Izzy didn't have to question why Felix's plans to return to Halifax had changed. Almost as soon as he had rushed out the previous day, she had realized he wouldn't be able to leave his family as abruptly as he'd indicated to her. She could only imagine how torn apart they all had been, and here she was, one of the few people in Halifax who knew his name, let alone ached to see him.

She had telephoned to leave a message for Gus Pike, laughed and cried with Muriel for a while, and then gone back to the kitchen to relieve her feelings through baking all of Felix's favorite pies (he never restricted himself to one favorite when it came to food). By the time Gus telephoned in the late afternoon, the house was filled with the scent of freshly baked apple, cherry, and mince pies.

"Got your message to call," said Gus. "Did ya think of somethin' for me to bring to dinner?"

Izzy laughed. Muriel had insisted that Gus come for Christmas dinner, equally insisting that he not be allowed to bring anything. Gus still pretended to be hurt over the latter, even though he had no access to the kitchen in the small boarding house where he was living.

"I have far better news than that," she said. "I saw Felix this morning. He's home."

"No," Gus replied incredulously. "This very morning?"

"Yes," said Izzy. "His arm was injured, but he seems to be doing well. He rushed off to Avonlea straight away."

Gus made a sound of frustration. "Don't that beat all. Now I have two reasons for wishin' my duties weren't so important just now."

"What's the other?"

His pride was evident. "I'm gonna be a father. Felicity telephoned yesterday morning with the news."

"Gus! Congratulations!" exclaimed Izzy. "Can't you leave for just a few days? I was hoping you'd be able to escort me back to Avonlea tomorrow. I know Felix would love to see you."

"I've been askin' an' askin', but I'm afraid not. There's plenty a man here in the same boat as me, and none of us can be spared for as long as it'd take me to get to Avonlea an' back. Felicity said she'll come up herself as soon as she gets a chance. Maybe Felix'll come with her. I'd like that."

"So would I. But I can't wait for that. I want to see him as soon as I can."

"He wants that, too," said Gus, his voice wistful. "No matter how he came back, that's just what he'd want most."

Which is why Izzy was on the telephone the first thing Saturday morning, trying to get through to King Farm. She tried several times, but every time, the switchboard was still down. She sighed. Her bag was packed, sitting by the door next to the bag Felix had left behind. There were three boxed pies on the kitchen table, all tied together with string to be ready for the journey. But none of that mattered if Felix was on his way back to Halifax.

The doorbell rang, and the messenger who was standing there when she opened the door handed her a telegram. She ripped it open and smiled at the contents.

"Any reply, miss?" he asked.

"Yes."

He waited expectantly.

"Oh, I'm sorry.... 'Yes' is the reply." She turned to the purse on the hall table and pulled out a few bills, which she handed to the messenger. "Thank you."

Clive and Muriel entered from the library as the front door was closing. "Who was that?" Muriel asked.

"A telegram," she said, waving the article in question. "From Felix. He wants me to come."

Muriel put her hand on her husband's arm, giving him a look that told Izzy the pair had discussed this at some length. Clive's eyes grew misty, and his voice was gruff as he replied, "I'll drive you to the station." Not "under no circumstances," not "you're not going alone," but "I'll drive you to the station."

Izzy hugged Muriel tightly. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You're welcome," she said. "Be proud of him. Sometimes it's hard to watch your little girl grow up." At the affection in her stepmother's voice, Izzy hugged her again.

"Well, let's go," Clive said. "The next train leaves in an hour, and it won't wait for goodbyes."

Izzy looked at him incredulously and saw he was holding a railway timetable. "You're the best father in the world," she said.

"You've little experience to draw that conclusion," he retorted, smiling, "but I appreciate it nonetheless."

Clive went to get the car, and Izzy ran to the kitchen. She was not about to forget those pies.