Notes: When I was in the sixth and seventh grade I wrote this. I don't feel like going back and rewriting it so please excuse the wrong timeline, the lame approach, the bad format, and the unusual writing style. This is merely the work of a real amateur and definitely, by far, not by best work. I never completed this story, but if I feel compelled to, I will.
Disclaimer: As of November 24, 2001. I own the story line and thus hold the right to remove this story if I ever feel an infraction of the disclaimer has been committed. I know that sounds like legal jargon and such especially for a fan fiction website, but I have already had my story line plagiarized. Kevin Sullivan owns the characters, the town, the timeline and everything. I own nothing but the story line and a few new additions to Avonlea.
Coming Home
August 1919, Avonlea
Part 6
The gigantic house stood before her humble eyes. They concluded to widen farther apart as Izzy Pettibone stared at the large estate. The mountains in the back, the greenery in the front abound around the magnificent sight. She gasped and sighed as they stopped in front of his house, "Oh James, this is more lovely then the honeymoon!" She exclaimed. James had treated her to a honeymoon on their private island, an island he was happy he owned. But they had been called from their destiny because it was time to return to reality. "Come inside, there's more to show you." He took her hand cautiously and led her through the large brown doors. The joy could be felt in the air. The feelings all over whelmed her. She was so happy. She couldn't believe the size of the mansion. James took his new bride everywhere; he took her on a tour of their house. She saw a familiar figure and then it was gone. She thought she had seen him, her past lover, no not Jeff, but Felix. Was this house playing tricks on her? Her husband led her through out the entire place before he went to introducing the staff. "Izzy, I wanted you to have the best staff. So most of these people are from various hotels, etc." he took her hands in his, "I won't be home that often sometimes due to business, except vacations that occurred so many times so…I bought or borrowed enough staff for your luxury." He went through the people; Pierre Laterria was her chief, now she was going to enjoy that. "I wanted to get someone to take you places and to greet you in the morning kind of like a body guard or a personal staff member so I figured I'd get your best friend, Felix King." Izzy's mouth would have most likely dropped wide open if it hadn't been for the fact she was married came to her mind. Out of the background peered the boy she had once loved, Felix King.
********
She woke up the next morning, the spot next to her, empty. James had certainly left already; he had left her on her own adventure. All alone, without him at least, he'd be back though, he had promised. She faintly walked down the long stairs before her personal person greeted her, "Good morning, Mrs. Riley." He stood straight, arms at his side, hair combed, shoes polished, eyes staring back at her, "Felix," She began walked towards the kitchen and she heard him follow, she was going to have to get use to this, "Felix, as my personal whatever, what do you do?"
"Mrs. Riley, I do anything and everything with you except sleeping and personal grooming times."
"Tell me why?"
*Because I'm heartbroken with out you * Felix thought, "Pardon?" She stopped walking. His manners were more than accurate. When she stopped he stopped right behind her, "Tell me, Felix, why did James really hire you or did you go begging for a job?"
"Excuse me?" he wasn't smirking or frowning, his face was still solemn, wore no story of a past or a present, "I had nothing to do with my hiring, Mrs. Riley. Straight forth, ma'am, I don't choose my own assignments."
********
The large house was full of surprises. Books in the library from head to toe. Beds stuffed with the finest cloth sheets. Silk napkins on the table, pictures and portraits everywhere. By the time she had finished exploring. Dinner had set its place and the sun was setting it had been almost two weeks since she was married, but James wasn't due back for another week and a half. She decided to take a walk by the beach after dinner. She took her first step outside; no one followed her. She twisted her head in pensive shake and then continued. Removing her shoes she walked along the shore. The waves running up her feet. The cold water numbed and warmed them at the same time. She felt hands go to her eyes, knowing James would not be back for a week, she knew that the man had to be her former lover and her childhood sweet heart and best friend Felix King. Peculiarly enough, she was right. Once his hands had let go of her eyes, she revolutionized towards him, in a delirious way. She let out a loud chuckle when she finally met him eye to eye.
********
He stared down at her. She was more beautiful then ever. Her browns eyes glowed, her hair was fashionably put up on her head. Her white-fall dress. It was heavy to keep her sheltered from the cold. She had on a gold necklace. As he looked at her he couldn't help but being stunned by the gold ring she wore on her finger. It reminded him, it prodded him too much of how he had lost her.
