Home (is wherever I'm with you)

Chapter Ten

Laurel left quickly, assuring Oliver that she was capable of riding the train back to Central by herself.

"Tell your family thanks for letting me stay, and congratulations to your mother." He nodded, smiling at her. Although their relationship was coming to an end, he really had enjoyed his time with her. He'd always remember how she helped him grow during his time in Central City.

"Don't be a stranger, okay?" He said as she leaned up to quickly peck his cheek. She nodded quickly before wishing him luck and entering her cab, quickly pulling away.

He let out a long breath. Now he just had to figure out the rest of his life. Great.

"Was that Laurel leaving?" Diggle stood waiting for him the moment he reentered the house. He observed Oliver curiously, trying to figure out his mindset. He and Laurel had always gotten along, but they had never progressed beyond comfortable acquaintances.

Oliver nodded and began rubbing his neck nervously. "I've been meaning to talk to you John." He was surprised to see the older man genuinely smile.

"I know." Oliver looked up in surprise, following John's lead as he led them to sit on the stairs. "Do you remember the first thing I told you when we started working together?"

Oliver let out a laugh. "Don't fuck up kid?" Diggle glared at him, though his amusement was clear from his smirk. "You told me to know what I was working for."

"And you told me you wanted to succeed. You said you never wanted to be trapped anywhere, ever again." Oliver nodded slowly, his eyes lighting up with slow understanding. "I don't know what else Central will do for you. Seems like you've reached your goal."

Oliver smiled, before it quickly fell again. "But I just don't know what to do. My priorities have shifted, but I still love the kind of work I was doing. Does this mean I have to choose?"

"It wouldn't be the hardest thing to have the best of both worlds, Oliver. It's not rocket science. Starling City is only an hour away from here. You could visit much easier from there."

Oliver's grins nearly split his face, as he realized all the potential at his feet. "I do think I might need a new base of operations." John looked at him knowingly. "I'm not sure what more Stellmoor International can do for me… how does 'Queen Consolidated' sound to you?"

"I'm glad you're here, son." He felt a comforting clap on his back, as he looked up at the Groom of the day. He smiled, holding out his hand for a shake.

"Me too, Walter. Me too." They both grinned, excited for what the day was going to bring. As he took in Walter, dressed in his fitting tux, Oliver shook his head disbelievingly. "I don't know if I thanked you yet. For everything you did for my family while I was gone. And for making my mother so happy. I couldn't be more excited for the both of you."

Walter just smiled knowingly. "Thank you for welcoming me into your family." They stood silently, observing as the last preparations were put into place. Any moment and the guests would start arriving. "I look forward to seeing your happy ending, as well." Walter said cryptically. He continued, after seeing Oliver's questioning look. "Thea was rather vocal last night."

Oliver let out a hefty chuckle, trying to fight a blush. After his talk with Diggle, Thea and his mother had come back to a fairly quiet house. After asking after Laurel and learning they she had left, Thea had literally bounced with joy.

"Please please tell me Felicity is finally gonna be part of the family!" Her excitement overshadowed her anger from the day before, as she twirled around the house, yelling about how cute their future children would be. Hesitant to anger her again, he simply mumbled about it being too soon, which Thea actively ignored.

But really. their kids would be adorable.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he thanked Walter before making his way to the doors, greeting the guests as they entered.

Many were shocked, but excited to see him, eager to hear his tales of the big city. He pasted on a smile, gave numerous hugs, and had his cheeks pinched way too many times before his eyes finally caught sight of her.

She was breathtaking in a deep red dress, her hair let down in loose waves. His eyes immediately zoned in on her lips, a bold red, matching her dress flawlessly. He swallowed nervously as he made his way to her, his hands immediately clamming up like he was a teenager again.

"Felicity." She immediately turned to him, her smile quickly dropping. Despite her hesitance, he pulled her in for a hug, holding her close for longer than what was probably socially acceptable. He couldn't help it. Maybe only one day of space was too short, but it seemed like enough time for him.

She finally pulled away, blushing lightly. "Oliver?" She looked at him curiously. Could she tell that something had changed? She was always in tune with him, so there was a high possibility that she was aware that he was buzzing with nervous energy.

"You look beautiful," He blurted out, eager to get some kind of reaction out of her.

