Author's note: Just a few chapters tonight... was hoping to complete with this posting but I am working on a couple treasures for us all! After the news last (if you saw the last 2 mins of the winter premiere you know what I'm talking about) I figured we needed a good heart to heart and a little fluff... so enjoy
As always I love to hear you comments on the story!
Shout out to my amazing and fabulous beta warehouseluver13. You are irreplaceable!
Disclosure: I own nothing of Arrow or its characters... this is all for fun
"I'm telling you, fried turkeys were all the rage that year. My father-in-law nearly burnt the back of our small apartment down and my super never that me forget it." Logan laughed openly. The three had been out to lunch, enjoying their burgers, fries and shakes. Felicity had ordered an extra helping of cheese fries and a piece of pie as well. They had covered all they needed to about the project within 20 minutes of the beginning of lunch and moved on to getting to know one another. Logan had asked if they were planning a big Thanksgiving dinner next week when Felicity got on the topic of cooking a turkey and the fact she had never done it herself.
"I would believe that. I'm surprised you weren't fined or kicked out." Felicity giggled as she finished off her second serving of cheese fries. She pouted down at the empty bowl. "They never last longer enough."
"Still hungry?" Oliver asked, knowing that increased appetite was common at this stage in pregnancies.
"No. I think the pie and the rest of my shake will finish me off. For now. I may go raid the fridge after I get home. I always seem hungry these days." Oliver nodded along as he knew it was just her symptoms and nothing else. "So did it work out?"
"The turkey? Oh no! It was nearly charcoal on the outside and still raw on the inside. Let's just say that's when we got to know the Chinese menu well." Logan laughed as he wiped his hands after finishing the last bite of his burger. "And as for being kicked out, the super made it quite clear that he didn't enjoy us living at that location much after that."
"I bet. Still I have never had a deep fried turkey. My mother always kept Thanksgiving dinner quite traditional. We weren't even allowed to invite friends to it. Just family. And Tommy but he has always been like family anyway." Oliver chuckled as he finished off his fries.
"Yes. Mr. Merlyn is a character. Must be nice having him back in town."
"It is. He was deeply missed by me and my sister. I hate that he got mixed up in all that mess with his dad." Oliver nodded.
Felicity smiled and wiggled happily in her seat as she ate her pie. "Plus he is great to have around. Always willing to rub my feet and ankles when they hurt and never turns me down when I ask him to sneak me my mint chip ice cream. He has even started watching some of my favorite sci-fi shows with me."
"Well he is always very cheerful when he comes into QI."
Felicity stared at Logan. "He hasn't been coming by and bothering you, has he?"
Logan glanced at her seriously and shook his head. "No he usually comes by to see Oliver and catches me in my office. He always says hi and asks about Jerry."
"That little rat! He's the one ratting me out to Jerry who is telling my mom and Thea. You know they talk all the time." Felicity scolded as she gazed at Oliver.
Oliver bit the inside of his cheek to bury the laugh that tried to escape. "Sweetheart, you know they would find out anyway. Between those three, I'm surprised there is a secret left in this town that they don't know."
"Secret? What are you talking about? Oliver Jonas Queen, you better not be keeping anything from me." Felicity growled at him, trying to look menacing but failing as she chewed on her straw out the side of her plump pink lips.
"Nothing. I'm keeping nothing from you. I just don't know if it's common knowledge about Tommy and how he has been spending his nights recently. Particularly with whom and where." Oliver hinted. About a week prior, Oliver had a scare about Felicity and thought the twins were coming. Knowing the team was out patrolling, he had called Tommy to let him know. Turns out that Tommy was busy in the shower and a certain District Attorney had answered the call instead. He would never have thought anything of this if he had not heard Tommy mention that he looked forward to trying something they had done all over again but this time in the bed and not against the wall. Needless to say, it took Tommy and Laurel 3 days to be able to look at Oliver without blushing and Oliver had told Felicity all about it; only after forcing her to agree that anything they talk about in their room should stay between them unless they both agree on it.
