Welcome to social distancing day six. This means loads of time for writing because I am not working at the moment because I work in the arts and all of our Ballet performances have been cancelled now. It's going to be rough, but we will survive!

I hope everyone is doing well, and that you are all surviving this strange time we are living in.

Thank you for all the reviews and follows, kudos, etc.

Stay safe!

Tina.


"Hello come in," Rilla greets as she opened the side door. It was a rather mild spring day and the flowers of the garden were beginning to poke through the soil. "You could have used the front door, we rarely use this one." She told the woman.

"Oh, I'm sorry it's a force of habit," the lady flushed and stepped inside the bright sunny kitchen. "Should I take off my shoes Mrs. Ford? I brought slippers?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter," Rilla waved nonchalantly at the offer. "Would you like some tea?" She motioned towards the teapot that was on the table and the fine floral china cups. "Here let me take your jacket, hat?" She asked but the woman shook her head.

"I have all my references with me." She offered to hold out a folder.

"I'll leave those for later," Rilla told her. "I want to know about you, what brought you to our advertisement Mrs. Clarke?" Handing her a cup of tea in the process, "Milk or sugar?"

"Oh milk please," Mrs. Clarke said still confused at the whole welcome so far. "Are you sure this is all right? Your husband won't come home and be angry?"

"What is there to be angry about? I am interviewing for a housekeeper?" Rilla gave her a puzzled look. "I am treating you like any other applicant. If we were to employ you, it is essential that we can get along? Have tea occasionally might happen should we need to go through any sort of agenda?"

"Have tea together?"

"Of course, that is what Mother always did with Susan," Rilla explained simply. "So tell me about yourself? Do you live far?"

"In the north end of the city," Mrs. Clarke says after a moment. "I am a widow, my husband passed away from the Spanish flu. We had no children, I live with my brother and his wife. I know how to read and write. My previous employer moved away so I have been finding odd jobs to support myself."

Rilla nodded. "I'm sorry about your husband, my parents tried to hide the extent of the flu from me, but it was truly devastating. It is just a few days a week, to begin with, it may lead to more later down the road possibly. Depending on how our lives change, we are a bit on the peculiar side I should warn you."

"Your life if your life," Mrs. Clarke told her. "It is not any of my business."

"I suppose it is," Rilla agreed. "This is what pay will look like weekly, or bi-weekly whichever you prefer essentially." She slid over the paper of numbers that Ken had given her.

"This is too much," Mrs. Clarke shook her head.

"What do you mean? It is what we are offering?" Rilla frowned looking at the amount. "It's on par with the research that we did what the agency gave for fair wages."

"For someone who is not coloured, it is fine pay," Mrs. Clarke flushed once more.

"Well, all I can say is that this is what we have budgeted for, and it makes no difference what colour your skin is. I will be truthful, I have had no contact with Africaville. Growing up on the island, while I have seen all walks of life being a daughter of a doctor. I have no issues with negro's and neither does my husband. He's hired a few for the printing room and deliveries at the publishing house."

"Mrs. Ford," Mrs. Clarke stammered.

"The name is Rilla," Rilla smiled and stood up and rummaged through the cookie jar. "I'm not the best baker, but they are edible." She offered them up.

"Gloria," Mrs. Clarke said with a smile. "And I am sure you are better than you think," Gloria told her.

"I am helpless. I am sure the reason why my husband suggested getting some help. Was to not worry about my cooking more then he should have to. " Rilla laughed.

"Do you wish for help?" Gloria asked. Knowing if a wife didn't want help, the job would most likely not last.

"I see his way of thinking. I am still working through school, and some days I do forget the time. Along with working with the GWVA, if we add children into the mix at some point, help around the house will be needed." Rilla explained. "Not that we are looking for a nanny," Rilla told her. "Just someone to help with the everyday little things that sometimes can be forgotten. Possibly the occasional childminding, but having raised a war baby, it will be far and few."

"Of course, I am assuming your family is not near?"

"My mother and father are on the island, with the majority of my siblings," Rilla told her. "While my in-laws are in Toronto. Do you have any requirements, availabilities?"

