An: I do not own Arrow. This is the longest chapter by far and I warn you it is overflowing with fluff and all those good Christmas feels. I think I definitely went too far over the top with this one but I can't bear to cut anything.

December

On December 1st Alice declared that they were playing Secret Santa in the bar. Having never played it before Oliver was filled in on the rules. They would each draw a name and have to buy a gift for that person by December 24th when they would unveil who they got. In the mean time, the Secret Santa had to give the person they pulled a little snack or pick me up every few days.

Alice wrote their names on little pieces of paper and put it in a basket. She then asked everyone to pull a name. Oliver put his hand in praying he didn't get Carl. He was relieved when he saw Bob but then he realised he had no idea what to get the man for Christmas!

Dec-2

It was the day before the start of Hanukkah. Oliver pulled Donna's box of Hanukkah decorations out and placed them on the coffee table. He wasn't sure how Felicity liked it set up. He knew that the candles for menorah were lit at dark and he would miss the lighting every night because of work. He knew that as much as he wanted to be with her every moment to help her through, there were things she would have to do on her own. Things she was would have to face. Lighting the Menorah for the first time without her for the first time was going to be the first challenge for her. He wondered how Donna did it with her before if she worked nights at the casino. Maybe she found some way to take an hour off to celebrate her faith.

When Felicity joined him, she hesitated when she saw the decorations. Oliver watched her stop and stare at the box. Felicity tended to get caught up a lot in her head. She would zone out for a minute or two before returning. He hoped she had gone to a happy place. He waited patiently for her to return.

"I suppose I should put these up today instead of the first day of Hanukkah. Mom always did it the day before Hanukkah."

She picked up a beautiful Star of David that was encrusted with jewels.

"A Jewish guest at the hotel gave my mother this. He was travelling for business but he also wanted to light a menorah but the hotel had some strict rules about lighting candles in doors. Mom brought him home and we said the prayers together. The last day of Hanukkah he sent this to her in the mail. Every year he sends her something. I remember when the Menorah came. She had always wanted a nicer one, not the cheap one we had but she couldn't afford it. She practically broke down in tears. She said his Hanukkah gifts reminded her to have faith in humanity. That even though it may not seem like it, kindness is rewarded. It made her put that little bit extra when dealing with people. I'm going to have to write to him to let him know."

Oliver didn't say anything, he just pulled her into a hug. He knew that was all the comfort she needed.

Dec-3

Breakfast on the first day of Hanukkah comprised mainly of Sufganiyot, doughnuts filled with strawberry jelly. Felicity squealed with delight when she saw them. For lunch he made potato latkes. He had a whole menu planned out for each day of Hanukkah but she didn't need to know that yet. All of the food was of course kosher. He also sat and played with a dreidel with her.

"How do you know about all of these customs Oliver? You're not Jewish?" Felicity asked.

"You taught me how to use google for purposes other than searching for the latest crazy cat videos to torture Tommy with,"

Felicity smiled at him, "you never used to talk about your family or friends,"

It was true. He had never mentioned anyone. When he started the challenge he hadn't wanted his two lives to mix. He had naively thought that this year of his life would be something separate and apart from him. That he could discard whoever he met. He hadn't intended to make any friends, just to drift through the year. Now he couldn't imagine going back to being Oliver Queen and leaving all of these people out of his life. They were his friends. He was not going to forget them.

"I guess I'm more comfortable with who I am now," Oliver told her honestly. It was true. He felt more himself than he had ever felt. That didn't mean he wanted to be a bartender for the rest of his life. No he definitely wanted to go back to his life of luxury. It did suck being barely able to pay the bills. He wasn't sure yet what he was going to do with the next two years of his life after the challenge was over but he did know he wanted it to be meaningful.

