Chapter Text
November 11, 2018
Felicity,
My grandmother married Jacob Dearden two weeks before he deployed to the Pacific Theater with a Marine unit that would ultimately suffer an eighty-eight percent casualty rate. The first time she heard the story, my always practical mother didn’t understand. “Something could have happened to him five minutes after he set foot on Peleliu. Then what would you have done?”
According to Mom, my grandmother drew herself up and said, “Then I would have been his wife for two weeks.”
No amount of time could ever be enough, Felicity, but I am grateful for every hour you’ve given me. If things don’t go our way tomorrow, I want you to know that a year as your husband was the great joy and privilege of my life. I’m not afraid of what’s coming, not with you beside me. Not with your voice in my ear.
Thank you for your faith in me.
Happy anniversary, beautiful. I love you always.
OQ
November 11, 2027
Felicity,
Every time I sit down to write this, Abigail starts screaming her head off or Jon tries to jump off of something high. So forgive me if I’m brief.
You, me, and the best Osso Bucco in town. Then we have reservations at the Monteleone, and I am going to show you exactly how I feel about you.
All night long.
Love you, Felicity. See you soon.
OQ
November 11, 2042
Felicity,
You looked beautiful the day you agreed to marry me. I still remember your blue dress and the lipstick smudge we couldn’t quite wipe away before we met Dig and Lyla to tell them the news.
We’ve come a long way down a strange road since then, haven’t we?
I see a deeper beauty in you now. I see it in the body that has carried our children, protected our family, loved and comforted me when I least deserved and most needed it. I see it in your kind heart and sharp wit, in your bravery and unwavering strength.
If my only legacy on this earth were the love I have shared with you, the family we have made from it, and the home we have built together, my time here would have been well spent.
Thank you for the privilege of walking by your side these twenty-five years.
I’m hoping for at least twenty-five more. What do you say, Солнышко мое?
Love always,
OQ