"I've got you, Izzy. I'm not going to let go. Now, try to pull yourself up, and I'll help you."
Izzy attempted to climb back up, but her feet kept sliding off the icy side of the cliff. However, it didn't stop Felix from pulling her back up. When her feet were safely on the ground again, she began to sob. Felix escourted her to the lighthouse so they wouldn't be in the cold any longer than they had to.
"What is it, Iz?" Felix asked as they entered the cold lighthouse. They went to the bed and sat down on it. Felix put his arm around Izzy and asked her again, "What is it?"
Softly, Izzy replied, "Oh, Felix, I'm so sorry."
"About what?"
"I shouldn't have shut you out like that. After all I did to help you get out of your dark place, I ended up acting just like you did. But you helped me as well, so now I thank you."
"That's what friends are for, you know. Friends and fiancés."
"I know. I suppose I was still so shocked over it all, and I went a little crazy."
"A little? When I was acting that way, I wanted to punish myself, sure, but killing myself never entered my mind."
"Yeah."
"Are you okay now? I'll walk you home."
"I think so," she replied, wiping her face.
They got up from the bed and walked out the door, hand in hand, and with their lanterns. After they arrived at Izzy's house, she set her lantern down near the door and took a look at Felix with a sense of longing in her eyes, as if she had just come back from a long journey. Felix couldn't stand the long silence anymore and asked his fiancée, "What is it?"
"Would you hold me in your arms for a little while?" she asked softly.
Felix walked over to her and wrapped his strong, loving arms around her somewhat small figure. She rested the side of her head on his chest and closed her eyes. It felt so wonderful to be in the loving, restful arms of her fiancé again. To Izzy, it seemed like an eternity since she felt his warm embrace, despite the fact it had been only two days. Several minutes later, she fell asleep in Felix's arms. He attempted to wake her up, but it was no use; Izzy was fast asleep. He carefully brought her over to the sofa and laid her down on it. Afterward, he took his lantern and went to the kitchen to write her a note. It read:
My Dearest Iz,
You fell asleep in my arms last night. I moved you over to the sofa. Hope you had a good night's sleep. Come over for dinner tomorrow night; I know everyone will be glad to see you back to your old self.That's about it for now. Love you.
--Felix
He left the note on the table near the sofa. Then he gave her a soft kiss on the forehead and left to go back to King Farm.
* * * * *
(Two weeks later)
Izzy had finally returned to old, lively self and began working on getting her relationship with Felix back on track. She finally realized she needed to be strong during this time in her life--not only for Felix and her family, but for herself as well. She also realized that if she did go ahead and kill herself, everyone dearest to her heart would feel a big void in their lives. Plus, despite Morgan's death, she had something wonderful to look forward to--her marriage to Felix in just a few, short months. Plus, soon after the wedding, she would become an aunt to Felicity's child. Despite all the heartache, Izzy had a lot to look forward to, and she wasn't about to throw her life away after that big realization.
That evening at King Farm, she and the family finally got to discuss wedding details. Everyone agreed that the wedding would take place at the church. No questions there. Then Janet asked, "What about the reception?"
"Well, they'll have it outside on the lawn, of course," Hetty remarked.
"She didn't ask you, Aunt Hetty," Felix told her firmly.
"But it's tradition, Felix. You know that."
"I know, but just because Aunt Olivia's and Felicity's receptions were on the lawn doesn't mean mine and Izzy's will be there. Fact is, we haven't decided where we want our reception to take place."
"Oh. Well, now, what about the bridal party?"
"I'd like Cecily to be my maid of honor," Izzy began.
"I'd love to," Cecily replied.
"And I want Sara to be a bridesmaid. I've also written Dora and asked her as well."
"I'm sure she'd love to," Sara added, "and I'm honored as well."
"Well, now, Felix needs a best man," Alec chimed in.
"I know, and I haven't decided yet," Felix told everyone. "I wanted Elbert--God rest his soul--to be here, but that won't happen. Plus, it's very unlikely that Andrew and Peter will be here. Both Daniel and Monty are too young, so I don't know. Guess I'll have to ask Gus."
