Chapter 18 Normal

Sitting in the waiting room, he tapped his foot, as he waited for Felicity to get done with her breathing therapy, when his phone vibrated. Dig's face lit the screen, and he hesitated before answering, He hadn't spoken to John in days, and not since he'd ran from her. Not facing John would make the gap between them worse, but he knew without a doubt that John Diggle was still angry with him and was about to give him piece of his mind, so dreading it, he stood and walked out the door to the parking lot and hit accept.

"Oliver," John's voice seemed a little on the dark side.

"Dig, what's up?" He purposely made his voice light, trying to play off the trouble he knew he was in, something he was normally good at.

"I hear you finally asked Felicity to marry you. It's about darn time."

"Thank you, John. You saying that means a lot to me." He hesitated, and then shut his eyes, before he ask, "John, how do you feel about being my best man?"

The silence on the phone stretch on forever, before John finally said, "I feel pretty good about it, Oliver."

He let out the breath that he hadn't realized he was holding, and smiled, as he opened his eyes. "Good." The silence went on again until he asked, "John, are you still angry with me?"

This time the answer came quick and was exactly what he expected.

"Yes, Oliver, I am. Even more than I was. How could you do that to Felicity? How could you hurt her like that? Put her in danger like that?"

He sighed then said, "I knew you were still angry. And I don't know. I freaked out, okay?"

"Not okay, and you've been acting really stupid lately. Not like you at all. Oliver, where is your head at?"

He cringed and let the silence linger before he said, "I don't know. But, I have really been struggling, John, really struggling. First Felicity had her accident and then she got sick, really sick. And you know how well I handled that, and I am not good at this living together thing. Now I've stepped over the line and asked her to marry me. Have I lost my mind, Dig?"

"No, Oliver, you haven't lost you mind, and I think it's past time you ask Felicity to marry you. What you need to do is stop over thinking and just go forward, just live your life together. You can do this. Together, you and Felicity will figure it out if you just keep trying."

"I don't know about that. I can't even figure out what to do about an engagement ring. I want to give her my grandmother's ring, but she's made a point to tell me she doesn't want an expensive ring. And I've already asked Thea to send my grandmother's ring to me. Now I'm not sure if I should even offer it to her. I beginning to think she wouldn't like it. I want her to like her engagement ring, Dig. No, I don't want her to like it, I want her to love it."

"Oliver, how much is your grandmother's ring worth?"

"Only about ten to twelve thousand. I'm not sure."

Dig whistled, and then said, "Only ten to twelve grand. ONLY, Oliver! Yes, maybe you should rethink that ring. You do remember where she was raised?"

"I know where she grew up."

"And you think she's going to be comfortable wearing a ring worth that much?"

"It's not about what the ring is worth. Okay it's a 1 1/2 carat emerald with diamond inlay and now it's vintage too, which makes it worth more. But the ring is so us. I am the green, the emerald, and she is the light, the diamonds. It suits us."

Dig said, "Green and white, yes, that describes the two of you. You're right the ring sounds perfect, but you had better explain it to her like that, or I don't think she'll want to wear it. Really, Oliver, maybe, you should take her to a jewelry store and pick out a reasonable ring together. Something that she would be comfortable wearing. And come to think of it, I don't really remember Felicity ever wearing a ring, period. Earrings, always, but no rings on her fingers. Wonder why? Maybe, rings slow her typing down?"

"Maybe, but I need to put a ring on her finger. And, I want her to wear my grandmother's ring. I think it would suit her."

"You're mother never wore it did she?"

"I'm smarter than that. And yes, she's already told me that would be a mistake. I just think the ring would look good on her."

"I think you just want everyone to know she's yours, Oliver."

"She is mine." His possessiveness tightened his chest, before he went on. "John, I have never given a ring to any woman, so this is a first for me."

"Well then it's about time you did. And we both know Felicity's special. But you need to figure out just how special she is."

"I know she's special, John." His words were earnest.

"Well you haven't been acting like you know that lately." John's voice had turned dark again.

The silence that followed, stretched out long and brittle, and his guilt crushed him, before he finally ended the torment by demanding, "Go on, Dig, just say it. I, deserve your fury, your anger. And I know you didn't just call to talk about rings. Just, go on. Finish it. Do your worst."

