A/N: First of all, I want to thank you for all the follows, favorites and reviews. I want to thank too the guests who will leave a review on this chapter, because this time I won't be able to thank you individually. Thanks also to all who have helped me when I've needed help (there's no need to name you because you know who you are), and especially I want to thank once again my amazing beta luvtheheaven, because she has helped me to improve this fic in a way that you can't even imagine.
Sorry I took so long to post this chapter, but as you know, this is the last one for this story and I wanted it to be a great chapter, so I've changed it and changed it until I was satisfied. I hope you like the result.
I don't know if you noticed, but I've been leaving some loose threads that will be addressed in the sequel fic I write for this, and this chapter adds some more of those things that aren't quite fully resolved. ;-) However, the truth is that I don't know when I'll start posting the second installment, but it will take a while, because although I have the main plot, I still have a few things yet to plan, so no, I haven't even begun to write it yet.
Anyway, if you want to be in the loop, you can "follow this fic," because I will add as a 'chapter' an author's note to let you know when I begin posting the sequel.
All that said, I would ask you to not forget to leave me reviews so that I'll know what you think of this final chapter. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I'd also like to thank you once again for joining me on this journey that has lasted more than eight months, and to tell you that I hope you all stick with me for the second installment.
Meanwhile, remember that you can keep in touch with me by private messages here on fanfiction dot net, or by Facebook (Oiaso FicWriter is where I usually post updates and other fic related things).
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See you soon,
Oiaso
Chapter 29. Every Story Starts Somewhere
It had been just over two weeks since the robbery at the bank, and Oliver was looking forward to leaving the hospital. He was fed up with being there, even though he had been accompanied almost the entire time. His family and friends had worked out a schedule so that he'd almost never be all alone.
Thea went to visit him every afternoon, sometimes accompanied by Roy; and even his mother had come to visit him for a few minutes thanks to a special permit that the family lawyer had obtained. Not only that, but she had also managed to postpone her own trial because Oliver was in the hospital.
Laurel had gone to visit him a few times too, but she hadn't stayed long, and Oliver couldn't help but wonder if it was because Tommy's death was still very recent. She had already mourned Oliver's death years ago when the Queen's Gambit had sunk, and Oliver thought that seeing him now in the hospital, knowing how close he had been to dying must be too hard for her. Also Quentin had returned on two separate days to first take Oliver's a statement, and then to give him an update on the status of the case. Neither Quentin nor Oliver were men of many words, and although neither of them had said it aloud, they both knew that these had just been excuses to visit him, because after the deep conversation they had had days earlier, it had formed a strange bond between the two men who, each in his own way, fought every day for the sake of the city.
Another person who came every day was Diggle, his faithful bodyguard and loyal friend. He went to the hospital in the evening, so that Thea could leave and take care of Verdant, and although Diggle did everything he could to entertain Oliver, he wasn't very successful. Felicity, on the other hand, did a better job.
She was the one who spent the most hours in that room. She always went very early, sometimes even arriving before the sun rose and she didn't leave until Thea arrived early in the afternoon. Oliver and Felicity used those hours to get official Queen Consolidated work done, although she'd of course still been forced to postpone all of the meetings Oliver had been scheduled to be in during these past two weeks. He knew that Felicity had accepted the Executive Assistant position reluctantly, but the truth was that she was really good at the job. She took on so much of his workload and made his job so much easier, always giving him the excuse that he was in hospital and therefore had to rest, but knowing her, he was sure that even once he was out of there, nothing would change. Felicity would remain the mastermind behind every decision while Oliver would take care of the public appearances. The first time he noticed the similarities with their nocturnal activities, he couldn't help but smile.
And while Oliver was glad Felicity was with him every morning, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed the evenings much more. Felicity would bring dinner from Big Belly Burger for only Diggle and herself, earning a growl from Oliver. He didn't like the hospital's food, but Felicity always refused to bring him a hamburger, making Diggle laugh out loud, which always led to all three of them laughing.
