Author's note: so we are getting close to the end of the story... I have decided to do a sequel so hope you all enjoy the end of this one and should have it completed in the next week or so...I have two more updates left on this story then the one with the final chapters and beginning of the sequel

Again please review and check out my polyvore for this story

Much love and thanks to my beta warehouseluver13 for all she has done

Disclosure: Wish I had a part ownership of Arrow but I don't

"Don't you two look good. Ready for a day full of shopping?" Oliver asked as he came down the stairs towards Thea and Donna.

"Almost." Thea holds out her hand, expecting him to place his credit card in it. When he didn't at first, she curled her fingers in anticipation of the card and huffed at him while rolling her eyes.

Oliver pulled out his wallet and handed over his credit card after whispering a soft apology to the object in question. "Take it easy on me okay? Remember everything you talk Donna into buying has to fit on the plane and we have to store all of Felicity's stuff somewhere in this house."

"Like we are hurting for space. There are 9 bedrooms alone in this house. We could always turn one into a closet for me and still have plenty of space." Felicity snickered as she floated down the stairs. He looked over his shoulder to find her in a soft mint and white sundress that showed off her beautiful legs and arms. She had her hair pulled up into a ponytail and her glasses perched high on her nose, something he always found alluring and pleasant about her.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, his eyes fell to her feet where she had a black and cream pair of stiletto peep toes on, causing her legs to look even more delectable to him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his side. "You look beautiful, sweetheart." He whispered into her ear after placing a tender kiss on her neck, just under her earlobe. A gentle blush raised up to her cheeks.

"Okay you two. Enough of that. You really are starting to make me nauseous with all your lovey dovey stuff." Thea rolled her eyes then handed Felicity the coffee they had stopped and purchased for her.

"Sorry Thea." Felicity took and sipped at the coffee, a quiet moan escaping her lips. "Thank you for this. I have to run by QI really quick then I am all yours for the day. Walter just needs me to sign something for the replacements. I am just glad I am going to see him and not heading to HR again. That would take all day." Oliver chuckled as he remembered her telling him about her last trip to HR the day before. "What are you up to today?"

"We are going to go workout. Dig had to run home because Sara has a doctor's appointment but he will meet up with us later." Roy commented as he flew down the stairs.

"Hey! When did you get into town?" Thea asked as she moved towards him and wrapped her arms around him. He embraced her back and each let the single moment sink in.

"Just last night. I can only stay a couple days but I heard the news about these two and had to see it with my own eyes. I still can't believe it."

"Me either. Ollie actually pulled his head out of his ass and did something right."

"For once." They laughed as Felicity and Donna fought back they only giggles.

"Hey! Knock that off now. I have done things right in the past."

"Name one." Thea challenged.

"Well..." Oliver fell silent as he thought back over different things he has done over the years. "I know. I trust Felicity and Diggle with my life and they helped me do so many things that changed a lot of lives."

"Yes but you still kept them at arm's length for how long?"

"3 years or so." Felicity mumbled under her breath but not low enough to have it miss.

"Oh yeah?" Oliver laughed as he moved in and began to tickle Felicity. She twisted away from him but not fast enough. Soon he had her wrapped up in his arms and was still tickling her as she thrashed around and giggled.

"Oliver! Knock it off!" Felicity screamed as she continued to struggle in his arms.

"Fine." Oliver smiled as he pulled away after making sure she was steady on her feet again. She playfully slapped at his chest which just made him chuckle more. "Roy, you ready to go?"

"Yep boss."

"Okay. You ladies have a good day and enjoy yourselves." Oliver grinned at Donna and Thea then turned his attention to Felicity. "I love you. Try to relax and enjoy today, okay?"

"I will. Love you too. Be careful and only working out. Understand?"

"Yes dear." Oliver snarled as sarcastically as possible.

"Ha! You already have him trained. Nicely done Lis!" Oliver groaned as they three ladies giggled and walked out the day.

He turned to Roy, who was trying to fight off his only laughs. "So I see a lot has changed. Seems like I have been gone a lot longer than just a couple months."

"Shut up, Roy. Let's get to the Foundry."

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Oliver slammed Roy to the mats again. They had been training for near 3 hours, both enjoying getting back into a normal routine. "Okay man. Let's take a break. Otherwise I am going have to explain why I can't work on Monday." Roy groaned under the older man.

"Sorry just been a while since I have sparred."

"I thought you guys have been home a couple weeks now. What have you been doing?" Roy asked as he reached out for his water bottle and towel.

"Looking into Ray's disappearance, dealing with QI and the board, not to mention the Reynolds'. Every second I am not doing any of that I am trying to spend as much time as I can with Felicity."

"Man its good to see you finally going after that."

"What do you mean?"

