If I Could Turn Back Time Chapter 23: Ch23: Happily Ever After, a smallville fanfic

Alright, so for real, this is the last chapter. I've loved this story, I hope you have too. Thanks for everyone who reviewed. Reviews are the only way to know people are reading and enjoying otherwise it's like writing in a vacuum. If a tree falls in a forest and all that.

In the reviews for the last Chapter a guest reviewer said my Clark in this story wasn't much of an a-hole. Maybe because he was barely in the story.

There will be more to this story, but I don't know when…

Chapter 23: Happily Ever After

(June, 2011) Chloe's first day at the Star City Register rolled arrived with butterflies in her stomach. She awoke abruptly and rolled away from Oliver to lie on her back. Chloe was confident in her ability as a reporter, but everyone she met that day would only ever know her as Oliver Queen's fiancée or in a few months, his wife. Never Chloe Sullivan. She'd never be anonymous again. Never be judged solely on her own virtue an ability again.

Oliver rolled over and his hand automatically sought out her warmth, sliding up her side to cup her breast. She checked and could tell from his breathing that he was still mostly asleep, but he was already making her pulse race. She shifted to her side and skimmed her hand down his chest to rest on his lower stomach.

His breathing quickened and his eyelids fluttered before opening to reveal warm brown eyes. "Hmm, good morning," he murmured. His hand went back to stroking her, sliding down her side, repeating the trip in the curve of her waist then up over the flare of her hips, only to continue around to grasp her butt and pull her closer to his side.

"Every morning I wake up with you is a good morning," Chloe replied.

Oliver smiled and pulled her into a kiss. Chloe reciprocated and melted into his hard body, knowing that any difficulties at her new job were worth it, if the reward was getting to be with Oliver every day.

Oliver managed to soothe away her nerves but they returned as she showered in Oliver's large beautiful bathroom. With one wall of floor to ceiling windows, like the rest of the penthouse exterior walls, it had a fantastic view of the city and park below. Chloe had taken advantage of the large circular bath tub often since she'd moved, but she had no time that morning. She needed to get dressed, mainline some coffee and get to work.

Getting dressed in a black pencil skirt and silky black shell top, she spared another glance outside to note that the famed coastal onshore flow had indeed appeared that morning making the skies grey. She knew that the day would warm and clear, but she slipped her arms into a green button up cardigan. Easing her toes into a pair of black and green heels, and grabbing a black bag Chloe brushed back her now shoulder length hair and blew out a breath. She was ready.

Stepping into the large open concept kitchen she found Oliver waiting for her with a muffin, a cup of fruit and a cup of coffee, another in a travel cup waiting on the counter. "This isn't why I love you," she teased, as she accepted the cup from his hands. "But it doesn't hurt."

Oliver grinned and looked her over with appreciative eyes. "And you wearing green reminds me of how much I love that you're mine." He dipped his head down to kiss her then lowered his voice suggestively. "Tonight, I'm taking you out to celebrate."

"Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Queen?"

"I am, Mrs. Queen."

"Um-uh. Not yet. I'm still Ms. Sullivan, how can I take your offer seriously if you don't even know who you're asking out."

"I know you."

CO-CO-CO

The paparazzi followed them to dinner that night and Chloe was glad she'd changed into a bright coral-red skirt that she'd bought from Deidre, which she paired with a little white tank top, a tan short waisted leather coat, and nude heels.

"No green tonight?" Oliver asked, trying to make it a complaint, but his eyes were glued to the helping of cleavage on display.

She smirked and reentered her closet to emerge with a green clutch. "Better?"

"Much," he agreed, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. When his hand moved upwards to cup her breast she pushed him away with a laugh.

"There will be time for that later," she promised.

"What's wrong with having an appetizer before dinner, then dessert later on?" Oliver asked as he stalked her through the living room.

"Nothing." He grinned and stepped forward to gather his prize, but she planted a firm hand in the middle of his chest, keeping him at a distance. "Except, I just got dressed, I'm hungry and I've had a long day."

Oliver looked disappointed and Chloe laughed. "You're good for my ego, you know that?"

