Chapter 2

Felicity is down in the lair trying to find out how the ghosts arrived. Earlier in the day she had gone to QI and signed some paperwork and then immediately went to the lair.

While she is doing this, Dig is working out and Tommy is sitting at the table drawing a picture.

"Uncle Dig, look" Tommy says when he gets done with the picture.

Turning his attention to his Godson, Dig walks over to the little boy and looks at the picture Tommy is holding up.

"Wow, that is so good!"

"That is me, you, and daddy!"

"That is so good Tommy, you are quite the artist, little man." And the little boy shyly blushes and says thank you.

All three of them are soon distracted by the sound of the elevator doors opening. Oliver arrives and comes out of the elevator.

"Hey, have you found anything?"

"Not yet, apparently, there aren't any cameras down by the docks so I'm looking for those paranoid boat owners who have cameras, but I'm striking out so far."

"Ok, well keep looking."

"Wait, how did you get out of the house?" she asks glancing suspiciously at him.

"I told them I had a meeting to get to, hence the apparel" Oliver says gesturing over his suit.

"Very sly Oliver Queen" she says with a smirk, while turning her attention back to her monitors.

Smiling he then turns his attention to his other partner.

"Did you get a hold of Team Flash?"

"Yeah, they'll be here tomorrow morning."

"Ok"

"Yes!" Felicity says giving a mini fist pump.

"What happened?" Oliver said making his way over to her, with Dig following close behind.

"See, I knew there would be some paranoid yacht owner that installed cameras."

"What did you find?" Dig asks.

"This" she says pulling up the footage off the camera. On the footage, there is a blue portal that appears and all four of them appear. "Wait a second, that can't be right" she says.

"What?" Oliver asks turning his gaze from the computer screen.

"It's just the four of them, where is the cause of this portal?" she asked in confusion.

"I don't know but why don't we wait until Barry and Cisco get here and then they can look at it?"

She only nods, and then he stands back up from leaning over her chair.

"Ok, well why don't you keep looking, and I will take Tommy home and start on dinner." "Dinner?" Dig asked.

"Yeah, Moira thought it would be a great idea to have the dinner from hell" Felicity said sarcastically while not looking up from her screens.

"The meeting went that well, huh?" Dig asks sympathetically.

"Oh, yeah it was peachy, just as I thought, they hate me, shocking."

"Ok, maybe the meeting didn't go as well as I had hoped, but once they see the beautiful, smart woman I see they will understand how important you are to me and why I love you.

"I highly doubt that, but thank you for the sweet words. At least Tommy and your father like me."

Smiling he lays a kiss on her lips "Yeah they do." Walking towards his little boy, he leans down to lay a kiss in his hair, "You ready to go, little guy?"

"Yeah! Daddy look at the picture I drew."

"That is so good, buddy. Can we hang up on the wall?"

"Yeah!"

"Ok, let's put it right over here" he said pointing to the wall by the table. And he grabs some tape and puts it up there.

"Per-fect" Tommy said, which earned laughs from all the adults.

"Alright I will see you at eight."

"Do I have to go?" she pouts.

"Yes, eight" he says leaning over her and presses one final kiss to her lips and then breaks it.

"Ok" she sighs.

"Yeah if you don't mind I need to fill Lyla in and check on J.J."

"Yeah, I'll be fine down here."

"Are you sure?" Dig asks turning towards her.

"Positive."

"Ok, then I will see you tomorrow" he says planting a kiss on her hair, and without another word the boys make their way to the elevators.

"Bye, have fun" she says while her eyes never leave the computer.

"Bye" Tommy says and Felicity turns to look at them in the elevator and she blows them a kiss and Tommy returns it, before the doors close.

When Oliver arrives home, he gets Tommy out of the car and piggybacks him into the house.

"Alright buddy, let's get you some food" he says, guiding them to the kitchen.

About 30 minutes later he slides a grilled cheese cut in triangles, carrots, and apple slices, over to his excited little boy.

"There you go little man."

"Thank you, daddy."

"Your welcome" he says turning his attention back to the chicken cordon bleu he was making. "Is it good?" he asks glancing at his son sitting right across from him, who had just stuffed his face with one of the pieces of grilled cheese.

"Mmm" the boy nods happily.

What the two boys didn't know, was that they weren't alone. Robert had heard the soft talking from the hall and ended up watching the scene from the doorway.

"Bud, you haven't touched your carrots" Oliver said as he noticed that the grilled cheese and apple slices were all gone.

"I don't like carrots "Tommy pouts.

"Well you need to eat your vegetables."

"Uh-uh" he says shaking his head no.

