Done in response to tumblr challenge by geniewithwifi. Disclaimer as usual I own nothing of Arrow or the characters. Enjoy and remember still very new to the fanfiction thing! Lot's of love.

My 21st Father's Day

Felicity Queen made everyday a good day. Our second official date was in San Diego during a Street Fair. That's when I learned more about her time in Vegas. That's when she finally told me more about her past; that's when I finally started to tell her more about mine. Our first real conversation about the future happened during a rain storm in Maine. We had made plans for the day; to explore the shoreline maybe take a boat out for the day. However the weather delayed our plans so we went to plan B explore each other. Our legs were wrapped around each other with her cold toes stroking along my lower calf. Her bare chest pressed against mine; her hands drawing small circles into my lower back. I was slowly trailing my hand up and down her arm with my face nuzzled in her hair breathing in deeply; just taking in this stolen moment. My trance was broken when she broke the silence with her strong but still timid voice.

"Oliver have you ever thought about our future?" Her eyes looked into mine showing sincerity and a little bit of hesitancy. Her hands were still moving slowly against my back creating a soothing balm for my soul.

Weighing my answer carefully I answered with an exhaled breath. "Yes, but only when I started to believe we would have one." Her eyebrows went up and her lips puckered into a perfect oh forcing me to elaborate. "I only dared to imagine what my future would be like with you when we left Starling City. Only then with the sun in the distance did I think that my future with you was more than just a pleasant dream. Why do you ask." By this time I had removed my face from the crown of her head; our noses softly touching and, our eyes locked to one another's gaze.

I rubbed my nose softly against hers; my eyes looking straight into hers, with my arms banded around her waist urging her to continue her line of questioning. Her nose rubbed back against mine before she took a deep breath and quickly exhaled before speaking. "I ask because one day further into the future I want to remember this moment and you're face in it." She paused seeing the confusion in my eyes; so she tilted her head slightly up and kissed the top of my nose before continuing. "I want a future with you. I want the whole package, marriage, children who are a perfect mixture of you and me, good days, bad days, and everything in between." She paused once more this time removing her hands from my back and placing them aside my face; then she brought my forehead down closer to her lips. She placed the softest kiss upon my forehead; then leaning her forehead against mine she started again. " I want a life with you." Not moving my forehead away from hers; I just looked into her eyes replying softly "That's what I want too."

Felicity Queen made my life complete. The day we got married I thought was the height of happiness. Seeing her walking towards me made my heart still in my chest. I'd never seen her look more beautiful, more perfect than she did in that moment. I couldn't tell you now twenty years later what the dress looked like, or what kind of flowers where clutched in her delicate hands. All I could see was her face and the light, love, and happiness that shone from her eyes. Those eyes that never once left mine throughout the entire ceremony; those eyes that held mine with no hesitancy or fear in sight. That moment came in second compared to this one.

Once again we were wrapped around each other. This time it was on our couch in our moderate sized home. The house was a perfect fit; it was far enough from the city for me but, close enough that she could still get a strong wifi signal. The house was a two story brick home on about 2 acres of land. The home came with a basement that was large enough to make into our new "Arrow Cave" which to this day I still won't admit to calling it. There was no Green Arrow business today, the rain had started to fall around 10am that morning and continued on throughout the day. Felicity had the brilliant idea to have a Netflix marathon of Doctor Who. Apparently my lack of knowledge about this particular show still vexed her to her very core. I was barely paying attention to the screen in front of me when I felt her move. Over the years I had learned every movement she had. I had memorized every expression, every glance, every movement that her body or face could make. She was my favorite past time and being married hadn't changed that fact; it had actually made it worse.

This movement was her I have something to tell you but I'm afraid to so movement. She would first position her body to directly line up with mine. Since I was sitting with my legs stretched out in front of me she moved to match. Her body moved from being curled up against mine to being stretched out her legs pushed against mine so that she could weave them together. She moved her chest to press against my side with her arms going around my waist which; allowed her head to rest against my outstretched arm. I looked down into her happily glowing eyes and smiled. I would never tire of seeing that expression especially since it was directed at me. I smiled and paused the current episode with; a dumb stupid smile I asked with a slight chuckle… "I assume based on this new position you required my attention." Her eyes lit up still surprised to this day that I knew her every movement as if it were my own. She smiled that brilliant I'm about to change your entire life smile and replied… "Why yes I did. I have something to tell you." Now that she had my full undivided attention I shifted my body slightly so that my free arm and hand could move towards her to softly caress her face. Still looking at her with some confusion and absolute curiosity I pushed for her to continue. Sensing my question she continued on. "Since you know my every movement which still kind of surprises me to this day you might have noticed that I've been acting a bit strangely lately." She was right she had been. She was lighter almost like she was free from some unknown weight. She had been radiant almost glowing for the past three days. I just nodded for her to continue my mouth slightly upturned in a smile. "Well I was waiting till today to give you the news. I wanted it to have meaning; I wanted to make sure you remembered this moment for the rest of your life." She paused and then with the biggest smile I had seen to date she exhaled "I'm pregnant. Happy Father's Day Oliver Queen."

