Ch. 21 Back to Normal
"Things are never slow around here," Anne laughed when Diana stopped by a week later with good news.
"Well, babies come naturally after a wedding, but I suppose someone should've told this baby it wasn't our wedding!" Diana laughed, taking a sip of lemonade. "Fred Jr. and Anne Cordelia are positively tickled at the thought of a baby in the house."
"As they should be," Anne said, bouncing Joyce on her knee. Joyce's fingers found their way to her mouth and she sucked on them while her bright eyes laughed. Anne glanced at the clock.
"Naptime's over," she said lightly, moving Joyce to her hip and getting up to awaken Dominic. The toddler was staying with Anne and Gilbert for about a week until Emily and Jack returned from a honeymoon.
"Have you heard from Emily and Jack?" Diana asked when Anne returned with the little boy in tow, rubbing his eyes woefully.
"Jack called from their hotel three days ago to say hi to Domi. Poor baby, Daddy always leaving him," Anne said, giving the boy a kiss on the cheek. He returned the favor by planting one on Joyce's chubby cheek.
"Isn't he precious?" Anne cooed as Dominic sat on the blanket set out for Joyce and began to play with the truck Gilbert had made for the boy.
"Honestly, Anne, you don't play favorites at all!" Diana said, rolling her eyes.
"My poor kids won't even be able to compete, considering he's not even my son," Anne laughed, keeping one eye on Dominic. Joyce watched Dominic's actions with wide eyes.
"Are they all moved into the old Campbell place?" Diana asked. Anne nodded.
"What a large house! It's going to take some time before they have enough to fill up the place," Anne said, shaking her head in disbelief. The house needed some attention in a few spots, but it was overall one of the best farmhouses in Avonlea—with the exception of Green Gables, of course.
"Jack even bought a puppy for Emily: One out of the Murray's litter. Hamlet is supposed to deliver the pup when they return," Anne added.
"He's really getting into the country spirit, isn't he?" Diana laughed.
"For a Yankee, he fits in quite nicely," Anne approved. "He's encouraging me to write, but I just don't see how I'll have time. Two books with average sales are enough for me."
"You won't have any time once the children start coming. You should still keep it in mind, Anne. You always were a great writer," Diana said.
"Well, not always," Anne said, recalling her childhood attempts at romantic writing. "But I'll think about it."
"It's nice that things are finally getting back to normal," said Diana with a soft sigh.
"Normal," Anne echoed, glancing down at the angelic towheaded boy playing at her feet. "But I wouldn't change the past for anything."
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A/N: There! I think that's done! Don't ask me why it took me so long to finish when there obviously wasn't much left to the story! Another day, another time, there might be time for a chronicle or two about Jack and Emily in Avonlea. But I won't get your hopes up. Thank you kind readers for sticking through this. It's been a long, drawn-out journey! haha And this completes my satisfaction with the end of Anne: The Continuing Story. Jack just shouldn't have died. L I like this ending better. ; ) Thanks again to all!!