After the scare, which turned out to be heartburn and an upset stomach, Oliver had begun hovering around her a bit more and started prepping for the babies arrival. Hence the shopping trip for the hospital bags. Oliver wanted to have everything they needed at the ready just in case. Felicity was nearing her 29th week of her pregnancy and the closer they got to 32 the more they knew that the twins could come at any moment.
"Just checking. I know how you are with secrets. And we are not going down that road ever again." Felicity laughed as Oliver kissed her temple.
"Never." he whispered to her, as if only a secret for her to know.
"So do you and your wife have plans for the holiday?" Felicity asked Logan, turning her attention back to their guest.
"Just dinner with my folks. Each year we trade out which side gets Thanksgiving and which gets Christmas with us. Since my folks had Christmas last year, this year they get Thanksgiving." Logan explained as he shrugged. "We always keep New Year's for ourselves. And Valentine's day."
"Huh." Felicity huffed.
"What?" Oliver asked curiously.
"It's nothing." She tried to dodge the topic but seeing the look Oliver was giving her, she knew he wouldn't drop it so she just shrugged and continued, "It's just… not only will this be our first holiday season together as a couple but we are married so every Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's day from here on out will always be ours. Since Mom lives here now, the only time we would travel is if we wanted to go with Walter back to England to see the country or if he moves there. All our family is here in Starling or close by. I mean Barry and the guys in Central City are family as well so we have to count them in on some of these celebrations. And sometimes we might go there as well. But we never have to worry who will get us each year. That's kinda nice when you think about it."
"Yes and I can't wait to see the mansion decked out for Hanukkah and Christmas. It'll look amazing. I just know it."
Felicity got a mischievous grin as they stood and began making their way back to QI. "Plus I never have to worry about who I will be kissing at midnight or who my valentine will be."
"Nope! Those distinct honors are all mine." Oliver boasted proudly, making Logan and Felicity laugh.
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"Okay so we have the grocery list and the menu. The plates and all will be set out that day."
"And the florist will be here tomorrow to freshen up the arrangements and add the touches we talked about to the centerpieces in the dining room." Thea added as she scanned over the tables and counted chairs. It was just days before the biggest Thanksgiving day dinner either of them had ever seen. Felicity had actually hired Thea, fighting her tooth and nail to take the job as an actual paying client, to plan out the family meal that would include not only Team Arrow and all those in Starling but also Team Flash, along with the Steins. They would have a house full of guests for the weekend but Thea had it all planned down to the very last detail. She had all the rooms ready for the out-of-town guests, fresh linens and towels being placed in the room Wednesday before everyone arrived. She had plenty of food and had asked Quentin to make a few of his lasagnas for them to eat Wednesday night. Raisa, and a small army of kitchen help that Thea had hired for the day, would be cooking Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Then the ladies had decided to do some light shopping on Friday while all the sales were going on. Felicity still wasn't sure if she would be able to go since her energy level had begun to fall more lately. Oliver had it planned that the men would take the kids to a local ice rink that day to make sure they were tended to and allow the ladies a day that was kid free.
"Perfect. That means we can shoot a couple pictures of everything for your portfolio once it is done. Now we also have you planning the CEO announcement dinner and the decorations for the house, right?" Felicity was checking her tablet for the notes she had made to discuss with Thea while she had her today.
"I knew about the dinner and I will be sending the invitations out today, but I didn't know about the decorations. Why not hire a interior designer?"
"Because my brilliant sister, who happened to grow up in this house and loves it dearly, has an outstanding skill at decorating so why not hire her?" Felicity laughed as she gazed up at Thea across the table.
"Biased, much?" Thea giggled. "Okay so with all of us here in Starling, plus the gang from Central. That puts the guest list at 23."
"Try 24. Look who just showed up at QI looking for my lovely wife." Oliver greeted the girls as we walked in the a rough looking Russian walking in just behind him.
"Anatoly! What a surprise! We weren't expecting you."
"Apologies. I have been busy with business but I had hoped to visit before now." Anatoly smiled warmly at the young blonde as she slowly stood out of her chair and came to greet him. "And it seems I came just in time. You are huge!"
