Author's Note: We've reached the date for the committee meeting for their future! And Phil is back :)

— Anne —

Wednesday, August 10th, 7:30am

The Carroll's Boarding House, Kingsport, Nova Scotia

Oh such sweetness to wake in Gilbert's arms. Our own little oasis before the storm would hit. Perhaps it was best that we'd know the worse before the end of the day. Gilbert was yet asleep, but neither of us had slept much the night before. I glanced about the room, as empty and bare as my east gable room had been when I first arrived. Soon as we knew the results of the hearing with the committee I sighed. My first task, if we could stay, would be to make it home.

I tried to slip out of his arms to see what I could to prepare him breakfast, when he pulled me back in and lead us in a dance repeating the dance we'd learned last night. Thankfully no milking or mistaking my person for a cow this time. Thirty minutes later we were rising to being our toilet, which was for the best for a note was on our door to come to the Carroll's for breakfast. Such, that as soon as we were decently attired, myself in a favorite dress of Gilbert's and him in his Sunday suit, we walked over to knock on their apartment door.

The door opened, and what had to be Mrs. Carroll erupted from the door to envelop me into a hotel. I was folded into her folds, before she released me, and gathered Gilbert into her arms also.

"Morning Gilbert, Mrs. Blythe. Glad it's worked out…" Mr. Carroll spoke from a lovely small round table covered in a lace tablecloth sipping tea. "Was going to wait until you rose before I helped Gilbert to bring up your two trunks and I finish my repairs for the young men coming back in a few weeks… But best we talk about what's been going on."

"I…" Gilbert tried to speak. "Thank you."

"The good news. Kingsport isn't covered with the gossip." Mrs. Carroll spoke. "Oh there's talk…"

"But it's about that Gardiner wedding. The groom didn't show, and couldn't be found until too late, then they found him cover in a rash. They had to reschedule. So as talk goes, any rumors of you too are eclipsed."

I sighed, as Gilbert helped to sit down next to Mr. Carroll. "We can only pray that we make it through today."

"What you plan to say to them?" Mr. Carroll asked.

Gilbert sighed, sitting on my other side. "I… I think about it and don't know what I'll say… The truth?"

"The truth is always best. Maybe some Taffy would help. Offered some to your new brother Davy. Almost as good as a smoke." Mr. Carroll sighed.

"That Dr. Bernard came by yesterday. Said he'd meet you outside the medical buildings main entrance. And a note came for you Mrs. Blythe."

I reached for it, gasping as I felt more hope. Phil! I read it quickly before handing it to Gilbert. "Oh I won't rest until the committee meeting and she said if we've time to come by before hand. They've settled into above Patterson street."

"I should work on what I'll say… but you go Anne."

"Nonsense young man." Mrs. Carroll spoke. "Trust the Good Lord for the words and go and see your friends. Let those of us who care for you encourage you. Mr. Carroll and I will be praying."

So after breakfast, we gathered hats and gloves and Gilbert escorted me across town. We spoke nothing on the walk, busy with thoughts and listening for any gossip. So before we knew it we were on Patterson Street.

We were just passing the clinic on the corner, the church and manse just a block further when a nurse came scurrying down the steps of the clinic. "Gilbert Blythe!"

"Nurse Lewis!"

The woman made robust Mrs. Carroll be put to shame. Though she appeared more muscle then folds. "Dr. Bernard told me… What…" She stared at me.

"Nurse Lewis, may I introduce my wife Anne, Mrs. Gilbert Blythe." Gilbert grinned.

"I haven't much time. I've told them my piece on the committee. One of their members, a Mr. Gardiner came. Told him between the Typhoid epidemic, and that even I could see you pining after a girl. We all knew those stories weren't made up for little Anne. God rest her soul. But Providence, we'll have to trust. Told him a man with a fever you can't fault."

"Mr. Gardiner?" I felt slightly faint. I would rather not air my sins to him.

"That's right." She nodded. "Came round for the report, with another man, didn't catch his hame, but skinny. Kept interrupting… Philip or something of that sort…"

"Mr. Philips…" I felt Gilbert stiffen at my side.

"Gilbert…" I spoke, wrapping my arm around his, then turned back to Nurse Lewis. "Pleasure to meet you. Hopefully we'll have good news tomorrow…"

"Can't fault a man for what he does with typhoid fever. They should be glad you lived. Can't believe I never noticed you'd started to have symptoms. That's what I told them of course, but Mr. Gardiner said it was what one would expect."

Five minutes later we were knocking on the manse door. Phil threw the door open, grabbed me in a fierce hug and cried. "Oh Anne, when I heard oh it was just providential that you went home when you did! Oh what a story. You'd think it was in one of those dime novels. I shouldn't admit to reading them, not as a minister's wife, but they've such adventure. Jo doesn't mind, in fact those we deem good we've been reading to the children.

We were soon sitting in their small sitting room, smiling and laughing as we caught up. A breath of fresh air.

"Oh Anne," Phil laughed as we finished recounting all the chaos of the summer. "It is rather romantic. And Gilbert really rode a horse onto the platform to stop you leaving! Oh and such a mixup. But I was right. Gilbert needed you on that train! And that you'd find your true love, and help someone who was ill. I rather think I'm a prophet like one of those from of old."

"You're to go before the committee today?" Phil asked.

"Yes." Gilbert sighed. "Don't know what to say."

"A man owns his faults." Jo said as he stepped in. "Hello Anne, you must be Gilbert."

We debated, argued, and tried to help Gilbert find the words to speak, yet as the clock ticked I felt my stomach turn to butterflies, and Gilbert became more and more distant. Finally when it was time to rise, Phil grabbed me in her arms. "Oh I shalln't sleep a wink. We'll be praying of course, but you must send a note or come by soon as you know. Call me selfish but I'm rather glad you got into this pickle and had to marry now rather than waiting for now I've three years of Queen Anne!"

It was early afternoon when we left, with promises to send a note soon as we knew the results, we hurried back to the boarding house, saw to our toilet, and with a deep breath and quick prayer, left hand in hand to face our fate.

Our steps slowed, as the main medical building came into view. "Anne…" Gilbert whispered. "Even if I loose it. And we have to find another future. I'd rather never be a Doctor and always have you, because you are…"

His words froze. For there talking to Roy on the steps was Mr. Philips.