January was cold and snowy. That didn't stop the life going inside the house from continuing, though. After the holiday rush, Anne felt she had much more time without all the seasonal projects absorbing almost every moment of her day. Everything seemed to be running more or less smoothly with the website, Jerry and Diana's advice, combined with the ideas she'd had to start with, were starting to give fruit: she had a couple of subscription options, as well as some self-paced courses that were popular for parents trying to think of something for their young kids to do as the lockdown dragged on and they had to juggle home office and taking care of kids.

That meant she finally had time to write the fairy stories as she had originally wanted to, and she found the outlines she had done in the fall and started working on them. Part of the project of childrens' stories was the visual part, and she called Cole again to see if he was still interested. From their homes, they brainstormed over zoom about the different styles and how the stories and the illustrations could merge to be really part of the same thing and they could truly do the project as co-authors.

Gilbert came that afternoon to find Anne still on her video call with Cole, sheets taped to one wall with all the ideas they had, some with his sketches he had sent her and she had printed to put alongside the story line. He gave her a kiss and greeted Cole quietly, not wanting to interrupt their work, and went to the kitchen to prepare something warm to drink. Anne had a cup next to her of a very cold tea that could have been there for hours. She was finally saying goodbye to Cole when he returned, both looking tired but satisfied.

"So you both managed to sketch your plans to conquer the world?" he asked, teasing gently, making them laugh. She took a sip of the warm ginger tea.

"The world of Pilbert the fox, most likely," Cole said, mischief in his eyes. "But yes, I think we have enough work for a couple of months at least. With frequent checkups, sure, but we do have the outline."

"It will be amazing, Gil," Anne said to him, beaming. "Cole input just took the stories to a whole new level… I think we do have something great. And if we apply ourselves we will manage to finish before baby Blythe arrives."

"That's the plan, at least," Cole confirmed. Gilbert nodded.

"So how are you doing, Cole? How's Roy?" Gilbert asked, bringing a chair next to Anne's and sitting there.

"He's doing fine. Has been smiling for an hour straight as he corrects some stories the children wrote as an assignment," Cole said. "He will be complaining about their total lack of grammar and spelling, but he can't lie to me, I know he enjoys reading those things way more than he lets on."

"It's just you've never read kids' stories," Anne said. "They have the best imaginations ever. I always enjoyed reading that too. And it's a great opportunity to teach them boring stuff without making it look like a spelling class."

"That's what he says," Cole agreed. "I wouldn't have the patience to decipher their writing. Anyway guys, I have dinner to get started on, but we'll talk soon, I hope? Nana, we do a follow up next Wednesday to see advances and all that like we mentioned, right?"

"Right, still, if we manage to have a call with Roy for a drink or something it would be nice," she agreed.

"Have a nice evening, Cole," Gilbert said, and Cole finished the call. "So, you both are busy now, I take?"

"Busy but good busy," Anne agreed. "So, how was your day? I'm sorry I was still caught up in this. Thank you for the tea."

"No problem, Anne-girl," he said, stretching. "Got my vaccine today," he added.

"What?! And you say it like that? Gilbert, it's about the best news ever!" Anne said, jumping up in her emotion. He smiled.

"I'd rather we knew if you could have it," he said. "But yes, it's great news, actually. Finally feeling like it's starting to pick up pace, the first few weeks were so slow."

"And how do you feel? Did Fred get his as well?" she asked.

"I think so. Or he's scheduled tomorrow or something, I couldn't get a hold of him today, he's been crazy busy the past few weeks," Gilbert explained. "And I'm feeling fine, Anne. Don't worry. A bit of a sore arm, but nothing that won't go away on its own."

"Will you let me know if you feel poorly?"

"Of course I will, Anne-girl," he assured her, intertwining his fingers with her and lifting their hands to kiss her knuckles. "But I don't think it will be anything worse than a headache. At least it's what I hope."

He was right. A couple of days later, other than a very sore arm, he hadn't had anything more than a very mild headache. Fred hadn't had any side effects to speak of either, and they continued the long hours at the hospital waiting for their second dose, which was scheduled a couple of weeks later. Anne continued working with Cole on their new project while she kept maintaining the website and jolting down notes for future projects she would publish there. Her days felt short, nor only because of the limited sunshine hours in the dead of winter, but because of how busy she was.

