Chapter 10—Home For the Holidays

A week before Christmas Anne was sitting quite comfortably on the sofa, her legs curled up underneath her, sipping a mug of hot cocoa, and staring into the fire that was crackling and glowing warmly in the living room of Patty's Place. Gog and Magog stood their ceaseless watch from the hearth, the firelight dancing on their shiny white bodies. The long awaited cold front had finally arrived, but less than an inch of snow had fallen. The days were grey and overcast with a chill in the wind that would make Old Man Winter shiver.

Anne was lost in her thoughts as she sat there in front of the roaring fire. A Christmas card from Jane Andrews and Ruby Gillis sat on top of the coffee table. Both contained letters of what they had been up to the past year, best wishes, "Merry Christmas," and "can't wait to see you" all reminded Anne of home. She hadn't felt homesick in weeks, but now she was wishing she was back at Green Gables and in Avonlea, helping Marilla with the daily chores and getting ready for Christmas, and visiting with dear old friends.

A sigh escaped her lips as Anne thought back to the old days when she and Diana and Ruby and Jane would get together and exchange gifts. A small smile crept across her face as she remembered a certain gift exchange with Gilbert. Ruby Gillis had thrown a small Christmas party, which practically everyone in their class attended, and had the usual gift exchange. Charlie Sloane and Moody Spurgeon were there, jovial and mischievous as usual, as was Gilbert. It was a jolly time and when Ruby announced it was time to open the gifts, everyone gathered their boxes or bags and began opening. The last gift Anne opened that night was Gilbert's. Inside a small white box laid with a rectangular piece of cotton batting she found a small silver chain necklace with a small silver heart pendant. Underneath the silver pendant was a small note written by Gilbert. Anne took a deep breath and slowly exhaled it as she recalled what it said.

May this necklace remind you of Matthew, who will always be in your heart, of all those who love you, and give you cheer on "Jonah days." Merry Christmas, Carrots!

Gilbert

Anne recalled how her eyes misted and how Gilbert had come up to her and smiled, saying how glad he was she liked his present and that she didn't feel the need to slap him on the head with a chalkboard. Oh how he could joke about that incident back in fifth grade (when she took her small green chalkboard they were using in math to silence him)! Anne's ruddy hair rustled back and forth as she shook her head at the memory before taking another sip of hot cocoa. Still lost in dreams of days gone by, Anne didn't realize that Philippa had entered the room.

Phil had just returned from a last minute shopping trip and was warming herself up by the fire. "Blimey, it's cold outside!" she exclaimed while rubbing her arms. After waiting for Anne to respond for a moment, Phil turned around to face her (and to warm her backside). Studying Anne for a second Phil asked, "Anne, what are you thinking about?"

Anne shook her head to clear out the fog of yesteryear and focused her eyes on Phil for a moment. "I'm sorry, Phil. I was thinking back to old Avonlea days. Jane and Ruby's Christmas cards sent me back for a while and made me yearn for home."

"Well, you'll be home tomorrow close to this time," replied Phil. "Then you'll be wishing you were back here with the rest of us."

"Oh, probably after Christmas, I will," laughed Anne. "But I am glad I stayed an extra week here."

"Well, I think it's a good thing we're all leaving tomorrow. I don't think I could handle being here by myself," stated Phil as she rotated her front to the fire.

"It's been odd not seeing Stella and Kelly round here like usual," Anne commented. "I just pray we have safe travels tomorrow."

"Oh, we will don't fret," shrugged off Phil. "So, what did your friends know?" Phil was dying to know what was going on in that red head of Anne's.

"The usual Avonlea happenings," Anne replied lightly. "What they've been up to lately and plans of getting together over break."

"So, they're planning a reunion?" Phil questioned teasingly.

"Oh, I'm sure there'll be the usual get-together at New Year's," Anne airily answered. She sighed. "But, I do miss everyone. It's so sad to see us growing up and apart. Sometimes I wish we could relive certain moments, just so they don't feel like they happened so long ago or didn't last as long."

Phil arched an eyebrow. "You mean you want to freeze real life and play it back from the beginning? Honey, get TiVo and then you'll never want to relive anything again," Phil said easily.

Anne stared at Phil in amazement for a moment, not believing the incredible thing she had just said before casually rolling her eyes. "Oh Phil, you don't understand. I merely meant instead of replaying memories inside one's head we could actually go back to that time and age we were and relive it, possibly at a slower rate in order to enjoy or learn from them more."

Quizzically, Phil turned around to face Anne again. "And what exact moment did you want to relive just now?"

