CHAPTER 36
"Hey!" Thea complains when she rounds the corner and finds them next to the Christmas tree with wrapping paper scattered around them. "You already opened presents?"
Felicity stifles her laugh. Thea can be so dramatic at times and right now she looks like a toddler who is about to through a temper tantrum because she doesn't get her way.
"Good morning to you too Speedy…oh and merry Christmas." Oliver answers, the amusement in his tone can clearly be heard.
"Merry Christmas Thea." Felicity chips in when finally Moira also joins them in the living room.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" she cheerfully greets, ignoring her youngest who's pouty face hasn't changed yet.
Felicity suddenly feels her cheeks turn a bright red when she sees Moira looking at the bedding on the couch and realises that a few moments ago anyone could have walked in on their hot make out session on the carpet.
"I gather you didn't get much sleep last night." Moira sympathetically asks Felicity, but the question doesn't disperse the images her brain has already concocted and definitely not minimising the blush on her cheeks.
"I just couldn't get my brain to shut up." she manages to say trying very hard not to fist pump the air because there were about a hundred very inappropriate responses going through her mind just now.
"I'm sorry to hear that Felicity. Hopefully by the end of the day you'll be able to put your mind at rest when we get the results back."
Felicity smiles and nods in response. She's still taken aback by the kindness Moira has shown her and it's a breath of fresh air amidst everything going on in her life. She's heard so many terrible stories about mothers in law that turn out to be monsters making their lives absolute hell but she thinks she's hit the jackpot. Not just with her new family, but she's marrying the sweetest, most amazing man ever to walk the planet. She's a real lucky girl.
"Okay, so what about the presents?" Thea finally breaks her silence.
"No presents remember Thea?" Oliver says, trying very hard not to laugh at her still pouty face. "How old are you again? Three?"
She sticks out her tongue in response, but at least she laughs.
"Now what would you two call the boxes lying next to you. Looks like presents to me."
"Fair enough, but I don't really think you can call it Christmas presents." Oliver begins to explain. "It's more of a private matter between the two of us and neither of us thought of a better hiding spot than under the tree."
"Great minds honey, great minds." Felicity joins the conversation and gives him a quick peck on his cheek.
"Fine!" Thea relents and plops down on one of the couches. "So what's for breakfast?"
"Actually missy, don't make yourself too comfortable on that couch. Since we are having Christmas lunch I gave Raisa the morning off, so breakfast is our responsibility." Moira explains.
"No problem mom, I'll take care of it." Oliver answers and gradually stands up from the floor reaching for Felicity to help her up as well. "What are you ladies in the mood for?"
"Ooh! Waffles!" Thea doesn't even think twice before she excitedly jumps up from the couch.
"Great I'll help." Felicity says and in an instant Thea and Oliver look at each other. She can clearly see they are having a silent conversation and she can only guess what it's about.
"It's okay," Thea suddenly says, "we've got it handled."
"But…but what about the dishes?"
"Dishwasher remember?" Thea explains, "and besides I know mom has something for you."
"Oh yes of course." Moira answers, "I guess now is as good a time as any."
Clearly Oliver is as confused as she is but he goes with it. He gives her a quick kiss and moves over to Thea, playfully winding his arm around her neck and bending her down so he can ruffle her hair. Felicity laughs at the antics. It's so refreshing seeing everyone at ease and happy for a change.
"Felicity, I do have something to give to you, so while these two whip us up some breakfast, would you mind joining me in my study?"
"Sure." she replies following Moira as the siblings jokingly make their way to the kitchen.
"It's so wonderful to hear laughter in my house again. I can't begin to explain to you how happy hearing those two laughing together makes me." Moira says while entering the study.
She gestures for Felicity to take a seat as she makes her way towards the wall safe.
"It's all because of you Felicity and there's no way I will be able to thank you enough."
"Oh Moira, it's very flattering that you think that I'm the reason but I really can't take credit for it. Oliver loves you and he loves Thea, he always has….he just needed a bit of encouragement to make the right choice he's known in his heart from the start."
"I know, but if it wasn't for you giving him the encouragement who knows how long it would have taken him to finally make that decision."
Maybe she should just accept the compliment and move on. She pushed Oliver away and that was what brought him to the impasse, it was her fear that drove him back to his family, how can she accept their thanks?
"All I want to say is thank you. I realise you have your own thoughts on this matter, but I just need you to know that I am grateful for whatever role you played to bring my family back together."
Felicity decides not to argue and smiles at Moira. She will take it and leave it there. Whatever may have happened is in the past. She's here now, their family is back together and she's marrying the love of her life in less than a week.
Moira retrieves what looks like a jewellery box out of the safe and joins her on the leather couch.
"I realise that this might not be something you would have picked out for yourself, so I need you to understand that I will not be offended in the least if you don't like it."
Felicity's heart starts to thump in her chest. She hates it when people start a sentence like this. How on earth will she be able to tell this woman if she doesn't like whatever is inside this box? No pressure at all….
"By order of your maid of honour," Felicity laughs as Moira rolls her eyes, she can just imagine that order is the correct word to describe Thea taking her duties very seriously, "each of us is responsible for a 'something' to prepare for your wedding day and mine is 'something new'. So in light of this I spoke to your dress designer and our family jeweller because I didn't want to give you something you could only use once, I really wanted to make you something special for your wedding day."
She hands Felicity the box. Felicity carefully opens the lid and on the inside is a stunning piece of jewellery attached to a dusty pink ribbon. It's shiny and compliments the exact colours of their wedding. Her breath catches at the beauty of it and she cannot take her eyes off this beautiful piece of jewellery in the box.
