The party is loud, raucous and so unlike the Turner's that I think we've entered the wrong house as we step inside the open parlour. Kids race through the throng of people, ducking and shouting as they chase each other throughout the house. I turn to Anne and measure her comfort, trying to perceive her thoughts through her mask of indifference and find myself surprised to see a look of sly comfort in her eyes.
"I was always quite good at parties, Gilbert," she breathes, touching her hand to my arm before leading the way between groups of people and into the kitchen. I follow her blindly, trailing after her and trying desperately not to lose her as she moves easily in the crowd. Somewhere in the house a band is playing and I smile, my spirits lifting with each step. A happy Anne was so unusual these last months that I was excited for what was to come of the night. Change was in the air and I had a front row seat.
"You made it!" Michael beams as we find our way towards the table where various drinks and snacks are scattered across an extravagant spread.
"I did! Thank you for having us," I return and accept his hand in mine quickly.
"Us? Tell me you brought her?" My expression gives me away and Michael spins on his heel, looking around himself quickly. "Where?"
Taking his shoulders I turn him slightly until he's facing where she's tucked herself into a corner, a small glass of punch in her hand and one of the Stewart clan keeping her company. "There," I state before following him through the crowd towards her. She looks towards us as we break through the people, her smile widening as she catches sight of me.
"My dear Miss Wright, don't you look lovely tonight!" Michael rumbles over the crowd, leaning towards her so he can hear her response. She says something lowly and he guffaws, turning back to me with a grin so broad it nearly cracks his face. "This one - Gilbert, you have found yourself a match!"
"We're just friends, Michael," I reply loud enough for Anne to hear, just in case the man's comments make her uncomfortable. We were just that, friends, and I didn't want to scare her off with anything more.
"Yes - and Sarah only ever accompanied me to parties as 'friends' too," he sighs and turns back to Anne, starting a line of questioning that could take all night. She waves me off with a look and I wander about the house, giving her space to acclimatize to the people of the Glen that she's hidden herself away from.
The evening flies by, time moving and shifting in an odd way until soon Sarah is leading the group outside into the cold, her children passing around candles to everyone as the snow falls softly around us. I look for Anne in the crowd, her raven hair freshly dyed for the occasion blending in well with the people and making her hard to spot above everyone else. Swearing under my breath at the unfortunateness of her giving up her fiery locks, I make an effort to sift through the faces until I land upon her near the edge of the crowd, her face stoic.
"Cordelia, I've been looking for you everywhere," I greet, handing her a candle I'd grabbed from Clarence in my search. She looks up at me without a smile, her face grim.
"Everyone! It's nearly midnight so please, give me your attention for a few moments!" Sarah shouts above the lull. I turn to face Anne full on, concern beginning to dawn on me as she ducks her head.
"What's wrong?" I ask, stepping between her and the group for a moment as she looks away.
"It's nothing. Let's just listen," she whispers, stepping around me carefully and turning her attention towards Sarah. Forcing out a smile, I try to pay attention as the ceremony they've arranged is explained even though all I want to do is turn back time and fix whatever stole Anne's smile this evening.
The gist of the idea is simple and I'm thankful it's easy to remember, my attention wavering as I hold the candle loosely in my wrapped fist. Sarah explains happily that the lit candle becomes a New Year's guiding light and at the stroke of midnight we think of a wish that the light will guide us towards throughout the year, blowing out the candle to seal the wish. In another moment we're lighting our candles from those around us and joining the countdown, our voices mixing in the crowd. When we get to zero we blow out the flame and I try to think of something else to wish for but settle for Anne's happiness, whatever it may be. While everyone around us pairs up and shares a New Year's kiss, I find myself flying when she meets me halfway and willingly draws my hands into hers, placing a light kiss along my knuckles out of sight from the distracted group.
"I'm very happy you brought me here this evening," she whispers as the crowd begins to disperse back into the house. We linger in the cool air a moment longer, our bodies close but untouching except for our fingers still linked together.
"I'm pleased you came. I hope you enjoyed meeting everyone, even if it was a bit overwhelming," I admit, unwilling to part just yet. I enjoyed being here, with her, too much to just let it go so quickly.
"It wasn't overwhelming - this was everything I'd hoped it would be and then some. I am quite tired though, so perhaps I should head home," she pauses and looks up at me, her hair fluttering in the wind as she opens her mouth to say something and then stops.
I lift my bandaged hand from hers and raise it to her brow, pausing a few inches away before she closes her eyes and leans into my touch. I graze my fingers across her temple and behind her ear, savouring the feel of her against my hand as she releases a shaking breath.
"Will you walk me home, Doctor Blythe?" She asks softly, looking up at me with those shining grey eyes.
"I was so hoping you would ask," I reply haltingly, smiling with delight as we head towards the house to collect our coats. We make quick work of it and depart through the kitchen, heading down the path towards her cottage with stories of the evening to keep us company.
"You know, I heard what you told Seb about me on Christmas Eve," she admits as we round the bend towards her home. I suck in a breath and look down at her, my fingers tightening instinctively in hers.
"I'm sorry - I shouldn't have assumed - "
"No, I'm not upset. I reacted poorly and it - "
"You reacted how you did because you've been hurt!" I hiss above her words, a spark of anger at the man who'd made her feel like this. Swallowing my tirade I close my eyes and force myself to exhale, squeezing her hand in mine. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."
"Gil," she breathes and slows her step to look at me, her palm lifting to my cheek in a moment so familiar and yet so ancient that I can barely process it. Her touch feels like heaven and I've missed it so much that I nearly stop breathing as I lean into it. When she pulls away it's with a small sigh that makes me open my eyes once more. "You were right. I've forgotten what a soft touch is. But you make me want to remember."
Her words stun me and all I can do for a moment is stare down at her, frozen in time as my mind spins. There was an olive branch extended here and I couldn't push it away. "Anne," I whisper eventually, leaning towards her and clutching her hand tightly in my own as she looks up at me.
"I'm not ready though," is all she can reply before she pulls away slowly, stepping back and looking up at me with a steady gaze. "Not quite yet."
I force myself to nod though my heart aches with the loss of her once more. What had I been thinking, leaning in like that? "That's okay," I murmur and stand up straight, my hands running through my hair as I release the breath I'd been holding.
"I had a wonderful time tonight, Gil. Thank you," she bids before turning to walk quickly towards her door. I watch as she goes inside and starts to light the lamps in each room, my heart hammering in my chest at all of the possibilities that now lay before us.
When I fall asleep that night it's with a hopefulness that I haven't felt in a very long time.