open .dot. spotify .dot playlist/1a9Qrj3PgJRlxpyN0oFsy7?si=kUxZxxQRQNml2h1P0-KFg
As he entered the quiet apartment after midnight, Gilbert was glad of having sent Anne to bed. There was no use of her waiting for him. He sighed in frustration, the whole day and night coming back to him. At least they hadn't lost the patient. Not yet, at least. And Anne was safe, she hadn't written anything so he would trust she had been having a regular night so far.
He went to the bathroom, deciding a quick shower might help him quiet his mind or at the very least sort his thoughts. When Cole had written to him, he had no idea of what to expect, but certainly something like that pinkish number was way beyond his imagination. He would never say this was strappy, as Cole had said, but there again, he probably didn't know the correct terms for anything. Why she kept thinking she didn't look good in pink was beyond his comprehension. He felt himself twitch and shook his head, frustrated. This would not do. He turned the stream to colder and stood there, cold water splashing his head until he felt numb. Drying himself roughly with the towel, he put on some shorts and went under the covers, hugging her from behind, feeling her bare legs against his.
"All good?" she mumbled, more asleep than awake. He swallowed as he noticed that she had, indeed, gone to bed with the little dress. He knew those things had a name, but what was it? Feminine apparel had never been his forte. Whatever it was, that thing was not a nightdress.
"All good, Anne-girl. Patient in recovery," he answered quietly, kissing her softly on the nape as she snuggled against him, sighing. He wouldn't do anything with her so drowsy, he decided, not wanting to wake her up more, and left himself to drift over as the exhaustion of the day washed over him.
The morning seemed to come quickly for Gilbert, who felt he had barely blinked and then there was light coming in from the sides of the blackout. Anne was still sound asleep, curled on his chest and oblivious of how the fabric was no longer covering her thigh, the effect going directly to Gilbert's groin. He sighed, debating on whether it would be truly horrible to wake her up. Maybe not?
Maybe… he was not going to shake her away. Obviously not. He was just going to caress the exposed skin of her back. Slowly. With a feather-like touch. And trail his fingers down her arm (because as much as he wanted, he couldn't reach her thigh without actually moving her and he didn't want that). So she started to stir… She kissed his chest before stifling a yawn.
"Hi, Gil," she mumbled, her eyes still closed, her mouth in a smile as he continued to caress her lazily.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he said. Even though he totally did. She kissed his chest again, not looking very bothered.
"That's ok," she said. "Is it too late?"
"Doesn't matter, Anne-girl," he answered quietly, his hands still moving along her arm, his foot playing with hers. After the hospital called him back last night he didn't care if he came in a bit late. She sighed, moving to bury her face in the crook of his neck, just enjoying his scent and warmth. It was the best way to wake up, of that she was sure, and followed his nudging as he looked for her face to kiss her.
The kiss was slow and lazy at first, Anne still in the process of waking up. However, her mind soon caught up with the situation and remembered the night before, Gilbert's voice and the expression he had had while seeing her in that babydoll. Remembering that gave her the confidence and boost she needed to lift herself in her forearms over Gilbert's chest, the leg she had tangled with his moving so she was straddling him.
He hadn't been expecting such an enthusiastic answer and felt his morning erection grow instantly harder under her weight. His hand searched her hips, going under the fabric and caressing her sides up until the elastic made a barrier before her breasts. She ended the kiss but went directly to his collarbone, nibbling and licking on it, and he quickly was as turned on as he had been the previous night before the interruption.
"Goodness, Anne," he exclaimed as she sucked on his neck. She smiled against him, still in awe of being able to elicit that sort of reaction from him. His hands on her felt warm and glorious and as right as the morning that was just beginning and she moved against him, wondering why she had gone to sleep with the thong still on. He opened his eyes as Anne straightened herself, sitting squarely on his hips, and he admired the perspective for a moment, a smile on his face. She felt how unequivocally hard he was below her and bit her lips, feeling a new wave of arousal in her center.
