"Grandmama!" Jimmy shouted into the receiver, loud enough that even Rilla flinched for her mother. Still, she smiled as she went back into the kitchen with Oliver in her arms. Mrs. Clarke had stopped by after church to ensure the family had everything they needed for a lazy Sunday afternoon. With the promise to be back the next morning to go over everything else for the upcoming week.

"Jimmy!" Anne exclaimed back to him. "How was your Christmas?"

"It was spectacular," Jimmy told her. "I got a camera of my own!"

"Did you," Anne said into the phone amused. "How exciting for you, what else did you get?"

"Some books and games, thank you for the model kit!" He said happily.

"You're very much welcome," Anne laughed joyfully. "Did you get anything else special?"

"I did," Jimmy nodded despite her not being able to see it. "Ken and Rilla asked if I wanted to be adopted."

"Oh, Jimmy!" Anne smiled. "That is wonderful news."

"How did it feel for you?" Jimmy asked her.

"It was the most joyous feeling in the world," Anne recounted. Leaving out that she had never been truly adopted. Though allowing her to stay at Green Gables, knowing the love of Matthew and Marilla. It tied first place with the memories of her children being born. Almost above her wedding day with Gilbert, it had meant everything to her.

"Knowing that I was going to have a home forever," Anne thought back to those first few weeks. The decision making that Marilla had gone through. After outbreaks and misplaced brooches. How long ago it all seemed now to her.

"It is nice," Jimmy agreeing with her. "I was happy just being their ward, but this is something so much more than that. I call Rilla Mom now, it's nice as she's always been one to me. I don't know if I can ever call Ken Dad, but he says that fine, he never wants to replace the father I had. Sometimes I try and think of other names I could call him," Jimmy explained. "What did you call your family?"

"Well, I just called them Marilla and Matthew," Anne said honestly, "which worked well for the three of us I believe. They were older as well when they took me in. I think Rilla and Kenneth just want you to be comfortable with them and most importantly happy."

"You always call Ken, Kenneth," Jimmy said. "Why?"

"I just do I suppose?" Anne laughed. "Just one of those things? Though I am sure Kenneth will be happy with anything you call him."

"Besides Captain Ford," Jimmy told her. "He says he rather not be that man again. Though he says he understands the importance of being that man when Armistice day comes around. He helped me write a paper on why it's important back in November. Rilla helped as well of course."

"It is an important day for everyone." Anne agreed. A day to grieve, remember, celebrate the one who lost their lives for their country. We must never forget them," Anne said quietly as if she was thinking of her son that had been lost.

"Mother wants to talk to you, have a good day!" Jimmy told her as Rilla walked into the room with Oliver clunked out against her shoulder. He jumped out of the chair and let Rilla sit down.

"Well, I am very glad about your news," Anne told him. As she heard him pass the phone over to Rilla.

"Hello, Mom," said letting her mother know she was there now.

"Hello Rilla, how were Leslie and Owen?" Anne asked into the receiver.

"They are well and send their love to both you and Dad," Rilla replied as she sat in the chair with Oliver napping against her as she lovingly caressed his hair. "How was Ingleside?"

"Oh, the same as most years, loud, filled with a mixture of laughing and children crying," Anne laughed. "We missed you, of course, everyone did."

"I missed you as well, but it was nice to see Ken with his family and Persis was there as well with her son," Rilla told her mother honestly.

"Of course," Anne let her daughter know there were no hard feelings about where she spent her Christmas. "How was the journey?"

"It was long," Rilla sighed. "Oliver refused to sleep anywhere but between us, and even then he was up every other hour, but we managed. I don't look forward to another trip as such."

"Even taking you all to Avonlea over the years was always an adventure," Anne reminded her. "I could not imagine thirty-some hours with an infant."

"We weren't the only ones thankfully, so I didn't feel as bad for Oliver's noise level at night. It was like a midnight group, where mothers just walked the lounge in their robes with grumpy children. We all knew what each other we were going through." Rilla explained to her mother.