Chloe outfit: pinterest dot com /pin/282741682825719463/ or go to LJ for the link in the story.

CO-CO-CO

(July, 2011) The Queen's 35 Wedding Anniversary was just a week after Oliver's birthday and, of course, Laura had planned a party. Chloe stood in her new closet in Oliver's Star City penthouse, then smiled and corrected her own errant thought. Their penthouse. Their home. The Clock Tower in Metropolis had felt like home to her, but she was still working on getting that same feeling of comfort and belonging here.

She frowned and looked through her meager clothing one more time before sighing. She loved her clothes, but the closet dwarfed them and there was nothing there that she wanted to wear to the anniversary party. Releasing another deep sigh, Chloe walked barefoot to the kitchen and picked up the house phone to call Ali.

"Hello?" Ali said cheerfully.

"Hey Ali, it's Chloe."

"What's up?"

"I think I need a new outfit…"

"I'll be there in 15 minutes," Ali said and hung up before Chloe could say anything more.

CO-CO-CO

When Ali showed up she had her mother in tow. Ali was dressed in short tweed grey shorts with a flowy white long sleeved top and grey ankle boots. Laura was wearing cream colored wide legged slacks with a crisp pleat and a loose white men's style button down collared shirt. Both looked like they'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. Chloe looked down at her own outfit which consisted of jeans and a yellow summer top. "Ah, give me a minute to change…"

"You look fine, but if you'd like," Laura said, looking around Oliver's home. Chloe retreated to the bedroom and grabbed a grey dress and dressed it up with a pair of green heels Oliver had bought her that had a strap that around her ankles a few times.

"Thanks for coming, I think I need to get some dresses for events and maybe a few work outfits that haven't been photographed already," Chloe called out loudly.

Ali looked at her mother who raised an eyebrow and shared a conspiratorial smile with her daughter. "And maybe a bit more than that," she said softly causing Ali to laugh.

"Where's Oliver today, Chloe?" Ali called out loudly.

Chloe came back into the living room. "He's out with Hal… doing something," she finished vaguely.

Ali smiled her eyes brightening a bit. "Oh?"

"Yeah, I think he might stay over tonight." Ali tried to look uninterested, and Laura shot an amused look at Chloe. "If we do something for dinner, maybe you could join us," Chloe offered casually.

"Could be fun," Ali offered noncommittally, and Chloe grinned.

Ali's outfit: /pin/274367802269226886/

Laura's outfit: /pin/282741682826309570/

Chloe's outfits: /jenwin23/chlollie-fashion/ then /pin/282741682826543304/ with /pin/282741682826298978/

CO-CO-CO

"Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again." Joseph Campbell

Returning to the penthouse later with more bags than Chloe thought possible, she fell into an exhausted lump on the couch. "I'm never shopping with you two again," Chloe murmured grumpily as she watched two more of the building staff carry boxes and bags into the room as well.

Laura tipped the two men, who nodded in deference and left quickly. "You don't mean that Chloe, and you can't be angry with me wanting to spoil you a bit."

"A bit? That," she waved at the pile of boxes and bags, "qualifies as a bit?"

"Yes," Laura said simply. "You needed a few things, now you just need to add to your wardrobe as events demand or as you see things you like."

Chloe's head fell back to rest on the back of the couch.

Ali grinned. "Wait until Christmas," Ali threatened, earning a groan from Chloe.

Oliver and Hal emerged from somewhere in the penthouse and were greeted warmly with hugs from Ali and Laura, but Chloe stayed on the couch.

"Long day?" Oliver said in sympathy, dropping down to sit beside her.

"You have no idea. Your mother is out of control."

"I knew that," Oliver laughed. "I think I might have something to make you feel better." She rolled her head to look at him with a sad face, her bottom lip poking out in a pout. "Come with me." She shook her head and he grinned. "OK…" He pushed his arms under her and stood up with her in his arms, causing her to shriek and wrap her arms around his neck.

"Ollie," she complained.

"You didn't want to get up."

