Chapter Text

The last few days before Christmas Anne tried finding any kind of holiday decoration that wasn't something she had crafted over the past few weeks, but she knew it was a lost cause: there had been nothing in between the things they had moved from the apartment to the new house. Nothing other than the box she had saved from Green Gables. She called Ella, frustrated. She had to know what was with Gilbert and Christmas, because last she knew, he had been very much into celebrating. And now… Come on, just some orphan fairy lights?

"Oh, those lights he didn't actually use for Christmas," Ella explained over the phone. "I mean, Mary brought them, he said something noncommittal and shoved them in the closet. I'm pretty sure you were the one to take them out of the bag for the first time."

"No wonder they were so neatly folded, then," Anne replied, looking critically at the assortment of crafts she had on the big table they had bought for the studio. She could probably distribute them around the house, but she definitely needed to get more things. A tree and more lights, at the very least. "So he didn't decorate? At all?"

"Well, when we lived together I took care of that. Fred isn't naturally inclined to celebrate Christmas, but kind of plays along for my sake, and Gilbert seemed to accept whatever happened to the place. He did pick presents for everyone every time."

"So you went against the tide?"

"And shoved Christmas down both their throats, yes," Ella explained, laughing. "I started playing Christmas carols the day of the first snow and Fred started rolling his eyes from then on, but we would go for a tree and everything and he would keep the sarcasm at bay, most of the time. Maybe he'll be different this time? I know when he used to go to Avonlea it was for Christmas, so I don't think he actually hates the holiday. I always felt it was more his need to compartmentalize and detach himself from things that had mattered to him, but he wouldn't even discuss it."

"He used to love it, back when we were teens," Anne commented, her voice nostalgic. "He once gave me this tiny dictionary… You know those books that are super tiny? One of those." Not that she had it now, she thought sadly. It had gone away with everything she had burned back almost eleven years prior.

"That sounds like the kind of gift I imagine him giving," Ella said. "He's always given the most thoughtful presents, but it was more like he didn't want to put any more effort into celebrating. Still, he did come when we invited him to be with us the last couple of years when he didn't have any time off to travel. Mary and Bash came last year too, which is the origin of the fairy lights, but we spent the holiday here so he managed to give enough excuses to not decorate… Not that Delly was pleased."

"I don't get how he got away from decorating if Delly was here," Anne replied, laughing. "She can be very demanding."

"Oh, she can. I hope you weren't kidding about the flower girl business, because she won't let you forget that."

"I wasn't. Even if it takes a couple of years for all this to calm down, it can't last forever. We'll have a party then, even if it's an anniversary or something."

"Sounds like a good plan. So, are you decorating today?" Ella asked curiously. "I really want to see how you do it, the house has so much Christmas potential."

"It totally does, with the snow it looks straight out of a fairy tale, let me send you a photo," Anne agreed. "I have a ton of crafts I did while making tutorials, so I'll start with that… Maybe see what else I can get and see if I can convince him to go get a tree."

"I'm sure he'll say yes, Anne. I used to go with him and Fred to pick it every year. They were dragging like they hated it, but Gilbert was the one to cut it, because you see how Fred is absolutely useless… Anyway, it was all good fun. He'll go with you, promise."

Ella had been right, of course: Gilbert agreed immediately to go look for a tree, and they had a nice afternoon the following day, walking in between rows and rows of Christmas trees until they agreed on one. In effect, Gilbert had his farm skills somewhere beneath the doctor's, and he was able to make quick work of it as Anne held his hot chocolate. The car smelt fragrant and earthy on the way back to the house, and when Gilbert set it up on the spot Anne had originally thought, she couldn't stop grinning.

"So, is it what you were hoping for?" Gilbert asked, standing next to her and holding her close, an arm around the small of her back.

"Well, almost," Anne explained. Gilbert looked at her, skeptical, "We still have to decorate it. And I know you didn't have much… or anything, really, but I do have Marilla's box."

"What's in Marilla's box?" Gilbert asked curiously. As they organized, Green Gables mementos kept popping here and there. Marilla's rocking chair, of course, but also Matthew's secretary desk with the bookcase, and small things here and there that had made the house get a lived in and cozy feeling, nothing like a sterile house out of a magazine. What could there be in that box?