She responded with a wary smile. "You do too. I mean – handsome. You look handsome." She fumbled, blushing even more. When he didn't reply, she looked around the filling foyer. "Where are Laurel and Digg?"

"Laurel actually went back to Central City. We broke up." Was it wrong that he was smiling slightly, just happy to be in her presence?

Her eyes cut to his in shock. "But I thought you were getting married? I'm sorry, that doesn't matter. She seemed really nice, I'm sorry to hear that. "

"Don't be. I'll always love her, but we weren't right for each other." He caught Felicity's eye, trying to convey everything he was feeling. She looked away nervously.

"I shouldn't keep you any longer, you've got a line forming to greet you." She nodded towards a hovering group of his mother's friends. He sighed, squeezing her hand with a promise of talking to her soon.

He didn't leave his post for a while, until Thea finally came to fetch him. It was almost time.

He knocked gently on the dressing door, entering only when he heard his mother call him in. She immediately swept him into a hug, earning a laugh from him.

"You ready mom?" She took a step back, allowing him to see her in all her bridal glory. "You look incredible. Why didn't you pass more attractive genes to me?" He joked as she shushed him.

She grabbed his hand, squeezing tightly. "Oliver, I'm so glad you're home. You don't know how wonderful it's been this past week, being surrounded by everyone I love."

He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "Get used to it. I'm not exactly moving back to Sherwood. But, if everything works out, I'll be a lot closer." Moira nodded her head knowingly before there was a knock on the door, letting them know it was time.

"Alright mom, let's do this."

The ceremony passed in a blur, most things foggy after he had walked his mother down the aisle. He had stood by Walter, as Thea stood by Moira, giving him a view of all the guests. Felicity had been accurate in her initial assumption, as it seemed the entire town really was there.

He remembered scanning the crowd, easily finding her sitting between Tommy and Diggle. She nearly immediately felt his gaze, turning her head to look at him before looking away. He had to hold back a sigh, and control the urge to just walk up to her and sweep her off her feet. Literally.

After that, he split his time between watching his mother, and looking back at Felicity, until suddenly the ceremony was over and guests were being ushered to the reception where food and dancing were waiting. Thankfully, the family had already taken wedding pictures earlier in the day, allowing him to go straight back to mingling. Although his first stop was checking in on Felicity and Digg, he managed to pull himself away and catch up with some of his old friends.

Though he was quickly exhausted, he fought through until finally it was time to dance. His first dance was with his mother, as she held on to him tightly and couldn't stop repeating how happy she was that the family was back together.

Then he danced with Thea. "You know, I'm still pretty mad." She pouted as he spun her around.

"I know. But you wouldn't be my little sister if you weren't" He teased with a wink. She laughed before her voice turned serious. "You're not just gonna bail on us again, are you?"

He shook his head, but before he could respond she continued. "Because just cause we have Walter now, doesn't mean we'll be okay if you just up and out of our lives again-"

"Thea." He twirled her around. "I'm not going anywhere. I might not be living here, but I'll be close by. You'll be dying to get rid of me in no time."

She rolled her eyes. "I'll deal with that when the time comes." They swayed quietly for a few moments until she broke the silence again. "So.. last night I was raving in excitement for your future children." She paused when she felt him tense. "I was unaware that things were weird between you and Felicity again." He nodded slowly when she suddenly slapped the side of his head.

"Ollie! And here I was, thinking you had gotten smarter."

"I know, I know. I messed up." He ignored her muttered 'duh'. "I got so swept up in Felicity, and those feelings. I didn't want to scare her away by telling her about Laurel. And then I was afraid of losing everything I had worked for… but then I realized they didn't matter. And by that point, I didn't want to end things with Laurel over the phone."

"And people think I'm the dramatic one in the family?" Thea teased, leading Oliver off the dance floor. "It's a good thing Felicity is madly in love with you, or else you'd be a loner for life."

He scoffed. "I'm pretty sure she actually hates me right now." He tried to hide the sadness in his voice.

"Well, yeah of course she's pissed. You led her on-" He tried to interrupt but his sister quickly shut him up, stuffing a crab cake in his mouth. "Doesn't matter if you felt the same way. You were unavailable, and you led her on. As I was saying, of course she is hurt and angry. But she wouldn't be this upset if she didn't have feelings for you. So you can't give up!"

He smiled gratefully, placing a tender kiss to her head. "As great as this pep-talk was, and I do really appreciate it, it was a bit unnecessary. I had no intentions of letting her get away from me."

