Epilogue

Thank you again to everyone who enjoyed this story. This is our conclusion, and where I think all Olicity fans hope we see Oliver and Felicity in the future. I am tossing around an idea to do another story around what I hope a marriage proposal would look like between our two favorite characters and contemplating making it an M rating, so if that is your thing, look for that in the next couple of weeks.

Again, I greatly appreciate the wonderful feedback I received on this story, and look forward to our favorite show being back with new episodes starting tomorrow in the US!

Enjoy, and don't forget to review!

It had been several years since the events in the Glades where Slade and his army were brought down. The cure that Felicity had prepared was successful, and athough it took Oliver and team a few months to round up all the super soldiers, Slade's army had been arrested and prosecuted for their crimes.

Along with their arrests came the discovery of Sebastian Blood's involvement in the plan that would have brought down Starling City. The Councilman had disappeared immediately following the events that fateful day, but he had been discovered dead in Central America, a victim of his own desire for power after having tried to inject himself with a super serum he tried to manufacture on his own that proved deadly. The group had worked their magic so Slade's name was not associated with the soldiers and Sebastian Blood. It was the last thing Oliver could do for his old friend to compensate for the loss Slade was never able to get over.

As a result of Slade's passing (which was deemed a burglary gone wrong) the deal between Queen Consolidated and SW International was halted, but Isabel Rochev was happy to step away from Queen Consolidated and take over for Slade as the head of the organization, finally having something of her own. She had grown close to Slade toward the end, even envisioning a possible long term relationship with the former soldier. Isabel and the Queen family went their separate ways on good terms.

Roy Harper, although forever changed by the knowledge that Oliver Queen was the Vigilante, opted to be cured of the effects of the super serum he had been injected with. He knew he would always be a target for some group that would look to weaponize the serum from his blood, similar to what Slade had done, so it was an easy choice to make. He did continue to train with Oliver, becoming a bit of a side kick, or partner really, known as the Red Arrow. Oliver liked the name so much he adapted the name Green Arrow for himself. Now that Roy and Thea were happily married with their first little one on the way, Roy had thought about cutting back on his role as the Red Arrow. With their success with rebuilding the Glades and the improvement in overall economic conditions in Starling City, crime was down and the need for him and Oliver was very low.

Diggle and Layla had two boys of their own, the first coming just nine months after the trip to Russia. There had never been a hesitation about them remarrying and Diggle formerly retiring from being Oliver's bodyguard and Vigilante backup, especially once Roy was able to step up, but he was now the head of security at Queen Consolidated.

Barry Allen went back to Central City, although had a medical emergency that had him in a coma for a short period of time shortly after Slade's passing. Felicity had reached out to her friend during his recovery, pleasantly surprised at the changes he experienced as a result of his accident, and they still remained in touch to this day.

Speaking of Felicity, today found her preparing for her son's third birthday celebration. She had been under the weather as of late so had almost not gotten everything pulled together for the big day. However, the guests had arrived and Tommy was off playing with his grandparents in the backyard where the blow up castle and other outdoor toys were set up. She had just pulled the cake out of the box and was placing the candles on it when she felt an arm snake around her waist and pull her back. It still irked her to no end at how quiet he could be when sneaking up on her.

"Is there something you need, Mr. Queen?" she asked playfully, placing the last candle in place.

Oliver let out a long sigh, burying his face into her neck and inhaling deeply. He never grew tired of touching and smelling Felicity, no matter where they were or who was around them. "You, Mrs. Queen," he answered breathlessly, turning her around and placing a slow, deep kiss on her mouth.

She smiled up at him, once again wondering how she had ever gotten so lucky to be married to her best friend and the love of her life. She stifled a yawn, which caused Oliver to chuckle.

"Am I boring you," he asked with a smile, tucking a wayward lock of hair behind her ear. He looked more closely at her then, frowning a bit as he noticed faint dark circles under eyes. "Are you okay? You look pretty tired. I told you if Tommy was getting up at night you just need to wake me and I'll go get him and bring him into bed with us," he finished, concern on his face.

Felicity smiled, wondering if she should mention the reason behind her fatigue now or after the party. She quickly made up her mind. "I'm fine, just busy, that's all. You have no idea how much work goes into the planning and execution of a three-year-old's birthday party, especially when he is heir to one of the largest corporate empires in the US. I could literally over throw three third-world governments from my laptop with less effort!" she finished, giving Oliver a soft peck before turning to light the candles. Oliver watched her carefully, then took the cake from her as they made their way out the French doors that led to the enormous backyard of the Queen mansion.

Moira and Walter, who had been chasing after Tommy, turned him around to show him the cake with the lit candles his father was carrying. Felicity intercepted the rambunctious toddler before he could make a dive for Oliver's legs. There had been a nasty incident with the last go around with H.I.V.E. that had resulted in Oliver getting a knife wound to his thigh a couple of months ago that was still tender, so Felicity had to keep Tommy in check until it was fully healed. It was part of the role of being married to the Green Arrow!

Oliver's mother and step-father came over to the large patio table where the plates and drinks were set up for the party-goers, smiling lovingly at each other as they gazed at their growing family. The pair was in town for a couple of months visiting from their home in the south of France, but it was obvious that retirement suited them well. Of course, semi-retirement was probably a more accurate label. Walter was still doing some consultant work on the side, and Moira had found a passion for wine-making, having just purchased her first vineyard earlier that year.