"I don't even remember," Anne confessed. She had packed it years ago, after the Christmas of 2014, just before Marilla got very sick. She hadn't opened it since- she had spent that Christmas with Diana and Jerry in their house, newborn Marie brightening the holidays, and then she had been in BC. "I want to think the small ornaments and the candle holders."

"I love those candle holders," Gilbert said, smirking, as he remembered one of the last Christmases they had spent together as teens, when they had blown a candle off at the same time. Anne shoved him, laughing.

"You had me all flustered and red! Don't even tell me now it was on purpose!" she said.

"Of course it was. But I was also a knot of hormones, and couldn't allow myself to believe you could be interested then," he said. "Still, good memories."

"Those they are," she conceded. "So, do you want to see what we have? We can see what else we need afterwards," she said, and motioned to a tattered box she had left in a corner the previous afternoon.

Gilbert nodded, and soon they were unpacking everything she had stored with Marilla, each of the fragile ornaments carefully wrapped in tissue paper. Gilbert looked for his phone, and put on some music. Soon they were decorating the tree at the sound of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, as had been John's and the Cuthbert's custom. It was the last weekend before Christmas, and a small layer of snow was outside the house. They ended the night curling in front of the fireplace, speaking with Delly, Bash and Mary over facetime and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate Anne had prepared.

The last week before Christmas was quiet. Gilbert continued working, picking up more shifts here and there as needed, as some of his colleagues were getting more and more involved with the growing number of Covid patients. With the second wave growing more each day, more restrictions were announced that would begin on December 26, involving a new lockdown that, although didn't prevent them from going out, did close most of the businesses and shops around town. Anne had managed to get the craft supplies she had wanted before that, and thanks to her planning, she was able to schedule posts and mailings and take a couple of days off to craft and rest.

She was feeling better each day, the remnants of the first trimester finally gone. She didn't feel as tired, the nausea was completely gone and the check-ups were getting more and more distanced as everything continued to look. She had weird cravings here and there, but nothing that worried Gilbert more than it amused him. She was trying tricks to get her clothes to work with the bump, and so far she seemed to be managing easily, unlike Ella who was annoyed out of her mind as she felt she kept outgrowing things every week.

Dr. Oak asked one day if they wanted to know the sex of the baby, since by then it was clear in the charts after all the tests Anne had gone through. A long conversation had ensued: She was adamant about not knowing. Gilbert thought it was just practical to know beforehand. She went back at him, telling him they were only layering gender stereotype upon gender stereotype if by practical he meant buying pink things for a girl, or blue for a boy. He conceded, and said he was only happy to have a baby, realizing he didn't care in the least if it was boy or girl. So they agreed to choose from the huge array of gender neutral stuff when they started to buy anything, and be surprised as baby Blythe decided to make an appearance in May or June the following year.

Still, there was something they needed to do about Anne's pregnancy, and it was sharing it with their friends. Yes, everyone in Hamilton and Toronto knew, as well as Jerry and Diana. But the rest of the gang was in the dark, and it was only a matter of days before Anne stood up while in a video call and everyone noticed. There wasn't a way to deny it, and they were well over the first trimester, and why keep waiting, really? And so, they decided to tell them once they met to open the presents they had sent all around in an attempt to make a distanced Secret Santa that had managed to include the Ontario portion of the gang. That would be Christmas' afternoon, since everyone else would spend Christmas' eve and morning with their families.

For the time being, Anne was cooking their Christmas dinner. They had chosen Anne's trusty eggplant parmigiana, even if in a modified version to allow for the changes in her diet. It had been her go-to holiday dish, and Gilbert had agreed readily. As much as Fred's turkey was always cooked to the perfect point, and somehow juicy every time, he was more than happy to join Anne's choice of menu this year. He helped with what he could, until she kicked him out of the kitchen and sent him to chop wood outside or something.

He took out his phone as it buzzed.

"Blythe, you home?" Fred greeted him. It was clear he was driving, by the way his voice sounded.

"Yes, why?" he replied, confused. It wasn't like they could spend the holiday together. For all he would have liked. It was the first time in years he actually felt giddy about the prospect of Christmas and he knew Anne had to do everything with that. And that she and Ella would get along splendidly.

"I'll be there in a few minutes, if that's fine? I'm not going in, but Ella wouldn't accept me saying it was the exact same having presents on the 24 or on the 26. So I'm dropping them off," he explained.

"I don't even know why you try to reason with her on this matter."