Felicity Queen gave my life purpose. The delivery was horrible for me. I had never been so nervous in all my life. I had spent five years in hell fighting for my life. I had been stabbed, shot, beaten, tortured, made into a human weapon and, made into a shell of a man. I had spent a year as the hood, two years as the Arrow, and now I've been the Green Arrow for two in half years. I have never till this day experienced the sheer amount of panic as I did in that moment. Felicity was completely calm. She never once faltered. She brought our son into the world with a grace and ease that I had never seen displayed before by another human being. She was in essence perfect.

Our son Thomas Robert Queen came into the world with a father who was a half time co-CEO and a full time vigilante. His mother my light, savior, and reason for begin was the other half of my team. She was the other CEO who also made sure I came home to her and our son night after night. Our son in that moment became the reason my heart beat. He was a perfect replica of his mother and I. His face was shaped like mine strong, and defined. His coloring was all Felicity right down to the blond wisps of hair. His eyes however were what made him perfect. His eyes were all Felicity. I've been standing outside in the backyard just staring at my beautiful family. Thea is sitting next to Felicity laughing. John and Lyla have Sara playing with Tommy as he attempts once again to grasp his mother's hands and stand. He's 16 months old and already attempting to walk, run and race throughout the yard. According to his mother that's a trait he inherited from me. All I can see however is her. I can see her in his eyes that are Felicity's down to the gold around his pupil. I can hear her in his laugh when he giggles during our nightly round of peak a boo. I can see her essence in him when he attempts to do something for the first time. I can see her intellect in him every time he figures something out for the first time.

She looks over at me from her place on the grass of our backyard. She smiles that soft smile that she has only for me. Her eyes beg me to come over and join in on all the fun. I move from my leaning position against the door and slowly walk towards them. I come up behind her and position myself so that she can lean her body into mine. Placing her head against my chest I duck my head down to place a light kiss against the side of her face. Our son however seems to notice the change in his mother's movements and stops playing with Sara's hand. He moves his cubby little arms and legs to crawl towards Felicity's legs. Then if by sheer will alone he manages to pull himself up into a slight standing position and moves or toddles about two feet before falling down by her knee. Not to be deterred he tries again this time Tommy crawls closer to our bodies and latches onto my bent leg that is currently encasing Felicity's upper body. Once again he's moved himself into a standing position but this time when he toddles it's with one destination in mind. He takes a few tiny steps and lands right into his mother's waiting arms.

Felicity laughs and claps, and smiles for what a brilliant and strong son she has. Tommy just looks at her with the same look that I do. The same peaceful calm look that I have whenever I see her face; in that moment I see a trait that my son and I will forever share. Felicity is our shared bond. Whatever love I feel for her doubled when she had our son.

John and Lyla had left hours ago, Thea had decided to stay over for the night. She claimed that her nephew would demand her presence in the morning. I just chuckled softly to myself and kissed her forehead as we said goodnight. I walked upstairs to my son's room and leaned against the door frame. I did this every night like some sort of ritual. I always spent about five minutes just watching him sleep. This had become my new favorite past time in the past 16 months. Somehow I doubt Felicity minded much. I just watched and listened as he inhaled and exhaled. I felt calm; I felt at peace, I felt whole. Felicity who had become aware of my little nightly ritual came up behind me to band her arms around me waist; pressing her head against my back. I moved my hands down to clasp hers in response. I was idly rubbing my thumb across her knuckles when she softly spoke. "Happy Father's Day." I smiled and breathed out a simple "Thank you."

Felicity Queen made everyday a good day, made my life complete, and gave me a purpose. My children however gave my life meaning. Today is my 21st father's day. I have counted every single one since the moment Felicity told me she was pregnant. I'm sitting in my office looking out the bay window to our even larger backyard. Once Tommy was about two years old we moved from our brick starter home and into a much larger abode. The company was flourishing and so was our family. My Green Arrow days had slowed down as my commitment to my family grew. Tommy was two and half when Riley Moira Queen was born. This time my traits had truly won out. She was all me except for her face that belonged solely to her mother. Felicity laughed at how god really did have a cruel sense of humor. Three years later our third miracle happened. This time however the miracle came in the form of twins. One boy, one girl; both of whom would prove to be the cleverest of all our children. Jacob Tyler and Rebecca Anne Queen were really two of a kind. They did everything together. Jacob had my smarts and sense of timing while Rebecca was her mother through and through. Felicity about jumped for joy when her little girl built her first computer at the age of 6. As she stated Rebecca was a year younger than she was when she had built one at age 7.

Our children through the years have given me thousands of gifts. However the ones I'm looking at now are the ones they gave me each father's day. Felicity started the tradition when she told me about Tommy. She hid the small trinket in my dresser drawer. It was small and endearing. It was a small silver T that looked to be a piece for a bracelet charm. I asked her what it was for when I saw her that morning still glowing from the previous night's confession. She just looked at me and stated as if it were plain as day. "Why your father's day gift silly. I know I thought of a card but I saw that little silver T and I couldn't resist. I was thinking if it's a boy his name should be Tommy and if it's a girl it should be Thera. That way either way the name of our first born will begin with a T in honor of Tommy." I was across the room in seconds kissing my way down her neck and up again as I picked her up pulled her against my chest.