Looking at the stubborn little boy, he sighs "Ok, I'll make a deal with you" he says leaning his elbows onto the counter, "I will trade my tomatoes for your carrots" he says in a low voice.

At the proposition, the little boy thinks hard, putting his hand to his chin and puckering his lips into his thinking face. He thinks about it hard and then finally gives in, "Ok" he says happily.

"Ok" Oliver says laughing as he slides the tomatoes over to the him. As soon as the tomatoes reach his little hands, he grabs a piece and eats it.

Shaking his head in pure amusement, he almost doesn't hear the voice behind him.

"He is quite the stubborn one, isn't he?" Robert says making his appearance.

When the voice reaches Oliver's ears, he turns his attention from his son to his father. Smiling wistfully, he finally processes what his father had just said, "Oh yeah, he gets it from his mother, she can be quite stubborn and head strong. It's actually one of the many things that I love about her."

As Robert study's his son, he senses how at peace he is, how happy he is. "She's quite something, isn't she?"

"Who Felicity, yeah she's amazing."

"You really like her, don't you?"

"No…I love her, more than I have ever loved anyone" he says with love clear in his eye.

Before Robert can say anything Tommy screeches "daddy" and both of their attentions are turned back to the little boy, who's shirt is soaked in tomato juice.

"And that's my cue, alright little man, let's go take a bath" he says picking up Tommy and walking them out of the kitchen, to the bathroom.

Before they fully disappear upstairs, the last thing Robert hears is "Rubber Duckie?"

"What would bath time be without your rubber duckie?"

Walking through the door at exactly… 7:45 she notes, looking at her watch. The first thing that she notices when she closes the door is the warmth of her home and the beautiful scent of vanilla. With all of the beauty wafting over her, a gentle smile caresses her lips.

Slipping her heels off her swollen feet and leaving them in her wake, she slowly makes her way to the stairs.

When she reaches the post of the staircase, she hears soft laughter coming from the bedrooms above. Pulling herself up the many steps, she eventually makes it to common ground and then hears another fit of giggles.

Following the intoxicating sound of her little boys' happiness, she finds herself leaning against the door seal, looking into the life she created. The love of her life is hugging and kissing her son, while he squeals in pure joy.

As time goes by, Oliver's eyes meet hers and his lips instantly form a smile that leaves her heart beating a mile a minute. When the little boy notices that he lost his father's attention, he seeks the cause, and his eyes immediately meet his mothers. As soon as they make the connection, Tommy struggles out of his father's hold and runs over to hug his mother's legs.

"Hi, Buddy, shouldn't you be in bed?"

He shakes his head reluctantly while keeping it buried into her legs. "Wait for you" he mumbles, while meeting her eyes.

"Waiting for me?" she asks never breaking contact and he responds with a head nod.

"Kiss. Tommy needs momma's kiss."

"Is that so? Well, then let's fix that." She says guiding him to his toddler bed that Oliver is currently sitting on.

"See, I told you she would be here, didn't I?" Oliver asks rising from the bed while looking at his son.

And Tommy can't help but shyly smile at his father with the cutest expression.

"Come here" Oliver said picking the boy up and throwing him in the air before catching him. "Bedtime" he says laying him gently onto the bed.
"Ok" Tommy says squirming into a comfortable position.

"Ok" Felicity says sitting on the side of the bed while Oliver stands near her and his son.

Before the two parents can say anything, Tommy looks up at them and says "I love you mommy and daddy."

The confession melts their hearts and they both respond "we love you too". And then he surprises them yet again by sitting up and whispers to Felicity's stomach "oh and I love you too baby". He then puts his small hands on each side and leans into kiss her rounded stomach.

With the action, words can't describe the love they feel for the child before them. So, they do the only thing they can think of and lean down and each run their fingers through his soft auburn hair. And lay a kiss of love on his beautiful head.

"Sweet Dreams my love" Felicity says laying his head on the pillow.

"Goodnight Champ" Oliver says bringing the cover over the little boys' chest, and with one final kiss, his eyes close and he drifts to a dream filled world.

After putting Tommy to bed, Felicity sets her course for her closet.

"So, enlighten me with what a Queen dinner looks like" she says while pulling and gazing at different dresses throughout her closet.

"Felicity, it's not a big deal, just wear whatever you want."

And with that statement, her search comes to a halt.

"Not a big deal?" she asks turning her gaze to the man near the door of their bedroom. "I'm sorry, have you met your mother? We're talking about the woman that would dress up to eat pizza. Oh, and let's not forget the tiny fact that, she sort of hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, Felicity. She doesn't even know you. Before the Gambit remember."

