CHAPTER 10
Oliver and Felicity reach the car and Felicity hesitates just for a moment before looking at Oliver. She winks at him as if to assure him that this time it will be different.
They get into the car and immediately reach for each other's hand.
Felicity squeezes Oliver's hand to assure him one more time that it will be okay.
"Ready?" he asks.
"With you, I am."
They pull into Oliver's driveway and Felicity looks at Oliver skeptically.
"Your mom's? I thought we were running away?"
"Felicity Smoak, as much as I can't wait to start my forever with you, I do want to do things right with you."
"Isn't that a bit old fashioned for you Mr Queen?"
"Call it what you want but you my beautiful, will have your perfect day, no matter what."
Felicity is rendered speechless. She closes her eyes for a second just to savor the moment. 'He really does love me.'
He gets out of the car and runs to her side and opens her door gallantly: "Soon to be Mrs Queen may I?" he bows slightly and waits for her to take his hand.
"Is that so?" Felicity asks with excitement.
The front door opens and Moira steps out surprised.
"Oliver? What? I thought you left? And Felicity?" looking from Oliver to Felicity and then back again.
"Mom I finally got the girl." Olive grabs Felicity's hand and raises it high in the air. His mom can't help but smile proudly at her son, he has conquered the world.
"Come in you two. This is a story I have to hear."
The next day Oliver wakes up with a broad smile. He should probably be stiff from sleeping on the couch but he feels wonderful. He can't believe that Felicity is sleeping under the same roof as he is. He remembers Bali and how frustrating it was to sleep in the same room with her but not be able to touch her. Somehow this time felt different. It was as if there is anticipation and the waiting makes it all the more sweet. He jumps up and mischievously tiptoes to his bedroom.
He opens the door and pauses for a moment. His breath is taken away by the beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. It's such a relief that he never has to hide his feelings for her again-she's his. He can get used to this vision every morning. He walks quietly not wanting to wake her until he is right in front of her. He wants to be the first thing Felicity sees when she opens her eyes. He kneels next to the bed and leans forward and places the softest kiss on her lips.
Felicity smiles, stretches lazily as she opens her eyes slowly and looks up at him.
"Hey you."
"Hi." Oliver stares at Felicity wearing his t-shirt that he gave her to sleep in the night before.
"How can a woman make a t-shirt look so sexy?"
Felicity laughs out loud and pulls the duvet cover until it touches her chin.
Her laughter is music to his soul.
"Okay this," Oliver says pointing to her lying in his bed, "is not going to work for long. You will drive me crazy woman."
"Meet me downstairs for breakfast. You have 15 minutes then I am coming looking for you." Oliver gets up quickly and walks toward the door. Before he leaves he looks back and winks at her.
"Thank you so much for breakfast Mrs Queen." Felicity says pushing her plate away.
"I have forgotten what an excellent cook you are."
"Oliver I told you she is a keeper, and like I said a thousand times before, you can call me Moira."
Felicity blushes and looks down at her hand playing with the paper ring still on her finger. She has never felt this much at home as she does at this moment. 'So this is what it is supposed to feel like?'
"Be right back." Oliver gets up and winks at his mother as he leaves the kitchen.
"I take it your parents do not know that you are here with Oliver?"
"No they don't. I left without them knowing. If they stopped arguing long enough they might notice that I am gone but I am not holding my breath."
"I am so sorry Felicity. I know it could not have been easy."
"Thank you, Moira. I have such good memories here with you and Oliver. It has meant so much to me through the years."
"You both deserve to be happy and I get the feeling that it can only be with one another."
After breakfast Oliver and Felicity freshen up and get ready for their day together.
Oliver takes Felicity's hand for the first time that morning as they walk out of the house: "Today I have you all to myself."
They go to the pier where they used to spend hours together and dared each other to jump into the cold water. They ended up sitting on the pier instead, Felicity leaning against Oliver's chest and staring out onto the lake.
"Felicity I am so sorry I left you here alone." Oliver whispers in her ear.
"Oliver it's in the past now. You are here with me. Everything is perfect."
"Not everything. What are we going to do about your parents?"
"Oliver they won't accept us being together. They will always try to pull us apart and I won't allow that anymore. You will always be in my life Oliver and I am not willing to give you up for them."
"Maybe you won't have to. Maybe with time things will change." Oliver sighs and presses a kiss to Felicity's temple.
Felicity turns in Oliver's arms and points to a tree close by.
"Do you remember where we buried Blake?"
"How can I forget? You insisted that we have a real ceremony for him." Oliver looks at the tree and smiles.
"That's what I love about you. You care. You have such a beautiful heart and I am the luckiest man to be loved by you."
"And don't you ever forget that." Felicity presses her forehead against Oliver's and just breathes him in.
"I love you beautiful."
Felicity leans in and answers Oliver with a slow passionate kiss, and Oliver knows that no one could love him more.
They drive past Felicity's bookstore and she cannot contain her excitement as she explains to Oliver everything that has happened with the preparation for the launch.
