It had been 4 months since Izzy had joined the Red Cross. She had traveled all over Europe, and she still hadn't the slightest clue to where Felix could be. At the moment, she was taking a few minutes to gather herself. She hadn't been in a dangerous area the past 2 weeks, but she had been busier than ever. She was at a hospital in London. The hospital was receiving soldiers everyday. All of the soldiers were injured and would be sent home. Everyday she hoped that she would see Felix when the new shipment of soldiers came in, but she never did. If she was being honest, she was beginning to lose hope. Should she have come to Europe? Was she just being impulsive? She still felt horrible about leaving her family and friends without telling them. Every letter that she had gotten was written by a shaky hand.

Izzy was about to get up. The bell sounded, the shipment of soldiers had arrived. "You don't have to go Ms. Pettibone," one of the nurses said, "you have been working since last night. I'll come back and get you in a few hours." Izzy simply nodded. Everyone loved Nurse Emma. She was so kind to everyone. Izzy tried to help her as much as she could, but she couldn't help but rest if she had the opportunity. It was the afternoon, and she only slept half an hour the night before. So, she laid down in her cot, hoping that she would get enough sleep to sustain her for the rest of the day.

—-

Felix held onto his arm as he was being led into the hospital. It was throbbing. The doctor and nurses had tried their best at the field hospital, but his injury was too serious. The doctor had decided to put him on medical discharge. He could finally go home. Home, he hadn't gotten a letter in almost 5 months. He was worried. His family and friends couldn't have just forgotten him. Could they? And Izzy. He had received one letter from her. As he sat down on the floor (all of the good beds went to the soldiers who had the worst injuries) he took out the letter from his pocket. It was all worn out. He had read it countless times everyday, but why hadn't he gotten more? He thought about it everyday. Izzy sent him a letter informing him that he had regained her memory and that she still loved him. He smiled as he got to the part where she said that she was unsure if he still loved her. Of course he did! He didn't know how she could question such a thing. He just didn't know why the letters stopped coming.

—-

She was being shaken, but by what? She could hear some mumbling. It became clearer, she could finally make out the words, "Ms. Pettibone? I know that you could use some more sleep, but I have to wake you."

All of a sudden Izzy sat up, "Nurse Emma! I'm so sorry. I hope I wasn't sleeping too long."

The nurse smiled, "No, not at all. Only for about 2 hours. I would have let you sleep longer, but I couldn't. We are just so busy!"

"It's alright, I understand. Thank you for giving me time to rest at all! We have been so busy lately. Are all the soldiers settled in now?"

"Yes. And Ms. Pettibone, I hope you don't mind me asking a more personal question?" Izzy nodded. "Well, everyday, when a new shipment of soldiers comes, you go around the hospital so that you see everyone. The only people that do that rather than resting after they have attended to their assigned soldiers are those who are looking for someone. Are you looking for someone?"

Izzy blushed. She had never talked about anything personal since she came to Europe, but she didn't mind mentioning Felix to Nurse Emma, "Well … I am. There is too much history to explain everything in 30 seconds, but long story short, someone very close to me was listed MIA. I have spent the past few months hoping that I will find him. I just know that he is alive."

Nurse Emma smiled, "I understand. Well … why don't you see if he turned up today. Just remember, even though he might not turn up today doesn't mean that he is not wandering somewhere in the world. I'm sure that your man is out there somewhere. Don't lose heart." The nurse got up and left Izzy to spend a few seconds so that she could freshen up.

—-

After Izzy had attended to the soldiers in her assigned area of the hospital she went out into the garden. Many of the soldiers liked to go there as well. It was so beautiful. Sometimes, she just went there and watched the soldiers talk to one another. They were all so young and had gone through so much. She had seen them at the front. Boys, forced to grow up and become men. She enjoyed seeing these same soldiers in a more peaceful state of mind.

She sat down on a bench and looked at the flowers. There were a few soldiers behind her talking. She knew that it was wrong, but she couldn't help but listen to their conversation:

"Is that a letter from your girl?"

The man scoffed, "How did you know?"

The other man laughed, "Because the last letter I got from my girl is worn out just like yours. So … where are you from? I don't mean, where is your home?"

"Canada, PEI … Avonlea."

Izzy's heart stopped. She wanted to turn around, but she couldn't. All she could do was sit there and listen.

"So, why don't you tell me about her."

"Well … I don't even know where to start, so, I'll tell you the short story. She hit her head and got amnesia just before I left. A few months ago, my sister sent me a letter saying that she was very fond of a gentleman from New York. Well … a few months ago, I received a letter from her, saying that she regained her memory and still loved me. I haven't received a letter from her since. I wonder if she regrets sending it? I wish I knew if she loves me at this very moment."

Tears were streaming down Izzy's face. She stood up, and turned around. Felix and the other soldier turned around when they heard Izzy's crying, "Well, she does," in between sobs she managed, "She loves you so much that she joined the Red Cross when she found out you were MIA. She is … was determined to find you."

Many soldiers stared as Felix and Izzy stood frozen with tears streaming down their faces'. Felix could hardly believe his eyes. Izzy was really standing a few feet in front of him. "Izzy," Felix whispered.

It finally sunk in. Felix was really there! Once this reality finally sunk in, Izzy immediately ran into Felix's arms. He didn't notice the pain in his arm, instead, he embraced her.

Everything was a blur. Neither of them remembered exactly how everything went. All they knew was that they were finally together. Once they realized what had truly just happened, they looked into each other's eyes. Felix was holding Izzy close to his chest when he bent down and kissed Izzy with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes.

Izzy looked deep into Felix's eyes, "Over a year ago, you told me to return to you. Well, I've returned."