"Dude I knew you two had a thing early on. Anyone that looked at you guys back then could see it. Last summer it was different. There was this softness you had towards her. I saw it whenever you would talk to her or look at her. And anytime she did anything around here, you got this sappy grin on your face." Roy looked at him and saw the grin there as Oliver started to remember how close he and Felicity had gotten the previous summer. "That one!" Roy points at him and Oliver just rolls his eyes but the smile never drops away. "Anyway, we all saw it there and knew you just needed to deal with whatever it was inside you that made you think you could have her."

"More like don't deserve her." Oliver mumbled as he stood and crossed to the computers. He had checked on the searches before starting training. He was hoping they were getting closer to something on the Reynolds'. They still had nothing on Ray and Barry was still looking over those notes they had sent to him but a few newly freed metas had him busy right now.

"Please tell me you don't think you don't deserve Felicity and her love." Not hearing Oliver deny it, Roy continued as he crossed to sit next to him at the computer bay. "Listen, I was there too with your sister. Wanna know what changed that? You did. You made me see that I was no longer who I was in my past. I was a better man who cared for others and had amazing people who loved and believed in him. You gave me not only a mission but a mentor, and confidence, and a belief that I could be better than where I came from. No one could tell me that I wasn't a hero because I was. You gave me that and something I had wanted for a long time. A family. A really one full of those who cared for and worried over me. Believed me and was willing to follow me even when they knew it would hurt to do what I asked of them." Roy's voice dropped as he remembered the last time he had been in this room. It hurt to deceive Oliver and Thea but it was the only way to help them at the time and he knew it.

"I really am grateful for all you did. You are better, Roy. You're not that angry teen who stole my sister's purse anymore. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks but Oliver you need to see the change in you too. You aren't the same spoiled rich kid the washed up on that island. You also aren't the same guy that returned here 3 years. You're better. He wanted to rid this city of its bad guys yes but he didn't care how he did that. All that mattered was the mission. You killed at the beginning. Now for you, justice matters more than vingenous. You save lives and make those guilt get the right punishment by handing them off to the cops. You let someone who meant you a lot of harm live cause it was the right thing to do. You aren't a monster. You're a hero. You have changed so many lives around you and have inspired us all; me, Dig, Thea, Laurel, Sara, and even Felicity; to do better and be the best we can. Before you saved me, I never knew what I was going to be doing and didn't care. All that mattered was my next mark and getting paid. I was a gangbanger. Then I snatched the wrong purse and my life changed after that. Having you and Thea in my life these last couple years have meant more to me than you can ever know. I know we didn't have it easy but that's what makes it better. I had to work to earn for all I got from both of you; your trust, your support, your belief. I finally had to work for something and it made me want it more. I know it was a messed up road here but I really wouldn't change a thing if it means I would lose having all I have had with you guys. Everything I still have. I may not be here but know if you need me, I am just a call and a plane ride away."

Oliver had been taking in every word the young man had been saying, hearing the praise and adoration he had for his mentor. It touched Oliver in a way he never would have imagined. He really felt a closeness to Roy over the last year. He had even begun to regard him as a younger brother of sorts. So to hear how much he had meant to him effected Oliver to his soul. He was going to miss having the younger vigilante around not only for all the help he gave but just the fun and support as well. Oliver looked at him with a deeply endearing gaze and nodded. "Thank you Roy. I know I have changed but I just can't shake this feeling that Felicity could do better. Deserves better. I have this idea of the perfect guy for her in my head and I am not it. I have way too much damage and baggage to be him."

"Well see there is your problem." Roy laughed. "You are trying to think for her again. Trust me when I say we will never understand them and trying to think for them just ends badly all around. When I tried to think what was best for Thea, she either completely freaked out on me or ran away pissed off that I did it. They know who is best for them. They choose that person. And Felicity chose you. She has been choosing you since the day you walked into her office with that damn laptop. She knows what kind of guy she wants, she needs, and I doubt she would be marrying you and signing on to share the rest of her life with broody and grumpy Oliver Queen and that the craziness that comes along with you if she didn't believe that you were that guy." Roy slugged his shoulder playfully but immediately regretted some of his descriptive words when he saw Oliver's angry glare. "I'm just saying she could end this just as easily as you can if she didn't really want it but she wakes up everyday and chose to stay with you. To stand by you. No matter what. Hell she still believed in you even when you were working with Malcolm and she hates him. That alone should tell you how much she wants you. But she also has moved in with you, having family dinners with you and Thea, planning a vacation where she would be only with you for months on end, then coming back to go to work beside you everyday at Queen Inc and marry you. She wants you in her life, and not just as her friend or partner at work or hero. She wants it all. If I had that, I would not been looking to why I have it. I would be thanking what God and universe or lucky star that gave it to me."

"I know being involved in my crusade didn't make things easy with my sister. I am sorry for that."

