"How is your assistant manager's job at the White Sands going?" Izzy asked Felix as they walked along the beach next to the Avonlea lighthouse.
"Great! It feels so good to be back working at the hotel. I didn't realize just how much I missed working there," Felix stared off into the distance at the empty waters. "I'm glad I'm out of the middle of that mess."
Izzy followed Felix's gaze. "What was it like, Felix?"
"Awful. Just awful," he shook his head sadly. "I just can't believe that all those people have to do is fight. But to be in the middle of it all, it's just..." his voice cracked a little, "...awful."
"What happened--you know--to Elbert?" Izzy asked quietly.
"He got shot," Felix unconsciously started walking toward the lighthouse. "I don't know who shot him or anything. It all happened so fast. I called over to him, but he never answered. I looked over, and he was on the ground. I headed toward him and knelt beside him. I felt for a pulse but there wasn't one. Just then somebody yelled over to me to get down. It was too late. I had gotten shot too. That was the last thing I remember till I woke up in the hospital in Toronto. I guess somebody had pulled me out of there and taken care of me as I was shipped back here." He sat down on the steps and pulled Izzy down beside him.
"I'm so glad somebody got you out of there and took care of you, whoever they were."
"I'll probably never know."
The two of them were silent for a moment then Izzy spoke up. "Do you remember these steps, Felix?"
He looked over at Izzy and then looked at the steps they were sitting on. He smiled. "Yes. I believe this is where I first told you that I love you."
"It is," she smiled. "You also sat next to me on these steps and promised me that you would come back to me."
"And I did." Felix took a hold of her hand. "You know, Iz. I completely regret ever leaving you. I should have married you right then and there."
"Felix. Married?" she blushed.
"Why not? We were old enough. I was 19; you were 18."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Ok. Maybe I wouldn't have asked you to marry me...yet. I would have definitely wanted to court you. Which I did, kind of."
"We courted?"
Felix chuckled. "What do you think all those phone calls and letters were? We were courting, weren't we?"
"Yeah, I guess. I just never thought of it that way, but yes."
"And we still are."
Izzy leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Absolutely."
Felix got quiet for a moment and then spoke back up. "Izzy. You do love me, don't you?"
"More than anything, Felix."
"I've been thinking," he looked into her eyes. "When I came back a week ago, and first saw you again; all I could think about was being with you. Izzy, I meant it when I said that I wanted to marry you."
"I know, Felix," Izzy said softly.
"Well, now that I have the assistant manager job at the hotel, I'm getting a really good salary; and I know that I could take really good care of you."
"Oh, Felix," Izzy gave him a beautiful smile that make him shiver.
"Then will you, Izzy? Will you marry me? I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world."
"Yes," Izzy said with no hesitation. "Yes, I will." She kissed him. "I love you, Felix King."
"I love you too, Izzy Pettibone."
* * * * * * * * * *
"Come on, Felix. You have nothing to worry about," Izzy pulled Felix behind her. "All you've got to do is ask him. I'm sure he'll say yes," Izzy said excitedly.
"I don't know," he hesitated. "Oh, alright. I guess I'm just a little nervous about it."
"Felix, don't be nervous. Now come on." She pulled him into her house. "Muriel, Father? Are you here?"
"In here, Izzy!" Muriel called out from the kitchen. Izzy and Felix walked into the kitchen to see Muriel cooking Saturday dinner, Clive reading his newspaper, and Arthur and Morgan playing a game of checkers.
"Hey, Iz, Felix." Arthur greeted them. "Care to play a game of checkers with Morgan? I can't seem to beat him."
"Ha. You're giving up. I win," Morgan taunted his brother.
"Yes, I'm giving up. You're too good."
Izzy nudged Felix in the side. "Oh, uh, Mr. Pettibone?"
Clive turned around and looked at Felix. "Yes?" He said with an intimidating look.
"Uh. May I speak to you privately, sir?"
Clive stared at him for a moment. "Sure." He stood up and looked at his wife and sons. "Excuse me."
Clive and Felix headed toward the parlor. Clive shut the door behind him. "What may I help you with, Mr. King?"
Felix was feeling very intimidated, but stood his ground. "I need to ask your permission, sir."
"Permission for what, Mr. King?"
"Permission for your daughter's hand in marriage, sir," Felix blurted out.
Clive was quiet for a couple minutes. "No," he finally said.
"Excuse me, sir?"
"I said no."
"Why not?" he was shocked.
"Because I said so. I don't think you're right for my daughter. In fact, I'd appreciate it if you didn't see her again."
"But...but, Mr. Pettibone. I don't understand."
"There's nothing to understand. Now if you would leave?" He opened the parlor door and guided Felix to the front door.
"But...but?" was the last thing Felix said as the door slammed in his face.
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