"Thank goodness. Now go get her, big brother. I need to go find Roy."

He found her by the dessert table, carefully examining her options of chocolate covered strawberries.

"Rumor has it, they all taste the same." His voice had her jumping in the air, and she glared at him as she placed her hand over her racing heart.

"Oliver!" He smiled innocently. "Are you trying to kill me?" She took a wary step away from him.

"Course not. Just trying to help a beautiful lady make the right choice for dessert." He teased, trying to make her more comfortable.

She let out a sigh, looking down at the ground. "Look, I'm not sorry for how I acted the other day, I still stand by what I said."

He nodded, looking at her thoughtfully. "Dance with me?" He held out a hand for her. She only looked at him incredulously.

"Are you listening to what I'm saying?

"I always do. But please, give me this one last dance." He gave her the one look he knew she could never deny, and he felt a bolt of pleasure as she hesitantly took his outstretched hand.

He tried to ignore the knowing looks from his family and friends as they settled on the dance floor. He let out an inaudible sigh as Felicity looked anywhere but at him.

"I'm glad you didn't apologize for the other night." That finally got her attention, as her gaze immediately snapped to him. "You had every right to react that way. And I can never apologize enough for hurting you the way I did."

Her gaze didn't waver. "So why did you?"

This was his chance, to finally be completely honest. "Because spending time with you reminded me how madly in love I am. With you, only you." She froze in his arms, immediately dropping her gaze and shaking her head. "I know you have no reason to believe me, after everything I've done. But I love you, I think I always have. So I didn't tell you about Laurel, because I was afraid you'd leave."

He let out a humorless chuckle. "And I was too much of a coward to immediately break it off with Laurel, and lose the life I had worked so hard for."

"And now? Have you finally figured out what you want?" Felicity asked quietly.

"And now I've realized- Nothing matters. Without family, friends… a home. None of it matters." She nodded slowly, a blush finally adorning her face.

"I- I have some plans in motion. I'll be moving to Starling City, so I'll be close by. And I've been speaking with Digg, and we're thinking of opening our own firm."

"That sounds.. amazing. And very difficult." She said, though he could still see a flash of approval in her eyes.

"Yes, it will be. But I've done the impossible before. And, with all of you so close by- I know I could do anything." She smiled sweetly, and he felt his heart swell. "About what you said the other day. You were right. We did survive five years without each other. But that's just it. We were only surviving. Not living. And if you'll have me, I don't want to have to survive another day without you."

He felt her begin to pull away, so he gently tightened his grip. "If you've decided that you don't see me in that light... I'd be more than honored to just be your friend."

She finally looked up at him, and his breath hitched when he saw the tears in her eyes.

"Okay." She took a deep breath. "But we're taking this friendship slow. You really hurt me, and it's going to take some time for me to get over all this crap you've pulled… but my life is better with you in it."

He nodded eagerly, doing his best to not swoop in and finally kiss her. "We've been apart a long time, and we might be very different people at this point." He tried to interrupt, but she stopped him with a finger to his lips. He had to restrain himself from biting it. "Plus, you and Laurel literally just broke up. You should have some time on your own to make sure this is exactly what you want."

He nodded, agreeing with her though he already knew there was no chance in hell he was changing his mind.

"Oh, and Oliver? I'm still very angry. You're gonna have to work pretty hard for me to believe you're worth all of this." She innocently blinked up at him. "You pull anything like this again, running away or lying, not only will I ruin your credit score, but I will also drench all of your meals in endless sriacha." She winked, earning a boisterous laugh from him.

Despite what they had just agreed on, he couldn't help it as he finally swooped down to steal a kiss from her fiery lips. He knew she didn't particularly mind when she melted into his touch and let out a soft sigh.

He barely heard the whoops and hollers from Tommy and Thea over his pounding, but finally happy, heart. He had found home.

The first time he returns to Sherwood after the wedding, he brings lunch for Felicity, and spends the rest of the day helping her run errands around Tech Village. The day is filled with laughter, as they talk about everything and nothing at the same time. He leaves with an innocent kiss to her cheek.

The second time he comes around, it's so he and Felicity can help Thea through her college decision process. He can't help but notice that there is an undeniable air of excitement for what is to come for all of them.