Dec-4

It was the last day of Hanukkah. Oliver had his gift ready for Felicity. He wanted to give it to her before he went to work. It was in a square box that he had wrapped in blue shiny paper with a beautiful white bow. She carefully unwrapped the paper before opening the box. Inside she found a silver charm bracelet with one charm on it, an arrow. He wanted to do it in platinum but he couldn't afford that. When he was Oliver Queen again, he would get her a platinum one.

"I plan to give you a new charm every year on Hanukkah," Oliver said.

"An arrow for the last name that's not your last name?" she asked.

"Yeah, I figure it would represent the start of our relationship,"

"I have a gift for you too," Felicity said, "I wasn't sure if to give it to you today or on Christmas Eve before you head home,"

"You can give it to me now Felicity," he said gently and she beamed at him.

She handed him a slim envelope. He opened it carefully and found a 3 month membership to Wilson's gym.

"Since you liked working out so much I thought you might like to go to a gym. I even convinced the owner, Slade Wilson, to give you a few one-on-one sessions. He's kind of scary. The gym is fully equipped they even have this strange thing called a Salmon Ladder. I have no idea what that is. Do you?" she fidgeted nervously as he stared at her. "Oh God you hate it!" Felicity cried.

Oliver pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She could have gotten him a tie and he would still love it because it came from her. He was almost late for work that day.

Dec -5

The doorbell rang a few days later. Oliver reluctantly left Felicity on the couch to answer the door. After checking to make sure his clothes didn't look too dishevelled, he looked through the peephole and was surprised by who was on the other side of the door. He opened it quickly and stepped outside of the apartment.

"Thea! What are you doing here?" Oliver said through gritted teeth.

"I'm here to visit you. You promised we could do something at Christmas. Well I'm here," his sister said.

"How did you find me?" he asked her. Had his father told yet another person.

"The mailing address you gave Tommy,"

"He gave you that information!" Oliver said in disbelief. He would have to talk to Tommy about flapping his gums.

"I found the pants for him. He owed me."

"Do Mom and Dad know you're here?"

"Of course, I didn't runaway if that's what you want to know. I told them I would spend the beginning of my vacation with you and then we would both come home for Christmas. I've missed you Ollie,"

"Oliver?" Felicity said as she opened the door to see what was keeping him. She was surprised to find him there with a young teenage girl.

"Hi, I'm Thea, Oliver's younger sister," she said sticking out her hand to the blonde.

"Hi Thea," Felicity said shaking her hand, "I'm Felicity, Oliver's roommate."

"Roommate, I thought you were his girlfriend,"

"Speedy," Oliver said warningly. He knew his sister could be very nosy.

Unaffected by her brother she turned around to stare at him with her hands on her hips, "well? Is she or isn't she? You didn't get that lipstick on your neck by accident!"

Felicity herself seemed to be waiting for Oliver's answer. They had not discussed if they were going to use the titles of boyfriend and girlfriend. There was no denying that from the moment they kissed their relationship progressed quickly and they woke up every morning a tangled mess of limbs.

"No," Oliver admitted looking Felicity in her eyes. "Felicity is more than my girlfriend. She is my partner in every way possible."

Felicity beamed at him. He could tell she wanted to kiss him but she was weary of his little sister's presence.

"So can I come in?" Thea asked.

"Yes of course!" Felicity responded opening the door wider.

Dec-6

After they settled Thea into what was Felicity's old room, and Oliver gave her a gentle reminder that he was Oliver Arrow so she had to be Thea Arrow, they relaxed in the living room while Felicity dealt with a client.

"So where's the party tonight?" his sister asked him.

"Nowhere," he replied.

"You not partying" his sister commented in disbelief.

"Do you even know why I am here?" Oliver asked her.

"Some deal with dad," Thea responded.

"It's a challenge and I'm going to win. I cannot be caught partying," Oliver told her.

"So don't get caught partying," Thea said with a mischievous smile.

"That is not the point. I have work," Oliver said firmly.

"So skip work. It wouldn't be the first time, you skipped out on something," his sister pointed out.