"So a fair distance for sure," Gloria nodded. "I do attend church on Sundays, of course, other than that I am free since my other employers moved away."

"Of course, don't we all," Rilla nodded her head. "I think we will get along well I think. You seem to be what my mother calls a kindred spirit. I will read over these quickly," Rilla tapped the folder.

"Is it all right if I use the washroom?"

"Of course! Just down the hall first door to the right." Rilla smiled as Gloria shed her jacket for the first time and left her gloves and purse on the table.

She scanned through the letters and noted the telephone numbers. A good sign and she noted some of the things were from rather well off families. Underneath each one she gave a reason why she left the employee. All were reasonable explanations of seasonal work during the summer or moving away."

"I propose we start with weekdays. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, half day on Saturday when needed?" Rilla stated as she finished reading. "Oh you aren't allergic to cats, are you? Artemis is around here somewhere and just want to make sure?"

"Cats are fine, and everything sounds agreeable. Do we need to wait for Mr. Ford's approval?" Gloria asked calmly.

"I am sure that he will agree. He met with the matron at the agency that we advertised with and left the final decision up to me," Rilla told her. "He trusts my judgement, he left this up to me after all. He should be home soon enough, he said he would stop by before heading out to take some photographs. If you wish to meet him before making your choice?"


"Are you happy with your choice?" Ken asked as they got ready for bed.

"I believe I am. Mrs. Clarke seems like a fair-minded woman. Are you all right with my choice?" Rilla asked him.

"It makes no difference to me," Ken shrugged as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"She was shocked by what we would pay her," Rilla told him as she turned to face from her vanity. "Do negro's make less than well, white people?"

"It is very common practice yes," Ken said after a moment.

"Do you do it at the magazine?" Rilla asked him and watched him for a moment. "

"I would have to check with the accountant to be truthful," Ken told her frowning. "I don't believe I pay them less, my uncle from when I spoke to him about it said all men in a department receive the same wage. Regardless of colour, the same with the women that he employs."

"But he does pay women less," Rilla stated, women were always paid less. It was a fact of life.

"Oh, I mean to tell you that the premier is allowing an interview for the magazine. He is coming in to see the new publishing house that I set up. I thought it would be nice if you could be there as well?" Ken asked told her.

"Name the time and place and don't complain if I buy a new dress," Rilla teased him. "After all, I did vote for him." She said proudly.

"You are so proud to be able to vote," Ken chuckled amused at her delight.

"Well, of course, I am!" Rilla repeated the same words she told him once before. "All the suffragettes that made it possible. Even Susan agrees that women have a right to vote!"

"Yes and if Susan believes it, it must be true," Ken teased her. "Though you know I am more than accepting women having the vote. You live in this country too, why shouldn't you?"

"How did I get so lucky to marry a man like you?" Rilla smiled and stood up, her lace kimono, trailing behind her as she stood in front of him.

"Well, you waited four years, and still decided to keep me around afterwards," Ken said impishly. "I figured that I wasn't going to find another to do that."

"Oh you behave," Rilla poked him playfully. "Or I will find the most expensive dress I can find."

"You have your usual amount to spend on a dress," Ken responded. "No more, but less if possible, though Rilla you buy anymore I will have to build you a new closet. I don't want to do that, I'm pretty certain your family thinks I spoil enough."

"I haven't bought a new dress in a year," Rilla reminded him.

"No, you just made them with Lillian," Ken gave her a look. "Which still counts takes up space in the closet."

"You do realize that this will be the last year I will be able to wear such pretty things? This figure is never going to look as good as it does after children," Rilla reminded him.

"Then I will just have to buy you some corselets," Ken grinned cheekily at her. "But for now, I can use a reminder?"

"You know if you take a picture it lasts longer?" Rilla said without thinking, and when she did she bit her lip and hide her gaze as her cheeks burned bright.

Ken raised an eyebrow, his voice lowering in his chest. "Is that an invitation my dear, because you know I will never turn that down?"


"Shirley?" Lillian asked. "Are you awake?"

"If I wasn't, I am now," he grumbled and turned over and face her yawning. "What is it mon, Cheri?"

"If I told you that we may need more bedrooms in Paris, is that still possible?" Lillian whispered.

