"We're going to have a change of weather soon," she remarked to her companion. Felix King skipped a stone across the pond.
"Do you think so?" he asked.
"Yes. It'll start getting cold soon."
"Well, it is nearly October."
"So it is." She watched him skip another stone.
"Iz, do you ever find it at all...confining here?" he asked her.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, think of how many people never even leave Avonlea. Think of the people who just marry their neighbors and never go beyond Charlottetown. Do you think that's a bad idea?" She smiled.
"Not for me. I've seen some of the world. I like it here."
"Me too," said Felix, and he skipped another stone across the pond.
* * * * * * * * * *The Kings were a close-knit clan. They all lived near each other, they gathered together every Sunday for supper, and they went to each other for advice. It had been some time since Felix had asked for Sara's advice concerning romance, but it was a subject she was well versed in, and he figured she would be the best one to talk to.
He found her sitting under a tree in the orchard reading a book Sunday afternoon.
"I need to ask you something," he announced bluntly.
"Oh?" She set her book aside. "What is it?"
"How do you know if you're in love with someone?" She was silent for a moment.
"You just know," she finally answered.
"That's not very helpful."
"If you want a practical answer, go ask Gus, he's in the barn."
Gus and Felicity lived on their own farm about half a mile away from the Kings. The foundling home had closed, and was now a convalescent hospital. Gus was the type of person one went to for practical advice, as Sara said, while Felicity was the person to talk to if you needed to know how to remove a persistent stain.
"Gus, I need some advice," Felix said.
"Oh?"
"Yes. How do you know if you're in love?"
"I don't know, you just do."
"That's what Sara said. Can't you give me more than that?" Gus leaned against a stall door and crossed his arms.
"I guess you know when you can't imagine waking up and not having her beside you," he said. Felix smiled.
"Thanks," he said.
* * * * * * * * * *Felix King had never been much of a planner, so he knew he'd need help. Cecily and Sara's help.
"There's something important I need to talk to you two about," he said, sitting them down at the kitchen table. "But you have to promise me you won't tell anyone, especially Izzy."
"Of course we promise," said Sara. "What is it?"
"I want to ask Izzy to marry me." The girls squealed happily.
"Felix, that's wonderful!" said Cecily. He grinned.
"I want it to be just right, though. I need you two to help me plan it out, and I need you to get her out of the house tomorrow afternoon so I can speak to her father.
"Felix, of course we'll help you!" said Sara, who appreciated anything involving affairs of the heart, even when it wasn't her own romance. "We have a red cross meeting tomorrow, you can speak with Mr. Pettibone during that." Felix nodded.
"All right," he said. "On with the show."
* * * * * * * * * *Sara and Cecily were more giggly than usual the next day as they walked up the front walk to Izzy's door.
"Hello, Mrs. Pettibone," Cecily said when Muriel opened the door. "Is Izzy ready for the red cross meeting?"
"I'm sorry, but Izzy's come down with a cold. She said she'd rather stay at home today," said Muriel.
"But she can't!" Sara cried. "Then she'll know."
"Know what?" said Muriel.
"Let us talk to her," said Cecily.
"All right, she's in the parlor."
"Izzy Pettibone, what are you doing sitting around when there's work to be done?" Sara demanded, using her best imitation of Hetty King. Izzy looked up at her pathetically from a cocoon of blankets.
"I feel awful, Sara, they won't miss me just this once."
"But we need you!" said Cecily. "There's going to be an important vote today, and we'll need your input."
"It's your patriotic duty to go to the Red Cross meeting," said Sara. "Just think of all the brave boys fighting overseas, and here you sit, avoiding your duty because you've got a swollen nose!"
"Well, if you're going to put it that way," said Izzy, setting the blankets aside with a sigh.
"Good. Now, get your hat on and let's go, before we're late," said Sara, ushering them out the door.
From the porch of the general store, Felix watched the girls leave, then hurried over to the Pettibone house once they were out of sight. He paused on the porch to get his thoughts together. Facing Clive Pettibone under normal circumstances was frightening enough. Asking for his only daughter's hand in marriage fifty times worse. Before he could knock, the door opened and Muriel came bustling out.
"Oh, Felix, you gave me a start!" she said. "I'm sorry, but Izzy's gone to the Red Cross meeting. I was just on my way myself."
"Actually, I'm here to see Mr. Pettibone," said Felix. "Is he in?"
"Clive? Why, yes he is. Go right in, he's in his study." The study door was partly open, and Felix knocked softly before entering.
"Mr. Pettibone?"
"Felix? Come in and sit down. What brings you here?" Felix seated himself uneasily.
"I was wondering if I might talk to you about something concerning Izzy."
"Izzy?"
"Yes. You see, sir, I want to ask her to marry me, and I'd like your blessing before I do it." Clive set aside the book he had been reading, stood, and strode to the fireplace with his hands clasped behind his back.
"You're both very young," he said. "She's not yet nineteen."
"She will be in two weeks, and I'm twenty."
"Yes, so you are. Can you support her?"