This tradition continued on with each child. I had a small bracelet charm for each one. Each child had a first name with a meaning that corresponded to our journey together; Riley had her R, which was for rescued. Jacob has his J which was for justice. Rebecca had the most sentimental one her R was for red because that was the moment that changed everything. However as each child grew they took the tradition and put their own spin on it. Tommy had gone the way of the past. Each year he attempted to honor his namesake. One year it was a video montage of us as boys. Another year he had a photo album made of moments with Tommy and our moments together as father and son. Each year he reminded me that he knew about the connection his name held for me.

Riley understood how I was rescued. She however liked to ask questions about her middle name, her grandmother's name. Each father's day her gift was a new story that she had written about her namesake. I had piles and piles of stories about how Moira would have acted when she met them, about their first conversations, even about their first fights. She wanted to make a connection to the part of me that still missed my mother. I loved her all the more for it.

Jacob was tough and a real spit fire. His gifts always involved giving me a headache. Since his name was for the justice that I had dispensed over the years he liked to be active in his love. One year it was a paintball tournament. Felicity was less than pleased. Another year it was a baseball game that had the girls beating the boys. His gifts were always events and moments to remember. His gifts came in the form of memories to cherish. His form of justice was to show us that the real justice was this, our family being together to have paintball fights and baseball games.

Rebecca was the by far the most inventive of my children. Her gifts were always handmade. One year she built me what her mother had called the time capsule. She with some help from her mother had made a computer program that blended all our photos and videos together. This program grew with each passing year. Another time she designed a new family crest that blended all aspects of our family together. This design was presented to me in the form of oak chest. That chest is what holds all the gifts from days gone by. Rebecca has the sentimental name thus she had the sentimental streak. She used her gifts and talents to show me every year how the lucky the color red really was. Rebecca was my red pen all over again.

My Felicity saved my life; she changed it by simply being herself. Never once backing down from a fight, never taking the easy way out, and always being my light in the dark places that I traveled; my children however gave me a new life. They showed me that my life wasn't complete until they were a part of it. Every moment I spend with them is just another moment I'm reminded of the journey to this point. I have lost many and saved even more. I have gained a partner in crime, a brother in arms, and my soulmate. My children became all of those people in one. Each one became my end all and be all.

So today on my 21st father's day I wanted to give a gift to you. This is our story. We've had bumps and bruises along the way. My life truly began when I was shipwrecked on Lian Yu. Without all those years of sorrow and torment I never would have gotten all of you. I watched silently as each one read the letter that it taken me hours to compose. I was nervous they all knew that I loved them but I sometimes wondered if they knew how much I truly cared. I often wondered if they knew how much they had truly done to change my life. Tommy of course was the first to speak. He was 21 tall and handsome according to his mother. I however still saw the little boy who giggled when he took his first real step towards me. He came forward and pulled me forward into a massive hug. "Thanks Dad. For everything." He stepped aside still smiling brightly for Riley. Riley who was 19 and wanting to apply to the police academy; she wanted to rescue other's in the same I had. Her eyes were wet from unshed tears in her glowing blue eyes. As she closed the distance between us she whispered ever so slightly. "I love you daddy. I'm so glad that mom rescued you from yourself." The last part was a private joke that we had since she was five and scared of a thunderstorm. I softly kissed her forehead before Jacob of course being the strong one came up smiling from ear to ear and shook my hand. "Awesome letter dad; next time ease up the emotional stuff I mean come on we're Queen men after all." He was 15 and going to prove to everyone around that he was the toughest guy in the room myself included. My Rebecca was openly crying and smiling with joy. I was still standing against my desk when she took a running leap towards my open arms. That was our tradition. Since she was three and I came home from a particularly bad Green Arrow mission. She was there waiting for me with a running leap straight into my arms. At 15 she still was always there waiting for me. " I love you daddy, always have, always will." I kissed her forehead as well as she released her hold on me and walked away to stand with her brother's and sister.

Felicity was the last but by far the least. Our children had grown used to our affectionate ways with one another. We were always holding hands, giving light linger touches to cheeks, hands, shoulders, arms. I was also quite prone to the forehead kiss which my daughters were quite aware of since each day for most of their life's that's how I bid them goodnight. So it came as no shock when Felicity walked into my waiting arms, wrapped her arms around my neck and sealed her lips to mine. The kiss was soft, pure, and filled with love. She broke away to kiss my nose, and then my forehead before settling further into my embrace. I just kissed her hair before murmuring "So a good surprise then?" Her head still resting against my chest replied "The best one yet." We broke apart only to have our children join in on the embrace. So there I stood enveloped by my wife and four children. I'd say my 21st father's day was the best one yet.