"Merry Christmas Marilla and Matthew!" Rang out as Anne ran down the stairs with her hands behind her back. "I wished there was snow. Here are your gifts. Close your eyes Marilla and put your arms out."

Marilla did as she bid.

It was a little heavy. What could Anne have possibly made me? She wondered.

"You may open now." Anne told her excitedly.

Looking down she saw that it was a bar of lavender soap.

"Why Anne, you made this? It's lovely."

"Diana and I made them. She has lavender in her garden and wanted to make her mother some and asked if I wanted to make some for you."

"Thank you Anne. It's wonderful." She said giving her a hug. This was the most motherly gesture Anne had ever seen and she welcomed it joyously.

"Your turn Matthew, close your eyes."

He felt something soft in his hands.

"Open!"

Anne had made him a green scarf with his initials at the end of it.

"Oh, thank you Anne. I love it." And he also wrapped her in a hug.

So this is what it's like being loved.

The siblings looked at each other and then Matthew said,

"Anne, we have something for you as well. I'll have to go get it. Until Marilla says so, close your eyes tightly."

Anne did as she was told and waited patiently.

Matthew ran out to the barn, picked up the puppy and ran back.

"Don't make any noise fella. She had to be surprised." He whispered.

Marilla saw him come in and when Matthew held the puppy out to Anne she said, "Open your eyes Anne."

Anne opened them and saw a fluffy blue puppy. She burst into tears.

Matthew was really concerned. He thought she was crying because the dog only had three legs.

"I'm sorry Anne I thought he would be a good gift for you." He apologised. Marilla was really worried too. And was the dog missing a leg? Why in the word would her brother her a dog with three legs?

Anne calmed herself and spoke,

"I'm sorry Matthew, I'm crying out of happiness! Thank you both so much! I love him."

Marilla sighed with relief.

Matthew placed the dog in Anne's arms and she cradled him.

He hated to but he had to ask her.

"Anne, does it bother you that he only has three legs?"

"What?" She held him up so she could see him better. "I didn't even notice! I love him even more now! He's perfect."

"I wouldn't have gotten you him, it's just that he was the last one and no one wanted him."

Anne quietly said, "I know what it feels like not to be wanted. But now I have you two and a new dog! I'm the happiest girl in the world!"

"What are you going to name him?" Marilla asked, hoping it wouldn't be something long and extravagant.

Anne set him down and watched as he ran around the room she laughed watching him.

"I'll call him-well I don't know. Romeo? Alexander?" Marilla grimaced but said nothing.

Matthew for his part didn't care what Anne named him. He was just glad she liked the dog.

"Well his coat is sort of a blueish grey. Cinder? Slate? Ash? Cobalt? Cobalt. I like that." Anne picked up the dog again and crooned. "Do you like Cobalt Marilla? Yes, that's his name." When he licked her face she laughed.

"Yes,Anne, I like it very much." Marilla said.

Matthew smiled, "Well I wonder what adventures will come with Cobalt?"

AUTHORS NOTE: Yes, I looked up names for blue dogs. Why do you ask? Well that's all from me until after Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!