"Yes, sir. Mr. Tremayne just promoted me to assistant manager of the hotel, and on my salary I could support a family."
"Why do you want to marry her?"
"Why?"
"Yes, why?"
"Because I love her. I think she's perfect. She's my best friend, and she's always been there for me, even when I've acted stupidly. Mr. Pettibone, I just want to make her happy. I'd do anything to make Izzy happy." Clive smiled a little, and Felix relaxed.
"I believe you would make her happy, too, Felix," said Clive. "And you'd better, or you'll have me to answer for. Congratulations, son, you have my permission." He held out his hand. Felix grinned and shook it.
"Thank you, Mr. Pettibone, you won't regret this," he said.
"Let's hope not."
* * * * * * * * * *Izzy's birthday was in October, and Felix had been planning her surprise party for weeks. He and Cecily and Sara spent the morning decorating a particularly nice clearing in the woods, and the girls, with Felicity's help, baked all sorts of treats. The day before, Felix rode into Carmody and picked up his gift: Izzy's engagement ring.
At noon, he drove over to the Pettibone house.
"Happy birthday!" he said when Izzy opened the door. "Ready for your surprise?"
"I didn't know I was getting one."
"Of course you are. Now, close your eyes." She did so, and he wrapped a blindfold around her head. He led her to the buggy and helped her climb in, then drove her to the clearing.
"Now, stop right here," he said. He spun her around three times, then stepped back.
"Felix?" she said. "Where did you go?" She undid the blindfold and jumped as everyone yelled:
"Surprise!" Once she recovered from what she could only describe as a minor heart attack, Izzy smiled and received the warm wishes of her friends.
"Are you going to do it today?" Sara asked Felix. He nodded and fingered the ring in his pocket. "Good. All right, everyone!" she yelled. "Time for a game! How about hide and seek? Oh, come on, we're not all so grown up we can't enjoy a good game now and then!" Everyone dispersed, laughing, to find a hiding place. Felix took Izzy by the hand and led her to a large boulder, where they crouched to hide.
"Are you having fun?" he asked her.
"Of course I am! This was a wonderful surprise, Felix, thank you!"
"Well, you might get another surprise today."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Iz, we've been friends for a while, haven't we?"
"Yes."
"Well, I-I was just...I wanted to say..." She frowned, obviously puzzled.
"What is it, Felix?"
"I just wanted to say happy birthday," he said.
* * * * * * * * * *"I can't believe you didn't do it!" Sara cried once she heard the story later.
"I panicked," said Felix.
"All right, we've got to think of another, suitably romantic time to do this."
"The meteor shower," he said.
"The what?"
"There's going to be a meteor shower this Friday night. Everyone's going to watch."
"Perfect!" said Sara. "And you have to get her flowers too. What's her favorite flower?"
"I don't know."
"What kind of a suitor are you? All right, get her some roses, they're always safe. And you have to pick them yourself, it's much more romantic that way. There are some late ones still blooming over at Rose Cottage. Go over there right now, get the flowers, then go and ask her to accompany you to the meteor shower party, or whatever's going on. We can't leave anything to chance. Now go!" Felix jumped and obeyed.
"What if it rains?" Cecily said when Felix was gone. Sara shrugged.
"Then we'll have to come up with another plan. I hope he does it soon, though, the suspense is killing me!"
* * * * * * * * * *Thankfully, it didn't rain. The day seemed to drag forever for Cecily, Sara and Felix, who kept glancing out the windows as though that would make the sun set faster.
"I can't imagine what's so interesting to you all," Janet remarked as she packed a picnic dinner for them. "Granted, a meteor shower does have an element of romance to it, but I've never seen you three so eager for a day to end!"
All of Avonlea gathered on a field just outside of town to watch the show. Sara, Felix, Cecily and Izzy spread out their picnic blanket and settled down with their dinner to wait for the show to begin.
Soon after dark, the first shooting stars became visible, and Cecily and Sara discreetly stole away from Felix and Izzy.
"They say that every time you see a shooting star you should make a wish," said Izzy.
"I don't think I have that many wishes," said Felix.
"Then just make one big one." He was silent for a moment.
"I want to marry you," he suddenly blurted out.
She started and turned to him, astonished. "What?"
Felix winced. "I had that so well planned out, that wasn't how it was supposed to be," he said. "Look, we've been friends forever, and somewhere in between you socking me in the nose and me giving you a hard time over David Boyne, I fell in love with you. I think you're completely perfect and I can't imagine spending every day for the rest of my life with anyone else. Will you marry me, Izzy?"
She stared at him, wide eyed for a moment, then smiled. "Yes, Felix, of course I'll marry you," she said.
"Seriously?"
"You think I would kid you about this?"
"Well, no, but....That's wonderful!" She laughed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out her ring.
"This is your real birthday gift," he said, placing it on her finger.
"I love it, Felix, it's perfect," she said.
"I had a little help picking it out," he admitted.
"Well, I'll forgive you just this once," Izzy teased.
"You are too kind. Now, may I beg one kiss from my fiancé?"
