Author's note: so I have 6 total chapters to update tonight but updates are going to slow down a bit after this... school demands for both me and my incredible beta warehouseluver13... I am hoping to stick to a weekly update but we will have to see... now on to a bit of family fun then the gala

Enjoy and review... dresses are on polyvore... link in bio

Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow but wish I could get Stephen's new shirt... unfortunately not paid til next week and now have to get a tire since we had a blow out today

"Wow Speedy! You look great."

"Thanks Ollie. I never get tired of hearing that. Galas are a nothing thing. I know you hate these things but since I am hosting this one and it is to honor you and Lis and all you are doing for the company and your engagement. Promise you will have fun tonight. No fake smiling."

"I don't think that will be a problem." Felicity noted as she stood at the top of the stairs. Oliver turned to look up at her and time stopped. His smile grew as he took in the vision of his fiancé. She was wearing a flowing black dress the hung off one shoulder. The fabric smoothed down her chest and bellowed out afterwards until it dusted along the floor. It faded into a bright blue at her feet, showing her love of all things bright. It had a small crystal embellishment on her hip and the shoulder piece, which peeked out from underneath her blonde curls. She had her hair pulled back on one side, showing off the creamy luscious skin of her neck. He could see the sapphire and diamond earrings he had selected dangling from her ears and drawing his eyes down her neck again. As she stepped down the stairs, he caught the silver pump on her feet, pushing her higher in the air and bringing her closer to his height. Once she got close to him at the bottom of the stairs, her ruby painted lips curled into a delicious smile and a blush dusted across her cheeks.

"Mommy is pretty right Dad?"

"Very much so son." Oliver patted his hand against the young boy's shoulder. Connor had been standing next to him when the ladies started coming down the stairs. First it was Donna in her baby blue floor length gown. It was accented with touches of gold chains and soft makeup. Next was Thea in her jet black strapless gown. The neckline was a sweetheart line that was set off the red rose necklace that donned her collarbone. The skirt floated down her hips and was short in the front to show off her legs, which had a pair of black pumps with bows showcased elegantly on her feet. Oliver had noted to each woman how beautiful they were but his mind went blank with Felicity. He had never seen someone so beautiful in his life. His heart felt like it was wanting to stop one second and race then next. "Felicity I... You... Wow!" Oliver tried but none of the words he thought of seemed to do her justice.

"Always the charmer Oliver Queen." Felicity giggled. "You very handsome yourself." Oliver had selected a three piece tux for the evening. In all black, his pants, vest and most of his jacket were set off by the shiny black silk material that lined his lapels. He had added a blue tie and pocket square once Connor had told him he would look better with it. Once he was sent after the jewels, he figured it was because Felicity was wearing a blue dress but he never imagined the gown she was in now.

"Well that is all Connor. He helped me choose out my tux all the way down to my tie." Oliver chuckled as Felicity helped him adjust his tie and made sure to smooth over his lapels to make sure he was picture perfect. She knew tonight was going to be long. Thea had rented out the country club's ballroom to have the event. She wanted to control the location and it's security. She had hired double the normal level of security and also asked Lance to have a few patrol cars there. The heat on the Reynolds' case had gotten high recently when Felicity finally found evidence of their connection to Ken Shane and the Irish mob. They were planning on taking the couple down in the next few days, when another money transfer was scheduled to occur. They wanted to also get enough on the mob to prevent the Reynolds' from making a deal with the DA. They wanted everyone fully punished for their crimes against the city.

"Well he has great taste." Felicity smiled down to Connor as she leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Now young man, you are still grounded for that fight. So no TV or video games. You listen to Raisa and we will be back later tonight. In bed by 9, understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Connor groaned. They had decided they need to punish Connor for what occurred. Not for defending himself or his friend but not ending the fight when he had the power to. They explained that anytime he can walk away from a fight and get help he needs to do that and not fight the battles alone. During that conversation Oliver had felt Felicity's eyes on him countless times, as if she was saying the words to him as well.

"Love you sweetie." Felicity pulled him into her arms.

"Love you too mommy." He hugged her back and whispered into her ear, "You look really pretty. The prettiest!"

"Thank you." She whispered back as her smile grew.

"Okay we better be going. It would be bad for the honorees to be late." Oliver stated.

"Okay who are you and what have you done with my brother? You were always late." Thea teased.

"Hahaha. I am trying to be better." With that the five adults, Walter included, moved out of the house and to the waiting car; making their way to the party.