"I only wish you could see what I see, darling girl," he said, his eyes on hers as a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. His hand on her cheek, caressing it softly, trying to convey the adoration he felt for her. She leaned into it and then turned slightly to kiss his fingers before he trailed them down slowly down her neck, to her shoulders and the lacy straps of the thing she was wearing, down to her breasts.
Anne gasped and he turned them over smoothly, her hair on the pillow. She moaned as he kissed the upper part of her chest and slowly trailed his kisses over her breasts, pushing the fabric to the side but not really wanting to take the dress off her. She whimpered at his touch, how his mouth felt as he circled her nipples, how one of his hands had trailed down and was making small circles over her center.
"You like this, don't you, Anne-girl?" he continued, as he pushed the wet fabric to the side, his fingers slipping through her slick folds as if they were meant to be there. Anne tried to speak, but evidently couldn't as he inserted one, then two fingers in her, pumping them slowly, teasingly.
"i… Gil…" she stammered, not able to think coherently, her hands scratching his back with want and need. He felt shivers come from the trails her nails were tracing, all his skin sensitive, attentive to every touch, the pain of her touch more pleasurable than anything.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you last night," he whispered in her ear before nibbling her lobe, feeling how she arched under him, his fingers continuing to work on her. Fighting to keep talking and not groaning, his voice hoarse. "How hot you looked on that table… everything I wanted to do to you…" he continued, making her moan again with lust, this time louder. "This thing you're wearing, Anne… just seeing you…"
"Gil… please," she whimpered, needing him with a renewed force after her body was remembering the ache and loss she felt the night before when he had needed to go. She arched, trying to find him. "Please…"
"Please what, Anne-girl?" Gilbert asked, his hand insistent, his fingers picking up the pace as they went in and out of her, his thumb working on her center, noticing how she was fighting to keep her eyes open, how her muscles were starting to tense, a moan caught on her throat.
"You, Gil, just…" she tried, but she was so, so close. Gilbert kissed her, his hand picking up the pace until she came, shaking, her body tensing with the release. He felt how she was unconsciously squeezing his finger as she came and he slowed his pace. He took out his fingers, not waiting before pulling down the soiled, wet panties and throwing them to the side, pulling down his shorts and straddling her. She was still panting, but her look spoke volumes, her hand grabbing his erection and pumping it slowly. He was so turned on he thought for a second he was going to come just by her touch, so he put a hand over hers and slowed it.
"Don't- Not if you want…" he groaned, and she directed him to her entrance, understanding the meaning behind his words. He leaned to kiss her as he went inside her, feeling the warmth and tightness of her folds, how incredibly slick and wet she was. So much the friction was minimal, the movements so smooth. He groaned. "Fuck, Carrots, how…" he tried, but she moved bellow him, urging him to please do anything. He moved tentatively, not sure of how she was feeling him, and she moaned loudly.
"Gil, more, please," she pleaded, the feeling of him inside her not enough to quench the need she had for him. She wanted to feel him in every inch of herself. He moved slightly faster, trying to hold as much as he could, feeling how close he was already. Anne moaned, her hand pushing him to her. "Gil, harder, please, I just…"
As he heard her words he lost any ounce of restraint he still had, instead thrusting as deep as he could. Anne's cries of pleasure giving him confidence that she did want this. She had never felt this need, this want of him so buried in herself. Maybe it was because he had left her the night before and she had sat with the need the whole night? Had she had a dream she had already forgotten about? It didn't matter, she just wanted him. As deep as he could…
"Like this, Carrots? This is what you want?" he groaned in between his thrusts, leaning back and kneeling as he grabbed her hips firmly, her legs wrapping around him, her back lifted off the bed as in one of those yoga positions he kept watching her do. Bridge, she had said once? It really didn't matter, as the new position allowed him to thrust deeper and harder as she had asked. Anne moaned, the sound of his voice this hoarse making her want him even more, the force with which he was holding her almost too much, but so welcomed.