"Please, no, don't beg, it's far too pathetic and I would only laugh. I give you permission, and I'll take this opportunity to tell you that you never have to ask my permission again." Laughing, Felix leaned in to kiss her.
* * * * * * * * * *It was convenient that the Kings always gathered together on Sunday evening. It was the perfect opportunity for Felix to make his announcement. Unfortunately, getting a word in edgewise was always quite a challenge at the King dinner table.
"I think it'll be a remarkably cold winter," said Alec. "You can feel it in the air."
"Nonsense, Alec, it'll be mild this year," said Hetty. "The roses are blooming late. It's a sure sign of a mild winter to come."
"I'd agree with Alec," said Gus. "The squirrels are storing up a great deal this year."
"Squirrels? They're nothing but vermin, they aren't worthwhile forecasters at all," said Hetty.
"Well, I daresay we've got enough stores this year to last us through half a dozen bad winters," said Janet. "We were lucky this year."
"We certainly are," said Alec. "With so many men and boys off at war and not tending the farms, we can command our own prices."
"A bad winter could hurt the soil," said Gus. "We might want to store up some, in case we have some surprises in the spring."
"We might have more surprises than that, in the spring," said Felix.
"Whatever do you mean, dear?" asked Janet.
"I may as well tell you," he said. "Izzy and I are engaged to be married." Sara and Cecily squealed happily and jumped up to hug him. Alec and Gus smiled broadly.
"Engaged?" Hetty and Janet cried at once.
"Felix King, what on earth are you thinking of?" Hetty demanded.
"Yes, you're only twenty years old!" Janet argued.
"Ladies, please," said Alec. "Janet, you and I married young and we've done well enough for ourselves, I daresay. Izzy will make Felix a good wife."
"A perfect wife," said Sara.
"I'll thank you to keep your romantic notions out of this, Sara Stanley," said Hetty. "Felix, really, have you thought this through at all? How do you propose to support a wife and family? What does her father have to say about all this? And where are you going to live?"
"Hetty!" said Alec.
"Leave him alone, Aunt Hetty, they aren't getting married tomorrow," said Felicity. "There'll be time enough to decide all that."
"And he's making a decent living working at the hotel, too," Gus added.
"If Clive Pettibone thought this was a fine idea, then who are we to argue it?" Alec added.
"Who are we indeed but his family?" said Hetty indignantly. "I think we have a perfect right to speak."
"You always think you have a right to speak, Hetty, and sometimes you don't," said Alec. "This is something Felix and Izzy have to decide on their own, it's none of your business." Felix glanced at his mother and saw that she was weakening.
"Mother, please..." he said. Janet sighed.
"Well, I don't suppose there's anything I can say that would change your mind," she said. "And I like Izzy well enough."
"Janet!" Hetty cried. "Can you not see reason?"
"I am seeing reason, Hetty," said Janet. "Alec's right, this isn't your problem."
"How like a Ward to take a romantic view of things instead of a practical view."
"Excuse me, Hetty King, but I am perfectly capable of being practical," said Janet icily. "I raised four healthy, intelligent children. You can't do that without being practical."
"Ladies, please, let's stop this and enjoy our dinner," said Alec. "Hetty, for heaven's sake, be practical yourself. Felix and Izzy love each other and they want to be married. It wouldn't harm you to take a more romantic view of things every now and then."
"Just think how lovely it will be to have another wedding to plan, Aunt Hetty," said Sara. "It's all so wonderful and romantic."
"Romance has nothing to do with a successful wedding, Sara," said Hetty, regaining her seat. "It's all about proper planning. We'll have to get started right away if this is to be done right..."
* * * * * * * * * *"What does she mean, we'll have to get started?" Izzy asked suspiciously when Felix related the whole story to her the next morning.
"Oh, I'm sure Aunt Hetty just wants to be involved in planning the wedding," said Felix, praying that Izzy hadn't heard the stories of Hetty's meddling in Olivia's wedding. Izzy hadn't.
"All right," she said. "But make sure she knows that we're going to have it in May."
* * * * * * * * * *"Now, we have to choose material for the dress," Hetty said, hauling Izzy, Muriel, Sara, Felicity and Cecily into the general store. Felicity immediately began poring over books of dress patterns.
"I don't see why we have to choose material now," said Izzy. "We have months and months before the wedding."
"Careful planning ahead avoids disasters later," said Hetty. "What do you think of this?"
"Too white," said Izzy, examining the bolt of silk Hetty held out to her.
"What do you mean, too white? This one, then."
"They're both the same."
"Don't be ridiculous, child, they're completely different colors."
"One is snowflake and the other is eggshell," said Sara.
"They both look white to me."
"I don't think white is Izzy's best color," said Muriel
"It doesn't matter what her best color is," said Hetty. "White is traditional."
"We don't have to break with tradition. I just think we should avoid pure white and try a cream color."
"Izzy, what do you think of this one?" asked Felicity, shoving the pattern book under her nose. "We could shorten the sleeves here and add lace inserts around the collar."
