Disclaimer: I do not own the American Girl Series.

--

Felicity stared at him, a sob erupting from her throat. She didn’t know what to do, her mind urged her to move forward, her heart demanding her to move towards him, but she just couldn’t physically move. Someone grabbed her arm trying to drag her away from him. Finally gaining sense she ran towards him.

She kept running towards him pushing people out of her way, tripping over her dress.

The distance to him kept growing, she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t get closer.

A man blocked her view and he pushed her to the ground. As she fell, the only image burned in her mind was his lifeless body.

Felicity gasped and sweat dripped from her forehead. Her eyes focused and she realized with relief it was just that dream. Rubbing a hand over her face, she sighed. She’d been having that dream for weeks now and yet she could never recall who’s body she saw in that dream, no matter how vivid the dream was. Turning her gaze to her sister, she saw that Nan was sleeping peacefully. Falling back onto her pillow, she closed her eyes.

--

The shop seemed unbearably hot that afternoon as Felicity sat at the counter waiting for a customer. Since it was so hot, the shop had been slow today. Her hair stuck to her face from the humidity and she sighed. Looking out the window something caught her eye a head of familiar brown locks, but her mind was just playing tricks on her, it was just another regular customer. She sighed, thinking about that day.

“Ben, my son, I do hope you will get better,” said Mr. Merriman. Ben smiled at him and nodded, letting Mr. Merriman pat him on his back.

“Ben,” said Mrs. Merriman before she choked and lunged at Ben, crushing him with a motherly hug. Ben closed his eyes and let her hug him even as the crutches he had pinched his sides. Nan and Polly stepped forward hugging him at the same time. As Nan pulled back she looked at him and gave him one long look. As if a conversation between them transpired, Ben nodded. Polly stepped back and looked at Ben admiringly.

“Please come home,” she said. Ben’s eyes softened and he ran a hand over Polly’s hair. William moved forward and they said a few hushed words before William gave Ben a quick hug. Everyone turned to Felicity as she stood at the door. Ben’s eyes locked with hers and she stepped forward. The family sensed they needed a moment alone left. Felicity took one step forward made a move to make another one, but faltered. She stood a distance away from him, her hurt radiating of her. Ben sighed and looked away from her as if ashamed.

“Goodbye Ben,” she said. Ben looked back to her and wanted to gape. Is that all she wanted to say?

“Felicity,” he said softly. Felicity held up a hand and finally showed some of the emotion on her face. Her eyes were sparkling with unshed tears and she had a tired expression.

“Ben, don’t make another promise,” she said before she turned away from him and walked up the stairs. Ben stared at her back and opened his mouth to call out, but no sound came out. Sighing he turned away and refused the man’s help to help him into the carriage.

Felicity closed her eyes in hurt, Ben wasn’t here. She had to learn how to deal with that and she sighed. Opening her eyes she looked out at the window losing herself once again in memories.

“Ben,” she said laughing as he looked up at her sheepishly. Bending down, Felicity brushed a hair from his face.

“You weren’t supposed to see this,” he said looking down at the heart shaped piece of wood. Felicity smiled at him.

“So it was for me then?” she asked. Ben flushed and coughed.

“Well, uh Felicity, this is uh,” he sputtered. Groaning, Ben slapped a hand to his forehead. Felicity fought to keep the giggles in.

“Well I’d be awfully sad if it wasn’t for me,” she said amused. Ben looked up at her and his eyes narrowed.

“Are you teasing me Ms. Merriman?” he asked. Felicity’s eyes were full of mirth and Ben smiled.

“Why no, Mr. Davidson. How could you suggest such an appalling thing?” asked Felicity with mock hurt. Ben looked at her for a second before bursting out in laughter. Felicity laughed along with him, his laughter contagious.

Felicity looked down at her hands. She couldn’t understand his need to go away. She knew that this was his home, with her. She knew that he was running away. And she knew that it hurt.

--

Laughter surrounded her as she smiled at the happy couple. Her best friend had just gotten engaged and she was happy for Elizabeth, but the engagement was a reminder. A reminder of him. Maybe she was just being a fool, since he never told her he loved her or actually liked her. It hurt like hell to know he wasn’t here though. She smiled at Elizabeth and walked out onto the porch of her house. When she was outside she stared at the stars and sighed. The laughter and joy coming from the house made Felicity feel extremely lonely. Letting her eyes close she let her mind wander.

--

Dear Ben,

It has been months since I’ve last spoken to you. Elizabeth is married now, married last week. She’s off on her honeymoon and when she comes back, she’ll be moving in with James. We all missed you at the wedding, I missed you. Ben, I lo

Felicity stared at the paper and let out a frustrated sigh. Crumpling the piece of parchment up she threw it in the corner of her desk. A soft knock came at her door and Nan walked in.

“There’s a man at the door for you,” said Nan. Felicity stared at the crumpled wad and turned to Nan, her eyes shocking her sister. There was so much intense pain in Felicity’s eyes that disappeared after a moment. Shaken for a moment, Nan placed a hand on the door.

“Who is it?” Felicity asked her voice empty. Nan was shaken out of her revere.

“A Mr. Kenneth Markson,” said Nan. Felicity nodded and stood up. Steadying herself she walked towards her sister. Before passing Nan, Felicity felt a hand on her arm. Felicity faltered and turned to Nan.

“He’s coming back,” Nan spoke softly. Felicity gave her a small smile and patted Nan’s cheek.

“Dreams don’t always come true,” she said and she walked out the door. Nan stared at her sister’s back, shock and sympathy pouring out of her. Felicity walked out into the foyer and saw a man with brown hair and grey eyes, Ben. Was her first thought before the man gave her a smile.

“Hello Mr. Markson,” she said curtsying. He looked up and curtsied back.

“Ms. Merriman, what an immense pleasure to meet you,” he said, “ James Carlton speaks highly of you.”

“Why you know Mr. Carlton?” asked Felicity. Kenneth smiled and nodded.

“He’s a wonderful man who suggested me to come by the Merriman household and meet a Ms. Felicity Merriman,” he said, his voice oozing with charm. Caught of guard, Felicity gave him a real smile.

“Thank you, Mr. Markson,” she said.

“No call me Kenneth please,” he said.

“Kenneth then,” said Felicity. He smiled and looked at her father.

“Mr. Merriman, may I escort Ms. Merriman for a walk?” asked Kenneth.

“It is up to her,” said Mr. Merriman curiously looking at his daughter.

“I’d love to,” she said.

--

Ben stared at the sky, holding a forgotten letter in his hand.

Dearest Felicity,

I want to apologize for all the promises I’ve never fulfilled. But I have one promise that I will always keep, I will come back to you and I will always be here for you. You mean the world to me, Felicity. You and your spirit are forever in my mind. Your smile has kept me going forward, because I want to come back to you and see that smile on your face. I love you.

Ben

Tears rolled down his face as the letter fell to the ground and the wind blew it away. He missed her so much. He loved her even more.

--a/n

So there we go! Another chapter that has been held of for so long.