened."
Felicity shot an evil glare into her soup since she was sure she shouldn't turn her gaze to her boyfriend's, Oliver's - she meant Oliver - mother.
"A couple of months ago I called on Felicity for help at QC. She had to come over to the office numerous times over the span of two weeks. We had so many problems with out network and Felicity was our savoir taking care of all the problems herself. During that time I had been dying to ask her out, but didn't think it was appropriate."
Felicity did a double take boring her eyes into Oliver as he told the story. He wasn't looking at her. But that story wasn't a lie. She had spent the better part of two weeks as an honorary employee of QC upgrading the mainframe. QC had added an entire new division and their old network couldn't handle the load.
"She was pulling an all nighter one night," Oliver continued this time looking at Felicity as the room sat captivated, "and I surprised her with dinner. She had jumped in fright when I brought it down to her." He started with a laugh remembering her look of utter fright.
"That's because you have freaky ninja skills that lets you sneak up on people, mainly me, without them knowing and scaring the dickens out of them," Felicity argued remembering the exact moment he was talking about. "I was so embarrassed. I had thought it was only me on that floor. You came in and I was chewing on a pen."
"It was red," Oliver couldn't ever erase that moment from his mind. He recalled it in vivid detail. Her hair was askew, but she was in her element looking just as beautiful as she did tonight.
"I can't believe you remember that," she also remembered being shocked that Oliver Queen knew about Big Belly Burger. She had thanked him for bringing her dinner that night, but had gone straight back to working. They didn't even eat the food together. So was this how he really felt? Was that a failed attempt at asking her out on a date or was this a smooth lie? She wanted to ask, but they were in the middle of dinner. Felicity hoped to get a look at him, try to read what was in his eyes, but after admitting what color the pen was, he almost refused to meet her eyes.
With the silence in the room growing, Thea jumped in. "And then you asked her out?" The story had just stopped.
"Yep," Oliver said quickly, "She said yes and now we're here." He hadn't expected to let that much information spill especially if Felicity didn't feel the same way, but he didn't dare meet her eyes for fear of scaring her away.
And with her little sister intuition kicking in, Thea directed the conversation away from her brother's relationship and toward herself not fully realizing how much she was saving him in the moment.
With dinner over Oliver excused himself so he could change for the movie.
"Felicity, would you mind helping me get the snacks ready?" Thea had already changed into pajamas and had an ulterior motive.
"Love to," Felicity turned to Oliver. "I'll go up when you come back so I can change too."
Thea led Felicity to the kitchen putting her in charge of getting the popcorn popped.
"Felicity, I'm really glad you're here. My brother deserves great things in his life and I think you could be one."
Wow, Felicity thought, high praise from someone she initially believed hated her. "Thanks, Thea. That's a really nice thing to say."
"I'm not just saying it to be nice. I can tell you mean a lot to my brother," Thea piled sodas and candy on a tray with cups.
"You really think so? I think he's hard to read." Felicity didn't know why she was opening up to Thea about her feeling for Oliver, but she had all these crazy thoughts running through her brain and she couldn't very well ask Moira for advice. And if she tried calling Caitlin she might be overheard. So Felicity took the chance with Thea while it might backfire.
"I'm not sure how much he's told you about the island," Thea started.
"A little but I haven't pushed him either."
"He hasn't told me specific details either, but I can tell it's weighed on him heavily. When came back he was really closed off at first." That was something Thea had a front row seat to, unfortunately. "Seeing him with you he seems lighter, happier. Since returning he hasn't laughed nearly as much as I've seen today with you. It's really wonderful for my family to see even if my mother doesn't show it. I think she's threatened. She's scared you'll steal him away."
"You're pretty wise for someone so young. I don't mean for that to sound condescending."
"I understand, Lissy. Can I call you Lissy?" She didn't wait for a reply in the positive. "When you lose your father and brother on the same day it forces you to grow up pretty quickly.
"We better get back or Ollie might think we ate all the food."
With Felicity upstairs changing, Thea against seized the opportunity and gave her brother her hearty approval of Felicity.
Oliver, though, ducked his head unhappy to be lying to his sister.
"What is it? Quick before she's back," Thea prompted. Her number one priority her brother.
He decided to tell Thea a partial truth. "Sometimes I think she's too good for me. She's exceptionally smarter and kinder. She would have hated me before the island."
Thea threw her arms around her big brother. "Well good thing you're not that guy anymore, but you do have an exceptionally thick skull. Don't you see the way she looks at you?" He shook his head. "Then you're not looking hard enough. That girl is all in with you."
The conversation stopped there as Felicity rejoined them wearing the weirdest pair of pajamas the Queen siblings had ever seen.
"What are you wearing, Lissy?"
"From what I read about Christmas people wear themed pajamas and the only ones I own are Doctor Who." Felicity shrugged. She had just wanted to fit in.
Oliver poked at the creature on the pajamas. "Is this the doctor?"
"No those are Daleks - the Doctor's nemesis. We may have to rethink our relationship if you can't get on board with Doctor Who." Felicity was only half serious and then laughed. "Get it? On board with the Doctor?"
They stared at her with identical blank expressions.
"You're such a nerd," Oliver let loose making fun of Felicity. She swatted at him taking in a little grope of his abs. Completely accidentally.
"Please don't make out during any part of the movie," Thea whined, "You'll ruin the tradition."
Taking the opportunity she was afforded, Felicity leaned back into Oliver's chest and his arm automatically wrapped around her. For the amount of muscles he had, Felicity found Oliver quite comfy. Before she knew it the Griswolds were looking for their Christmas tree.
Waking up to a dark room, Oliver found Felicity's head on his shoulder. She was sleeping peacefully and he didn't have the heart to wake her. Instead he gently removed himself from the couch. He hooked an arm under her knees as the other cradled her head carrying her bridal style up the stairs.
He laid her down on the bed tucking her in. He took a moment to appreciate her beauty seeing her hair fanned out on the pillow. He made his way to the sofa, but just as he sat down he heard Felicity say something.
" 'liver," she mumbled again sleepily. The way she said his name had him feeling fuzzy like all he wanted to do was wrap himself around her and never let go.
"I'm here, Felicity."
"Get in the bed," she said a little clearer.
"No, I'm okay." He thought she might fall back asleep.
"Oliver...get in the bed. There's plenty of room," she was more confident, forceful this time. When she didn't feel the bed dip she said his name again. " 'liver..."
He couldn't deny her any longer.
A/N: So who's ready for the morning after aka Christmas morning?! Please let me know what you think!
