It was getting late as Marilla sat the supper on the table. Anne should be home in a bit as in a short time it would be dark. As she placed the last plate on the table she heard a knock on the door and she went to open it.
"Evening Marilla."
"Good evening John. If you are looking for Gilbert he is not here I'm afraid."
"I know Marilla. Mind if I come in?"
"Not at all. Would you like something to drink or eat?"
"No thank you Marilla. "
"So do what do I owe the pleasure of this visit."
"It's about Anne and Gilbert."
"So you know about there quarrel I presume."
"Yes I do. Can't you talk to the girl Marilla. "
"Why would I interfere?"
"Because you understand all too well what can happen if the girl doesn't come to her senses." His statement struck a nerve.
"John Blythe. If that was meant to insult me you have lost your touch." She lied.
"I didn't mean it that way Mar." she hadn't heard that nickname in a long time.
"How was I supposed to take it John. You are insinuating she'll end up an old maid like me perhaps." She was red with anger.but also she was hurt.
"No. I did not mean it that way.I meant that those two are destined to be together and I would hate for them to go there separate ways over a tiny spat. Gilbert is willing to talk to her but she won't talk to him."
"Well it's her right. She is her own woman and nothing I can say will change that. She will eventually ask his forgiveness but she needs time to sort her feelings." She calmed a bit and paced.
"What if she doesn't sort them fast enough." He partially followed her in her pacing.
"That isn't my problem." She seethed. She turned and jumped when she saw how close he was to her.
"How isn't it your problem Marilla. Can't you see those two are crazy about one another. Doesn't it bother you that they are fighting."
"It doesn't matter what I think John. I can not encourage her one way or the other. Anne will not be raised as I. She will make her own decisions."
"At what cost? "He raised his voice at her.
"Don't raise your voice to me John Blythe. I am just just as worried as you but I will not put my nose into other peoples private lives." She took a step closer as she spoke. They looked at one another with fire. It was almost arousing, the sexual tension thick enough you could cut it with a knife.
"You won't put your nose into other people's business? Yet you are the best friend of the towns greatest gossip, Rachael Lynd"
"Your point being?"
"Dammit Marilla. Can't you just talk to the girl. That's all I ask. I do not wish for my boy to suffer anymore heartbreak. You know he was devastated when he lost his mother. I don't want him losing the only other person whom he truly cares for."
"I have talked to her John. She will forgive him when she is ready. "
"What if she doesn't?"
"What if she does. We cannot meddle in those kids lives. They must make their own decisions."
"And if they regret they're decisions."
"They will learn to live with regret."
"Do you have regrets Marilla?"
"No. I do not."
"None? You don't regret our quarrel."
"It was a long time ago John. You moved on to another. I stayed behind and did what was needed of me at green gables. What is there to regret."
"Did you never want to be married Marilla."
"It doesn't matter what I wanted John. It's in the past." He stepped closer to her and gazed into her eyes. The look he gave her caught her off guard. She tried to avert her eyes but couldn't. She began to think of the life they could have had. Her eyes betrayed her as tears began to form. She turned from him as a stray tear rolled down her cheek. He brought his thumb to her face and wiped it away.
"I made a mistake coming here Marilla. I am sorry I have upset you."
" it's alright John. Would you like to stay for dinner. I'm sure Anne will have had dinner with the Barry's anyway. Besides. We can't go back and change things, might as well make peace with it."
" I would like that very much. You always were a great cook Mar. So the girl is speaking with Diana?"
"Yes. She is. I'll go set the table. I hope you like stew."she turned to leave and he caught her arm.
"Marilla... I am sorry for causing you distress. I was only looking out for Gilbert."
"I understand. Though next time you are concerned, I think it best you wait before you get involved. This quarrel they are having will pass. She loves him too much."
"She loves him?"
"Yes. She just hasn't figured that out yet. "
"My mother's ring will look fabulous on her hand."
"Isn't it too soon to be contemplating their marriage."
"Never too soon. They are both young yet but I think together they will go far."
"I believe so too. " he moved his hand down her arm and took her hand.
"Would you like my assistance in setting the table. "
"If you wouldn't mind." She released his hand and walked into the kitchen. They walked into the kitchen and marilla handed him 2 plates and instructed him where to find the silverware. She uncovered the stew and retrieved the salt and pepper shaker from the cabinet. They moved in sync as they placed everything on the dinner table.
