Part One
Izzy was lying on her back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She looked over to her bedside table and picked up a frame holding a picture of herself and Felix. It was an ordinary picture; Felix was leaning against the trunk of a tall tree, his arms circled around her slender waist. Her head was leaning on his chest and she looked towards the camera with a simple, contented smile. They looked like the perfect couple. But that was just the problem! They only LOOKED the part! She picked up her portable phone. Maybe she should just call him. No! He was the one that took off on her last night! Why should she be the one to call him? Felix too, had phone in hand. "Call her you idiot," he told himself. He began to dial her number, but hung up before he had pressed all the digits. It was always so frustrating to talk to Izzy after a fight! Especially when he knew he was in the wrong. It was a lose-lose situation for him: if he conceded, she raked him over the coals; if he refused to admit his guilt, she would stop talking to him. Maybe they should just forget about each other…maybe that would just be easier. He closed his eyes and saw her face. No, he loved her, and no matter what, he would do everything he could to make sure she always knew that. He picked up the phone again and dialed her number. The phone rang. Izzy jumped. Was it Felix? She composed herself and coolly picked up the phone. "Hello?"Felix lost his nerve and hung up again before he’d said anything. Then he cursed at himself."Christ! This is stupid." He got up and walked out of his dorm room and started the two block walk to Izzy’s apartment.Felix and Izzy were attending the University of Prince Edward Island and were loving their experiences in higher education. Felix, in his second year, was earning his degree in Business and Hotel Management and Izzy in Fashion and Interior Design. He lived in the student housing building on campus, but Izzy had decided to rent her own apartment rather that live in Residence.Felix knocked on her door. He heard her footsteps as she came closer and listened as she pressed herself up against the door to look through the peep-hole. There was a pause. Then she opened the door."Hi," she said."Hi." They just stood there, not knowing what to say."Can I come in?" he asked. She didn’t answer, but stepped aside, allowing him to enter her apartment. Felix reached out and tried to run his fingers through her wavy chestnut locks. She leaned away."No," she whispered and ignoring the hurt look on Felix’s face she continued. "No, Felix. Please don’t. I know that if I let you touch me and kiss me and tell me you love me then I’m going to fall apart and just…forgive you. But don’t you think we owe it to ourselves to talk this through? Please Felix?" He knew she was right. He knew that to touch her and kiss her was unfair. Her touch and her kiss did the same things to him and his did to her."You’re right.""It just always seems to me that we’re high one second and low the next! One minute I’m so in love with you I don’t know what to do with myself and I don’t want you to ever stop kissing me; and the next minute I’m so mad at you, or you’re so mad and me, and I’m convinced it’s over! And we can’t just keep kissing things away!""You’re right.""But I love you and I want this to work! We’ve just got to stop being so petty! This ISN’T just a silly high-school romance anymore. I want to BE with you. We need to work on putting little, stupid things aside because we LOVE each other!""You’re right." Izzy laughed and relieved some of the tension in the room."Don’t you have anything else to say other than ‘You’re right’?" she asked him."No," he told her frankly. "I agree with everything you’ve said. You’re always right…I should know that by now!" There was a pause. "Does this mean we’ve made up?" Izzy nodded."I think so." She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck before she kissed him softly. He let his hands fall lightly on the curves of her hips as he pulled her closer and kissed her back. They barely heard the creak of the door as Izzy’s room-mate Megan walked in."Oh…God, guys sorry!" she said starting to leave. Izzy pulled away from Felix."Hey Meg! No…no don’t go. It’s okay." Megan smiled at them."So…I’m guessing that you two made up…AGAIN!" "Yeah.""All right, so which one of you caved this time?" she asked as she picked up a dry-erase pen and walked over to the white board on which she kept the ‘score’ of Izzy and Felix’s relationship. There were two charts; one for who started the fight and another for who ‘caved’ (as Megan herself put it) and ended it. Felix was winning both by an overwhelming majority. "And another point for Felix King!" she cried out. "You know Felix, we really ought to get you an award!""Funny Megan," Felix said sarcastically."Aw. Felix…" Izzy cooed. "You know that Meg’s only joking!" Felix smiled at Megan – she wasn’t his favorite of Izzy’s friends, that was for sure, but he knew that her intentions weren’t bad. He turned to Izzy."Iz, Mom invited us for dinner tonight at the house. Do you wanna go?""Sure what time does she want us there?" Felix looked at the clock."In about fifteen minutes!" Izzy laughed."There’s no way we can make it into Avonlea in fifteen