Author's note: yay! It seems I am back on a schedule again! Today I have 5 chapters for you to enjoy... we are nearing the end of this story... I am thinking a short add on afterwards covering the holidays and the birth of the twins... what do you think?
As always so much love to my amazing beta warehouseluver13 who is so sweet and encouraging... already talking more ideas for more stories with her
please review and check out my polyvore for this story
Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow but I will be filling up my supply of mint chip in preparation of the return Wednesday
"So what's the plan again?" Felicity asked as they climbed out of the car in front of the latest store, a women's apparel boutique. They had been to a total of 4 costume shops already today and had found a costume for everyone but Felicity. Oliver had chosen jedi robes like Obi-Wan wore while Tommy chose a Han Solo costume. Connor was a bit confused by the costumes since he not yet seen any Star Wars movie; an issue that both Tommy and Felicity agreed had to be remedied quickly.
"Well since you disliked all of the costumes we found that could fit you, I figured why not make one. We can find you an outfit for you to wear and then get any extra pieces we need, to go with it or to make it work, from one of the shops later this week if need be. I can even have Jerry or Duncan or Adira run out and get it for us."
Felicity groaned at the idea. "Oliver, that is not their job and you know it. It's okay. I'll just wear one of my dresses and say I'm a CEO. Although most of the time the ones I've known were either late to everything or had their heads stuck so far up their own…"
"Okay. I get the idea." Oliver growled. "And I wasn't late to everything."
Felicity huffed a laugh as she stepped into the boutique while Tommy chuckled. "She's got you there man. We were always late for one thing or another and from what Dig has been telling me and Lis' journals, that didn't change after I left."
The small family laughed as they started to look around the shop. Connor and Sammy started looking at the gowns when Connor asked, "Mommy, what do you want to dress as? You have already been a princess a lot."
"Well what do you think I should dress up as?"
"A hero!"
"Oh Sweetie. I don't think I will fit in any hero costumes with this belly."
"What about the girls from Harry Potter? You said they were like heroes."
"They are."
"Well you have blonde hair like Luna so you should be her."
Felicity thought over the idea for a bit, debating if she could pull it off. "Well I do have the glasses already. And some black leggings. I would need a dark grey sweater, a black pleated skirt and a white button down. Plus some black loafers."
"And her wand." Connor boasted proudly.
"Yep I got that too. Now which house was she in again?"
"Ravenclaw."
"Right so blue and silver. If we follow the movies. Or blue and bronze if we go with the books."
"Let's do the movies one." Connor grinned up at her. They then started to look around for her the clothes she required for her costume, Oliver and Tommy standing back and watching.
A short time later, Oliver noticed that Connor had Felicity distracted and decided it was a good time as any for him to slip away. He had another reason for coming to this shop specifically. "Tommy? Can you and Darren keep an eye on Felicity and the kids for a bit. I need to run an errand."
Tommy had noticed he seemed a bit preoccupied and distant since picking Connor and Sammy up from the school house. "Ollie, what is it? Everything okay?"
"Yeah I just need to… I just need to run somewhere real fast."
"Well I'm sure we're almost done here. Then we can all go before we head to dinner. Can it wait?" Tommy had seen him checking his phones several times this afternoon as well as texting a few times. When he asked Oliver about it, Oliver just said it was work stuff and blew him off. Tommy had a feeling something was going on that he wouldn't like.
"Not really. I need to… um… meet someone real fast."
"Oliver Queen, tell me what's going on or I will tell Felicity you have been texting someone all afternoon and let her use her loud voice on you." Tommy had witnessed her loud voice the night before when the couple returned from Central City and was terrified of it. He also knew Oliver was too.
Oliver tried to shoosh him and quiet him, to not draw attention. "Nothing is going on. I just need to run to a nearby shop. That's all."
"Why is it so important that you go right now? And by yourself?"
Oliver groaned knowing he would not enlist his friend's help without explaining. He also knew he needed Tommy's help to cover for his absence. "I have a surprise for Felicity that I need to pick up. I ordered her something this morning and told the jeweler I would pay triple the price if they could get it done in a hurry for me. That's who I have been texting all day. I needed to make a few decisions and give them sizes and all. Now, please, will you help me?" Oliver begged as he glanced at Felicity, who was still shopping for her costume pieces.
Tommy smiled at how desperately his friend was trying to make nice with his wife and thought back to a time when Oliver had teased him about being whipped in terms of a relationship with a girl. "Only if you agree that bounty hunters are better than jedi."
"Dude! Really? This again?"
Tommy started laughing and shook his head. "Man, I'm just messing with ya. How long do you need?"
"Say 10 minutes. The store is right across the way and they have everything wrapped and ready to go so I only need to pop in and pay for it. Then I can head back this way."
"Get out of here. I'll hold her off." Tommy grinned.
"I owe ya!" Oliver smiled as he bolted out the front door of the shop. Tommy watched as Oliver ducked down the street, crossed and entered a nearby jewelry store. A smile grew across his face at his friend's antics, knowing that Lis was going to love whatever Oliver had done just be the grin on his face as he left.
Tommy turned back to the woman in question and found her sitting down and rubbing at the heel of one of her feet. Or at least trying to. She was having a time trying to bend around her large belly in the small chair she had found to sit in. "Lis, you okay?"
"Yeah. I just… my feet are killing me."
"Let me see." Tommy smiled as he moved towards her and took her foot, rubbing it slightly to help cure some of her pain. She groaned when he touched a tender spot. While his hands glided over her foot and ankle, Tommy looked down and studied her footwear choice for the day. "Well there's the problem Lis. You're wearing heels."
Felicity glanced down at her shoes. They were a pair of black wedge heeled pumps. They were covered in glitter and had a cute bow detail on the toes that she felt matched well with the bow on her dress she had chosen to wear that day. The heels themselves were only about an inch and a half high so it gave her a bit of lift but nowhere close to her normal height. "They're not that tall. Just a couple inches. And not stilettos. I thought I could handle them for a few hours since they were a lot shorter than what I used to wear. Guess I was wrong. Now my heels and ankles are stinging and throbbing and I can't even reach them to rub them. I hate this." Felicity was on the verge of tears.
"Hey. Hey now. It's okay. We can fix this. Nothing to cry over." Tommy looked over his shoulder in a slight panic since Oliver wasn't there to comfort his wife. "Darren, who you mind?" Tommy smiled up at the bodyguard, who nodded and took his place, continuing to rub and soothe the ache in Felicity's feet. Tommy stood and started to look around. Spotting what he needed, he ran across the shop to a far corner where racks and racks of shoes were located. "Lis, what size are you?"
"7 ½. Why?"
"Well we are going to get you a pair that is a bit more comfy for now. Then when you get home, we'll have Ollie draw you a bath and let you soak those little puppies; along with yourself. Afterwards you will feel a whole lot better. Sound good?"
"Sounds amazingly perfect." Felicity smiled and whimpered slightly as Darren dropped one foot only to gather up her other and start the process all over again.
Tommy looked over the selection of shoes before pulled down a soft black leather flats. They still had the bow detail on the toes and a slight heel to them but were significantly lower to the ground. The heel itself seemed to be about an ⅛ of an inch high; just enough to give the illusion of height to the shoe. Tommy smiled as he felt the inside of the shoe and found them to include orthopedic inserts inside. Knowing that would help make her feet feel better, Tommy grabbed the shoe's mate and walked back to her. "Here what about these?" Tommy held them out for her to look over.
"Oh Tommy they're adorable. I love them." Felicity smiled.
"Let's see how they fit." Tommy passed the shoes to Darren, who placed each on her feet. Then Felicity wiggled her toes inside them while holding her legs and feet straight out in front of her. She tilted her head from one side to the other as her smile grew.
"They're perfect, Tommy. Thank you."
"I wish women were that easy to please when I used to date them. A pair of flats and you melt like butter."
"That's because these are shoes. All women have a weakness for shoes." Felicity giggled.
"Well walk around in them and tell me whatcha think." Tommy grinned as he and Darren helped her stand up. They watched as she gained her balance for a second then started to waddle around the shop, pressing down on her toes every so often. "So?"
"Oh my god. They feel incredible. The little jellies inside are perfect. I may have to get some more like these later." Felicity moaned pleasantly, which caused the men to laugh. Just then Connor and Sammy reappeared.
"Mommy, you okay?"
