The story's title is from the song "One Day" by Kodaline. All of the chapter titles come from various songs by the same band.
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Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot and any original characters that may be added in later. All rights over characters of the TV show Arrow belong to CW Television and DC Comics.
And I'm Losing My Breath (I Wanna Be Human Again)
December 2016
Zipping his leather jacket further up to block himself from the slight wind, Oliver reached his hand forward, pulling open the door to the coffee shop and stepping inside. Breathing in the rich smell of coffee, he made his way towards the counter to stand in the rapidly forming line, pulling out his phone and shooting a text to Tommy saying he might be running late for their plans to meet up. He felt someone brush up against his arm and glanced up, seeing a woman with dark hair stepping in front of him in the gap that had formed while he was looking at his phone. Oliver took her in with a slight smile at the fact that she was seemingly oblivious to the fact that she just cut in front of him.
Noticing him staring, she turned her head and narrowed her eyes at him. "Can I help you?" she asked, a bit of sass to her tone causing him to chuckle before quickly masking it at the look on her face.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare," he apologized, a smile finding its way back onto his face. "It's just that, I was in line."
The woman's mouth fell open slightly as a blush covered her cheeks in embarrassment. "Oh. Wow, I totally just skipped you. Sorry." She began to move past him before he reached out an arm to stop her.
"It's alright. Why don't we just stand in line together -" he paused, realizing he didn't know her name.
The woman smiled at him, reaching out her hand. "McKenna Hall."
"Oliver Queen," he grinned, placing his hand in hers and shaking it lightly.
"It's nice to meet you, Oliver."
"You too, McKenna." He released her hand as the line moved forward, noticing that they were next in line. He placed his order after she did and reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. McKenna was rummaging through her purse and he nodded at her, "Don't worry about it, it's on me." She didn't object as he paid, instead moving towards the other side of the counter to wait for her order.
She smiled at him when he followed her, putting his wallet back into his jeans. "Y'know, just because I'm not a billionaire doesn't mean I can't pay for my own coffee."
Oliver huffed a laugh, ducking his head slightly. "So you know who I am."
"Well, you are kind of famous lately. The young CEO that is surprising everybody with his business skills," she explained, trying to hide a smirk.
He grinned at her, "Are you mocking me?"
"Just a little," McKenna laughed before grabbing her coffee and thanking the barista. She turned back to him, a nervous smile on her face, "Would you like to find a table with me? Unless you have other plans…"
Oliver opened his mouth about to tell her 'no' because of his plans with Tommy before he changed his mind and matched her smile, "Yeah, I'd like that."
July 2018
Unlocking the door to the loft, Oliver twists the handle and makes his way inside, sighing as the day's tiring events wash over him. It had been like a never-ending stream of meetings with investors and the board, who have been bugging him about some new project that they think the company should get involved with. Kicking off his shoes by the door, he sets down his briefcase and moves further into the loft. He looks around and can't help but smile at the small touches of Felicity and the life they're building together; he can't wait to be married in just one week. A small thumping sound echoes through the open space and he turns towards it, walking towards the bedroom to see the bathroom door closed. He reaches out for the handle, just about to turn it, when the door flies open to reveal Felicity standing there in shorts and one of his zip-up hoodies, eyes wide.
"Jeez, Oliver. You scared the crap out of me," she breathes out, a hand brought up to her chest and the other gripping the door tightly.
He laughs at her, "Sorry. You okay? I heard a noise."
"What? Oh, um, the drawer just closed harder than expected," she flicks off the light switch and moves around him into the bedroom, "How was work? You look tired."
Sighing, he shrugs off his suit jacket, hanging it in the closet before heading towards the bed where Felicity is settled on the left side, rubbing moisturizing lotion into her hands. He sits down on the edge, his back to her as he unbuttons his sleeves. "Long. The board is really getting on my nerves lately."
"I'm sorry," she pouts, jutting out her bottom lip. She stows her lotion back into the drawer of the nightstand, standing on her knees and wrapping her arms around Oliver's chest. "Anything I can do to help?" Felicity asks through a smile into his neck, her lips peppering kisses along his jaw.
He smirks, continuing to roll up the sleeves of his dress shirt. "Depends on what you had in mind."
Her lips continue their path along his skin, fingers deftly moving to the buttons of his shirt. "Maybe just a little practice for our honeymoon."
Grabbing her hands in his, Oliver twists around and winds his arms low around her waist, her own curling up his chest and around his neck. "I can't believe we're going to be married in a week," he says, a large grin pulling up the corners of his lips.
"I know," she returns a smile, her dimples showing. "I can't believe… I never thought that this could actually happen after everything I did, how I hurt you."
"Felicity," he continues to rub circles into the skin of her back under her sweatshirt with his thumbs. "I love you so much. I never stopped. Us getting married? It's inevitable."
Butterflies erupt in Felicity's stomach, his words having an effect on her even after all this time knowing each other. She's suddenly brought back to when she was seventeen years old, crazy in love and terrified of getting her heart broken. "You've said that before; that we're inevitable."
He furrows his brows slightly, "That's because we are."
"How are you so sure?" she questions, her voice soft as she lowers her eyes to where her fingers play with the open collar of his shirt.
