Chapter 7 Dinner

Oliver

He paced back and forth waiting for Felicity to return. He periodically looked at the door but mostly he just stared at the floor. What the hell was taking them so long and what could Ray possibly be saying? This feeling of jealousy and worry were new to him and he didn't like it. He liked to know what was going on especially when it came to Felicity. They were always able to read each other so well and he could tell what she was going to do and she could tell what he was going to do. But Ray was a wild card and that made Oliver nervous, not that he couldn't handle him but he could have a couple of secrets up his sleeve that could change things.

"Hey man you should just sit down it's not like he's going to kidnap Felicity I think he's afraid of you."

"Good he should be. I don't trust him Diggle."

"I don't trust him either but I trust Felicity and that's all that matters. I know deep down you trust her too and I know how hard that must be for you."

Deep down he knew that too and it scared him because he never really trusted anyone in his life besides his family. But now he trusted Felicity and Diggle and it was the best decision he had ever made.

Diggle was setting the table up when Felicity finally came through the door. A smile automatically formed when he saw her. She had a way about her that just brought him pure joy. She smiled right back as she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He hugged her right back as she rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tight smiling into her hair breathing in her beautiful scent.

"Are you ok?"

"I am now."

They would have stood there forever but then they heard John clear his throat. "Sorry to interrupt but dinner will be ready let me just go help Lyla bring everything out. You guys can sit wherever you want at the table."

After John left Oliver grabbed Felicity's hand and they walked to the table hand in hand. He could tell something was off with Felicity but he would ask her later but for now he just wanted to have dinner with the woman he loved and his closest friends.

Diggle

As he walked into the kitchen he couldn't help but laugh to himself. "What are you laughing at Johnny?" He watched as Lyla took the lasagna out of the oven and placed it on the counter. He loved that she was a woman of many talents. She could cook, clean, she was a great mother and wife but she could also kick your ass and take down terrorists when she needed too. He found that very sexy.

"Nothing just that fact that I have been telling Oliver to tell Felicity how he felt about her for at least a year and now he finally does and he's happier than I have ever seen him. Who would of thought?"

He grabbed the wine bottle they had saved for this occasion and went to the drawer to grab the corkscrew. Lyla stealthily came up behind him and grabbed him around the waist. He turned around and looked down at this beautiful woman that he loved so much.

"If I remember correctly you weren't so good with taking signals either or making a move."

"I don't know what you're talking about?" He knew exactly what she was talking about. He had liked Lyla for a long time before he actually asked her out. He always thought she was flirting with him but sometimes he couldn't tell and he didn't want to make a fool out of himself.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. It took you forever to ask me out I think my next option was going to be to make a sign that said John Diggle do you want to go on a date with me. Luckily for me you asked just in the nick of time."
"Best decision I ever made." He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.

"You bet it was. Now go and serve our guests I will be out with the food in just a minute."

"Yes ma'am."

Felicity

She squeezed Oliver's hand as they sat down at the table and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. He smiled at her and asked, "what was the for?"

"I just wanted to kiss you. Is that ok?"

"Fine with me, but are you sure you're ok? What did Ray say?"

"Nothing it's not important. I actually feel great," and she found she was telling the truth. It really didn't matter that she got fired. She didn't really like the job anyway and as long as she had those she loved in her life and the will to fight those who would try to hurt them then she knew she would be happy in the end. The both smiled at each other glad that they had finally let themselves be with each other and truly be happy.

Oliver was about to question her one more time when Diggle finally entered with the wine. "Sorry it took so long, couldn't find the corkscrew."

"No worries." He poured four glasses and was finishing up the last one when Lyla walked into the room with dinner.

"Dinner is served everyone I hope you two like it its Johnny's favorite."

"I'm sure it's great Lyla thanks for inviting Oliver and I over we really appreciate it."

"Of course Felicity you two are welcome any time. And may I just add it's about damn time you two got together."

They all laughed and sat down to enjoy dinner. As the dinner progressed they all reminisced about times they spent with each other. People they defeated, lives they saved and things they had seen. It was so nice to be able to share their whole lives with people who understood what each was going through and Felicity was glad that they had an outlet to be truly open with. They shared laughs and even shared in each other's pain but at least they were able to share how they truly felt without having to hold anything back. There was no judgment just acceptance. She looked at the love that Diggle and Lyla shared and hoped one day that her and Oliver could be just like them. As she looked over at Oliver and saw him looking at her in the same way Diggle was looking at Lyla she couldn't help but smile and know that he would never stop loving her and she would never stop loving him. He was hers and she was his and there was no way around it. No one could get between that love. He caressed her hand as she rested her head on his shoulder and as she looked around the table only one thought passed through her head.

This was family.

30 minutes later

Dinner finally ended and everyone helped to clean up. They all were so happy. Diggle and Lyla, with so much history together, a child, and so much love. Felicity and Oliver, with so much more to come and more love than either could begin to describe.

Little did they know they were all being watched. The perp would let them have their fun tonight but come tomorrow their whole lives would change.