All of a sudden, the sun began to set. Felix and Izzy had been out all day. Felix gave Izzy a little nudge.

"Oh please, not yet. I just want to see the sunset. Then we can go back. Don't you want to see it too?"

Felix smiled, "I think that sunsets are nice and all . . . but I would just rather look at you."

Izzy blushed. She wasn't used to Felix complementing her like that, but she liked it. It was just something that she would have to get used to. However, for Felix these were just the things that he always wanted to tell Izzy but never had the courage to say. He wanted to tell her that her eyes were like rare gems, her skin was like touching delicate flower petals, and that her hair was like woven silk. He wanted to tell her that he loved her a million times, but in the meantime he was content with her just being in his arms watching the sunset.

When it was over he said quietly, "I should probably get you home. I can't imagine that your father would appreciate me keeping you out late at night. Besides, your father gets the last 'say-so' which means that I have to be very careful in matters such as these," he joked.

Izzy laughed, "I don't care what anyone might say, nothing can keep me from you. But . . . I suppose that it would be easier on everyone if we didn't risk it.

Felix helped Izzy back onto her feet. Felix wrapped one of his arms around her waist and she leaned her head onto his shoulder while Felix walked her home.

—-

Before they knew it, they were at the Pettibone house. Neither of them wanted to depart from each other but they had too. Felix swiftly turned towards Izzy, wrapping his arms around her waist; Izzy put her hands around Felix's neck. They shared a kiss in the moonlight.

"I love you," Felix said. Izzy could see the sincerity in his eyes.

She smiled, "I love you too. Will I see you tomorrow?"

Felix replied, "I'll stop by in the morning. Goodnight."

They shared one more brief kiss and then unwrapped themselves from each other. Felix waited until he saw Izzy in her house, he just wanted to be sure that she was safe. Then, he walked home, thinking of the wonderful day.

—-

The moment Izzy walked into the house Clive came rushing over to meet her, "Izzy, where have you been all day? Cecily told me that she knew where you were and not to worry, I have tried not to because Cecily is a trustworthy person. But you have been out for so long. What in heaven's name have you been doing child?"

A second later Muriel walked into the room and greeted her. Izzy was quite dazed but Clive wanted a response, "Me and Felix had a nice walk on the beach." That was all it took for Muriel to understand what actually happened, but Clive was quite clueless.

"Nice walk on the beach?! Izzy that can't be all that you have done, you have been out for over eight hours. Didn't you do anything else?"

"No father, now I don't mean to be rude but I am really tired and am going to go to bed."

Clive wasn't satisfied, "Izzy, I want to know what you were doing. You can't possibly expect me to believe that you and Felix King were walking on the beach for over eight hours!"

"Hm," Izzy perked up again, "No, we talked too. Mostly about old times. We also enjoyed the scenery. It has been such a wonderful day!"

Clive couldn't understand what was wrong with his daughter. How could he possibly believe that she was walking and talking on the beach with Felix King for over eight hours. But before he could say another thing Muriel stepped in, "I know Izzy, it has been wonderful, hasn't it? With the wedding and after that, of course. Okay, well if you are tired you should get some rest. Goodnight." Muriel gave Izzy a kiss just before Izzy walked upstairs.

Clive was still worried. What could his daughter have been doing, "Muriel," he asked, "What in heaven's name do you think that child was up to?"

Muriel looked over at Clive and smiled, "Clive, I believe that the only reason that you are confused is because you keep on referring to your daughter as a child. The moment that you realize that she has grown up everything will make sense. And believe me, she has grown up; as well as the many other "children" in Avonlea." So, she left a confused Clive Pettibone downstairs while she went up to bed.

—-

When Felix finally got home Sarah was the first one to greet him, "Felix!" she greeted him with a sisterly hug, "There you are, I haven't really had the chance to say hi to you. But I understand you were busy at the lighthouse." She gave him a teasing smile, "I recall you having some "failed" business there once before" (Comings and Goings).