"I… yes… hard, Gil, just…" she stammered. Gilbert blinked, sweat forming on his forehead, never having imagined Anne asking him to be this rough on her. "Gil, please…" she insisted, and he continued thrusting without holding anything back, hearing Anne's cries as she came again, harder than before, her walls squeezing him as he watched her face contorted in pleasure. Her feet still crossed behind him, pulling him even closer.
"Carr… Carrots I… Fuck, you feel…" he said incoherently, feeling how close he was to the edge. "Anne… Anne, I…." he continued, not even understanding what he was trying to say. But then the pleasure was too much, the crescendo something he could no longer control and he came inside her, pleasure coursing through his body as he groaned, his eyes shut, his hair wet with sweat. He stayed there, still holding her hips, not wanting to slip out of her. Trying to regain his breathing somewhat. His eyes not leaving hers as she watched smiling, equally breathless. He smiled softly, gently slipping out of her and guiding her bottom back to the mattress and proceeding to lie next to her. They laid on their sides, facing each other.
"Good morning," she said softly, extending her hand to caress his curls, brushing them off his forehead as her eyes didn't leave his.
"Anne… I… just… wow," he said, not finding anything that could encompass better what he was feeling. Sex with Anne was usually great, but this was one of those times he was sure he wouldn't forget. They stayed in silence for a few minutes, him admiring her rosy cheeks and shiny eyes. So ethereal. He still felt like his heart was going to go out of his chest.
"I have to say, this has to be the best way to be woken," Anne commented, biting her lip as some giggles escaped her. Gilbert laughed out loud.
"Is it? Good to know, Carrots. Although I would rather not have any emergencies that keep me off you when I just want to admire you," he said, smiling. "You look great in that little number… how's that called? I have the word on the tip of my tongue since last night but haven't been able to pin it down."
"Babydoll," she mumbled, blushing. Gilbert smiled silly. Of course! That was not regular pajamas, he knew that!
"Anne, Carrots, honestly, don't feel self-conscious. You do look great. That pink looks amazing on you, I don't get why you don't wear it more often," he said, extending a hand to caress her cheek.
"Because I'm a redhead! It's the bane of my existence, not being able to wear pink! It clashes!"
"It does not clash, I assure you. And if you don't believe me ask someone with more colour knowledge. Cole. You look great in that. I swear. If it was up to me, you could wear that and only that when around the house," he said. She smiled. Well, maybe they were right and the pink was just a redhead myth?
"Well, then you wouldn't see anything else I shopped…" she answered playfully, feeling more confident now. Gilbert's eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly.
"Are... Anne... Nooo….. Please, wear whatever you want," Gilbert stammered. She had bought more things? Like that babydoll? What? Why hadn't Cole come before?! "Don't let me limit you, please." Anne laughed.
"It's not all like this, don't get such high hopes. But I do have other pajamas," she said, smiling. Nothing as… sexy as this, but still, the satin felt so nice and it was lacy. And sexy, as far as regular pajamas were concerned. Oh, and there was the teddy she was saving for his birthday.
"Anne, that you are wearing may be used for sleeping in, yes, but please don't call it pajamas? Doesn't make it justice," Gilbert said, smiling. Anne shook her head, smiling.
"The other ones are pajamas. As in short and camisole. But nice," she assured him. He nodded, stretching. He should probably get up sooner rather than later. And she would look great in whatever she decided to wear. "What time is it? Don't you need to go to work?"
"I do, actually. And I don't know the time…" he turned, extending his arm to grab his phone. "Shit! It's almost nine, I do have to run. And I really should shower," he said, getting up, Anne laughing at his stressed expression. "Don't laugh, I have a patient in twenty minutes!" he said, throwing her a pillow as he laughed as well, rushing to the bathroom to take at least a quick shower.
"So, tell me what's that silly smile you've sported the whole day?" Fred prompted as they walked down the path in Confederation, Bear stopping to smell every other tree. Gilbert smiled again, biting his lips. He was not going to tell anything to Fred about the morning he had shared with Anne. No way. "Blythe, you know I will dig out of you, spit out!"