But for Oliver, the best part of the day was when Diggle left, allowing him to be alone with Felicity. Unlike their mornings, they didn't do anything work-related, not even things related to their typical secret night-work. As they had promised each other in that same hospital room on the same day as him getting shot, they just enjoyed their time together, while they got to know each other better.
They spent hours chatting, discovering little things about the other. For instance, Oliver loved dogs, but he had never had one - because Thea was allergic to them. Or that Felicity's favorite movie was The Lion King. The day after Oliver learned of that, he called Thea so that she would bring him the DVD they had at home for when Felicity arrived in the evening.
When that happened, she wasn't surprised. Watching a film on Felicity's tablet had become a part of their nightly routine at the hospital.
The first time, she had been sitting in the chair, but Oliver had suggested that she lie down beside him and get more comfortable. She'd rejected the idea, saying that she could hurt him, but Oliver had doubted that was her real reason for hesitating. Neither of them had finished watching the movie that night. Felicity had fallen asleep in the middle, and when Oliver realized it, he decided he preferred to watch her sleep than to pay attention to the movie, until he too fell asleep. The next day, Felicity couldn't hide her neck pain, so Oliver swore to himself that he wouldn't let her remain in the chair ever again. Every time, from that point forward, that they wanted to watch a movie, Felicity would get into Oliver's bed. That was how the nurses found them more than once in the morning, and that was how Oliver first discovered that with Felicity at his side, his nightmares were much less frequent.
However, in those two weeks he'd had to be in the hospital, there had been one particular night that for Oliver had been really special. It had started like any other evening. He and Felicity had chatted for a while before starting to watch a movie, but this time, Oliver had begun to draw patterns with his index finger on Felicity's shoulder. To her, they seemed pointless drawings, but actually, Oliver drew, over and over again, the phrase "I love you" in Chinese characters. At the end of the film, that same phrase had been about to escape his lips, but he stopped at the last second. It wasn't the right time. Oliver knew that the moment he said that phrase, their relationship would change forever, and he wanted it to be special. So from that night on, Oliver couldn't stop thinking about it, trying to find the best way to say the words.
That was how the two weeks went by, until the day when Oliver would be discharged had finally arrived. It was late afternoon when Oliver left the hospital accompanied by Felicity. Diggle had been waiting at the hospital entrance, checking for reporters. Luckily, the date of Oliver's discharge hadn't been spread, so Diggle didn't have to deal with prying photographers and journalists. When Oliver and Felicity came out, Diggle escorted them to the car.
"Where are we going?" Diggle asked once they were in the car. "To the mansion?"
"The truth is I'm a little tired of being locked inside, so I'd rather go take a walk."
"But Oliver, the doctors said you should rest," Felicity protested.
"I'm not talking about training or anything like that, Felicity. It's just a walk in the park, where there are plenty of benches which I can sit on if I want."
"To the park, then," she conceded.
Diggle didn't waste a second and started the car, heading to Avalon Park. Diggle knew Oliver liked it, and that the younger man wanted to go there. He'd made it clear some days ago at the hospital during one of the many conversations they'd had.
"By the way," Oliver said, barely a minute later, breaking the comfortable silence they had been in. "You haven't told me yet what Lance said to you when he asked you to meet him at the police station last week."
"It wasn't important, don't worry," she said, trying to downplay it.
But Oliver knew that face. Whatever it was, she didn't want to tell him.
"Felicity. The truth, please."
"It's nothing, really."
"Felicity," he said again, in a tone that made it clear he wasn't going to let this go.
"Okay... He told me that the bank decided not to press charges—"
"What! Why would they want to press charges?"
"Eh... I think it had something to do with the fact that I broke their security code and opened the safe."
"Oh, that..."
"Yes, that... But since that stopped the robbers' request to bring the bank manager into the hostage crisis, they decided to let it go; but they want me to be the person to improve their security system. Something similar happened with the police."
Oliver raised his eyebrows, confused.