Oliver lifts a hand to her chin, tilting her head up until their eyes meet. "Because I have loved you for my entire life, Felicity. Nothing has ever and nothing will ever change that. And I cannot wait to be able to call you my wife."
Leaning forward to capture his lips in a kiss, Felicity smiles against his mouth, a laugh escaping her as he wraps his arms tightly around her and rolls her onto her back.
The soft sound of music reaches Felicity's ears as she walks into the back room of the restaurant that Thea had rented out for her bachelorette party. She'd done the whole clubbing thing in the past and decided that she wanted something more intimate, just with her close friends. Luckily, among those close friends are Iris and Caitlin, who flew in last night just in time for the party. Back at the loft, Oliver is spending a night in watching the game and drinking beers with Tommy and Barry, who'd flown in with his girlfriend. Unfortunately, Ronnie had a work emergency and wasn't able to make it, but Caitlin has assured Felicity that he will be here in time for the wedding tomorrow.
"The bride is here!" Sara's voice pulls Felicity out of her reverie and she smiles at her friends, not at all surprised that she is the last to arrive to her own party.
"I'm so glad you guys could make it," she addresses Iris and Caitlin, pulling each of them into a long hug. She's missed her high school best friend so much in the last couple years, their jobs and busy lives making it difficult to talk on the phone, let alone see each other in person. Felicity pulls away from Caitlin with a smile, "How's Nathan? I've missed my nephew."
Caitlin's eyes light up at the mention of her son, "Nate is amazing, he turns two in a few weeks. Right now, he's staying with my parents."
"I miss the little fella," Felicity pouts as she takes a seat on the edge of the booth beside Laurel, whose hand cradles her stomach, rubbing across it in slow motions.
A knock sounds before the door opens, the waiter stepping into the room. "Welcome, ladies. Can I start you off with some drinks? We have an excellent Bordeaux just in."
Before anyone can respond, Felicity quickly cuts in. "Actually," she turns to her friends, "I was thinking that since Thea is underage and there's a baby on board, maybe we all just shouldn't drink tonight."
"I second that," Laurel raises a hand, shrugging at the dirty look she receives from her little sister. "I hate watching other people drink when I can't!"
Nyssa releases a laugh at her sister-in-law, "I'll have an iced tea, please."
The rest of the women order their nonalcoholic drinks before sending the waiter away. Felicity laughs at a story Iris tells about a sweet homeless man she interviewed for a piece that hit on her, happy to be surrounded by her best friends but craving the presence of someone else she loves.
Oliver brings the beer bottle to his lips, smiling as he takes a sip due to his best friend's outraged yells. The Starling City Rockets just ended the fifth inning down by four runs against their biggest rivals from Central City, Barry being happy that his own hometown is winning. A night in like this with his friends is exactly what Oliver needed for his bachelor party, clubs being an all-too frequented location in his youth. Especially when the only girl he can think of is the one that he will be marrying tomorrow; the same girl who he hasn't seen since she left to stay at the mansion this morning. He pulls himself from his thoughts of his gorgeous blonde best friend to tune into the conversation the guys are having.
"I hear congratulations are in order. When is Laurel due?" Barry asks, taking a sip of his own beer.
"End of September," Tommy beams, a proud smile on his face.
Oliver can't help but chuckle, "If only it was sooner. She already complains all the time about wanting the kid out of her."
Tommy laughs and nods in agreement, turning to Barry with a tilt of his head. "What about you? You're still with Iris, right?"
"Yeah," Barry grins. "We've been dating for about six years now."
"Do I sense any wedding bells in the future?" he asks, waggling his eyebrows before taking another sip of his beer.
A blush covers Barry's cheeks and he glances down, unable to hide is smile. He shrugs a shoulder, trying to appear nonchalant, "Uh, I don't know. I don't know. Maybe."
Oliver laughs again, listening as they begin to steer the conversation towards the game and how bad Starling's pitcher is doing in the game, when there's a knock at the door. He sets his beer on the coffee table before rising to his feet and heading down the hall, his mouth falling open when his eyes land on who is standing there. His lips pull into a smile, "Babe, what are you doing here?"
Felicity brings a finger to her lips, shushing him as she peers over his shoulder before realizing the guys are fully enthralled in their conversation and the game. Her eyes land back on him and she takes a step forward. "I missed you. We were on the way back to the mansion for a spa thing and I told Thea I needed to go on a walk to clear my head. I don't have much time or she'll get suspicious."
He smirks, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "Felicity Smoak, who knew you were such a rebel. I'll have to warn Laurel and Tommy; you might be a bad influence." A far-away look crosses her face and he tilts his head, "What?"
"Nothing," she recovers quickly, shaking her head slightly before peering back up at him with a breathless smile. "It's just… That's the last time anyone will call me that. Tomorrow I'll finally be Felicity Queen."
"Yeah," he agrees before leaning down and capturing her lips in a tender kiss. He pulls away, pecking her lips one last time before backing into the open doorway. "You should get outta here. Don't want Thea sending in a swat team," he jokes.
Felicity laughs, "That is totally something she would do." She raises a hand and waves, turning on her heels and heading down the hall.
"Hey," Oliver stops her. She pauses, twisting back towards him with a curious glance. "See you tomorrow, Felicity Smoak," he grins, throwing a wink at her. She giggles before continuing towards the elevator, smiling at him until the doors slide closed.