Fighting for the Heart

Untitled Part 35

Felicity turned to see Laurel standing behind her. She looked tired and like she had lost weight but Felicity stiffened and gave her a guarded look. What was she doing here?

"Don't worry; it was a coincidence that we ended up at the same coffee shop. I came into town with my father." Laurel looked down and her voice sounded almost uncertain. She looked up at Felicity and said. "I know I don't have a right to ask this but can I just have a moment of your time?"

Felicity turned and looked at the barista and seeing that she was still working on the order ahead of her, she nodded and followed Laurel to a booth nearby. The barista had her order so she didn't have to worry about losing her place in line.

They sat down and Felicity looked at Laurel suspiciously. "What do you want Laurel?"

Laurel took a deep breath and then she looked up at Felicity. "I wanted to take a moment and apologize to you. I know you may not care and I completely understand but I need to do this." Felicity did not say a word, but she nodded so Laurel could continue. "My sister and I were very close when we were young. I don't know if you have any brothers or sisters but because it was the two of us we always had a motto of you and me against the world." She smiled softly, but it was a sad smile. "And I admit when I found out that she and Oliver were dating and then engaged, I handled it poorly. Very poorly."

She took a deep breath. "Then when the accident happened and she died, I lost all sense of reality. I was in such deep pain and mourning that I could not think straight and so I lashed out the only way I knew how. I blamed Oliver. Of course what makes matter worse was that I still loved him."

Felicity sat back. She didn't want to hear that and Laurel realized it before she continued hurriedly. "Felicity, I was soo mired in my grief that I became this complete other person. Someone that I didn't recognize. That my father did not recognize. Instead of dealing with the grief I pushed it down." She paused and said. "I have been in therapy for a couple of weeks now and I want you and Oliver to know that I truly am sorry. I know you probably don't believe me and I don't blame you but I will not be bothering you anymore. In fact, I am moving to California to take a job with a magazine there and start over."

Felicity looked at her and she was about to respond she heard the barista call her name. She stood and when Laurel stood as well she looked at her and said. "I hope you mean that Laurel and if you do then I hope you get the help that you need and you find someone to make you as happy as I am with Oliver."

Laurel gave her a grateful smile and Felicity hurried over and grabbed the coffee and giving Laurel one last look, walked out the door.

***

Oliver lay on the massage table as the woman Curtis had brought to him kneaded his muscles. Felicity had insisted that he be relaxed for the photo shoot and for this fight and so he was trying to relax, but he kept tensing because Felicity was not there yet. She had texted him and told him she was running late because of the line at the coffee shop but he felt she should be there by now. He was about to stand up and go look for her when the door opened and she walked in the door. She looked beautiful and she was smiling with two cups of coffee.

"Is he cooperating Liz?" Felicity asked the masseuse. She was someone that Felicity had used in the past and was always very professional.

"Well he didn't really relax until you walked in the door.

Felicity gave him a stern look and so he lay back down and Liz started to work his muscles. He tried to relax his mind and focus on the fight ahead, going over each move in his mind. Soon she was patting him to let him know she was done and when he sat up Felicity walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck.