A Friend for the past, present and future.
For Oliver O'Toole, in the past, present like in the future, a teddy bear is a friend for life. This fanfiction tells the story of Oliver and Dumbarton Oaks through time. This story is inspired by the movie The Vows We Had Made. The characters belong to the talented Martha Williamson.
~ Denver, Colorado. A very long time ago.~
One Saturday in March, while it was still winter and the cold wind was running through the streets of Denver, Colorado, a room in a house was lit by a lamp.
In his room, Oliver O'Toole, who would soon celebrate his 13th birthday, was reading The Neverending Story. As he began a new chapter, he heard a loud slam of the door, similar to the one he had heard when he was 8 years old.
Tetanized by fear, he then walked to the window. His mother had just gotten into a cab, and the car started.
In a moment of panic, anxiety and fear, the boy threw his book on the floor, picked up his stuffed animal and left the room, without taking a coat.
As he walked down the stairs, his heart was pounding and a thousand and one questions were racing through his head.
When Oliver opened the door, the cab was gone. With tears in his eyes, he started to run, far, far away.
At the same time, Joe had heard the sound of the door. It was too late, Oliver had disappeared.
"Oliver!" He shouted into the silent street.
Then he grabbed his car keys and set off to find his son.
At the bend in the road, he found the church. Oliver entered silently, walked down the aisle, and left Dumbarton on the altar. He took one last look at his stuffed friend, walked out, and then stood in front of the church.
Leaning against a tree, feelings of anger, guilt and sadness mixed in his heart.
The boy banged his fist against the tree. But he could not feel the pain because his own was even greater.
A few minutes later, in the distance, Joe came running.
"Oliver, i was so worried. Why did you ?' Joe began.
" Dad, so Mom really is gone. She's never coming back. It's because of me. Isn't ?" Oliver asks, the eyes full of tears.
"No, no, no. It's not your fault. She's gone, yes for good, son. I'm sorry." Joe said, sadly.
Oliver's heart clenched and tired, he hell into Joe's arms. His father put his coat around him and carried him to home.
"How is he, Sean?" Joe asks, after the doctor left Oliver's room.
"The heart is going well. A new emotional shock. He will be very tired and may be a little nervous or have no appetite. His mother's first departure was complicated, but this time must have been much more so." The Doctor remarked.
"She's not coming back. I've done everything I can to keep her here, especially for Oliver." Joe admitted, his throat closing.
"It's not easy, my friend. I'm sad for you two. Here are some herbal painkillers .I'll come back tomorrow. Joe, take care of Oliver's little heart. "Sean said as he took one last look at Oliver, who was fast asleep.
The next morning, while Oliver was dreaming, a woman stroked his hair, then sang softly , The water is wide. He opened his eyes.
"Grandma!" Oliver exclaimed as he woke up with a smile on his face.
"Good morning, my boy. I'm so glad to see you." She smiles.
"And here's breakfast. Good morning, son." said Joe, bringing him a tray.
"Good morning, Dad. This is a miracle. Grandma is a beautiful surprise" Oliver said.
" You'd be a beautiful surprise to your grandma Mary too, if you eat all your breakfast." Mary added, smiling.
"That's perfect because now I'm really hungry." Oliver exclaimed before eating with appetite.
In a moment, he was smiling again, happy to see his grandmother who loved him so much, his grandmother who was always so gentle with him.
It was then that Joe left the room smiling at his mother to thank her.
"Tell me Oliver. Dumbarton is no longer on your desk. You never parted with it, even when you came to our home in Washington." Mary asks, who knew full well that her grandson was still deeply upset by his mother's departure.
"I don't have it anymore. I think I'm past the age for having a stuffed animal. Stuffed animals are for kids." Oliver said softly.
"Oliver, you don't need to be a child to find a friend in a teddy bear. Childhood nostalgia makes us stronger, even when we grow up. So let's take a walk. The weather is beautiful and I can't wait for you to show me your favorite places in Denver." His grandmother said with a smile.
Oliver smiled at her for a long time.