That Thursday, however, she couldn't concentrate. All she really had had on her mind for hours and hours had been a dessert. Tiramisu. With a very strong coffee. All creamy. And sweet, but not too much. She texted Cole about it, and they talked about a hundred different desserts, but she kept coming back to that. She baked cookies, hoping it would take her mind off the Italian treat, but there was no use: she only wanted tiramisu, the cookies boring and doughy in contrast to what her mind was conjuring, that had her close to drooling. And she had no ingredients with which to make tiramisu, vegan or not.

In the end, she couldn't resist it any longer.

**Anne S-C (17:03): Gil?

**Gil (17:05): Hey, Anne-girl. Everything going well?

**Anne S-C (17:05): Is there any chance you can bring some tiramisu?

**Gil (17:05): Tiramisu?

**Anne S-C (17:06): Yes, the creamy, coffey dessert? Italian? Hopefully a vegan version? Please?

**Gil (17:06): I know what it is… I'm just confused. I had never even heard you mention that.

**Anne S-C (17:06): Pleaseeeeee I just really want one. I've been trying to take it off my mind the whole afternoon. I baked cookies. I talked about every other dessert in existence with Cole. There's no use. It has to be tiramisu.

**Gil (17:07): Ok… I'll do my best to find some.

**Anne S-C (17:07): Pretty please? Honestly, I think about it and I drool. I understand it's completely irrational, but our kid wants that and won't take anything different.

**Gil (17:07): Got it. Tiramisu mission, then. I'll ask Fred, if anyone knows where to get something like that it would be him.

**Anne S-C (17:08): My hero!

**Gil (17:09): Let me find that first, then you can call me your hero ;) And we really need to get you a car so you don't depend on me… We didn't think about that when we moved, that it's basically in the middle of nowhere.

**Anne S-C (17:09): It's the first time it's been a bother in a month. And it's just because of this ridiculous craving. Please don't forget it?

Gilbert was still at his desk when he received Anne's messages and he sighed. Where was he supposed to get tiramisu, and a vegan version at that? He rubbed his eyes, tired of the day. He had been running from one side to the other as he had taken patients from other doctors again as they got caught up with the Covid-related ones. He still had one more round to do before he could go out, but he didn't want to ignore the tiramisu issue either. He knew Anne. For her to have texted him, she probably had tried everything she could, it wasn't like her to ask him to bring random things home. Which meant she really was desperate.

"Hey Fred," he greeted as his friend picked his phone. "I need to ask you a favor."

"What's up, Blythe?" Fred asked, surprised.

"Where in this city can I get some vegan tiramisu for Anne today?" Gilbert asked. Fred laughed on the other side.

"Vegan tiramisu? Really?"

"Ella lived on lucky charms for months, don't judge Anne," Gilbert replied, smiling as well. It was sort of endearing. "So?"

"Let me think, Blythe," Fred said. "I can tell you about where to get the nicest tiramisu right now, but a vegan one, it hadn't even crossed my mind."

"I kind of need it to cross your mind," Gilbert said. "I can't even think of a dessert place, vegan or not."

"Maybe Ella could have an idea?" Fred proposed. "She does have a sweeter tooth than both of us combined."

"Good thinking," Gilbert agreed.

"Also, are you gone now? Mandy, the head nurse in the NICU, usually has wicked recommendations for places to eat. I usually go to her for recommendations when I want to take Ella somewhere new," Fred said.

"Ok… I'll pass by there, it's on my way anyway, I have a round more to make before leaving," Gilbert said. "So, Mandy in the NICU and Ella."

"And I'll also try to think of more ideas. Does she know how to prepare one? If we can't find anything, you can buy the ingredients and do one at home, I suppose."

"That's also an option," Gilbert said. "I'd rather arrive with the prepared thing, you know? Because I have the feeling it's one of those things that take hours to freeze or whatever and she's been craving it for the whole day."

"Hum. Well, let's get on with the search, then. I'll also look for a recipe, just in case," Fred said. "I'll get back to you, ok?"

"Right. Thanks, Freddie," Gilbert said. "I'm off to see Mandy then. I'll call Ella on my way."