"Motherhood joins women without many words," Anne agreed. "Your trip was good though?"

"It was lovely," Rilla began. "Although some things happened that made Ken and I decide some things about the future." Rilla began as she looked down at Oliver. "Ken's cousin passed away on New Year's Eve."

"Oh!" Anne gasped as if she instantly knew where this conversation was going.

"It's been expected for a while," Rilla explained. "We talked to his uncle though and made a family decision about how we should proceed given Ken is set to take over."

"When do you make the move?" Anne asked her daughter having a feeling that this is where the conversation was going.

"This summer," Rilla said quietly into the phone. "After Jimmy finishes the school year."

"Are Leslie and Owen going to help you find a place, or will you stay with them until you do?" Anne asked. Already thinking of the mechanics that go behind a move, not that moving from Avonlea to Glen St. Mary was such a trip.

"We found a place, Ken's uncle offers his old house for us. It's positively quaint and whimsical," Rilla sighed. "Has enough bedrooms and plenty of bay windows."

"You do enjoy a bay window," Anne agreed, knowing her daughter.

"Ken is working out something with his uncle for the house, I believe," Rilla told her mother not wanting her to think they were accepting such a gift. "But it will need a good clean and some paint as well."

"They usually do," Anne agreed.

"They do," Rilla agreed. "Have you heard anything from Shirley?" Rilla asked.

"No news yet, which I'm surprised by. She was rather large when we were there." Anne said with a touch of worry in her voice. " I thought she might have gone a few weeks early, but we shall have to wait and see. He will sound a telegram to us when it happens."

"I'm sure he will," Rilla agreed. "Any other family news I missed out on?"

"Nothing that I can think of, though I think Nan is meaning to call you when she knows you've rested from your trip," Anne said after a moment as if she was going through her memories of the holidays.

"Well, she can call anytime," Rilla said after a moment as she looked down and kissed Oliver. "How's the new housekeeper?" Rilla asked as she thought of Mrs. Clarke and how to approach the subject of inviting her to Toronto with them.

Rilla listened politely until she looked up at the clock and realized she spent more than a half-hour on the telephone. Of course, no one had complained and broke through for an emergency. She bid her mother goodbye as she hung up the phone.

She got up carefully, she detached her son from her and laid him down on the couch, he was already stirring from the transfer. She wanted him to sleep, but she didn't want him to sleep the day away and not sleep later on. However, a few more minutes wouldn't be too bad for him or her.

Mrs. Clarke who had Sundays off. Prepared the house well enough for them the day previously. Stocking the fridge with enough fresh food and milk and a loaf of bread for the next few days. Until they could do a larger grocery shop.

All the mail was stacked on the table still waiting for her.

She flipped through her correspondence. Mavis had sent her a letter and a Christmas card. Along with a rolled-up journal she thought Rilla might enjoy reading in her downtime. Rilla snorted at the downtime but knew she would find time to read it.

She smiled as she found a letter from Hawaii.

Darling Rilla

Merry Christmas! Or it will be Christmas by the time you receive this letter or after Christmas possibly!

It is very strange to be so warm in the middle of December but I can't complain it is glorious! Things are slowly wrapping up, we should be back on the boat home by the end of March I believe. We will spend a few weeks in Toronto at the house I believe as Carl finalizes and writes up his paper for the university. I'm not entirely sure if I can go back to polite society, but I suppose I will adjust to it once more.

I hope you are feeling better as of lately, chickenpox is never fun for any child. Poor dear Ollie must have been so confused about why he was feeling as he was. I still can't believe that by the time I see him again, he'll be almost double his age!

We are still unsure where we will settle. Though the university is looking for a professor and Carl is thinking of applying for the job. He says it's unfair to drag me across the globe every year, so I replied every other year is perfectly fine with me. He gave that crooked half-smile that he does when I amuse him with my willingness to follow him places.

Though it might be for the best if he does become a professor and only have the expeditions every few years. Gives use more grounding in the world, and indoor plumbing. I never wish to take indoor plumbing for granted again. Dear heavens above, I miss indoor plumbing!