"So how have you been since matthews passing?"
" I have found it difficult but Anne helps a great deal. She has been my light and joy since his death."
"That's good to hear. She is a bright young girl, and you are lucky to have her. "
"I am. I just wished she hadn't stayed at green gables for my sake. She should have taken the Avery scholarship when she had the chance. Nothing to do her though. She insisted on staying at green gables. Thankfully the Barry's have took over most of the farm, and she took the teaching post here in avonlea."
"She is stubborn, but dare I say she reminds me a lot of you. I mean that in the nicest way possible. Please take no offense Marilla. It's just you can see the determination in her eyes when she's made her mind up.I also hear she has quite the temper."
"That she does. She does remind me so much of myself at that age. I too was head strong. Which if anyone knows more than I it is you."
"She has became quite the young lady. You did good Marilla." When everything was set he pulled her chair out for her and sat down.
"I don't think I'm the only one who did good. It took Matthew and the good Lord. Heaven knows i thought she was possessed at times." They both dipped their stew and added a roll to their plate. When they reach for the salt shaker their hands touched and a wierd sensation went through their hands.
"Sorry. Go ahead Mar."
"You go ahead John. Doctor says I need to avoid the salt anyway."
"Still getting those headaches like you used to?"
"Yes. They aren't quite as terrible as they used to be, but every now and again I get a terrible one. I had a slight headache today but it wasn't too bad. " the rest of their meal was ate in silence. They stole glances at one another every now and again.
"Would you like some currant wine?"
"It isn't the same bottle that set Diana Barry drunk is it." He laughed
"Same batch, different bottle." She smiled. "I nearly forgot about that. Anne always did have a nose for trouble."
She stood up and felt a wave of dizziness hit her. She ignored it and began to walk to the pantry. She made it to the cabinet and opened the door." You should have seen my face when I popped the cork and I smelled the wine."
"I'd say it was priceless. She didn't know it was wine?"
"Of course not. She had never tasted currant wine or raspberry cordial. She wouldn't have known the difference." She found the bottle quickly but as she turned around bout of dizziness hit her. John looked up just in time to see her sway and he jumped from his seat. She reach for the countertop to steady herself but it was no use. She felt her world spin. He was to her in no time and made it just in time to catch her before she fell, and he grabbed the wine before it hit the floor. Laying the wine on the counter, and holding her with one arm he looked at her.
"Marilla." She looked hazy, but she was still conscious. "Marilla. I've got you. Easy now. " he held her close to him. He debated what to do next. "Marilla I'm gonna ease you to the floor." He gently lowered himself and marilla to the floor. She was unconscious at this point. He grabbed her wrist and felt for a pulse. Her heart rate was elevated slightly and he didn't know what to do. "Marilla. You gotta wake up." He sat there holding her and speaking to her. "Marilla?" He noticed her eyes move the tiniest bit."that's it's Mar. wake up for me." It took a few minutes but she finally opened her eyes.
"What happened?" She said groggily. She tried to raise up but his hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Don't get up Marilla. You fainted. I need to call for a dr."
"I'm fine." She tried raising up again but he wouldn't let her.
"You are not fine. Please stay there a few more minutes. Then I will assist you up."
"Why are you making such a fuss. I'm ok... or at least I will feel ok. Please help me to stand."
"Are you sure your up to it."
"I will be ok. Just assist me would you." She slowly say up and waited for the wave of dizziness to pass. It was t as strong as the last so she knew she could make it into the parlor. John got to his feet and reach down to take hold of her arm.she slowly stood to her feet, staying in the same spot for just a moment to make sure she was ok." Walk me into the parlor." Slowly she made her way into the sitting room and eased herself on the sofa. "I'm sorry I fainted on you. " he sat beside her and grabbed her hand, feeling her wrist for her pulse.
"Im no dr but I do believe your heart rate has slowed.it was racing earlier."
"Don't tell Anne. I would prefer she not know. I will see the Dr but I need him to go to Rachaels house.I will meet him there."
"You really don't want Anne to know yet you go to Rachael Lynds? "
"Rachael can keep some secrets you know."
"I highly doubt that, but if you say so." He continued to hold her hand."has this happened before marilla?"
"Only once. The headaches are usually a tale tale sign to stay in bed that day but sometimes I ignore them. The last time this happened was just before Christina's. Rachael was with me then. Only good thing was I was sitting here when I fainted. "
"You didn't see the dr then?"
