Chapter Sixteen:

          Felix had been at the hospital for five days with no real improvement when Captain MacAuley came in. He was an elderly gentleman who had been severely injured in an explosion, but miraculously escaped death when his ship went down. One of his legs had been amputated, adding to his pirate-like appearance and general air of an old seaman who has seen many things. Janet was sitting with Felix on the night he arrived and desperately waiting for some signs of renewed health. Things had settled into a pattern down at the hospital. A strict schedule was followed, meaning that Janet stayed with her son as often as humanly possible.

           Captain MacAuley was given the bed next to Felix and he noticed Janet giving him wary glances as he settled in. He fixed his cold gray eyes on her and grinned a whisky smile after taking a swig from a flask he had hidden in his coat pocket. Diana came by and greeted him politely before bending down next to Janet to check on Felix.

          "He'll nevar live, that one," the old captain remarked helpfully. "He's worse than many that I've seen die. How long's he been hangin' on?"

          Diana felt her fiery temper stirring inside her. She was very like her mother in more respects than her appearance. "Just shut your mouth!" she exclaimed. "Of course he'll live. You don't know what you're talking about!"

          The old man shrugged. "You can think what you like, missy."

          "I'll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself, sir," Janet finally snapped.

          "MacAuley's the name, ma'm. Captain Mattie MacAuley. He's your son, is he?"

          "Yes," Janet replied quietly.

          "You knew he was," Diana added. "It was most obvious." She thanked her lucky stars that no one else (especially not the matron) was around. Mattie found this amusing and laughed heartily.

          "You certainly do have a temper to match your hair, as they say," he commented before sobering up and turning to Janet. "But I am sorry, ma'm. I didn't mean to speak so harsh." Janet tossed her head self-righteously. Diana moved on before she could say anything worse, as Alec King strode into the room.

          "Janet?" he asked hopefully, dragging over a chair and sitting down next to her. His face dropped at her dismal expression. "He's no better, is he..." Alec sighed. He drew his wife close to him in an embrace and kissed the top of her head. Captain MacAuley had decided to retreat into sleep, as the warm waves of alcohol washed over him. Mr. and Mrs. King sat there for a few moments in silence before being startled by Felix, who was talking deliriously in his sleep.

          "No! Don't do that! He didn't do anything, I swear it! Don't, don't, please don't!" His face wore a pained expression, as did Alec's. Janet wrung out the cloth in the basin and sponged his face and forehead.

          "No one's going to hurt anybody," she said soothingly. "Mother's here, Felix. Everything's all right." His quiet cries subsided and Alec put his face in his hands for just a moment before drawing a deep breath and settling back in the chair. When Janet was done he took her hand.

          "I'm going to drive out and bring Felicity and Cecily down tomorrow. Gus and Sara will just have to contend with the children themselves for a couple of days, but Hetty agreed to send Belle-Marie or Callie over to help out," Alec informed her. She nodded slowly. It was painful to think about why her daughters had to come out and why Daniel would have come if he weren't so young. It was getting colder in the dormitory and she drew her shawl around herself more tightly. Winter was definitely on its way.

          As Alec drove through the bare landscape on the road toward Charlottetown the following afternoon, his two daughters were silent on the seat beside him. The gaunt trees stood out like lanky scarecrows against the sleet gray sky and the remains of their gorgeous red and gold leaves lay crumpled and decaying on the ground. Every once in awhile, they would pass a lonely farm and see a few cows or horses grazing in the field. Eventually, the buildings came closer and closer together and they were in the busy town. Alec drove directly over to the hospital and helped the two girls out. Their pretty young faces were tight with worry as they approached the double doors and went inside.

          "Cecily, wait here," Alec told her, motioning to a bench. "I'll show Felicity in and come back while she sees Felix. When she returns, you can go and visit." Cecily sighed and sat down. She was always being told to "wait here". Presently, her older sister returned, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Alec looked at Cecily and the two of them headed down the hall. "Here," he motioned as he opened the door for her, before going back out into the foyer.

          Felicity looked up as she saw her father coming. "Oh, Father," she whispered, putting her head on his shoulder. He didn't know what to say to her, as he was feeling the same way himself.

          "We mustn't give up hope," he finally assured her. "He still has a fighting chance."

          "Of course..." Felicity agreed half-heartedly.

          "Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise," Alec rambled on philosophically. "When he's better, he still won't be able to go back to the war for awhile and perhaps it will end before then. I have a feeling it's going to be over by next year."