When they arrive at the house Oliver switches the ignition off and turns to Felicity with a serious expression.
"Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do, but when you look at me like that I am imagining you telling me that you have 6 kids living out there somewhere." Felicity jokes.
"Nothing like that but it is going to be life changing, depending…...so do you trust me?"
"I do."
"Don't answer so soon my love." Oliver whispers under his breath.
"What?"
"Mmm no nothing. Close your eyes and promise me you won't cheat."
"Okay I am closing my eyes and promising to not peep."
"Now sit tight, I am coming around to get you." Oliver runs around and opens the passenger door.
"Hold on to me I will guide you. "
"Do I detect a 'Fifty shades of grey' scene coming on?" Felicity jokes as she takes hold of his hand.
"You wish!"
Oliver leads Felicity to their backyard and brings her to a standstill.
"Okay, you can open your eyes."
Felicity opens her eyes and is completely unprepared for what she sees.
She sees the birdcage but not like she remembers it. This before her is so much more than a birdcage. It looks like a magical birdcage. The cage now is so much bigger. It has been restored and all the broken branches and racks have been replaced. There are no more holes in the ceiling and there are small bird houses and new toys all over the birdcage. And to top it off there are fairy lights draped all over the birdcage.
Felicity catches herself with her mouth wide open and at that moment she feels so overwhelmed she can't stop the tear rolling down her cheek.
"Oliver." she whispers.
"Felicity I never meant to make you cry." Oliver wipes the tear away with his thumb.
"Oliver, how?"
"The question isn't how, it is why? Come with me."
Felicity takes Oliver's outstretched hand and walks with him into the birdcage.
"Oliver this is so special. I never forgot. I can never forget this place and what we had here." Felicity turns around to look at all the work that went into restoring the birdcage.
"Hopefully we will have many more."
Felicity turns around and finds Oliver on one knee.
"Oliver…" Felicity whispers.
"Felicity so much time has passed between us but when I came back that first night and saw you stuffing your mouth with one those cream puffs, I fell in love with you all over again. I tried to forget, I really tried but I couldn't. And I know now that it is because you are made for me and I was made for you. We will never fit with anyone else because we are each other's perfect fit. Will you go with me on a lifelong adventure and be my forever after?"
Felicity nods her head quickly as tears stream down her face.
"Yes Oliver, a million times yes!"
Oliver gets up just in time to catch felicity as she flings herself into his arms.
Two weeks later on a beautiful Saturday morning Oliver is preparing for the biggest day of his life. He has never felt this happy and this content. He is marrying the woman of his dreams. But something is troubling him.
"Colton, I have to go somewhere quick. I need to speak to Felicity's parents."
His best man turns to him with a shocked expression. "Today?"
"Today. Because today is the biggest day of our lives and as much as there are unresolved issues I don't want Felicity looking back on this day with any regret." Oliver's best man looks worried but knows the determined look on his friend's face means nothing will stop him from doing what he has to do.
An hour later Oliver finds himself in the Smoak Mansion, sitting across from Mr and Mrs Smoak.
"Thank you so much for seeing me on such short notice. I know you don't owe me anything but this means a lot to me."
"Oliver we love our daughter and if it has to do with her, then we will hear you out." Donna says looking towards her husband for confirmation.
"You must have heard that Felicity and I are getting married today."
The couple nod solemnly.
"Mr and Mrs Smoak, I know Felicity. And as much as she is determined to go through with this wedding, I know that she misses and loves you. And I also know that she would want you there on her special day. Mr Smoak, nothing would mean more to her than for you to walk her down the aisle. Please I beg you, for Felicity's sake. Come to the wedding. Put all of this aside and be there for your only daughter on her day. I would like to ask your forgiveness for allowing things to get so out of hand. If I could go back I would do things diffidently I want Felicity to remember this day without any sadness. My only aim is to make Felicity happy and having you there will make her happy."
The couple looks at one another and nods.
Oliver stands in front of all their guests ready for the most important day of his life. He has always thought that seeing the world and capturing moments that some people never even dream of would make him happy. And for a while it did make him happy. But he has realized these past few weeks with Felicity that happiness is not complete happiness if you can't share it with someone special.
Oliver looks around and marvels at the beautiful day they have. They decided to get married on the beach. Just a small ceremony with their close friends and family. Oliver looks out over the ocean and cannot contain the smile on his face. 'I cannot wait to see my bride.'
Felicity stands in front of the mirror and looks at herself in her wedding gown for the second time. She cannot help but smile, this time it feels so different, so right. It has been so much fun planning their wedding with Oliver. Oliver makes every chore feel like an adventure. And all the kisses in between made it so much sweeter.
'Today is my perfect day. And it is perfect because I am marrying the man of my dreams. I know that it would have been even better if my parents were here but there is nothing I can do about it now. Maybe with time they will come around and see Oliver for who he really is.' Felicity thinks to herself.
