Curtis started to get concerned when Felicity was gone for almost 12 hours. He still didn't want to say anything to Oliver. Late that evening he brought out some fluids and hooked her up to them so that she didn't get dehydrated. Thea looked as he did so.
"How long is she going to stay hooked up to those things?"
"I don't actually know."
Oliver glanced up. "What do you mean you don't know?"
He quickly thought of something. "It's new software and I don't fully understand it."
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"Hello?"
"Living room."
Felicity stepped into the living room and heard.
"Mommy!"
She grinned and caught Evie in a hug. Oliver stepped in after her and grabbed their daughter. He kissed her cheek and smiled.
"Were you good for Grandma and Grandpa?"
"Yup."
They saw Robbie was holding his new cousin Nolan on the couch while Thea supervised. She grinned.
"So am I getting a new niece or nephew?"
Oliver smiled and sat down next to his father. "You will find out Christmas day."
She groaned. "Seriously you're going to do that to me?"
Felicity smiled and took baby Nolan from Robbie. She sat down next to him and smiled down at her nephew. Evie grinned and kissed his head.
"Aunt Thea let me give him his bottle."
"Oh wow."
Thea nodded. "We have to get you in big sissy mode again. That way you can help Mommy and Daddy with the new baby."
She nodded. "I'll help."
Felicity kissed her head. "Be careful I may take you up on that."
Moira handed her daughter a glass of water and smiled.
"So what time is Evie's Christmas Program at school?"
"Wednesday at 6."
"We'll be there."
Thea nodded. "So will Uncle Roy, Nolan and I."
Oliver smiled at his daughter. "And guess who else is coming."
Evie cocked her head. "Who?"
"Mimi."
Evie gasped. "Really?"
"I'm going to pick her up at the airport that morning."
Moira and Robert both forced smiles. Robbie groaned and looked at his mother.
"Is she going to kiss me with that stuff on again?"
Felicity nodded. "Probably Buddy."
Thea looked at Oliver. "How long is she staying for?"
"A week."
Robert raised his brows. "Through Christmas?"
He nodded. Felicity spoke to Moira.
"I just found out."
"He didn't tell you?"
She shot her son a look and he spoke quickly.
"If I told her she would have said no."
Moira nodded. When they got home later that night Felicity was looking for Oliver and found him in the basement guest room. She leaned against the doorway and watched as he put fresh sheets on the bed.
"Your parents looked like we told them we were buying a lion."
He chuckled. "Everyone can get along for one week. You saw how excited Evie got."
"I know. I do want her here it's just..."
"She gets on your nerves."
"Yeah."
"Well I will be here to be a buffer."
She nodded.
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Wednesday came and Felicity was up most of the night. Oliver came down stairs and found her in the kitchen.
"You're up early."
She smiled over her mug of tea. "Enjoying the calm before the storm."
He rolled his eyes and sat down next to her. After a while the kids woke up and came downstairs. Robbie spoke with a mouth full of cereal.
"Is Mimi coming on the hairplane?"
Oliver nodded. "Yes she is and please chew your food."
Soon Felicity was ushering the kids up the stairs. She dressed Evie in a red shirt that had a snowman on it and jeans. Evie put her chestnut boots on all by herself while Felicity pulled her hair into a high ponytail. She then changed Robbie into a grey shirt with an elf on it, jeans, and his sneakers. Oliver fixed his son's hair and then helped him pack his backpack. Felicity was putting their lunches in their bags when Evie looked at her.
"Mommy can I come get Mimi with you?"
"No Sweetie you need to go to school and practice your songs for tonight."
She nodded. The doorbell rang and Felicity smiled.
"I think Aunt Sarah is here."
Evie ran to the front door and pulled it open. Sarah Lance smiled.
"Hey Girlie."
"Aunt Sarah!"
Sarah grabbed her and hugged her. She shut the door behind her and grinned.
"Are you ready to sing tonight?"
"Yup. Are you coming?"
"Yes I am."
Felicity handed her a container of cookies. "For the party."
She nodded. "A dozen toddlers with sugar. Pray for me."
She laughed. "You chose to teach pre-school."
"And I love every minute of it." She checked her smart watch. "But I a going to be late."
Felicity yelled up the stairs. "Robbie, Aunt Sarah is ready!"
Robbie came running down the stairs. "I'm ready."