"It's a little fancier than I wanted," said Izzy.
"This one, then," said Felicity, turning the page.
"I don't like all the bows." Felicity sighed heavily and retreated with the book.
"I wish you wouldn't be so unbending about this, Hetty," Muriel was saying. "It won't do Izzy any good to look washed out on her wedding day because she's wearing the wrong color. She's never looked good in white."
"She looks fine in white!" said Hetty, her voice rising and becoming shrill.
"I should have known this would happen," Sara murmured to Cecily. "Remember what happened when Aunt Olivia got married?" Cecily groaned softly.
"You don't think she'll get that bad, do you?" Sara shrugged.
"I don't know, but we haven't even gotten to the bridesmaids dresses yet."
* * * * * * * * * *By the time December rolled around, Izzy was beginning to regret she had ever allowed Hetty King to get involved in the wedding preparations at all. Luckily, her Aunt Lillian provided her with the perfect excuse to get out of Avonlea for a while.
"She broke her ankle," she explained to Felix. "She's laid up for a while, and she needs someone to help run her shop."
"Doesn't she have an assistant?" he asked.
"Her assistant just had a baby and can't come back to work for a few weeks herself."
"How long will you be gone?"
"Eight weeks."
"Eight weeks?!"
"Please don't argue with me, Felix. I need to get away for a while, your Aunt Hetty's driving me crazy."
Felix sighed. "It isn't like I can forbid you to go," he said. "Have fun while you're in Boston, but don't forget about me." She smiled.
"I can assure you, that won't happen," she said.
* * * * * * * * * *About the same time Izzy was getting her letter from Lillian, Sara received a telegram from Armand Ducree, her fiancé, asking her to take in his sister, Celeste. He didn't like the idea of her being in Paris, with the fighting so close to the city. Naturally, Sara telegraphed him back saying that it would be fine for her to take in Celeste. So, one week later, Izzy and Sara bid goodbye to their families and boarded the train that would take them to the Halifax ferry, where they would part and continue on their respective journeys.
To hear Sara talk about her future sister-in-law, one would think Celeste was a girl of twelve. In reality, she was a very attractive, very sophisticated young lady of sixteen. Sara didn't realize that, and clucked over the girl like a mother hen as they stepped off the train at the Avonlea station.
"It may seem strange here at first," Sara said as Alec helped the girls into the buggy, "but you'll grow to love it as I did."
"I'm sure I will," Celeste said, casting a glance at Felix. He swallowed hard.
* * * * * * * * * *By the time Izzy arrived at her aunt's apartment in Boston, there were three telegrams for her.
Dear Izzy, Have come up with a final guest list. Too long to forward. Will send it in a letter in a few days. ~ Hetty
Dear Izzy, I believe a garden salad will be more practical. Better for the digestion. You know the Wards have delicate digestive systems. Will forward the menu with the guest list. ~ Hetty
Dear Izzy, Can't imagine why I haven't heard from you. You can't be so busy in Boston you can't wire me. Need your final decision on the dress pattern. ~ Hetty
Izzy groaned aloud as she read the telegrams.
"Who is this woman?" Lillian asked, paging through the mail. "She's been sending telegrams and letters almost nonstop."
"She's Felix's aunt," said Izzy. "She loves to plan things."
"Well, as soon as this ankle of mine heals we'll go back to Avonlea and set her straight on a few things, won't we?"
Dear Hetty, Who are these people on the guest list? I thought I would know at least some of the people at my own wedding! Am forwarding revised list. ~ Izzy
Dear Izzy, Do stop being so silly! Do you know how long it took me to come up with that guest list? We have to make sure nobody feels slighted. This is a King wedding, after all Now hurry up with the dress design!
Dear Hetty, This is getting somewhat ridiculous! Aunt Lillian and I are working on a design as we speak. We still have a while until the wedding; there's no rush for the dress. I don't want a roast on the menu; I want something lighter. I thought the wedding was going to be at the White Sands. ~ Izzy
Dear Izzy, What is this nonsense about the White Sands? All King weddings take place on the King farm! It's tradition! Stop being so silly! ~ Hetty
Dear Hetty, Might I remind you this is a Pettibone wedding as well, and Felix and I want the wedding at the White Sands! ~ Izzy
Dear Felix, Would you please do something about your Aunt Hetty? She's driving me crazy with all her telegrams! Love, Izzy
* * * * * * * * * *"I think I know what to do about Aunt Hetty's meddling," said Sara. "She needs a distraction."
"What could possibly distract Aunt Hetty from planning a wedding?" asked Felix.
"Another wedding, of course. Her own wedding."
"What?"
"Aunt Hetty and Simon Tremayne are made for each other. I can't imagine why they called off their engagement in the first place."
"Sara, whatever you do, don't get me involved in another one of your harebrained matchmaking schemes."
"Relax, Felix, you don't have to be involved. All you have to do is one little favor."
"What?" he asked suspiciously.
"Look after Celeste."
"What?!"
"Not all the time, of course, just when Cecily can't do it. Celeste doesn't know her way around Avonlea, and she'll get bored without a companion. Just show her around, take her on walks, you know."