"I don't know either, but of course she won and I'm out playing Santa while she naps," he replied, his voice exasperated but fond.

"Come on then, Santa. I'm on the shed, come get me when you're here. We also have some things for you all," Gilbert said, chuckling. They hung up and he resumed chopping wood.

"Hey, Blythe," Fred greeted. Gilbert looked up and saw his friend, standing there with several presents on his arms. He was wearing a thick jacket and a woollen beanie, and a face mask over his face. Still, there was some tension in his brow that caught his attention.

"You truly took the playing Santa to heart, did you?" he teased, dusting his hands.

"Oh well, it is what it is," he said. "All for Ella. I honestly don't get it, but I'm glad to humour her. I guess. Are you taking that wood?"

"No, I still have some inside. Anne sent me out, I was ruining dinner or something," he explained, making Fred laugh heartily. "I take it by your laugh you already kicked Ella out of the kitchen too. Do you want a hand?"

"No, it's fine," Fred said, following him. "And yes, she's very much out of the kitchen." They walked to the house and Gilbert opened the back door that went to a mudroom in the back. It was connected to the kitchen. Anne looked and her eyes lit up at the sight of Fred.

"Fred! So great to see you!" she said.

"Hey, Anne!" he greeted her from the door. "I'm just dropping these off," he said as Gilbert relieved him from the load and left it on a bench.

"Do you want to drink something?" she offered, not going all the way to the door.

"I won't be going in, but thanks for the offer," he said.

"You both could take something outside… I could get you a couple of throws," she proposed. Gilbert looked at Fred, raising an eyebrow. It could work. It wasn't like they didn't see each other every day in the hospital, and Anne wasn't mentioning anything about going out with them.

"Ok, but only if it's not a bother," Fred accepted. She smiled brightly from where she stood. She prepared the chai and looked for the throws. She gave everything to Gilbert as Fred was sitting on a bench on the deck.

"Is everything fine with him?" Anne asked Gilbert in a low voice. "He looks… worried, somehow. And I can't really see Fred worried."

"He's human, Carrots," Gilbert said. "He does worry. But I'm not sure what's going on." Unless it was something with his in-laws. Again. But it was not his story to tell, either way.

"But all is good with Ella?" she asked, more concerned.

"Oh, yes," Gilbert tried to reassure her, sure that whatever had Fred in a mood wasn't a discussion with Ella. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked toward his friend, a cup on each hand and throws hangin from an arm. "Here, help me a bit, Fred."

"Sorry, got distracted," Fred said, scrambling to his feet and relieving Gilbert of the cups before sitting again. "Anne really thinks it's freezing, right?"

"I didn't have the heart to tell her she was exaggerating a bit, so we might as well be even more warm," Gilbert laughed, as he passed Fred one of the throws. "So, what's up? While I do believe Ella made you go around distributing presents, I know there's something on your mind. She still hasn't talked with her parents?"

"Nothing. And it's Christmas, Blythe," Fred said, not even bothering to deny there was something on his mind. "You know I don't care for this whole thing, but it means the world for her. It's probably her favorite day of the year. And she believes all this crap of letting things go in the holidays and whatnot… And even with that, she refused to call them when I barely mentioned it."

"And you still have no idea of what happened?" Gilbert asked. Fred shook his head.

"Nothing at all. And ok, it's not that I need to know it, fine," Fred said. "But I had never seen her like this. It concerns me. I know her family and I have never been able to reach much understanding, but… it was never my intention that she cut them off. They are her family, after all, and I know for all she can't stand many of their stances, she does love them."

"It is a particular relationship, what she has with her parents," Gilbert agreed. It was the kind of relationship he had never understood, as he had always been really close with his father and had looked up to him in almost everything. Until he had died. And he knew Fred was as close to his parents as he had been, or even more so. Ella and her parents… it was just another story.

"It is. Dysfunctional as anything, even if I won't open my mouth. Better if I just stay clear," Fred mentioned, looking at the trees they had in front. Gilbert looked at him briefly, wondering if commenting on something. It wasn't the first time he had talked with Fred about his in-laws, and he had always felt that for Fred to keep his distance was probably the best strategy to keep things calm with the Weiss', and save Ella many concerns and anxiety. They stayed in silence for a moment, and Fred sighed deeply. "First we had even considered having her mother over for when Alicia was born…" he commented in a low voice. Gilbert looked at him, surprised. "And don't look at me like that, I do know how to behave."

