Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters created by L.M. Montgomery and Moira Walley-Beckett. I do not claim any ownership over them and offer my writing to the world as a homage of appreciation to their creations as well as an outlet of imagination to imagine an infinity of alternate storylines. This is just one of them!
Author's Note: I'm back! I am so sorry for the delay and hope you haven't given up on this story. This story will be done with 20 chapters and two more interludes in between the next few parts. So I hope you enjoy this new interlude before Part 17 which is done and just being edited! As always, I appreciate any feedback!
Interlude 2 (Between Parts 16 and 17)
"Merry Christmas, Anne."
Anne opened the box and found a beautiful blue coat. "Marilla and Matthew, this is so beautiful! Thank you!"
Anne embraced each of them, as they all laughed with joy.
"No need to make such a fuss," said Marilla, but her tone was tempered with a giggle. "You were outgrowing your old one and you needed a new one."
Anne put on the coat and indeed it fit her well. She had been so accustomed to wearing hand-me-down clothing in the past, with dresses and coats that were either too big or too small. Though years had passed since she was adopted, she still couldn't believe she was getting to wear clothes that were specifically designated for her alone.
"It-it makes your eyes look even bluer, Anne. Very b-becoming," said Matthew.
"Does it? Thank you, Matthew. Oh, I do adore this shade of blue, Marilla. How did you know?" Anne spun around a few times in her new coat.
Marilla smiled. "I believe I may surprise you with my answer. You see, it wasn't me but Rachel Lynde who chose that fabric. So you'll have to thank her."
"Oh, I will! I have half a mind to go there right now and thank her." Anne then saw Marilla about to interject. "But I won't just yet, I assure you."
"We also thought it was a coat you'll be able to wear when you are at Queens next year." Marilla smiled, teary-eyed. "It's hard to believe you will be going to college so soon! You're all grown up now!"
"Oh Marilla," said Anne as she embraced her. "I'm not yet sixteen as I've a few months yet to go. Also, Queens is not so far away. I will visit as often as I can."
"W-well, as long as it's not an imposition," said Matthew, a touch too sternly.
Anne looked at him in surprise. "An imposition? Never! Besides, I would miss you both too much not to visit!"
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Matthew went to fetch another large parcel. "This is for you as well."
He placed it in Anne's hands as she looked at both him and Marilla in amazement. "Another present! The coat is already too much!"
"Go on and open it," said Marilla, smiling. "Both the coat and this present will serve you well, I expect."
Anne untied the string holding the box together and opened it to find a new pair of fine leather boots. "My goodness! These are so fine and splendid. You are both too generous. Thank you!"
She leapt up to embrace and kiss each of them. Marilla and Matthew blushed and laughed at Anne's exuberant gratitude.
"Aren't you going to try them on?" Matthew asked.
"I suppose I should," responded Anne. "But I do feel my own presents pale in comparison."
"Christmas gifts are not a sporting competition," said Marilla. "And in any case, we are trying to compensate in our own small way for the Christmases you didn't have in the past."
"Oh Marilla, Matthew, don't you know that adopting me as your very own more than compensates for all the Christmases I've missed?" Anne's eyes filled with tears as she gazed at her parents and they were equally moved.
"I'd given up my dream of being adopted long before I came to Green Gables. So your decision to adopt me not only saved me from a life of endless drudgery, you restored my faith in dreaming. And now your gifts this Christmas will help me as I pursue my dreams in college."
Matthew's eyes filled up with tears. "Best decision we ever made. I-I'll confess I've sometimes wondered if we ought to give Mrs. Spencer a gift for making s-such a fortunate error in finding you and not a boy?"
"No, I don't think she would've appreciated the gift. And she would've thought you rather mad to offer it," said Marilla grinning.
"As you've said before, Matthew, it was Providence that brought us all together." Anne embraced them both tightly. "And while I'll always be grateful for Mrs. Spencer's mistake, I know that I owe my life and present fortune to the both of you for your decision to make me a part of your family. I love you both profoundly and forever."
Anne's words silenced both Marilla and Matthew, as they gazed at her in wonder. She would never forget the look in their eyes of awe, tenderness, and devotion. It was beyond anything she could ever have hoped to have in her life. And while she was grateful for the wonderful gifts they had just given her, she knew that their affection and love for her was the best and greatest gift.
Anne opened her eyes as the early morning sunlight began to make its way through her window. She heard the birds singing and knew it was summer, not winter. She closed her eyes again tightly to savor the memory within her dream, cherishing the warm feeling that pooled in her chest.
"I won't need to write that down," she whispered to herself, her eyes still closed. "I'll never forget seeing in their eyes how much they love me."