"Oh, but that's where your wrong Oliver, before the Gambit, after the Gambit, it doesn't matter because no matter what, I will never be Laurel."

And with that he stops and looks at her with pure confusion.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that through her eyes, and I'm sure through everybody's eyes down there, I am nothing but the woman that got in the way of your relationship with her."

"But that's not what happened." He slightly protests.

"Yeah, I know that, but they don't. And until they find out the real truth I am nothing more than a Gold Digger, a destroyer of relationships, a…"
"Ok, stop, your putting this way out of context, and your blowing this up way more than it is."

"Am I?" she asks cocking her head to the side and studying him.

"Yes" he says grabbing her arms. "Look it is all going to be fine, once they meet the real Felicity Queen, they will instantly fall in love with you."

"Yeah, everyone except Laurel" she says turning her head to the other side and speaking in a hushed whisper.

"Look my point is, they can't judge you if they don't know you."

"Yes, they can" she says exasperated. "I mean hell that's what rich people do for a hobby."

"Felicity, it will be fine. I promise, I will be right by your side the entire time." And after looking into her eyes with pure trust and guarantee, he slightly moves away from her and grabs a tight fitted red dress. "Here, wear this one" he says while handing it to her, and plants a kiss to her forehead. "Everything will be alright."

And with one last squeeze to her hand, he disappears through the door and she is left alone to her thoughts.

'It is going to be a long night' is the only thing they kept floating through her mind.

Finishing up on the final touches to dinner, Oliver sets the table, and everyone gradually makes their way down.

"What smells so delicious?" Tommy asks walking into the dining room.

"Wow, this place looks impeccable" Moira said, while sitting down.

As those words escaped into the air, Felicity came in wearing her red dress and her hair down and Oliver can't keep his eyes off her, so instead he takes the few steps to her. When he reaches, her he pulls her in and brings his lips to her golden hair and whispers, "You look beautiful."

"Thank you" she mumbles while blushing, and before she knows it he is guiding her to a seat.

When everyone is seated, they begin eating the enticing meal before them.

"This absolutely divine" Moira comments, ""You must have amazing staff here."

"Well, we don't have staff, actually I made it" Oliver says cutting into his chicken.

At that revelation, everyone but Felicity stop and gape at the head of the table.

"You made this?"

"Since when did you learn how to cook like this, Ollie?" Laurel asks.

"Well, it's kind of a long story."

"Yeah, one that involves slow cookers" Felicity mumbles. When everyone looks at her, she looks up from her food. "Did I say that out loud?" She asks gazing at Oliver and all he gives her is a knowing smile. And with that she presses her lips together and returns her eyes to her food.

Before the awkward silence could continue, Robert spoke.

"So, how did the two of you meet?"

Before Oliver can answer, Tommy speaks up in his typical sarcastic tone.

"I bet they me at the club, got her knocked up, and Boom here we are" Tommy teased in a light tone. When the words were nothing but air, Felicity went stock still and Oliver gave him a death glare, and Tommy's smile evaporated. "What? I was just kidding."

Ignoring his friend's apology, Oliver huffed trying to gain his composure back and spoke. "Actually, I met Felicity through QC, she worked in the IT Department at the time."

Everyone erupts into laughter, and the two share a look of confusion.

"What's so funny?" Oliver asks looking at his family.

"Well, it's just that… do you even where the IT Department is? I mean you never went to QC unless you absolutely had to, and even then, the only place you knew was your father's office" Tommy says suppressing his laughter.

Oliver's jaw instantly locks, and Felicity immediately notices. When she sees his demeanor change, she quickly takes his hand under the table and squeezes it, giving him the strength he needs to calm down.

"Actually, Oliver needed his laptop fixed and somehow, he heard that I was the best and… the rest is history" she said while her eyes never left his and they share a secret smile meant only for them, as they remembered that monumental day.

After a minute, they finally break eye contact and are quickly met with sour faces on Moira and Laurel's faces.

Changing the topic, Moira asks, "So Felicity, what do you do?" she asks snarkly.

"She probably stays home and lives off of all Oliver's money, like the gold digger she is" Laurel says taunting her, with a bitchy smile.

"Laurel" Tommy says in a warning tone knowing she took it way to far.

At the allegation, Felicity locked her jaw and let out a shaky breath.

"Felicity is NOT a Gold Digger" Oliver seethes in his Arrow voice.

"As a matter of fact, I own my own company, so if anything, Oliver's living my money" she says casting her cold stare at Laurel. And then she quickly adds moving her soft eyes to Oliver, "not that there's anything wrong about that" and he just smiles at her.

"Wait, you own your own company?" Robert asks. "What do you specialize in?"