"Detective Lance wasn't the only one who saw what I did, so now the SCPD and part of the special operations unit are aware of what I can do. So... Well... Uh... Maybe I will have to work for them sometime soon."
"What?!" Oliver and Diggle exclaimed at the same time.
"It won't be a big deal, don't worry. The police have their own IT team, but sometimes their knowledge is not enough, and it is likely that from now on they'll ask for my help on those specific occasions."
"I don't like the idea," Oliver stated.
"Why not?" she replied, knowing what the answer would be.
"It's dangerous," he said without thinking, just by instinct.
"Oliver, we've talked about this many times. My life, my choice. Also, I'll be in a police station surrounded by a lot of cops, how much danger can be there?"
"She has a point, man," Diggle said smiling, seeing Oliver's frown.
"All right, but promise me you'll be careful."
"Of course; don't worry. Besides, it's not a sure thing they will call me. It's only a maybe, a possibility," she said reassuringly.
Oliver tended to be overprotective, especially with her, and although sometimes it was exasperating, Felicity also thought it was very sweet of him to care so much for her.
It never ceased to amaze Diggle how easily Felicity could talk some sense into Oliver. I've never met anyone as stubborn as him! he thought to himself.
When they arrived at the park entrance, Diggle told Oliver and Felicity that he had to go on an errand but that he would pick them up later. Neither of them bought it. They were sure that Diggle was doing it purposely so they could get some time alone, but instead of saying it aloud, they just agreed to text him when they were ready to leave the park.
They began to walk slowly, losing themselves into the myriad of paths through the park, while Felicity was delighted with each new flower she saw.
"Haven't you ever been here before?" Oliver asked, both curious and fascinated at her excitement.
"No, but I wish I had. This place is really beautiful, and there are so many flowers!"
"If I had known you were going to like it so much, I would have brought you here a long time ago," he said with a mischievous smile that made Felicity wonder if this was how the old 'Ollie' acted with the girls. Cheerful, relaxed, playful... A faint blush spread through her cheeks. She knew it wasn't a date, but Felicity couldn't avoid the feeling of having thousands of butterflies fluttering inside.
The last two weeks had been unforgettable. Ignoring the fact that Oliver had been in the hospital, they had been just perfect. A dream come true, and we haven't even kissed yet.
"What?" Oliver asked when he heard her muttering something.
"Nothing, nothing... Oh!" Felicity exclaimed before rushing to crouch next to some white flowers. Oliver smiled, instantly recognizing that type of flower. "Aren't they beautiful?"
"Yes, they are. There were always lilies at home, and I always liked them." Felicity looked at him with surprise. She hadn't thought Oliver would know the name of the flower.
He saw her so thrilled with the lilies that he didn't hesitate to pick one.
"Oliver, what are you doing?" she asked, as she stood up.
"This flower is perfect for you," he said as he put the flower in her hair above his left ear. The mere touch of his hands on her skin sent a shiver down her spine. Their faces were just inches away, and Felicity's gaze was fixed on his eyes.
Oliver took a step back to see the result. He hadn't been mistaken. The flower gave her a fresh and youthful look. "Do you know what the meaning of the lily is?"
She just shook her head, not trusting her own voice. The intimacy of the previous moment still had her heart beating fast.
"My father used to bring my mother a fresh bouquet of lilies every week," he said nostalgically, because since he had returned from the island he hadn't seen even one of those beautiful flowers in the mansion. "I asked my father once why they were always lilies, and he said it was because of their meaning. The lily is the symbol of innocence, purity and happiness, and my father said those were perfect for my mother. Back then I thought he was right. Now..." Oliver's voice had acquired a tinge of sadness and pain. The undertaking was still too recent.
"Oliver, your mother lost her husband and son. Malcolm manipulated her. She did what she did to protect Thea and you, and if it weren't for her, many more people would have died that night." Felicity didn't agree with Moira's actions, but she also knew that it hadn't been an easy situation for her.