"Can a man have no privacy now?"
"Not when we're speaking of you and me. Was it the lingerie Cole was talking about?" Fred insisted, chuckling. Gilbert blushed, remembering the babydoll. Fred laughed out loud. "It was! I can so tell it was! Naughty Anne…!"
"You know she only has that because of Cole, right?"
"I don't even care, point is, she has it, you're in cloud nine, I'm happy," Fred said. "So, did she look as good as you imagined? I'm not judging here."
"What makes you think I want to talk about how Anne looks in lingerie with you?"
"You tell me everything?" Fred suggested, and Gilbert shook his head.
"You're pushing it, Wright. She did look amazing. I wasn't expecting… any of it. It was mind-blowing. And no, I'm not giving you any more details" Gilbert summarized. "There's something else I did want to talk with you about." Gilbert nodded and took out his phone to look at the notifications.
"Was it? Do tell," Fred said, just as Bear started circling. "Or maybe wait just a second…"
**Carrots (17:47): Enjoy your afternoon with Fred! 😊
**Carrots (17:47): [Photo] I took this the other day. So you don't say I hide the pictures I snap. Those glasses look way too good on you.
Huh. It was a nice picture. From the previous night, before she changed, when he was still concentrating on his laptop. A three-quarter angle, concentrated on what he was doing, the shirt already undone. He did like the bowties but he was tired of having the button up by the end of day so he tended to pop open the last button. And the light of the late afternoon hit him just so. Only Anne could take a picture like that and he not notice. He chuckled, as he opened it on instagram, cropping it and adding a comment before publishing. The years don't come alone .
"Ok, so, what's up?" Fred said as he came back from throwing the bag with Bear's poop.
"How did you know Ella's ring size?" Gilbert asked directly. He didn't want to beat around the bush, he just needed to know this so he wouldn't end up proposing with a wrongly sized ring.
"Why would I need to know that?" Fred asked, confused.
"When you proposed?" Gilbert said, as if it was obvious, prompting Fred to stop walking suddenly and looking at him with the mouth open. Bear stopped as well, sitting and waving his tail, convinced he was getting a treat.
"You're proposing?"
"If you tell me how to know if the ring is the right size, yes, I am," Gilbert replied, exasperated. Fred's shock morphed quickly into a big, big grin that reached beyond his eyes and he patted Gilbert on the shoulder.
"I'm so happy for you, Gilbert," he said, resuming his walk. "And to answer your question: I have no idea. I didn't do that. You know how it is with Ella. We talked about it and then went shopping for rings. But you already have one, from what I gather?"
"My mother's," Gilbert confirmed. "So you're of no use, then? And Bash won't be either, with his shitty impromptu proposal. How do people even do this without directly asking? And who knows their ring size by heart, come to think of it? It's not like shoes..."
"Oh, we can ask Mark! He's bound to have a better idea, let me call him," Fred proposed, taking out his phone. "You posted a picture! And a nice one, too! So active in social media, dr. Blythe… Emojis and all... That was Anne?"
"That was Anne. Again, without me noticing. But now she knows I somehow will know so she sent it to me. Call him? If I have to make a whole plan to find her size and then send the ring to be resized, this will take forever..."
"Don't be impatient. You have waited years. You can wait some more weeks," Fred chastised him, looking for his brother's number and ringing him.
"I'm not actually sure," Gilbert answered, looking at the lake. Fred was speaking animatedly. He knelt down next to Bear and scratched him behind the ears.
"Ok, so… what he's saying is that you steal a ring she already has… wait," he listened again. "Ok, so one she wears on her ring finger."
"She doesn't wear much jewelry, Fred," Gilbert said, shaking his head, looking up at him. Fred frowned and told his brother and listened again.
"Just speak with him?" Fred said, passing Gilbert the phone.
"Hi, Mark. Thanks for the help, by the way," Gilbert greeted him and then heard different ideas of how he could figure out the ring size. "Thanks a lot, mate. Yep, will tell him that. Take care," he hung up and gave the phone back to Fred. "Don't forget aunt Margaret's birthday. Do I know her?"