"It's nine carat rose gold and diamonds. The ribbon is fastened to it for now so you can wear it as a belt around your dress. Your designer assured me the measurements were correct and that it will perfectly fit the pattern of your dress if you do decide to wear it."
"Oh Moira!" Felicity gasps and launches herself at her future mother in law. "This is absolutely perfect and it's exquisite. I haven't seen anything like it. I'll wear it with so much pride. Thank you."
"I'm so happy you like it Felicity. The diamonds were part of a set of loose diamonds that Robert inherited from his great grandmother but we haven't found a reason to utilise it yet. So when I was given this 'assignment' I immediately thought of using them. It's sort of my way of welcoming you into our family. I didn't exactly know if it is the type of thing you would like though."
"So it's an heirloom? It's absolutely stunning…it's perfect Moira."
"After the wedding you can take the ribbon off and you can use it as a broach or a hair piece or whatever you desire."
Felicity's heart nearly stops when she once again realises that she's been given an heirloom. Heirlooms are passed on from generation to generation. She's made peace with the fact that she will never have children, but if the results are positive…could there be hope?
So much for concentrating on the present…if she's honest with herself she's already picked out the names of their children…children she might never be able to have.
XXXxxxXXXxxxXXX
Christmas lunch was incredible, but right now they are all so tired after eating that they end up in front of the television, not able to move a muscle.
Felicity is curled up on Oliver's lap and somewhere between It's a wonderful life and The Holiday she falls asleep. The lack of sleep the night before and the overeating doesn't make it difficult for her to join Peter Pan in Never Land at all.
She has no idea how long she's out, but a soft brush against her cheek and the whisper of her name brings her back to reality.
"Felicity. Felicity honey, you have to wake up."
She slowly opens her eyes and connects with the baby blues looking back at her.
"Dr. Isaacs is here with the results."
She doesn't need more encouragement. Her heart starts racing and her body is instantly responsive.
She sits up and immediately wants to run to wherever the Doctor is waiting when Oliver halts her with his hand on her arm.
She turns towards him and even though he's trying to be brave she can see the concern in his eyes so clearly.
"Hey, I know you're anxious to get out there but just…just wait a minute okay." he urges, his hand still firmly on her arm.
She relaxes next to him, but she's silent.
"I need you to know that whatever happens, whatever the results turn out to be, I love you no matter what. I'm not going anywhere…right here with you, this is where I want to be. For better or worse."
"I love you." she says and she wonders if he hears it if she could barely get the sound out of her mouth.
He leans forward and gives her a kiss on her forehead. They get up and make their way to the living room where Dr. Isaacs is waiting for them.
They greet Dr. Isaacs and wish him a merry Christmas, when Moira and Thea join the conversation too. Oliver's attention is on Felicity though. He doesn't leave her hand for a second as they wait for Dr. Isaacs to speak.
"So I have good news and bad news." Dr. Isaacs starts.
The last thing she has strength for now is games, but she goes along with it.
"Bad news first please." she answers hesitantly and she feels Oliver's grip on her hand tighten.
"The bad news is that you will have to postpone your honeymoon with at least two to three weeks."
Her heart sinks. Does this mean that the anomaly was as a result of contamination and it's too high risk for her to go anywhere now? The facial expressions of everyone around her become sombre and she can tell they are all thinking the same thing.
"And the good news Doctor?" Moira asks.
"Well, the good news is that it seems your body has definitely shown a delay in the response to the treatment. Your cancer cells are dying and at an astonishingly fast rate too I might add."
She hears static, white noise. She expects to wake up any second and be told that it's a dream. She only registers the voices when she feels the tears running down her cheeks. She doesn't even realise she's crying. It feels like an out of body experience. Is this really true? Is she getting better?
"How fast is fast Doctor?" she hears Oliver ask.
"From our calculations, the average margin per week is almost 43%. If this continues…Felicity, you could be in full remission within the next three weeks."
How? How is this possible?
She's gone from terminally ill with six months to a year to live to this?
It feels unreal; it feels…she has no words as to how it feels.
Oliver envelops her in his arms and feeling his warm wet tears against the side of her face she realises he's crying too.
She doesn't want to let go of him. Does this mean she's going to have the future she's always dreamed about? A future with him and not have this nightmare hang over their heads?
They let go from their hug for just a moment as Oliver addresses Dr. Isaacs again.
"This is...I have no words Doctor. It feels like a dream."
"I know Oliver, it's indeed a Christmas miracle!" he excitedly announces.
"Okay, so what now?" Oliver asks with a smile as blinding as the sun.
"You can still continue with the wedding, but I'd like Felicity to come in at least twice a week so we can do tests to see how she's progressing. I realise you have a honeymoon planned, but I'm sure with your connections you'll be able to postpone for at least two weeks. If our calculations are correct and her body keeps on reacting the way it is now, then you two will be able to go on your holiday knowing Felicity is very nearly cured or in full remission. Will you be able to do that?"
"In a heartbeat." Oliver says, "nothing is more important right now than getting her better."
"I thought you'd say that." Dr. Isaacs smiles. "Well, I'm happy I was able to bring some good news to your family today. I best be getting back to mine. Merry Christmas to you all."
They all greet Dr. Isaacs as Moira walks him to the door.
Thea cannot contain her happiness anymore and attack hugs Felicity the moment her mother is out of the room. The tears fall freely as they take in the amazing news they just received.
Miracles do still happen…she's a living testimony of that fact.