Chapter Text
'Time passes too quickly.'
People said it all the time but she hadn't quite gotten the meaning until this moment.
Where had the time gone? She felt like just yesterday she was in kindergarten and her biggest worry was if Tommy was going to steal her favorite color crayon. Now she worried about college, leaving home...and leaving him. Ever since the dance they had been inseparable. Oliver was like a new person. He smiled all the time and she rarely saw a bad mood and when she did it was usually due to his parents. He'd been the perfect boyfriend and just the thought of leaving him made her feel sick. If they were anyone else she'd say it was best to move on, meet new people...but they weren't. She and Oliver weren't just the normal high school relationship. They were that one in a million pair that were meant to be together forever, to grow and change with each other for the rest of their lives. It just so happened that they would be doing that seven hundred miles away from each other.
She was logical, she knew how it looked. How was it even possible to stay connected across time and distance?
When she'd voiced that thought to Oliver he had pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead saying they were going to be okay. Thing was she didn't want to be okay, she wanted to be with him. But she knew it wasn't possible. He had gotten into four colleges, all of which were sadly far away from her and had yet to choose which one he wanted to attend. He had even applied for Starling University. She had wanted to question him about that choice but chose not to. She didn't want to be that pushy girlfriend so she just told him she would support him no matter his choice. Though she did urge him to make a decision soon but every time she mentioned school he would tense up and say he didn't want to spend the rest of their time together worrying about being apart and that it would all work out. She however wasn't so sure.
The days passed quickly and soon the day she feared and longed for was upon them. Graduation.
She looked into the mirror and took a deep breath, her reflection looking back at her. She had chosen, with the help of Sara and Thea a red lace dress with a mesh neckline and a heart shaped bodice to go under her graduation gown. She let out a long sigh at the thought of Sara and Thea. She would be leaving them behind too. How much loss could one person take and who ever said growing up was fun?
Her eyes fluttered closed and she tried to remember all the wonderful memories she had shared with her favorite people. It wasn't goodbye, she reminded herself. It was just 'see you later'. She slipped on her graduation gown and left it hanging open. She forced a smiled as she glanced at herself in the mirror for a final time. This was supposed to be a happy day...not one filled with sadness.
Grabbing her graduation cap off her desk she noticed Oliver was standing at his window. He smiled at her and pointed to the driveway, she nodded and rushed down the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Her mom called as she rushed by her room, where she was getting ready.
“I gotta talk to Oliver for a minute,” she called in return as she descended the stairs and went out the front door. He was waiting on his side of the fence. His eyes darkened when he saw her and he hopped the fence and pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered when he finally pulled away, but only a few inches.
“Well I was going to ask you if I looked alright. Guess that answers that question.”
He chuckled before giving her a peck on the lips. “You're perfect...but you're missing something.”
She tilted her head and when she saw what he pulled out of his pocket her mouth dropped open. So that was where they'd gone.
“Where did you find them?”
“I kinda...took them,” he said sheepishly, a blush appearing on his cheeks. “Creepy, I know and I'm-” She cut him off with another kiss, this time deeper. Her arms looped around his neck and his fingers threaded through her hair. They were both breathless when they finally pulled apart. He smiled at her before opening the frames and setting the glasses gently on her face. He settled his hands on her waist, his fingers linking together against her back.“You didn't look like you without them.”
She put a palm on his cheek and he leaned into it. “Thank you.”
His forehead creased. “For what?”
“For loving me for me.”
“I should be the one saying that. You're easy to love Felicity.”
“Not always.”
“I love you Felicity...even when your stubborn. I actually think it's why you've had me since the beginning.”
She laughed. “Why? Because I didn't go along with every crazy plan you and Tommy had?”
“Because you stood up to us. We would've gotten into a lot more trouble if you hadn't been there to talk us out of our schemes.” His eyes glazed over and he smiled. “You were so cute then, with you little pig tails and frilly dresses.”
“So...I'm not cute now?” She teased.
“Oh you're most definitely cute now. Some may even saying 'Smoakin Hot'” She groaned and he laughed. “Sorry, had to do it.”
“I'll let you have it, but only today.”
“I've gotta use it while I can,” he smirked.
“Hmm... and why's that?”
“Cause one day you won't be a Smoak anymore.” She stilled for a moment and his thumbed moved to stroke her cheek. “Just thought I'd let you in on some on my plans.”
“It's a very good plan,” she agreed, her hand roving over his back.