"I didn't say anything," Gilbert countered, looking straight ahead again, drinking some from his cup.

"Your face is transparent, Blythe. Anyway, we considered that, because other than you and Anne, we have no one around. My parents aren't that close, and they are still working, not retired like Ella's mother."

"And you would still have Ella's mother? Even without knowing what happened?"

"Of course not," Fred replied, as if the idea had no solid ground. "Whatever happened, I'm pretty sure Ella has enough motives, and I won't force a strained relationship on her. I wasn't even that convinced of having her here in the first place. Still, that just confirms there won't be any support once I have to go back to work, and it's eating me inside."

"You do know Ella would ask for help if she needed it, right? I mean, you both could get someone to help with the chores if there's a need for that or anything, and I know you do most of that even when she's not pregnant, and I don't think it'll change when Alicia's born."

"It's more the emotional part I'm concerned about, Blythe. The house, I can organize, clean, cook, whatever. I don't mind. I might be more sleep deprived then, yes, but I'll manage, it's not the first time I will be running on caffeine." Gilbert nodded. "But she will be vulnerable then, Blythe. It's a hard time to live for anyone in normal times, when you can have as much emotional support as you need, right now it's… And if she's still dragging this on… I might be paranoid."

"No, no, I get your worry. It's not like it hasn't crossed my mind too, with Anne," Gilbert sighed. "And this virus is just driving me crazy. Was it any other time, at least they could be there together while we're in the hospital, but with this new lockdown it's like all the options are closing down."

"I know," Fred replied. "We're all stretched thin. At least the vaccine is rolling out… I don't have any hopes of it being any kind of quick solution, but it kind of gives hope, you know?"

"I know. It does. I suppose we'll keep the weekly testing at the hospital, regardless," Gilbert said. Fred nodded.

"So how's the house coming along?" Fred asked.

Gilbert was astounded when he entered the living room and saw the array of presents and pastries on the table. Usually he woke up before Anne, but apparently, he had slept deeper than usual and she had gone and made the perfect holiday breakfast. She was just setting a teapot there when he arrived and she looked up.

"You're awake! I was about to go and wake you," she said, walking over to where he was standing and giving him a sweet kiss. He held her close. "How did you sleep? You looked so peaceful I didn't want to bother you."

"It was great," he said honestly. "I think I haven't felt so rested in a long while. What's all this?"

"Breakfast!" she replied, and proceeded to explain everything that was on the table.

"And you think we'll eat all this?" Gilbert asked in wonder. It was a lot of food.

"Of course not, but we'll have leftovers for days and that's half the joy" she beamed at him. "And I was kind of craving half the things here… So, ready for food and presents?" he nodded.

They sat on the floor, in front of the tree but with the coffee table where Anne had set the food within reach. She bit her lip nervously. Once Bash had called her, telling her about how he hadn't managed to get the package in time for the wedding, they had agreed that it could arrive for Christmas… And Gilbert hadn't noticed yet. There was no reason for him to do so, anyway, as it was wrapped in the same cheery paper she was sure Delly had picked. Either way, she hoped it was one of the first presents he picked. She couldn't stand the anticipation she felt about it.

They talked as they opened the presents, leaving the two they had received for the Secret Santa on the side. As much as there were gifts for them, everyone seemed to have sent something for the baby, and Anne couldn't help laughing at Cole's plush fox. Gilbert had chuckled at that, and she just left it on the sofa next to the other things the baby had got. They should probably start thinking about a nursery soon, she thought.

"Gil?" she asked, looking at him. He looked up from some exercise headphones Fred and Ella had gifted him. "I was thinking, how about we restore Marilla's rocking chair and use it for the nursery? Maybe I could make some cushions for it?"

"That sounds like a good idea," he replied, smiling softly, as he left the box to the side to listen to her. He hadn't wanted to push the nursery topic, in part because he wanted to wait until she felt better after the whole hospitalization, but also because he felt anxious just thinking about it. He really should ask Fred for those phone numbers. "How do you want to restore it? Any ideas?"

"Well, maybe we can sand it and give it a new finish? It is scratched all over after all this time. Did you know it was on the Cuthberts' farm since Matthew and Marilla were kids?" she asked.

"I had no idea," Gilbert confessed, surprised. "So it's really been in the family that long?"

