Felix: So Gus, feeling any jitters?
Gus: Yeah, a little, even though I've played this wedding scene over a hundred times in my mind. What about you, any jitters about joining the Navy?
Felix: Yeah, but right now it's more of anxiety...about leaving, I mean. There are people who I feel should know about my plans but I haven’t been able to tell them.
Gus: (Gus looked on to Felix and smiled. Then he asked him with a subtle curiosity in his voice) Anybody in particular, aside from your parents?
Felix: Yeah. (He pauses and then takes a deep breath) Izzy. If there's anybody in Avonlea whom I'll miss the most, it's her, you know.
Gus: Oh I see. Well, it's best then for you to get going.
Felix: (Looking confused) Get going? Where?
Gus: Why to the Pettibone house, where else?
Felix: I don't know, Gus-- (Gus cuts Felix short)
Gus: Look Felix, everytime I sailed into the sea, it killed me just thinking about Felicity and if it would be the same for us when I came back. I only had my peace of mind when she finally assured me that there's no one else...then my ship sank.
Felix: I guess that's one good reason to see her right away, huh? (Felix leans a little towards Gus and in a softer voice, coyly asks) Do you think it's fair to ask her to wait for me?
Gus: (Testing Felix a bit) Is that what you want? Because you can always tell her to get on with her life, you know, and just forget about you.
Felix: Well, I'm not even sure if I’m in a position to tell her to forget me. It sounds too presumptuous. (Felix stands up and starts to pace around. Then he turns to face Gus) But one thing I am sure of, I could not bear to go out into the sea without knowing how she really feels about me.
Gus: You have to tell her first about YOUR feelings and what your intentions are. That’s how it works, you know. (Gus pauses a bit then asks) Felix, do you love her?
(Felix just looks at Gus, breaks into a half smile then after a few seconds, he speaks)
Felix: Well, you’ll find out soon enough. But first, I have to see her. Thanks Gus, I do see things clearly now.
Felix starts to walk, doing so in deep thought. After a few minutes, he finds himself at the doorstep of the Pettibone house. He knocks at the door. The door opens. It's Muriel.
Muriel: Why Felix, come on in.
Felix: Good afternoon, Mrs. Pettibone. Is Izzy in? I kinda want to talk to her.
(Muriel senses the urgency and seriousness in Felix's voice)
Muriel: Let me go get her.
(Muriel ascended the stairs and almost immediately after, she came down with Izzy. Izzy saw the serious look in Felix’s face too. But she tried to ignore it.)
Izzy: Hello, Felix! Are you here to check if I've gotten my bridesmaid's dress? Well, I already got it so I guess that's one worry off your mother's and Felicity's mind. (Izzy is still smiling.)
Felix: Actually, I came to talk to you about something else. (Felix looks at Muriel and then set his eyes on Izzy) Would you like to take a walk to the beach with me?
Izzy: Sure Felix. (Izzy turned her glance to Muriel) I'll be in later.
Muriel: Okay, go on then.
Felix: Thanks, Mrs. Pettibone.
Felix and Izzy proceed to walk towards the shore. Felix tries to carry a lighthearted conversation with Izzy, updating her with the latest King family squabble until they reach the shoreline. Izzy suddenly changed the subject --- she was too anxious to know about the real purpose why Felix brought her there.
Izzy: Felix, what did you really want to talk about?
Felix's face turns serious. He looks at Izzy with a sense of longing, longing to be understood.
Felix: Izzy, remember the time when I told you that time will come when people...or us...we will grow up and move on?
Izzy: Yes, I remember you telling me about people changing.
Felix: Iz, I think that time has come for us.
Izzy: I think so too, Felix.
Felix is quite surprised by Izzy's comment.
Felix: What do you mean you think so too?
Izzy: Felix, Muriel and I...we're moving to Halifax to join Arthur and Morgan. Father says it's better especially with him always moving about.
Felix: (Still a bit stunned) When are you leaving?
Izzy: A month from now. I have been meaning to tell you but with all the wedding preparations, and with your new position at the hotel, both of us have been busy.
Felix: Yeah, I suppose you're right.
Then Izzy suddenly comes to a realization. HER moving out was not what Felix was going to talk about. Because she hasn't told anyone yet, it dawned on her that Felix was talking about HIS moving out or moving on. She decides to face Felix.