"Absolutely not. What would Izzy say?"
"Izzy will be grateful for you for helping me relieve you both of Aunt Hetty's meddling." Felix heaved a sigh.
"I don't like how this sounds," he said. "But I'll give it a try." Sara smiled and hugged him.
"I knew you would," she said.
* * * * * * * * * *"Just who does this Hetty King think she is?" Lillian demanded, glancing over the latest pile of telegrams from P.E.I. "Anyone would think she was planning her own wedding."
"I heard that she was the same way when her sister Olivia got married," said Izzy, tossing one of the letters aside. "I wish I'd known that before I let her get involved."
"Oh, Isolde, don't worry about it," her aunt said comfortingly. "In three weeks I'll be up and about and we can really start planning."
* * * * * * * * * *As usual, Felix had no idea of what he was getting himself into when he agreed to look after Celeste. She followed him around the farm like a puppy, hanging on his every word and asking endless questions.
"You're so smart," she gushed. "None of the other boys I've met have been as smart as you. Mostly they just sit around and talk about horses. And you're so strong too." Felix cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"I think we'd better get you back to Rose Cottage before it gets dark," he said.
Sara was holed up in her room when Felix and Celeste arrived back at Rose Cottage.
"Sara," he whispered. "I need to speak to you now."
"What is it, Felix?" she asked impatiently. He came into the room and stood over her.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Copying love letters. What did you want to speak to me about?"
"It's about Celeste," he said. "I think she has a crush on me."
"Little Celeste?" Sara laughed. "Felix, don't be silly. She's a child. Now, tomorrow I've got to go to the White Sands and convince both Aunt Hetty and Mr. Tremayne that they should be married, and I have to plan it out tonight, so could you please go now and leave me in peace?"
* * * * * * * * * *Somehow, Sara's plan seemed to be working. Aunt Hetty walked around Rose Cottage humming all the time and Mr. Tremayne wandered around the hotel with a foolish grin on his face.
"I've gotten them to agree to a romantic dinner together," Sara told Felix.
"Let's hope he proposes soon," said Felix, who was eager to rid himself of Celeste's company. She reminded him a little too much of Velma Bugle.
* * * * * * * * * *Fortunately for Felix, Mr. Tremayne did propose. Sara had done her work well, and Izzy was coming home with her Aunt Lillian in tow. Things seemed to be working out for the best after all.
Felix met his fiancée and her aunt at the train station. Izzy streaked across the platform to give him a hug while Lillian followed at a more sedate pace.
"So, young man, I understand you're planning on marrying my niece," she said, looking him up and down severely. Suddenly, she broke into a smile and held out her hand. "Congratulations, Felix."
"Thank you, Miss Hepworth."
"Oh, don't call me that, it makes me feel old, and we're practically family. Call me Lillian."
* * * * * * * * * *February was already half over, and wedding preparations went into high gear. The great flaw in Sara's plan was that Hetty's engagement didn't in any way steal her attention from Izzy and Felix's wedding. According to Felix, not even a world war would stop Hetty King from planning someone else's wedding.
"Simon and I are to be married in a small, private ceremony," she said. "That doesn't take any preparation. Now, Izzy, I want to know just what you were thinking when you chose this fabric." She held up the length of cream colored silk which Izzy and her aunt had purchased in Boston and brought back with them.
"I liked it," she said.
"Every bride wears white," Hetty protested.
"Hetty, haven't we already had this discussion?" said Muriel.
"If this is the color Isolde liked, I don't see why she shouldn't wear it," Lillian added.
"I'll thank you to stay out of this," Hetty said sharply. "Just what business is it of yours?"
"I am the aunt of the bride," said Lillian. "What business is this of yours?"
"Might I remind you this girl is marrying into my family and I deserve a say in the matter as head of the King family."
"And this is my wedding, so I don't want three hundred people invited, and I don't want it on the King farm lawn," said Izzy.
"The farmer's almanac says that it's supposed to rain the day of the wedding," said Cecily. "It would be better to have the reception inside, wouldn't it? And that way we wouldn't have to do all the cooking. Chef Pierre can do it."
"Oh, yes, Aunt Hetty, his cooking is wonderful!" said Sara.
"This is not the only matter up for discussion," said Hetty. "What about the bridesmaid dresses? And where are you and Felix planning to live?"
"We have a sketch of the bridesmaids dresses," said Lillian, handing it over to Felicity.
"Oh, they're perfect," said Felicity. "I think a nice blue organza..."
"And as for their living arrangements, well, that's something that can easily be decided at a later date," Lillian finished.
"It does absolutely no good to put things off," said Hetty. "I've always found that procrastination is evidence of a weak mind." Exasperated, Izzy stood, grabbed her coat, and ran out of the house.
"Hetty, for heaven's sake, be reasonable," Janet pleaded. "Remember what happened with Olivia's wedding.
"Olivia's wedding was just fine," said Hetty.
"By malign chance," Sara whispered to Cecily.