She laughed at he easily carried her down the hall back towards the bedrooms. Hal, Laura and Ali followed them and from their grins Chloe knew that they were all in on it together. Oliver opened the door to the bedroom next to his den and carried Chloe inside.

"What?" she said softly in confusion, looking around at the room, now empty except for a table in the middle which was covered with furniture catalogues, paint swatches in bright colors and wallpaper books.

"I wanted you to have your own space here. Welcome to your new den."

"I prefer Chloe cave," Ali piped in happily.

"You can do whatever you want in here, and once you get it situated how you like, we can redo the rest of the penthouse."

"You don't have to do that Ollie," Chloe demurred.

"This is our home, I want you to feel like it's our home. Not just mine," Oliver insisted.

"Ollie," she shook her head still not ready to accept his offer, but feeing all mushy inside that he had known how she was feeling without her telling him.

"Or… I'm sure my mother would be happy to head up a full remodel," he threatened, and the mushiness Chloe was feeling suddenly turned sour.

"I was thinking about how I should show my gratitude, but not so much now."

Everyone laughed, and Chloe suddenly remembered they had an audience.

CO-CO-CO

"A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short." Andre Maurois

The Queens' anniversary party was held at the Manner, with over 100 guests. Chloe was overwhelmed by the number of introductions but everyone there with very few exceptions seemed to know Robert and Laura. A few up and coming Star City politicians and movers and shakers had been invited to what was easily one of the social events of the summer but otherwise it seemed to be a gathering of friends.

Laura was beautiful in a pale green cocktail dress, Robert in a slate gray suit. Chloe had been nearly blinded by flashes when she'd exited the car with Oliver. She knew she was taking a bit of a fashion risk, but she needed to define herself separately from Laura who was the personification of formal elegance. She knew how Ali had struggled with her self image in comparison to her family and Chloe was determined not to fall into that trap. Chloe liked elegant, she liked Laura's style, but she was younger, funkier, and wanted to be herself.

Chloe's curves were encased in a black and silver sequined skirt that hit right at the knee, black stockings and sky high heels, and a short sleeved black V necked t-shirt. The only color in her outfit came from the turquoise in her earrings and chunky bracelet. Oliver's black suit matched her perfectly and he kept his arm around her the whole night taking any opportunity to brush his hand over the curve of her butt.

The band stopped playing and Oliver and Ali gave a joint toast to their parents, then Robert and Laura took to the floor for a dance. They swirled around the dance floor gracefully, completely in sync after years together. About halfway through the song Oliver led Ali out onto the floor and Ali joined them in the arms of her God-father, Robert's oldest friend who had been in the military with him.

As the next song began to play Robert claimed Chloe as his partner, Oliver took Ali, and Laura chose Hal. Robert grinned at his wife. "Even tonight, she's plotting."

"What?" Chloe asked then laughed as she saw Laura in Hal's arms. "Yes, yes she is."

"And you my dear are a double agent." Chloe's eyes gleamed and Robert lowered his voice playfully. "Tell me, how do you decide to work with her or against her? Do you flip a coin? Test the direction the wind is blowing?"

"Robert… I have to be able to maintain some of my secrets."

"Good luck with that in this family, my dear, you'll need it."

CO-CO-CO

A few hours into the party Chloe was distracted from her conversation with a city council member by Oliver's hand clenching almost painfully on her waist. She smoothed her hand over his and he released his grip. Chloe quickly got rid of the politician and turned to Oliver. "What's wrong?" He looked almost like a kid who'd lost his puppy. "Oliver?"

"Nothing," he quickly denied. "Do you want another drink?" He stepped away from her but she pulled him back to her side firmly. She looked over to where his gaze had been directed, and found Ali standing with Hal. She smiled at Oliver compassionately.

The way Ali was standing told a story that Oliver had clearly just opened his eyes to. Ali was turned to Hal, her body curved towards his, their gazes locked. Her hand was on his arm and his arm was resting along the mantle behind her, and she was clearly standing within the circle of his arms. She was smiling, her face alive with emotion. The simple term for what there were doing was flirting.