He and Felicity keep in touch, and he calls her nearly every night to check in on how her day went. He's kept away from Sherwood, busy wrapping up his affairs and working out his next steps with Diggle. However, he never fails to call when he says he will.

The next time he visits home, he has a contract in hand. After stopping by the house to greet his mother and sister, he quickly drives to the Smoak residence, excited and nervous.

A squeaked "Oliver!" is his only warning before he suddenly winds up with an armful of Felicity. He chuckles, returning the hug before eventually moving over to greet Donna.

It takes him all of three minutes to pitch his idea to felicity, and although she initially looks hesitant, after an encouraging nod from her mother, she nods, earning a wide smile and sigh of relief from Oliver. She signs the dotted line confidently, before immediately getting swept in a hug by her bouncing mother.

"Look at my baby girl! Head of Applied Shenanigans!" Felicity giggles, before muttering, "applied sciences mom" and pulling Oliver into the group hug.

His entire body buzzes with the need to kiss her as they work together, but he somehow manages to holds off, wanting to make sure the moment was perfect, and that she was 100% ready for a relationship. However, his decision is taken away from him as they manage to lock down a deal that guarantees the survival of Queens Consolidated.

The moment their new client walks out the door, Felicity is spinning in joy, before grabbing his hand and pulling him to her. Before he even realizes what's happening, her small hands are framing his face and her soft lips are on his.

When they finally manage to break away, he's grinning like a mad man. "Go on a date with me? Tonight, at 7?" Her face is flushed, and her smile is blinding as she nods eagerly.

"Finally. I never thought you'd ask."

Years later…

He was surprised to wake to an empty bed, the sheets on her side already cooled. Groggily sitting up, he took a moment to come to his senses before grabbing and pulling on his boxers, quickly making his way to the clanging he could hear in the kitchen.

"Woah oh no place I'd rather be!" He paused in the entryway to the kitchen, enjoying the sight of Felicity singing and dancing in his shirt while making scrambled eggs. "When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be!" She hadn't bothered keeping her voice down, since he could usually sleep through just about anything.

"I don't know about you, but I'd rather we still be in bed." He murmured in her ear, one hand on her hip, while the other shot out to hold on to the frying pan, in case she dropped it.

Just as he expected, she jumped in surprise, turning to glare at him.

"You're trying to kill me!" He only chuckled, nestling his face into her hair. "One of these days, Mr. Queen. One of these days." His grip on her hip tightened as his eyes darkened, but she knew exactly what he was doing.

Swiftly stepping away, she opened the refrigerator, looking for more ingredients. "Are Digg and Lyla driving with us today?" She asked, looking over her shoulder.

He shook his head, grabbing an apple from their fruit basket and taking a bite. "Digg says we always make them late, so they're going separately."

Felicity giggled, looking over at him knowingly. "And who's fault is that…"

Before he could take a step closer, she waved her hands. "Nope. Nuh uh. I want to get there on time for once. Your mom will kill us if we're late for Sunday lunch again. Plus, I want all the time I can get with baby Kara. I have a new book I want to show her!"

He raised a brow. "Babe, she's not even two yet. Tommy's a bit worried you're going to make his daughter too smart."

"Oh shut up. She loves me." He nodded, closing the refrigerator door and pulling her close.

"You know who else loves you?" She shook her head, giggling. "Me. So can we please go back to bed? Just for a little while?" She shook her head, but before she could whine, he was kissing her softly. "I promise to make it worth your while, Ms. Smoak." He felt her heartbeat quicken, and he knew he had her.

"Wow , such savvy negotiation skills. Is this how you get all your success at QC?" He grinned, bending slightly so he could pick her up.

"Nope." He peppered kisses over her face as he walked them back to their bedroom. "I think most of the success is due to the lovely soon-to-be Mrs. Queem and her incredible leadership of the Applied Sciences division."

She smiled, gently cupping his face in her hands as he laid her on their bed.

"You know, I think it was really a joint effort. We work best together."

He nodded, grinning eagerly as he helped her shed her pajamas. "Together." He breathed out.

They were only a little bit late to lunch.

AN: Well, that's a wrap! I can't thank you enough for giving this story a try!

For those who may be interested... I have another story in the works, though it's quite different from this one. It's a lot more adventure packed... and might take place in the Avatar the Last Airbender universe(: Love you all and thanks again for sticking with me on this ride! Hope to see you for the next one!