AN: Dreamscometrue16: Thank you for giving me the motivation I needed to write this chapter. I truly needed the boost. Thank you also for your lovely review. I hope you enjoy this next installment!
Anne sprung from her slumber at the touch of Diana's hand. She felt Gilbert adjust beside her. Anne sighed before looking into Diana's agitated eyes. She was going to get back into her own bed earlier, but she was too comfortable in Gilbert's arms. "What are you doing?" Diana whispered harshly.
"Trying to sleep," Gilbert groaned and flipped over. He sounded like a small child as he said, "Very tired from train ride. Choo! Choo!" Anne looked down at him with a small smile, he was still asleep from what she could tell.
"I must've fallen off the bed," Anne shrugged and yawned. Diana didn't look convinced. Anne looked around the room. It was still night. About six o'clock.
"Nevermind that," Diana grumbled. "Remember we asked Rose to wake us by six so we could get on the first-morning train?"
"OH," Anne said loudly. She clapped a hand over her mouth.
"If she finds him here we're dead," Diana stood up and held out a hand for Anne. She accepted and let Diana pull her up to her feet.
Anne started to pace, the clock was about to strike. Then she noticed Gilbert hadn't even awoken yet. "Gil," Anne called as she kneeled down. She shook him slightly. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. "Gilbert," Anne laughed a little.
"Anne," Gilbert groaned again. "Just another five minutes."
"No," Anne pushed herself off of him. She kissed his forehead and his big brown eyes snapped open.
"Anne," Gilbert pushed himself up, "What's going on?"
"You need to hide," Anne stood, and he quickly followed. "Rose is going to wake us up soon."
"I'll get in the closet," Gilbert moved, but Anne caught his arm.
"No, outside," Anne pushed him towards the window. "Lily always takes out towels for bathing. Then you can come round front and act like you just got here."
Diana handed Gilbert his jacket. "You might have to sit out there for a bit, but you'll be alright. Just hide in the bushes or something."
"Bushes?" Gilbert raised his brows as he put on his jacket and yanked on his shoes. Without a response, Diana opened the window, and Gilbert climbed through. He turned around once outside. Anne gave him a grin of reassurance before Diana closed it again. Gilbert seemed dazed and confused, but he ducked out of sight.
Anne threw all of the extra bedding onto her own bed, then climbed in. Diana practically leaped onto her bed in the knick of time. Lily knocked on the door and swung it open. With her, she had a small bell. She rang it to wake the girls. Anne did a very dramatic yawn as she stretched out her arms. Diana gracefully rose from her bed.
Lily opened the closet and pulled out bath towels for both girls. Anne signed a thank you, and Lily proceeded to make their beds. She eyed the extra bedding strangely. For once, Anne was glad Lily couldn't hear anything because there was a small shuffle outside of the window. It sounded like there was a bird. That was when Gilbert stood from his hiding place.
Anne's eyes widened as she watched Gilbert having a small duel with a woodpecker. Diana looked absolutely horrified, but Anne only laughed. At least Lily was turned away. Gilbert fended off the woodpecker and seemed to notice where he was. He looked into the room and winked at Anne. She crossed the room and pulled the curtains quickly so Lily couldn't see him.
The room darkened that the small flame of Lily's candle barely lit the room. Lily gave Anne a questioning look. Anne signed to her. It's best not to get undressed with the drapes open. It probably wasn't any better to get dressed in complete darkness either, but Lily nodded in agreement and left the room. Both Anne and Diana let out the breath they each were holding.
About an hour later, Anne and Diana had both readied themselves for their trip. Anne had put on the blue velvet dress Marilla made her. It was definitely her favorite. "Shall we eat?" Diana proposes as she pulled on her gloves. Anne didn't bother to wear any, she almost liked to touch her surroundings. Whether it is flowers or the bark of a tree.
"I forgot about Gilbert!" Anne suddenly remembered. She dashed to the window and threw open the drapes. She opened the window and looked out. Gilbert wasn't in sight. She looked both ways before she heard a small snore below the window. Anne gazed down to find Gilbert passed out against the side of the house. Anne stifled a laugh as she leaned down and called in Gilbert's ear. "Hey."
