AN:It has been long road to get to this chapter. For all the people that have commented, shared and kudos this story I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has kept me going when my RL had gotten overwhelming. This last weekend I finished this story with the joy of the FANDOM at HVFF San Jose. With the high of hugs from the people that bring our characters to life and love I finished this chapter.
I had help a lot of help with this chapter thank you tdgal1 and almondblossomme.
Incline Village
Felicity parked near the main gate, over the years she had found the perfect spot to jump the fence. She never came here during the day but she hoped that the early morning would protect her. Considering most of the Queen family was back in Starling, she felt sure the property would be empty.
During the drive up, Felicity had listened to her go to audiobook when she was feeling down, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's 's Stone. The narrator always managed to add a little magic to the reading and she fell in love with the story all over again. It was better than listening to sad love songs on repeat.
There was only so many times she could listen to A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri.
Felicity looked over the fence, no cars in the drive, the houses were dark, all good signs of her success. She wouldn't stay long, she'd be gone before anyone noticed her. Stepping on a fallen log Felicity pushed herself up and over the wall. As she walked through the tall trees onto the cobblestone driveway she noticed details; a perfect summer morning, birds singing in the trees, fluffy white clouds in the sky, the smell of pine, cut grass, crisp and fresh air.
In the previous years she would peek in the windows, but today it was about letting go. Each step slow and sure as she walked between the two houses, glanced toward the smaller building, and smiled. Somewhere along the drive she had let go of her bitterness of being forgotten. Felicity had been given a gift of love and if it could only be for seven days, it had been worth it. Some people waited a lifetime and never found the kind of love she had experienced. She had told him that she would never regret their time together, but she had forgotten her own promise.
She walked past the large patio with the wooden furniture stepping down the stone steps toward the fire pit and waterfall pond. Felicity looked out toward the lake. She had so many happy memories from being here. It was hard to let the house and property go but she knew somethings were not meant to be.
Felicity wondered where Oliver was at this moment. Was he married now? Did he run off with his bride, far from prying eyes? She hoped that he was happy, that he was loved. With the new contract between their companies, she might see him again. If he remembered her, she would just figure out the fastest exit. She'd forgiven him for not calling, but she couldn't watch him love another woman.
She wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes. Felicity tilted her face up to the sun and took a deep breath. Slowly she let it out, she let go of the years of hurt, let go of the sadness, she let go of Flynn and she let go of Oliver. She was ready to find her own happiness, start a new beginning with an open heart.
An excited buzzing started under her skin, her heart skipped a few beats. The heat of the sun intensified against her back.
"Felicity Smoak? Hi, I'm Oliver Queen." That excitement running through her only ever had one source - Flynn, Oliver, her lost love.
He sounded out of breath, his words just above a whisper. As if he didn't want to interrupt her or he wasn't sure if it was really her.
Felicity's eyes popped open. She turned around slowly. Oliver Queen stood a few feet away from her. He was barefoot, in jeans, and a black t-shirt, and he hadn't shaved in a few days creating a sexy scruff. His sleep mussed hair was trimmed short. His shoulders were broader, the t-shirt tight across his chest. The jeans hung low on his trim hips.
How was it possible that he was better looking now? Her eyes drank him in. The pictures had only awakened her thirst for him. Standing in front of him, her mouth dry, her palms wet, how did she ever think she could see him again in front of other people? Did she look as desperate as she felt?
Oliver's large arms were crossed over his chest, he was leaning forward on his toes. Piercing blue eyes watched her, his brows lifted. He was waiting for her to say something. Why wasn't she saying something? Just say something, anything? She'd written it down, but now her mind was blank.
She licked her lips, "Of course, I know who you are, you're Mr. Queen."
Oliver sucked in a breath as he pulled back from her, his weight shifted to his heels.
"No, Mr. Queen is my father." Oliver sounded puzzled. A cloud over those crystal blue eyes as he processed her words.
"Right, but I never slept with him, not that I want to. I mean there is nothing wrong with him besides he's married and old enough to be my father. Not that older men aren't sexy or anything - I still have a thing for David Duchovny. Who doesn't want to be his Scully? Am I right?"