Felix gave her a lop-sided smile, "Yeah, I do recall having some failed business there once before, but this was a much more worthwhile matter and went much more successfully," he laughed. "Sarah!" he gave her another hug, "I've missed you. And you haven't changed too much for me to guess that no one told you of my "business". So, how long will you get to stay?"

Sarah began to direct Felix into the parlor, where the rest of the family was, "For a little over a month. I won't be able to stay the entire summer because of how long it will take to get back to France, and there is the time difference that I have to get adjusted to if I expect to do good when the next term starts. Of course, when I first planned on coming I was grateful to be able to see Felicity and Gus's wedding and their return from their honeymoon, but now I am happy to be here so that I can see you off as well. I can't believe that you are joining the navy!"

Everyone else in the parlor was in agreement. They were all still getting over the shock of seeing Felix attend the wedding in uniform. Felix was glad that no one except for Sarah questioned his "business", but now he had to explain that he had changed his mind about going to the navy. Everyone was of course going to question him on his quick change of mind, and then he would have to tell them why he chose to change his mind. But he decided that there was no reason to feel ashamed. He simply didn't want to go because he loved Izzy. Not only was that far from horrible, but it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

"Everyone, there is something I need to tell you," he took a deep breath, "I have decided not to join the navy."

Everyone was just as shocked as they were when they first saw him in uniform. Aunt Hetty broke the silence, "Felix, I am sure that many of us are relieved to hear this, but I always thought it a noble thing to serve one's country. If you have a good reason not to join I expect to hear it because I know that you, Felix King, would never back out of something because of fear. At least no now that is."

"Son," Alec said, "What is it? Why the sudden change of mind?"

"Well, out with it boy! We don't have all day. We all want to hear your reasoning on why you have changed your mind, and I for one hope that it is a good one."

Felix sighed, "Well Aunt Hetty, it is a good reason. In fact, I don't think that there could ever be a better one. I have decided to stay because . . .," Felix took a deep breath, "I love Izzy Pettibone, and because I once begged her to stay with me rather than going away, she has recently done the same with me. I have decided to stay because I would rather have a chance to have a home and raise a family with someone I love than risk getting killed with strangers.

It was obvious that everyone with the exception of Cecily and Sarah were shocked to hear what Felix had just said. However, although some were shocked to hear Felix's boldness and choice of words, not all were surprised, "Felix," Alec smiled, "I . . . I . . . I don't know what to say. I . . . uh . . . well, I can't say that I am surprised. Well, at least not as surprised as the others. I always knew that you liked Izzy, but I never realized how much you did until now. Son," Alec sighed, "But son, are you sure that Izzy loves you as much as you love her. I mean, you said that you 'would rather have a chance to have a home and raise a family with someone [you] love'. Does she even love you as much as you do?"

Sarah quickly stepped in, "Uncle Alec, I am sure that Izzy does love Felix the way Felix loves her. I know this not only from certain letters that she has sent me, but also from the state of happiness that Felix came home in," Sarah teased.

Felix gave her a playful jab in the side. Then, more seriously said, "Yes father, I do. I know that there is the possibility that Izzy might not love me the way that she does now in a few years, or that she might even fall in love with someone else. But I would rather risk it than blow a chance with her entirely because I was about to leave her on bad terms."

Janet walked over to her son and gave him a motherly hug, "Oh Felix," she cried, "I don't care why you are staying, I am just glad that you are. I just can't imagine you in a dangerous place overseas. I would rather you stay right here, where I can protect you."

Felix decided not to say anything about how he didn't need his mother to look out for him as much now. When Janet finally let go of her son, Cecily joked and said, "Well, big brother. I do care about your 'reason'. I am quite glad to hear that my best friend is a contender to be my potential sister in law."

Sarah went over to hug Felix as well. "Felix, words could not express how delighted I am to hear that you are staying. And as far as Izzy is concerned, don't worry. I just know that things will work between the two of you. Granted, I'm sure that you will have hit many "bumps in the road", but I am positive that in the end everything will work out."

So, for the rest of the night the King family were left to believe that Felix would stay in Avonlea.