It took what seemed a lot of group effort. Ella hadn't had a clue of where to get it, but Mandy had a friend that was vegan and that had been somewhere. She called her, and then they called the place to see if they had any today and if they were going to be open until Gilbert was able to leave the hospital (at the very least until seven, most likely later). When it was clear they closed at 6:00 pm, Fred, who was also seeing patients straight until 7:00 (winter was always a very busy season for him), called Ella to see if she could go pick the dessert at the bakeshop and drop it at the hospital. Gilbert went out to pick the package.

"Here you have," she said, handing him a box which, for its weight, Gilbert knew contained more than just one slice. He looked at Ella. "I asked to put everything they had. I asked, and it freezes well. Might come in handy later."

"Thank you," Gilbert said smiling. "You can't imagine how grateful I am."

"I actually can. If we're doing this, I'm pretty sure she would kill for a slice now," she said. "I know I would have. Take them home. Go and feed her, Gilbert." He laughed.

"I will do that, don't worry," he said. "Do you have ten minutes? We could get something to drink… I've been meaning to speak with you for some days, but it's been hectic."

"Fred told you, right?" she said, reading right through him. He nodded. He couldn't very well hide it.

"You know he's concerned about you. And I am too. I remember you didn't want to talk about it back in October… But it's been months, Ella," Gilbert said. "What's so bad you can't even tell Fred? That has you so estranged from your family that neither you or them have done anything to make amends?"

"I really, really don't want to talk about this, Gilbert," she said. "It's… It's complex, and talking about it won't solve it. I know both you and Fred have the best of intentions and are worried about me, I do get that. And I feel your support. But I just can't… There's a moment in life where you have to face how things are, which ones have potential to evolve, or grow, and which ones… don't. And this is one issue that's not only not evolving, it was holding me back more than I realized."

"Why can't you talk about it, then? Won't that help you feel better?" Gilbert asked, concerned.

"I don't know," Ella said quietly. "I suppose it might. But even if I'm not speaking with them anymore, and I feel like letting this go has lifted a weight off my shoulders, I still don't want to… I don't know how to explain it. Expose them, I guess? They won't interfere with our lives anymore. I know that. That gives me peace of mind. But I can't…" she frowned slightly, struggling for the words. "They're still my family. I can't… I don't want to speak ill of them. Not more than I have. Or have Fred or you hate them any more than you do now."

"Ella, I don't…"

"Don't be silly, Gilbert. Ok, maybe you don't hate them, but it's not like you have them in any sort of high regard either," she said. Gilbert shrugged. That much was true. "I feel it's enough. It is what it is. Talking about it won't do any good and won't change the situation in any way, so I'd rather have both of you leave the matter alone. I don't want my mother or anyone from there to come when Alicia is born, and I certainly don't want them in my home. You both pressuring me with this subject won't change my feelings on the matter, and it's not helping much."

"Ella…" Gilbert tried, but then he sighed. She had the right to keep it to herself, and if Fred and him were being more an obstacle than a help, then it was time to stop. "Will you let me know? If you need more support, if there's anything we can do to help once Alicia is here?"

"Of course I will, Gibert. I'm not afraid of asking for help, I just honestly don't need it with my family situation," she agreed, more relaxed. "I will let you know if I'm struggling, and we both know Fred is probably running different scenarios in his mind and looking for the tiniest sign of anything going awry with me. So please, relax and go home to Anne? Give her this?"

"I will. You truly are the best, Ella, thank you for this."

"You're my family, Gilbert. There's nothing to be thankful for. Now, I would give you a hug, but I know we're not supposed to and then there's this ridiculous belly… How is it still supposed to grow for another five weeks, Gilbert? How? It's huge already!" she said, desperate.

"That's just how it is, Ella. And who knows, maybe you don't get to the full 40 weeks, maybe she's born at 39 or something," he tried to reassure her. She did look uncomfortable, and from what he knew, she had some of the most difficult weeks ahead.

"Let her be born at 38 and one day," she said. "Ok, I'm off. I have to take Bear out to pee, he won't make it until Fred comes home."

The rewards from the tiramisu race were bigger than anything Gilbert could have imagined.

Anne was waiting for him at the door when he opened it, and they went directly to the kitchen. Gilbert opened the box and Anne didn't even bother to serve a piece on a plate and dug in directly with a spoon. Her moan of delight and satisfaction was immediate as soon as she took the first bite, and Gilbert smiled in amazement of how pregnancy seemed to surprise him every day. Even when he objectively knew every symptom and complication thanks to his training, seeing it so close, so personal, made all the difference. Anne's eyes widened suddenly and he looked at her questioningly.