"It doesn't sound like you need me. As usual, you and your PTSD are doing a fine job of beating yourself up for me. Carry on."

He sighed deeply and pushed thoughts of PTSD away, before he said, "Alright, I know running from her was stupid, beyond foolish. I made, yet, another bad choice. I can't seem to stop making bad choices this year. And this time my bad choice put her in danger. I wasn't thinking, John. No, I was just reacting."

"How about over reacting?"

"I agree I do that sometimes. But, believe me, I'll never do that to her again. I've come to terms with being with her."

Dig's voice was hard as he said, "Oliver, I don't care if you avoid talking about your PTSD with me, remember I know you and you've had PTSD since I met you, but if you ever put Felicity in a situation like that again, I'm coming for you, and trust me, I will find you." Dig's voice darkened, "And, Oliver, you're not getting another warning. I mean it, this is the last one. You'd better get yourself together."

He cringed from the violence, the utter darkness, in Dig's voice, and he believed him. And what was worse, he deserved John's anger and disgust, though if Dig came for him, he would find out he couldn't best him. Yet, he still didn't want to put it to the test, for the last time they had fought, he'd almost killed his friend. And he never wanted to go there again, ever.

No, and when he'd run from her what he'd been was selfish. And his guilt still smothered him, lying heavy on what was left of his soul, as he said, "Dig, believe me, I will never put her in that position again. I will protect her with my last breath."

"You'd better, Oliver, for man, I don't know how or why, but she loves you, and we both know you love her too. And me, I just have to make sure you don't mess this up, don't hurt her anymore. She is my Felicity too, you know?"

He couldn't suppress his smile, knowing he needed her to love him, and he needed her with an intensely that rocked his world, an intensely he would never understand, but he knew that she was his light, that she had saved what small part was left of his soul. And he knew that her light had not just touched him, it'd touched the dark part of John too. And he knew both of them would do whatever it took to keep her light safe.

"I know she is, John. And I'm done running from her, John. And we both know that she always finds me anyway."

And a slight smile lit his face, for deep down he wanted, no, he desperately needed her to find him, ached for her to look for him, to bring him home to her, since that was where he belonged, and only she possessed the ability to bring him home. He understood that now.

"Oliver, she jumped out of a plane to find you. Why would you think you could hide from her in a bar?"

"Stupidity?"

John barked a laugh.

"I promise I will never do it again, John. It was a mistake. I was past lucky that she didn't get hurt. Trust me, I'll never put her in that situation again."

"It's really hard to trust you right now, Oliver."

He cringed from John's truthful words.

"And YOUR darn right you made a mistake. Man, your running from her and getting drunk in a bar was a beyond a mistake. It was one of dumbest things I have ever known you do." His voice dropped deep as he said, "You're really worrying me, Oliver. I'm not seeing you as a man in control. You're back to when I first met you and you were almost out of control. Where is the man that had OCD about being in control?"

"I don't always know, John. Again, I'm struggling here."

"I know you are, but seriously, you need to get your head together. I mean did you really think she wouldn't come looking for you? She loves you, Oliver."

"I wasn't thinking."

"I heard you were too drunk to think. I heard you were too drunk to walk. Oliver, you need to get it together. And, you darn well better start thinking now."

"I am, John, I'm trying. I really am. But, this real life is hard. Give me a good robbery or drug dealer anyday."

"You two are going to be the death of me, Oliver. Both of you just keep screwing up. You're making me crazy. And, speaking of crazy, Oliver, did you ever tell her about Merlyn and the league? Did you tell her that you gave Malcolm the league?"

He sighed deeply then said, "No, but I need to."

"You better do it soon, Oliver, or I will." Dig's voice was razor sharp.

"No, don't, I'll tell her."

"Soon, Oliver. You had better make it soon. I've got to go. Now I mean it, Oliver, get your act together." Then John severed the connection, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

And Oliver, bit his lip and dreaded what he needed to do before he returned to the waiting room just as Felicity came out from the back.

"Ready?" He asked.

"More than ready. I hate breathing treatments. But I have this now." She held up a small gray tube that looked like an L. "It's called a rescue inhaler. I'm supposed to dose before exercise, before we, you know." A faint blush crept on her face but she pushed on. "It's supposed to help me breathe better. Want to go home and try it?" Her smile bright, as she tilted her head just so and his dick thickened.