Anne pinked in the cheeks for a second. She hadn't quite expected Phil to ask her that. Trying to weasel out of this, Anne replied cautiously and casually, "Oh I suppose this one Christmas party that Ruby threw back in high school. Everybody was there, and we were carefree and closer then."

Phil couldn't help but think Anne was leaving out some details; nonetheless, she played along, hoping to get more information out of her dear friend. "Anything in particular happen then?" Phil asked as she moved over to a chair sitting close by the fire.

"It was the Christmas I received this," replied Anne as she dug out the small silver heart pendant from under her sweater to show Phil. Phil recognized it as she remembered seeing it a time before. "But it was also the first Christmas without Matthew." Anne paused for a moment as she thought back to that time. "If it wasn't for Gil—all my friends, it would've been more difficult."

Phil noted Anne's attempt of covering up Gilbert's name; she smiled to herself, knowing the one thing Anne didn't realize. "So, is that who gave you the necklace?" she asked coyly.

"Yes," Anne replied blushing slightly. "We had just become good friends then."

"Well, it's good you two are still friends," Phil slyly remarked. "I mean with everything that's happened between now and then and what will be happening in the future."

"I suppose so," Anne said quietly as she took a sip of cocoa, starting to feel slightly uncomfortable for some reason.

"Well, you know, Gilbert's your best guy friend," said Phil as she played with the hem of her sweater, baiting Anne for her true feelings, "but Roy will always be your true love."

Something about Phil's casual statement stirred emotions inside of Anne. Somehow, she had overlooked this scene, never fully realizing or understanding the roles in which everyone had been cast. Phil noted the semi-surprised look Anne's face showed, but she decided not to voice it. The important lesson here was to open Anne's eyes.

After collecting her wits, Anne finally found the words to speak. "Roy's a dream," she said slowly, "and I've known for weeks Redmond gossip has Roy and I engaged any day now," Anne quietly confessed.

Taken by surprise at Anne's calmness about the rumors, Phil masked her own surprise as she tried to understand what Anne was actually saying. Phil looked up and over at Anne before asking, "Do you think he'll ask you over break?"

Anne gave a wan smile and chuckled softly. "Of course, that's the one thing all the rumors have in common. So, there must be some truth in that."

"And when he asks," Phil slowly and softly asked, "will you accept?"

Not exactly knowing if she would or not, yet not willing to admit it, Anne answered, "I think you already know the answer." Anne's mind told her yes, but her heart told her no. Obviously, Anne had to figure out her answer before Roy asked. She had to know one way or another.

Before Phil could comment, Priscilla arrived with a pizza in toe. "Greetings roomies, I've brought our 'last supper' till next year. I hope you're hungry!" Pris said cheerfully. "I'll get us plates and sodas and we can spend our last night together in reverie before traveling home tomorrow."

And with that Priscilla left Philippa and Anne alone in the living room. Neither one said much of anything before Pris returned and chatted lightly about her day. Soon all girls chatted excitedly about their plans for Christmas break in between eating and drinking and joking and reminiscing. Several hours later, they bade each other good night and climbed the stairs for bed.

The next morning found Anne brimming with excitement. Avonlea, she thought as a smile crossed her face, Green Gables . . . home. Oh how wonderful it'll be to be back home! Slowly she opened her eyes to stare blinkingly at the white ceiling above her before rolling over to look at the clock on her nightstand. 8:00 a.m., it stared back at her with its gleaming red light. In two hours Anne and Priscilla had to be at the airport leaving Kingsport, Redmond, and Patty's Place for a good three weeks vacation. A trusted neighbor would watch over the house for them until they returned. But for now, Anne resigned herself to get up and get ready to go, for it was a long journey from Kingsport to Avonlea.

After showering and throwing on some clothes, Anne finished getting ready and headed downstairs for some breakfast before dashing back upstairs to finish some last second packing. Checking her email one last time before shutting down her laptop, Anne then gave her room one last look around before carrying her large black suitcase and two black bags downstairs. Pris and Phil's luggage was already down in the foyer ready to go. Phil was driving home to Bolingbroke while Pris and Anne were driving to the airport to head home.

"Well girls," said Priscilla as she walked out of the living room, "this is it; home for Christmas break."

"I'll miss you two terribly!" Philippa declared as she descended the stairs before all three girls gathered for a group hug.

"We won't be gone that long, Phil," Anne assured as they slowly pulled apart from each other.

"Oh, I know but I'll still miss you all just the same," Phil replied. "You're my sisters, if I had any."

"Well come by and see us over break," Pris suggested, "so long as the roads or ferry or airports are operational."