"No. Old lady living up north. I've seen her twice in my life but we always call her. Thanks for the reminder."
**Gilbert Blythe (17:58): Hey Cole, I need a favour… Can you take Anne out shopping again? Making sure you somehow find out her ring size? There's no rush… just be accurate? I count on you.
He then opened instagram's notifications, reading over the comments the gang, some other doctors and the nurses had published, but stopped cold at the sight of one in particular. Again? What was this about? He frowned, his good mood evaporating. Was he supposed to answer her? Acknowledge her at all? Ignore her? He blocked the phone but still the comment was at the front of his mind.
MissRose: Such a Burberry model! ...maybe it's time to consider my offer?
"You're ok, Blythe? Your expression changed in a second," Fred asked him, surprise.
"All good, all good," Gilbert answered, trying to shrug it off, just as his phone buzzed. There was no need to talk about this nonsense.
**Cole (18:00): OMGGGGGGGG Gilbert! As a matter of fact I already have that information but TELL ME EVERYTHING NOW! 2020, the year of the pandemic and the dreams come true Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for this?!
"Cole knows the ring size," Gilbert said to Fred, his good mood returning and forgetting about the comment.
"No way! How?" Fred asked.
**Gilbert Blythe (18:00): First things first! Ring size! And how do you even know that Cole? I can count on you to keep your mouth shut, right?
**Cole (18:01): And you dare ask! You honestly think I would spoil a proposal?! From YOU TO ANNE? Gilbert!
Incoming call: Cole
"So what's the story, Cole? You're on speaker, if not Fred will ask everything and you'll just have to tell everything twice," Gilbert said, as they walked to a tree to sit in the shade.
"So, years ago, Diana decided she was done with dating Jerry. She wanted him, wanted to live with him, wanted a kid... her parents are over the top conservative but he had already made a name for himself and they wouldn't really oppose now about them living together if they were married. So she started… being not so subtle about wanting Jerry to propose. And she dragged us to every single jewelry store in Charlottetown and tried every single engagement ring that was available in that tiny town…"
"Why are you talking about Diana?"
"I'm telling you a story, Gilbert, don't be so impatient. So she keeps dragging us to every single store and eventually Anne and I get so bored we start asking for rings to try as well, because it is boring to see someone else get all the attention, you know? So I just pretended to be Anne's boyfriend…"
"Figures," Gilbert mumbled, rolling his eyes.
"Don't be jealous, Gilbert. I sent her with a perfectly nice bag of lingerie to your house for your sole enjoyment," Cole chastised him and Fred laughed. Bear looked at them, waving his tail. "Ok, so as her fake boyfriend I got to know all the information you may ever need…"
"I already have a ring, Cole. No information necessary. Just the size."
"I already told you the size, sent it in a message before calling. And delete those messages in case she ever looks at your phone, which I doubt. Please tell me at least it's not a diamond thing? She hates diamonds," Cole said, sounding slightly nervous at the possibility of Gilbert being daft enough to buy some generic diamond ring for Anne.
"Of course it's not. It was my mother's. Dainty, bluish green sapphire, yellow gold," Gilbert explained. Fred nodded. They heard Cole sigh.
"Good. Mounting and all. She really doesn't like platinum or silvery stuff and I agree, she looks better with warm colours," Cole told them. Gilbert nodded, feeling relief. He had been nervous about her liking the ring. Not the intention, which he knew she would love, but the actual, physical thing. "Now tell me everything Gilbert Blythe!"
"There's not much to tell, Cole. I was always going to propose to her if she ever agreed to go out with me, and since she is already living with me…" Gilbert said, as if those were normal, accepted facts. They heard Cole take in air as if he was going to say something, but as he didn't, Gilbert continued. "Believe me, I would have done it by now, but I always see her fingers, then the ring, and I just don't see it fitting. It will fall off in a second," Gilbert said.