Oh, yes, he really did know.

"I'd love to," he said, as he pushed thoughts of Malcolm and the league away for just one more day, since when he told her that fight wasn't just going to be any argument, no, it was going to be war, and one he didn't want to face, and he had a feeling she wouldn't be taking him to bed after she learned the truth.

You're selfish, he told himself, but he buried the guilt and gave her a smile.

#####OQ#####

"How'd your meeting with Warren go?"

Oliver tossed the file folders on the table with the words, "I think we are out of our league here. They're rough." And he picked up a folder and sat down to read.

Felicity'd stayed home and worked remotely on the hospital's system today but now she closed her laptop.

"They can't be that bad. They're kids."

"Read." He said in a hard tone.

Pushing her glasses up on her nose, she grabbed a folder and picked up her tablet, willing to join in, willing to help him because she liked helping him.

She read out loud, "Markus Wright, 15 years old, 1 year probation, attempted robbery, truancy, and resisting arrest."

The next one wasn't much better.

"Alonzo Garcia, 1 year probation, DWI and driving without a license, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest." Felicity shook her head and said, "Are you sure these are juveniles, Oliver?"

"Well, Warren is a juvenile judge, so I would say, yes."

"David Lopes, 17 years old, 1 year probation, repeat offender, robbery, possession of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver. Look, Oliver this one is on double probation. I never knew that could happen. That's a new one."

"Funny, Felicity, and it probably just means he has to pay probation twice."

"How would you know that?"

"Remember how bad I was when I was young? But trust me, money can buy your way out of trouble."

And he gave her a small grin, and she shook her finger at him and said, "It's a good thing I like bad boys."

"It works for me." He said lightly, and she thought that he was enjoying the teasing exchange with her. Some days, his mood was light, and it seemed today was one of those days. Maybe this soccer thing really was going to be good for him. She forced herself to pull her eyes from him and go back to reading.

"And the offense list just on and on. Shoplifting, drug dealing, assault and battery, disorderly conduct, breaking and entering, truancy, and vandalism." Felicity threw her glasses on the table with the words, "These are not nice kids, Oliver."

"I think not nice is probably an understatement," Oliver said dryly.

"Any ideas on how to handle them?"

"Not yet, but I'm thinking about it."

About that time, she heard the sound of a large truck stopping on the road outside. Oliver rose to see what was going on and opened the door.

"Felicity, did you order something? A very large something from the look of the truck."

She moved to stand beside him and saw a freight truck parked on the highway. Reaching, she touched his arm, then said softly, "Well, I called Thea and asked her if she would ship your Ducati motorcycle to you."

His head snapped around. "I thought it was in impound. Lost."

"It was. But I called Lance and kind of played on his sympathy, since he knows I've been sick, and he got the bike released for me. I thought we needed two rides now that you had somewhere to go, and I needed to go to the hospital and to therapy. And I thought you and I could ride it sometime." She knew she was blushing, but she pushed on and said, "I have always wanted to ride it with you but it never happened. So I asked Thea to send two helmets."

He smiled tenderly at her and pulled her close for a quick lingering kiss that blew her senses away. Releasing her, smiling brightly, he said, "You know me so well. I love my bike. Thank you, Felicity, for doing this for me. And yes, I've always wanted to feel you behind me on the bike. Do you want to go for a ride? I'll buy dinner."

"Let me call Thea first and tell her the bike is here."

She was really glad that she'd made him happy. Watching him help them unload his bike, she could tell he was beside himself, as he checked the bike out. He had that look that made her heart swell and flutter, and she was so glad she'd called Lance and Thea.

Pulling her phone out, she scrolled down and called Thea.

"It's here, Thea."

"Is Ollie happy?"

"He's beside himself. Has that goofy grin on his face, you know that grin that said that he's happy and not stressing for once."

"Felicity, I don't think my brother has a not stressing goofy grin. Are you sure we are talking about, Ollie?"

"Well he has one today. Hey, here he comes. Do you want to talk to him?"

"Yes, put goofy grin on."

"Thea," she said as she handed him the phone, then walked back in the house to give him a minute with his sister.

#####OQ#####

"I hear you've got goofy grin."

"I do not."

"That's not what Felicity just said."