minutes. You’d better call her. I’m gonna go and get changed." Izzy disappeared into her bedroom and Felix sat down at the desk and picked up the phone. On the other end, Cecily answered."Hey Cess.""Hey Felix.""Is Mom there?""Yeah, but she’s kinda busy. Can I give her a message?""Sure. Um…Iz and I are going to be a little late.""Where are you now?" Cecily asked."At Izzy’s.""Oh!" Cecily laughed. "Okay, we’ll wait for you.""Thanks Cess."" ‘Welcome! See ya!""Bye." He hung up and walked over to knock on Izzy’s door."Yeah?" came her voice."Can I come in?""Hold on…okay!" Felix opened the door and smiled at her. Her back was turned to him, as she put on a pair of earrings. She had changed into a pair of blue jeans and white tank top. She’d brushed her long hair and it hung down her back in shiny gentle brown waves. He couldn’t believe how beautiful she was. Between the waist of her jeans and beginning of the top lay a tempting strip of bare skin. He walked over and let his hands trace it to her exposed naval. She turned about in his arms to face him and gave him a half-smile. "What are you doing?" His thumb lightly caressed her cheek and she looked down as her lips parted in a wide smile. "We have to get going…" she reminded him."I know," he whispered. He began to leave a stream of kissed down her neck. She closed her eyes. "We have to go…" she said, only somewhat insistently. His kisses became more furious and in a moment of impulse, he picked her up in his arms and swung her around, holding her close. In the other room, Megan heard Izzy’s laughter and wondered what was going on. As the day approached evening, Cecily sat horseback in the outdoor riding ring at the farm, thinking of the events of an afternoon, not so long ago, when the world of Avonlea had changed for her forever. Cecily knew she should be practicing but she couldn’t help slipping into a little daydream…**Cecily had rolled up the legs of her jeans and stepped into the ocean. The water was cold and sent chills up the pretty young woman’s spine. Cecily loved the ocean, loved shedding her shoes and dipping her feet in it, and couldn’t resist it, even in it’s wintry November form. From behind her, she had heard someone calling her name. She looked back and saw Peter Craig. perched on top of a sand dune waving at her. Peter had left Avonlea quite a few years before when he had stopped doing Hetty King’s yard work and had gone to live with his mother. Then, on the first day of school, as she was beginning eleventh grade, Cecily had spotted him walking aimlessly down the hall of the Senior High School. They became fast friends again, and quite quickly, Peter had asked Cecily on a date. Of course, she had accepted and since then, they had been quite inseparable. "Peter!" she called, her feet still bathing in the salt water. "What are you doing out here?" "I came to find you," Peter had replied. He had walked down to the beach to meet her and they walked the shored together for a long while. That afternoon had been the first time that Peter had told Cecily that he loved her.** Even as she sat outside perch in her old comfortable saddle, she could hear Peter’s shaky voice in her ears trying to choke out the words ‘I love you.’ She smiled. She loved Peter too. Now, trying to concentrate on her riding was a bit of a lost cause. But she was lucky to have this time – Felix and Izzy’s tardiness worked in her favor: it allowed her at least another half and hour of practice before it got dark. So she put Peter out of her mind and set to work. Cecily couldn’t imagine her life without riding. She loved it. She was never happier than when she was seated firmly in the saddle, sailing over the tall jumps, counting the strides of her beloved horse, "Prince Napoleon Sinclair Xavier Zephaniah" otherwise known as Zephyr or Zephy.. For the first few years of her life, riding had simply been a leisurely after school activity. But when she reached the age of about thirteen, she fell deeply in love with it, and insisted that her parents allow her to take riding lessons. They did, and she was declared by her coach, a ‘natural’. After a few years of lessons, Cecily’s ambitions intensified – she wanted to be a jumper. Her instructor talked her parents into hiring a private coach for Cecily and they worked two hours every afternoon on Cecily’s jumping technique. When her coach, Victoria, left her, Cecily would spend the hours before dinner and anytime afterwards that still held day light riding, and going over the things she had learned in her lessons. In her senior year in high school, Cecily was now looking towards going to a profession riding institution and hoping for scholarships, as well as possibly qualifying for the Canadian Olympic Team. It frightened her a little to be thinking of herself as an Olympic contender, but Cecily knew that if she tried hard enough and practiced long enough, she could and WOULD make it as a rider.Somehow or other, Felix and Izzy had made it to dinner on time. Felix didn’t even bother knocking as they approached the house. King Farm was still King Farm – Felix imagined that it looked much the same now as it had a hundred years ago when Avonlea had been young. "Hello!" Felix called loudly. "We’re here!""Felix! Izzy! I’m glad you