“Yeah?” He asked hopefully.
“Yeah, just so you know I'm not really a hyphenate kind of person.”
“Perfectly fine with me. I want you to be all mine.”
“I'm already yours. Always have been.” He pressed a kiss to her temple and she sighed, this time for a much better reason. “Just don't make me wait too long.” She felt him shake his head as his chin rested on the top of her head.
“I waited our whole lives. Trust me when I say it won't be any longer than absolutely necessary.”
“Is that a promise?” She spoke against the skin on his neck.”
“I promise.”
“Aww you two are just so sweet!” Her mom squealed from nearby. “Photo time!”
“Mom-” She whined and Oliver squeezed her side.
“This is memories for her...and us,” he told her in a hushed tone.
“You're right,” she acquiesce before groaning. “Don't get used to that.”
“Wouldn't think of it,” he said before turning to her Mom's camera with a beaming smile.
It was a start of an amazing day...one that would be remembered for a very long time.
He couldn't wait to tell her so much so he expected it to burst forth any moment.
But he wanted it to be a surprise so he stayed silent by sheer force of will. It had taken a lot of arguments but he had finally taken Tommy's advice and stood up to his father. Much to his shock his Dad had been of him for it.
'I'll make you proud Dad,' he'd told him. His Dad had held his hand out and grasped his. 'You already have a son,' he'd replied.
For the first time in years his Dad had smiled at him. Just having Felicity in his life had changed him but his father words. Well they filled a place in him that only a parents approval could do.
He wasn't in the habit of keeping anything from Felicity, quite the opposite actually but he had t wait until just the right moment to tell her. That was the only reason he kept silent. Felicity noticed, of course she did but eventually she let it go and they enjoyed just being together. He didn't believe it possible but over those past couple months he had fallen in love with her even more. He couldn't hardly imagine where they'd be in a few years but the one thing he knew was that they would be together. That was enough for him.
He was lost in the memories when the ceremony started. He sat up straighter and looked behind him a few rows to see Felicity grinning from ear to ear. His heart near just burst at the sight. She raised her eyebrows in a sign of nervousness and he winked at her before turning back around.
Before he knew it his name was being called and he walked across he stage and took his diploma from Principle Steele. He could hear screaming from the crowd and quickly identified the chorus of voices as Tommy, Thea and Sara. He looked into the sea of red and immediately found Felicity who was blinking rapidly and holding her folded hands against her mouth, but he could see that a smile was splitting her face. Then he did something really cheesy, something he'd never, ever do for anybody but her. He put his hand to his lips and threw her a kiss. She threw her head back and laughed as a collective aww when through the mass of people. Yeah....he was whipped and one hundred percent completely fine with it.
Who knew that telling a girl that she was a Duff would lead to all this. He'd always regret how they'd started off but he would never regret the results.
He took his seat again and when he turned to look at her she was shaking her head at him. 'What am I doing to do with you?' she mouthed. He held up his left hand and pointed to his ring finger before mouthing 'I have a few idea's,' back while wiggling his eyebrows. Her lips parted and he got caught in her blue eyes for what seemed like forever before someone next to her started patting her on the shoulder. She tore her gaze from him and listened to whatever it was the girl was telling her, when she did she shot up and took off down the aisle. Apparently they'd been in the bubble and she hadn't heard them call her name. He'd take the blame for that one but it was pretty equal.
When she walked across the stage whoops and hollers came from all around. Felicity had become increasingly popular after her Homecoming article. She'd taken change and write some of her experience out for students to read. Instead of ridicule her they had connected to her words. Soon the whole school knew who Felicity was and it wasn't because she was the Oliver Queen's girlfriend or because she was the geek who'd been humiliated...it was because she was just herself. A Duff as she wrote it in her article, he knew now she was anything.
He joined the myriad of voices to cheer Felicity on as she climbed the stairs to the stage. She smiled at him before she took her diploma and paused to take in the multitude of people. He knew this was a big moment for her.
“It's just the beginning Felicity,” he murmured knowing she couldn't hear him but hoping that she understood on her own. Finally she hustled off the stage and back to her seat, her cheeks red from all the calls of her classmates and friends. He distinctly heard Donna somewhere screaming something he thought sounded like 'my beautiful girl'
Not long after the ceremony was coming to a close, the Valedictorian saying his final words but he didn't wait for him to finish as he started working his way down the aisle and out of the throng of classmates who had all stood up during the speech. Felicity had followed his progression and when he reached her she looked at him in confusion.