"Ollie, it's OK." He blinked at her, clearly not believing her words. She moved closer to him and pitched her voice low to keep her words private. "There is something between them. There has been for awhile. You know that." A muscle began ticking in his jaw, and she brushed her hand over his cheek, trying to settle him. "It's not happening now."

"Then what is that?" Oliver asked explosively.

"Flirting. Fun. Ali exploring what is there. She's not ready to jump in Ollie, she knows he's your best friend. This is just the beginning." His eyes narrowed. "Not even the beginning. The prequel to the beginning," she said with a hint of exasperation peeking through. "I thought you had gotten over this crazy overprotective thing."

Oliver ignored her accusation of his back-pedaling when it came to Ali being an adult. "Some best friend," he grumbled.

Chloe frowned at him. "He is your friend, your best friend. And he's not acting on that," she waved her hand at the would be couple, "because she is your sister."

"I'm not ready for her to be serious with anyone, but I guess, if it has to be someone it might as well be Hal," Oliver said in a defeated tone.

Chloe rolled her eyes. "So generous."

Oliver lead her outside and down the steps to the lower deck where he'd asked her to marry him and actually put the ring on her finger. "I know it's irrational. I can't help it."

Chloe smiled, her emotions in her eyes. "I know. You love her. She's not leaving you Ollie, especially if she ends up with Hal."

"It's not that, I just… I know she's dating guys, but I worry. I hate seeing her hurt."

"You're sweet," she said emotionally. "And strong, and sexy, and amazing…" she flirted, wrapping her arms around his neck and peppering kisses up his neck to his mouth. "Any girl would be lucky to have you for a brother."

"I'm not feeling all the brotherly at the moment," Oliver said low in his throat as his hands skimmed over her curves.

"Any girl would be lucky to have you for a husband."

"Well, they're out of luck, I'm taken."

Chloe smiled and kissed him deeply until Hal's voice interrupted them. "Seriously dude, you're lucky you're taken, 'cause that was some sappy shit. Chicks don't dig that." He grinned. "Unless they're in love with you, of course."

Ali giggled and Chloe pulled back with a smile, leaving Oliver the only one frowning. "Your turn is coming Hal, we'll see who's laughing when it's you who falls in love and can't tell his head from his ass."

Hal shrugged, but both Chloe and Oliver caught the way his eyes involuntarily moved to Ali.

Chloe's outfit: /pin/282741682825741255/ with /pin/282741682826180803/

CO-CO-CO

"Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world." Susan Lieberman

(Aug., 2011) Chloe's transition to living in Star City had been easier than she'd thought. She'd made a few friends a work who seemed to like her for her, and not for being Oliver's fiancée. She'd had her first front page story, albeit below the fold. She had dinner with her mother every other Wednesday, and was slowly getting to know her mother. Living with Oliver was easy, and while they argued sometimes, they worked things out. The sex was fantastic, and the makeup sex even better. The Queens were warm and as wonderful as Chloe had always thought, and even Laura made an effort to not intrude on them as they settled into their new lives together.

The wedding plans were proceeding, with Laura, Lois and Ali lending a hand and their opinions. Chloe found herself not caring all that much about things that seemed to stress out other brides. The only thing she really obsessed over was the dress. They'd looked. And looked, and looked, but to no avail. In the end Laura had taken Ali to a few designers and Chloe had decided to get a dress made for her.

Ali was leaving in two days to return to Metropolis for school and this would be their last family brunch for awhile. It had become a new tradition: Sunday brunches at Queen Manner. Always with the immediate family, but sometimes others would join them. Moira, Gabe, Hal, the team members, Lois and Clark.

Chloe was sad to see Ali go back to Metropolis, especially since Ali was definitely her best friend in Star City so far.

That day they would have a crowd at brunch, with all the team and Lois and Clark coming as well as Hal, and Victor was bringing his new girlfriend. But Chloe wasn't looking forward to it. The previous weekend the paparazzi had gotten a picture of her in a bikini at the beach and her picture had been plastered all over the media for the past five days. Chloe was mortified. She thought she looked good, but that didn't mean she wanted everyone in the country to know what she looked like with only two scraps of fabric covering her body.