Izzy: Felix, this "moving out" is not about me. It's about you, isn't it? (She looked anxiously at Felix, worry written over her face) What's going on Felix King?
Felix paused then took a deep breath...
Felix: I've joined the Navy, Iz.
Izzy: What? (Izzy now with a very anxious look, continued) That also means you're going to war, doesn't it?
Felix: Yes, Iz. (Felix does not look at Izzy but stares at the horizon.)
Izzy: But I thought you loved your job at the hotel.
Felix: Well, I just feel that there's a whole lot more than just the White Sands for me, and that this is the right time to go see and explore that world.
Izzy: You must have really gotten bored with your work at the hotel and you must be really tired of seeing the faces of the people here in Avonlea to decide like that. (Izzy now sounding hurt)
Felix: I will never grow tired of Avonlea, Iz. Avonlea is my home. My family is here. (In a more compassionate tone) All the people that I care about are here.
Izzy: Well, I’m not one of them, I think that’s clear enough. (With a little tone of sarcasm) And I don’t even have to leave Avonlea to find that out, do I?
Izzy faces the ocean and does not look at Felix. Felix steps right in front of Izzy's view of the ocean and looks straight into her eyes...
Felix: That’s not true, Iz. You are important to me, whether you’re in Avonlea, in Halifax, or anywhere else in the world. You must know that by now.
Izzy looks into the horizon.
Izzy: No, Felix, I don’t think I do.
Felix: So now, I’m telling you. I care about you. (Felix tries to muster enough courage to continue, he holds both of Izzy’s hands, then says softly) Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart, Izzy Pettibone.
Izzy was dumbfounded. She could not believe what Felix had just said. Then she found herself on the verge of tears.
Izzy: Then why do you have to leave?
Felix: Same reason why you have to go to Halifax.
Izzy removes her hands from Felix’s hold.
Izzy: It's not the same. I have no choice.
Felix: Iz, didn't you tell me once that the idea of you taking some courses in Halifax excites you? You can make that a reality now, just as I can make mine.
Izzy: So this is what it means when you say that you care...that I am in your heart? We pursue our own dreams and that’s it? Am I not supposed to I fit in somewhere...in your life? (Izzy pauses a bit and looks away for a second then faces Felix again with a pained look on her face and says softly) As things look now Felix King, I’m just about to become part of your past.
Felix held both her hands again and tenderly looked into her deep brown eyes with a certain longing.
Felix: No, Izzy, that simply is not possible. Look Iz, I told you once that I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if you left. When I said that, I realized that all along I had feelings for you...since we were kids. Over the years, my fondness for you had grown into something more. First, you were just a new kid who punched my nose and I thought you were one of the boys. Then, you became my best friend. Soon enough I realized that I wanted to be more than a friend to you but after Pine Bend I had to be really careful not to try to suggest anything that would make you uncomfortable because I didn’t know how you would feel. But deep inside me I knew that sooner or later I will have to let you know what’s in my heart, how important you are in my life.
Izzy: (Izzy breaks from his hold again) And this is how you show me, by deciding to go to war without even asking how I feel about it?
Felix: I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. Truth is, I was afraid that you might ask me to choose between staying here with you and going...and I would have to miss out on all the things I wanted to see because I would choose to stay here with you. I guess, I so wanted to explore the world that I just didn’t want to give you that opportunity. But now I realize that it was selfish of me. I’m sorry Iz. (In a softer voice holding Izzy on the shoulders) You know, I’d do anything for you...(looking straight at Izzy’s eyes) so If you really want me to stay, I will.
Izzy was quite touched and surprised at the same time.
Izzy: You really would? I never thought I mattered that much to you.
Felix takes Izzy’s hands, then with another deep breath, he says...
Felix: Oh, Izzy, don’t you know that I love you? I always have...even when we were younger. And nothing can change that: not my moving out, not even the war. My love for you...it has grown deeper and stronger through the years. You are part of my past that’s true. But I can’t survive the present and face the future unless you’re with me (He lightly touches Izzy’s chin to lift her face) What I’m trying to say is that I can’t live without you, Izzy. I only have a life because you are in it. And I could only hope that you see me in the same way as somebody with whom you would want to share your life with. And if that means having to forego all my dreams of adventure and stay here in Avonlea, or even follow you to Halifax, then so be it.
Izzy is so touched and begins to cry. Felix hugs her tenderly, then she speaks...