"We're a tech company."

"Yes, she owns Queen Incorporated." Oliver beamed with pride.

"Wait, as in Queen Consolidated?" Moira asks.

"Well, technically yes… It's a long story" she said trying to give the bare minimum, so she didn't tell the owners the real story of why she's in charge.

"Felicity has stood by my side through everything and practically helped me run the company. So, when I received the opportunity to be the Mayor, I knew it was in good hands."

As the words pour out of his beautiful mouth, Felicity feels absolutely loved in that moment, but it was short-lived.

"So, let me get this straight, Oliver, you decided that you didn't want to be the CEO anymore, so you gave it to your wife?" Moira asked, clearly not happy with what she's hearing.

"Moira" Robert says in a warning tone.

"I wouldn't say that he gave it to me, I mean as I said before, it's a long and complicated story that I'm not going to get into, and I'm going to stop talking now." She said this while once again pressing her lips together.

And then Oliver speaks up defensively. "Even if I had given it to her, I wouldn't have it any other way. She is the best at what she does and I trust her with my life, and that includes the company."

"Oliver, your father did not build this company up to let it be passed on to anyone but you" she said growing frustrated with a stone-cold voice.

"Moira" Robert says again with his voice rising.

"Mother" Oliver says growing frustrated by his mother's jabs at Felicity.

"You mean to a woman" Felicity mumbles.

And with that accusation, Moira directs her cold hard stare at her.

"Excuse me?"

"Felicity, she didn't mean it like that" Oliver whispered as he takes her hand under the table and tries to calm her down before she can get too stressed out. But his words fell to silent ears.

"No, she did and it's ok." She says as he matches her glare. "It's not like I signed my first $5 Billion deal or anything. Or I haven't just saved thousands of people's lives by allowing them the opportunity to walk again. No, that's not possible because I'm a woman. Right?"

"Felicity, my wife does not mean that" Robert says trying to ease the tension around the table.

"No, she does"

And with those final words, she stands up and leans down to kiss Oliver.

"Thank you for dinner, it was delicious."

"Felicity" he says almost desperately, but before he can say anything else, she silences him with a reassuring smile.

"I'm tired, it's been a long day" she whispers and with one final kiss to his temple, she directs her tired body to her bed.

When she leaves the room, Oliver let's out a deep sigh and finally allows his eyes to meet the people around the table but letting his gaze stay on Laurel and his Mother.

"Really? What is so wrong with her, you have to make her feel like she does not even come close to your expectations?"

"Oliver" Moira says trying to defend herself, but he doesn't let her speak.

"No mother, Felicity is the best thing that has ever happened to me and whether you like it or not, she is the love of my life and she isn't going anywhere. I just thought that you would be happy that I finally found the one thing that makes happy, but I guess I was wrong."

"Oliver" Robert says trying to get his sons attention.

"Oliver" Tommy says trying to get his friends attention, but both fail.

And without another word, he just tightens his jaw and shakes his head in utter disgust and disappointment. Standing up, he grabs his now empty plate and takes it to the kitchen and never looks back at the people he once called family.

After leaving the kitchen, he roams the halls of the home until he finds himself leaning against the porch doors. He steadies his walk as he approaches her and takes a minute just to watch her. She was so beautiful with her hair flowing in the gentle breeze of the nightly sky and her hands grazing her belly as she stared out into nothing.

"Hey" he said softly breaking her trance.

"Hi" she says giving him a small smile. "That was…"

"Yeah" he says coming to kneel in front of her.

"Not to say I told you so, but… I told you so."

"I'm sorry, I guess I had just thought that they would see what I see, the beautiful life I've created."

"I know" she says running her fingers through his hair, and then lets her palm rest on his cheek, while he closes his eyes basking in her touch. "You have come so far, and I am SO proud of you. They don't know what you've been through, they don't understand."

"I know, I just thought that they would be happy that I'm not the same old Ollie, that I've grown."

"They do see that" she says laying a kiss on his forehead.

"And what my mom said about the company, that was extremely out of line."

"Hey, it's ok. She's not the first and certainly won't be the last one to criticize me for being a woman in the business world."

Watching her in absolute amazement, he utters the only words he can form.

"I Love You."

And she only gives him the smile that is specifically for him. Letting his eyes drift close, he delicately kisses her stomach.

"Thank you"

"For what?"

"For everything. For giving me this life; our amazing children; but most importantly for loving me."

"Always"

And with that he stands up and kisses her on the lips before joining her on the sofa and pulling her close to him.

What the two of them didn't know was that they were not alone. All four guests had witnessed the scene while hiding behind the doors, and by the end every pair of eyes met each other.