"For anyone still wondering, pictures of Oliver Queen's fiancée snapped at a private beach near his parents' home outside Star City might answer the question of why her?"

"The newest Queen showed off her assets at the beach this week in a skimpy green bikini. It's no wonder this brainy beauty ensnared Star City's most eligible bachelor."

"Chloe Sullivan, the fiancée of billionaire Oliver Queen, is embracing the beach lifestyle of her new home, and showed of her curves in a stylish green bikini."

Chloe knew she was going to be teased at brunch, and she wasn't looking forward to it. Oliver had to drag Chloe out of her "cave" that morning, the room now decorated with bright colors, a comfortable couch, a desk and numerous bookcases, all filled with books and knickknacks.

CO-CO-CO

Stepping out onto the deck where brunch was always held, Chloe received several whistles and cat calls, the loudest of which came from Lois. Chloe pouted and Oliver wrapped his arm around her comfortingly.

"Mamacita hotness… how about you and I hit the beach later?" Bart flirted.

"I knew you'd look good in a suit," AC laughed, giving her a once over. "You should come visit me and help strum up business for my bar."

"Not hiding your assets now, are you?" Lois said loudly.

"Ignore them Chloe, you looked very lovely," Laura offered her motherly take on it.

"I knew you'd look good in that bikini," Ali offered.

CO-CO-CO

"Every man is responsible only for his own acts. The sons do not inherit the sins of the fathers. But can we say: that was long ago, they were different?" Aleksander Kwasniewski

(Sept., 2011) Ali was beginning her Junior year and taking the last of her GE courses, biology. She still didn't like science, and had left that requirement to the end. She wanted to take it now just in case she needed to repeat it. Sitting in the large lecture style classroom, Ali struggled to look interested as the teacher called her name. "Alicia Queen?"

"Here," she called out, used to the routine and used to the stares that followed her name. She continued to doodle in her notebook, ignoring the whispers. A student entered as the professor got to the end of his list of students.

"Alex Zamir?"

"Here."

"Sorry, I'm a late add," the boy who had entered late said and Ali looked up in surprise.

The teacher accepted his paperwork and looked down at it. "Julian Luthor." The teacher's head popped up and he glanced at Ali before looking back at Julian. "Julian Luthor. Have a seat anywhere," the professor invited awkwardly.

The whispering started again, and Ali made a quick decision. She raised her hand to get Julian's attention. He looked surprised and grateful as she indicated the free seat next to her.

"Hi Julian, tell me you're good at science," Ali greeted warmly, as if unaware of the stares from their classmates and professor.

"Uh, yeah," Julian said, not as used to the attention. He'd grown up far removed from the Luthor name and fame. "I do alright." He slid low into the seat next to her.

"Good, then maybe I stand a chance in this class."

CO-CO-CO

Exiting the class, Julian smiled genuinely at Ali. "Thanks for that."

"No problem," Ali smiled. "Listen, people talk, they stare, they'll say odd things to you and act like you should expect it. You'll get used to it."

"Great," Julian said darkly.

"You know… There's no reason for us not to be friends."

"I'm pretty sure there is."

Ali put her hand on his arm to stop him as they had arrived at the building where her next class was located. "I know the difference between you and your father. And, we probably have quite a bit in common."

"I didn't grow up rich and famous, so if that's what you're thinking…" Julian said with a more relaxed smile.

"OK, maybe not, but we both have overachieving older brothers. Super successful fathers. Beautiful mothers." Ali grinned.

"You're beautiful too," Julian said then flushed again.

"Thanks."

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Why not? I told you, we could be friends."

Kara waved at Ali from a short distance away. "Hey, Ali, lunch today?" Ali nodded and Kara smiled and rushed away.

"Seems like you already have a lot of friends."

"You can never have too many friends. When I first came to Metropolis someone took me under their wing. Maybe it's time I paid that forward."

CO-CO-CO

(October, 2011) Oliver was at the office when he received a notification from the oldest bank in Star City where he had reserved a safety deposit box for one specific reason. The box had been accessed.