It had been days, maybe even a couple of weeks, since she had felt the baby for the first time. She always felt it inside, like a flutter she had struggled for days to understand if it was her stomach processing a food or another, or if it was that baby they already loved so much. Every day it had been more distinguishable, more easy to identify, and then one day she had been able to maybe kind of feel it from the outside. A couple of days ago, maybe, but just the once and she had been waiting for it to happen again… Ideally, with Gilbert closeby.

Like right now, when the baby seemed to appreciate the tiramisu as much as she was. It felt like life could go on now that she had finally tried some tiramisu. She couldn't even describe the depth of the craving she'd had most of the day.

"Gilbert, give me your hand!" she said. He frowned slightly, confused, but extended his hand anyway and she put it firmly over her growing belly. "Feel it?" she asked anxiously, a grin on her face. "I've been waiting for days for the baby to kick strong enough that it can be felt from the outside, but…"

"She's stayed still now, hasn't she?" he asked, his tone soft, but leaving his hand on the same spot.

"She?" Anne asked, curiously. They had agreed to wait to know the sex, and she really doubted Gilbert would go and ask by himself and let her know like that.

"I keep thinking of the baby as a girl. I might be completely wrong, of course, but it's just an inkling I have," he said, caressing her belly gently.

"You're way too cute to be true, Gil," she said. "Keep your hand there, let's see if a second bite makes the baby kick again."

It felt like a good experiment, sitting on the stools of the kitchen island with Anne eating vegan tiramisu she had craved for hours and hours and his hand on her belly, waiting to see if the baby would react to the creamy dessert. They had almost given up (and the slice was almost over) when suddenly, he felt something. He looked at her eyes, just to confirm he wasn't imagining things, and she nodded, enthusiastic.

"That's the baby," she said. "It's been a couple of weeks since I can feel her, but I really wanted to tell you just when you could feel them too."

"It's amazing," Gilbert said, completely amazed. "I sometimes can't believe that's our kid, growing and developing there."

"Me neither," Anne replied softly. "Even when she won't let me forget it now."

"She, huh?" he asked back, teasing clear in his one, a smirk forming on his face.

"Well, might be a girl, right? You seem to believe so, and who am I to go against your thinking?" she asked. He raised an eyebrow to her. "Ok, ok, I often go against your thinking, but still, I have no clue as to what it is. I don't have a feeling like you do, so I might as well go by yours. And if it's a boy, then we can laugh it off when he's born."

"If you say so, Anne," he said, still smiling like a fool after having felt the baby kick. He watched her eat for a moment, his hand still on her belly with Anne's free one on top of it. "So, that's all you'll have for dinner?"

"Oh yes," Anne said. "Believe me, I ate plenty of veggies at lunch and some beans… I know it's not ideal, having tiramisu for dinner, but there has to be some scientific explanation for this I don't care for. I just know it's what I need now."

"Fair enough," Gilbert said. "I'll prepare a sandwich, I'm starving… I had lunch early and haven't eaten anything since. Are you sure you don't want some?"

"No, I'm good, honest," she said, letting go of his hand. "I can prepare it for you if you want."

"I know. But I'd rather have you enjoy that dessert," Gilbert said to her, kissing her briefly before standing up. "I have the second dose tomorrow. Let's see how it goes... "

"Well you didn't have any side effects from the first one, why would this one be any different?"

"I hope it will be the same. But it's been documented that the side effects are more pronounced after the second dose," he explained. "Nothing serious or to be concerned about, mainly uncomfortable. I just hope I don't get anything, I can't really afford to be away from the hospital much these days."

"Is it still really bad?" Anne asked, her eyes worried. She asked Gilbert about his work every day, but he usually didn't go much into details.

"Well I've not been staying late because I enjoy being away from you, you know?" he said as he prepared his sandwich. "It's quite busy, Carrots. Most everyone is stressed out, but we managed before and we'll manage now."

The second dose wasn't as kind to Gilbert as the first one had been. He had it early in the morning, before his first round, and went on with his day as if nothing had happened. When he started having a headache in the early afternoon, he frowned and put on his glasses, which he had forgotten after lunch. It didn't make much difference, but he tried to ignore it and focused on what he was doing.