"Coat please."
He slid on his coat as did Evie. As Felicity watched from the door the kids climbed into the car. Oliver came behind her and spoke.
"We need to go."
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Felicity waited with Oliver near baggage claim. She felt her stomach in knots and sighed. Soon Donna Smoak came through the gate and yelled.
"There is my beautiful girl!"
Felicity looked around making sure no one was staring. Oliver smiled and hugged her.
"It's good to see you Donna."
She smiled and hugged Felicity. "I can't believe i'm actually here."
Felicity forced a smile. Donna put a hand on Felicity's small baby bump and spoke.
"Hello little one it's Mimi."
Felicity spoke. "Umm why don't we get your bags?"
"Oh right."
They quickly found her suitcase and Oliver helped her get it in their car. Felicity cocked her brow at the carry on her mom had.
"Mom you're staying for a week right?"
"Yes."
"Then why do you have two suitcases?"
"Well I had to get the kids Christmas gifts in my bag."
"Mom you didn't have to get them anything."
"Of course I did. I only see them once a year."
Felicity shut her mouth. When they got home Oliver showed Donna inside. She spoke in awe.
"This house is beautiful."
"Thank you. The guest room is in the basement."
She nodded and followed him down the stairs. While she settled in the guest room Felicity banged her head against the counter. Oliver rubbed her back.
"One week."
"One week."
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When the kids got home from school Evie squealed.
"Mimi!"
Donna caught her and smiled. "There is my beautiful granddaughter."
She hugged her tight and then she knelt down to Robbie.
"Well a boy this handsome must be named Robbie."
Robbie nodded. "Hi Mimi."
"Well come here you."
She hugged him and to Robbie's horror kissed his cheek with her bright red lipstick. He quickly wiped his face. Luckily they didn't have a lot of time to worry about Donna. Felicity changed Evie into a red plaid dress and black maryjanes. She curled her hair and slid a big red bow in her hair to sweep back her long bangs. When she came down the stairs Oliver smiled.
"Well don't you look beautiful."
Evie smiled and kissed his cheek. Donna gasped.
"Aww you look precious. Let Mimi take a picture."
Evie posed in front of the Christmas tree. Donna had changed into a tight red cocktail dress and silver sparkly stiletto heels. She slid on her white faux fur coat and smiled.
"Okay let's get going."
Felicity raised her brows but didn't say anything. When they arrived at the school Felicity dropped Evie off in her classroom and then followed her husband into the auditorium. They quickly found Oliver's parents and Thea. Robbie ran to Roy and smiled.
"Uncle Roy!"
Roy grabbed him and gave him a high five. "Hey Slugger."
Robbie looked in the carseat in front of Thea and smiled.
"Hey Noli."
Oliver sat down next to his father. Moira forced a smile.
"Hello Donna. How was your flight?"
Donna took off her jacket, which caused Robert Queen to roll his eyes. "Good. I got one of the pilot's numbers."
Felicity tried hard not to notice people whispering and pointing a Donna. But Felicity was use to it. When the kids came out she focused on Evie. She was in the front row and waved at everyone. They started to sing and Robbie ended up falling asleep in Roy's lap. When the kids finished Evie ran over smiling.
"Did I do good?"
Oliver kissed her head. "You did amazing."
Robert pulled a small bouquet of roses out from under his chair. He handed them to her smiling.
"You were the prettiest girl up there."
She smiled and smelled her flowers. Felicity couldn't help but smile.
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Curtis was pacing back and forth. After a while Oliver, Thea and Dig walked in. Thea sighed.
"Okay we're here what is all this about?"
He hesitated before speaking. "Felicity asked me to help her create something ad now I don't know how to bring her out of it."
Oliver looked and saw that she still had the probs on her head. He looked at Curtis.
"What did she do?"
"She wanted to know why you were acting so weird so...we took the machine that we took from the alien ship and remodeled it a little."
Dig stepped forward. "Meaning?"
"She's in The Dream World."
Thea groaned and Oliver's eyes widened.
"How long has she been out?"
"Almost 24 hours."
Oliver nodded. "Well time moves faster there then it does here. But she needs to bring herself out of it."
"Great."
Thea looked. "Well we can keep her hydrated."
Dig looked at her stats. "Her heart is in good shape. I think she will be okay but she needs to come out soon."