********
She was reminded of the many times that she would see him. Silky black hair a deep wood brown eyes. That would dazzle every time he saw her. He had binding muscles that pounded their way out of his shirt. His light Canadian tan and his warm eyes looking at her. The way his breath would be caught on her, his heavy breathing on her. He was no romantic, only a sweet talker. He had talked his way in her forgiving him and danced his way into her heart. She loved him deep down inside, her heart knew it, but she didn't know. She looked at him some more, just pressed and ironed snow-white shirt. His black hair was combed and cut and his eyes were passionately fixed on her. She had sat on the beach with him before in Avonlea. He had talked about the navy and she had talked about their relationship. He had kissed her, but she backed away. He had asked for forgiveness, but she needed days. She could clearly remember it. A long August afternoon after his sister's wedding. He had taken her on a shore walk and she had demanded the truth. She knew she was too stubborn then to realize the positive, she had begged him to stay once again. But he had said no and then she had said goodbye.
"Felix, don't fool with me." The young man shrugged and then looked over at her, "Sure, Izzy." He hadn't called her "Mrs. Riley" for the first time that evening. Clearly he wasn't there as an employee, but as a friend. Somehow he knew she needed one. She looked over at him and in turned he looked at her, "Did you know?"
"Pardon?"
"Did you know James was going to leave me so suddenly?"
"Time could only tell." It wasn't as clear to her as it should have been, but it was the truth. She thought back to their conversation turned argument on that warm spring day that she had been in Felicity's wedding. She had been mad at him. He had been forgiving. She wanted him. He wanted the navy. They had argued strenuously. She had never really had forgave him. Though that Christmas they had kissed, they had walked through town, hand-in-hand. People knew that she and Felix had been a match made in heaven, but how could it been true? All they did was fight, argue, kiss…and love, though they were best friends; he was more like a brother then a lover, at least she thought in mind, but not in heart. There was a strange intensity that filled the room. The same intensity she had felt with Jeff and James, but there was more passion involved. He looked away from her intense eyes, eyes that he had fallen in love with. Then Felix had no where else to go, trudging farther down the beach, sitting himself with his thoughts alone. No Izzy, she didn't exist. She was only his boss.
********
His reaction wasn't what she would have suspected. She thought he might sink his deep blue eyes and talk with his soul. He had done that so many times, but the war had taken it away so many times too. She seated herself next to him. She had suspected him to move, closer to her or farther away. But he didn't budge. "Felix?" he twisted his head, for the first time she saw the deep scar on his neck, that traced it's way down his muscular and robust form, particular his back. She swayed so she could see his face, she might have been a married woman, but she could still comfort her best friend, couldn't she? "What is it Izzy?"
She looked him straight in his deep wood brown eyes, searching inside them for something to hold on to, "Do you still have nightmares?"
He paused and the silence of the crashing waves could only be heard. His thoughts were abounding him, he looked over at Izzy and back at the sea just as the sun was setting. A part of him still wanted to be out on the open sea. Maybe because it was he didn't have the woman he needed…maybe he needed something else. "Only, " He struggled as he searched for his composure, this had struck him hard; no one else had bothered to ask him, how he was; no one, "Only when I'm afraid or lonely." Izzy was afraid of where he would get too. Would he declare he misses her or cry on her shoulder as a home sick man. Felix used to be so predictable, now he was inevitable.
********
She rushed down the stairs to hear who was making all the commotion, "Aunt Lillian!" she screeched in joy. As she rushed down the stairs she fell into her aunts arms. Once the reunion was complete, Lillian Hepworth had to survey the livings of her only niece. "Oh, Izzy this is such a delight full house!"
"You like it?"
"Like it? I love it-it is such a big house! I can't believe all the rooms there are! And everything is filled to the slightest detail! Now where's that husband of yours?" Izzy let out a low sigh and looked around before looking at her aunt, "James is at work in Cleveland right now." Her aunt looked at her and mouthed "Cleveland" before turning back to the window, "Then I will just have to stay until I meet him, of course I'll always be out though so you will have your privacy."
"Privacy, Aunt Lillian you may never interrupt that; there is too much privacy here!" she reached out and hugged her, "Mrs. Riley?" Izzy let go of her aunt and turned to see Felix King standing near, "Yes…Mr. King?"
"Chef Pierre would like to know tomorrows menu." Izzy looked at her aunt and let out a scoffed sigh before she asked her aunt if she would like to join her in planning, "Oh, no, Izzy I want you to surprise me!"
