Chapter 22 We Found Ourselves In Each Other

Oliver

"Felicity is going to kill me."

"No she won't man. Just relax."

Oliver straightened his tie, buttoned his suit up, and took a deep breath.

"You got the rings John?"

"Yeah I got them. Man I can't believe you made them their beautiful."

"Thanks John and not just for the compliment but for everything. You and Lyla have always been there for me and Felicity and I couldn't me more honor to call you my best man."

"Don't mention it man let's just get you married."

He opened the door and headed out to the grand room where soon he would be marrying the woman of his dreams. The room was elegant but also had a very comfortable and inviting feel to it. There was a chandelier in the center of the ceiling and a large window behind the altar which let in the moonlight. There were a few chairs set up but they really didn't need any because everyone who was there was a part of the wedding.

The marriage officiant was already standing at the altar ready to get things started. Lyla was sitting with baby Sara, Roy, Thea, and Felicity's mom Donna. When Oliver walked in the room they all looked up and smiled.

"Well it's about damn time big brother. It isn't polite to keep the bride waiting. I'll go get her and we can get started."

With that everybody got out their chairs and headed to their rightful spots. Roy joined Diggle beside Oliver up at the altar. Lyla took baby Sara to the back and grabbed her flowers preparing her for her flower girl duties.

Oliver readjusted himself once again before music started playing softly and the doors at the front of the room slowly began to open.

Lyla walked down the aisle first with Sara throwing handfuls of flowers as they went. Then came Thea as Felicity's bridesmaid. Once they both reached the altar Felicity appeared in the doorway with Donna at her side to walk her down the aisle. Oliver's breath caught in his throat and he felt for a minute like he was going to pass out. His mouth hung open and if he had to speak right now he knew he wouldn't be able to find the words.

She looked absolutely beautiful. She was angelic in her strapless white dress with a simple veil already pulled back revealing her stunning smile. The material hugged her figure perfectly and she seemed to glow in the lighting.

As she saw him standing up there her smile broadened and her cheeks turned a light pink color. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. Everything about her just drew him in.

She made her way down the aisle and to Oliver it seemed to be too slow. He wanted to be married to her as soon as possible with no interruptions.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity Felicity arrived at the altar. Donna handed Felicity's hand to Oliver and leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Take care of her for me."

"I'll do everything in my power to make her happy I promise."

Donna smiled and took her place behind Felicity. Felicity gave the bouquet to Thea and placed both her hands in Oliver's larger ones. As if through their own authority his thumbs began to caress her hands like they always did, a comforting motion that he always seemed to do when he was holding her hands.

She looked up at him and their eyes locked. They both saw all the love in the world in the other's eyes and saw the future that they would have together. They both took a step forward closing the distance between them making it more intimate. The officiant sensing everyone was ready began the ceremony.

"We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the uniting in marriage of Felicity and Oliver. They are taking the first step of their new beginning; their new life together. The ability and desire for one human being to love another is perhaps the most precious and fulfilling gift that has been entrusted to us. Loving someone is a reason to stretch beyond our limits, to become more for the sake of the other. It is to look into the soul of your beloved and accept what you see. Loving is the ultimate commitment which challenges humans to become all that we are meant to be. As they join in marriage today, Felicity and Oliver are announcing to the world that they are welcoming that challenge."

He squeezed her hand as the officiant said these last words. He knew it would be challenge especially with the life they lived but he knew they could face anything that was thrown at them.

"Now I understand you both wrote your own vows."

"Yes we did."

"Alright Oliver you go first."

"Ok." He took a deep breath to gather his thoughts before he began. He didn't need to write the words down though because everything he had to say he felt so deeply that there was no way he would ever forget them.

"Felicity. For most of my life I was lost. I didn't know who or what I wanted to be. I moved through life just going through the motions sometimes breaking the rules just to feel something. I've suffered more than most people have and done things that I regret but I wouldn't do any of it differently. Everything I went through, everything I did led me right to you. You are the light that I have always strived to live in. You are the good that I strive to be. You give the love I strive to have and strive to give. You are the best of me. You snuffed out the darkness inside me and filled it with so much love that I can never thank you enough. You saved me from myself and showed me that I deserved to live a life of happiness with the person I love more than anything. And that person is you and will always be you. I promise to protect you, to cherish you, to remind you everyday how much I love you. I will be there for you no matter what life throws at us. I love you Felicity Smoak and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Felicity

She couldn't take her eyes off of him even as tears began to fall down her cheeks. He was being so vulnerable and so honest that it filled her heart with so much joy. She couldn't believe how lucky they were that they found each other. She could feel the love he felt for her radiating off of him as he read his vows.

"I love you Felicity Smoak and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

His vows were done and now it was her turn and suddenly she was really nervous. He set the bar so high because his vows were so beautiful. She had a lot to live up to but she knew exactly what she wanted to say.

"Oliver. Before I met you I didn't understand the word soul mate. People threw it around and I never really felt like it was a real thing, just a concept that society had made up to keep people busy. It was never something I thought I would find or really even need. I was content with my life but something always felt like it was missing. You were that something Oliver. You opened my eyes to a whole different world and in the process showed me the person that I could be. I had never had someone in my life that pushed me beyond my limits but who was also always there to pick me up when I fell. You supported me, you trusted me, you protected me and above all else you loved me. You gave me your heart and in return I gave you mine and through our love we found ourselves in each other. I promise to be there for you in your darkest times, to guide you when you are lost, and to love you with every inch of my being. I love you Oliver and I can happily say that you are my soul mate."