Oliver cancelled his next appointment and went to the bank immediately. Oliver entered the secured room with the bank manager, who used his key to open one lock then left Oliver alone to open the second lock.

Oliver took a deep breath and pulled the narrow box from its slot. Setting it on the table he opened it to find a black velvet bag with a lump. He shook the bag into his hand and out fell a gold ring with a flat gold centerpiece with a L and a star on a black background. Oliver grasped the ring carefully between two of his fingers, examining it closely.

Satisfied he slipped it back into the bag and into the velvet bag, before slipping it into his pocket.

He never put it on his finger. He had no reason to go anywhere, his life had everything he could want right now. Especially not now that he had the ability to chase Chloe trough time if he needed to.

CO-CO-CO

"Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end." Author Unknown

(December 30, 2011) "Hi everyone, I'm Ali," she introduced herself as if there were people seated at the tables around the restaurant who didn't know her or who she was. " I… don't really like speaking in public, but I agreed to give a speech tonight if Ollie wouldn't make me speak tomorrow." She earned a laugh, and seemed to relax a bit. "The truth is I wouldn't do this for anyone else, except Oliver and Chloe."

The restaurant was small and booked entirely for a private party. White tulips sat in tight bunches at the center of each table with the lights in the restaurant dimed, and the space warmed by the flickering of candles.

She glanced at Ollie and suddenly looked mischievous. "For those of you who knew Ollie before he met Chloe, or maybe happened to glance at a paper in the last decade or so, you probably know that he never had a hard time finding love… or something that looked like it." Oliver shot her a look but nodded his head in acknowledgement, while Chloe grinned at him.

"François, duc de La Rochefoucauld said that 'True love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about and few have seen.' But I have. Ollie and I grew up with my parents. Maybe you've noticed them canoodling up here in the front." The gathered family and friends in the wedding party laughed again as did Robert and Laura Queen, who were at the moment sitting tightly together with Robert's arm around her shoulders. "The fact that our parents love each other so much made for an amazing childhood. But it also gave Oliver and I some pretty high expectations for our lives." She paused and smiled at Chloe and Oliver. "True love."

Ali's smile wobbled and her eyes got shiny, but she regained control. "To be honest, I don't know that Oliver was looking for love, but then he met Chloe. She was my tour guide at Met U, and when she and Ollie met there were immediately fireworks…but not really the lovey-dovey kind." Ali arched one eyebrow and laughed. "In fact, on one memorable day, Chloe gave Oliver a black eye when he tried his 'charm' on her- which, I have to say, only made me love her more. But somehow Ollie managed to win her over and I couldn't be more happy."

Chloe and Oliver kissed and the audience practically sighed as the emotion swelled. "In the beginning I worried, you see as much as I love my brother, Chloe became my sister long before their first date. But it didn't take long to see how in love they both were, and how right they were for each other."

"We all agreed to include a quote in our speeches, and I know I've already used mine, but I have another. Oliver was ten years old when I was born and in his eyes I will always be his baby sister. So I'd like to close with a quote from Dr. Seuss. 'You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.'" Ali smiled and her eyes grew shiny with moisture again. She swallowed back her tears and finished. "Our parents may have set the bar high, but I think Oliver has reached it." She raised her glass and the room followed her lead. "To Oliver and Chloe, may your reality always keep pace with your dreams."

CO-CO-CO

"I'm Gabe, Gabe Sullivan, Chloe's father. I'm not great at speaking out at events, like this one. Chloe was and is my best accomplishment, and she's always spoken for herself." A few notable voices in the audience laughed, most noticeably Oliver's parents, Lois, the General and the JLA team members. Gab had also chosen to speak at their rehearsal dinner, not trusting that he would be able to hold it together after seeing his baby walk down the aisle.

"For those of you who are fathers with daughters, you can understand how today is very bittersweet for me. I can't blame Chloe, she's been preparing me for this day for a long time. I still remember the horror I felt when she brought home her first boyfriend, and it's been a steady stream since then." Gabe pulled a pained face, and the audience laughed with him, especially when Oliver frowned and glanced at Chloe with reprobation. "I thought I was hardened to the idea of my daughter dating. Then she introduced me to Oliver Queen," Gabe said Oliver's name in a tone that expressed dread which earned another laugh.