He sprung to life. Anne slapped her hand over Gilbert's mouth before he yelped or screamed. Taking in a few sharp breaths, Gilbert looked around wildly, then he laid his eyes on Anne and relaxed. Anne took her hand away and giggled. He yawned. "You're still tired from riding the choo-choo?" Anne asked. Gilbert nodded, then widened his eyes.
"How? Wha- When?" he continued to stammer.
He quit when Anne laughed again. She ran her fingers through his hair. "You talk in your sleep, Gil." Gilbert dropped down against the house again.
"I"m never going to hear the end of that, am I?" Gilbert asked.
"Nope," Anne ruffled his hair. "I'll see you around front." She shut the window quickly. Anne didn't even bother to look back as she exited the room to go to breakfast.
Diana was already there. Lily was sitting next to her, biting off bits of her toast. Anne gladly sat down with them and began to eat her breakfast. Minutes passed and Anne wondered when the doorbell would ring. Perhaps Gilbert would knock instead, so he didn't wake anyone up. Surely he would want some breakfast. The only way he was going to get it was to come inside.
"Morning girls," Mrs. Blackmore came in. "Early morning, isn't it?" There was something odd about her tone that Anne didn't find pleasing.
"Very," Anne nodded and continued to eat.
"Did you notice anything strange outside your window last night?" Mrs. Blackmore asked, refusing the seat Lily pulled out for her.
"NO," Diana blurted. Anne shot her a worried look.
"No, it was a usual night," Anne shrugged. "All though, there was the most dreamy of stars out. Did you know that star-"
"Yes, I did," Mrs. Blackmore cut her off before she could even begin to go on about an explanation. "I was just making sure our new guest wasn't perving."
"Guest?" Anne raised a brow.
Mrs. Blackmore turned and motioned with her hand. Gilbert slowly crept around the corner with a nervous expression. Diana turned white. Anne shot up from her seat. "Gilbert! What a surprise! I thought you weren't going to make it!" she exclaimed as she rushed to him. For a moment, Gilbert looked utterly confused. But when she put her arms around him, he greatly accepted her embrace.
"No touching," Mrs. Blackmore snapped. Anne let her hands linger on his arms before pulling away. She had forgotten the technical and traditional rules of courting, and that Mrs. Blacmore held those silly rules in the greatest respects. "You know him, then?"
"Oh yes," Anne sighed dreamily. "He is the Romeo to my Juliet. We have the most tragic lost distance romance. Two lovers separated by a sea and their own dreams of becoming a teacher, and a doctor. Remember I told you all about last summer when I-"
"Enough," Mrs. Blackmore held up her hand. She took a few steps towards Gilbert, examining him. "Why is there drool on your shirt, boy?"
"I was asleep on the train," Gilbert said quickly. "I had just gotten in early this morning. I was still in a daze trying to figure out which boarding house kept my darling, Anne. Whom I share the most tragical-"
"Enough," Mrs. Blackmore held up her hand again. Gilbert and Anne exchanged sly smiles. "What is your name again?"
"Gilbert. Gilbert Blythe."
"Hmm," Mrs. Balckmore eyed him. "Where was your luggage when I found you at the front door?"
"I uh..." Gilbert eyed Anne. She couldn't go get it. Besides, Diana already claimed it as Jo's. "I left it at the station. The ticket master said he'd keep them behind the table until I returned. I didn't need to lug my bags all the way here and back just to carry more bags for my lady. I would certainly break my back."
"We wouldn't want that to happen, Mr. Blythe," Mrs. Blackmore had suspicion in her voice.
"Gilbert. Please," he said in a light tone.
Mrs. Blackmore gave a small chuckle. "Mr. Blythe, why don't you wait in the parlor until the girls have finished eating. Lily shall bring you breakfast." She was testing him. Anne didn't know exactly how, but she was.
"Thank you," Gilbert smiled. "I'm afraid the tea and the little eggs in the breakfast car didn't fill me."
"I would hate for you to travel on an unsatisfied stomach," Mrs. Blackmore gave a swift nod to him and Anne before whisking away down the hall. As soon as Lily left, Anne let out the breath she had been holding. Diana took in a deep breath.
Gilbert took Anne by the wrist and whispered, "We're lucky I out-witted her before she could catch me in a trap."
"You're lucky you're still alive," Anne whispered back. "Once you said tragical, I thought she would have thrown you out of the house."
"And yet you're still here," Gilbert raised a brow.
