I slowly walked into Laurel's room. She had machines connected to her everywhere and she was pale as a ghost. I felt like I was going to stop breathing myself. I went over and stood next to the chair Felicity had sat down in. I don't think she even noticed I was there until I put my hand on her shoulder. She put her hand over mine but didn't say anything.
I saw that Quentin picked up Thea and took her out into the waiting area with him. I don't think he could handle seeing Laurel like that right that minute and Thea was getting fussy. She had a long day at school and now this. She was attached to Laurel. She was the big sister Thea really wished she had.
"My dad wants you and Thea to stay with us" Sara said quietly. I looked over at her and wondered what was going on. "Your dad called, he had to jet off back to the United States. Something about the company and not doing too well. He asked my dad to check up on you guys at your house here but, my dad insisted you stay with us" she continued. I nodded. I felt like I was going to pass out. The only think keeping me from doing so was the feel of Felicity's hand on mine.
I excused myself and went to check on Quentin and Thea. I noticed that he had wrapped Thea in a hospital blanket and she had fallen asleep. I went and sat next to him. "Our dad isn't coming back is he? He never meant to come back. The public school was just a place to send us until we got enrolled in private" I said quietly keeping my eyes on Laurel's room. Quentin placed his free hand on my shoulder and said "your too smart for your own good, Oliver. He signed Thea's adoption papers this morning before he took off and I got yours faxed back today just before the shooting. I think it has to do with why your dad took off but we will talk about that later" he said motioning down at Thea. I nodded and closed my eyes.
I wanted to tell him about the fight Laurel and my dad had before he left. I wanted to tell him about the inappropriate touching. I decided that would wait as well. I didn't want to say anything until I knew Laurel was alright with me doing so. I also was upset because legally I would be Felicity's brother and we couldn't date. Ugh, this was becoming way to much, way too fast.
Quentin patted my shoulder and said "I know what and who your thinking about and if something happens between you and Felicity the adoption won't get in the way and neither will I". I smiled at him and noticed Nyssa and Sara leaving Laurel's room. "How is she? I asked walking over to them. "She is the same, though she did move her hand a little which the nurse that was checking on her said was a great sign" Nyssa said and pulled Sara closer to her. I smiled and headed in to check on Felicity.
Felicity was sitting in the same chair I saw her in last time. She was holding her sisters hand. I went over and silently sat in the chair next to her. Laurel looked so pale but she was a fighter and I knew she would pull through. Felicity turned to me and gave me a weak, but warm smile. My heart melted again.
"I guess Thea and I will be living with your dad and sisters now" I said trying to strike up a conversation. "I know, so will I" she said happily. I wanted to jump up and dance but I kept myself calm. "Really?" I asked sounding like an idiot. She laughed, which made my heart skip a couple beats. "Yes, really. My mom signed custody of me back over to my dad. I'm glad because she has flatly refused to come and see Laurel. I mean her daughter could die, and she doesn't seem to care" Felicity said, tears forming in her beautiful eyes. I grabbed onto her free hand and held it. We just sat there and didn't say anything.
About an hour or two later, Quentin came in, Thea free, and told us that he wanted us to go and eat something. I stood up and offered my hand to Felicity. She took it which made my body temperature rise about one hundred degrees. She laughed. I flushed even more. Quentin patted me on the back and said "Thea, Nyssa and Sara are awaiting the two of you downstairs". I nodded and Felicity and I headed to the cafeteria, still holding hands.
Down in the cafeteria, we found Thea sitting on Nyssa's lap and eating from a big plate of pasta. As I got closer, I noticed Nyssa's top was covered in pasta sauce. I couldn't help but laughing. Sara and Felicity giggled as well when they noticed. Thea laughed because everyone else was. The only person not laughing, Nyssa.
"I'm glad you all find this hilarious" she said but gave Thea a giant hug. I was so glad that we would finally be with people who wanted us to be around. Thea needed the stability and I was really going to need a father figure heading into this new adventure in Japan. I just didn't know how to explain all of this to Thea.
