Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

***ARCHIE***

S ilence fell over the kitchen after the door closed behind Felicity, and the three men sat staring at each other. Mateo's face was filled with compassion, Max's was filled with worry, and Archie's was filled with confusion. The urge to go after Felicity and comfort her surged through him, the need to hold her in his arms and smooth away the fear he'd seen in her eyes almost overwhelming, but he didn't move. The reality of what was happening to them was slowly beginning to settle over him, and he realized that he had a choice to make. He could face what was slowly building between them or run away.

The thought of never seeing Felicity again made a cold spot form in his middle, but he wasn't sure he was ready to expose his secret to another woman. He could clearly remember the disgust on Susan's face when she found out. He didn't know if he could bear to see that look on Felicity's face or the fear that would follow, and there was always the chance that she wouldn't believe him. He wasn't sure she believed what was happening to them or if she was open enough to the magic in the world to accept fate messing with their lives with the help of the island. It was hard enough for him to believe, and he knew that magic was real.

"So, you knew there was a chance something like this would happen, and you didn't warn me?" He finally asked, looking over at Max. "A little heads up would have been nice."

"Oh, come on, Archie, there was no way I could have known this was going to happen," Max said. "Theo and Simon had different experiences. I'm sorry you're going through all this, but you have to admit it hasn't all been bad."

He stared at Max, anger slowly swimming to the surface, "Not all bad?" he asked. "I'm involved with a woman, the one thing I didn't want to happen. I've been forced to see my life and how pathetic it is every time I fall asleep, and on top of that, now you're telling me that it's not over yet. I just wanted a vacation; I just wanted some downtime, not to fall in love and face all my fears."

The other two men were silent for a long time, "I really am sorry, Archie," Max finally said. "I can't begin to understand what you're going through, but I'm here to help in any way I can."

"I don't think there's anything you can do," he said, getting to his feet. "I need to take a walk, clear my head, and figure out what I'm going to do about all this. One thing I know for sure, I'm not going to fall asleep any time soon."

Max followed him to the front door. "Archie, I didn't mean for this to happen. I don't blame you for being mad at me," he said. "I'm sure you have a lot of thinking to do, and you'd probably like some privacy. There's a waterfall hidden up on the mountain. It might be a good place to recharge. I can show you the way to the trail if you want."

He looked over at his friend, "I still haven't decided if I'm mad at you or not," he said, giving him a dirty look. "I don't think you meant any harm, and you've always been there for me, which I should have appreciated more than I have in the past. I'm sorry I blew up at you the other day. I think my pride and humiliation have been ruling my life for a little while now, but I'm going to fix that."

"Does this still mean that you want Bruce's help?" Max asked, slapping him on the back. "He's dying to get his teeth into your case, but I told him to hold off after our conversation the other day."

"Max, you know I don't have very much money to spend on lawyer's fees," he said. "And if Susan gets wind of this, she'll do everything she can to put a stop to it, which will only make it more expensive."

"Just listen to what he has to say," Max said. "I think you'll be able to afford what he's proposing. It's a brilliant solution that will give you your freedom and hopefully rekindle some of your old dreams."

"I can't possibly make a decision right now, not until I figure out this thing with Felicity," he said, shaking his head. "My head is too crowded with her and this dream thing. Susan can wait, she's sure as hell not going anywhere."

"Bruce will be waiting for you whenever you're ready," Max said. "Come on, I'll show you that trail, but you have to keep it to yourself. I don't want a bunch of people tromping around up there, and Mateo would have a fit. He seems to think there's something mystical about that waterfall. I don't really buy into all his theories, but it's a give-and-take with him, so I gave in on that one."

"Don't worry; your secret is safe with me. In fact, a little privacy sounds pretty good right now," he said. "Lead the way. Maybe a good hike will help me get my head straight."

"You know I don't really believe in love and all that romantic stuff, but if Felicity feels right for you, maybe you shouldn't ignore that feeling," Max said. "Don't let what happened with Susan blind you to what's right in front of you."

"Whether you believe in it or not, I think I love her," he said. "It scares me, more than anything ever has, and I don't know if I can take that leap again, Max. But if Mateo is right, we're going to have to finish this thing one way or the other, and I don't know what's behind that third door. The truth is, I don't know if I want to find out."

