A/N: Good morning! I'm back with another chapter as we get closer to wrapping up the first part of this story. There are two or three chapters left...as long as Oliver and Felicity continue to behave. Thank you again for sticking with me throughout this adventure. I've had so much fun writing it and I hope you've had fun reading it. And I hope you stick with me through part 2 (and 3) later. Happy Valentine's Day to anyone celebrating. And Happy Sunday if you're not!

Priya thanks again for beta'ing this beast for me and helping me work through the issues this chapter originally gave me! I appreciate the friendship we've been able to create throughout this adventure!


Felicity woke to the blaring ring of her alarm clock and instantly smacked the top to silence it and curled herself into the warm body next to her. Oliver wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, his lips grazing over her bare shoulder and the tips of his fingers lightly grazing down her back. She sighed into his neck and Oliver pulled away just enough to relocate his lips to hers. They kissed lazily in the early morning light and Felicity lost herself in his kiss.

In the three months since Oliver had showed up in Vegas they were closer than ever. Felicity knew it was almost a little insane how much time they spent together but neither cared. The couple rarely went a day without seeing each other and they definitely didn't go a day without speaking, even if it was just a quick 'Love you, good night' call before they fell asleep.

Oliver didn't like to talk about it, but Felicity knew that he had a blowout with Tommy over the messing with his phone, in which his best friend had admitted to deleting her message and missed call notification. Oliver had told her that Tommy said he had done it to avoid what Tommy assumed would be a devastated Oliver after Felicity told him to stop calling in her message. Felicity and Oliver had argued when Felicity assured Oliver that she could somewhat understand where Tommy was coming from in his concern, even if it had been misguided.

Oliver had cut ties with Tommy after that heated conversation. He assured Felicity that it wasn't her fault and that she shouldn't feel responsible, even if she did. Tommy had reached out to her and apologized for jumping to conclusions and though she had been quick to forgive him, she had realized that he didn't actually apologize for the act itself and Felicity had realized he wasn't sorry for what he did. That had been enough for Felicity to finally stop bugging Oliver about making up with Tommy.

Oliver nipped at her lips and Felicity moved to push him onto his back and straddled his middle while taking control of the kiss. She rubbed her ass against his growing erection and Oliver moaned into her mouth. His hands moved to cup her bare breasts, his fingers tweaking her nipples causing her to pull her lips from his and gasp. He used her distraction to sit up, one arm around her back to guide her further down in his lap the other still fondling her breast before latching his lips and suckling a nipple into his mouth.

"Oliver," she panted her fingernails digging into the flesh on his shoulders causing little red crescents to appear. She felt the chuckle as he switched breasts and Felicity arched even more into him. "God that feels so good."

Felicity took the lead again, using his shoulder to raise herself up before sinking down onto his erection and Oliver caught her nipple in his teeth as he exhaled, before flipping them, not loosing their connection and thrust greedily into her.

"Fuck Felicity," he whispered against her skin causing her to shudder and clench him even more tightly into her. "Shit, baby I'm close."

She pulled his head to hers and kissed him hungrily as he continued to pound into her. Felicity wrapped her legs around his back and shifted enough that the new angle hit just right and within moments she shattered around him and cried out his name in ecstasy. His own release came only seconds later as her walls milked him dry.

He pulled out of her reluctantly before settling back down on his bed and pulling her close. Oliver pressed his lips against her forehead lovingly.

"What a way to start the morning," Felicity said with a happy sigh against his chest. "I'll never get sick of waking up like this."

"Good to hear," Oliver replied with a huffed laugh. "And while I'm certainly not complaining about morning sex, why in god's name was the alarm set? It's Saturday and I specifically remember you telling you didn't have to work today."

Felicity shrugged as her eyes closed. "Must have forgotten to turn it off last night before bed," she mumbled around a yawn. "More sleep now…"

"Yes please."

Felicity was drifting off to sleep when her eyes popped open and she sat up in bed quickly. "Shit!"