"Their mom nursed them in it," she said. "Marilla used to tell me stories about their childhood. Especially towards the end, she would tell Jerry and me all sorts of stories about her parents… Anyway, maybe we could start thinking about what we want to do with the nursery, and maybe that chair could be part of the inspiration?"

"It sounds like a good idea, Anne-girl," he said, smiling warmly to her. She smiled back, and passed him another present. He frowned slightly, as he had already received a present from LaCroix. He eyed the card and huffed, feeling a knot form inside. "Figures he would…"

"What is it?"

"Bash. Dad left something for when I got married… But he couldn't manage to get it here on time for the wedding," he said distractedly, not really paying attention to Anne as he opened the small box and read the note that had been folded on top of whatever the contents were. By the size, she would guess a ring. She looked as he read, his eyes glassy with emotion, his expression half amused, as if he was remembering something, and half fond. He finally looked up to her. "Did I tell you Cole forgot the cufflinks?"

"The cufflinks? When?"

"When we got married. He dropped off everything- you saw how thorough he was with the outfits he picked for us, right?" he said. She nodded, confused about where he was going with this. He gave her the small box and she opened it, revealing a pair of elegant cufflinks in there. "Those are the ones he used when he married mom," he said, his voice so soft she barely listened to it. "Could have used them that day," he chuckled.

"Well, I'm sure you'll use them in some other important event," she replied, holding his hand softly and squeezing it gently. "Who knows? Maybe when baby here graduates or something?"

"Anne, you're thinking way ahead," he laughed. "How about when we throw that party we talked about? Once the pandemic eases… and Delly manages to be our flower girl?"

"We can't crush Delly's dreams," Anne agreed, trying to keep her face straight, but not quite managing. When Gilbert laughed, she joined him, not able to contain her laugh.

"Oh, Carrots, you do know how to turn things around," he chuckled when he managed, pulling her close so she snuggled on his chest, the remnants of laughter still filling them. It was a silly thing to have a fit of laughter over, he knew, but it had taken his mind off brooding for once and he had welcomed it, even when now his belly was hurting.

After opening the presents while eating breakfast, Gilbert made a quick run outside to get more wood as Anne gathered a couple of blankets. They spent most of the day in the living room, curled in front of the fireplace and reminiscing of their school days, confiding stories of their years apart they still hadn't shared, dreams they had of their nascent family. Anne started reading one of the books she had received and he looked for his phone, stretching next to her.

**Gilbert Blythe Musketeers, 2.0 (12:05): Hey guys! Merry Christmas! Thanks for the headphones :)

**Gilbert Blythe (12:05): Freddie. Still nothing? Do you want me to try and talk to her?

**Ella Musketeers, 2.0 (12:06): They're supposed to be sweat resistant and I don't know what else. You can do your crazy stuff with them on and they should resist for a while. Enjoy! Be sore!

**Fred (12:06): Still nothing. Please do? Just… Well, you have some sense. I trust you. There's no rush, though. It's her family, Blythe. I still don't get what they can have said they hadn't before that has made her cut them off like this.

**Fred Musketeers, 2.0 (12:06): Just remember to shower before coming here.

**Gilbert Blythe (12:07): I'll figure something out. I also worry about her.

**Gilbert Blythe Musketeers, 2.0 (12:07): Just save some soap and towels for me :)

"Anne?" Gilbert said after a while. She looked up from her book. "It's almost time for the call with the gang."

"Presents!" she said, sitting up, to tease him a bit. Truth was, she was anxious about telling everyone about the baby.

"I was thinking more about the news of the baby," he confessed, a small smile in his mouth, apparently not catching her joke.

"I know! How are we telling them?" she asked. "I almost want to tell them as soon as they reply and then move over to the presents."

"You know Charlie is always late, and then we'll have to repeat everything, and then inevitably Tillie will connect even later than that, and…"

"Ok, ok, then what about the end? Right before we hang up?" she proposed.

"Anne, what is worrying you about this?" Gilbert asked. "It's a big deal, why do you want to brush over it?"

"It's just…" she started, but trailed off trying to think about how to explain it. How to explain to Gilbert she was afraid everyone would judge them? That maybe they would think it had been some sort of accident and not something they had actually wanted and tried for? That even if it had been quick, they weren't playing and wanted everything that had happened the past couple of months? She could manage them questioning their wedding, but not their baby- She looked at him, at a loss of what to say.

