"It’s great to be home," he answered, and they all piled into the car and started for home.
The box sat protectively on Felix’s lap, and he was kiddingly pushing Izzy away as she was still trying to peek in it. On the way home, Muriel told everyone about the big New Year’s Eve party, which was scheduled at the last minute at the White Sands Hotel. Simon had decided that a celebration was just what Avonlea needed, and he managed to pull it all together. This fits right into my plans, thought Felix slyly, a smile appearing on his lips. Izzy saw the smile and asked what he was up to.
"Nothing, my love," he whispered to her enigmatically.
As the car drove down the road leading to the King Farm, Felix turned to Izzy and asked if she’d do him the honor of accompanying him to the party that night. She responded gaily, "Of course I will," and then whispered in his ear, "and I can’t wait." Felix gallantly kissed her hand as the car pulled up to the door. As Muriel had honked the horn several times as the motorcar chugged up the road leading to the house, the entire King family had run out to greet Felix.
The group crowded around the car excitedly, and Felix had a hard time extracting himself from the sedan. After being embraced by all there, he turned to Janet and said, "Mother, I must ask your forgiveness, I will never act that way again."
"Of course, dear," she quickly said, "I already have forgiven you. I love you no matter what."
"And I love you all, more than I can say."
Clive helped Alec take the bags and the box out of the car, and all of the Kings headed for the house, but not before Felix turned to Izzy and kissed her right on the lips, in front of everyone. "Until tonight," he smiled at her.
"Until tonight," she replied, stroking his cheek.
Felix would have liked to rest for awhile and talk with his family, but he gently put them off; he had a lot to do to prepare for that evening. He asked for Cecily’s help in the attic, and when they got there he told her confidentially that he needed her to help him find Grandfather King’s mahogany cane. He figured to himself that it would look a lot better with his new uniform. Also, the crutch made him feel like an invalid, which was a feeling he wanted to change.
It didn’t take them long to find it, but before they did he asked, "Cess, how are you doing? I wish so much that this didn’t happen to Elbert. You two made such a nice couple, and I had such high hopes for you."
"I’ve been trying to take this day by day, but I still miss him so much. I’ve just been staying around the farm lately, there’s not much reason to go out."
Felix’s eyebrows went up, "You don’t mean that you’re not coming to the White Sands tonight? Maybe it’s just what you need."
"No, I think it’s best that I just stay home."
"No, Cess, please come tonight. It would mean so much to me to have the whole family there. There’s not going to be anything to do here tonight, even Daniel is going to the party. Please, Cess, for me?" he pleaded with a sheepish grin on his face. Cecily sighed, and then decided it was the least she could do for her brother. Just as she agreed, she found the cane and handed it to Felix.
"Well, I’m glad you found it, now you can spend the rest of the afternoon getting even more beautiful for tonight." Smiling, the two left the attic, and Felix went to his room to practice using the cane. After he had gotten somewhat proficient with it, enough so he wouldn’t fall on his face using it, he took a bath and then helped Daniel into his suit. Once that was done he shooed Daniel from the room and opened up the box with the dress uniform in it.
After pulling on the uniform, which was a nearly perfect fit, he attached the medal proudly to his chest, combed his hair and decided from his reflection in the mirror that he didn’t look too shabby. Picking up the cane, he went downstairs.
Upon entering the kitchen, he was met with gasps of astonishment and admiration, and exclamations of how wonderful he looked. Alec prompted him, "Tell them what happened today," as Felix had not yet had a chance to fill them in and Alec did not reveal the surprising news.
Felix explained modestly, "I received the Victoria Cross for bravery, and also received a commission to make me a lieutenant."
The family leaped up as one and surrounded him to offer their congratulations. Felix jokingly tried to pull away, reminding them that he had to be all in one piece to be able to pick up Izzy. Alec advised him that he had hitched the horse to the small cutter for him, and Felix excused himself. "I’ll see you there soon!" Felix called as he went out the door.
Close this window to return to the index