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"Thea this place is a dream!" Donna cooed as they walked into the ballroom. The oval shaped room was filled with circular tables that seemed to float around outside of the dance floor. Each was covered in a soft cream linen and set with silverware and place settings. The centerpieces were cream and gold colored and filled with fresh flowers, included roses, tulips and hydrangeas. Scattered throughout the tables were small trees with blooms on them that drew a person's eyes up to the soft sheer material the was cascading from the ceiling. The lights were set to a soft amber color so the room seemed to glow incandescently in a soft golden color.

"Thea this is too much. It is beautiful but you must have done so much work for it." Felicity gasped once she to the room in fully. There were people throughout the room, drifting around the dance floor and tables. She could see all the smiling faces and gorgeous gowns everywhere she looked.

"Are you kidding? This was fun. Mom taught me all about this stuff over the years and her connections are still good. I just planned out the details, the actual work was done by the teams of decorators, chefs and florists."

"Well Speedy this is perfect. Thank you." Oliver leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

"Good now enjoy yourselves. Go mingle, dance, drink and be in love. Tonight you are off the clock as far as work itself. I have everything covered." Thea winked as she tapped the comm link in her ear. She had Digg and Laurel on patrol but she had a change of clothes if required in the car outside, plus her bike parked close by.

The party split up and began to venture around the floor, greeting guests and enjoying their evening.

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"Excuse me folks." Thea tapped the microphone while she stood near the band on the stage. Once she noticed she had most of the attention of the room she continued. "Well as most if you know, my name is Thea Queen. I have the great pleasure of hosting this event tonight. It is to help benefit the creation of several clinics in honor of someone who was very dear to my heart, Tommy Merlyn. Tommy was always so proud of his mom's clinic in the Glades and what it did for the community and I wanted to honor him the same way. Tommy seemed like another rich playboy trust fund kid to most but to me he was more. He was a caring compassionate guy who really went all out for those close to him. He was a friend when I needed someone to talk to and he was a brother when I desperately wanted mine back. I just hate that I got my brother back only to lose Tommy a few months later. He would be happy knowing that all the proceeds tonight will help establish a place for those hurting and needing help to go. He would also be happy for the other reason we are here tonight. Tonight we also celebrate my brother, Oliver, and his beautiful bride to be. For those who have been living under a rock, my brother has finally found the woman of his dreams and somehow has conned her into marrying him." The room erupted in lighter and applause. "No Felicity is incredible. She is smart, strong, gorgeous, caring and generous. She has brought a light into my brother's life that has been missing for years. Seeing them together, I get to see the carefree brother I had years ago again. But he is different too. He is driven and passionate about Queen Inc and all he plans to do with the company with Felicity by his side. He is more nervous and always tripping over his own tongue or feet when it comes to his bride to be. He is more romantic, to the point that it is starting to get gross hanging out with the two of them. They seriously are like two teenagers and I never thought I would say this about him but he is sappy." A soft laughter filled the room again. "He is devoted, always willing to do anything for not only Felicity but for his growing family and friends. He is the brother I always wanted back. He was lost to me for a few years and even when he returned from the island he didn't seem like himself again. Then he went into an office in the IT department of Queen Consolidated and met this young, small, babbling blonde woman who would eventually bring him home fully. Now it wasn't an easy road and there was a bit of heartache for both of them but they finally realized that they were what each other not only needed but wanted. Now he is peaceful and happier than I have ever seen him. So Felicity I am grateful to you for finally bringing my brother home to me fully. He had been missing one major part himself these last few years, something only you could give him, his heart. Congratulations to my brother and his bride to be. May you always have moments together to treasure, battles to fight through side by side and love that we all envy. To Oliver and Felicity." Thea raised her glass of champagne in toast, the crowd following suit.

Oliver loosened his grip from around a tearing Felicity and walked to his sister. He embraced her, "Thank you speedy. For everything but most of all you live and support. I am so proud of you."

"I know. Mom and Dad would be happy and proud of you too."

"I wish they were here."

"I know. Me too. But like you always tell Connor, they are always with us." Thea smiled up to him.

Felicity walked up behind them and Oliver released Thea so that Felicity could thank her. "Thea that was so nice."

"Well I meant every word. I know that my mom and dad and Tommy would love to see him this happy. But then you also helped he realize his potential and passion. You encourage his choice in careers, both of them, and you believe in him. That is something that he really never thought he would have or deserved. You showed my thick headed brother that he was worthy of love and I will always grateful for that."

"Oh Thea. I swear I got lucky that day. I not only got to meet the man of my dreams but a couple of lugs who are like brothers to me know and the best sister I could ever wish for." Felicity hugged her tighter and giggled.

Thea laughed along as her happiness became so evident on her face. "Now enough of these water works. This is a party after all. So let's have some fun!"