"No it wouldn't," he admitted, "but it wouldn't be the right thing to do,"

"Since when do you do the right thing?" she asked curiously.

Oliver couldn't believe his sister asked him that. Had he truly been a poor example to her? Were some of her rebellious issues because of him?

"Since now Thea. The people at the bar rely on me and I am not letting them down," he told her.

"You work at a bar. How fitting!" Thea commented.

"You know what, why don't you come. You can help out Sam,"

"Is Sam cute?" Thea asked.

Oliver smiled devilishly, "Very cute,"

Dec-7

When Thea arrived at the bar she scrunched up her nose in disgust. It wasn't like the chic places she was accustomed to. He already had to glare at his sister when she made a face at Felicity's mini cooper. He was tempted to make her walk to the bar so she would appreciate any form of transport.

"And who is this?" Bob asked.

"This is my baby sister, Thea. Thea is this my boss, Bob,"

Thea let out a laugh, "That's funny,"

Bob gave her a strange look. Oliver pulled her away from Bob immediately.

"What is so funny about my boss?" Oliver hissed.

"You have huge issues with working for dad yet you work at a bar for a man named Bob, which is a common nickname for Robert! How is that not funny?" his sister asked him.

When Thea put it like that he could certainly see the irony of the situation.

"So do I get to pour drinks?" Thea asked excitedly.

"Absolutely not! You are not 21, Bob could lose his license. You're not even 18. You can help serve food,"

"This is not how I saw myself spending my Christmas break," Thea sulked.

"You wanted to come here," Oliver reminded her.

"Ah there's Sam," Oliver said. Thea perked up until she realised that Sam was a pregnant teen barely a year older than her.

At the end of the night, Thea collapsed exhausted on the couch. She didn't have the energy to make it to the bedroom. Oliver chuckled but took pity on his sister and gently lifted her up as if she were still three and took her to his old room. He tucked her in like he used to do when she was younger.

"It's not funny," Thea pouted.

"That was a slow night Thea," he told her.

"Really?" she groaned.

"Don't worry about it. We'll be leaving on Christmas Eve,"

Dec-8

Thea and Sam had bonded quickly. The two were always giggling. Sam had told Thea she was having a boy and would let her touch her belly every time her baby kicked. His sister squealed every time she felt a kick against her palm. Oliver wondered if his sister wasn't taking the situation seriously. He chose to discuss it with her on the way home from the bar that night.

"Thea you understand that Sam is by herself, that the father of her baby and her parents all abandoned her? he asked. "It's not all giggles and smiles,"

"Of course I do. It doesn't mean I have to remind her of it all the time by being sorry for her. Why can't she just try and enjoy being pregnant like normal mothers. Stress is bad for a baby," Thea said.

"As long as you don't think of having one too soon," Oliver said.

"Don't worry, Roy and I are careful," Thea said absently.

"There's that name again. Who's Roy?" Oliver asked.

"My boyfriend," Thea responded.

"What! You're too young to have a boyfriend," Oliver said and he saw Felicity flinch in the driver's seat.

"Excuse me, Mr. I had my first girlfriend at 13," Thea responded angrily.

"That was not a real relationship," he pointed out.

"So you didn't sleep with her,"

Oliver flinched when Thea said that. He hadn't discussed his relationship history with Felicity and he was afraid that she would look at him differently when she discovered he had been a man whore.

"Sex with someone doesn't make it a relationship Thea,"

"I know that, it seems like it took you 14 years to figure that out!"

Oliver was about to respond when Felicity declared they were home. Thea jumped out of the car and headed to the apartment. Oliver was about to get out and follow behind her when Felicity put her hand on his arm to stop him.

"Oliver I know she's your baby sister. I know I can't really judge because I'm an only child but you need to understand that she's growing up and a boyfriend at 17 isn't the end of the world. You need to be thankful that's she's being open and honest with you. You don't want to push her away. You always want an open line of communication. If she's ever in trouble you want her to come to you. It's her life, her decisions. You can't control that. You can only give her advice and hope she follows it."