“Oliver what are you doing?” Another student moved out of his way and he was able to approach her.
“I have to tell you something,” he told her, not caring if he had an audience.
“Now?” She asked incredulously and he took her hands. She looked at him closely and nodded a moment later.
“Felicity....I've always let other people make my decisions for me, my whole life....until you came along and made me question that. When given the chance I've never been good at making choices but you? You were the best choice I've ever made.” She laced her fingers with his and he held on tighter. “You've given me a reason to fight. To change for the better. You've inspired me and I love...I love you so much,” he choked a little and a tear slipped down her cheek. He quickly wiped it away. “You told me once that love requires compromise. I'm ready for that now...because of you.”
“Oliver...what are you saying?” She questioned, her eyes clouding with confusion. He thought about how months before she had found his letter of acceptance into Starling University. Back then he'd yet to confront his Dad so he'd applied just to have a point to make when he did. Felicity knew he wanted to play football and SCU had one of the top teams in the country so she had automatically assumed that was where he'd go.
“I'm not going to Starling University....I want to be with you.” He took a deep breath. “I'm going to Harvard.”
Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. “But...but that's in Cambridge.”
“It is.”
“Like ten minutes away from MIT,” she continued before her blue eye stared up into his and her tiny hands took a fistful's of his gown. “We're going to be together,” she whispered and he'd be man enough to admit his eyes may have teared up...a little. “What about football?” She asked suddenly.
“I compromised...business school and football.”
“You got on the Harvard team?”
“I got a try out. It's in a few weeks.”
She smiled larger than he'd seen all night. “I love you.”
He didn't have time to reply before he had armful of blonde. Her lips found his and he got lost. He heard a muted shout when the ceremony commenced and the class threw threw their caps in the air but he dare not pull away. Instead he wrapped her into his arms and pulled her a little closer as the hats rained down on them. It didn't matter that half of Starling City, their parents and their friends were watching because in that moment it was just the two of them.
“I love you,” he replied when they had pulled away.
“I'm the luckiest Duff in the world.”
“You're my Duff.” She smacked his chest and he laughed as he took the cap off her head.
“What are you doing?”
“We've got to have the whole high school experience,” he explained as he took off his hat and handed it to her. She glanced down at the red square in her hands. “You've have to throw it.”
So they did...and then spent a half an hour looking for their hats. But they laughed the whole time. When they both found them Felicity rose on her tiptoes and settled his back on his head, pushing the tassel away from his face.
“We're going to have a great life together aren't we?” He asked as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah....yeah, we are.”
Two weeks later found them in Boston so Oliver could try out for the Harvard Football team. She cheered him and it was three weeks before he found out he'd been drafted onto their team. Two months after that they moved cross country. Soon school started and they got pulled into the world of college but not away from each other. They both chose to spend their holidays and summers in Starling with their friends and family before returning to Boston in the fall.
Oliver's football career was successful and he flourished in his business program but soon found the activity taxing. Every available moment was spent together through the next two years and when they both graduated they found internships in the same city. Oliver still enjoyed football, he even found a group of guys he played with in the park on weekends but it became a hobby and less of a sport as time passed.
The next two years they learned more and grew closer. She even decided she wanted to take a few more college courses and became one of the best Computer Scientist in America and in Oliver's non biased opinion, the world. She had her pick of Company's to start her career, they were all vying for her attention. But when Robert Queen offered her the position of Head of the Applied Science Division it hadn't taken any begging on his part as she accepted by the end of the phone call.
By the time they moved back to Starling they were both ready to start their careers. Oliver worked in the top of the Queen Consolidated high rise and she had a office right across from him. There was hardly a minute they didn't spend together.
One year later Oliver kept his promise and got down on one knee. He hadn't even asked the question or opened the ring box before she had launched herself into his arms with a cry of 'yes!' Oliver had laughed and told her that he'd couldn't wait another second before kissing her like there wasn't a tomorrow. It was only six months later when they tied the knot because neither of them were a fan of long engagements.
A month after their wedding they bought a house right next to Tommy's and his wife...Laurel. Tommy had gone to UCLA and graduated top of his class but he'd wanted to come home. He started working in his father's company and even coached a local boys football program. Much to everyone's surprise Laurel had come too and she wasn't as expected. She'd attended law school and had become a new person. She'd even apologized for all the things she'd done to everyone. Felicity had been hesitant to forgive her at first but Laurel really had changed and she'd welcomed her into the family with open arms. So when she'd accepted Laurel, Tommy had came around...and that was the start of the Merlyn family.