That is, until he started feeling chills, and he knew there was a chance it would only go downhill if he wasn't lucky enough to just stay on this level of crappy. He cursed under his breath. He was supposed to do another round, and he had three more patients to see before that and he had a tower of administrative paperwork to deal with. And he was feeling worse by the minute. He looked at the clock. 1:43pm. He would give it until 2:30pm… if by then he had any other side-effect, he would try to see how to go home earlier. Maybe bring the paperwork with him and do it later in the evening? For sure he had to feel better then.

**Fred (14:38): So how's that second dose treating you? Same as the first one, I hope? I was talking with dr. Yang and he's acting like they gave him saline, and here I have the worst headache ever.

**Gilbert Blythe (14:46): You're lucky then. I'm actually seeing if Kumar can replace me on my rounds later and rescheduling the rest of today's patients.

**Fred (14:48): That bad?

**Gilbert Blythe (14:50): The whole package, Fred. That headache you have. Chills. I can't move without feeling pain all over. I'm pretty sure I'm breaking a fever.

**Fred (14:51): Look at the bright side. Antibodies!

**Gilbert Blythe (14:51): Yey?

He understood Fred's point, and honestly, he knew how privileged he was to have the vaccine, side-effects and all. It wasn't that. But he hadn't felt this sick in years, and he didn't know very well how to handle it. The last time had been probably soon after they arrived in Hamilton, when he had stretched himself way too thin and his body had made him rest, according to Fred. Between his friend and Ella, they had taken care of him for a full week. He had had a high fever and all sorts of general ailments he didn't want to remember at the moment.

He scratched his neck and considered what he was doing, but he had lost track and had no idea now what he had been about to do. Oh, right. He called his assistant and asked her if she had managed to get hold of the rest of the day's patients, and felt a wave of relief when she confirmed they were booked for the following Monday. One good thing about this whole ordeal, it was Friday. And by Monday he was sure he was going to be feeling better.

He felt another round of chills and reached for his sweater, but then felt his forehead (sweaty, clammy) and sighed in frustration. He should get going if he wanted to be able to drive more or less safely. His hand was still there when his door opened and Fred entered.

"So you're alive," he said.

"What?"

"I texted you like twenty minutes ago if you wanted me to drive you. Clearly you're having it way worse than I am," he explained. Gilbert frowned. He had replied to Fred not five minutes ago, he was sure. He looked at his phone.

**Fred (14:53): Don't be so sour. Can you drive, or do you want me to drive you?

"Right," he said, blinking. "What time are you leaving?"

"Now, which is why I came. I had a light afternoon just in case."

"Wise," Gilbert mumbled. "Please. I feel so drowsy it's stupid."

"Get your coat, then. Or do you still have something to do?" Fred asked. Gilbert shook his head and closed the laptop. He wasn't getting anything done anyway. He put some files on top of the computer to see if he could manage something over the weekend and, after looking around, put a book and a notebook where he had jolted down some notes. "Let's go take you to Anne, then. I'm sure she'll prepare a nice broth or something for you. And take something, please?"

"I will, believe me. There's no need to thought this out."

They walked out to the parking lot, not talking much, Fred writing on his phone. It was clear Fred wasn't feeling particularly bad, other than the headache he had mentioned, but he seemed to understand Gilbert preferred to keep quiet at the moment. They got on in the car and Fred lowered the volume of the music. Gilbert fell asleep in the car and only woke up when Fred turned off the engine, feeling sweaty, hot and disoriented.

"So, I'll pick you up on Monday?" Fred said after a moment. They had stayed there in silence, sitting in the quiet of the winter afternoon.

"If you can, it would be great. This is supposed to last what, one or two days max?" Gilbert asked

"Pretty much, yes," Fred said. "So, Monday. I'll text you when I leave my place."

"Sounds good," Gilbert agreed. That nap had done him some good and he had a clearer mind than before they left the hospital. He remembered he had been meaning to talk with Fred during the day, but they hadn't had the opportunity, having lunch at different times. "Hey, I was meaning to tell you- I spoke with Ella yesterday. About her parents' issue?"

"Oh, yeah?" Fred asked, focusing on him.