"I pay rent," Anne smiled smugly before leading Gilbert to the parlor. She didn't know why Mrs. Balckmore wanted him in there, but she thought it best to obey her. Perhaps it was to be sure that Gilbert and Anne didn't get away with any more touching. As if it truly mattered now that they had slept in each other's arms.
As Anne and Diana finished their breakfast, there was a sudden rush of footsteps and giggling. Ruby, Josie, Tillie, and Jane all rushed past the dining room towards the parlor. Anne and Diana got up from their seats and followed. Once they got to the parlor, they saw Gilbert surrounded by the girls all asking him questions and prodded at him.
"How's the university?"
"Is it hard being a doctor?"
"Did you miss home?"
"Did you miss Anne?"
"Will you be going to the ball?"
"I- uh," Gilbert noticed Anne and stood up from the sofa. The girls were instantly silent. "I did miss Anne, and home too." The girls awed.
"So romantic," Tillie sighed.
"How sweet!" Ruby gushed.
Gilbert walked to Anne and took her hands. "I did truly miss you most."
"I know," Anne said quietly. Then she whispered. "Do you want me to save you from these girls?"
"Yes please," Gilbert whispered back.
"Well," Anne said loudly. "Gilbert and I won't be sticking around long enough for you to ask any more questions. Diana? Is your aunt's luggage by the door?"
"I just moved them there," Diana said as she came back into the parlor. "We'll see you, girls when we get back." All of the girls got up from their seats and hugged Anne and Diana.
"Safe travels."
"Say hi to Miss Stacey."
"We'll see you Sunday."
Saying a quick farewell to Mrs. Blackmore and Lily, Anne and Diana pinned on their hats and pulled on their shawls. Grabbing their luggage at the front door, the three set off towards the train station. "I can't believe we pulled that off," Diana remarked once they were out of earshot of the house.
Gilbert yawned, then grinned. "I was about to knock when she opened the door. She must've supposed I was perving."
"She wasn't wrong," Anne teased. "Who would dare to knock on a window in the depths of night?"
"Someone who is as crazy to hide their beau in a closet," Gilbert nudged her with his arm. Anne laughed.
"The luggage name was a brilliant idea, Diana. I didn't think she would buy it. But she wouldn't have questioned your word either way. If I had said it, she would've known it was a lie."
"I'm afraid Mrs. Blackmore doesn't believe much of what you say," Gilbert chuckled.
"It's because she has no scope for the imagination," Anne said simply. "At least Lily is a kindred spirit, otherwise I'm afraid I would have been thrown out long ago."
Once they had gotten on the train, Diana allowed herself to relax. Well, as much as a corset would let her. Anne and Gilbert sat the seat across from her. Gilbert had fallen asleep against Anne's shoulder, and Anne was staring curiously out the window. Luckily there weren't many people turning an eye towards the couple's way. Diana still had so much anticipation building inside her. Diana would most likely be seeing Jerry again and that was never good. He had forgiven her, that wasn't where her guilt was coming from.
Instinctively, she touched her cheek, where Jerry's thumb brushed her tears away. She hated to think about that night. And yet she thought about it all the time. She should've never let herself get that emotional in front of him. When he cared for her, it only made a weird feeling stir in her chest. She shouldn't be feeling that way. Especially since she was courting someone else.
At the same time, Diana was glad that she did. Then he knew the true guilt of how she treated him. She wanted him to know she was truly sorry, and she thought she had achieved that. The trust test, however would what would happen next. When she saw him at Cuthbert's farm, what would she say? What would he say? The whole situation was filled with questions.
When they pulled into the station, it was about lunchtime. Anne squealed with delight. Diana followed her eyes to see Matthew was waiting with the buggy and horse. Gilbert snapped awake, wiping the drool that escaped his mouth. "Have I been asleep this whole time?"
"Yes," Anne nodded. "I hope my puffed sleeve acted as a good pillow."
"I hope I didn't drool on the fabric," Gilbert examined her sleeve, but it was clean. "I didn't think I was still that tired."
"You're sure to be rested by now," Diana inquired.
"I hope I don't fall asleep in the buggy," Gilbert joked as he retrieved the bags from the top compartment. Diana hugged her bags close to herself as she climbed down from the train. Anne was already in Matthew's arms, and Gilbert was helping Jerry strap down the bags to the second buggy.
Diana froze.