"I'm pretty sure we can find something for your sister," Shirley yawned.

"Has she said anything to you?" Lillian frowned. Amelie had been quiet when they told her the news. She was happy for her sister but at the same time, she had pulled away, thinking that she wasn't wanted."

"No, but I thought maybe she had said something to you?" Shirley brow furrowed.

"Not yet, I didn't think how it might affect her," Lillian sighed. "I keep trying to talk to her, but she just doesn't say a word."

"She knows you love her," Shirley kissed her hair tiredly.

"Still, we may need another room," Lillian told him, alluding to what she originally woke him up for.

"Lily?" Shirley sat up half-hazard and looked down at her, piecing it together.

"I don't know for sure, but I think—," Lillian started before she found herself being kissed.

"Whatever happens, though I didn't think," Shirley rambled off. Lillian laughed lightly.

"Generally when men and women play about in bed. Babies will eventually happen," Lillian teased him.

"You know what I meant," Shirley nudged her and pulled her close to him. "I'm happy though, and if you aren't and it takes a while longer. I'm fine with that too, heck if we have to find some child to adopt one day that will fine too."

"I am so excited, but at the same time it's so bittersweet to leave everyone," Lillian admitted to him.

"It doesn't have to be forever, we can always come back if we don't like Paris," Shirley reminded him. "Or if my French does not cut it for my job," he joked.

"What exactly is your job?" Lillian asked him, as they were both awake.

"I'll be working for a company this helping rebuild some of the more destroyed areas of France. It's based in Paris, with some travel here and there to places surrounding. I will be dealing with buildings, new railways, roads. Though I do hear that the company also has a mechanical division which also interests me."

"Also If I am, no matter how happy you are," Lillian warned him. "You can't say a word for at least three months."

"Why not?" Shirley frowned.

"Because a lot can happen in the first trimester. It's easier to keep it private should something happen." Lillian told him.

"That does make sense," Shirley nodded. "I will keep it to myself then, though I am sure me grinning like a fool will raise some questions."

"I don't think you will be questioned too much, it's generally the ladies who deal with it the most." Lillian patted his arm and yawned. "Je'taime."

"I love you too," Shirley responded smiling.


"Mom?" Rilla asked as she laid her head against her mother's shoulder. They were in the sunny parlour of Ingleside for Easter. The last family holiday they may have for a long while. Ken had gone fishing with the other men. While Lillian and had gone over with the twins and Amelie to see Walter Blythe the second. Something that had stung more then what she had thought would. As much as she loved Walter, she never once considered naming a child for him. It was still too raw, too real when she looked around the table at holidays. Walter would be remembered in other ways. Of course, her siblings didn't quite feel that same way.

"What is it, dearest?" Anne asked

"Were you ever afraid to have kids, you know before you had us?" Rilla asked.

"I had normal worries like any expectant mother, but I was never afraid. I wanted to be a mother," Anne said after a quiet moment.

"But what about Joy? How did you ever move on?" Rilla asked looking for some sort of reassurance.

"Joy was a tragedy, that will always be in my heart. I swore I would never be happy again," Anne said quietly. "Days and weeks went by, summer turned into fall. I was smiling again, laughing even and then I woke up one day with the same familiar sickness. I cried and yelled at your father. How could God be so cruel, I wasn't ready for this to happen all over again? I don't even your father was ready for it, we both so nervous. I cried during labour that I couldn't do this again, then even before the nurse got there. Your father placed Jem on my chest, all red and angry, and it was like a glass shattering within us. Your father was tickled pink, as he ran to tell your Aunt Marilla who was only just awakening."

"I was talking to Mavis who is doing brilliantly. She asked me rather straightforwardly but kindly I will add. If my obsessing over the time it's taking to get pregnant; is me trying to mask just how afraid I am? The sad part is I don't even know if she right or not?"

"I know now what it did to you to give up Jimmy, and I will never forgive myself for letting it happen as it did. But it is a completely different situation now. Plus you have worked wonderfully through all those things bothering you." Anne reassured her. "Answer me, without thinking. Just say whatever comes to your mind first. Do you want a baby? Not just to make Ken happy, or to be a fulfilled woman in society, or to just fit in more."