Oh google, what are you doing? Felicity, she berated herself. This was not how she says hi to someone, much less the man she still supposedly loved.
His lips turned up for an instant, his shoulders relaxed. The cloud disappeared like the early morning mist after the sun rises.
"I wasn't sure if you remembered me?" Oliver said gently.
Felicity tilted her head to the side scrunch up her nose. Seriously how could she forget him.
"Really?" Felicity blurted. "Not something you'd forget, or at least I wouldn't."
Oliver's arms dropped to his sides.
"Do you think I forgot you?" Oliver stared at her as the words rushed out of his mouth.
"I don't know, it was a long time ago. What are you doing here?" With a sad tone, Felicity inquired eyes trying to seek out the proof that he belonged to another but his hands were in his pockets.
"Four years, eleven months and two days," Oliver murmured.
Felicity pressed a hand to her neck, crossed her arm over her chest. Her heart was lodged in her throat. He kept track. She had counted each one of the one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine days apart. Felicity never thought that he would have been doing the same thing.
"Umm yeah something like that. I didn't expect you to be here." She tried to sound indifferent.
"Why did you come?" Oliver's strained voice asking the question with intensity.
"I guess to say goodbye. You know, I tried to buy it." Felicity turned away from him, looked down to the water and back up to the house. "I like it here, liked who I was when I was here."
Oliver took a small step forward. "That was you? I didn't know it was you, never even considered the possibility. I stopped the sale. It's in my name now. I couldn't let it go, it's the only place I feel like myself. Everything makes more sense when I'm here."
She looked up at him, Oliver was watching her, meeting his eyes she felt a pull inside her chest tugging her toward him. Felicity wanted to reach out and touch him, feel his warm skin under her hands. Her palms tingled. She wanted to know if the scruff was soft or rough. How would it feel if he kissed her?
Her body leaned closer before she realized.
Felicity shook her head, stepped away from him. What was she doing? He was supposed to be getting married. Oliver Queen was a fantasy, her life is in San Francisco, running a company, maybe falling in love with someone else. That was her destiny, wasn't it?
"I've been looking for you."
Felicity resisted snorting, or at least covered it with a cough. The man who never called has been looking for her? Did he need a character reference? Why now? Did his impending marriage cause him to go through his little black book? Was he hooking up with old flames? Didn't his mother tell her other woman had come looking for him.
She wasn't being fair, to him or herself. Ten minutes ago she wanted to let it go but standing in front of him all she wanted was answers. Was what they had real for him? Why didn't he call?
"Why?"
Oliver reached out his hand hovered over her bare shoulder, she tensed in anticipation. She could feel the heat radiating between the inches of separation. His hand dropped to his side, his fingers spasmed, he rubbed his thumb over his index. He took a small step back. Felicity sighed in both disappointment and relief.
"I needed to talk to you before I-," Oliver paused, closed his eyes and looked away. "It doesn't matter now, it was a mistake."
"Talking to me was a mistake!?" Felicity exclaimed.
Oliver spun and gaped at her.
"What? No, No. I thought I'd never talk to you again. I wanted to. I don't know how many times I talked to you in my head. Sometimes you'd even yell, using your loud, surprisingly scary voice. Talking to you, seeing you that was never, will never be a mistake."
"Oh," Felicity breathed.
She was confused, the way he looked at her, everything he was saying. It was every dream she had coming true. Except Oliver had her number so he could have called anytime. Felicity never could bring herself to change it. Oliver was supposed to marry another woman yesterday and now he's here. Was his new bride here? Oh god, had she interrupted the honeymoon? She tried to ignore the burning jealousy that raged in her chest at the thought of him with another woman in their place.
It wasn't fair to think that way, Felicity knew. She was a part of his past, a seven day diversion from his regular elaborate lifestyle. She couldn't be mad at him for not growing old, miserable, pining for her, forever alone. She had tried dating. Felicity couldn't blame him for her failure in that department, it was her own delusions of true lost love.
"Fel-i-city." She shivered at the way his smooth deep voice whispered her name. The way he said her name, like he savored every syllable, like he couldn't believe she was there with him. "There hasn't been a day that has passed that I haven't looked for you."