"Ollie, guess what? We are going to be living with my Laurel" Thea said excitedly. I loved the way she said "my Laurel". "I know speedy, are you ok with that?" I asked worried. "I can't wait!" Thea said super excited. I smiled and was glad that Quentin had already talked to her. Sara looked like she was going to loose it. "What's wrong Sara?" I asked confused. "Laurel's first suitor is a six year old" she said and fell out of her seat laughing. Thea clapped her hands and laughed too. Smacking my head, I was just glad to see people smiling.
I looked over at Felicity and almost fell out my chair with how beautiful her smile was. I dared to put my hand over the one she had on the table. To my shock, she didn't pull away. I saw everyone staring at me and blushed. "What're you all staring at? Haven't you seen two people hold hands before" Felicity asked and before I knew what was happening she gave me a deep, passionate kiss.
I kissed her back. It felt like the world was finally spinning the right way. Like everyone of my worries was gone. It stayed that way for a few minutes until Sara said "let me cover your eyes Thea, you are way to young for this smut". Nyssa and Sara were both laughing hard and Thea clapped her hands. "Ollie got a girlfriend" Thea said over and over. "Felicity's got a boyfriend" Sara said in a mocking tone.
Pulling apart we both stared at Sara with daggers in our eyes. Thea clapped more which made Sara loose it again. Felicity sighed and asked if I would like to take a walk. I nodded and the two of us headed for the outside patio. "Sorry about my sister" Felicity said with a slight frown on her beautiful face. "No problem, Sara is Sara and she was just having fun" I said trying to lighten up the gave me that beautiful smile and I sighed.
"Can I ask you something Oliver, it's about Laurel and your dad" Felicity asked, her voice shaking a bit. My body tensed and all I could do was nod. "This morning when I met up with Laurel, she was shaking so bad. She showed me her bandaged arm. She told me that your dad grabbed her and wouldn't let go. Oliver, did he do more than that? Is that why she got targeted? I'm sorry, I shouldn't even think those things but she was really scared" Felicity said as she started to cry and dug her face into my chest.
I mustered the energy to put my arm around her and pull her in close. I didn't know what to say? So I went for the truth. "I know she said my dad would touch her inappropriately. My thought is that he was trying for more and she said no. As for the shooting, I honestly don't think it has something to do with that but I do think she found out something she wasn't supposed to. My dad has dipped his toes in dangerous waters before, I wouldn't doubt if he is in those waters again" I said getting angry.
She wrapped her arms around me tighter. "Let's not tell my dad any of this until we've done some of our own investigations Oliver, and we get a chance to talk to Laurel. I think that it would just be way to much on him right now or anytime unless we have proof of something" Felicity confidently said. I nodded and continued holding her close. We would figure out who did this and why.
Sara came out to the courtyard. She half smiled at us and came our way. "Dad texted and said we should all head up to Laurel's room quickly. He didn't say why or anything" Sara said looking scared. "I'm sure it's good news" I said returning her half a smile. I stood up, took Felicity's hand and we headed back inside to fetch Nyssa and Thea.
Nyssa had taken Thea and gotten her cleaned up, and I noticed that she had changed her top. Wherever girls kept extra clothes, I probably would never know. Grabbing onto Sara with her free hand, Nyssa and the rest of us headed towards the elevator.
The elevator ride was very quiet. The only real noise was Thea asking when she could see Laurel. I didn't know what to say, and I don't think the others did either. I felt Felicity's hand tighten around mine as the floor number for the critical care unit lit up. I squeezed back and hoped that I was right.
The doors opened and Quentin was waiting right outside of them. How did he know what elevator and when exactly to be here? He looked at all of us and said "Laurel is awake" and smiled pulling in all of us for a giant hug. It felt good to be a part of a family.
5