"Like I don't hear that all the time. My feet and ankles… well actually my whole body agrees with you. I ache in places I didn't even know was possible and still have several weeks to go, we hope." Felicity groaned as she pulled him in for a hug.
"Вы прекрасны, как цветок, и светящиеся, как солнце. (You are as beautiful as a flower and glowing like the sun.)" Anatoly smiled as he kissed her cheeks.
"Согласен, Pakhan. Я говорю ей так все шансы, что я могу." (I agree, Pakhan. I tell her so every chance I can.)" Oliver stated in Russian as he pulled Felicity into him after she had stepped away from Anatoly. He smiled down at her and kissed her. "Hi."
"Hi. You know I hate it when you do that. You could be saying anything about me or something else and I wouldn't know it. It's rude." Felicity babbled.
"Then I'll make it up to you."
"Ice cream?" Felicity grinned joyfully.
Oliver snorted a laugh and shook his head. "I was thinking of teaching you Russian. I am already teaching Connor so why not you?"
"Because I already babble and butcher the English language with my rambles and innuendos. I don't need to start doing that in Russian as well."
"Why not? I think it could be fun and useful. Who knows! You could pick it up easily and turn it into one of the sexiest languages ever."
Thea gagged. "And on that note, I'm out. I will get the invites out today for the dinner and come back to talk to you two about menu settings later. Lis, try to rest. You have been busy and need a break."
"I will Speedy. Thanks. We'll talk later." Felicity smiled as she hugged Thea to her chest, Thea leaned in over the belly.
Anatoly Knyazev, The Pakhan, leader of the Solntsevskaya Bratva stood back and watched the interaction not only between Oliver and Felicity but most of the family of Queens. He could see that the dark and broody young man he had met years ago, the one that save his life, was long gone now.
"So Anatoly, what brings you to town?" Felicity asked as she sat back down.
"Business. I know I should have called or been here by now but business in Russia has kept me there."
"Everything okay?" Oliver asked, concerned that their happy little bubble that had encased the entire city was about to pop.
"I am sure you are aware that I have my ways of keeping track of people and checking in on them. A few weeks back, I checked in on you two. I saw where not only had Felicity but her mother and little Connor had been taken by a man named Darhk. I had heard the name spoken a few times over the years. Oliver, my boy, why did you not call when this issue arose? We could have worked together and helped you all stay safe."
Oliver and Felicity glanced at each other, a bit surprised by Anatoly's inquiry. "I didn't think it was a problem that the Brotherhood would attend to."
"You are a Captain. She is your woman. We protect our own. No matter what."
"Apologies, Pakhan." Oliver bowed his head slightly, a bit taken back by the stern tone of Anatoly's voice. "How about we go discuss this matter in my study? I am sure Felicity would like to lay down for a bit and rest while we talk."
Anatoly shook his head. "My business involves you both so I wish to speak to you both about it."
"Me? What could I have to do with the Bratva?" Felicity asked.
"A lot, my dear. Please, may we speak privately about this?"
"Of course." Felicity agreed, noting the concern in Anatoly's voice now. "Let's all go to the study." With that, they moved down the hall towards that room.
Once inside, Oliver helped Felicity to one of the sofas that sat near the fireplace before walking over and lighting it. A chill had fallen over the city these days and Felicity felt it more than anyone else. She tugged down a nearby throw blanket and laid it over her belly and legs. Anatoly sat in an arm chair to her left and after the fire was set, Oliver claimed his spot next to his wife; hands instantly finding hers and intertwining them. "So what does the Brotherhood need from us?" Felicity asked as she sat closer to Oliver, trying to use his closeness to give her courage.
"Nothing my dear. We have already taken actions to protect you and your loved ones. It is now understood that you all are under the protection of the Brotherhood by order of the Pakhan and are untouchable. You should not have a repeat of the recent situations any time soon."
"Taken actions? How?" Oliver wondered, afraid that the Bratva would increase their level of activity in his city.
"By claiming her as ours. She is married to a Captain after all so she is Bratva. We have made it a fact that we have accepted her into the folds. I know you don't want her involved in our business Oliver, and she won't be. Between you and me, I would like that as well. She seems to have brought you much happiness so I do not want to end that by dragging her into our dark world. But by claiming her…"
"The other mob families and groups who not dare touch her or our family. They are all safe." Oliver summarized as he caught on to the older man's thought.
"Exactly. We ensured not only her safety but your boy's and those two's plus the rest of your family and friends. If you see them as family, so does the Bratva and everyone knows that now."
"Thank you, Pakhan. I know this is something that is normally not accepted amongst the Brotherhood."
"For the man that saved the Pakhan, rules can be bent and broken. Your standing will last not only with me but my heir as well. I have secured your safety for a long time to come. Enjoy your happiness here now, my boy. You are home." Anatoly beamed at the younger man as he leaned back in his chair, happy to help give Oliver peace of mind.
Felicity was still a bit confused by the turn of events. "Anatoly, you said actions had been taken. What actions exactly?" Felicity asked as she remembered what Lance had said about a hit being done on Darhk while he was in jail.
"We had to show what would happen to those who would cross us and defy our wishes."
"You put the hit out on Darhk!" Felicity gasped as she put everything together.
"What?!" Oliver asked. Felicity had told him that Darhk had been killed in prison but never gave the details to him. She wanted to put it all behind them. So she never spoke of Lance's suspicion that Darhk's death had been contracted out.
Anatoly grinned brightly. "Wise beyond your years, my dear. Yes, the Bratva took out Darhk. He threatened and kidnapped someone dear to one of our higher ranking Captains and therefore we had to act. We could not be seen as weak or let action occur without consequences. He had to be taught a lesson and others had to see that if you attack any connected to the Brotherhood, we would act."
"Pakhan, Я не хочу, чтобы вопрос свое решение, но вы позволить этому случиться в моем городе без уведомления меня? (Pakhan, I do not wish to question your decision but you let this happen in my city without informing me?)" Oliver questioned, his voice low and near a growl as his anger grew. He had no plans to take Darhk out completely and knowing now that Anatoly had done so behind his back upset him greatly.
"Captain, знать ваше место! Я поступил не только вашей семьи и жены, но и для блага Bratva. Что касается информирования вас, вы были и другие вопросы озаботиться. Вы были нужны на ее стороне. (Captain, know your place! I acted for not only your family and wife but for the good of the Bratva. As for informing you, you had other matters to attend to. You were needed at her side.)" Anatoly snapped at Oliver, his voice growling out each word to show the force behind it.
Felicity, who had only understood a couple words of what they had said, wanted to ease the tension in the room. "Anatoly, I am grateful for your devotion and protection of not only myself but my family. I am willing to accept the terms the Brotherhood has given with that protection and claim if…"
Anatoly studied the small blonde in front of him, curious as to what she would ask for. "If?"
"If in the future, any and all Bratva activity in Starling is brought to Oliver's attention beforehand. We know this city and its police force well. We must make sure that any illegal activity can not be traced back to us. We must be careful. So I ask that you inform Oliver of your plans and get his opinion on them. Trust that he knows how to best handle any situation that occurs here in this town. If he goes against your plan, it is because he knows it will cause trouble not only for us but for the Brotherhood in general. Understand?"
Anatoly nodded as he saw that she was speaking the truth. Oliver had never let anything happen to the Bratva in Starling. He had made sure that all were kept safe and he regretted what had happened when the Bratva were attacked before the Siege. "I will accept those terms."
Felicity reached out and took his hand in her. "Thank you, Pakhan." she said, smiling as she stumbled over the name for the first time.
"Oliver, you have chosen well in a bride. She is quite charming and wise. She will be good for you. Help soften that broody and angry side you have while handling business." Anatoly teased causing Oliver to roll his eyes.
"It definitely helps that he can't lie to me about anything. Worst liar ever." Felicity giggled and felt the last of the tension in the room leave.