I look forward to all your Christmas travels and to hear what Ken got yours for Christmas. I accidentally found my present while putting Carls's shirts away. Men, they hide things in the most predictable places. I mean who else does his laundry? Me! Yet he hides it in plain view! I haven't looked at it, but I know it there.

Give my love to the children, plenty of kisses and hugs from Auntie Mary. I can only imagine how long the train seemed to you. It's long to an adult, but an infant and young boy. I won't say that I pity you, but Rilla my dear, you are brave!

Love Marianne

P.s Carl says hello and hopes the family is well. Merry Christmas, Happy New year and anything I may have possibly missed!

Rilla smiled. She would respond tomorrow sometime. She wondered how Marianne might react to the news? She even wondered if she might persuade her husband to take the teaching job. Just so they could enjoy their friendship more.


School started the next morning as she rushed Jimmy out the door in his winter wear and Ken with his briefcase. Each getting a kiss on the cheek and for Ken a quick peck on the lips. She sighed and went back to the kitchen with Oliver was picking at his scrambled eggs with his hands.

"Mama, Dada?" He asked her in-between his handfuls of eggs

"It's just the three of us today," She told him as he looked at him as she wiped up his face. "You've gotten used to everyone being around all the time haven't you?"

"Org?"

"George had to go back home?"

"Im-im?" He said next, he was picking up names more quietly since his birthday.

"Jims had to go to school," Rilla told him. "It's just me and Gloria," she told him.

"He's really beginning to talk isn't he?" Mrs. Clarke said as she sat down with her cup of coffee.

"He is," Rilla nodded. "You need to stop growing young sir." She said in a sing-song voice. "Do we have any pineapple in the cupboards?" Rilla asked.

"I believe we do?" Gloria said with a tilt of her head as she studied Rilla. Rilla interoperated it as trying to run through the pantry in her head. "Are you wishing to make something?"

"No, I'm just wanting some," Rilla said with a shake of her head. "We had some over Christmas and I feel like I always forget how much I like it" Rilla explained.

"If we don't, I'll add it to the list of groceries that I have written up. Along with a few other things I noticed that we were low around the house?" Mrs. Clarke told her as she passed her over the list to double-check.

Rilla scanned it as she leaned against the counter. "Looks about normal," Rilla said handing it back. "How were your holidays?"

"Oh, they were fine Mrs.," Gloria told her. "Quiet family dinner, and then of course the Christmas pageant at the local Sunday school children. How was the city, travelling?"

"I don't want to even remember those nights on the train," Rilla sighed. "Christmas was good though. There were a few surprises, but all in all a decent Christmas. Have you ever been to a large city like Toronto?"

"I can't say that I have?" Mrs. Clarke shook her head as she sat down beside Rilla as she copied out something with her pencil and notebook.

"Would you ever consider living in a city such as Toronto?" Rilla asked her. She watched as her housekeeper looked at her. Wondering if her employer truly asked her such a thing.

"I can't say I ever thought much about the idea about it." She admitted to Rilla.

"Ken's cousin passed away over the holidays. We already knew he was his uncle's heir, but this cemented things into place," Rilla explained.

"My condolences, it's always a terrible time. My son was downtown at the time of the explosion that happened back in '17. Holidays are never quite the same afterwards." Mrs. Clarke said quietly. Rilla silently squeezed her housekeeper's hands. It was not the first time she had heard about her son who had been working down at the docks at the time of the explosion.

"It's a dreadful time for any family," Rilla agreed with her. "Ken and I talked with his Uncle and we decided that it would be best to move to Toronto during summer break. Ken has much to learn, and his uncle is already sixty-six. I was wondering and the choice is entirely yours, but we would love to have you come with us. You helped me so much over the past three years and I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate everything you've done. From those long months of me being sick, and helping with Oliver when I thought I might scream. Of course, I know your family is here, and I understand if you wish to stay." Rilla let it all out.

"I will have to think about it," Mrs. Clarke said letting the words sink in.