"Yeah Sweetie. My feet were hurting but Uncle Tommy and Darren helped me make them all better. So you two find anything?" The two kids nodded and smiled proudly as they held up a black pleated skirt and deep grey v-neck button up cardigan to her. She took both and checked the sizes. They were perfect. "These are great guys. Let me try them on and see how they fit. I think I have a button down shirt at home I can use. And I can borrow one of Oliver's ties as well." Felicity smiled happily as she passed the kids and started for the changing rooms.
A few minutes later, Oliver re-entered the shop to find Tommy and Darren a little worse for wear. "Hey what's up?"
"Dude! Where have you been?"
"The jeweler had a few customers he had to deal with before me. Why? What's up?"
"Besides your wife almost having a melt down over her shoes and her tired feet. Nothing much."
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah we got it settled. Had to rub her feet for a bit and get her a new pair of shoes. Well actually you're getting her the shoes." Tommy laughed.
Oliver breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks man. She hates wearing flats. She says she misses the height her heels gave her. I try to talk her out of heels every time she wears them but she is so stubborn."
"Well when we get back to the house, you owe her a bubble bath. She may ask for another foot rub as well as more shoes like I found her. They're flats with orthopedic inserts so her feet feel get in them."
"Tommy, that's brilliant! I have been looking everywhere for those." Oliver smiled as he looked around for the shoe racks. Seeing them he walked up, with Tommy a few steps behind him. "And they have a bunch of colors. Now let's see about size."
"7 ½."
"Tommy, I know my wife's shoe size." Oliver rolled his eyes as Tommy threw his hands up defensively.
"How are we doing today, gentlemen? Anything I can help you with?" the store clerk asked. Just then Tommy turned to look at her as Oliver stood up and glanced at her as well. "Oh! You're Tommy Merlyn and Oliver Queen." she gasped.
"Yes. We promise to behave and not cause any scenes. By any chance could you check the back and see if you have any other 7 ½ shoes in this style in other colors. His wife loves these shoes so we want to get several pairs for her." Tommy smiled diplomatically. He could always turn on the charm when needed but never liked it much.
"Sure but can I suggest something else?" She gazed between the two men, who just shrugged in return. "Get neutral colors. You know. Black. Tan. Brown. Maybe even a grey or dark blue. That way the shoes will go with a multitude of outfits and she can wear them all the time."
"That's perfect. How about one of each of the colors you listed. Plus a pink pair if you have them."
"Sounds good. You said 7 ½?"
"Yep." Oliver smiled, happy to offer yet another way to make his wife happy in her current situation. Felicity had started to grow again; which meant she was started to outgrow her clothes again. She felt horrible that they had just bought a lot of clothes and now she didn't fit in them. Oliver tried to ease her worries by offering to donate them to a charity if she wanted but she still felt bad wasting the money like that. Even though it had been months since they took over QI and she became a billionaire, as well as they got married and she gained claim to even more money, Felicity didn't like to waste money and was still having a hard time spending it so frivolously.
Oliver and Tommy watched the clerk gather up the shoes they requested. She didn't have a blue or grey pair but said she would check the back for them. She brought the shoes over to the counter while the men went back to join Felicity and the kids. They walked up to find her in the short pleated skirt, a new white button down shirt and the cardigan covering it. Oliver's smile grew as his eyes darkened.
Felicity turned, smiled then blushed as her eyes met his. "Whatcha think?"
"I think those clothes will be getting a few more uses out of them other than just Halloween." Tommy snickered only to receive a playful smack from Felicity.
"Oliver?"
"Sweetheart, you look beautiful." He smiled warmly at her as he stepped up to her.
"Well I will need to borrow a blue striped tie from you and I found this white button down here to go with all this. Plus I have my Ravenclaw socks to wear. And I think I will wear these shoes because they are super comfy and since it will be a lot of walking I will need comfy. Not that I'm complaining. I can't wait to go trick-or-treating. It's my first time as a mom so it will be interesting. Especially since the kid is old enough to enjoy it. Next year we'll have 3 little candy monsters to take. And the Diggles are going with us. Plus Tommy. So it will be fun. And I'm babbling. So I'll stop talking now."