"Okay, maybe I do. I'm just shocked. I never thought I would see her again."

"You call your motorcycle HER? You're such a guy. If it's between your legs then it must be."

"THEA."

"A woman. Remember, Ollie, I have grown up."

"I'm trying to forget."

"No such luck, now, Ollie, is Felicity still where she can hear?"

"No, she's gone into the house."

"Good. Look under the motorcycle seat. Grandma's ring is there."

"Thea, are you crazy? That ring is worth over ten grand. What if someone would have stolen my motorcycle?"

"Then the insurance would have paid for the motorcycle, and you would still need a ring. Is it there? Look!" She demanded of him.

He walked over and flipped the seat up. "I see gray tape. Thea, you used gray tape?"

"Well it's supposed to be good for everything. Is the ring there?"

He pulled the tape off the seat, and there was his grandmother's beautiful ring, and it sparkled in the sunlight, calling to him, as he peeled it off the gray tape.

"Yes, it's there. Seriously, Thea you taped it to the seat? Now I don't have a ring box."

"The box was too big and your motorcycle has NO storage Oliver. I don't see why you even like that model."

"If you rode it you would see. It really handles."

"Which means it goes really fast." Thea said dryly.

"Well you know how much I like my toys."

Thea laughed and then said, "You better send selfies after you put that ring on her finger. And you better come home to get married. I'll never forgive you, if you don't let me help plan your wedding, Ollie."

"I would never get married without you there, Thea."

"You'd better not. Now go give her that ring. She really does love you, Oliver. She told me while you were gone. I'm happy you let her in, Ollie, because you really needed to let someone in."

"You're right I did. I love you, Thea."

A few more exchanges and he hung up with Thea and slipped the expensive ring in his pants' pocket, the same pocket that still contained her hair tie, and he reached and brushed his hand over it, for it calmed him when he touched it and his nerves were getting the better of him right now.

Mounting the porch, he forced himself to open the door before he said, "Felicity, go change, put pants and boots on and get a jacket. And you should braid your hair for you are going to have a lot of tangles if you don't."

She gave him a wicked sexy look before she ask, "Will you braid it for me?"

"I'd love to," he said with what was probably another goofy grin.

"I'll change and go get the brush."

It was so normal, as he fixed her hair, nice and average, and the action of his hands on her silky hair calmed his nerves.

She sat on the porch steps between his legs as he braided her hair, helped her, and touched her. The simple act again soothed him, untightened the knots in his stomach, just as the brush as he quickly brushed out her smooth hair and braided it. Her hand lingered on his, as she handed him a hair tie, then she turned and kissed him soundly, sucking his bottom lip before pulling away.

"You are living dangerously," he said huskily, "I thought you want to take a ride."

"Oh, I want a ride," she said with a slight smile and a hand that ran down his body and lingered for an instant.

Just that small touch and she was really turning him on. How did she do that to him? He didn't know, but he hoped it never went away.

"Then behave," he said a little breathless, as his blood quickened. "Or we won't be going anywhere."

She tipped her head to the side and said, "I'll just take a rain check. So come on, I'll let you take me to dinner. I want to ride the bike with you."

So, he mounted the bike, and she just stood there for a second, and he saw her bite her bottom lip. Nerves, he thought, but he said, "Come on, Felicity, climb on behind me. You can do it." And he reached out his hand and took hers.

Frowning now, she said, "I've never ridden a motorcycle, Oliver. And I thought that I wanted to do this, but I'm freaking out a little here. What if we wreck? I haven't looked up the statistics of how many people die on motorcycles every year. Maybe, I could just take the car?"

"Felicity, don't think like that. All you have to do is just hold on to me tight, and it will be fun. Lean when I do, and we'll be fine. I promise you will like the bike. Remember I'll always keep you safe. Just trust me." And he gave her a tug and pulled her toward him.

She took a deep breath then threw her leg over the seat and climbed on behind him. Holding him tight, he felt a tremor pass through her body, as she placed her feet on the foot pegs. Turning, he handed her the helmet, and she struggled to put it on but figured it out.

He had always thought she would feel good behind him on the bike. But she felt better than he'd ever imaged. She made him feel good, whenever and wherever she touched him. He hit the starter, and she inhaled sharply.

