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Hi Dad
I know you’ve been sending messages to me via Felicity’s letters, and I’ve been replying. But Felicity suggested that I write to you myself. She said that we should talk away from her, so that, in her words “you can complain about me”. I’m not going to do that, because she’s been great, but I did think this was a good idea.
I’m not allowed to tell you where we are. It is nice though and I’ve made a couple of friends here. As it’s summer break I’ve no school, but I am keeping busy. There’s a summer baseball programme, and I’m getting pretty good. Coach thinks I’ll make a good pitcher. Plus there’s a science club at the local rec centre which is great. It mainly involves us blowing things up and melting things.
Plus, I’m learning all about computers. I’m in the middle of building one all of my own. I only burned myself twice while using the soldering iron, which Felicity took off me until I learned how to do it properly.
I’m glad Raisa is here now (otherwise we’d probably starve) - she asked to come and was able to join us a few days ago. Mr Diggle brought her and was here for a few hours. I think Felicity misses him almost as much as she misses you.
I miss you dad. I think I understand why you felt you had to go to prison to protect us but it makes me sad. Sorry to say that I think Felicity is still mad at you, but I’m sure she’ll forgive you soon.
I’d love to visit, but Mr Diggle told us it’s not safe yet to do so. As soon as it is safe, we’ll both be there.
Let me know if this is OK, to write separately.
I’ve enclosed a photo of Felicity and me with my half built computer.
love
William.
p.s. Felicity said that your friends Barry and Iris are coming to visit soon. She thinks I’ll like Barry.
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Dear William
Thank you so much for your letter (and the photo, which is now on my wall). Yes, I’d love to write separately to you. I spend most of my time in prison in my cell, so it’s pretty boring.
I’m reading a lot. Having a wife and son who are both super smart puts me at a disadvantage, so I’m trying to change that a little. Are there any books you’d recommend?
I’m glad that Raisa decided to join you both. I did worry that you’d either starve or eat far too much junk food.
I want to try and explain to you why I made the deal with the FBI. And why I didn’t tell Felicity or you about it until afterwards.
When I was lost on Lian Yu I use to dream about going home to my family. On cold wet nights I’d try to imagine what it would feel like to go home again. But when I returned home it wasn’t how I’d imagined, I just didn’t feel like I belonged. My family and friends were almost strangers to me.
Then I met Felicity. She was the first person I’d met that I didn’t see as a target or a threat. I just saw a beautiful young woman who saw me for me. She was like a light in the darkness (yes, I am getting soppy). I was a mess back then, my time away caused me a lot of damage. I couldn’t stay away from her, and eventually she saved my life and joined the team. (Ask her about that, it’s a funny story.) It took me a long time to realise how much I loved her, and even longer to accept that I deserved to be with her. But when I was ready, she was there.
Until I blew it, but that’s tale for another time.
Then I found out about you. As we’ve talked about before, I didn’t know about you until that day in Central City. I had to keep my distance to a certain extent, but I loved you from that first day. Then you had to go away, which broke my heart, and although I cared so much about you, I didn’t really know you.
This past year has changed that. I am so sorry that it took the tragedy of your mother’s death for us to finally get the chance to know each other. I wish there had been another way. Because I’ve loved getting to know you as a person. Your likes and dislikes, your favorite foods, going to baseball with you and spending hours just talking. I cannot believe just how amazing you are. You are smart and funny and brave and kind and so many other things. I am in awe of you.
I love being your father.
And then I got Felicity back, and you two bonded so quickly. You’re so alike in a lot of ways. Nothing brings me more joy than watching you both together, whether it’s playing computer games or turning cooking into science experiments.
I’ve realised something, thinking of you both in here—what I feel when I’m with you both is what I dreamed of on those cold wet nights on Lian Yu. And now it’s real, it’s more and it’s better. I’ve found my family.
And it has to be protected at all costs.
Diaz was determined to kill both of you. And he came close, especially close to killing Felicity. I was so scared I would loose one or both of you. Because I know I wouldn’t survive that. I think I’d probably burn the world down if I lost you both. So I’ll pay any price (including my freedom) to keep you both safe. I know Felicity would have tried to talk me out of it if I’d told her, but without the deal I made, we could all have ended up in prison, or even dead.
Felicity would be the first to tell me I’ve faced worst foes, and I’ve not needed people like the FBI to help us win, but it was different this time. My first priority used to be saving the city, but now it’s keeping my family safe. She will argue that she can protect herself, and she probably can, but I just can’t take that risk. It’s worth it to me that you are both somewhere right now where Diaz and others can’t hurt you. I just hope that one day you’ll both understand.
Sorry if this got a bit serious, but I wanted you to know.
Please keep writing. And send more photos as they are great too. Did you grow again, as you look even taller than Felicity than before.
I love you William.
Dad
p.s. Ask Barry to take you for a run, then you’ll understand.