By the end of the night Tommy had passed out on Grandpa Walter's lap as the family sat on the large patio talking about business, travelling, pre-school plans for Tommy and marveling at how well he had made out on all of his gifts. His favorite by far was the official State Department badge he had received from Auntie Laurel, who was now working in Washington, DC. Laurel had never gotten truly over Tommy's death, but had found a purpose in working for the State Department, dedicating herself to her life's work of practicing law. She was slowly working her way up the food chain, and enjoyed the political atmosphere of DC. Perhaps the happiest moment over the years for Laurel had been when she had reunited with her sister, Sara. Sara was still operating under the radar, so to speak, but occasionally found her way to Starling City to spend time with her dad and check on the Queen family. She never stayed long, but it was enough to keep Captain Lance happy.

Lance still did not know the true identity of the Green Arrow and then subsequently the Red Arrow that started popping up, but he knew which side of the law they were on. Oliver's working relationship with Lance had developed into a nice partnership where both sides shared information and worked together, albeit without the knowledge of the general public, to keep Starling City safe.

After putting Tommy in his bed and joining Felicity to sit with his mother and Walter in the front sitting room, Oliver noticed that Felicity was starting to nod off mid-conversation, even though it was still early. Moira obviously noticed as well, so they excused themselves, making their way to the guest suite they always stayed in during their prolonged stays in Starling City.

After leading Felicity up to their master bedroom suite, Oliver got stripped down to his t-shirt and boxers, brushing and flossing his teeth, and then sliding into his side of the bed for his nightly routine of watching Felicity get ready for the night. He always had some business journal at hand, pretending to read it, while the whole time he watched her go through her nightly ritual, which included putting on her most comfortable tank top and pajama shorts, removing her makeup, applying her night cream, brushing and flossing her teeth, brushing her hair, then finally tidying up the room before climbing into bed to snuggle up against Oliver.

Before he had landed on the island the thought of such a domestic scene would have had Oliver running and screaming from the room. Since being with Felicity, it was the everyday things that brought him the most comfort, from being the first one up and bringing Felicity her morning coffee, or getting Tommy ready for pre-school before they left for the office, to watching Felicity go through her bedtime routine; it brought a warmth and contentment to his heart that he thought he would never find after the island.

Felicity let out a very long and loud yawn as she settled into Oliver's side, eyes closed, almost purring at the comfort he brought to her. Again, Oliver was struck that she seemed so tired when it wasn't even 9 at night.

"Felicity?" he said quietly, seeing if she was still fully awake.

"Hmmm?" she responded, getting even closer to Oliver, if that was even possible. She knew his intuition was alerting him to something being off with her, but she was kind of enjoying holding out on him a bit longer, trying to see if he figured it out on his own.

Oliver then sat up, pulling her up with him. Upon opening her eyes, the look of worry on his face made Felicity immediately feel guilty at her little charade. He reached up, caressing one cheek with his hand while pulling her into his body with the other arm. "Are you sure you're okay? You just haven't seemed yourself lately. Do you need me to do more to help with Tommy? I know he can be a handful at times, but if you need me to do more around here or get someone to help out I'm more than happy to do that. I know you didn't want a nanny, but it's okay if you've changed your mind," he finished, finally taking a breath after getting all of what was on his mind out in one exhale.

Felicity started laughing, charmed by his concern and touched by his willingness to do whatever she wanted. She reached up and kissed him, trying to wipe the frown off of his face. Pulling back, she finally said, "do you know you are adorable when you worry?"

"So you're okay," he asked again, searching her eyes for reassurance.

"I'm better than okay," she said quietly, taking the hand he held up to her face and pulling it down to place it on her stomach. "WE are doing just fine," she smiled, watching the realization of what she was telling him spread across his face.

Wha-I mean, really?" he sputtered, clearly overtaken by his emotions, his eyes welling with tears of joy. "When?" he finally got out.

Felicity laughed lightly, giving him another kiss. "I would have to guess that weekend we went away to Aspen, after your mother and Walter first arrived back in the States and insisted we go off for some time to ourselves. Obviously she just wanted Tommy to herself, but I swear that woman is bound and determined to have many more grandchildren before all is said and done, and by God it looks like she is getting her way!"

He laughed then, taking her into his arms and kissing her over and over again until she was laughing aloud. He laid back down then, pulling her even tighter into his side, running his hand up and down her back as he gazed into her face, their noses just inches apart. "Thank you," he finally said, the sincerity evident in his tone.

"For what?" Felicity asked, staring lovingly into his eyes.

"For helping me see that I deserved more than just being the Hood; for convincing me that I was worthy of you and your love; for giving me more than I could ever hope for," he finished, gently placing his hand back down onto her stomach.

Felicity kissed him then, and they didn't need to say anymore the rest of that night, instead showing each other the love and devotion they felt in their hearts. The last thought Felicity had before drifting off was of that long ago moment, when she had just been his secretary, and they had just gotten back from the trip to Russia where Diggle had rescued Layla. She remembered Oliver's words at the time…

… because of the life that I lead I just think it's better to not be with someone that I could really care about.

It wasn't until after they were married, shortly after Tommy had been born, that the trip to Russia had been brought up between them again. Felicity had been hormonal, felt fat and ugly, and had brought it up to Oliver in a weak, insecure moment. It was then that he had finally confessed that he had been referring to her all those years ago, when he had talked about "someone that I could really care about." She had then recalled her own words in response to him that he deserved better than Isabel. At the time Oliver had felt very alone and isolated, sure that he was too broken to be worthy of love from anyone, most importantly her. It had been a very revealing moment in their relationship, and Russia had never been brought up again.

She smiled as she heard Oliver's soft snores signaling he was sound asleep. He had deserved better, they both did, and they had finally found it in each other…