"I find that really hard to believe, considering you got married yesterday." Felicity wanted to believe him.
"No, I couldn't do it. It was a mistake. I don't even know why I let it go on as long as I did. I was doing what was expected, what I thought I was supposed to do. Even if it's not what I wanted. I really tried to forget, tried to move on with my life. I know it wasn't fair to Yvonne. I always held something back. A part of me that I no longer had to give." He didn't get married? Dare she hope that part belonged to her?
Felicity held her breath, Oliver moved closer, closing the space between them. Tears blurred her vision. He reached up, cupped her cheek, his thumb brushed her tears away. She closed her eyes. His touch was charged with dynamic energy. Her chest felt tight, ready to explode with overwhelming emotion.
She had given up hope, she had thought she'd never feel his touch again. Now he was here, his hand anchored her while the blue of his eyes sent her soaring. Oliver had unshed tears in his eyes, his hand trembled against her cheek. She saw hope, longing, and did she dare to dream, love.
"There has only been one person for me, I met her years ago in a bar. She kissed me and I gave her my heart. I never got it back, I never wanted it back. All I wanted was her, my Angel. My Felicity. I chased after your bus, tried to tell you." His words flowed over her like a soothing balm.
"I never saw you. You never called. Why didn't you call? I waited, I never stopped waiting. But you never called." Her words ended in a sob she couldn't fight.
Oliver pressed his forehead against hers, his hands fell to her shoulders.
"I ran through town to get to that damn bus. By the time I returned to the restaurant I was consumed with finding my way back to you. I had no idea how hard or long it would be before I'd see you again. I don't know when or how it happened but until two nights ago, I couldn't find and thought I'd lost that phone. I tore the house apart, went back to the restaurant, searched the streets, but it was gone. I didn't know how to find you, so I did the only thing I could, I went back to school. I joined my family's company and used every resource at my disposal, looking for you. Everything I did was to get back to you."
Felicity sniffled as she was torn between crying harder or laughing at their fate.
"I thought you forgot me. That what happened between us was all in my head. That it was a dumb dream I couldn't forget. That my feelings were one-sided."
"No, you were, are the love of my life. Felicity, before I met you, I didn't have a plan. Then you walked into my life, or … danced, and you changed everything. I was lost. But with your kindness, your generosity, your compassion, your intelligence, your wit and your trust, you found me. You are the light that shines my way. And I don't know if I still deserve your trust, if I deserve you — I probably don't — but whatever has happened, whatever will happen, the way that you make me feel is the best part of my life. You are my always, and I just want the chance to be yours. I have loved you since our first kiss, and I will always love you."
Felicity surged up on her toes, she threw her arms around him. Pressed against him, she could feel his racing heartbeat. Unable to resist his pull, she followed her heart and kissed him. She felt the scratch of his scruff, the soft warm lips welcoming her home. He pulled her closer, his strong arms holding her tight deepening the kiss. Stoking the fire that they had started, his tongue danced with her own. Felicity felt every bit of her body give into him and his respond in kind.
She whimpered at the rush of sensation, the power of being made whole. It was an explosion of color in a dark universe without stars. An eruption of fire melting her frozen heart. He was the key to her future and she would never let him go again.
Oliver had imagined this moment so many times but nothing could have prepared him for the reality of holding her again. Her lips were soft and plump, Felicity's tiny body fit snug against him. He needed to taste more of her.
His hand delved into her hair, he cupped the back of her head. His arm pulled her in tighter against him. His mouth moved and explored the curve of her lips. Heat spread out, consuming his body as her teeth tugged at his lower lip.
A whimpering moan came from her throat as his tongue slipped over her lips. She ran her fingers up his neck and into his hair, scraping her nails across his scalp. Oliver's skin tingled along the path she left. How could he even think of marrying another when her touch made his world so right?
She pulled back from him with a gasp for air. He didn't stop. His lips trailed down her jaw and up to her ear his tongue snaking out to flick along the shell. He felt her body tremble against him before she shoved a hand between them and pushed him back.
Oliver felt dazed, confused by the gap and tried to reach for her again. Her hands covered her kiss swollen mouth. Blue eyes swimming with unshed tears stared back at him.