"You mean telling me that I had to break up with her or making me lie to her for almost 2 years?" Roy chuckled but saw the guilt that hung heavy off him. "Hey. I know why you asked me to do it. You were trying to protect her and thought that was the best way to do so. You were wrong but that's okay. We make mistakes. We're human. Hell if you ask the girls, they would say we're men. He mess up all the time. Just know that even after Thea knew, we decided that we both needed to work out a lot on our own first. How knows we may get back together later on or just be friends. But I am not sorry for a single second of the time I spend with this team and everyone on it. You are my family." His words filled with a sincerity that struck at Oliver again.

"You will always be family to us, Roy. Thank you for all you have done. I can never say how grateful I am."

Then Roy snickered, "Then don't mess it up. If you fuck up or slide back into old Oliver I know Thea will straighten you out so not worried. Just make it up to Felicity when you piss her off; we both know you will." Oliver glared at him with a look that reminded him of Oliver's night time alterego. Roy held his hands up in defense and just chuckled again. "You know I'm right man."

"Yeah. Yeah. How about I get us some food and we can eat."

"Sounds great boss. Hey while you're gone, mind if I look through this stuff. I'm curious."

"Miss it?"

Roy considered lying for a second but he knew Oliver would see right through it. "Yeah a little."

"Me too." Oliver smiled down at him then grabbed his shirt and jacket. "Go for it. Let me know if you find anything."

"Sure thing. Hey Oliver?"

"Yeah?" Oliver glanced over his shoulder as he climbed the stairs.

"3 things. 1. Congrats again man. I'm glad you're happy. You really do deserve it. 2. Break her heart ever again and I will kill you. I don't care who you are. I had to sit with her when she thought you were dead and watch her cry. I never want to do or see that again."

"I promise Roy. She is all I want and I mean to make her a life she will be happy in."

"Good."

"And number 3?"

"Oh. I will be expecting an invite to the shindig." Roy threw over his shoulder with a laugh as he turned to the computers to start looking through everything.

"Already on the very short guest list Roy. You're family after all." And with that Oliver climb the rest of the way up the stairs and out the Foundry, a smile on his face as more weight seemed to lift off him. He was doing the right thing, being with Felicity, and he was starting to really feel an assurance deep inside himself.

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"So what do you think?" Thea looked up and saw Donna wiggling around in a soft pink skin tight dress. It had spaghetti straps and cut outs just above her hips where a matching lace material started and wrapped around to her back. The skirt ended just past mid thigh.

"Wow! You look stunning. I hope I look that great at your age and after having a kid. Damn!"

"Thank you Thea." Donna continued to gaze at her reflection in a nearby mirror.

"I have the perfect stuff for you to wear with that."

"Oh I couldn't. You and your brother have been kind enough. What with the hotel room and this shopping trip."

"Oh please. My mom had a ton of this stuff and most of it really isn't my taste. I was just going to sell it but I would rather to give it to someone who would treasure it."

"Well if you're sure." Thea nodded and smiled at her. "Okay. Plus I am just borrowing them for the night. Can't show up at a fancy function and not look my best."

"Yep exactly." Thea agreed but already the wheels in her head turning as who she would get Donna to take home some of the pieces she wanted her to have. Thea had been serious about getting rid of some of the jewels that she and Felicity didn't want out the family vault. She was ready to start her life fresh and so she had started purging herself of a lot of extra stuff that they didn't need. With all the clothes she wanted to get rid of, she had reached out to Laurel to get a woman's shelter that she could bring them to. They were so grateful for them but Thea knew she couldn't do that with the jewels. She was going to sell them and take all the money to a clinic in the Glades that could use it, in Tommy's name.

"I still don't understand why we need these dresses. Where exactly would I wear it? I definitely can't wear this to work. They already think I slept my way to the top and passed between billionaires just to take of the company. Man, I sound worse than Isabel. Never thought I would say that." Felicity groaned behind the door of another changing room.

"First off, we all know you were the brains there for years. Secondly, they're just jealous because those billionaires wanted you and not them. And lastly, you will never be worse than Isabel." Donna turned to Thea and mouthed the name to her while looking confused. Thea shook her head and Donna knew it was a good person to talk about. "She slept with my dad as an intern and when he dumped her to go back to his family, she got mad and seeked revenge against my brother. She got her twisted fingers on him one time and the company and tried to wipe it out. She was nuts. You are so much better. You have a heart and soul and care for others."

"Fine. I'm not that bad but you still haven't told me why we need these."

"Because you and your mom will be enjoying a private table in our V.I.P. section at Verdant tomorrow night. Already have you on the list."

"What's Verdant?"

"The club that Oliver used to own that his sister now owns and manages." Felicity explained as she exited the small changing room. "Are you sure about this, Thea?"