Izzy ran all the way to King farm. When she arrived, she found Felix working in the barn with the ever-present Celeste hanging over him.
"Felix!" said Izzy. He jumped.
"Izzy, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"What does it matter? Who's this?" she gestured to Celeste.
"This is Sara's future sister-in-law, Celeste," he said.
"I see. Well, I'm afraid I came at a bad time. I'll leave you two alone." She whirled around and stalked out of the barn.
"Izzy, wait!" Felix cried, running to catch up with her. "Wait. Please, don't be angry with me, I didn't ask for her company or anything. Sara saddled me with her so she could concentrate on Mr. Tremayne and Aunt Hetty."
"Well, Hetty and Mr. Tremayne are taken care of, so why is she still with you? It's plain as plain she likes you and while you're out here with her I'm stuck in a room with a bunch of women who are all trying to turn my wedding into their wedding. It's not fair!"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry," said Felix, hugging her. "Look, why don't you come inside and have some tea? Father's gone to Carmody with Daniel, so the house'll be quiet. We can have a nice talk, just you and me."
"What about Celeste?"
"We'll send her out looking for buttercups or something."
"Buttercups in February?"
"She lives in Paris, she won't know that buttercups don't grow at this time of year." Izzy laughed.
"All right, a quiet chat sounds like a nice change of pace after what I've been through for the past few days."
* * * * * * * * * *"You know, with the wedding only two months away we really should discuss where Felix and Izzy are going to live," Alec said to his family one evening.
"I should think the answer would be plain," said Felicity. "Why don't they just live at Rose Cottage?"
"I beg your pardon?" said Hetty indignantly.
"Well, now, it makes sense, Hetty," said Alec thoughtfully. "You and Simon Tremayne are going to move into a house closer to the hotel. Rose Cottage will stand empty."
"Oh, how wonderfully romantic!" cried Sara. "It's a perfect home for newlyweds!"
"If you think I'm going to leave my home to be cared for by Izzy Pettibone, Alec King, you've got another thing coming!" said Hetty.
"What's wrong with Izzy?" asked Alec.
"She's been raised by a man, Alec. What does she know about good housekeeping? Rose Cottage will fall to wrack and ruin."
"Don't be silly, Hetty, she'll be fine," said Janet.
"The only other alternative is to sell the house," said Alec. "I can't afford to keep up two homes."
"Sell it? Rose Cottage has been in our family for generations!"
"There's no other answer, Hetty. Either we sell the cottage or we give it to Felix and Izzy." Hetty knew she was beaten, and she tossed her head angrily.
"I'll have that girl's hide if she doesn't take care of it properly," she grumbled.
* * * * * * * * * *April passed quickly, and soon May was upon them. The women from both families ran around in a frenzy of last minute preparations. The wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses were fitted and refitted dozens of times before they satisfied everyone. Invitations were sent out to nearly every family in Avonlea, and guests from out of town had to be accommodated. Olivia and Jasper and their family arrived from London the week before the wedding and caused a stir in the King household. The Avonlea sewing circle met and fitted Izzy out with a trousseau. In no time at all, the day before the big day arrived.
It suddenly seemed like there was nothing to do. The wedding gown was hung up, finished, in Izzy's room, and Sara's and Cecily's bridesmaid dresses were hung up in theirs. The flowers for the church, bouquets and headpieces were all stored at Rose Cottage and Chef Pierre at the White Sands promised to deliver a perfect menu. At noon, Felix stopped by the Pettibone house to deliver his wedding gift to Izzy: a squirming black Labrador puppy, compliments of the Sloane dog. The animal was named Licorice and took to Izzy like a fish to water.
Midway through the afternoon, when it seemed that everyone was running around and getting nothing done, Clive sought out his daughter and found her in her room, staring out the window.
"Is this a bad time?" he asked from the doorway.
"No, not at all," she said, waving him into the room. He placed a large hatbox on the bed and pulled a chair up close to hers.
"Everything's been so hectic lately, I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to you," he said. "It's strange for me, thinking of you being married. Especially getting married to Felix King. I never would have imagined you two together." Izzy smiled. "I want you to know that I'm very proud of you, Izzy," he continued. "I'm very proud of the fine woman you've become. And it does my heart good to see you so happy."
"Thank you, Father," she said, hugging him. Clive held her for a moment, then stood.
"I thought you might like to have this," he said, taking the lid from the hatbox. He lifted out its contents and Izzy gasped.
"It's Mother's wedding veil," she said, reaching out to touch it.
"It is indeed. I know she'd want you to have it."
"Thank you!" she cried, hugging him again.
"You're quite welcome, Izzy," he said.
* * * * * * * * * *The King farm was absolutely packed, and Felix knew that peace and privacy would be hard to come by. After supper, while the women were chattering away in the kitchen, he slipped outside and sat on the porch, enjoying the quiet.
"Mind if I join you?" Alec asked, coming outside a few minutes later.
"No, not at all," said Felix.
"It's good to get away from all that noise," said Alec, lighting his pipe. He leaned back in the rocker and puffed away contentedly.
