"Clive? When did you get back to town?" Muriel hugged her husband after he walked into the store.
"Just now. I thought I would come home early to see Arthur and Morgan. Has Izzy brought them by yet?"
"No, not yet. I imagine Izzy took them back to the house to get settled in. She might be feeding them," Muriel smiled. "Izzy told me that she would bring them by the store as soon as possible, though."
"Oh. Well, maybe I'll ride out to the house then to see if they are there."
Just then the door opened and in walked Arthur and Morgan. "Well, what do you know? We were just talking about you two." Muriel walked over to hug her stepsons.
"Morgan, Arthur," Clive shook their hands in a manly fashion. "How are my boys doing?"
"Doing well, Father," Arthur replied.
"And you, Morgan?"
"Very well, Father."
Clive finally let down his military stance and smiled. "Good to see you boys."
"You too, Father," they said.
"Where's Izzy?" Muriel was the first to notice the missing Pettibone.
"Oh, she was right behind us. Somebody probably stopped her and Felix."
Clive looked confused. "Felix?" Muriel questioned.
"Yes. Felix," Morgan said.
"As in Felix King?" Muriel's voice suddenly got an octave higher.
"As in Felix King," Arthur smiled.
"Felix was our surprise for Izzy," Morgan explained. "We found him in Toronto recovering from a bad injury from the war."
"You mean he's not dead?" Clive asked.
"Hardly."
"I see," Clive frowned.
"How wonderful!" Muriel said excitedly, not noticing her husband's frown. The door opened up again and in walked Felix and Izzy.
"Felix King?" Muriel called out. "Felix. It's so good to see you." She hugged him.
Felix laughed. "You too, Mrs. Pettibone." Felix turned toward Clive. "Mr. Pettibone?" he held his hand out.
Clive took his hand hesitantly and shook it. "Mr. King," he said formally. "Welcome home."
"Good to be home."
"I assume this is temporary. You will be going back to defend our country, will you not?"
The smile on Felix's face vanished. "Uh, no, I won't be. I decided not to return to the military. I'll be staying here in Avonlea," he said. "Besides," the smile returned. "I can't leave Izzy again." He placed his arm around her and looked lovingly into her eyes.
Clive raised his eyebrows but said nothing.
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