"No. Because I already know what he is going to say. I'm the same as my mother. The headaches, dizziness. She lives many many years with these headaches and I shall too."
"But medical advancements have been made. There could be a remedy."
"I wish. Though I know never to set the hopes high." He began tracing tiny circles on her hand, and she slowly began to notice, her thumb was slowly moving back and forth. She pulled her hand away. He realized what they were doing as soon as she pulled her hand away and he hated to admit he missed the feel of her smooth hands already.
"You may be surprised." He stood up."I should probably go and fetch Rachael."
"No. Stay here for a while longer. Please. She doesn't need to know yet. She will come and make a fuss over me like last time and I'll never hear the end of it. You do too much marilla. You need to rest marilla. Can't the dishes wait another day?" She mocked her friend." I can't take that right now. I just really need some peace for a moment. And I hate to see you leave."
"So you want me to stay a while."
"If you can. If you can't then I will suffer Rachaels mothering."
"I will stay. Just tell me if you need me to fetch the dr."
"No. Right now I just want some of my currant wine, and you to share it with me."
"I'll go fetch it." He retrieved the bottle and two glasses, returning to the parlor.
"It doesn't take much. I prefer only a half glass. Otherwise I'd be like poor Diana Barry."
"Can't hold your wine?" He said playfully.
"You know I rarely partake in spirits." She laughed. He filled their glasses halfway and handed her the glass.
"You always were a lady. "
"A lady?"
"Yes. You know. Prim and proper."
"Is that an insult or a compliment John Blythe?" She smiled, taking a sip of her wine.he down the same.
"A compliment I assure you." He took another sip, complimenting her on her wine making skills. " I always wondered how you made this wine."
"Family secret." She took another sip. She began to feel the slightest of affects as she finished her glass and noticed he had done the same.
"You wouldn't even tell an old friend."
"I wouldn't even tell Rachael Lynd." He took their empty glasses and set them on the table.
"That is a top secret family secret then because Rachael Lynd knows everything. "
"Not everything."
"What doesn't she know?"
"That you are here and we are alone. She would have called it blasphemous to have a man in my house, us alone with no chaperone."
"She knows you will behave."
"I will behave. Don't you mean we will behave?" She laughed.
" I know you will behave but I can't promise anything." He playfully teased.
"You have been a perfect gentlemen."
"So far."
"Are you suggesting that you intend to take advantage of me." She laughed.
"Not today, as the lady has partook in spirits."
"The lady may have partaken in spirits but she is fully in her right mind. Had I taken more then you could say you are taking advantage. "
"So you are fully consenting." He scooted closer to her, and she turned her body to look straight at him. She was nervous as he began to lean in. He stopped his face inches from hers. " You still feel the pull Mar." she looked into his eyes and seen the desire.
"It's too late John. I'm no spring chicken. "
"Just because there is snow on the roof Marilla doesn't mean a fire isn't in the furnace." She took a moment to get his meaning. When she felt his hand on her waist her breath hitched for a moment. He didn't move lower and he didn't do anything untoward. His hands stayed there. She needed to remove herself from the situation, before this turned into one of their teenage make out sessions from days of old.
"I..." he saw the nervousness in her eyes and backed away. He kept his hand around her waist but still kept his eyes focused on her.
"It's ok Marilla. I'm not going to..."
"Marilla im home! " they never heard the door open and don't realize she was in the house until she yelled from the kitchen. John hurriedly removed his hand from Marillas waist and sat on the opposite end of her.
"I'm here Anne. Just in time to meet Mr Blythe."
"I'm just not ready to see Gil... oh hello Mr Blythe. I thought you were Gilbert. " she noticed the wine and glasses and remembered seeing the 2 empty bowls in the kitchen. She tried to conceal her smile.
"Anne, this is John Blythe. We are ... Old friends."
"Your Gilbert's father. I've heard a lot about you Mr Blythe. If you see Gilbert will you please give him this letter. " she pulled a letter from her satchel and handed it to him. "I wish to apologize to him but I can't today so I wish to see him tomorrow. The letter explains where he can meet me." She gestures toward the glasses." Did I interrupt something?"
" No Anne. Marilla invited me to dinner, and I was just leaving. I dare say she has the best cooking this side of avonlea."
"I agree with you there Mr Blythe." He stood from the sofa.
"I shall see you two ladies again I hope. Evening Marilla."
"Good evening John."