"Just give me.. I need a.. A moment, I need a moment." Felicity took another step back. Oliver forced himself not to pull her back into his arms. "Everything is happening so fast. Yesterday I was crashing your wedding, all three of them I might add. Who books three weddings? No don't answer that it was a smart idea."
"Why did you go?"
Oliver had to know, he had laid his heart out to her. He told her everything he had been holding inside since the moment they'd met. She said she waited for him, that she never stopped waiting. But could she still love him? Hearing she crashed his wedding gave him more hope than the incredible kiss they just shared. Could the kiss have been a goodbye? Was she letting him go? Did she want to go back to her boyfriend?
Even thinking the word sent acid burning up his throat.
"I went to see you. I needed to know why you never called. A lost phone and a lost opportunity." She whispered sadly.
"The phone was found. So can the opportunity. Even in my darkest moments I never gave up the hope of finding you. Don't give up now that I've found you."
Unable to resist any longer he stepped toward her. She held still, taking short shallow breaths. He placed his hands on her shoulders. His thumbs brushed over the smooth skin up her neck and cupped her jaw. Felicity closed her eyes and dropped her chin to her shoulder, nuzzling his hand.
"I don't know how to give you up. There is no way I could walk away from you. But I will not jump into bed with you. Not that I don't want you. The idea of seeing if we still have it, at doing it, is definitely on my mind. And that kiss made my toes tingle. I like the tingles, the chills, so much. I want to take this slow and get to know all those details." His Angel didn't give up on him? He can wait for her to be ready as long as he knows she still wants him.
"Are you hungry? I can make breakfast. Blueberry pancakes? The coffee should be ready. Cream and two sugars, right?" Oliver offered.
Felicity shuddered out a breath, "Perfect."
Oliver took her hand, she smiled at him when he lead her toward the smaller house.
The first day together they talked long into the night, Oliver constantly touching her, holding her hand, brushing her hair. He was never more than a few steps away. They had a constant need to touch each other making sure the other was real. They fell asleep talking. In the morning she found him watching her. He sighed her name like a prayer then pressed his lips against hers leaving gentle kisses over warm skin.
Felicity sank into his embrace, as he enveloped her in his warmth. The frenzy of their first reunion kiss had been amazing, but the soft sensual exploration healed her soul. Oliver's hand against her jaw gently held her in place. His nose brushed against hers before he pulled away.
"Good morning, Angel."
"You know my name now, so?"
"You will always be my Angel, Felicity."
"Are you always going to be this sappy?" She said with a beaming smile.
"Every chance I get."
"I can live with that."
She tugged him closer, until he hovered above her. Felicity wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down for a kiss. Oliver smiled against her mouth his deep chuckle rumbled in his chest.
He pulled back, looked into her eyes, his smiled widened before he pushed back until he was off the bed and turned away from her. Felicity tilted her head and watched him. She was confused but she wasn't going to miss a chance to see his cute butt bent over in a pair of jeans.
"Oliver?"
"I told you about the phone, losing it, finding it but I started looking before that." His back was still turned away from her while he rummaged through his suitcase. "Do you remember this?"
Oliver placed a small wooden box on the bed. Felicity reached for it, smoothed her hand over the ceramic tile before lifting the lid. Inside she found a dried flower, movie stubs, carnival tickets and a stack of photos. She slowly shuffled through the photos, some she had copies of on her lap top, but others she had never seen. Felicity smiled and cringed at the photo with the fish.
"My first and last time fishing. I was nervous but excited until this sucker started flapping. I almost dropped him. Or is it a her?"
"Anytime you want to try again, I will take you."
Felicity shuddered. "Maybe I will go for moral support and sunshine."
"Is the support for the fish or me?"
"Yes," Felicity exclaimed with a large grin.
Oliver laughed and sat beside her on the bed. They talked about the different pictures, places they'd explored and planned to go to again. Felicity stopped on a photo of her next to his Bronco. Oliver took it from her hands and examined the photo closely.
"I can't believe Robin tried to keep us apart." He sighed and placed it in the box.
Felicity pulled the photo out and shook her head. She loved how he kept the Bronco's name but she knew that Robin needed more credit in bringing them back together.