Izzy: Oh Felix, I can’t really ask you to stay. It wouldn’t be fair to you. You know your happiness has always mattered to me, I hope you realize that by now. If you strongly feel that joining the Navy is something you should do, then I can only support your decision and ask Providence for your safety.
Felix: Thank you, Iz, but actually, you can do a little more for me. The reason why I brought you here is to find out...I mean to ask if you could wait for me. Would you, Iz,...wait for me?
Izzy stops crying and she looks up and locks her eyes into Felix's and softly says...
Izzy: How can I not wait, Felix King? After all the looking after I did for you! You must know that I...I will wait for you no matter how long it takes.
Then Izzy cups Felix's face between her hands.
Izzy: Just promise me two things: that you will write always and that you will come back to me alive. (Then Izzy rested her hands on his shoulders) You better promise me Felix King or else...I will follow you to Europe just to punch you again!
Felix smiled and took Izzy's hands from his shoulders. He still held both her hands but put the right one on his heart.
Felix: I promise Iz. And when I come home, I intend to ask your father for your hand in marriage...well, that is, if you will have me.
Up to this point, Felix has hesitated because Izzy has not told him that she loved him too.
Izzy: Have you? Felix King, I believe that I was born to be with you (with a softer voice and a shy look on her face), and I had always dreamed that someday you will take me as your wife. (Then she held Felix's hands tightly) But don't ever forget that if Providence wills it that you meet a similar fate like Gus Pike,...oh Felix, don't you dare hide out on me. I will have you no matter what. (She speaks with a more tender and loving voice, touching Felix’s hair on the forehead) I love you, Felix and that's all that matters, that's all you should remember.
Felix: Oh my dear Izzy, those are the sweetest words you have ever spoken to me. (Felix pauses because he is still in a state of relief and disbelief at the same time. Then, he pulls Izzy closer to him) Please tell me again that you love me. (Felix in an almost childlike manner and in a whisper pleads) Please?
Izzy's face lightens up and a smile breaks from her lips.
Izzy: I love you Felix King. When I punched you in the nose then called you my best friend, I think that sealed our fate. I considered you my best friend since that moment but as I grew older, I realized that I loved you more than just a best friend. And it terrified me because I could no longer take hold of my feelings for you. I was just falling in love x x x so desperately. In my heart I knew I wanted to share my life with you forever but I wasn't sure that you felt the same way about me...until now.
Felix: (Quite overwhelmed by Izzy's words) Izzy, you don't know how much you made me happy this very moment. I feel that I can do just about anything. I promise you Iz, you won't regret loving me. I...
Then to Felix's surprise, Izzy kissed him --- more passionately than the first time she kissed him at the train station when they saw her Aunt Lillian off. After, Felix smiled with a boyish grin.
Felix: Miss Pettibone, you are beginning to develop a delightful habit of kissing me.
Izzy: Don't worry Mr. King, I only plan to do that to the man I intend to marry -- the one who I have been looking after for years... (Izzy continued with a softer voice and somewhat shyly) and the one I had been waiting for my whole life to say that he loves me.
Felix moved Izzy really close to him and wrap his arms around her waist.
Felix: Well, I was going to say that I do love you, Miss Pettibone, very much. I don’t why it took me this long to tell you. I am just madly, deeply and so in love with you, if you must know! (Then he turned serious) And I look forward to the day that I can call you Mrs. Izzy King.
Felix draws something out of his pocket. It is a brooch.
Felix: Please keep this, Izzy. This was given to me by my Aunt Eliza. She told me to give it to the woman I will take as my wife. Let this be my engagement gift to you.
Felix pinned the brooch on Izzy's dress. Izzy, to Felix's surprise, pulled out her necklace where a ring was dangling. She removed the ring and said...
Izzy: And keep this Felix (she put the ring on Felix's finger) This was given to me by my Aunt Lillian. Actually, I think she had you in mind when she gave this to me. She said to give it to my one true love to seal his love to me forever. Remove it only on the day when you have to wear your wedding ring...on our wedding day.
Felix: I will, Iz. I promise.
Felix then drew Izzy very close to him. They kissed passionately, Felix embracing Izzy tightly. They had never kissed so passionately before. For the first time they were doing what they longed to do for years. This day they had finally expressed their true feelings for each other. After they kissed, they headed back hand in hand, knowing that someday, they won't be apart anymore and will be together to live their dreams.
THE END