After a long walk, Oliver and his grandmother arrived at the church. It was then that he ran smiling to the altar, but his smile disappeared and tears began to stream down his face.
"Dumbarton is gone... I left him right here ... I abandoned my friend like my mother abandoned me..." Oliver sobbed.
It was then that his grandmother took him in her arms, to calm his grief.
"Shh...honey... I understand everything you are feeling. I am so sorry your mom is gone. I know how attached you are to Dumbarton. You know, sometimes, by a miracle, one find things one lost, after a very long time." She whispered.
" Trust the timing." They say at the same time smiling at each other.
~The Wedding's day. Dead Letter Office.~
"There's my story Shane. Until today, the only thing I had left of Dumbarton was drawings I had made. I'm so glad you found him. Thank you, my love." Oliver said as he placed the present box on his desk.
"My pleasure Oliver. Now, I hope you are excited about going to London for our honeymoon." Shane remarked.
"Well, I must admit that your enthusiasm was very nice to see. Yes, I'm happy to spend a whole week, just with you, even at the end of the world. How do you imagine our life together?" Oliver asks with a smile.
"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. A happy, loving family. That's what I see. Oliver, dreaming together, becomes reality." Shane replied with a long smile.
~Epilogue.~
A few years later, in a house in Denver.
On a Friday night, Shane looked at her wedding ring and smiled as she walked to the playroom to read an evening story. When she smiled and entered, her three children were putting away a box of board games.
There were, Henry and Emma, the fraternal twins, aged 7 and Arthur, the youngest, who was 5.
"It's story time, darlings. So, last night Daddy read you a beautiful story, The Thank You Letter. What do you want for a story?" Shane asks as she walks over to a small shelf with books.
The three childrens sat down on the rug.
"No books. We want the story of a real letter!" Emma exclaimed.
"You want the story of a lost letter?" Shane asks.
Oliver was also in the room, would stand against the wall, smiling, happy. He loved reading stories to their childrens, but childrens always loved their Postables stories. He always leaves Shane to do it because she was particularly talented to read to them these stories.
"Casey's letter, with the spoon chime." Henry and Emma said at the same time.
"Mommy, can you tell us the story of Christmas's letter." Arthur asks, who had set down a soft toy beside him.
"They are both very nice stories. How about I tell you the story of Owen and his friend Fred the firefighter. So, once upon a time..." Shane began.
The children were always captivated. Shane used children's words and a theatrical, dramatic, suspenseful tone.
"... And Owen has found his stuffed animal, Fred the firefighter. At he the end, a princess married a prince. They lived happily ever after. Now, it's time to go to bed. Daddy and I are going to come see you all to say good night." Shane said.
The children rushed to their room, when the youngest child forgot something.
"Artie, honey, don't forget Dumbarton," Shane said with a smile, handing him his teddy bear.
"Daddy, Mommy. Is Dumbarton a special friend like Fred ?" Arthur asks.
Oliver smiled, then knelt down to be at his son's level.
" Dumbarton has always been a very special friend. And he loves stories, just like you." Oliver whispered as Artie smile, before heading back to his room.
"Well, my love, I think one day you'll be able to tell them the story of Dumbarton. They'll love it." Shane remarked with a smile.
"Indeed, and why not our story too. Why are you smiling?" Oliver asks, holding her by the waist.
"I was just remembering the day I paid for a Steamboat Americano for the man who is now my husband. And I'm grateful, because my wish for a happy and loving family was granted. I love you Oliver." She replied with a smile.
"You, my dear Shane, are the reason I am no longer alone, because of you and your love. And because of you, I have a beautiful family now. My day starts and ends by looking at your face. I love you" He states smiling.
Very touched Shane fondles his face and they are kissing.
" Mommy, daddy" Children's voices called.
"Duty calls us." Oliver notices, taking Shane's hand as they leave the room together.
"Yes. Family is where life begins and love never ends." Shane says with a smile.
The End.
Author's note: Thank you all for reading this story. Have a nice day :)