"I don't even think they were dating yet - that's another thing fathers of daughters will understand, they don't tell you nearly enough, then when they finally do, it's so much more than you wanted to know." That pained statement brought forth a round of masculine laughter. "They might not have been dating, but when I saw the way Chloe looked at Oliver, I knew that my baby had found someone who was more to her than all the ones who came before, and I knew in that moment that she was going to leave her old man, sooner rather than later." Chloe and Gabe shared a look and a smile then Gabe turned his gaze to Oliver. "I pinned my hopes on Oliver, that he was some spoiled, selfish man-child, and that he would quickly lose her esteem" Gabe sighed deeply. "Alas, it was not meant to be." The audience laughed long and hard, and Gabe smiled.

"Oliver, at first glance, was not who I imagined for my daughter. Too rich, too charming, too successful. With his parents' good looks and his own brand of charisma, he was entirely too slick for my liking. And too tall." The audience laughed again and Oliver made a gesture of supplication towards Gabe, as if asking for forgiveness. "But then I got to know Oliver as a person, and I realized that not only was he a good man, but that he looked at Chloe with the same deep regard that she held for him. It was crushing." The audience went from happy, emotional tears to laughter again. "There was the man who was going to take my daughter from me."

"But when someone makes your child as happy as Oliver makes Chloe, you can't complain. Luckily the Queens are warm and wonderful people, and have welcomed Chloe's family, including her poor old dad, into the fold."

"I think that anyone who has seen the two of them together knows that they are in love, and that their love is not based on Oliver's millions, or Chloe's sarcasm. As much as it hurt to see Chloe look at Oliver with her heart in her eyes that first time, I now hope that she will still be looking at him that same way in 50 years."

"We're supposed to use a quote in our speeches, so here is mine. 'Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that.'"

CO-CO-CO

"Marriage is not a love affair. A love affair is a totally different thing. A love affair… is a relationship of pleasure, and when it gets to be unpleasurable , it's off. But a marriage is a life commitment, and a life commitment means the prime concern of your life. If marriage is not the prime concern, you are not married." Joseph Campbell quotes

(December 31, 2011) "Love is an act of faith. To give your love to someone an hope they are worthy of your trust and devotion. To believe that their love for you is equal to your own."

Chloe stood facing each other on a sea bluff the ocean spread out beyond them. Chloe was dressed in a strapless wedding gown that was tight to the just below her waist then flared out. Oliver stood tall in a traditional black tuxedo. "If ever two people have proven their love and their devotion to each other, it is Chloe and Oliver," the officiant read words that most including the officiant took as figurative.

"You have come here today to join your lives together with your family and friends as witnesses. The promise you give each other today is not just between you two, but is a promise that binds each of your loved ones together as each is a piece of you and will share in the life you have chosen to create together."

"If any of you has reasons why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace." Hal, standing as best man, turned to raise one eyebrow at the assembled guests, earning a laugh. "Every marriage goes through conflict, and your friends and family can either encourage your anger at each other, or help you see through it, reminding you of your love and commitment."

"Many people consider a marriage to be between two people, and ultimately it is. But in your daily life, the people around play an important part. Today, as Oliver and Chloe promise each other forever, I ask that all of you, their family and friends, also make a promise. A promise to stand by them, support them, and respect their bond and promise to each other."

It was a small wedding with under 100 people seated in white chair in a grassy field next to Queen Manner. Standing beside Chloe were Lois and Ali, Oliver had Hal, and Victor at his side. Robert and Laura sat side by side, their hands clasped tightly, while on Chloe's side Gabe and Moira shared a warm look of pride as their daughter stood before them with the man who would be their son-in-law within a matter of minutes. The General was next to Moira, with his best stoic look in place.

Mrs. Kent was also in the front row on Chloe's side, and discreetly wiped her eyes. Clark and Kara sat to her side.

"Do you, Oliver Queen, take Chloe to be your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish her for all the days of your life?"