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Felicity was wrapping presents in she and Oliver's bedroom. She heard a knock and looked up. Donna smiled.
"So what is this party tonight?"
"Oliver's parent's annual Christmas Eve party."
"Is it black tie?"
"Yes."
Donna sighed. "Well do you think that we can go to the mall. I didn't bring a gown."
Felicity looked at her. "Are you sure that you want to go?"
"Sure. But I don't want to embarrass you with one of my usual party dresses."
Felicity cracked a smile. "You don't embarrass me Mom."
She sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. "Felicity I have embarrassed you since you were a little girl. Your eyebrow twitches."
Felicity smiled. "I love you but sometimes your wardrobe..."
"Is outrageous. But it's me."
"I know." She looked at the clock. "Well let's get going. The mall is going to be nuts on Christmas Eve."
Donna nodded. They made their way downstairs and Felicity looked at Oliver.
"Mom and I are going out for a little while. Can you handle the kids?"
He nodded. "We were going to make cookies for Santa."
Evie looked at her mom. "Can I come too?"
Donna smiled. "Of course. We can make it a girls only trip."
Evie beamed. They drove to the mall and wandered into Bloomingdales. Donna found a dress that she liked and heels to match. Evie helped her pick out a new lipstick that wasn't bright red. When they got home they all started to get dressed. Felicity put on her floor length navy gown and sighed.
"I blame you for this."
Oliver turned from fastening his shirt and smiled. Her baby bump was very noticeable in the gown.
"You look beautiful."
She rolled her eyes. "Can you zip it up?"
He walked over and zipped the dress for her. He then kissed the hollow of her back sending chills down her spine. He then tied his bowtie. Felicity made her way into her daughters room and helped Evie into a gold sparkle tank dress, a white cardigan, white tights and gold flats. She then braided both sides of her hair then twisted them into a bun. She slid a gold bow into her bun. Robbie walked in wearing his little tux with a red and green plaid bowtie. Oliver slicked his hair for him. When they were ready to leave Donna walked upstairs and Oliver's jaw almost hit the floor. She was wearing a plum lace fitted gown with black heels and a small black clutch. Her hair was twisted in a knot at the back of her neck. Her make up was done very nicely. She smiled.
"Well do I look okay?"
Felicity smiled. "You look gorgeous."
They drove to Oliver's parents house. The guest were all arriving. Oliver gave his keys to the valet and helped the kids from the car. When they walked in Oliver's parents greeted them. They both looked at Donna surprised. Robert smiled.
"Donna you look lovely this evening."
"Well thank you."
They stepped into the party. Felicity knelt down and spoke to the children.
"Okay you are only staying for an hour and then carla is coming to take you home."
They nodded. Evie stuck close to her parents but Robbie spotted his Uncle Tommy and went running over.
"Uncle Tommy!"
Tommy grinned and grabbed him. "Look at you! You grew!"
He carried him over and hugged his best friend. Oliver grinned.
"Took some time off work I see."
"Yeah well Laurel would kill me if I missed Christmas."
Felicity hugged him and so did Evie. He then set Robbie down and grabbed champagne from a passing waiter. He handed a glass to Oliver and smiled.
"I just got word that i'll be transferring to Star City Memorial after the first of the new year."
"Excellent. It will be nice to have you close."
Laurel walked over and kissed Tommy's cheek. "Tell me about it. I hate having my husband a plane ride away."
Thea walked up next to Felicity and nudged Laurel's arm. "Yeah now you can start on the house full of kids."
Tommy rolled his eyes. "Focus on you. How is Nolan?"
She smiled. "He eats like a pig but adorable."
Evie smiled up at her. "Nolan had chunky legs."
"Yes he does."
After an hour the babysitter came and got the kids. Then Robert stood and clinked his glass to quiet the room. He stood in the center and smiled.
"Well this year I will keep my speech brief. Christmas is a time for family. And as I stand here surrounded by my family and close friends I feel the cheer of the season. I wanted to take a moment and just say how proud I am of my wonderful children. Oliver, you have grown into a spectacular husband and father. Know that I am honored to call you my son."
Oliver nodded and Felicity saw tears in his eyes. Robert continued.
"Thea, you are a wonderful mother and business woman. I couldn't be prouder. And to my beautiful wife Moira. Thank you for standing by me all these years and for always putting the family first."
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