"What?" Oliver asked, his eyes not opening more than a sliver. "What's wrong?"

"Thea!" Felicity exclaimed. "I set the alarm because we have to pick up Thea from the airport. That's why I set it. We're going to be late!"

"Calm down…"

"We have to go!" Felicity replied with a shove at his chest. "Get up, shower! If we're late…"

"She'll just have to sit and wait for a minute…"

"I'm not leaving your eleven year old sister to sit and wait for us by herself at the airport Oliver!" She answered with a huff and Oliver relented, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and stretching. "That's not fair."

"What?" Oliver questioned with an innocent grin. "I'm getting up like you asked me to."

"Yes," Felicity admitted, "but you're there stretching all muscles and bare best and gorgeous and…ugh! You're so distracting!"

"We could also save water and shower together…"

Felicity started to nod before pressing her lips together and shaking her head. "We'll never make it on time if that happens. Go now!"

"Fine, fine…but don't think we won't finish this later," he assured her as he walked by her and leaned down to press his lips against hers quickly. "That's a promise."

"I'll hold you to that," she countered with a smirk before heading out to the kitchen to start some coffee.

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Oliver rolled his eyes as Felicity and Thea lead him through another exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science. Felicity had a full itinerary of things she wanted to do with Thea while his little sister was visiting for the fall break and it included all of the boring things he hated.

"Could you please try and pretend to not be completely miserable," Felicity whispered against his ear as Thea gazed around her in the butterfly garden. "Thea's having fun, you could try."

"But I'm not having fun."

"I know that," Felicity responded. "But…never mind. There is a café on the first floor. We'll meet you there in an hour or two if you want to go do something else."

"I don't have to leave Felicity."

"But you're bored stiff," she replied. "I'm not going to force you to stay."

"You aren't forcing me…"

"Oliver…"

"Felicity…"

"Oh my god," Thea exclaimed with just enough sibling disgust in her voice to make them flinch. "I'm glad you're back together and all but could you two be any more sickly sweet?"

"Sorry Thea," Felicity replied quickly and tried to distract her. "What butterfly is your favorite?"

"That one," Thea said pointing to a dark blue colored butterfly. "It's pretty and one landed on me earlier!"

"How awesome!"

"Yeah Speedy," Oliver chimed in with a smile in place. "I'm glad you're having fun."

"I'm getting kind of hungry though," Thea told them with a shrug. "And we've been here for awhile now. Do you think we could grab something to eat?"

"Definitely!" Felicity assured her before linking her arm through the young girl's. "And I know just the place."

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Their week with Thea went by quickly and before either knew it they were packing for Thanksgiving Break in which they'd be spending in Starling City at Oliver's house. Oliver was zipping up his bag when his phone rang and he grabbed it off the nightstand.

"I'm packed and ready to go," he assured his girlfriend as a greeting. "We won't be late."

"Are my black heels there?"

"What?"

"I can't find my black heels and I want them for the outfit I'm wearing for Thanksgiving dinner so I wanted to know if they're at your place."

"I…don't know?"

"Look please?"

"Sure," he told her before heading towards his closet and pulling the door open. A mix of her clothes were hanging on the right side and her black heels, along with at least three other pairs of shoes were lined up neatly along one wall. "I see your black heels."

"Oh perfect!" Felicity exclaimed. "Will you grab them for me? I completely forgot I left them there after our date last week."

"You know you have a lot of stuff here."

"Mm-huh," she responded distractedly and Oliver chuckled. "Is my…oh wait, found it."

"Maybe you should make it a more permanent move?"

There was a pause long enough that Oliver wondered for a second if the call had dropped before Felicity sputtered out in an octave higher than her normal range. "Did you just ask me to move in with you over the phone?"

"Maybe?"

"Oliver!"

"What? I thought you'd be happy!"

"You asked me over the phone? This is a major life decision and I'm running late and we have a plane to catch and you just asked me to move in with you over the phone!"