"Of course, as I said it won't happen until the summer. We wanted Jimmy to finish off the school year," Rilla explained. "I just wanted to extend the offer to you now, if you wish to stay with your family I will write a glowing letter of recommendation."

Mrs. Clarke nodded, she always knew Rilla was more than just an island girl as she called herself at times. "I will let you as soon as I come to a decision." She said with a sincere smile.


The rest of the week was falling back into old routines and life began to fall back into place. The laundry had been washed, and Rilla spent her mornings bundling up Oliver and walking to the park with him. He was so amused by the snow,

"I can't believe you're going to leave me," Gertrude said acting hurt, but she was very much happy for Rilla and Ken. Rilla laughed lightly as she rested her head against Gertrude's shoulder.

"You have me until July," Rilla told her. "It still doesn't feel quite real, it all happened so fast."

"You used to say you would never leave this corner of the world," Gertrude remembers. "Now you are flying the harbour and leaving for a big city with no ocean in sight."

"I will miss the ocean," Rilla said with a sigh. "But I think it will be good for Ken, for us, in the long run, to go you know."

"You do what is best for your family," Gertrude agreed. "Though I shall miss you, but we will always have our letter and telephone calls."

"We will," Rilla nodded as there was a knock at the door. She got up slowly fixing her skirt as she walked towards the front door.

"Telegram Ma'am," he said handing her an envelope. "Have a good day," he turned and went back to his bicycle.

"Thank you, you as well," Rilla told him with a smile.

She went over to her desk and pulled out her letter opener and sliced it open and pulled out the message.

"It's from Paris!" She said happily and she read it out loud quickly.

Jasper Lucien Blythe and Lunette Shirley Blythe. Born January 6th, six and a half pounds each, Mama and Babies are resting and well. Big sister Elodie is rather put out by their arrival.

"Twins!" Gertrude said covering her heart with her hand in shock. "That is rather a surprise did they know at all?"

"I don't think so," Rilla said shaking her head. "Lillian never said a thing, neither did Mother and Father. Which is interesting since they didn't realize the twins, were twins until she was eight months. I believe?" Still her voiced seemed rather distanced. As if she already was thinking about last fall, comparing the situations. How Lillian could manage to carry twins to term fifteen months after having her daughter.

"Seems twins run in your family somewhere down the line," Gertrude said. "Maybe you'll have a set."

"Are you trying to kill me?" Rilla gave her a look. "I barely made it through with Oliver, and who knows what the other one might have been like."

"I was joking," Gertrude frowned hearing her friend's words. "Rilla is that what happened last summer, early autumn?" She asked quietly.

Rilla looked at Gertrude before giving the tiniest of nods. "Though I don't really wish to talk about it." She said quietly trying to create a boundary between them as she set down the telegram. If she got hers it was only a matter a time before her parents called.

Twins indeed.

"How about some tea and cake?" Rilla asked going back towards the kitchen. "We have some pineapple upside-down cake?"

"Cake sounds lovely though, I remember you sending along with the recipe two springs ago for it. You were obsessed with pineapple. You wrote once that you wouldn't stop eating it for a short while." Gertrude said, letting the subject fall. Rilla clearly wasn't ready to speak of it to her.

Rilla stopped in her tracks and went pale. She went towards the desk and grabbed her small daily planner. Flipping through it, counting silently her heart racing each time she counted back from Christmas, and then another two weeks.

It would take a Christmas Miracle for it to happen, to get past every precaution they took lately.

She suddenly understood Mrs. Clark's reaction to the pineapple. The last time she actively asked for it was those first few weeks, before the sickness took over. She tried to think if she wanted any last summer. Thinking back to Pineapple Charlotte she had made with Mrs. Clarke one afternoon, or the Pineapple cake. It seemed like such a summer thing she never paid attention to it.

Bloody pineapple indeed.


Things never truly go as planned, do they?

Pineapple in the 1920s was quite popular, and some of the recipes I found are something else.

Thank you all for the reviews the past chapter!

Tina