"Sounds like you will," said Felicity. "Anything else you've decided on?"
"We want an April wedding," Izzy explained. "We're going to write our own vows, and Felix has agreed to wear a wedding ring."
"Felix wear a wedding ring?!" Hetty exclaimed. "Men don't wear wedding rings!"
"Yes, they do, Aunt Hetty," Felicity returned. "I remember seeing several men with wedding rings when we were in South Carolina."
"I saw men with wedding rings when I visited Boston last spring," added Izzy. "That's where I got the idea."
"I think it's romantic," Sara re-assured the bride-to-be.
"Me too," Cecily said.
"I like it as well," Felicity told them.
"I still don't," Hetty returned.
"Hetty, it's Felix and Izzy's wedding, not yours," Alec told his un-changing sister.
"Exactly. Besides, I don't want you starting another private war like you did before Felicity got married," Janet stated. "You're just going to have to grin and bear it."
"Mother's right," Felicity said. "I don't want you fighting us anymore. It's just not right. That, and I don't think Felix or Izzy would want to drag you to their wedding, like I had to drag you to mine."
"I had no intention of staring a private war!" Hetty exclaimed in her defense.
"That's like saying Olivia decided not to go back to England after Christmas," Janet remarked. "We all knew she would, and we know that in your mind, the war has begun."
Just then, Izzy decided to go outside for a walk. She couldn't stand the arguing anymore...and it was over something trivial! In her mind, it was too much; she had to get out of there. Soon after, Felix went outside after her to make sure she was okay. He finally caught up with her as she was walking home. "Iz! Are you okay?" he asked.
She took a deep breath. "Yeah. I'll be fine. I couldn't stand your aunt Hetty's song and dance about you wearing a wedding ring. It makes no sense. It's just a wedding ring!"
"I know. Aunt Hetty is so resistant to change, it's pathetic. She should just get over it and realize there's nothing she can do about it."
"Tell me about it. She's so narrow-minded!"
"That's my aunt Hetty in a nutshell."
"Do you think she'll ever get over it?"
"I hope so. I mean, you're going to be my wife soon, which is your induction to the King family, so Aunt Hetty getting over my wearing a wedding should practically be a requirement, you know. Come on! It's just a ring. You becoming my wife is more important than whether or not I wear a ring."
"Very true."
"So, you're going to be okay and all, right?"
"Yeah."
Felix and Izzy entered her house a few minutes later, very relieved to be alone together. As Izzy took off her coat, Felix asked her, "Have you told your family about us getting married?"
"Arthur knows; I told him after the New Year's Eve party when I got home. I wired Father and Muriel but haven't heard back from them yet. Unfortunately, Morgan will never know..."
Izzy breathed deeply in an attempt to stop herself from crying, but it was no use. The tears began to flow down her young, rosy face. Felix walked over to her and brought her into his loving arms. "I'm sure if he was still with us," he began, "he would be happy for us."
"I'm sure he would be, too," Izzy told her future husband. "It's just heartbreaking to know that someone so dear to your heart will never know how much joy you're feeling because you're getting married to your one true love. I wish he was here; I miss him terribly."
"But his spirit is still alive in us." Felix started stroking Izzy's back lightly. Then he continued, "You know, you're not the only one who misses Morgan a great deal. He was also my friend at one point, Iz."
"I know you two were friends, and I didn't suppose I was the only one with a broken heart. It just seemed that way to me for so long; that's all."
"I understand." Then Felix decided to change the subject and asked, "Does your aunt Lillian know we're getting married?"
"I'm sure Father and Muriel have told her already, but I'll wire her tomorrow anyway. Unfortunately, I don't think she knows about Morgan, either, so I have to tell her about that."
"I suppose you should tell her, then."
"Yeah. She has to know."
Felix dug out his pocketwatch to check the time; it was nearly quarter to nine. "Crap. I have to go," he said. "Got an early shift at the hotel tomorrow."