"What I'm gathering is that I shouldn't have asked you over the phone?"

"We'll talk about this later," Felicity answered with huff. "I have to finish packing. Please don't forget my heels. Love you."

"See you in twenty," Oliver told her before he heard the click of the phone and he pulled his phone back from his ear before muttering, "Love you too."

Oliver held the heels out for Felicity as she opened the door and she snatched them out of his hand with a quick thanks and a peck on the lips before she shoved them into her still open bag.

"Alright," she said glancing around quickly. "I'm all set."

"Did Sara leave already?"

Felicity nodded. "She flew out last night. She's spending the first part of the week with her mom in Central City and then she and Laurel and switching."

"So her parents are divorcing?"

"Looks to be that way," Felicity told him as she ushered him out the door and locked it behind her. "It's a 'trial separation' right now, but those almost always end in divorce."

"Poor Sara and Laurel."

"Yeah," Felicity agreed slipping her hand into Oliver's. "I can't imagine that divorce is easy at any age."

"Me either," Oliver agreed and a peaceful silence fell over the car, Felicity's hand finding it's way back to his. "So do you want to talk about…"

"Later," Felicity interrupted him quickly. "I'm thinking about it, okay? And I need to get my head around it before we talk about it."

"If you aren't ready that's fine Felicity. It just…it was a suggestion that I've considered before and thought…"

"It's not that," she promised him. "I think I am ready and while it's both exciting and scary I have to think about Sara too. I don't want to just abandon her."

"You wouldn't be abandoning her Felicity," Oliver countered. "You'd still see her all the time, you work together."

"I know," Felicity replied with a shrug. "It would just be different. I don't know."

"Whatever you decide it won't change anything."

"I know."

"Besides we have grad school to think of anyways."

Felicity beamed at him. "We do! I'm almost done with my application. How is yours coming?"

"It's…coming."

"Oliver!"

"I'll finish it soon, I promise."

"You'll finish it this week," Felicity answered with a nod. "I'll make sure of that."

"Great."

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Felicity looked on at her roommate in complete shock. "I don't understand Sara…"

"I'm just going to take a break," Sara answered with a shrug. "Go and spend some time with my mom. I may take some classes while I'm there…"

"But…"

"I'm finishing out this semester," Sara assured her. "I'm just not coming back to Cambridge after that."

"But…"

"I know I'm putting you in a bind with the whole roommate thing. Maybe we can get out of the lease early or something? I'll pay whatever plenty. Or I could help you find someone else…"

"I'm not worried about that," Felicity interrupted her with a shrug. "Oliver asked me to move in with him over Thanksgiving break."

"See that's perfect!"

"Sara you're dropping out of school!"

"I'm not dropping out exactly," Sara countered with a sigh. "It's just a break. I'll finish, I promise."

"But…"

"I know this isn't what we planned," Sara said wrapping her arms around Felicity in a hug. "But something life throws you a curveball and I really feel like I need to be with my mom right now."

"Ok."

"Hey let's plan a trip this summer! Just you and me? Europe maybe?"

"I have my internship at QC!"

"Like Mr. Q wouldn't let you take some time off before you start grad school for a vacation?"

"Well there should be a week or two between the end of the scheduled internship time and when I'll need to be back here if I get into the grad program."

"First, you'll get into the grad school program. No doubt about that. Second, a week in Europe would be perfect!"

"I'll think about it."

"Great!" Sara exclaimed with a grin and pulled Felicity in for another hug. "I've got to go and put my two weeks in at the coffee shop. Go tell that boyfriend of yours to clear out space in his closet for you."

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"Your parents are being really sweet about letting me come for Christmas too," Felicity told Oliver as they pulled up in front of the Queen mansion. "I feel like I'm just…intruding or something."

"My parents love you," Oliver assured her with a shake of his head. "They were glad that you decided to come spend Christmas with us again."

She smiled up at him and pulled his head down to hers for a passionate kiss. "It's been almost a year since we started dating."

"Best year of my life."