Two more years passed in a flurry of activity. Both of their lives were crazy busy and they wouldn't have it any other way...but something was missing. It was only when Oliver started looking longingly at families with children that she noticed what it was. So one night when he'd come home from work she'd been waiting by the door, her leg jiggling nervously. When the door finally opened and he came in, a haggard expression gracing his features she wondered if that night was really the time to bring up the subject. But of course he noticed her nervousness and immediately went on alert.
“Felicity's what's wrong?” He asked alarmed.
“Well you've had a long day so...” she trailed off and he came forward and ran his palms down her arm in a soothing gesture.
“Tell me,” he pleaded.
“Our life is perfect, we have everything we could ever want...or need. But there's something that's missing and I'm really hoping that you think so too because otherwise this conversation would just be awkward and I-”
“Felicity, breathe,” he said a small smile. She swallowed before pulling the pink pill dispenser out of her back pocket. He glanced down for a moment and when he recognized what it was his eyes snapped to hers. “You want to have a baby?”
She nodded. “I do, maybe like five of them. Only one at a time of course but I understand if you want to wait-”
He cut her off her babble with a kiss before pulling back and breathing. “I do too,” against her lips. His eyes a light shade of blue and brimming with joy.
She sighed. “I'm so happy.”
“Me too.”
“So when do you want to-” He cut off her words when he grabbed the dispenser from her hand and tossed it in the trash can by the door. She yelped when he swept her into his arms and started carrying her presumably to their bedroom. “Now? You know the birth control will take a while to get out of my system.”
“Practice makes perfect.” He winked and she just about melted. She remembered the day he had first kissed her and had said those exact same words.
“Oh, I see what you did there.” He tossed her on the bed playfully and she squealed in equal delight and humor. He tugged her tank top off and it didn't take too long to lose the meaning of words completely.
That night was the beginning of something...well two things actually. They both decided they wanted a family...and they started one.
Nine months later their first child Novalee Dearden Queen was born.
The young Queen who everyone had taken to calling Nova had love coming from every direction, a mother who doted on her and a father who couldn't get enough time with her. She was spoiled absolutely rotten by her Grandparents, her Aunt Thea, Uncle Roy, Tommy, Laurel and her Godmother Sara. they'd even grown closer with Diggle and Lyla over the years and they'd joined their family unit. With so many people around Nova never wanted for attention, even when her brother came along two years later and again a sister a few years after. She proved to be the best big sister ever.
Five years down the line one day she noticed her eldest daughter was missing at their family cookout. When she searched for her and found her she couldn't help but smile. Nova with her bright blonde hair and bright blue eyes was being teased by Zachary Diggle. The two had formed a close bond much like her's and Oliver's at their age and Felicity couldn't have been happier for it. A set of arms wrapped around her and she leaned back into them. How had she gotten so lucky?
“And it begins again,” he whispered into her ear.
“Let's hope it doesn't take him as long to realize what's right in front of him,” she smirked and he pressed a kiss to her neck.
“I'm completely fine with it taking longer.” She laughed. “I want to keep my girls as long as possible. Is that a crime?”
She turned in his arms. “No, not at all,” she grinned and he tilted his head.
“You have that gleam in your eye, that one you get when you're really happy.”
“Is that a crime?” She parroted, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He chuckled. “No, but I've known you long enough to know it's something more than just normal happiness.” She smiled cheekily. “Come on, tell me.”
She glanced at her children playing under the watchful eyes of family various places in the yard. “You know how I said I might want five and you agreed?” He nodded. “Do you still feel that way?”
His lips parted. “Felicity are you?”
“Working on number four?” She nodded and before she knew it she was being lifted and twirled before he sat her down gently and kissed her soundly. It still made her spine tingle even after all these years.
Their family noticed the commotion and came running. Oliver made the announcement claiming he was too excited to hold it in. The bi-weekly family barbecue turned into a celebration then. Oliver didn't stop smiling for the rest of the night. Nova expressed excitement at adding another member to the family. Her two other children however said that they just wanted somebody else to play with, they didn't care how they got him or her. She and Oliver had just laughed at that.
And later as she'd watched her family all interact, smiles on their faces she thought about how amazing her life was....and it was all because the boy next door had kissed her and called her a Duff.
Oh, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
-This Heart Of Mine-