"Anne-girl, you don't have to worry about anything," Gilbert tried to reassure her, looking at the worry in her eyes. "Think about it this way: most of them already know. Cole, Roy, Diana and Jerry know. If anything, your brother will jump to defend us, but I don't think it will be necessary. I'm sure everyone will be delighted about the news."

"I don't want to deal with Josie's comments," Anne confessed. "Or with Jane's questions."

"They can't be worse than when we told them we got together, or we were going to get married," he said gently. "And the whole time, even with their teasing and questions, they've been happy for us. We may have a strange group of friends, but it's a group of friends that loves us a lot. Even if they're annoying." She sighed. Of course he was right- they all just had different ways of showing their love or support.

"I'm just paranoid. It's just…"

"Bottom line, we love this kid, they love us, by default they'll love the baby as well. Whatever they think about how we came to it, there's only so much we can control, but that won't change the love the baby has," Gilbert reassured her. She nodded, and he held her close. "Ready? It's almost time."

In effect, they received the call from Ruby, who had been in charge of organizing the whole night. Everyone was there. Or was eventually there- as Gilbert had predicted, Charlie had been slightly late, as well as Tillie. What was going on with those two was something Anne and Gilbert had speculated over, and Jerry had been very skeptical about when they had asked him over his visit.

Playing Secret Santa had been fun when they were teens, but it was something they hadn't really done since then- some in the habit of giving everyone presents, some not taking much part in anything. But Ruby had insisted they did something, especially since many of them would have relatively lonely holidays. In particular those living in Ontario, because the restrictions in PEI were minimal in comparison. So now they were exchanging presents and trying to guess who had sent what. It was more fun than what he had expected, Gilbert would admit to Fred when he spoke with him later that day. Once the last present was opened and they were all chatting amicably, Gilbert looked at Anne trying to gage if it was a good time. She nodded, feeling much more secure after having seen her friends.

"So, we have some news," Gilbert said when there was a lull in the conversation. Anne smiled, getting closer to him. Cole, Diana and their partners broke into huge smiles, while the rest of the gang looked at them narrowing their eyes. All but Ruby, who opened hers as if she had come to a big realization.

"You guys are having a baby?" she asked. "Please tell me you guys are having a baby?"

"Ruby, why…?" Josie started asking, but it was evident Ruby was right by the way Anne was biting her lip, trying to contain a big smile, and Gilbert wasn't even bothering to hide his happiness. "Oh my god, you really are?" she asked as Ruby squeaked in happiness.

"We really are," Anne confirmed.

"We're going to be aunts and uncles?" Jane said, smiling as well.

"Of course you will!" Anne said.

"Oh, poor Marie won't be the only spoiled kid then," Josie said, smiling wickedly.

"Marie can really use not being so spoiled by you all, seriously," Diana said, rolling her eyes. "It's about time you all have kids so she's not alone."

"Well, Gilbert and Anne here seem to be doing their part," Charlie smirked.

"Congratulations, you both!" Moody said, his joy evident.

"When are you due, Anne? Oh, this is so marvelous! The greatest Christmas gift we could ever receive! A kid from you both, and your happiness, and you're together and in that beautiful house, and… Oh, it's all so perfect! I'm so happy for you both!" Ruby said, her excitement barely controlled.

"I'm due June 4th, but Gilbert keeps saying it doesn't mean much," Anne said.

"Well, Marie was supposed to arrive January 3 and you all know how she came just before Christmas," Diana chuckled.

"Most babies aren't born on their due date. It's a medical estimation, but that's doctors trying to rationalize things that aren't black and white," Gilbert explained. "So end of May, beginning of June."

"So you know the gender now? When are you supposed to know that?" Moody asked, curious.

"Of course it will be a girl!" Charlie said, laughing. "A little redheaded girl so Gilbert loses his mind, and then she has a silly boy following her like a lost puppy…"

"That won't happen," Gilbert said, flustered. "It won't. Even if we have a girl, and even if she's redheaded, she won't have a silly boy behind her. I won't allow it."

"Not like you can control that," Tillie snickered. "But anyway, do you know the gender?"

"We decided to not know the sex until the baby is born," Anne said. "I want to be surprised then. Gilbert doesn't know either, because we both know he wouldn't be able to keep it from me. And I agree with you, Tillie, it's not like if it's a girl Gilbert will be able to control whatever it follows her around. We'll just have to teach her self-defense with slates."