***Felicity***

Felicity pushed her empty plate away with a sigh and looked across the kitchen, where her sister was cleaning up. They hadn't said much since Brittany had announced that they both needed food. But that didn't mean her brain hadn't been going a million miles an hour trying to sort everything out. The rational part of her mind was stubborn, making it difficult to believe that what she'd been through was part island, part fate.

And if it was, what did that mean about her future? Was she supposed to be with Archie? Should she let go of all her fears and let him totally and completely in, or should she walk away as quickly as she could? The questions swam round and round in her mind, with no end in sight, but as she sat there sipping the last of her coffee, one thing became clear: She couldn't just walk away, couldn't leave the situation with Archie unfinished.

"Thanks for breakfast," she said, breaking the silence. "I needed that more than I realized."

Brittany set down the pan she'd been washing, walked over, and sat down across from her at the little table, "Are you ready to make the leap yet?" she asked, reaching out and taking her hand.

She looked at her sister, surprised by the question. "You sound like you believe in all this," she said. "I didn't think you would; you've always been the practical one."

Brittany smiled at her. "Just because I'm practical doesn't mean that I don't believe in forces we can't see," she said, patting her hand. "I watched you almost die, Felicity, and the truth is, you should be dead, but here you are, healed and living your life again. I started believing in something stronger than us the day you woke up after being in a coma for three months. There are forces out there we can't see. Call it fate, call it a higher power, it doesn't matter, all I know is that something is out there, and it helps keep the world in balance, and I'll be forever grateful that it saved you."

"I had no idea, you never said anything," she stammered, tears running down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that, so much pain just because of me and the stupid decision I made."

"Oh, Felicity, you're my sister. I'd do it all again if I had to," Brittany said, her eyes full of tears. "I got you back, and that's all that matters. It's time to let go of the past. Archie isn't Joe. He's a good man. I was wrong about him."

"I don't think I've ever heard you say that you were wrong," she said. "There must really be some mystical forces on this island."

They both laughed, Brittany leaned over and gave her a hug, then sat back, "What are you going to do?" she asked. "Archie's out there waiting for you somewhere."

"And I'm going to find him," she said, getting to her feet. "It's time we finished this thing so we can move on. There's only one door left. Once we find out what's behind it, this should be over."

Brittany got up and followed her to the door. "Good luck, little sister," she said, giving her a hug. "Just remember, when you're not sure what to do, listen to your heart. It won't steer you wrong. "

"Thank you, Brittany," she said. "I hope I won't be gone too long."

"Take all the time you need," she said. "I know you'll be safe if you're with Archie."

After checking Archie's cabin, the village, and the beach, Felicity found Max in his office, sitting behind his desk, staring into space. When she knocked on the door, he jumped. "Oh, Felicity, I didn't hear you," he said, getting to his feet. "Come on in, I was just……well, thinking about you and Archie. I'm really sorry about all of this. I'll understand if you want to leave, and I can arrange a boat to take you back to the mainland."

"Actually, I was looking for Archie. I guess I've decided to believe all this craziness," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "I think he and I need to finish what we started. I've been looking for him everywhere, and it's like he disappeared. Do you know where he is?"

A smile spread across Max's face. "Maybe this is going to work out after all," he said, then got up from his desk. "He's up at the waterfall, but I'll have to show you the trail. It's hidden, and most people don't know about it, but I think I can trust you."

"You're kidding, right?" she asked, then groaned when Max shook his head. "Are there any more little secrets I should know about?"

Max studied her for a second, "Probably; who knows, this island is……different," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "But, I promise you, right now, you know as much as I do."

An hour later, she climbed out of the jungle into a clearing with a beautiful sparkling waterfall. The pool below was filled with crystal blue water, and the dense vegetation around it was so green that it filled the entire space with the fresh scent of plants. The view caught her attention for only a second. Then she saw Archie standing by the water. A thrill rushed through her, and the thought that he could belong to her made her heart pound.

She hadn't been sure until that moment what she wanted, but looking at him now, she understood deep down that he was the one for her, and her body began to fill with warmth. The feeling was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before, and she realized with a start that it was love. She loved him, loved him more than she ever thought possible. Her knees started to buckle with the enormity of what she was feeling, and a wave of dizziness made her stumble, but she took a deep breath and embraced it for what it was.

A second later, Archie turned and saw her standing there. A look of surprise appeared on his face, but it was quickly replaced by a smile of genuine pleasure, and he started toward her. She took a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other, and, on trembling legs, went to meet him halfway, hoping that for the first time in her life, she'd chosen the right man.