"Thinking about tomorrow?" he asked his son.
"Some."
"Nervous?"
"No, actually. Is that wrong?" Alec laughed softly.
"No, it's not wrong, Felix. It just means you're sure." Felix smiled. Alec patted him on the shoulder and stood, stretching. "We've got a big day ahead of us," he said. "I think I'll turn in. Goodnight, Felix."
"Goodnight, Father."
* * * * * * * * * *By ten o'clock the next morning, both the King and the Pettibone households were in an uproar. Cecily and Sara, Izzy's two bridesmaids, had been dropped at the Pettibone's at nine-thirty where they joined the general melee surrounding the bride. The groom's home was no calmer. Olivia and Janet ran around crazily trying to get Monty, Alicia and Daniel ready. Alicia, the flower girl, wailed and refused to wear the wreath in her hair. Alex, Felicity's son, was cutting a new tooth and cried endlessly because of it. His hassled mother tried to tend to him and distribute flowers at the same time.
"Here, you take him," she finally said, thrusting him into Gus's arms. He raised his eyebrows and hurried to the sanctuary of the outdoors, followed by Alec. Hetty pulled up in her buggy just as they came onto the porch.
"Good morning," she said, sailing past them and entering the house. "I can see I'm sorely needed here.
At Izzy's, Sara, Cecily, Lillian and Muriel were shut up in Izzy's room with her, getting the bride ready. They bickered over the best way to do her hair and place the veil while Izzy sat patiently at her dressing table, waiting for them to make up their minds. Clive remained shut up in his study.
At eleven, the noisy storms broke and everyone hurried out of the houses and began climbing into their buggies. From the porch of the King house, Hetty tried to conduct everyone.
"Alec, you and Janet ride in the buggy with Felix," she shouted over the din of voices. "I'll go with Felicity and Gus and Olivia and Jasper will follow. Where is Felix?" The groom came calmly out of the house and stood beside his aunt.
"Yes, Aunt Hetty?" he said. She started.
"Gracious, providence, boy," she said. "Go with your parents." Felix obediently climbed into the buggy and she mounted hers. The small convoy set off.
With Cecily and Sara in charge of the train, Izzy carefully maneuvered herself down the staircase of her home. Her father smiled broadly, and Lillian and Muriel exchanged a glance.
"You see, that cream color is much better on her," Lillian whispered to Muriel.
Outside, the bridesmaids, Lillian and Muriel climbed into one carriage and Clive and his daughter took the other. The church bells could be heard clearly all over Avonlea and curious townsfolk stopped to watch the bridal party go by. They reached the church without incident and waited in the vestibule. Muriel and Lillian hugged the bride and went into the church. Cecily and Sara hugged her too, and took their positions. Clive kissed his daughter through her veil and signaled to the organist to start. Felix, who was at the front of the church, stood up straighter.
For both bride and groom, the day was a blur. They remembered some things clearly: the vows (it was strange to Felix, calling her Isolde. He had never used her full first name before, and he correctly guessed that he would never use it again), and the exchange of rings stood out. And of course there were the hugs and congratulations from their families and friends afterwards, and the reception at the White Sands, and soon it was all over, and for the first time in their lives, Felix and Izzy were completely alone together.
The newlyweds spent their honeymoon at Niagara Falls, then returned to Avonlea where they lived in the Pettibone house until Hetty and Simon married and vacated Rose Cottage in September. In August, Sara reluctantly took Celeste back to Montreal. The girl was bored in Avonlea, and Sara decided she needed more distractions than the island could afford.
* * * * * * * * * *It wasn't until she had a house of her own that Izzy realized just how little she knew of housekeeping. Nothing seemed to go right, and Hetty, who wasn't about to allow her new niece let Rose Cottage go to wrack and ruin as she once fatalistically predicted, stopped by constantly and nagged Izzy to death. By mid-November, she was desperately looking for something else to do.
Her savior turned out to be Cecily, who visited to tell Izzy that the Lesters had come down with influenza. Cecily had become interested in nursing over the past few months, but she knew that if she wanted to help the Lesters, she'd need some assistance. Felix forbade the trip, but the next morning Izzy went anyway.
It seemed that Cecily had found her calling. She was a cheerful, efficient nurse and she soon had all the patients comfortable. The girls stayed longer than they meant to, and it was almost dark by the time they set out for home. Felix was already waiting in the kitchen when Izzy got back to Rose Cottage.
"Where have you been?" he asked. "I was starting to get worried." Izzy sighed, knowing that lying would be useless.
"I went to the Lesters," she said. There was a moment of silence before he exploded.
"What?" he cried. "I specifically told you not to go there!"
"They needed help, Felix, you couldn't honestly expect me to ignore them!"
"They have influenza, it's highly infectious."
"It was a mild strain, they'll be fine."
"Was it? And how do you know how mild it was?" Izzy was silent. "Who went with you, Izzy?"
"Cecily."
"Cecily?! What were you two thinking? Cecily shouldn't be near them any more than you should."