"I know, but still... Many people died." His voice made it clear that he still felt guilty for what happened that night, for Tommy's death.
"You know now that you've left the hospital, the trial will happen soon, right?"
"Yeah," he said, defeated.
"She'll need your support. And Thea's too."
"Thea hasn't even gone to visit my mom. She doesn't want to see her."
"You should talk to her."
"Maybe, but not today."
Felicity saw how upset he was, so she wanted to cheer him up and changed the topic to something more cheerful. "So, how do I look?"
"Just beautiful. The flower suits you perfectly," he said with a big smile. Then he seemed lost in thought, as if trying to remember something. "Come on, I want to see if..." he trailed off.
And before she could say anything, he took her hand and led her through the park, until they came to a clearing where he found what he was looking for.
"It has been long since I last came to this park, but I'd hoped he'd still be here, and it seems I was right."
"He? Who is he?" Felicity asked, confused.
Oliver pointed toward a man sitting on a bench. He was just as he remembered from his youth, only now the man had white hair, and he no longer had a beard. The man used to go every day to the park, and he took pictures of flowers and the sunset with his Polaroid camera. And sometimes, when he walked next to someone who was enthralled with a flower, or if he saw a couple in love, he couldn't help but take a picture, which he'd then give to them.
"Excuse me sir, could you take a picture of us, please?" Oliver asked him when they arrived at his side.
"Of course," the older man answered gently. He rose slowly and pointed them toward where they should go for the best lighting.
Felicity was nervous - she couldn't help it. It was going to be her first picture with Oliver. She felt his hand on her waist, and instinctively she leaned on him. When they were ready, the older man pressed the button and waited until the photograph was out. He shook it until the image began to appear, and then he handed them the photo.
When Felicity saw it, she just stared at it. It was beautiful. The way that Oliver had caught her by the waist, the way she was leaning against him, their smiles... It was a perfect first picture. She was so enraptured with the photo that the click of a new camera shot took her by surprise.
She looked at the older man, who had a mischievous smile.
"I heard what happened at the bank in the news. Since then, there have been a lot of rumors about the two of you. They say that you're not just his assistant," he said looking at Felicity, "but they ignore—".
"What?!" Oliver cut him off. The day he had been shot, he'd found out that the workers of Queen Consolidated thought Felicity had gotten her promotion because she was sleeping with him, and now, it seemed the same completely wrong idea had also reached the celebrity gossip channels. Oliver groaned inwardly at the thought.
"—how right they truly are," the older man continued as if Oliver hadn't interrupted him. "It's obvious that there's something between the two of you, but they don't realize that your feelings are quite deep. I can recognize true love when I see it, Mr. Queen, and yours clearly is," he finished, as he gave them the second picture.
Felicity took it curiously and saw that the picture was still nothing but a black square, so she shook it until the image was revealed. If the previous photo had been beautiful, this one was even more. She had no words to describe it. Neither she nor Oliver were looking at the camera, but that didn't matter.
In the new picture, Felicity was looking at the first photo delightedly, while Oliver had eyes only for her. She could now understand what the man had told them. Oliver's eyes were full of the purest love she had ever seen.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked Oliver, with a big smile.
"Yes, it is," he answered, smiling too.
Oliver was happy. He knew that the older man's photographs used to be very special. He'd always managed to take the picture at the right time, and this time was no different. When Oliver looked up to thank him, he was already walking away, his back turned. Oliver would be sure to return to the park another day in order to properly thank him. He really wished he could thank him right now, Oliver thought as he let out a sigh.
Oliver had either been sitting or lying in bed for most of his time during the past two weeks, so Felicity took the sigh as a signal that he was tired of standing. "Why don't we sit for a while?" she asked.
"I have a better idea. What do you say we go get something to eat? There is a cafe near here that has the best baked goods."
"That sounds good," she replied cheerfully. How could she reject something sweet?