"I'm the first to admit, I thought Robin was out to get me. My knuckles had a little scar from the first time I tried to touch her. But without her I might not be here." Felicity admitted with a small smile.
"What do you mean?"
"I lost something, which I thought was important but it wasn't what I thought it was." She waved her hand at his confusion. "I tore apart my house looking for said something and found a jump drive. The drive had pictures and one of the pictures was of Robin and you. I used that picture to find you. Up until then I thought I was over everything. I had a boyfriend, a business, a quiet life. But after seeing the picture it showed me that I'd had the key to finding you all along. To finding the piece I had been missing."
She slipped her hand in his, he interlocked their fingers and brought her hand to his mouth.
"Looking at the pictures, seeing the girl I had been, seeing you, changed everything." Felicity laid back dug her hand in her pocket and pulled out a silver chain. "I had lost my true North, lost my ability to see the stars and I forgot to live. But I did keep this."
She placed it in his palm. He sucked in his breath, lifting up the silver chain and revealing the tiny star pendant he made.
"I wore it everyday until the chain snagged and broke the clasp. I took it as a sign that we had been a shooting star fading into nothing. But I couldn't part with it. I couldn't commit to Dylan, oh I need to call him, he has my phone." Felicity mumbled before waving the thought away. "He doesn't matter because I couldn't forget you and I couldn't stop loving you."
"I don't want you to stop."
Oliver reached into his pocket, and pulled out frayed strings. Felicity's skin prickled, her eyes watered and her face flushed. She knew what he was offering her. She had spent hours trying to remember the proper knots, watch video after video until she gave him the simple symbol of her love.
The strings were warm from his pocket, some of the knots had loosened. The color had faded.
"I kept this on until I couldn't tie the ends together. It was my link to you. My reminder that somewhere out there was the woman tying me together. Whenever I was tested or challenged, I had this with me to keep me grounded. You were always with me."
Felicity laid across him and her arms around his shoulders. Her face pressed in the hollow of his throat. He wrapped his arms around her, and they sank into each other. The years of separation melted away.
"No more running, no more hiding behind half truths, I want this, I want you. I'll stay as long as you'll have me. It won't be easy but we'll be together. One condition though, no more talk of ex-boyfriend Dean after we get your phone." Oliver spoke with a conviction in his voice.
Felicity snuggled closer, nodded her head, her throat dry and choking on her words.
"I met him you know, Dave?"
"Who?" Felicity chuckled.
"Your, you know, Dennis." A look of annoyance on his handsome face, Oliver stopped like he couldn't get the word boyfriend out.
"When or where did you meet Dylan?" Curiosity on how that meeting came about, Felicity had to know the details.
"I was in San Francisco yesterday looking for you. He was trying to get Jimmy to tell him when you'd be back. He is a great doorman by the way."
"Oh, so you remember Jimmy's name but not Dylan's?" Felicity giggled.
"Knowing your doorman is important. I plan to see him again as often as possible."
"Oh you are? And how will you do that if you live in Starling City?"
"Move to San Francisco, QI is always looking to expand."
Felicity sat up placed her hand on his shoulders, and looked into his bright blue eyes.
"You would do that?"
"I told you I'm ready. I go where you go. I know we have a lot to figure out but I'm not walking away or chasing down the bus. I will be right by your side for every bump."
"I love you. We'll figure it out. I'm not expected back for a few days, so we can work out the specifics, because I can't walk away from you."
"I love you too."
"Oh I met your mother. She did not sound happy. I made a horrible impression." Felicity shuddered thinking of the meeting and the words Mrs. Queen uttered.
"I'm sure she'll love you once she gets to know you." Oliver replied with a wave of his hands unconcerned.
"Not so sure about that, but the only thing that matters is what we want." Nothing will take Oliver away from her again.
Oliver brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and cupped the back of her head pulling her closer. He rested his forehead on hers and took a deep breath.
"The scent of apples and cinnamon has haunted me for years. But now when I inhale, it smells like home. I can live anywhere as long as you're by my side." Tears form in her eyes with that heartfelt confession.
"Sounds perfect to me."