Oliver nodded and got out of the car. His sister was waiting in front of the door for them to open up. Oliver tried to talk to her but she ignored him walking to her room.

Dec – 9

Alice and Felicity were planning a baby shower for Samantha. Thea happily joined in on the party planning. It was going to be held at the bar form 12:00pm -3:00pm after Christmas. Samantha was due the following week. Party goers that didn't work at the bar were welcomed to stay and enjoy the atmosphere. Felicity was handling the budget and the collection of contributions. Alice was handling the decorations. Felicity had placed Oliver in charge of the party menu. He and Bob were going to cook the food. Carl was going to serve it. Oliver was also working behind the bar to serve non-alcoholic drinks. He started experimenting with a variety of fruit smoothies in preparation for the shower.

His sister volunteered to contact Samantha's friends and relatives to invite them to the shower. Oliver had no objection to that. Their father was still paying her phone bill and it gave her something to do to stay out of trouble or at least so he thought. Thea was mad as hell after she got off the phone with Sam's parents. She couldn't understand what type of parent abandons their child when they need them the most. Oliver snorted and his sister glared at him. She then said she was stepping out for a little run around the block to blow off steam. Oliver offered to go with her but she reminded him that she was a big girl.

An hour later, after Oliver had practically paced a hole in the carpet with worry over her absence, Thea walked in with a very satisfied smile. He knew that smile.

"What did you do?" he asked hesitantly.

"I found Samantha's parents and I gave them a very stern talking to,"

"Speedy, I thought I told you not to interfere in Sam's life,"

"I couldn't sit back and watch her go through this by herself! She's terrified and I would be terrified to be out on my own too," Thea admitted.

"You'll never be on your own Speedy. I will always be there for you," Oliver told her softly. He couldn't ever imagine turning his back on his sister.

"You promise?" she asked him quietly.

"Pinky promise," Oliver said holding out the little digit.

She smiled brilliantly at him as she raised her pinky finger to his. He pulled her into a hug, "I love you speedy,"

"I love you too, Ollie,"

Dec-10

It was Christmas Eve, Oliver and Thea were going home that night after Oliver's shift at the bar. Before they left for the bar, Thea wanted to give Felicity the gift she had bought for her. She presented her with a garment bag decorated beautifully. Felicity carefully zipped it open and pulled out a delicate blue dress.

"Its couture," Felicity exclaimed holding the material against her cheek.

"Yes, I saw it in a boutique in one of the hotels on the strip and I thought it was perfect for you."

"Thank you so much," Felicity said embracing Thea.

Oliver was relieved that she didn't ask how his sister, who was a high school student, could afford couture.

"I got you something as well Thea," Felicity revealed. She pulled out a square box that was neatly wrapped in Christmas paper. Thea tore the paper off the gift to reveal a tablet.

"It's not a normal tablet. I tweaked it a bit for you. It also has icons that you can tap to call Oliver or me automatically. I also downloaded some of your favourite games you like to play on your phone on here."

"You didn't need to do this. You already opened up your house to me and drove me around," Thea said.

"I wanted to," Felicity said hugging Thea. She then whispered in her ear, "have patience with your brother, he only wants what is best for you."

"I promise I'll go easy on Oliver," Thea said loud enough for her brother to hear.

Oliver gave her a curious look but Thea just stuck her tongue out at him, "Come on we need to get to work early today. You guys have that gift exchange thing," Thea said dragging her brother out of the apartment.

Dec-11

They all met at the bar at 2:00pm. Alice decided to go first. She had pulled Diggle. She honestly had no idea what to get him because she said Diggle was always so quiet and reserved so she bought him a gift certificate to the mall that he could use in any shop. He thanked her. It was Diggle's turn to present his gift. He had pulled Oliver. He bought him a profession chef knife set.