          "Yes, that's right," Felicity brightened a little. She wanted to believe it, whether it was true or not. "We've pushed the Huns back pretty far now, haven't we? Then they'll all be coming home. Maybe Jean Paul will be here for the birth of his child, even! All the same, I'm beginning to wish that I had become a doctor now. It seems like there is so little I can do."

          "Felicity, you are a wonderful mother to my two grandaughters and the best wife Gus Pike could ever hope for. You have brought life into this world...two children in a new generation who will grow up after the fighting is over."

          "Two lives, when I could have saved hundreds," she returned bitterly.

          "How can you say that, girl?"

          Felicity looked startled. "No, I-I didn't mean that. I don't know why I said it."

          "You're just upset, like the rest of us. Sick and tired of it all. Believe me, I understand."

          A week went by and life went on as usual. Felix was no better, but he was no worse either and Janet assured herself that it wouldn't be long before he smiled cheerfully up at her, his old self again, and said, "Hello, Mother!" when she came in to see him after a rest. Diana sighed when she saw Mrs. King sitting there, day after day, watching and waiting, but there was nothing she could do. Then one morning, as the sun was rising late and its warm rays were streaming in the window, Felix turned his face toward the light and opened his eyes. Janet was wide awake and ready to scream with joy. Diana noticed the woman almost jumping out of her seat in excitement and rushed over to see what had happened.

          "Felix!" Janet half-exclaimed, half-whispered. A smile came over his face...the most beautiful sight she could imagine.

          "I've missed you, Mother. Is anyone else here?" Before she could answer, Captain MacAuley, who had just returned from having his bath, jumped in.

          "Hullo there, son! I've wondered what you were like when ye weren't talkin' in yer sleep! I'm glad you've finally come around." Felix blushed and it was obviously from embarassment, not just from fever. Janet and Diana both shot the old captain an evil look before meeting each other's gaze and laughing.

          "Miss Blythe, um, Diana," Janet began. "Will you send someone for Alec, please?"

          "Of course!" She grinned and set off, leaving Janet to discuss the latest news of Avonlea with her son and for Felix to tell her as much as he could about the Navy. The conversation was essentially one-sided, but it was enough for Janet to realize that he was consciously taking in what she was saying.

          It would be some time before Felix could leave the hospital. He lay coughing and ill for some time and after that, he was still terribly weak. During this period, he got to know some of the others who were in the dormitory and their stories fascinated him. His ship had had a few encounters with the German U-boats, but had never been sunk. There were four men who had drifted for twenty days before they were picked up by a cargo ship, and of course there was Captain MacAuley who had tales to tell not only of wartime operations, but his lifetime spent on the high seas.

          There was also Diana Blythe. Felix found her to be a fascinating girl because she liked to tell him her stories about the Four Winds folks and because she had given up her college career to become a nurse. Something about her reminded him of the girl he had once loved. It had to do with her frank manner and the way she talked about her childhood. She had apparently been something of a tomboy and Felix had to laugh when she snipped at Captain MacAuley for his rude comments, telling him exactly what he could do with himself. This habit could have meant trouble for her, but the captain could take it as well as he could dish it out and he only laughed when she got angry.

          It was early December and Felix had been enjoying Di's company for awhile, when he stopped laughing and took on a thoughtful look. "What are you thinking about now?" she giggled, still imagining the very proper Eleanor Clifton of Four Winds facedown in a pigsty.

          "I was just thinking about--what's the date today?"

          "Is that all? It's December fifth."

          "So...you think I'll be home for Christmas?"

          "Oh, yes, I think so. You will be home."

          "Miss Blythe, you're going to home to see your parents aren't you?"

          "I am. That's not what I meant. It's my brothers...I don't even know where they are. Walter and I were always very close, and I just wish I-" she stopped abruptly. "I don't know why I'm telling you this. I shouldn't burden you with my own troubles." She stood up and went purposefully back to her duties.

Chapter Seventeen:

          Sara and Felicity were walking down Avonlea's main street with their arms full of packages and Elizabeth asleep in her pram. They travelled slowly, stopping to wave to friends before returning to their conversation. Sara was wearing a small hat for once and not attempting any showy fashion statements, while her cousin wore her three-year-old winter cap. She couldn't bring herself to buy a new one with the war going on and Gus didn't seem to notice anyway.

           "What did Dr. Snow say to you?" Felicity asked as quietly as she could.

           "Well...he's leaving."

           "What?"

           "Dr. Snow says he's going to the battlefield--as a medic. Don't look so worried, Felicity!" she exclaimed. "Old Dr. Blair is returning in his place."