"We aren't counting that unfortunate time this summer are we?"

"Nope," Oliver agreed enthusiastically. "As far as I'm concerned we are only a few days away from our one year anniversary. And your present is in my bag."

"Your present is in my bag."

"Plus your Chrismakuh presents."

"You're seriously going to call it that?"

Oliver laughed. "Of course! It's actually quite clever. And I had to get something out of that stupid show."

"It is not a stupid show. It's actually quite a good show."

"You're going to be really sad when it ends aren't you."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"That's a yes."

"What are we doing for your sister's birthday?"

"Trying to change the subject Ms. Smoak?"

"Oliver…"

"Fine," he relented with a laugh as he pushed the front door open. "I'm not sure. I figured we could let her decide?"

"Good plan."

"Oliver! Felicity!" Moira greeted them both with hugs. "So glad you finally made it. Thea has been waiting not so patiently since this morning."

"Weather delay," Felicity offered with a shrug. "But we're here now. Where is the birthday girl?"

"She's out in the pool," Moira told them. "I figured a swim would distract her until you arrived home."

"Ollie!" Thea's called through the front entrance. "You're finally here!"

Thea launched herself at her brother, still dripping from the pool and Oliver laughed as he caught and spun her around. "Hey Speedy, I've missed you. Happy Birthday kiddo!"

"I'm twelve now," she said as Oliver set her down. "I think it's time to retire the speedy nickname."

Oliver shook his head. "Nope. No way."

"Thea you're dripping water everywhere," Moira scolded. "And you soaked Oliver."

"It's fine mom," Oliver assured her. "But we should probably take this outside. Felicity and I will be right out and then you can tell us what you want to do for your birthday."

"Okay!" Thea agreed and scampered back the way she came from leaving a wet Oliver and a laughing Felicity behind her.

"Your sister…"

"She's just excited mom," Oliver replied. "It's really fine. I'm going to run our stuff upstairs…"

"Your room is ready for you," Moira assured them. "We'll see you both downstairs in a minute. I have a couple questions for you about this Christmas-ankah thing you mentioned."

"Chrismakah," Oliver said with a smile and Felicity rolled her eyes. "We'll be right back."

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Felicity lounged on the chaise next to Thea enjoying slightly warmer temperatures than normal for the Northern California area while Oliver helped his father with some business matter they hadn't disclosed. She was looking over a textbook for one of the classes she was taking in her next and final semester as an undergrad while Thea read from one of the books that Felicity had given her for her birthday.

"You really love my brother don't you?" Thea asked breaking the quiet between them. "Like, a lot."

"I do."

"How did you know?"

"How did I know that I loved your brother?"

"Yeah."

Felicity paused, "That's…hard to explain Thea. Your brother and I were friends before we started dating and that helped me grow to respect him and that respect turned into admiration and then that turned to love."

"Did you know it was happening?"

"Yes and no."

"That's a confusing answer."

Felicity laughed. "Love is a confusing thing sometimes Thea. Why do you want to know so much?"

The preteen shrugged.

"Okay," Felicity assured her and she reopened the textbook on her lap. "But know that you can always talk to me, okay? I'm here for you."

Thea nodded and returned to her book. Felicity watched her carefully out of the corner of her eye until Thea sighed.

"Thea?"

"I just…how can I tell if I'm in love."

"How do you feel when you're around them?" The younger girl shrugged and Felicity smiled. "I'm going to be honest with you Thea, okay?"

"Kay."

"You're probably not in love," Felicity told her with a small frown. "But you probably do have a crush."

"It's different?"

"Very. A crush is new and exciting and you get fuzzy when you're around them. And while all of that happens when you're in love too, it's deeper then. It's not just about the fun emotions, it's also a choice that says I'm going to stick with them and love them even when they have bad days or I am having a bad day. Love is scary and exciting and when you're in love for the first time Thea, you'll know. I promise."

"Thanks Felicity."

"You bet Thea. Anytime."