"So you have to resize it then?" Fred asked.
"I believe so… I'll have to look for a jeweler now. Do any of you have one you trust?"
"My mother does. Give it to me and I'll see to that, it's just the size, right?"
"Just the size. Nothing else," Gilbert confirmed. "I'll give it to you next time we meet. Let me know how much it is?"
"Of course. It should take a couple of weeks, no more," Fred said.
"Gilbert you have to tell me everything! I want more details! How are you proposing? What are you doing? When?"
"Cole, I don't know. First, the ring. Then I'll figure out the rest. Probably in the forest, there's a trail we like to go to. It won't be in a tacky restaurant because that's just not us, and they are closed anyway. So, happy?"
"Happy. And don't hide it in food," Cole insisted.
"Who does that, honestly?" Gilbert said. "Let me take care of it and we all can celebrate when and if she says yes."
"As if Anne was ever going to say no to you," Fred scoffed. Gilbert raised his eyebrows.
"You'd be surprised, but I am worried. I almost didn't convince her of moving in," Gilbert said in a lower voice, voicing the concern he had on the back of his mind. But since that… she had agreed to buy a house with him, had told him she wanted to have a baby with him… so maybe?
"Gilbert, she is all in now, believe me," Cole assured him. "You have nothing to worry about. She will say yes, unless you put a platinum diamond ring inside a dessert in a restaurant. Ew." They all laughed and stayed in silence for a moment.
"I call dibs on best man!" Fred exclaimed suddenly. Gilbert looked at him, unimpressed.
"Don't I get a choice in the matter?" he asked. Fred shook his head, a big smile on his face. He had already thought of asking him, but still!
"I agree with Fred!" Cole said. "Not that my opinion on that subject matters. I'm designing her wedding gown, by the way. And I know all your fantasies, Gilbert. So be prepared. I have to go now, but keep me posted, ok?" and he hung up. Gilbert stared at his phone, mouth agape.
"He knows your fantasies?" Fred asked, smirking. Gilbert nodded slightly. Because Cole had had a front row seat in Gilbert's stares as a teen, and then now. And he knew how spot-on he was, especially after that babydoll he had made Anne buy. His friend shook his head. "Oh, I waited for too long to meet Cole. So, can I be your best man?"
"Of course. You know it was always going to be you," Gilbert confirmed as his phone buzzed again. Four instagram notifications from comments. All of MissRose. Fuck. "Not a word yet, though. Not even to Ella."
"Delly! Tell me everything about your first day!" Anne told the little girl over Facetime a couple of days later. "How was your first day?"
**Cole The Dirty Details (18:06): You girls will never guess what I made Anne buy 😏 😏 😏 With Bosom Friend.
Anne slid up the notification, mortified. Gilbert looked at her and raised the eyebrows. They were doing a video call with Delly, trying to keep up with her and how she was doing. She had recently started some distance learning classes because Mary and Bash still weren't sure about sending her back to school and Anne had offered to help in whatever way she could.
**Josie The Dirty Details (18:07): Don't beat around the bush and tell.
**Bosom Friend The Dirty Details (18:07): Oooooh we just know Gilbert will go mental 😈
Anne slid the notification again, thinking if there was a way to just silence the group before it got too much out of hand.
"You were saying, Delly? What did your teacher say?"
"Don't pay her any attention, Delly-beans. Tell me all about your skates. Have you been practicing?"
"Of course, uncle Gilby! I can stop now like a big girl. Auntie Anne, we are learning to count the big big numbers now!"
**Josie The Dirty Details (18:07): WTF?! I'm between sex toys or lingerie. Anne S-C, fess up!
Anne slid the notification as Gilbert laughed, not being able to control himself.
"Uncle Gilby, are you ok? Why are you red, fairy Anne?" Delly asked them, confused. Gilbert shook his head, trying to regain his breath.
**Cole The Dirty Details (18:07): Lingerie, of course! Sex toys are next time 😏 😏
The message Anne slid up even quicker only made him lose it again as he stared at her mortification. He stood up and went away, trying to control himself.