          "But...but Dr. Blair is an old man! He's been retired for years and his methods are so old-fashioned. Blast Dr. Snow! Perhaps we ought to go into Charlottetown until the baby is born and then you could go to the hospital."

          "I'm not scared, Felicity. I'm sure Dr. Blair knows what he's doing, but it might be a good idea to go to Charlottetown for another reason." Felicity gave her a questioning look and Sara dropped her voice. "Dr. Snow says I may have a difficult time with this baby. He mentioned that I am very narrow-"

          "Sara!" Felicity hissed, looking about to make sure no one had heard.

          "There's nobody here, Felicity."

          Felicity sighed. "I'm sure everything will be fine. He told me that I had the same problem and nothing went wrong...just look at my two little girls." She smiled at Emily who was sitting on her father's arm as they opened the door for the cousins to come inside.

          "What problem?" Gus asked, catching the end of the conversation.

          "Nothing, dear, don't worry about it. Did Emily take her nap?"

          "Sure did! Did you ladies get yer shoppin' done?" Felicity dropped her armload of parcels onto the sofa and handed Elizabeth to Janet who was sitting by the fire. She gestured to the pile and Gus laughed. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."

          "I should be getting back," Janet mused.

          "Oh, I don't think so," Felicity said, making herself comfortable for a few moments before she took her things upstairs. "How is Felix doing? He seemed awfully happy to be home yesterday!"

          "Wouldn't you?" Janet smiled. "I was a little worried about him riding all the way back in this cold weather, but I think the comfort of home outweighs the risk."

          "I reckon it'll be awhile yet before he's back to his old self," Gus commented. Janet nodded as she sipped the tea Sara had handed her. She didn't look too upset about this, but everyone knew that Janet would try to prolong her son's convalescence for as long as possible in order to keep him out of the war.

          "Whatever happened between him and Diana Blythe?" Felicity asked. "I didn't want to mention it to him, but I am curious."

          "What makes you think anything happened?" Janet raised her eyebrows, but there was a smile on her face.

          "Mother!"

          "Oh, all right. She's coming down to Avonlea with Nan next week and I wouldn't be surprised if she spent some time with Felix while she's here." Felicity looked pleased.

          "I'm so glad! I was afraid after the disappointment with Izzy...well, you see Mother, his illness was a blessing in disguise, just like Father said!"

          "I'd prefer that my children's blessings not bring them so close to death," Janet returned crisply.

          "Aw, we all knew Failix wouldn't give up the ghost. He's a young feller, yet," Gus assured her.

          "I'm afraid I couldn't be as sure as you at the time. Felicity, your daughters just get more and more beautiful every day," Janet changed the subject, as she beamed down at her grandchildren who were now sitting on the floor and playing with their father. Felicity had tied blue ribbons in Emily's curls and Elizabeth was grinning the sweetest smile imaginable. As yet, she had no nickname and as it turned out, she never would. They couldn't call her "Lizzie" because it was too close to "Lissie" and "Beth" just didn't seem to suit her. Elizabeth was a rather rambunctious girl who resembled her older sister in looks, but was the complete opposite in temperament. Elizabeth never refrained from making her displeasure known, while Emily remained quiet and self-contained as she grew older.

*           *          *         *

          The King Family enjoyed that Christmas, in spite of the war. Cecily was learning to deal with her grief and they were all thankful for the opportunity to have Felix at home again. Unfortunately, the holiday brought no snow and the ground remained a frozen brown for the rest of the week. On December 28th, Izzy Pettibone set off across town to visit King Farm for the first time in awhile. She needed to talk to Felix, but she wasn't sure how to begin. They had been best friends for years and she missed that, especially now that she was alone without the husband who had brought so much joy into her life. Izzy knew that any romantic feelings she had once held for Felix were dispelled during the courtship of Andrew Carlyle, but when Cecily told her of his circumstances in Charlottetown, she had felt a peculiar stab at her heart. She had to regain his friendship. It would be impossible for them to avoid each other forever, especially after the war ended and he returned home for good.

          A strange carriage was sitting in front of the house as Izzy drove up and she idly wondered who might be visiting. Perhaps it was a relative from out of town. Cecily was coming down the stairs from the porch as she quicky buttoned up her coat and Izzy waved hello to her.

          "Izzy!" Cecily exclaimed, with unusual surprise in her voice. "I was just on my way to work, but...what are you doing here?"

          "I've come to see Felix. How is he? He is awake right now, isn't he?"

          "Oh, yes, Felix is doing much, much better. I--well, I didn't expect you to talk to him--er, that's not what I meant to say..." Cecily answered nervously. Izzy hopped out of the carriage as Cecily tied up the horse for her.