"Oh. I suppose it's good night, then."
"Good night."
He took Izzy into his arms once again, and they exchanged a long, passionate kiss, as if they hadn't kissed in months. "I love you, Iz," Felix whispered.
"I love you, too, Felix."
They hugged briefly, and then Felix left for the night. As he walked back to King Farm, he thought to himself, God, I'm a lucky man. But if nobody likes our wedding plans, it's just too bad. It's my wedding--mine and Izzy's. We're going to make the day special in our own way--not Aunt Hetty's way or Mother and Father's way--but ours.
* * * * *
(Two days later...)
"Did you have any idea Izzy was engaged, Lillian?" Clive asked his sister-in-law on the phone from Halifax.
"I received a telegram from Isolde yesterday. That's how I knew," she replied. "Is she engaged to that young man who worked at the hotel when I visited Avonlea a few years ago? You know, he was tall, had brown hair and blue eyes--although they looked brown to me."
"Oh, you mean Felix King. Yes, he's the lucky man marrying my daughter and your niece."
"He was a handsome young man, as I recall. I always hoped he and Isolde would end up getting married. Are you going to Avonlea anytime soon, Clive?"
"Muriel and I are leaving tomorrow. Are you going to come to the wedding?"
"Of course I am, Clive. How many times do you think my niece will be getting married in her lifetime, anyway?"
"Good point, Lillian."
Clive and Lillian said their various goodbyes, and Clive hung up the phone. "Do you think Izzy's doing the right thing, marrying Felix?" he asked Muriel.
"She's nineteen years old, Clive," she replied. "I think she's old enough to decide for herself. The important thing is her happiness; you know that. All the rest is up to Izzy's conscience and Providence."
"I suppose. I just never thought Izzy would get married so young. Hell, I never thought she would get married at all after Jessica died and having been a tomboy nearly all her life."
"I understand. Really, I do."
Muriel walked over to Clive and draped her arms over his chest. She knew he still didn't fully grasp the idea of Izzy getting married. It would just take time. She didn't totally understand it, either, but somehow, she knew Izzy was doing the right thing and would make an excellent wife to Felix. Muriel Pettibone was at peace.
* * * * *Lillian Hepworth paced the floor of her Boston apartment as excited as a woman discovering she's expecting her first child. She walked over to her small desk in the corner of the apartment and picked up the telegram from Izzy. It read:
To: Miss Lillian Hepworth
Boston, Massachusetts, USADear Aunt Lillian,
I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is Morgan was killed by German soldiers in a prison camp three weeks ago. He was captured just after New Year's and was executed days later.Now for the good news. I am engaged to be married. The wedding is in April in Avonlea. If you remember the young man who drove you around Avonlea and worked at the White Sands when you visited me two and a half years ago, that's my future husband. I sincerely hope you can make it to the wedding.
--Love, Isolde
Lillian set the letter back down on her desk and ran to her bedroom. She opened her wardrobe and inspected all her dresses to see which ones she would take to Avonlea when the time came. Then she thought to herself, I should go to the boutiques and shops and look for a wedding present for Isolde and Felix. Lillian then found a hat and her long winter coat and left her apartment in search of a wedding gift for her niece.
* * * * *
Felicity--now approximately four months pregnant and beginning to show a small belly--entered the general store with Izzy and Sara close behind. They walked over to the fabric section and began looking at possible materials for Izzy's wedding dress. A few minutes later, Felicity found some nice white, silk fabric and asked, "What about this, Izzy?"
Izzy took a good look at the material in Felicity's hands. After a few seconds, she replied, "I love it, Felicity."
"Great! About how many yards should we get?"
"I don't know. How about ten yards?"
"That should work."
Sara browsed through the other materials in the store, in hopes of finding something for herself, Dora, and Cecily to check out later. Soon she came across some pink, cotton material. "Felicity, Izzy. Check this out. Maybe for us bridesmaids? Of course we'll have Dora and Cecily take a look before we decide, but it's a good possibility, right?"
