Fighting for the Heart

Untitled Part 24

Felicity exited the room and leaned against the wall in the hallway, her breathing heavy and her heart pounding. Oliver had said he loved her. She could tell by the look in his eyes he had not meant for that to come out and she buried her head in hands not sure what to do. She loved him. Of course, she loved him. He was wonderful and sweet and the connection she had with him was more than she had ever experienced, even with Billy. So why was she suddenly afraid?

Moira and Robert walked down the hall, a smile on their faces as they approached Oliver's dressing room. Moira looked at Felicity in surprise and when Felicity lifted her head and Moira saw the look in her eyes, she motioned for her husband to enter the room and she walked to Felicity's side.

"Is everything ok Felicity?" Moira asked with genuine concern. She liked Felicity a lot, and even though she had initial reservations about her dating Oliver those had been laid to rest the night of the dinner. She was perfect for Oliver and so Moira considered her family.

"I..I am fine Miss Queen." Felicity said.

"Please, call me Moira, and you are not fine Felicity. I can see fear in your eyes as well as a sense of overwhelming. I know that look and that feeling. You love my son." Moira said confidently and Felicity looked at her with surprise. How did she know that?

"I had the same look in my eyes the first time I admitted to myself that I was in love with Robert." Moira said with a self-deprecating smile. "I was terrified. I didn't know the first thing about love or even if Robert felt the same. My mother found me and I found it helped if I talked to her about it."

Felicity sighed, maybe she should talk to Moira. She knew Oliver better than anyone. "What did you do?"

Moira leaned back against the wall next to her and laughed, "I didn't end up having to do anything. Robert told me that night he loved me, and when I heard him say the words it all felt right. Everything fell into place."

"Oliver just told me he loves me." Felicity said softly as she looked at Moira, her eyes pleading for help.

"My son wears his heart on his sleeve sometimes." she smiled.

"The terrifying part was that I almost said it back and then I saw his eyes. He looked just as scared as me that he had said those words. What if he did not mean to say them and was just caught up in the moment?" That was the thing that scared Felicity the most. What if he didn't mean those words?

"Felicity, I know my son, and if he said he loves you he means it. He is a lot like his father in that respect. He doesn't say anything that he does not mean or feel." she said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You love my son. I can see it every time you look at him. You need to tell him. Don't waste any time, it is too precious."

"I don't know what I would do if I ever lost him." Felicity said honestly. Her feelings were all spilling out and Moira looked at her with soft compassion.

"We are always afraid of losing the ones we love. That will never go away. But don't let those feeling keep you from being with him. Robert and I had to spend some time apart and let me tell you Felicity, if I could have that time back I would take it in a heartbeat."

Felicity saw a sadness in Moira's eyes and she wondered what had happened to put that look there.

Felicity looked at her with calm resignation. "Can I have a minute to myself?"

Moira nodded and they hugged before she walked into Oliver's dressing room. Felicity let out a breath and then leaned back her head closing her eyes. She needed some time alone.

"***

Robert walked into" Oliver's dressing room with a grin and clapped his hands together in delight, "That was the best damn exhibition fight I have seen in a while son." he said and hugged Oliver.