"The table. Of course. The dress. Definitely. But you actually making it to the table once my brother sees you in that dress. That is becoming more and more doubtful with each passing second." Thea teased. Felicity was standing before her in a sapphire blue dress with a deep V cut neckline textured top that meet a lace draped high waisted skirt. The skirt ended a little higher than mid thigh, teasing just enough of her legs to be alluring but not too short.

"Thea!" Felicity was shocked by the young brunette's remark. They had been shopping all afternoon and she was realizing just how not only she but the other two women needed this trip as well. They were all enjoying just been in the moment and sharing in the fun of the day. They had been to several shops already. Thea had promised a break for lunch after this one but she intend a couple more hours of shopping after that. Felicity knew Thea was enjoying having Donna there just as much as she was. That Thea missed her mom so she couldn't turn it down if it gave the younger Queen, who had become just as much a part of her life as her brother, some joy. "So is there something special going on?" Felicity asked with a glare, wondering if Thea was getting ahead of them as far as the engagement was concerned.

"Yeah. My brother is home, happy and in love. We have the company back as well as my family's properties back and no one will ever take them from us." Thea came up to her smiling and whispered, "Plus our little family is about to get one person bigger. I am glad you are marrying my brother. You make him happier than any girl I have seen. He is better with you. You challenge him everyday and he needs that. He has always had people either paid to do what he wants or people wanting to be near him because of the perks. You are the first person ever to call him out and never see him as the rich prince charming kind of guy. You see the real him. All his scars, bumps, and cracks and still love him."

"I love him more for them. The each mean a battle he fought and survived, overcame. To me, they are badges of honor to show all that he fought through to get home, where I could met him."

"I know Lis. So since I am the last Queen to do this, I am officially giving you my blessing. All I can ask is that you make him as happy as he is now if not more everyday. I could never picture a better person for my big brother. I am glad you are going to be my one and only sister." Thea hugged her, a peace in her she had never known. She knew this was who her family had been missing. Not money or jewels or anything that could be bought. But someone summed up easily in one word. Felicity. Simple as that. They needed someone like her to balance them out and make them better.

"Aw!" Felicity and Thea heard a quiet whisper come from behind them and giggled when they heard Donna sniffle next.

"So it looks good? I never know if I can pull of dress like this. I just feel like they look better on other people. Like models."

"You are beautiful, Lis."

"Yeah, a model has nothing on you, baby girl. Did you see those shots from the gala. You stole the show. Plus with that dress I am pretty sure you won't be the one pulling that dress off at the end of the night." Donna laughed as Felicity blushed and Thea made gagging sounds.

"Fine. I'll take it. Can we please go and get something to eat now?"

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"I hope Chinese is okay. Felicity has had me on this kick for light foods recently so I have started eating a lot of veggies. This place has the best stir fry." Oliver looked around the Foundry but found it empty. "Roy?"

Oliver listened, waiting for a response but got only silence. He sat down the bags of food, preparing to search the basement when his eyes found a note and a small gift box with a note attached. He grabbed the note to read it.

O,

Sorry I had to head out. Emergency back at home. Boss called while you were out. I promise this is not the last visit you guys will have from me. Tell Blondie and Speedy I say that I am sorry for cutting out early, that I love and miss them both, and that I will be back. Like I said, I'm only a call and a quick drive away. Enjoy your vacation and and take good care of our girl. She loves you man. Treat her and that like the gift and treasure it is.

I'll be expecting an invite soon,

Roy

P.S. Thought you and Felicity would like this for the house. Yours in the green. Thea has one too in the red.

Oliver sat the note down and looked at the gift, wondering if he should go ahead and open it without Felicity. He knew it would be okay so he went ahead. Oliver chuckled as he found a sticky note stuck to the top of the gift inside reading, "In case you forget who love and believe in you above all."

What he found made his legs shake under the emotional wave that washed over him. Inside, tucked in with mounds of tissue paper, was a medium sized picture frame. Enclosed in the frame were photos of Felicity and him with their loved ones. Somehow he had been able to get the shot Oliver had on his phone to place on the middle, around it was the family shot they took at the Christmas party his first year, another candid shot of him and Felicity Thea and snapped right before they left, one of Felicity and Thea at lunch one day, a shot of Felicity and her mother from earlier this year when Donna had visited, one of Diggle in the Foundry, a couple of him and Thea hugging, and one of Felicity and Roy in the back of the car they had taken messing around once. What stunned Oliver was that there even an old picture of him and Tommy displayed there.

A tear broke free and he studied the photos again and tried to remember when each was taken. A laugh bubbled out of him as he gazed over some of the silly or happy faces on display. Oliver wiped away the tear on his cheek as he knew he would have to do for Felicity when she saw this. This was the perfect addition to their home. It was their family.