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Felicity played with the necklace that now hung around her neck. It was her anniversary present from Oliver and the simple silver chain held a single circular pendant with love etched into it in binary code. It was more than perfect and she hadn't taken it off in the week since he'd given it to her.

The New Year's Eve party at the Merlyn's was in full swing when they arrived and Oliver had slipped off to get them drinks. She spotted some of the QC board members she had been introduced too last year talking to Walter Steele and made her way over to greet them.

"Ms. Smoak!" Walter greeted warmly. "How wonderful to see you. I am thrilled to hear from Robert that you will be joining us for the summer."

"I'm excited as well," Felicity assured him before turning to greet everyone else. "Good evening gentleman."

"Now I'm very interested to hear about your internship with Wayne Industries. I've heard nothing but rave reviews from Mr. Fox about your performance."

Felicity blushed. "It was quite a learning experience. They are working in some very interesting concepts."

"None of which you can share I'm guessing."

"You would guess right Mr. Steele," Felicity answered with a bit of a chuckle. "I'm just excited to be able to share the knowledge I'm accumulated over the last year with QC this summer."

"And hopefully longer…"

"There you are Felicity," Robert greeted warmly and pointed to one side of the room. "Oliver was looking for you."

"I'll go find him," she said. "Thank you gentleman for your time."

Her gold and black dress sparkled in the lighting as she headed across the dance floor to her boyfriend who was standing awkwardly holding two champagne flutes. She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek as she took one of the glasses from his hand.

"What has you all awkward tonight?" she questioned. "You're used to this crowd."

"I ran into Tommy at the bar."

"Oh, Oliver…"

"It's fine," he assured her quickly interrupting her thoughts. "We were civil. It was just…weird. I haven't seen him in ages and it felt weird."

"Maybe you should talk to him."

"It wouldn't change anything."

"Oliver you don't know that."

Oliver nodded. "I do though. He's still the selfish prick he was in the summer and I'm not about to let that back into my life. When he wants to grow up and treat you and me with respect then I'll consider talking to him."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"What?" Felicity questioned. "Did you expect me to push you to talk to him more?"

"Well, kind of, yeah."

"I'm not going to push you to talk to Tommy if you don't want to Oliver. Even if I think you should. You have to be able to forgive him and move on in your own time or nothing will be fixed, ever."

"When did you get so smart?"

"Please, I've always been smart and you know it."

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. "That I do."

Felicity smiled up at him and pressed her lips against his again lingering a bit longer the second time. She pulled back just barely and whispered in the air between them, "Come, dance with me."

"You know I don't dance…" Oliver protested with a sigh. She stuck her lip out in a pout she knew would work and after a moment it did. "Fine. But if I embarrass you just remember there was a warning."

"You could never embarrass me."

Oliver laughed. "Might want to wait before claiming something like that."

They danced a few long, slow songs together before Oliver insisted on taking a break and they wandered out onto the patio to wait for the countdown and the fireworks.

"It's been a crazy year," Felicity said as she leaned her back against Oliver's chest. "But you know, I don't think I'd really change any of it."

"Me either."

"I love you so much Oliver. And I'm glad that we'll be starting a new phase of our life together when we head back to Cambridge."

Oliver pressed a relentless kiss against her lips. "I love you too Felicity. More than I think I'll ever be able to express."

"Ten, nine, eight…" the partygoers started chanting around them and Felicity kissed Oliver once more.

"Seven, six, five…"

"No matter what," Oliver promised against her ear. "We're in this together."

Felicity nodded in agreement and helped finish out the countdown.

"Four, three, two, one…HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

An explosion of fireworks lit up the night sky as Auld Lang Syne played from the speakers around them and couples welcomed the New Year in passionate embraces.

"Happy New Year Oliver."

"Happy New Year Felicity."

"To another year together."

"To us. And two thousand and seven."

"Another great year."


A/N: Thank you again for reading! I'd love to hear what you think! Your reviews will be my valentine's today!