Izzy spun around to see Felix, smirking as usual and then turned back to her aunt, "Suite Yourself." She left in a hurry leaving her best friend and her aunt smiling vicariously.
********
In the shadow of midnight, the moon brightly shining, the waves of the beach running restlessly upon their feet, the sand filled the brims of their toes. Easing the nervousness of their souls, once again they walked on the shore, like they had before, so many times before then. But this time it was different, no there was no change in the people, but only change in their feelings. They had once been so in love that they could have moved the world, but now in Felix's agony Izzy has joy. She's married and he works for her, no one would have thought their worlds would end up together.
"Felix, do you think about the past?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you think about everyone you left behind or everyone that was killed in the war, everyone and everything from our childhood?"
He paused for the slightest moment only the sound of a soft breeze and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. He had never really given it that much thought, about the past, about friends and family…lost lovers. "Oh, Izzy, I don't know…I mean of course I think of them…its hard not too."
"What do you mean?" Felix had left Avonlea when he was the mere age of fifteen; it wasn't likely that a twenty-two year old man forgets about war when he was so young.
"Iz…its like I can't forget about war…with my dreams…sometimes its killing me inside." He stopped walking then and seated himself down on the sandy ground, Izzy had had a chance to change, she was no longer the self conceited person she had become so many years ago. She had tried to change into a kind, caring, and compassionate person.
She took hold of his arm and leaned against it, "Felix…you can never erase those memories…you can only…forget them…forget every time you've been hurt. Besides people will be here for you…I will be here for you." He looked down at her, so peaceful and calm…he never knew that she still cared about him. The surroundings seemed to freeze; everything grew quiet. He leaned and she pressed forward. He was so close, but he couldn't, no she was his boss. For a split second they seemed to connect once again, thoughts and thoughts, mind and mind, their realities seemed to be pierced by desire. Then it happened; mouth touched mouth in forever peace. He kissed her once and then twice and it continued…as she was so destined for desire that she forget about the life she was living, the life she had been so eager to have. Now she was betraying all, her family and James and their future together because it would never be the same. Just like how her relationship with Felix would never be the same again. Finally, he stopped the desire he had wanted so long for so much time had been filled, she hoped it hadn't though. "Don't Felix." He looked at her strangely; a married woman was asking him to kiss her; again! He leaned back down; she wanted him…a girl that had once said that she didn't want him anymore. A girl that had once left him for the comfort of an always-leaving husband now she wanted him again, even though she was married. Lips met lips not in celebration but in mercy. He had always wanted her; he had saved himself for her, but then she had gone and had gotten married and she had left his life forever. (So he thought) He always thought about the love that they had and shared, he missed her so much. As he leaned, she leaned back as he pressed on, he felt her like he hadn't in the longest time. But something remained, entangled in the back of his head; she was and will always be another man's. No he hadn't forgotten that she wasn't up for grabs any more. He felt her touch as he kissed her, his hands on her face and waist, her hand at his shirt collar and his waist…she was tugging on his shirt… pulling it loose. No he wasn't; he couldn't…he had to pull away…away from the desire that had lured him to her, "Izzy…"
"Felix…"
"No …I can't do this…You're married!"
********
After that, their conversations were merely business, something had gone wrong, some one had pushed too far and both were left behind. It was only a mere mystery of who would return to the land of where they were friends. Neither wanted to admit that something had rekindled that something had happened that night on the beach. Something that had they done it they would have regretted it, terribly. But the moods between them had changed, not for the best. "Hey Jacob…how's it goin?"
"Hey Felix…you know how you told me to watch over…well spy on James?"
"Yeah."
"I got some bad news, he's staying at my hotel and well…I saw him with another woman." Felix was awe struck; the girl he had turned down the passion to save her from the despair of her husband had a husband that had gone behind her back and had done it with another woman.
"Anything else?" Felix asked.
"Yeah…they're expecting."
********
She hadn't expected to come…with Felix and Izzy not talking with each other and not at each other's each other's throat. It was weird and she was confused about why they were acting so differently towards each other. Then when she asked for an explanation neither volunteered to tell the story. Something had happened. Cecily King took a long look over the large house; it was much bigger from the inside. She took a seat next to Izzy by the fire place that evening, "Izzy…did something happen between you and Felix?" Izzy turned her head towards Cecily, looking distressed Cecily wished she hadn't asked.