          "Why shouldn't I talk to him? We're friends, aren't we? I haven't seen him in well over a year."

          "Yes...I'll see you later, Izzy. I'm sorry, but I have to get going. I'm starting a job at the telegraph office and Mr. Riley will kill me if I'm late on the first day." Cecily headed off to the barn to get her bicycle, leaving Izzy somewhat bewildered. She went up to the door and knocked, hoping that anyone but Janet would open the door. She knew Janet still hadn't forgiven her for breaking her son's heart and she was dreading a confrontation.

          "Why, hello, Mrs. Carlyle!" Alec greeted Izzy as she breathed a sigh of relief. "We haven't seen you around lately. Won't you come in?"

          "Hello, Mr. King. Is Felix at home?" she replied as she walked in through the open door. She was immediately caught off-guard by a voice which was distinctly young, female, and unfamiliar coming from the parlor. No, there are two voices! she thought. Alec seemed to be laughing to himself, but it was hard to tell because his back was to her as he led her to the room. As Mrs. Isolde Carlyle entered the King Farm parlor, the conversation came to a halt.

          Felix was sitting in a chair, wearing his uniform and looking quite handsome, although he had grown thinner and was still somewhat pale. Perched on the settee were two young women. One was smaller, with the reddest hair Izzy had ever seen. The other was a lovely brunette who bore some resemblance to the first, but not much. It was obvious that Felix was admiring them--both of them.

          "Iz!" Felix exclaimed, getting up to greet her. "Or, should I say Mrs. Carlyle?"

          "Oh, Felix, sit down!" She rushed over and guided him back to his seat. For some reason she was annoyed because he appeared to get over the shock of seeing her so quickly. Then she realized that it was an act for the sake of the two girls and she felt even more annoyed. Felix laughed and turned to the Blythe twins who were looking at her with curiosity.

          "Anne and Diana Blythe, this is an old friend of mine--Izzy Carlyle. Izzy, this is Anne and Diana." The girls exchanged courteous pleasantries. "But wait a minute," Felix began, looking confused. "I thought you two were in Avonlea last summer."

          "I was away last summer, Felix," Izzy explained quietly. "I went to visit my aunt in Boston."

          "Oh. Well, I haven't heard from you in a long--Di? Anne? Do you mind if I speak to Mrs. Carlyle alone for just a minute?" he interrupted himself.

          "Of course not!" Di answered cheerfully, taking her sister by the arm and leading her out of the room, not forgetting that he had called Izzy "Mrs. Carlyle". As soon as they were gone, the smile disappeared from Felix's face.

          "Hello, Iz..." he trailed off.

          "Felix, I'm sorry. I should never have just...stopped writing like that. It's just that I was afraid! I didn't know what to say to you. You were my best friend. Sometimes I wish things could simply go back to the way they used to be."

          "That's impossible," Felix muttered darkly, turning his face toward the window. "Nothing can ever be the same. Ever. And it's not just because of you, Izzy."

          "What do you mean?"

          "We've grown up, Iz. You're married to Andrew Carlyle. That's one reason things can never be the same again, but the--the whole world is different." She saw his face beginning to contort and she willed him not to cry. She didn't think she could stand to see that now and yet she started talking.

          "Felix, you are my best friend. Or at least you were. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

          Suddenly he was looking her in the eyes. "Yes, it meant something to me." He paused, before asking, "You love him, don't you?"

          "Yes," she answered simply. She didn't scream out "Of course I love him, he's my husband!". That single word was all she said, but it carried such weight. Felix nodded. Then he sighed. Then he laughed sardonically. Izzy bit her lip. This was not the Felix she remembered...the sunny-faced boy who laughed and played with her in the woods, or even the nervous young man who tried to kiss her after their canoe trip to Pine Bend.

         "Izzy, you don't honestly think we can go back to being best friends again, do you? I can't imagine that you'd actually believe that."

          "Felix, I don't know what I think! I just know that I haven't talked to you for months and when I found out you were in the hospital down in Charlottetown, I was so afraid that I'd never see you again. I guess I just want to apologize for what I did. I should have thought of a better way."

          "A better way? There was no good way, but it obviously had to be done. That doesn't change the fact that we can never have the relationship we once did. We chose to become...involved romantically...and that changed everything. Oh, it would have changed by itself, I suppose, but the simple fact is that I am a man and you are a married woman...and I'm not sure this is entirely proper! I'm going to tell the others to come back in."

          "Don't worry," Izzy told him as she stood up. "I'm leaving now."

Index