The room was silent. She could hear her mom quietly crying next to her and she saw Diggle and Roy smiling behind Oliver. Oliver had tears in his eyes and her own cheeks were wet with tears she didn't even know she had shed. Oliver gently wiped them away and cradled her face in his hand. The officiant realizing they were both done continued.

"Do you guys have the rings?"

"Yes."

Oliver turned to Diggle and he handed them both the rings.

"Now Oliver do you take Felicity Smoak to be your lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live."

"I do."

"And Felicity do you take Oliver Queen to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live."

"I do."

"Then by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Oliver

He thought this moment would never come. Finally he would be married to Felicity Smoak and they could spend the rest of their lives together. Gently he pulled her towards him and put his hands around her face. Leaning down while she leaned up their lips connected in a loving embrace. If the word perfection needed a picture to describe what it meant this would be the moment. Everything felt perfect. They both smiled into the kiss and reluctantly broke apart after a reasonable amount of time.

He looked down into her eyes and she looked into his and they both whispered that they loved each other. Their smiles continued to grow and he took her hand as they turned to walk down the aisle.

They all would head to the next room for their reception, where Felicity and Oliver would have their first dance together. As they walked into the small room "You Matter to Me" by Sara Bareilles was starting to play. It was one of Felicity's favorite songs and Oliver picked it specifically for her and the more he had listened to it the more he felt that it was meant for them.

{I could find the whole meaning of life in those sad eyes

They've seen things that you never quite say, but I hear

Come out of hiding, I'm right here beside you

And I'll stay there as long as you let me

Because you matter to me}

Felicity

Oliver led her to the dance floor and once they were in the center he put his hands around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned his forehead against hers and slowly began to sway back and forth. "Oliver do you realize this is the first time we have ever danced together?"

"Yes Mrs. Queen."

She chuckled at the mention of her new name and realized she loved the sound of it coming out of Oliver's mouth.

{Simple and plain and not much to ask from somebody

You matter to me

I promise you do, you, you matter too

I promise you do, you see?

You matter to me}

"I love this song Oliver."

"I love it too because it reminds me of you and how much you matter to me."

Oliver grabbed her one hand, took it in his, brought it to his heart, and held it there. She then moved her other hand and put it around his waist while leaning her head onto his chest. He led her in the dance and she soaked in the whole experience. The feel of being embraced by Oliver and the warmth he provided made her feel pure happiness.

{It's addictive the minute you let yourself think

The things that I say just might matter to someone

All of this time I've been keeping my mind on the running away

And for the first time I think I'd consider the stay

Because you matter to me}

Eventually the other's joined them on the floor by Oliver's insistence. Diggle with Lyla, Roy with Thea, and Donna with little baby Sara. They still all gave Oliver and Felicity their space on the dance floor but gladly joined them in this special moment.

"Simple and plain and not much to ask from somebody

You matter to me

I promise you do, you, you matter too

I promise you do, you see?

You matter to me."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He was only doing it quiet enough for her to hear but Oliver was singing.

"Oliver that was beautiful you have an amazing voice. Why don't you sing more?"

"I never felt the urge to until now. I guess I got caught up in the moment. My love for you just seemed to come flowing out and I couldn't contain the words."

She kissed him as the rest of the lyrics began to play out.

{And you matter to me

Simple and plain and not much to ask from somebody

You matter to me

I promise you do, you

(Out of hiding I'm right here beside you)

You matter too

(As long as you have me)

I promise you do, you, you matter too

(Out of hiding I'm right here beside you)

I promise you do, you, you matter too

(I do, I promise you do, you matter to me)

I promise you do, you see

You matter to me.}

"I love you so much."

"I love you too."

They danced the rest of the night. With each other, with their friends and family until eventually they all felt exhausted and ready to go home. Diggle, Lyla and Donna were the first to go with baby Sara already sleeping in Diggle's arms. They congratulated the happy couple and said their goodbyes. Soon after Roy and Thea left together leaving only Felicity and Oliver.

"You ready to get out of here babe?"

"Yeah I'm getting tired."

Taking the limo to their hotel Felicity leaned her head against Oliver fighting exhaustion. It had been a long day and it was catching up to her. They finally arrived at the hotel and Oliver gently picked her up and carried her into the hotel and into the elevator. They reached the 3rd floor and got off and headed to their room.

He unlocked the door and carried her across the threshold. She wrapped her arms around him tighter and snuggled into his chest. He laid her on the bed and went to get her change of clothes. He changed into more comfortable clothes before taking off her dress and putting her in sweatpants and a tshirt.

She was still laying in bed with her eyes clothes fighting sleep that threatened to overtake her.

"Oliver I'm trying to stay awake but I'm really tired."

"Don't fight it babe I'm tired too."

He crawled into bed next to her and she snuggled up to him and rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her as their legs intertwined.

"Aren't we supposed to have sex on our wedding night?"

Oliver chuckled next to her before saying, "we'll have plenty of time for that don't worry we don't need to have sex tonight it's already been the perfect day."

"You are so romantic Oliver."

"I know but don't tell anyone."

Now it was her turn to laugh.

"Goodnight Mr. Queen."

"Goodnight Mrs. Queen."

They both fell asleep within minutes and both of them dreamed about the long happy life they were going to spend together. They would have their challenges, they would have fights, and they would have hardships that they would have to overcome. But through it all they would love each other and that love would bring them more happiness than either thought they would ever find. This was the beginning of the rest of their lives and they couldn't wait to get started.