-1Disclaimer: I do not own American Girl.

a/n: all the writing in italics are memories and the rest is the present.

--

Felicity stood her arms wrapped around her waist as she glared up at him. He stepped towards her and she took two steps back. Her eyes were glistening with tears and he could not bear it. He rubbed his arm tiredly.

“How could you Ben?” she asked, he stared at her. He shrugged his shoulders defeated. Felicity ran a hand through her hair and walked out of the room.

--

Ben looked at the house, his heart warmed. He was home. He glanced to his side and smiled down at Felicity. She smiled back at him and looked into his eyes. Ben felt himself get lost in her eyes and the same happened to Felicity. The two did not realize that there were people observing them.

“You think?” asked Felicity’s father gesturing to the two. Felicity’s mother smiled softly and looked up into her husband’s face.

“Yes and I am glad,” she said her voice filled with love. Felicity’s father smiled and wrapped his arm around his wife looking at the two young ones in front of them. Felicity opened her mouth to say something, but faltered as the door swung open and her Nan barreled down towards them. She rushed towards Ben giving him a hug, forgetting her manners for one second, but remembering herself she pulled back. Ben looked down at Nan in shock, she had grown up like her sister.

“How are you Nan?” Ben asked, Felicity looked at the two and her heart warmed. She looked towards the door and saw William standing there trying to seem mature with his hand on Polly’s shoulder. Felicity gestured him to come forward and he did, but Polly stayed back staring at Ben. Felicity shook her head and let a small smile grace her face. She had felt that same awe that Polly seemed to feel towards Ben when she first met him. William reached Ben’s side and they gave each other a once over.

“Come ‘ere you big lug,” said Ben wrapping an arm around William’s shoulder. When Ben looked towards the door, he fell in love. The little girl stood there shyly and she was staring at him with such admiration that it humbled Ben. Looking at Felicity, she nodded and he made his way towards Polly.

“Hi Polly,” said Ben. Polly looked at Ben not quite grasping the fact he was speaking to her.

“Hello,” she said shyly.

“You are quite beautiful,” said Ben. Polly blushed and smiled. Felicity shook her head and laid a hand on Ben’s shoulder. He looked up at her and they once again shared a look.

--

She looked at the door of his room feeling her resolve break. Ben was falling into a depression and she could not do anything about it. A soft knock broke her from her thoughts and she wiped furiously at her face. There in her doorway stood a solemn Ben.

“I think it’d be best,” said Ben struggling, “that I go home for a while.”

Felicity wanted to shake him and scream she knew that this was his home. Ben could not understand that, because he was too far deep in his self-pity that he could not see all the wonderful things in his life. She shrugged her shoulders helplessly and turned away from him. His mind was made up there was nothing she could change. She heard him leave her room, turning her head she stared at his back as he walked back to his room.

--

Felicity and Ben sat on the porch as they stared at the sunset. Ben started to hum a tune and Felicity grinned. Turning her head she looked at him, he was smiling and she could feel the happiness radiating off him. Ben opened his eyes and saw her staring at him.

“It’s rude to stare,” he said smiling. Felicity blushed and looked down at her hands. He rolled his eyes, took her chin in his hands, and lifted it to level with his eyes. She looked into his eyes and sighed.

“But that doesn’t mean I disapprove,” he said smiling.

--

Ben rubbed his eyes tiredly. The pain in his leg was intensifying and it was a common reoccurrence, but the pain never lessened. He looked at the ceiling and bit his lip trying to will the pain away. He let out a soft groan and he closed his eyes. There was a soft knock on his door and he opened his eyes.

“Come in,” he said in a weak voice. He heard the creak of his door opening and then the soft sounds of the steps of a person coming towards his bed. He recognized her hair and he sighed.

“Felicity,” he said. She did not speak only sat on his bed. She reached towards his leg and raised his pants’ leg. Ben sighed; she was not speaking to him.

“Felicity,” he tried again and grimaced when she started to rub his leg. She smoothed the lotion the doctor had given them for his scar.

“Ben, just be quiet,” she said in an emotionless voice and she proceeded to massage his leg.

--

Ben stared at her as she sat on Penny’s back. She looked so graceful, beautiful. It made him smile to see that she was still as vibrant as ever. He started to walk towards her and helped her off the horse as best as he could.

“You’re a bit rusty,” said Ben. Felicity glared at him and poked her tongue out. Ben laughed and he poked her nose.

“You are so immature,” said Felicity. Ben started to laugh harder and they walked back to the house shoving each other. That night, Ben sat on his bed breathing hard. His leg wound started to sting and he could not stop the a few tears of pain leak from his eye. He heard the door open and turning away from the door he spoke.

“Get out,” he said gritting out the words. A hand fell on his shoulder and he looked up, it was Felicity.

“Ben, why didn’t you call for someone?” she asked concern written all over her face. He shrugged, he hated feeling helpless. Felicity knelt down and took his leg. She took out a bottle and opened it. Then she rolled his pants’ leg up and began to massage his leg. Ben looked down at Felicity in shock, but he was to relieved to be rid of the pain to say anything. After that night anytime Ben would be in pain, Felicity would know somehow and come to help him.

--

Felicity sat across from Elizabeth. The two girls were sitting in the backroom of the shop on the stairs. Elizabeth spoke, “So he’s going home?”

“Yes,” she said her voice empty. She lifted her eyes to look into Elizabeth’s eyes.

“Felicity, I wish I could,” she said. Felicity shrugged. Turning away from Elizabeth, she looked at the ground. Elizabeth stroked her head and that was all it took, Felicity buried her head in Elizabeth’s shoulder and cried silently.

--

Felicity was looking at the sunset and felt the immense pleasure of peace. She closed her eyes smiling, everything was right in the world. Ben was home, alive. Her best friend was about to get married. Her sister was being courted. Little Polly was beginning to ride Penny. Felicity had all her family and friends surrounding her in the place she loved the most. Feeling a few tears like out of her eyes, she cried silently.

She hadn’t had this kind of peace since the war started.

“I never knew it was possible to cry silently,” said Ben. Felicity looked at him and smiled. Ben lifted a hand and brushed her tears away.

“But now I know it’s possible,” said Ben, “and you do it beautifully.”

--

Felicity sighed her hair falling around her face gracefully. She looked at the night sky and sighed. Ben was becoming more distant. He already told her parents that he was moving back to his hometown for a while. Her parents had cast a concerned look at her, but agreed to let him. Felicity knew that her family and friends were concerned, but they had to know that Felicity was okay it.

Felicity shook her head laughing bitterly, “What a lie.”

A soft cough broke her from her thoughts, looking away from the sky she saw her father standing there. Smiling a little she turned her whole body to face him.

“Felicity,” he said.

“Yes father?” she asked. Her father shifted and Felicity knew where this was headed.

“I know you are,” he said coughing, “ upset.”

“Father before you go on,” Felicity said, “ I will admit that I am upset, but I know that Ben has to do this.”

“My dear Felicity,” said her father looking at her with admiration, “ when did you grow up?”

“I’m still your little girl,” said Felicity as she moved towards her father and hugged him, tears welling up in here eyes.

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Hello everyone, I have finally updated and hopefully you guys are happy with this chapter! I’d like to say thank you to my wonderful reviewers.