Felicity's maid of honour opens the door.
"Felicity! It is time! And this time I promise we will go easy during the reception. I have banned all alcohol from the reception." Caitlin laughs while picking up her bouquet.
"It's a pity we couldn't get the DJ and waitress to join us today. They were a lot of fun." Felicity winks at Caitlin.
"You look absolutely beautiful friend. Okay, see you out there." Caitlin gives Felicity a kiss on the cheek and leaves the room.
"Oliver ready or not, here I come." Felicity looks at her reflection one more time and leaves the room.
Just as she opens the door she sees her father dressed in a tux standing in front of her. Her eyes fill with tears immediately.
"Dad."
"Felicity I just want to say your mom and I are so sorry. We miss you so much and I know we have a lot to talk about, but would you do your old man the honour of allowing him to walk you down the aisle?"
"I would love that dad." Felicity hugs her dad so tightly; she has missed him so much.
"I have never seen a more beautiful bride." She slides her arm through her father's and he places his hand over hers.
Together they walk down the pathway leading to the beach.
As they get to the aisle, the wedding march starts playing and the guests all get to their feet.
Felicity's father whispers in her ear: "Ready?"
"Definitely!" Felicity smiles broadly.
It feels like she is floating when she walks past so many familiar faces. And among them are some very good friends of theirs. Mr and Mrs Brown and the Richards are here to celebrate this beautiful day with them, and both couples look as happy to see her as she is to see them.
With each step Felicity takes she wishes she could just pick up her dress and run to the front to get to her soon to be husband.
And then she sees him. "Wow!" Is all she can get out when she first sets her eyes on Oliver in his tux. He fills that tux so nicely with his broad shoulders, broad jaw with a neatly trimmed signature stubble and piercing blue eyes looking only at her.
When they get to Oliver, her father turns to her lifts her veil and gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"We love you always, be happy my baby girl."
Her father turns to Oliver shakes his hand: "Thank you Oliver. You have given us back something so priceless. Take care of our daughter."
"I will, with every breath in me."
Oliver turns to Felicity and he almost feels afraid that he will wake up and realize this is all just a dream. But then she places her hand in his and he knows, this is real, she is real.
They cannot stop smiling at one another and then the Reverend speaks and opens the ceremony.
"Today we are joined here to celebrate the union of two people. This is a celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family and of two people who are in it forever. The couple has decided to write their own vows. Felicity you may share your vows with Oliver."
Oliver and Felicity turn to one another and Felicity takes a moment to take a breath to steady her heart beat.
Felicity speaks up with confidence: "Oliver, from the moment we met as children, we just clicked. It is like when you fit two puzzle pieces together and it fits perfectly. You are my perfect fit. Your eyes see into the deepest part of me and your hands, they make me whole whenever you touch me. I feel every beat of your heart and my love can now rest in your heart. Life makes sense when I am with you and therefore today I give myself to you, completely. I will follow you wherever you go Oliver Queen; I will go with you on which ever adventure awaits us. I am yours now and throughout time."
Oliver clears his throat as he tries to keep his emotions under control.
At first Felicity seems worried at Oliver's lack of words, when flashbacks from her wedding to Ray pop into her mind. Oliver reassures her and gently squeezes her hand as he takes a breath.
"Felicity you look breath-taking. Today the light blue shades of the ocean and the golden sky takes second prize to you. My love I promise to encourage your compassion, because that is what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, for there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together. I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working together with you as part of a whole. Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust, because one lifetime with you could never be enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things."
Felicity looks at Oliver and cannot describe how loved she feels at this moment. They both stare at each other and squeeze one another's hands.
The Reverend looks at the couple. "May we proceed with the exchange of rings?" Colton steps forward and gives Oliver the ring.
When Felicity holds up her hand Oliver notices she still has the paper ring on her finger.
"Let me give you something better my love." Oliver smiles as he removes the paper ring from Felicity's finger and prepares to put on the new wedding ring.
"Please repeat after me. I, Oliver Jonas Queen, take you, Felicity Megan Smoak, and pledge my love to you forever."
As Oliver repeats what the Reverend is saying he slides the beautiful new wedding ring onto Felicity's finger without losing eye contact with her.
"Now, Felicity please repeat after me. I, Felicity Megan Smoak, take you, Oliver Jonas Queen, and pledge my love to you forever."
Felicity follows Oliver's lead and slides the ring into his finger.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends, family and loved ones; it is with great pleasure that I now introduce to you for the first time, Mr and Mrs Queen. You may now kiss the bride."
Oliver steps closer to Felicity and holds her face between his hands. He smiles at her mischievously and with slow and meticulous precision he bends down and kisses his bride for the first time.
Lost in the moment they hear the guests cheering and clearing their throats.
"I will never get enough of you Mrs Queen." Oliver bends down to give Felicity one last kiss before turning to their guests. He scoops Felicity into his arms and presents to them the woman who is his 'Forever After', and says with a grin: "Not bad for a guy without a plan."