I'm sooo sorry this has taken longer than I would have liked to get out. It's been the end of semester and I've got exams coming up next week so that's where all my attention has been. But never fear, the next chapter is here.

Chapter 6 - Birthday Lunch

"Please?" Felicity had begged Oliver and John to come long to her birthday lunch her family had decided to put on for her. It was obvious that she wasn't taking no for an answer so the men had agreed.

As they stood at the park entrance now though, Oliver and Diggle cast worried glances at one another. There were more people than they were expecting and neither could spot Felicity. Her laugh suddenly cut through the commotion and Oliver turned in the direction to see Felicity standing next to a young girl who was trying to teach her some dance moves. Oliver watched the girl count to three before starting the dance again, Felicity attempting to keep up.

"Kids got some moves," Diggle said from beside him and Oliver laughed. His gaze moved back to Felicity as he took in her appearance. She was dressed in denim shorts and a yellow singlet and her hair was piled messily on top of her head but Oliver still felt the breath leave his lungs. Her feet were bare and she was definitely taking advantage of the summer weather.

At that moment, Felicity looked up and spotted them. A large grin took over her face and she quickly bent down to say something to her dancing partner before walking towards them. Diggle greeted her first, wrapping her up in a hug.

"I'm so glad you guys could make it," Felicity said once she released Diggle. She turned to Oliver and offered the same greeting.

"Well you did leave us no other alternative," Diggle teased. Felicity laughed and looped her arms through theirs.

"That is true. Now come on, I want you to meet everyone."

After the introductions were made and after everyone got over the fact that Oliver Queen was in fact attending Felicity's lunch, Oliver found himself relaxing and having fun. Diggle had been forced to tell some of his war stories to the younger boys. Felicity had done nothing to hold back her laugh as she and Oliver watched him being bodily pulled around by children. Felicity was then dragged off by her cousin for more dancing lessons and Oliver found himself seated with her brother.

"So you and Felicity work together?" her brother Drew inquired and Oliver had to hide the smile threatening to take over his face. Of course her brother was going to try to question and intimidate him.

"Yes. We met when she was working in the IT department and once I took over the role as CEO, I asked her to come up and help me by being my assistant."

"She complained about that for a long time," Drew said, his smile telling Oliver that he found the situation amusing.

"She still complains every now and again," Oliver said. "And she refuses to make coffee."

"That's our Felicity. And Mr Diggle also works with you?"

"Mr Diggle was originally hired to be my bodyguard," Oliver started slowly and he saw realisation cross Drew's face. "Now he's more of a friend and eventually became one of Felicity's as well."

"She speaks very highly of the two of you," Drew commented after a moment's pause and Oliver couldn't hide his surprise.

"Really?" he questions, turning his gaze to Felicity. Felicity chose at that moment to look up at him. She gave him a soft smile before turning her attention back to the kids surrounding her.

"Well you two are her closest friends so it would be weird if she didn't do so," Drew said, looking at Oliver with a knowing smile. Oliver laughed under his breath.

"Both Felicity and Dig are the only trustworthy people in my life," Oliver admitted. Before any kind of reply could be said, an announcement was made that lunch was ready.

"You might think that Big Belly Burgers are amazing but just wait until you try one of these," Felicity said as she stood in line with Oliver and Diggle.

"That's a pretty statement," Diggle said. "Are you willing to stake your life on it?"

"Should I be more worried about the fact that you think I'm wrong again or that you don't believe home made burgers are better than fast food ones?"

"Big Belly is more than just fast food Felicity," Diggle said and Felicity arched an eyebrow before turning to Oliver.

"Before we continue, whose side are you on?"

"There's no need to bring me into this," Oliver said as he raised his hands in surrender.

"It's too late for that." Felicity said, placing her hands on her hips. Diggle matched her stance and Oliver realised that he was actually being made to make a choice.

"Can I wait to make my decision after said burgers have been eaten?" Both Felicity and Dig shook their heads and Oliver sighed.

"Sorry Digg," Oliver said as he stepped closer to Felicity. Felicity grinned in triumph before she began to grab her food.

"I see how it is," Digg commented under his breath and Oliver laughed as he grabbed a plate. Once they had filled their plates, Felicity led them a little bit away from everyone to sit under a tree.

"As much as I love my family, so much at once is exhausting," Felicity said as she sat down cross legged and balanced her plate on her lap. Diggle and Oliver followed suit and the trio fell into easy conversation. Eventually Diggle was called away by the kids again and he was unable to resist their faces, leaving Felicity and Oliver still seated under the tree.

"He is definitely going to make a good dad," Felicity commented. Oliver nodded his agreement and leaned back to rest on his elbows.

"You were right. Those burgers were amazing." Felicity grinned.

"I told you."

"Hey, I was on your side. Remember?"

"Only because you didn't want to incur my wrath if you had sided with Dig."

"Point taken," Oliver said as he closed his eyes. Felicity watched him in silence and noted how relaxed he looked. In fact, over the last couple of months, there had been a small change in him and while Felicity didn't want to take credit for it, she knew that she had played a small part. Although thinking about the date that Oliver said he was going to plan, made Felicity's heart anything but relaxed.

"You look like you are miles away," Oliver said softly, startling Felicity.

"Maybe I am," she shot back with a smile. "Come on," she said, standing up. "Let's go play a game of frisbee."

Frisbee turned out to be an all in game and Felicity's competitive side was discovered. Oliver and Diggle were fortunate enough to be on her team and they were leading 17 to 5. Drew had then taken matters into his own hands and managed to convince Oliver to give them a helping hand. This of course meant distracting Felicity so that the other team could score. Felicity caught on soon enough and it turned into a game of everyone against each other. The game ended when Felicity, with help from Dig, had jumped onto Oliver's back. Oliver almost lost his balance but managed to keep steady, his hands automatically coming up to hold onto her legs. Felicity had refused to come down and made Oliver walk her over to where the drinks were.

"You can put me down now," Felicity said and Oliver nodded as he released his hands. Felicity jumped down and headed straight for her bottle of water. "Thank you for coming today."

"It was no problem," Oliver said as he took a seat. "It's been a lot of fun."

"Yeah, every family event is pretty much the same as this," Felicity said with a laugh. "This is the first time I've invited friends to come along though, so it really means a lot that you and Dig came. It means more than I can say."

Oliver said nothing as he placed his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. Felicity smiled before leaning over and pressing a lingering kiss to his cheek.

The next day as Felicity went through the photos that her aunty had taken throughout the day, she paused and felt her heart skip a beat as the moment she had kissed Oliver had been snapped. She was definitely going to give a copy to Oliver one day.

So I know it's not the date you were all waiting for but it is on it's way ;)