No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Yeah, Felicia, my folks did what they did to make you feel just like everyone else," Dustin chimed in.

"Felicia, we really want you and Rad to be together because you two have genuine feelings for each other, not for any other reason," Jacqueline added.

Living with them for so many years, I knew better than anyone how they treated me.

Now that they had explained themselves, it seemed like there wasn't really an issue.

Like they said, if I had known earlier about my rare blood type, I would have been nervous and overly cautious all the time, and that certainly would have made my life less adventurous.

"Herschel and Jacqueline, I have one more question. When my parents and you promised me to Conrad, was it because of our blood types?"

As soon as I finished my question, Jacqueline looked at Herschel, who silently nodded after a brief pause.

"When we accidentally found out you and Rad had the same rare, golden blood type, we were thrilled because it meant that if either of you ever got into trouble, the other could save their life," he explained. "But we also knew that once you both grew up and started your own families, you wouldn't just belong to yourselves but to your spouses as well. So, we thought you two should tie the knot. That way, as a married couple, you'd naturally have each other's back."

Herschel sighed, "Felicia, Jacqueline and I worry about you two every day, fearful something might happen."

"My parents had Master Mathew light a safety candle for you two, and it's been burning for decades," Dustin interjected.

the candle but thought it was something Herschel and Jacqueline did for the whole family because they could afford

never realized it was specifically

wave of guilt washed over me. I had doubted their affection for

did nothing wrong. If I were in your shoes, Herschel and I would have thought the same. And... you

mention it, Jacqueline. It's

just

I would've done

had

told Conrad to Jacqueor

'I said, repeating the

life for just anyone like you did for Rad," Jacqueline said with eyes full of concern, hinting at my special feelings for

them think what they want.

we should continue this conversation

the car. I made some chicken soup for you; it'll help you regain your strength on the

her as she was about to lead me away, then turned to Herschel, saying, "I can't go back with you. I need to find

Dustin can pick him up,"