"Thanks man, strangely I love it," he said. The knives in Felicity's apartment weren't as sharp as Bob's and he had been known to complain about it. It was very expensive and he wondered how Diggle had sourced the cash for it.

It was Oliver's turn to go next.

"I drew Bob but I didn't get you a present," he said

"Oliver!" Alice reprimanded immediately, "the rules clearly state that..."

Oliver stopped her, "I didn't get him a present that I could wrap but I thought a lot about what you might like and I did something else."

Oliver walked to the front of the bar and opened the door letting in two women in their forties.

"Hello dad," both women said.

"My girls!" Bob said. He hadn't seen them in close to a decade. There was a disagreement, Oliver didn't know what about but he knew Bob regretted the distance between him and his children so with Felicity's help he tracked them down and convinced them to come home for Christmas. It had been a lot harder than he thought. At one point he thought might have to run out last minute and pick up a gift but the girls managed to agree to talk to their father again and settle whatever dispute it was they had.

The rest of the gift exchange went off without a hitch and Bob retreated to his room in the back with his daughters. They emerged hours later all smiles. Whatever it was that had put the wedge between them, it didn't seem to matter anymore.

Dec-12

It was Christmas morning and Thea was anxious to open her presents. Oliver was nervous. He didn't know if they would like his gifts. First up was Thea. She got a new designer hand bag and a string of pearls with the accompanying earrings from their parents. Next was his gift. The package was small and delicately wrapped, something Felicity had helped him with. His sister tore it open with gusto to reveal the shawl.

"It beautiful Ollie," She said in awe.

"It's handmade by Juanita. She sew your name into it too. You have to hold it at just the right angle to see it in the pattern."

"I love it," she told him.

"You sure?" he asked. It wasn't designer or brand name.

"I do,"

Next up was Oliver himself. Thea had gotten him an expensive cologne she said would make Felicity climb him like a tree. Oliver blushed. His parents had given him the keys to a brand new BMW that would be waiting for him when he came home in May.

His mother was after him. Thea gave her a gift certificate to her favourite spa, which was also the same thing Robert got her. Both Thea and Robert accused the other of stealing their idea.

"Did you get me a gift certificate too?" she asked Oliver.

"No," he said handing her the wrapped painting.

She opened it carefully, "Oliver this is exquisite,"

She walked over to the mantel place and removed the portrait of Robert that was there, had been there for nearly thirty years.

"Hey," Robert protested.

"You can hang it in your office," Moira commented.

She placed the picture of Oliver behind the bar with a drink in his hand over the fire place. It was a relief he didn't have to make up a story about it.

Finally it came to his father's Christmas gift. Thea had brought him an expensive cologne and Moira gave him a new tailor made suit made from the finest silk. Next up was Oliver's bat. To disguise what it was, Oliver had taken two boxes from the bar and placed on at each end of the bat and taped up the middle. It looked like a really big box but it was light. He watched as his father shook it but Oliver made sure to jam the bat in diagonally so it couldn't move. His father stared at the gift curiously.

"You don't have X-ray vision dad, just open it," Oliver said.

His father tore open the paper, and pulled the boxes apart to reveal the bat. It wasn't until he read the inscription on the bat did Robert full appreciate the gift. It was the first time in Oliver's life that he felt like he had pleased his father, like he had finally done something right. It was a great feeling, much better than being a screw up.

At Christmas Dinner, it was the four of them plus Tommy. Malcolm was away on business. Thea enchanted them with tales from her Las Vegas adventure. She surprised everyone further when she said she wanted to finish off her holidays with Oliver. It was much better than Thanksgiving where business dominated the conversation. Oliver didn't know if it was the changes in him that made it feel different or if in fact the atmosphere was different but it felt they were truly one family.

Dec -13

Boxing Day found Oliver invading his father's study while he waited for Thea to come back from the shopping spree he went on with his mother. He had already called Bob to let him know he was going to be late for work. The old man didn't mind. He told him he could take his time.

He didn't know why he came into the study. He supposed he wanted to see what it felt like to sit behind the desk now. He had done it before many times, usually to mock his father. He wandered if it would feel different this time. If with his new found maturity he might find greater respect for his father.

His father had left his e-mail open and he saw a message from a John Diggle. He thought there was no way it could be the same John Diggle. He clicked on it. It was a full report of what Oliver had been up to that week. There were 35 e-mails from Diggle to his father, all weekly reports. Whatever he had been feeling for his father turned sour immediately. Oliver knew he didn't have time to read them all before his father returned. He opened each one and hit print. He would read them in his room, away from his father.

After reading through the documents Oliver couldn't believe he was so clueless. Diggle had been with him through every step of the journey and he never realised it. The man had been in the hotel room next to his, the apartment below him in the death trap and then his current apartment building. Diggle's apartment even had a clear view of where he lived now. His so called friend had even been following him on runs. How Oliver never noticed the tall black guy with arms the size of dumbbells following him around, he did not know.

Dec –14

Thea packed bags of stuff into the trunk of the Toyota Camry that was taking them back to Las Vegas.

"What is all of that?" Oliver asked.

"Just stuff for the shower and some baby stuff that Samantha is going to need that none of us thought of. Mom was a real help with trying to figure out what would be a good gift for Samantha. She really put in perspective what Samantha might appreciate the most," Thea said. "Mom made taking care of a baby sound so hard and she had several nannies and a night nurse to help her!"

Oliver smiled at his sister. She was learning things so much faster than him. She was always the shining star of the Queen family. Oliver could admit now that a small part of him had always thought that Thea had it easier than him. She didn't have the burden of trying to fulfil their parent's goals to take over QC one day. His thoughts soon jumped to his father and he pushed them away.

Once they were in the car, Thea asked the driver pull into the Glades on their way out of the city. Oliver looked at her curiously.

"We're going to see Roy. I have to give him his present," Thea said.

"Roy lives in the Glades?"

"Yes,"

"And how exactly did you meet Roy?" he asked.

She chewed on her bottom lip hesitantly.

"Thea?"

"He may have stolen my purse,"

"He stole your purse and you chose to date him?" Oliver asked incredulously.

"That sounds like judgement," Thea said crossing her arms.

"Concern," Oliver corrected her, "You're 17 and you're dating a thief,"

"I don't know why I ever told you about him,"

Felicity's advice echoed in his brain.

"Look, I'm trying here Thea. I am glad you told me about him," Oliver said "I'm ready to meet him"

Thea watched her brother skeptically, "Ok we're here," she said instructing the driver too pull over in front of a small house.

Oliver surveyed the house closely as they walked up to the front door. The old him would have judged it. He would have taken one look at the house and told Thea "HELL NO!" before pulling her kicking and screaming back into the car.

The door opened and a young boy a few years older than Thea, in a red hoodie stepped out.

"Thea," he asked surprised, "How many times do I have to tell you it is dangerous out here. Call me and I'll come to you,"

That was something Oliver agreed with 100%. The boy appeared genuinely concerned with Thea's safety which was something he approved of.

"I'm not alone," Thea said nodding her head towards Oliver.

"I noticed. I would have to be blind to miss your body guard,"

"He's not my bodyguard, he's my brother, Oliver,"

Roy instantly straightened, eyes going wide.

"I thought he was in Vegas,"

"You told him I was in Vegas?" Oliver turned to his sister.

"He can be trusted," she told him before turning back to Roy "He's come home for Christmas and we are on way back but first I wanted to give you your Christmas gift," she said handing him a gift bag.

"I got you something as well, I would invite you in but I don't want to horrify you with the way the poor live," Roy said closing the door.