"Why, because she once had tuberculosis? I had a cold once, you had smallpox. Does that mean we should never help anyone ever again?"
"Izzy, I told you..."
"Bother what you told me! Do you think I'm just going to be some pliant, stupid little wife who does whatever you tell me to? Those people needed help, Felix. I wanted to help them whether you gave me permission or not. You're no better than a jailor!" She whirled around, stalked upstairs and slammed the bedroom door.
* * * * * * * * * *Things were noticeably quiet in Rose Cottage for a while after that. The first week of December, Felix glanced over his morning newspaper and noticed that Izzy wasn't eating. He sighed.
"I thought we were past that quarrel," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't starve yourself because you're angry with me."
"I'm not starving myself. I'm not hungry."
"Suit yourself," he said, standing and folding up the paper. "I've got to go to work." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head and left. That would end up being one of those days when nothing went right.
Izzy spent the day in a bad mood, and she took it out on the furniture while she was dusting, accidentally knocking over a vase with the dust rag and smashing it. She felt tired and irritable by the evening. She accidentally burned the dinner, and when she lifted a bag of flour to move it, it slipped through her fingers and landed on the floor where it burst, sending up a giant white cloud which settled over the entire kitchen. Felix chose that moment to walk in and he surveyed the scene in amazement. Izzy burst into tears.
"Why can't anything go right?" she cried. "Now look what happened!"
"Izzy..." He carefully picked his way across the flour-strewn floor and hugged her. Her tears unnerved him: he'd only seen her cry once before, and that was when her brother, Morgan, died.
"I'm just no good at this," she sobbed. "I've ruined the dinner, I broke a vase and now look what I've done!"
"Don't worry about it," he said soothingly. "Flour's easy enough to clean up. You're over-tired. Why don't you go lie down or something and I'll come up with something for dinner."
"I'm a dreadful wife."
"You are not. You're just tired, and you're not feeling like yourself. Go lie down and things will seem better."
Things didn't seem to get better. Izzy still picked at her meals and she was chronically tired. Felix came home early one day to a dark, silent house.
"Izzy?" he called. He heard movement upstairs and hurried to their room. She was sitting up in bed, looking slightly dazed.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"Five o'clock," he replied.
"Is it? I thought I only laid down for a moment. I was feeling tired this afternoon, so I laid down to rest. I guess I fell asleep." He sat beside her on the bed and ran a hand across her forehead.
"Izzy, is something wrong?" he asked. "You just haven't seemed yourself lately. You're not eating, you're tired, you're pale. I think you're coming down with something."
"No, I never get sick," she said. "And I haven't got a fever."
"All the same, I want you to rest for a few days. I hope you didn't catch the influenza from the Lesters."
"No, I'm sure that's not it," she said.
* * * * * * * * * *On his way to work the next morning, Felix stopped by the King farm and Felicity's house to ask Cecily and Felicity to drop by Rose Cottage to check up on Izzy. They did so that afternoon and found Izzy looking pale, but more energetic.
"I'm sure it's nothing," she told them. "I was just tired." Felicity frowned and looked her sister-in-law up and down.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "Perhaps you ought to go see the doctor."
"I'm fine," Izzy insisted. In the kitchen, the teakettle began to whistle. "I'll be right back."
"I'll come and help," said Cecily, rising. Halfway to the kitchen, Izzy's vision seemed to go blurry. She shook her head slightly, and the floor suddenly tilted under her feet. She flung out her hand to catch herself before she fainted, but she only managed to lean against the wall before she slumped to the floor.
"Izzy!" Cecily cried. Felicity came running out of the sitting room to help.
* * * * * * * * * *Felix was surprised to see his sisters at Rose Cottage when he returned home that evening.
"What's going on now?" he asked.
"Oh, good, you're here," said Felicity. "Izzy's upstairs resting."
"What's wrong?"
"She fainted," said Cecily.
"What?" Before anyone could say another word, Izzy herself came slowly down the stairs. "Izzy, what's going on?" Felix asked her.
"We'll leave now," said Felicity. She and Cecily hurried out.
"How was your day, Felix?" Izzy asked him.
"Never mind that. What is this about you fainting?"
"I didn't faint, I got dizzy. Let's go into the sitting room and talk this over."
"I want to go for the doctor, Izzy. You're plainly not well."
"Don't be an idiot, I don't need a doctor," she said. "I've talked things over with Felicity."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"She filled me in on a few things."
"Such as?"
"Such as the reason why I've been feeling this way lately."
"And what is the reason?"
"We're going to have a baby, Felix." He sat staring at her in astonished silence. Izzy began to feel uneasy. "Aren't you glad?" she asked.
"Glad? Of course I'm glad! I couldn't be happier!" He caught her up in a hug. "What'll we call it?"
"We have until August to decide, Felix, let's not rush things."
"Fair enough."
"Do you think I'm ready to be someone's mother, Felix?"
"Yes. Just as ready as I am to be someone's father, I guess. Don't worry so much, Iz. Everything will be fine. This is, after all, what we've always dreamed of."