"I'll try," Phil responded with a tiny sniff. "Well, we might as well get the cars packed before we say goodbye again."

About fifteen minutes later, the cars were packed and Anne had run over to the neighbor's house to hand over the house keys and go over last minute instructions. Standing by their warming cars, Pris and Phil chatted quietly.

"So when do you think he'll propose?" asked Phil.

"Oh probably when he comes to visit sometime after Christmas," Pris replied airily. "I can see him doing that."

"What do you think about the rumors of Gilbert and Christine being engaged?"

Pris raised an eyebrow at her. "I think they're a pack of lies. I just don't see Gil settling down with someone like her. She isn't his type."

"Well," Philippa shrugged, "stranger things have happened."

"Let's just hope for the best," Priscilla suggested as she saw Anne leaving the neighbor's house and heading down their path.

"For all parties involved," whispered Phil as Anne walked up the driveway towards them. "Well girls, let me know how Christmas and New Year's went; weather permitting I hope to come visit you both."

"Let me know when you plan to come and I'll make sure the guest room's ready," Anne replied with a smile.

"Alright," Phil answered, "I will."

"Well, last group hug till we meet again," said Pris as the girls gathered together for a hug while they wished one another safe traveling. Letting go and heading to their cars, the girls prepared to leave. Philippa backed out of the driveway first, pausing to switch into drive and to give one more wave and smile goodbye. Unfortunately, Phil did not go forward; in fact, her car remained in place while her engine revved up. Looking down at her gear switch, she realized she accidentally switched gears to neutral, not drive. Puzzled and embarrassed by her silly mistake, Phil shifted into drive and drove down Spofford Avenue, giggling to herself. Priscilla and Anne shared a hearty laugh over Phil's folly, knowing only Phil could pull something like that off, as they too back out of the driveway and drove out of Spofford Avenue heading for home.

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About four hours later, Anne found herself home. Diana met Anne at the airport and drove her home to Green Gables. They chatted nonstop as if they weren't apart for four months. Anne couldn't help but think how good it was to be back on Prince Edward Island, but it wasn't until they were driving up the lane to Green Gables when Anne found Marilla and Rachel Lynde waiting for her arrival that she was truly glad to be home. She greeted both with a hearty hug before unloading her luggage in her small gabled room. Carefully dropping the last bag down on the wooden floor, Anne looked around her room before lying down on the bed. How wonderful it is to be back home, she thought as she exhaled a deep breath and closed her eyes, a smile growing across her face. Very faintly, Anne whispered, before falling asleep, "I'm home."

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Three days later, Diana Barry was sitting on Anne's bed at Green Gables laughing and chatting away with her kindred spirit. It was near midnight and the girls were catching up with each other over events that had happened over the last few weeks. Diana had just finished telling Anne the going-ons of Avonlea when Anne posed Diana with a question and some information.

"Diana," said Anne thoughtfully after a pause in their conversation, "what would you do if you found out your boyfriend was going to propose to you?"

Shocked by Anne's question, Diana returned with one. "You've heard Roy's going to propose to you?"

Anne sighed. "It's been rumored, yes, and I honestly don't know what to do."

"Well," said Diana surprised by Anne's answer and slowly yet hesitantly, "do you really love him? I mean the kind of love that makes you feel safe and warm and so happy you can't help but smile when you think of him."

Anne thought for a moment. Her mind raced back to times she and Roy had shared and felt contented with those memories, but her heart told her the truth, whether she realized at the time it did or not. Diana, sensing Anne herself didn't know the answer, knew what the real answer was.

"Anne," she said quietly, "if you even have to think about it for more than two seconds, then maybe he isn't the one. You should know without even thinking or doubting it. I mean if you're not sure, then perhaps you need to listen to your heart; that will tell you the answer you need."

Anne's misty eyes met Diana's eyes and she quietly replied, "Diana, you really are my kindred spirit. You know my mind better than anyone I know."

Diana smiled genuinely, thinking perhaps there was someone else who just might know Anne's mind as well as herself. "Thanks Anne, but don't let him suffer much longer," she said secretively.

Anne sighed and nodded her head, unbeknownst that her kindred was referring to another tall, dark, and handsome man.

AN: Thanks for being extra patient with me . . . I know it's been a very long time since I last updated this story (before ch.9 that is). Life just got in the way for a spell, but I am continuing to work on my upcoming chapters, so I'm writing as much as I can (and as often as I can). I absolutely adore all the reviews I've been getting; they've been great motivators:-D Thanks again everyone!