"I do. Today, tomorrow, in this world and all others, I promise to stand beside you, to hold you when you need my strength, to turn to you when I need solace, for encouragement, and for inspiration. I promise to share all that I am and all that I have with you, in sadness and joy, in sickness and health. I promise to be faithful and true, to show you every day how much you mean to me, to always make you feel the strength of my love for you, for the rest of our lives."

"If someone said to me that I had found the love of a lifetime with you, I would have to say that they were wrong. The way I feel about you could never be contained to one lifetime. Chloe, you have been the making of me in ways that I could never have imagined before knowing you. I love you, in this and every lifetime. You asked me once if I was happy, and I was; for the most part, I always have been. My family gave me all the security, affirmation and love that I could ever need, and therefore, I never felt the need to look for love, to settle down."

"It wasn't until I met you that I realized what happiness really was, and I understood that I had never needed to look for love, because fate had already set you in my path, and I had only to get to that moment, to you, to find love." Chloe was crying, tears slipping down her cheeks and Oliver paused in his vows to wipe his thumb under her eye to clear away the moisture there. "If our destiny is shaped by the choices we make, then I am grateful for every choice- good and bad – that I have made up until this moment. Plato thought that lovers were two halves of one soul that had been split and spent forever searching for each other to reunite. All I know is that you are necessary for my life, my happiness, and my soul. You are my love, my wife, and will be for the remainder of this lifetime and all others." Chloe smiled up at him through her tears, her face alight with love as Oliver stared into her eyes as he gave her his promise of forever.

"Do you, Chloe Sullivan, take Oliver to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish him for all the days of your life?"

"People say that you spend the new year doing whatever it is you did on new year's eve. I hope they're right, because tonight I'm standing here with you, celebrating our love for each other. Every day I wake up thinking that I couldn't love you any more, but each night when you wrap me in your arms as we fall asleep I realize that I was wrong. Spending my life with you, loving you, and having you love me back every day, through all our years, is the best possible thing I could imagine. You have been the most important part of my yesterdays, my today, and my tomorrows. For you see, each day I love you more, today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow."

Chloe's eyes were filled with tears and her voice waivered, but she continued. "This life is full of amazing things, but the best thing I have ever experienced is hearing you tell me that you love me, and knowing that you only, that you truly, wanted my love in return." Oliver squeezed her hand tightly, his eyes steady and dry.

"We are now ready for the exchange of rings. Please repeat after me: May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love. With this ring, I thee wed."

Oliver slipped the ring onto Chloe's finger. "May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love. With this ring, I thee wed."

Chloe gave him her 1000 watt smile, complete with still wet eyes, and pushed the ring onto his much larger hand. "May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love. With this ring, I thee wed."

The officiant smiled. "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."

Their gathered family and friends cheered as Oliver leaned down and kissed Chloe, lightly, then harder as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Chloe flushed and pulled back as the hooting and cheers intruded on the moment, but Oliver wasn't ready to let go and framed Chloe's face with his hands and her in place for another kiss as the sun set behind them.

CO-CO-CO

"What would happen if history could be rewritten as casually as erasing a blackboard?
Our past would be like the shifting sands at the seashore, constantly blown this way or that by the slightest breeze. History would be constantly changing every time someone spun the dial of a time machine and blundered his or her way into the past. History, as we know it, would be impossible.
It would cease to exist." Michio Kaku

AN- words 6854, when my muse is ready to write lemons again, I'm going to go back and write their first time together in Paris and maybe one more love scene to round out the story. When I do I'll post as new/missing scenes in new posts then add them into the actual chapters. If anyone has some good ideas for what Gabe's future should hold, I'm open for suggestions for the sequels…

Chloe's quote from her vows is by Rosemonde Gerard.

Things I visualized for their wedding/reception:

Wedding dress: /pin/282741682825915907/

Buttoner for Oliver: /pin/282741682826350049/

Wedding photos: /pin/282741682826246237/ and /pin/282741682826349930/

Lights under an outdoor tent: /pin/282741682826349926/

Outdoor tables: /pin/282741682826349931/

Reception centerpieces: /pin/282741682826235281/