It wasn't long before they arrived, as it was a mere block away from the park. It was a very small cafe, decorated with lots of pictures of all kinds of coffees and desserts. The walls were a light pink color and Felicity's heels echoed on the tile floor. The light was dim, coming from a small lamp on each table, giving some privacy to its occupants.
They chose a table in the back corner of the local, and they each sat on a side of the table that was alongside a wall, so that both of them could see the whole establishment. Oliver couldn't be happier. The way they were sitting was just perfect because they were quite close to each other.
They looked through the menu in silence, and Felicity couldn't make a decision between so many delicious sounding options. Cakes, muffins, donuts... Everything sounded appetizing.
When the waitress came to ask what they wanted, Felicity hadn't decided yet.
"Do you trust me?" Oliver asked her suddenly, seeing his opportunity.
"Sure."
"Then it will be a chocolate volcano to share, a mocha coffee with vanilla for her, and one of your classic lattes for me."
"The volcano will take about ten minutes but I can bring the coffees now, if you want."
"Yes, please."
Soon after, the waitress returned with the coffees, and a saucer with some mini-muffins. "Those are on the house, while you wait for the volcano."
"Thanks," they answered in unison.
When the two were left alone again, Felicity proved that when eating one of the mini-muffins, a person could not help but moan with delight, making Oliver choke on his coffee. Realizing what she had just done, she blushed deeply.
Oliver wasn't sure if it was the best place or the right time, but what he did know was that he couldn't wait anymore.
"Felicity... There's something I've been thinking about for a while..." Oliver said hesitantly. Timidly, he brushed Felicity's hand with his, as if asking permission to take it.
Wordlessly, she laced her fingers with his as she smiled sweetly, encouraging him to go on, a bit anxious and fearful at the same time to hear what he would say, for it was not common to see Oliver hesitating.
"Do you remember what I told you at the bank?"
She nodded, increasingly nervous. Of course she remembered. She would probably remember every word her entire life.
"I told you that I was sorry you've been in danger so many times, but that I wasn't sorry for bringing you into my life. I told you that you made me smile for the first time after my return, and that you've filled my days with light and peace. I also told you that you're the most beautiful, kind, intelligent, selfless, courageous and amazing woman I have ever met. And I told you, once again, that you're remarkable, and that I'm so thankful for the day I met you. Do you remember all of that?"
She nodded again.
"Then I tried to say something more, but you didn't let me. Do you also remember what you told me then?"
"Y-yeah," she said shakily. "I told you that when the robbery was over and you were okay, you were going to ask me out. That you were going to take me to a movie or for a walk in the park, and that then we were going to go to dinner, and while we were waiting for the dessert… Oh!"
Felicity couldn't go on. So far, pretty much all of that had happened. They had left the bank, Oliver had healed, he had - without her realizing it - asked her out, they had gone for a walk in the park, and now they were waiting for 'dessert'.
"You did it purposely, right? Ask for the volcano, I mean. You knew it takes a while to prepare it." Oliver's grin was answer enough; he did know it.
"I love you Felicity. I know it took me a while to realize it, but... I just love you. I love you like I've never loved anyone." Oliver brought Felicity's hand affectionately to his mouth and kissed it.
Felicity's eyes grew moist, and a tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek. Before it reached her lips, Oliver brought his other hand to her face and brushed the tear with his thumb. There, excited and tearful by his words, Felicity couldn't be more beautiful, and Oliver couldn't resist the urge to kiss her. It was short, sweet, gentle... But it was a kiss that conveyed all the love he felt for her. It was a promise of a future together, happy and in love.
"I love you Felicity," he said again, before kissing her one more time.
She wanted to tell him back, because she truly did love him, but instead, Felicity, being just Felicity, came out with a completely different answer that neither she nor Oliver expected. "Do you realize that if you hadn't gone to the bank to keep me company, we wouldn't have come this far?"
Oliver chuckled at her response. Her spontaneity and her ability to surprise him were two of the things he loved most about her.
He replied, "I guess that... every story starts somewhere."
~ The End ~