Tommy chuckled softly at her babbling, knowing just why Oliver found it so amusing. Oliver grinned at her and noted, "It will be a lot of walking but if you need a break, we can take one. Since some of the houses are a good distance apart in West Starling, I asked Darren to drive a car near us that night. So if you need to stop and sit, you will be able to do so in the back of our Bentley. As for the costume, it looks perfect. As you always do. And yes next year we will have more with us but just means a bit more fun and candy to be had by all in that case." Oliver kissed her sweetly, trying to ease her nerves. He had no idea what was making her so nervous but he knew she was if she was babbling.
As if reading his mind, Felicity leaned into his embrace and stated, "I know. I just want this year to be perfect. It's our first Halloween with Connor and I want him to have so much fun."
"He will Sweetheart. He will and so will we. Now how about you get changed out of those clothes and we go get some food?"
"Now that sounds amazing." Felicity giggled as she pecked his lips one last time then turned and headed back into the changing room.
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"So what can we expect to happen in the near future in terms of you and the twins?" Tommy asked. They had been filling him in on the different moods of her pregnancy over the last few weeks while they ate dinner. They went to a local Italian restaurant that served the best pasta in town. Felicity had munched on the bread before the pasta had even arrived, finishing a bowl with Connor and Sammy's help of course.
"Well since I am about 25 weeks, we are going to pack up my hospital bags next week, make sure we have the stroller and car seats ready for when the twins get to come home, and just relax a bit. I have been doing breathing exercises but we start our classes this upcoming week to prepare for delivery itself. Just in case."
"How far are you hoping to hit before they come?"
"32 weeks. We need them to stay that long because then they won't have any problems with development and will only have to stay in the NICU for a couple of days before we can take them home."
"When will that put you at delivering them? Date wise."
"Around Christmas or the beginning of the New Year. So they will be our holiday blessings this year." Felicity smiled warmly as she rubbed at her belly.
"Well any other side effects we should know about? I mean I am still worried that your food cravings will return. Seriously?! Pickles and chocolate ice cream. That's just weird."
"Hey! Be nice. I can't help what these two want to eat." Felicity groaned and glared at Tommy while he laughed openly. "As far as side effects, I just know they saw my appetite increases around week 27, which I'm not looking forward to because I am already always hunger as it is now. And they say that some women start having issues with nightmares and… um… leaking."
"Nightmares? Leaking? What do you become, a drooling monster?"
"No! The nightmares are a side effect of the mental stress of labor and the leaking is from the body beginning to produce milk from breastfeeding." Oliver explained while not looking up from his plate. The table fell silent except for Connor and Sammy talking amongst themselves so Oliver glanced up to find all the adults staring openly at him. "What?!"
"Who are you and what have you done with Ollie?" Tommy teased.
"I read up on my wife's condition. I wanted to know what to expect so I could plan ahead and get help with whatever we needed help with. And speaking of which, I have something for you." Oliver smiled at Felicity. "Actually three things. You get to choose in what order you get to open them."
"So doors 1, 2, or 3?"
"Sure we'll go with that."
"Okay then Door 2 first."
Oliver grinned because he hoped she would choose that one first. "So I know you hate not being able to wear your wedding rings. And you know how I feel on the subject. So I had something made for you." Oliver produced a small black velvet box and sat it in front of her. Felicity moved her plate out of the way so she could focus on the gift alone. "Go ahead." Oliver nudged her to go ahead and open it. When she did she found an emerald ring that had two white diamond placed on either side of it. The band was made of what looked to be white gold as well.
"Oliver, it's beautiful but I don't see how this will help. I will just be able to wear it a couple weeks before running into the same problem."
"Not this ring. See?" Oliver pulled out the ring to show how the bottom of the ring was open. There had been a gap left in it to allow for growth and expansion. "The jeweler said that this is white gold coated sterling silver. The silver can be widened so that as your finger widens, so can the ring. This way you will always have an emerald to wear that will remind you of your engagement ring." Oliver smiled as he fit the ring to her finger, pressing it not only into place but size as well.
"Really? Oh Baby! I love it. Thank you. And this way when my fingers go back to normal, I can still wear it on my other hand because I can shrink it down in size."
"Exactly." Oliver beamed with pride over his gift, happy that she liked it. "Now 1 or 3?"
"Let's go with 3."