"I have come to think warmly about the idea," Rilla said quietly. "I think it would be nice." She added not wanting to share what she had told Ken about the little girl she dreamed about while sick.

"I can't tell you it will be all be easy times, all sunshine and flowers. You raised a baby already you know how much work they can be. All I can suggest is to stop worrying. You are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to change how you feel about certain things, while still feeling afraid."

"Am I?"

"Of course you are, but don't pretend. Does Ken know that your struggling?"

"Sort of?" Rilla sighed. "He knows that I'm still worried, that I may need reassurance, but he so happy that I don't he realizes all of the time."

"Well, all I can suggest is to remind him, and to read a book," Anne told her kissing her adult daughter's hair.

"Read a book?"Rilla looked up at her mother.

"Yes, stop worrying, stop jumping at every chance. Relax, read a book," Anne repeated as they heard the door open. The women of the family still gushing over the newest member of the family who was safely in his mother's arms. Ceci was giggling and was running past her aunts as soon as someone got her coat off. While she saw Amelie storm up the stairs with a defeated Lillian.

"Rilla there you are, are you feeling more rested?" Faith asked.

"I am," Rilla straightened up. "How you are?"

"I am surviving, Ceci please don't bother the cat!" She called out to the toddler was who was trying to climb on the chair to the new cat of Ingleside. "Do you want to hold him?" She turned back to Rilla

"Maybe later," Rilla told her. "He seems pretty comfortable with you."

"You do realize that you will have to hold your babies one day?" Di teased her as she looked over Faith's shoulder and made a face at the three-month-old.

"Leave her be," Nan told her twin. "Rilla can do what she wants."

"I am fully aware of what babies need, and what I will have to do." Rilla interrupted them. "It comes down to the fact that the only children I will probably ever be comfortable with, well be my own. Which is perfectly acceptable," she added.


"I don't want you to leave," Amelie said quietly.

"We've told you plenty of times that you are more than welcome to come with us," Lillian told her sister.

"I don't want to interrupt your life," Amelie stared out the window of her small room at Ingleside.

"You aren't an interruption, we are more than happy to have you with us. For you to see Paris, the world. If you don't like it, you can always come back here. Mrs. Blythe well always love to have you." Lillian told her sister. "You're going to be sixteen next year, and imagine being in the same city as the Eiffel tower! All the french pastries and the Paris Opera Ballet! Though I will let you in on a small secret because I don't want to lead you on." Lillian said quietly before leaning in and whispers. A moment later all you heard was Amelie's shriek. That made the ladies downstairs raise an eyebrow.

"I guess she's moving to Paris?" Di said smiling. "Which I suppose will come at a good time, as I decided to not renew my contract at the high school this year."

"Why in the world not?" Anne looked at her daughter rather shocked.

"Well, I ran into someone a little while ago," Di said blushing. "We've been corresponding and seeing each other whenever possible."

"Oh, who is he?" Nan said excitedly as she sat next to her sister, her hands folding around her growing stomach.

"Jack Wright," Di grinned.

"Jack Wright?" Anne said bewildered. "As in the Wrights of Lone Willow farm? The boy who used to tease you, girls, to no end when you were in Avonlea? Jack Wright, Diana Barry's son?"

"Do we know any other Jack Wright?" Di smirked. "It just happened out of nowhere, we corresponded during the war, and then his letters just stopped. Apparently, we both thought we both stopped writing to each other or scared each other off."

"Are you saying you are engaged to Jack Wright?" Anne shook her head. "After two almost three months of talking to each other again? What happened to the nice young man who you introduced us to at Christmas?"

"Adam was bland, too bland," Di waved off her old beau. "Things aren't official yet, but we have talked about it. I am sure that you will get a phone call from Aunt Diana at some point this weekend." She told her mother as the telephone rang unexpectedly. "Well, I am going to go make some tea!" She said gallantly and skipped out of the room.

Rilla looked at her mother, who looked at Nan, who looked at Faith who looked back at Anne.

"I'm trying to picture Gilbert's reaction to all of this?" Anne responded which prompted everything to laugh at.