"For you and Dora, sure, that would work," Izzy told her. "I had something else in mind for Cecily, though, since she is the maid of honor."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. I was thinking you and Dora would wear one color, and Cecily would wear another color, but the style of the dresses would stay the same."
"Oh! I know what you mean."
"I have an idea. Why don't we come back, when Cecily has some time off work and after Dora has returned? That way they'll have some input as well," Felicity suggested.
"Good idea," Izzy said.
"Meanwhile, why don't we get the material for Izzy's dress and start working on it?" Sara asked.
"Yeah."
Felicity acquired enough of the white silk for Izzy's dress, paid the clerk, and walked out with Izzy and Sara. As they carefully descended the steps, they saw a motorcar stop in front of them, and out of it stepped a young woman that none of the others recognized. She was nearly five and a half feet tall, had long nut brown hair up in a simple bun, and was wearing a burgundy winter coat and matching beret. She also looked somewhat young--approximately fourteen or fifteen. Finally, after a long silence, the other girl said, "Will you stop looking so surprised, Izzy Pettibone? Don't you know who I am?"
Finally realizing who it really was, Izzy questioned, "Dora Keith? Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me, you silly thing! Come here and give me a hug!"
Izzy walked over to Dora and flung her arms around her old friend. "It's so good to see you! When did you get here?"
"Just today. I left Vancouver as soon as I got your telegram. I went from there to Toronto and ended up staying there for a few days because of delays and such. Then I finally went from there to Fredericton, and visited the Dean boys for a few more days." Then she turned to Felicity and asked, "By the way, where were Belle-Marie and Callie?"
"Callie's attending Queen's College in Charlottetown, and she's a Red Cross Volunteer as well," Felicity replied. "Belle-Marie moved to Montreal a few months ago. She met and married a man named Jean-Luc something. He's a well-respected lawyer there."
"I'm sure Jean-Luc and Belle-Marie are very happy."
"Yes. Now, tell us about the rest of the trip."
"Anyway, I then took a short train ride to St. John and, once I arrived, booked passage on the first boat to Halifax. I visited Gus for a while before boarding a ship to Charlottetown last night. Then I took the first train of the day to Avonlea, and now here I am."
"Well, now that you're here, where's Davey?" Sara wondered. "Did he come with you?"
"No. He's going to come to the wedding, but it'll be a couple months before he returns."
"I see. Have you been to Rose Cottage yet?"
"Not yet. I was going to after I stopped here. What about you three?"
"We were headed over to King Farm to work on Izzy's wedding dress. You can join us if you like; I'm sure Uncle Alec and Aunt Janet won't mind."
"Um, I don't think so. I think I'll just go over to Rose Cottage and visit with Miss King and Mrs. Lynde today. Thank you for the invitation, though. I'd offer you all a ride over there, but all my luggage is in the back, and there's only room for one other person in the front."
"It's alright, Dora."
"Yeah; we don't mind walking," Felicity added, rubbing her swollen stomach.
"Okay, then I'll see you later," Dora told them. With that, she got back into the motorcar and went to Rose Cottage, while Felicity, Sara, and Izzy walked to King Farm.
* * * * *
Felix stood at the front desk at the White Sands, updating the guestbook. He had nothing else to do at the time, so he ended up doing that. In a few hours I can go visit Izzy, he thought. I just wish she'd come visit me at work once in a while, though. She visits Cecily at work; why can't she visit me? Oh well...
Felix's nose was nearly buried in the large book when he heard a female voice in front of him say, "Hello, Felix King."
At first he assumed it was one of the other employees, so he ignored the voice. Then the woman snatched the pen out of his hand, set it aside, and took his hands into her own. At this, he looked up and saw a young woman with dirty blonde hair up in a simple bun with hazel eyes staring right at him. Felix knew right away who it was--Velma Bugle, the girl Izzy once called "skim milk trying to be cream." All Felix could say was, "Oh...my...God."
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