two could spare the time from your busy college schedules to come and visit your lowly family members," joked Alec, a little breathless after just returning from a jog."Oh! You two finally made it did you?" Janet asked good-naturedly as she stepped into the dining room, her arms filled with numerous place settings. Felix eyed the tower of plates suspiciously. "Mom, who else do you have coming to dinner tonight?" he asked."Well," she replied once she had put the dishes on the table, kissed her son, and hugged Izzy, "just about everyone. Aunt Hetty is coming. Sara’s not, as you know she’s still back-packing around Europe. Aunt Olivia, Uncle Jasper and the gang will be here. Gus and Felicity and little Julianne. You two of course. Daniel’s over at a friends for dinner. Oh! And I believe Peter Craig will be joining us too."Izzy and Felix looked at each other."Peter?" Felix asked. "He and Cecily are still together? Wow, they’ve held on longer than I’d have given them credit for.""They’re quite serious now," Janet said, a little weary. "But you know Cecily. She’s married to her horse – I don’t think we have to worry too much about her romantic endeavors.""Thank God for that!" Alec cried with a little laugh."Where is Cecily," Izzy asked, wanting to see her best friend again."Outside in the ring!" Janet told her."Where else?" commented Felix."Felix, will you and Izzy go and tell her that dinner is ready? If we tell her to come in now, she should be in by the time the rest of the gang gets here in about fifteen minutes." Felix laughed."Cecily is the most predictable person I know!" he exclaimed, taking Izzy’s hand as they went outside to get Cecily.They watched her soar over a few jumps before interrupting her."Lookin’ good there Cess!" Felix told her."Hi!" Cecily called out, dismounting and running to excitedly greet her brother and her best friend."Hi Felix!" she said, passing him. "Izzy! She cried out! Oh, Iz! I’ve missed you so much! How’s school, how’s living on your own, how’s…LIFE?" she asked. It had been two months since Izzy had moved away from Avonlea and Cecily missed her terribly. Felix laughed at the two girls."What is this? I get a simple ‘Hi Felix’ and Izzy is greeted by all kinds of glorious fanfare? I missed you too Cecily," he said sarcastically, winking at his sister."Ok, Ok…I missed YOU Felix, I admit it. So anyways, Izzy…!" she said deliberately. Together, the laughing threesome made their way to the house."Felix! We’re so happy to see you! Izzy, how are you dear?" Olivia asked kindly."We’re good, Olivia, thank you," Izzy answered for them. Soon, the large, noisy family sat down at the dinner table. Janet had prepared a fabulous fall feast; ham, mashed potatoes, biscuits, Caesar salad and fresh apple dumplings. "So Felix, how are your c-c-courses going?" Jasper asked him."They’re great Uncle Jasper. I’m learning a lot! When I get out I’m going to buy myself a hotel!""What about you Izzy?""I’m really enjoying myself. But there so much to get used to – it’s still a little overwhelming…""You’ll both to just fine," Hetty declared. Felix looked at Izzy and winked."Tell us about your riding, Cecily," was the next plea. "How is it going?" Cecily lit up – she loved to talk about riding."It’s totally intense," she told them all. "I’m working really really hard, which is difficult with my schoolwork and everything, but it’s all good. Within the next week I should know whether I qualified to qualify for the Olympic team. I’m really nervous!" "The Olympic team! I didn’t know it had gone that far!" Hetty exclaimed."Cecily will be a championship rider yet," Alec said with a proud smile at his youngest daughter."Cecily," Felicity asked. "Will you have to leave home for the qualifying rounds for the Olympics?" Cecily looked regretful."Yeah," she told them, sad at the prospect. "The qualifying rounds are being held at Spruce Meadows in Alberta – you remember, I was there last year competing. And if I make it…I’ll have probably have to stay there to train and everything…it’ll probably be a year." With this, Cecily looked quickly to her parents. This was new news to them – she’d been avoiding this particular piece of information."A YEAR!?" was the general outcry of alarm,Cecily looked to the young man beside her, who’s face was a little too pale."Peter?" she whispered. "Are you all right…I know this was a shock but…" Peter stopped her by putting his arm out to her."We’ll talk later," he said in a tone of complete disbelief. "Cecily!" Felicity cried out. "You do realize how long a whole year is, right? You’d actually leave Avonlea for a year?" "Well…I…" "Cecily must do what Cecily must do," Hetty told them. "If you need to go, my girl, do it! Without worrying about what anyone else might think," she told her niece. "Thank you Aunt Hetty," Cecily said, glad to know she had her aunt on her side. "Father? Mother? Are you…are you okay?" she asked cautiously. They both looked stunned. "Cecily, we knew you were going for the Olympic team, dear, but do you have to train in ALBERTA? Couldn’t you just as soon train somewhere here on Prince Edwards Island? Or at least, in Easter Canada?" Janet said. "Mother, I REALLY need to be right there, in the whole culture to train properly and…oh! What are we talking