"Okay. So with all the craziness of Darhk and the family and the trip to Central City, not to mention QI, I think you need a relaxing day. So I have paid for a day away for you, Donna, Thea, Laurel, and Lyla. You will all be going to the spa for massages, manicures, pedicures, and whatever else you want. Food and drinks are included and Darren will be driving you all up there in a limo. Diggle and Roy offered to keep an eye on the city that day. Tommy has the club. I have QI and the kids at the house. Sara and Nyssa will be watching Darhk and helping the League and the guys with the city so you ladies will have nothing to worry about all day. Just relax, rest and enjoy yourselves."
"Really Ollie?" Thea asked as she listened to her brother from across the table. It sounded like a wonderful day away, something she could really use right now.
"Yep I was thinking maybe Sunday; after Halloween. That way you can all wind down from the night before and relax for the week ahead." Oliver grinned at his sister and then his wife.
Felicity leaned in and kissed him sweetly. "Oliver Queen, you are too good to me."
"No such thing." Oliver whispered against her lips before pulling her in for another kiss.
Tommy huffed a breath out. "Hey he's not the only one working in that gift. What no love for the poor saps he convinced to do his beckoning?"
Felicity leaned back and laughed joyfully. "Thank you Tommy for helping give me a day away with the girls. I know I will love a day with Thea and all so it means the world to me." She grinned sweetly at him then watched as Thea launched herself at her two brothers, grateful for their gift to her.
"You're welcome Speedy. Lis. I love you too and I know I have put you through a lot recently so I hope this makes up for it."
"You had no say in what you did prior to waking up in our Bunker last Wednesday night so let's leave it at that. Now mess up from here on out and we will sic Felicity on you with her loud voice. You know it is scary. Especially when you start to think that something so loud and powerful comes from someone so tiny." Thea chuckled, as Felicity glared at her and threw her napkin at the young brunette. Thea stood and walked over to hug Oliver in thanks as well then sat back down.
"Okay so now Door number 1. Like I said before, I hate that you can't wear your wedding rings. I want you to always do so and if that makes me seem selfish or possessive then fine. I am. But you are my wife and I want those rings to show that to the whole world. I know I got you the ring to wear but I want you to still wear our rings so here is my solution." Oliver placed a larger square black velvet box on the table before Felicity. She glance at it then opened it to find a stunning polished brass locket inside. It was circular in shape and had a small window with a photo in it. The locket itself was thick and seemed wider than normal. When Felicity didn't understand how this would help her wear her wedding rings, Oliver took the locket and explained, "I had the locket specially designed so that it could store one of your wedding rings inside it. That way as you wear the locket, your wedding ring is always on you and near your heart."
Oliver pulled the locket free from the box and opened it to show where he had already had her flat wedding band, the one that had 'My Girl. My Love.' craved on the inside of it, already placed inside the locket. She ran her fingers over the ring and saw that he had also had their initials engraved on the inside of the locket. He snapped it shut and that was when she saw the photo on the front. It was just a simple tree at sunrise but she recognized the photo quickly.
"Is that… did that photo come from those we took on our honeymoon?"
"Yep. The jeweler said we could have our own photo inserted or he could use one he already had so I sent him a few nature pictures we took on our honeymoon and he sent me shots of each one to show me how that looked. I loved this one and this way it will also help remind you of our time away together." Oliver smiled as he pulled the locket into his hand then stood and moved behind her. He opened to clasp on the chain for the locket and watched as Felicity gathered up her hair and moved it to one side, out of his way, so he could place the necklace around her neck. He released the old one, which she caught in her hand and placed down into the box the locket had come one, then placed the new one on her. Once it was clipped and dropped into place around her neck, he looked around to see that it fell to the perfect length and rested right above her heart.
"Baby, it's beautiful. I love it! I love all my gifts but you didn't have to do any of this."
"Lis don't fight the man. Let him spoil you a bit." Thea stated, worried that Oliver might cancel the spa trip.
"It's okay Speedy." Oliver laughed as he sat back down. "I know I didn't have to but I wanted to. I love giving you gifts, Felicity, because each one means something to us and you always treasure them for that reason. So let me indulge in spoiling you because seeing you blissfully happy, Mrs. Queen, makes me content and happy as well." Oliver smiled as he leaned in and kissed her cheek before pressing his forehead to hers and lingering near her like that for a while.
"I don't know how you did it but I love my gifts. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Oliver beamed again and his heart felt as though it was going to burst in his chest. The family went back to eating, ordering dessert and enjoying it, before calling it a night and heading home; making a quick stop to drop Sammy off on the way.