Usual disclaimers apply.

A/N: The final chapter. To everyone who reviewed and favorited and followed this story, a BIG thank you from the bottom of my heart! You all made my day and I hope you enjoyed the ride. I will warn you, I find this chapter bittersweet and not just because it's the last chapter in this story. It's just the way I wanted the story to end, tying up some loose ends and leaving other details open to your interpretation. If anyone has a scene they'd like to see from this universe, let me know and if I get enough requests I'm thinking of making a collections piece called: From the Journals of Oliver Queen.

Thanks again to all of you! Happy reading!

Chapter 52

Goodbyes

They had to push Daniel's birthday party back a day to miss an unexpected spring shower. As the sun shined brightly down on them, Barry decided it was worth the extra hassle even if his one-year-old wouldn't have cared either way. They had balloons tied down to the park benches, a blow-up jumping gym, and the park swings and playground. None of which was amusing enough for his rambunctious four-year-old, which led to him chasing Dawn down for the hotdog buns. His friends laughed, knowing he could've caught her easily. He enjoyed listening to her full-belly laughter too much to give up the chase so soon.

Oliver manned the grill with Alex's help. John drank a beer, watching their drinks and their work. Kara and James were organizing the food table, sneaking bites when they thought no one was looking. Iris sat with a pregnant Thea; they watched the four youngest children who'd taken over the sandbox. There was the birthday boy with the nineteen-month-old Queen twins, and the proud-to-be three, Clark Kent Olson. Laurel and Caitlin had their hands full with three five-year-olds wanting to be pushed on the swings: the youngest Raymond girl, Connor Queen, and Lian Harper.

Lyla and Tess chatted about their children's younger years while watching the next age bracket run about the playground. William Queen was outnumbered four-to-one, but a little gentleman already at seven. He played mostly with Ally, James and Kara's six-year-old daughter whose full name was Aleksandra. Barry kept another eye on his firstborns, Nora and Jenna, knowing full well the mischief they could get into with Ronnie and Caitlin's middle daughter.

Ronnie seemed to have the same thought, even as he and Harry manned the blow-up. The oldest Raymond girl jumped inside with Lyla and John's teenage daughter. The girls laughed when Ronnie caught the three eight-year-olds trying to sneak off. The troublemakers were hustled over to Cisco and Roy who were setting up the flag-football field with the help of JJ Diggle. It occurred to Barry as he finally captured Dawn and tickled her into submission that every adult present knew about Oliver's gift, though none of the children did yet.

They were only missing a few members of their tight-knit family, like Tommy. He, like Felicity, had been unable to make it up from Star City, but both had sent their love and presents. The grandparents would be arriving at cake-time, Joe and Cecile with Henry in tow, but none of them knew as they preferred not to. Barry commented on the serendipitous arrangement to those at the table and grill as he returned the absconded buns – he'd sent Dawn off to the swings.

"Hey, don't look at me, I had nothing to do with that," Oliver held his beer and grill tongs in the unarmed gesture.

"Don't go seeing a conspiracy where this is none," Alex teased, rescuing the tongs from Oliver to save the burgers.

"I'll drink to that," James toasted, tossing Barry a can.

"That's actually what everyone reminded me of," Barry explained the other thought that had occurred to him; "Next year will be the tenth anniversary since we stopped Tempest, I think we should do something to celebrate."

"After Danny's birthday?" James clarified.

"We probably shouldn't have it too close to mine," Oliver interjected; "I'm getting a very special present then." He directed a satisfied smirk at his wife. He dropped the smirk and waved when she glanced his direction.

"Do I want to know?" John wondered.

"You'll find out at Thanksgiving. It'll be a good laugh. Apparently, Laurel's reaction is rib-cracking hilarious, though no one will tell me why," Oliver shrugged, grinning again.

"Maybe if you told us what the surprise is," Kara suggest. Oliver smirked, about to answer her, then suddenly stumbled. He dropped his beer, both hands going to his head.

"Oliver?"

"I'm all right," he blinked a lot, then straightened slowly. They watched him look around, a deep smile splitting his face; "Danny's first birthday?"

"Yes," Barry answered. He went to ask when this Oliver was from, but Queen moved away. Oliver caught Laurel before she made it far from the swings to check on him. Barry chortled as Oliver spun his wife around, dipped her, and kissed her deeply. Connor squawked at his parents until his dad ruffled his hair and started pushing him.

This traveling Oliver continued to smile broadly all through lunch, even as his daughters used him for a jungle gym. After lunch, they sent all the kids into the flag-football field to run around under JJ's supervision. Then they waited on Oliver, all of them sensing he had something important to divulge.

"We did it," Oliver beamed at them, his arm wrapped around Laurel; "The future. It's beautiful. I want you all to know how grateful I am for the years of love and friendship you'll give me." He barked a laugh, though there were unshed tears in his eyes; "Living moment to moment, makes it easier to appreciate all the million little things you all do for me, and there will be millions. . ."

"When are you from?"

"Far enough to know for certain," Oliver promised; "And far enough to tell you one day you'll do more than understand how my gift works." This statement he directed to Cisco and Wells with a mischievous grin; "But you're going to need the help of the fairer kind."

He looked around at all of them again. At the children. At the cheerful day and sighed contently, but also sadly. Laurel touched his face; "Ollie, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all. I've lived the most extraordinary ordinary life because of all of you. Never forget that," then he kissed Laurel softly. When he pulled back, a tear ran down his cheek as he smiled one more time at all of them; "Goodbye, my old friends."

Oliver's eyes shuttered close. His head drooped. Laurel pressed a finger to his neck as Caitlin started forward. Then Oliver jerked awake. He grabbed Laurel's hand and looked at all of them in confusion.

"What happened? What's with all the tears?"

None of them could answer. Instead, Barry lifted his cup and toasted; "To lifelong friends."

Epilogue

"Are you certain you want to do this Oliver?"

"I am. Cisco was very clear. If I don't step in the machine, then none of this will ever happen. Everything we worked to prevent will come to pass and the next time, the machine may never be built."

"I only meant, we could wait a little longer. Give you more time with your kids and grandkids and great-grandbaby."

"We could Barry, but who's to say I have that time? I've made my peace, said my goodbyes. This is my choice, my fate."

"All right, you're right. Then I suppose this is goodbye. I hate goodbyes."

"Don't think of this as a goodbye, but a new beginning for us all."

"Oliver."

"Yes, Barry?"

"I want to thank you for your friendship. It was an honor to know you."

"And the same to you."

"Give the others my love when you see them."

"I will. It will be nice, to see them all one last time. I'm ready."

"See you soon, old friend."