"Yes. She's… This might sound really foreign to you, considering everything, but she's actually trying to close that chapter with her family and this is her way to do that. I don't particularly agree with her methods, but what I could tell is that we won't be helping at all by pushing her constantly. She doesn't seem to need to vent or to process, from what I could tell," Gilbert explained. "She seems to have understood and come to terms with whatever went on."

"Are you sure?" Fred asked, dubious. Gilbert sighed.

"Fred, it's Ella. It's one of the few people I feel confident enough to say this. She's more annoyed with our poking than with leaving whatever happened alone. She's not happy with whatever it was, but she found a way to let it go and I'm not going to push her anymore."

"I don't know, Blythe…" Fred said, his concern apparent in his eyes. "I just don't get what could have happened now that hadn't happened before. You've seen them. You've heard them. After all that, what can be worse?"

"I don't know. But it's enough that she prefers to close that door and not tell us, because she wants us not to hate her family any more than we do," Gilbert said. Fred was about to say something and he continued, "her words, not mine. So, what we can do right now is just support her, you know? Let her know she does have this family and we will figure it out once Alicia comes. You both are not alone, you have Anne and I."

Fred let out a heavy breath, resigned.

"I have no idea what we did to deserve you as a friend, but thank you, Blythe."

"You know it goes both ways," Gilbert replied, voice tired, stifling a yawn. He rubbed his eyes lightly. "Anyway. Give her a kiss. I should get going so you can go home as well. And I really want to go to bed right now."

"Go on, then. Say hi to Anne."

Gilbert opened the door to the house and was received with a wave of warmth he hadn't been expecting. Anne walked from the kitchen hurriedly, and he saw there was concern in her eyes. He looked at her, confused.

"Fred texted me. How are you feeling?" she said, walking to where he was taking his shoes and coat off.

"He texted you?" he asked.

"Telling me he was bringing you…" she felt his forehead. "You're burning, Gil. Go up to bed, I'm preparing a broth for when you want some, but I'll bring you some paracetamol, Fred said it was fine for you to take now?"

"Yes… Thanks, Anne-girl," he said, kissing her cheek before going to the stairs.

He just took off his shirt and his pants, and he snuggled in bed with a throw they had in the bedroom. Falling asleep almost as soon as he was on the bed, he didn't notice as Anne went up some minutes later to shut the blinds and make sure he was comfortable, when she left a glass of water in case he woke up thirsty, when the night fell and Anne sat on a comfy chair they had by the window to read.

Anne looked at him from time to time, just to make sure he wasn't any worse for wear. She looked at the clock and decided it was a good time to warm the miso soup she had prepared. It wouldn't be the best idea for Gilbert to continue sleeping much longer, or else he would spend a horrible night on top of feeling longer. She could wake him up to have some dinner and maybe he would manage to stay awake for a while, so his sleep pattern wouldn't be completely messed up.

She went down quietly, deciding she would wake him, but only after dinner was ready. Humming quietly to a song she had been listening to during the day, she turned on the stove and went to look for a couple of bowls in which to serve the broth. She was stirring the soup when she felt Gilbert, still warm from the sleep and the slight fever he had, hugged her from behind.

"Thank you," he mumbled against the back of her neck. He couldn't imagine himself feeling this bad by himself, even if he knew he wasn't really sick. Having Anne doing small things for him, preparing him something to eat… It really wasn't surprising, because it was just like her to be like this, but it was recomforting all the same to know they had a home, and he would take care just the same (with take out, most likely).

"There's nothing to thank, Gil," she assured him. He mumbled something unintelligible. "What was that?" she asked, trying to contain a smile at how endearing a tousled and sick Gilbert seemed to be. No that he would find it funny.

"That I'm grateful anyway," he mumbled again. "What's that? I'm hungry."

"Miso soup with some veggies and some seaweed," she explained. "I'm glad you're hungry. It's always a good sign."

"It is," he agreed. "How can I help?"

"I left a couple of bowls over there, if you pass them I can serve this and we can sit down to eat," she said. He nodded and let go of her, walking to the island where Anne had set two places. A moment after, they were eating in the quiet of the night. Gilbert was feeling, if not completely restored, at least not as poorly as he had during the afternoon. The fever was down, the headache and other pains tolerable, and he had almost no chills. And Anne's soup felt as comforting and full of love as she was.