Reaching his hand back, he gave her leg a squeeze and said, "Just try to relax. I'm good at this. Just remember that I'll take care of you. I'll always take care of you, Felicity."

"I know but this is scary." She whispered beside his ear.

"You got this. If you get scared just put your face into my back and close your eyes. Remember, no matter what, I'll keep you safe. You just have to trust me."

He gave the bike gas slowly, and they were off.

The bike felt like home under him. It was like piece of him that he hadn't know was missing, had been replaced, and Felicity was wrapped tightly against his back, her thighs pressed against him, her small body tucked into his. Talk about the world being awesome right now, he couldn't seem to stop the smile, as they roared down the highway and into town. He didn't know the last time he had been this happy. But it had been a long time, of that he was sure.

He stopped at the first stop sign in town and asked her, "You okay?" as he put his foot down to brace them.

"Maybe, I don't know yet. I'm stilling processing it."

He smiled broadly, as he gave the bike gas and drove them down the street slowly, until they reached the family restaurant that he'd picked out for dinner.

Pulling into the parking lot, he parked the bike and shut it off and took off his helmet. She was still tucked into his back, hugging him tightly, as he said, "Are you hungry?"

She pulled her face out of his back and managed to pull off the helmet before she said, "Yeah, I could eat," as she slowly released her death grip. "But bikes are little scary."

"You'll get used to it. Just keep trusting me."

"I'm trying. But you sure have my heart pumping."

He stepped off the bike, then he couldn't help it, he gave her a small lingering kiss before he offered her his hand, and then helped her off the bike.

Then they went in the restaurant and ordered pot roast, the special of the day.

As they waited for the food, he played with her hand, rubbing her ring finger, as he thought about the ring in his pocket and how he was going to give it to her. He wanted it to be perfect, but he didn't have a clue how to give it to her. A romantic, he wasn't.

"What are you brooding about now?" Her voice broke into his thoughts.

He couldn't say what he was thinking about, so instead he lied, "My team. What do you think I should do with my soccer team?"

Her eyes narrowed and he wondered if he was that transparent?

Guess he was, for she frowned and pulled her hand away. Instantly, he had the distinct feeling she knew he'd lied. And he was really glad when instead of calling him on it, she played along by saying, "I don't know. I've never had a soccer team before. I'm at a loss here, Oliver. Normal is hard if you haven't noticed."

"Oh, I've noticed. Why don't we just throw some ideas out there and see what we come up with?"

"Well, from what I have read, if you play soccer then you run a lot, that and chase the ball."

"Guess I should make them run a lot."

"Yes."

"Well, that's easy enough. I've been running lately so, I know I could outrun them."

"Well, maybe you should out run them. I think you need to show them that you're more physically fit then they are. You have to find a way to show them that you're stronger than them. Show them you're tough."

And so the rest of dinner went and it was nice to just chat together. And the ride home in the dark was awesome. She clung to him and was starting to figure out how to lean when he leaned. The bike ride, with her pressed against him gave him a real high and fired his blood.

Carefully, he pulled in to the rental, and he shut the bike off and pulled his helmet off.

"You, okay?"

"Yea, I think I am."

She slowly released him. Then before he knew it, she got off the bike, pulled the helmet off and gave him a kiss, along with hard hug, and he loved it. She was turning him on. Past turning him on.

Pulling the key, he climbed off the bike and started up the steps but then he stopped. The ring was burning him through his pants' pocket, and he knew he had to give it to her, and he had to do it now before they went into the house.

"Felicity, wait." His heart pounded, and he almost couldn't breathe, as she turned and looked down at him from the porch.

"What, Oliver?"

"I . . ." Where was his nerve? He could do this. Self-doubt that she wouldn't like the ring attacked him. He swallowed hard and stepped onto the porch and took her left hand. Giving his head a little shake, he smiled up at her and she smiled back.

Looking straight in her eyes, he pulled the ring from his pocket and said, "Felicity Meghan Smoak, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Her eyes went wide. She looked from his hand, to the ring, to his face and then said in a strained voice, "I need some air," before she pulled her hand from his and rushed past him to walk away, leaving him holding the ring and what looked like the bag.

#####OQ#####

Reviews? Thoughts? Should she take the expensive ring? Should she not? Should Oliver chase her? Until next time thanks for the read!