"That is such a low blow, Carrots," Gilbert said, narrowing his eyes to her, and she smirked back and their friends laughed at the old memory. "Anyway, we don't know the sex yet, as she said."

"We can work with that," Josie said. "Oh, I hope travel restrictions are lifted before then and you can come! I know there's not a chance I can travel to Ontario in the coming months, but I'd love to see you both!"

"We all would," Diana agreed.

"Let's wait and see how everything evolves, first, ok? We would love to travel there as well," Gilbert said. He had a bad feeling about the spring, but what was the purpose of worrying them all when there were far better things to think about at the moment?

The last days of the year were as calm as the ones leading up to Christmas. A heavy snowfall had covered the grounds on Christmas eve, and Anne had convinced Gilbert to make a snowman with her. Playing in the snow like kids had lifted their spirits, and coming back inside to drink hot chocolate and cuddle had been the perfect plan for boxing day, when restrictions became even stricter.

The new year came without much fanfare. Even when they were alone, they felt the celebration all the more meaningful, with everything that had happened during the year and all the promises the new one was bringing. It had felt meaningful to list everything that had changed over the year, all the surprises and realized dreams they hadn't expected when they had welcomed 2020, Gilbert on a double shift at the hospital, Anne with some of her teacher acquaintances in BC. That last year neither had made it to PEI.

And 2021, even if the pandemic was still looming over their heads, they felt it was full of possibilities. Little Blythe was going to join them mid-year, they had this new house of dreams that was delivering more than they could have thought, Gilbert was increasingly comfortable with his role as professor and Anne with her new business and writing. It was going to be a good year. They would make it so.

Gilbert went back to the hospital the following day, as he hadn't really asked for any days off. His patients' sickness didn't matter if it was a holiday or not, and while he was sure he could have asked dr. Yang for a few days off, he preferred to save them for when they could actually travel. When he came back it was to find Anne focused on Marilla's chair's cushions, the old ones taken apart so she was able to make some molds out of them. They were nearly done, the new fabric more in tune with their taste.

He took the chair outside to the shed where he chopped the wood and, wearing thick gloves, sanded the whole thing until it was free from the old lacker. Anne met him there, wrapped in a thick coat and carrying cups of warm tea, and they chatted as he worked on restoring the glider to its former glory before falling to a companionable silence. She enjoyed watching him work- always had. Ella used to joke about Gibert being the one able to fix everything back when they lived together, and she hadn't been far off. It was something he enjoyed and helped him take his mind off patients and difficult cases.

"Remember you asked me about Fred the other day?" he asked, trying to get to an intricate area of the back.

"Yes, is he ok? Is Ella ok?" Anne asked. The worry in Fred's eyes had been all too apparent on Christmas.

"They're both fine," Gilbert reassured her. Because it wasn't really that they weren't fine, it was more a concern Fred had for Ella. And he did, too, if he was honest, knowing how strained her relationships with her family had become over the years. And still, she hadn't said a word to him about what had happened. Not since September, even if he had probed gently once in a while, knowing it was better to talk than to keep everything inside. "Fred is concerned about Ella, and well, both of them really, not having much support once Alicia is born."

"We can help them, right? I mean, I know we're also expecting a baby, but I'm sure we can be there for them," Anne said. "Aren't their families helping?"

"Both of Fred's parents still work full-time, but I'm sure they'll help whenever they can," Gilbert explained. "But Ella's parents live away, and she hasn't been talking to them for months."

"So that's what's been worrying you guys?" Anne asked. Gilbert nodded, not giving many more details, and Anne didn't probe further. "I'm sure we can lend a hand… I do hope the restrictions are lifted by the time Alicia is born. They're supposed to be for four weeks, right?"

"To begin with, Anne. Who knows how this will evolve," Gilbert said. "But yes, I was hoping you would say that. We can figure out ways to help them, if it's needed. I'm sure we'll be able to think of something. Now, what do you think? Am I missing any spots?" he asked, standing up. She went closer and inspected it.

"I think we're good. I can finish it tomorrow, thank you for sanding it," she said. He nodded, giving her a quick kiss before starting to gather the mess, feeling much better now that he had spoken with her about this. It's not like they had a plan to support the Wrights. Not yet, anyway. And he still had to talk with Ella. But knowing Anne was on board with him, and she would help him get his found family as supported as they could meant the world. He knew they had done it for him a thousand times.