about this for? I haven’t even made the team yet – and I probably won’t! So can we please drop it?" she added moodily. She hadn’t really expected this kind of reaction. Why couldn’t her family just be happy for her? The rest of the evening was a bit of a bust. No one spoke above a whisper, and few made actually eye contact with Cecily. Eventually, people started to leave. Peter turned to Cecily and whispered, "I’d better go Cess. I’ll um…I’ll see you tomorrow I guess." He got up without kiss or squeeze of the hand. Cecily got up after him and followed him out to his car. "Peter, that’s not fair!" she told him. He fit the key in the lock. "What isn’t fair?" "The way you’re acting." He opened the door. "I don’t know how else to act Cess." "Would you please tell me what’s going on with you?" His hand remained on the door handle. "Nothing’s wrong." He turned to face her and allowed his hand to caress her face. "It’s just…I don’t know. I AM happy for you Cecily – you know how much I want your dreams to come true for you – it’s just going to take a little time to get used to, all right?" Cecily nodded. "All right. As long as y’know, you’re not mad at me…" "I’m not mad." And to show her that, he kissed her long and soft. She sighed. "Okay. Goodnight." "Love you Cess." "Love you too." She watched him as he drove out of the driveway and around a corned. She dreaded going back into the house – no doubt they would all want to talk. She dragged herself into the house and found her parents sitting in the family room. Felix and Izzy were in the foyer, getting ready to go. "Bye Cess," Izzy said, with a hug. "Bye Iz." "See you sis," Felix said with a smile. "Bye Felix." She glanced into the family room and winced. "Good luck," Felix told her quietly before he ushered Izzy out of the house. "See you guys!" he called loudly before he shut the door behind him. "Well…that was…interesting," Izzy started as they waked out to the car. "Yeah. You can say that again." "Do you really think Cecily will go?" "Come on, we’re talking about CECILY here. She’d do anything to ride." "Peter looked pretty upset." "Can you blame the guy? I mean, if you suddenly announced that you were going to the other side of the country, I know how I’d feel." "I guess." "Ah, I hope everything works out for her. She works really hard…" "She deserves to make the Olympic team." Felix sighed. "I’m sure it will all work out," he said as they got into the vehicle. He started the ignition and they drove away from the house. They were quiet, but as he drove, he reached over and took her hand. Inside the King household, it was also quiet. The rest of the family had gone, Daniel had been sent to bed, and now it was just Alec, Janet, and Cecily sitting alone in the family room. "Would one of you please say something?" Janet and Alec looked at each other. "We trust you. We know you’ll do what’s right for you and we’ll be behind you no matter what," her father told her before he and her mother left the room. Cecily sighed with relief. And so it came to be that Cecily prepared to go to Alberta. It had been hard to leave, for there was so much in Avonlea to keep her there. She loved her family, her friends; she loved the land and the sea. It was all a part of her and she vowed to herself that she would be back, that no matter what happened along the way, she would live her life here. The entire family drove with her to the airport to see her off and wish her well. Felix and Izzy had met them there. Peter had come along as well. Cecily stood in front of the terminal, tears threatening her eyes. Felix punched her playfully in the arm. "Knock em dead Cess." Izzy hugged her friend. "See you soon Cecily." Her aunts, uncles and cousins proceeded to kiss her and give her their well-wishes. They all stood back as Peter approached her. "Bye Peter," she whispered. "Good bye Cess," he whispered back. He wasn’t sure that he wanted to kiss her – not with her entire family standing right there. But he knew that if he didn’t he’d regret it once she had gone. "I love you Cecily," he told her before he kissed her. Once their lips had parted, he looked into her face. "Promise you’ll come home to me?" he whispered. "I promise." Then Peter laughed. "Now go and kick some equestrian-ass!" he joked. "Ok!" Cecily said, laughing despite the pain in her heart. Her parents were the last to bid her goodbye before she left. "Train hard Cecily, you know you can do what ever you put your mind to," her father told her. "And remember that, no matter what happens, you will always have your family here to support you, okay? No matter what." "I know mother. Thank you." "Cecily, we know you’ll do well," Alec continued, "But I want you to promise me something." "Anything, Daddy." "I want you to promise me that none of this will change you. Promise that no matter where this takes you, you’ll always remember who you are and where you came from. Because that’s more important than an Olympic gold. Promise me that if you begin to lose sight of yourself, you’ll come home?" "I promise father." She smiled at her parents. "I love you both," she told them. And then, turning to everyone before she walked onto the plane she cried, "I love you ALL! I’ll call the minute I’m in Alberta!" And then she was gone.