"Don't pay attention to your uncle, Delly. He is just a silly boy. So, I have been writing some fairy Anne stories, and I was wondering if you might want to hear them?" Anne tried to continue talking with the girl.
"New fairy Anne stories? Is Pilbert in them?" Delly asked, holding her stuffed fox closer, as Gilbert came back, more composed.
"Of course, Delly! Fairy Anne is getting some toys to play with Pilbert," he said, and Anne looked at him, her eyes opening in shock.
"What kind of toys?"
**Bosom Friend The Dirty Details (18:07): I wonder what kind he would be into… Did he like what you bought, Anne S-C? It might give us ideas 😏
"Yes, what kind of toys, Pilbert?" Anne asked him, and he laughed.
"Oh, just the ones fairy Anne likes the most. The important thing for Pilbert is for fairy Anne to have the most fun always," Gilbert commented, smiling cheekily at her. She stared at him. "That's an important thing, Delly. When you play with a friend, you both have to have fun. You can't force some game on the other or it will be no fun for either."
**Jane The Dirty Details (18:08): As long as it involves Anne I'm sure he won't mind. And then she gets to see him! All toned and naked!
Anne slid up the notification without even giving Gilbert time to read it fully, but he was looking at her.
"I always always share my toys! Even Foxie, because Mamma says it's nice. But I don't want to share Foxie. Foxie is my friend," Delly said, proud of herself. "What kind toys is fairy Anne getting to Pilbert?"
**Ruby The Dirty Details (18:08): Oh I just want to see what you bought, Anne S-C! Cole and Diana have the best taste ever! Send pictures! 💞 💗 I'm sure you look so cute and Gilbert is happy 😊 💖 💞 💗
"Remember she is a fairy, Delly. So she is going to take the nicest leaves in the forest to make the toys. Do you like playing dress-up?"
"I do!"
"Well fairy Anne is making all sorts of costumes with the forest's leaves," she improvised. Gilbert looked at her now, and she smiled. "As they change colour she makes capes and dresses and more things so Pilbert and she can dress up and play all day long,"
"But costumes are not toys, fairy Anne," he pointed.
"That's true!" Delly exclaimed.
"Well, if fairy Anne is getting the costumes, Pilbert can get the toys. Like teamwork, Delly," Anne said, looking pointedly at Gilbert. He smiled.
"Teamwork is important, Delly," he acquiesced, getting up as he felt his phone buzz. "Do you want tea, Carrots?"
"Please, yes," she accepted, and Gilbert heard as she continued talking with Delly, telling her now about the stories she had wanted to talk about from the beginning. He smiled. That girl group mystified him. That all the girls of the gang were so obsessed with him made him laugh most days, because he did believe them about the interest certainly not being romantic. But it put Anne on edge, blushed and unsettled, and he would always have her that way if it was up to him.
MissRose sent you a message
He groaned silently. Honestly?! He opened instagram to see the direct message.
MissRose: Gilbert Blythe! How are you, my darling?
GilbertBlythe: All good, Winnie. Need anything?
MissRose: I just want to say hi, luv. How are things going for you? I'm digging that look with glasses you're pulling off. I always did tell you, you could be a model.
GilbertBlythe: Everything is good now.
He closed the app, not willing to talk with Winifred. What on earth could have made her write after so many years? He hadn't known anything about her since he had broken up with her, more than ten years ago, and they hadn't parted in anything that could be considered good terms. He didn't need this now. Everything was going well.
MissRose sent you a message.
He put on the kettle and dribbled with his fingers on the countertop, anxious. Maybe he could block her? Was that possible on instagram? But that would be rude, and there really was no need to be rude. Probably it was just a whim and it would die on its own, he didn't need to do anything about it. He decided to ignore the message for now. There was no use in acknowledging it in the moment and he wanted to enjoy his afternoon with Anne and Delly, who he could hear sing from the kitchen. He smiled. One day, they would have kids to sing with.