"Yes…something did happen…but I'd rather not talk about it."
"Mrs. Riley…may I talk with you?" the man asked, she looked out over into the hall where he stood, "You may, Mr. King." She got up with hesitation and began the short trek to the hall where Felix awaited. Cecily listened closely to the conversation that held Felix in the most difficult position. "Izzy…you must promise me you'll hear me out. You won't walk away or dissociate yourself from me. You must listen."
"Sure, Felix."
"Izzy…a friend of mine…a very trustworthy friend of mine…saw James with another woman."
"Its not true." There along the stairs she started to back away from him, "Its not true, Felix!" her eyes began to water to its full strength.
"I wish it weren't."
"It can't be true!"
"My friend's sending pictures."
"No, its not true-it can't be true…James loves me!" there she collapsed in the arms of her past lover on the stairs where he comforted her, soothing her with words of comfort, showing her the love she gave up. She had left Felix because she thought James would give her more. That James would give her the life she's always wanted. To be free of her past and to live the best present making way for the future. She had put her trust in both men, but only one returned to her and it was Felix. But still she had left her true love for the comfort and richness of James Riley, a stranger she had met in Boston. But James had changed, he had left her all alone and she had Felix again, but the variables had changed. She was married and he wasn't. She was his boss and he was her employee. Everything had changed between them that day she married James Riley.
********
The days went by and finally the day that James returned had arrived. Izzy had decided to confront the man about it and to separate for the time being and if it didn't continued to work out…then they would divorce. But that night, James didn't come home. Even if he cheated on her she was still worried about him. She called every place in Cleveland and Felix called his friend. James wasn't there; he had boarded the train…he had made it back to Boston. The question was; where was he? That night they all gathered and said a prayer, Cecily, Aunt Lillian, and Izzy's parents, Clive and Muriel Pettibone. Everyone was watching the clock and waiting for the door to open or close. Someone did go out to look for him though, someone you would never expect, the same boy that had shot his dog, now a man though, the same one that had escaped without Shannon or took the bullets for Jeff. The same man that had risked his life for the Americans, and had helped a man over come his fear and helped another man learn how to love another. "Don't tell her, Ryan." Ryan Matthews looked over at Felix King.
"Don't go…he's not worth it."
"It is…every day I watch her and I think that I could've been her husband. And think what can I do to pay her back for all that she's done for me. Finally I have something." He clicked the revolver in his gun and then clicked it again and tossed his back over his back, "I'm taking the horse." Finally the door shut leaving nineteen year old Ryan Matthews alone with his thoughts; at least he thought, "Ryan…what just happen?" the female voice was known through out the house and all Ryan could do was sigh, it was going to be a long night.
********
It was a dark night. The moon was full and it spread its light every where. The Owls cooed in the frosty December night. The trees were covered with the snow that began to fall. The squirrels squirmed to find one last meal. Felix trotted the horse and looked around. He had traveled through a swamp and had gone past the midnight stream and the main rode that had been deserted of all people. The building were out of his vision, they had obviously past the city and now were on the countryside, the side that James had held his home. He heard voices and went to investigate with the horse on his heels, he was now off the horse, nothing could disturb the crooks and they held the middle minded James Douglas Riley. Ryan had made Felix promise only to use the gun if shot upon, but the way it was going the horse would be in no use. As he peaked through the bushes. He could see Riley, and the two crooks. One was tall and skinny couldn't do much damage as he held onto the gun that was pointed to Riley's big head. The other one was a short fellow with stubby legs and big belly that bulge its way from his pants. It was holding Riley with his chubby arms. He was so big that if he wanted…he could sumo wrestle. He heard the movements of the men and then the slight movement of his horse. He soothed it like he had soothed Izzy.
********
James shot a look at the two men. One stare and the skinny one started squirming. He looked over at the two men who brassily searched his pockets. Then one turned back to him, "Where's the money that you owe…Riley?" James turned his head; his black hair was a brush all over his face. He looked the man in the eye with his deep blue eyes.
"I told ya…I don't have it."
"Instead you spent it gambling-losing." The tall one spit at James feet as Felix's eyes stared at the men, he saw the man throw the first punch. The adrenaline rushed through his body. He didn't know what to do. Should he risk his life to save James, there went the second punch and then the third. Briskly clutching his gun, Felix watched on.
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Move on to Part 7.