Oliver didn't comment on the boy's rudeness. They waited patiently until the door opened and Roy gave Thea a badly wrapped present. They opened the presents together, Thea had brought Roy a grey hoodie since she claimed the only colour he knew was red. She knew well enough not to buy him brand name clothing as that might attract some unwanted attention towards him. Thea received a jewel encrusted butterfly hair pin.

"It's beautiful," she said.

"Is it stolen?" Oliver couldn't help but asked.

Both of them glared at him.

"I do not give your sister stolen items. She deserves better than that," Roy said. "The stones aren't real obviously but it reminded me of Thea,"

"We need to get going," Oliver said looking at the time on his cell phone.

"Oh don't min him. He's got to rush to get back to his wifey,"

"Wifey?" Oliver spluttered, his eyes opening wide.

Thea rolled her eyes at her brother, "what else do I call the woman who takes expert care of you? Now go back to the car so I can kiss my boyfriend goodbye in peace."

Oliver glared at his sister before walking back to the car. He was going to give her exactly 30 seconds before he interrupted them.

Dec-15

The driver dropped them off on the strip as usual and then they caught a cab to Felicity's apartment. He helped Thea bring all her bags inside and kissed Felicity deeply before he left the women to chat about the shower. He walked down to Diggle's apartment complex instead. He walked up to the door and banged on it. Lyla answered it.

He put on his fake smile for her,

"Hi Lyla, is Diggle home?" he asked pleasantly.

"Yes, come on in," she said.

"No I rather talk to him here," Oliver replied.

Lyla frowned for a second before going in search of her husband. A few seconds later Diggle appeared by the door.

"Welcome back," John said

Oliver decked him. "I trusted you, I thought you were my friend, not a spy for my father."

He threw the pages at the Diggle's feet. "Stay away from me and Felicity,"

Dec-16

The baby shower wasn't very crowded. Most of Sam's friends were in college and even though they were home for the holidays they didn't want to be associated with her. Two friends, one of whom was the one she was staying with, Mellie and Mellie's mother, Lisa came. A close cousin also came, ignoring the fall out it was going to cause in the family. Oliver saw more baby clothes than he had ever seen in his life. There was a crib the girls had put together to buy. Thea had brought a stroller she claimed was donated by their mother since a high school student was not really supposed to have plenty money. There were bottles, bibs, onsies, shoes, socks, blankets and items he did not want to identify.

He focused on his duties at the bar and only tuned in to hear him praise the food he and Bob had prepared for them. Lisa came over to speak to Oliver "Thank you for hiring her. She's been looking for a job since August. She's a good kid that made one mistake. I wish her parents could see passed it. She was raised in a strict catholic household. They think she's a bad example for her younger siblings. I'm hoping that perhaps once the baby is born and Sam settles into a routine, that she could take some classes at the community college before work. I'm hoping she can get her life back on track."

"I'm sure she can. She certainly has a lot of support here. Bob's a good guy with a kind heart and a penchant for taking in people who need help."

"Bob wasn't the one that hired her. You were. You have a kind heart just like Bob," Lisa said taking her drink and rejoining the girls.

Oliver let her words sink in before he noticed Diggle enter. He was expecting the man to quit right away once had had been discovered as his father's watchdog but he was still there. Maybe he was working out the month. He would see what would happen in January.

Dec-17

The New Year's Eve party at the bar found Felicity behind the bar helping Oliver again. It was even more fun now because he had taken to purposely touching her every time they passed each other in the bar. The message was clear, when they got home he was having his way with her. At midnight, he dipped Felicity and kissed her thoroughly until the whoops and cat calls got too loud to continue. This was the first time, in a very long time, that he had brought in the New Year's sober

The year had finished and if someone had asked Oliver at the beginning of the year where he would be, he would have never thought that he would be working in a bar and in a relationship with the most wonderful woman he had ever met. For the first time in a very long time, he was excited for what the New Year held.