Chapter 2: Anne's POV
Author's Note: I want to thank my new friend again that I had met on Instagram for all of her help on answering my questions again! I hope you enjoy Chapter 2!
By the time 5:00 came around, I gave up on sleep. Rain came in around 2:00 in the morning. With the rain hitting the window panes, that didn't give me much help to sleep; I kept tossing and turning. I might have gotten maybe 1 hour sleep total and so I just laid in bed wondering if I am making the right choice in working in the orphanage. As usual, I let my mind wonder and let my over-imagination take over.
Sighing, I looked over at Gil; he was still asleep, I think. I moved closer to him and I laid my head on his out stretch arm. I pulled his arm around me and snuggled against him. He pulled me close and gave me a kiss.
"Are you alright sweetheart? What's wrong?" Gil asked.
"Can't sleep." I mumbled.
"It must be 5:00 in the morning Anne. Are you ill? What can I do?" Gil asked.
"I'm not ill Gil. I have been tossing and turning all night. I didn't sleep for more than an hour. I guess I'm nervous about the interview this morning." I admitted.
Gil yawned and if it was possible, pulled me even closer to him. He kissed my head and my forehead.
"You'll do great honey, I promise. You'll feel so much better once the interview is over, okay? You weren't like this when you interviewed for the Avonlea school." Gil said.
"That was because you gave me the job Gil. Everyone in town knew I wanted to stay home and help Marilla out. Everyone in Avonlea knows who I am. They know that you had a crush on me and you scarified the teaching job here for me so I could be near Marilla. You taught in White Sands. I can never re-pay you for that Gil. This interview is different. It in an orphanage. A place where people don't want children or the children have lost their parents.
It's a sad place Gil and a stressful place to be a child. A scary place. I'm scared I'm going to fall in love with a scared child that needs love, attention, and maybe even medical help."
"If the child needs medical help, I promise I will take care of that child. If you find the right child that you just absolutely have fallen head over heels for, I would take that consideration into adopting the child. We can afford having a child Anne. If you feel the need that a child should be adopted, then we will adopt one. I personally wouldn't mind having a little girl." Gil admitted.
I smiled. "I want a little girl too. Someone I can brush her hair every morning and every night before bed. I can be someone she can tell secrets too. We can talk about boys; I can teach her all about the imagination."
I felt Gil smile. "You'll teach her so much about imagination, it will get her into trouble. I want to be her teacher."
"You'll make a great teacher and she will surely have you wrapped around her finger. But, will you have time to teach her? We will both be busy," I said.
"I'll make time. I am busy at the hospital, but I will have free time in the evenings. It can be a bonding thing we can work on too. Oh Anne, please let me be her teacher. I won't be those hard strict teachers. I'll be the kind ones, but firm when I need to be." Gil said.
"This is crazy how we are even talking about adopting a little girl. I haven't even thought of it until I heard about the job interview yesterday. I wouldn't have thought you would agree to adopting a child right away either," I said.
"I like the idea. The house gets quiet sometimes. I can be her proctor, a friend, a teacher, her doctor. Someone she can count on. A shoulder to cry on. I can be whatever she wants me to be. Keep an eye out this morning for any children that you are interested in. I can come by this afternoon after my meeting is over. I get off at noon today. If a child is in need today, we will bring her home tonight." Gil promised.
I squealed in happiness; right in Gil's ear.
"Anne! That was right in my ear! You know I love you, but that was too much for 5:30 in the morning. I'm glad you're happy but gosh, try not to be so loud next time!" Gil moaned.
I gave him a kiss in which he returned. "I'm sorry Gil. I wasn't expecting you to say yes right away and even saying we can bring a child home as soon as today.
"That's quite alright, I was thinking. I would like to be her teacher. I can teach her in the afternoons when I get home from the hospital. We can have a half hour or an hour and a half catching up on what we did that day. Then we can hit the books. Would you be okay with that?" Gil asked.
"You won't be tired from working? I am perfectly okay with you being her teacher. That's also why I went to work at the orphanage Gil. I want to teach again. At least for a short time while we are here in New York. I can teach during the day, and you can teach our daughter in the evenings. Our daughter can come to the orphanage with me and hang out if she wants too. She can even participate if she likes. But I'll leave you to be her actual teacher. I do want one more thing Gil," I said.
Gil was silent for a moment. Wondering what else Anne can want. He didn't have to wait long to find out.
"What is it sweetheart?" Gil asked.
"Promise me something Gil. Promise me that when you're all done with your medical training, we take our little girl back home to Avonlea. I want to her raise her in Green Gables where I grew up. Where we grew up. We have so many happy memories there. I want them to continue to be happy memories with our daughter in Green Gables." I finished up.
Gil gave me the biggest hug he has given me. I knew that meant a yes.
"I promise sweetheart. We will go back to Green Gables and raise our little girl there. We will continue to make new happy memories. I'm sure we will have sad ones, but I'm hoping more happy memories than sad. You have my word that at the end of my training, we will go back to Avonlea. I can even open up a practice right inside the house if you're okay with that. Gil said.
"Of course, I'm okay with that. It's such a big house. We might as well make some use out of the empty space. If our daughter gets hurt, we can just take her to your office and patch her up good as new. " I said.
"This is so weird how we are talking and making plans with our daughter that we don't even have yet. I like it though. When we get our little girl. I do want to do a full exam on her. Make sure she is healthy and not to sick. Even if she is sick, we will get her better and make her comfortable. She will be ours." Gil said.
I chuckled. "Of course, you would want to give her a full exam. We can do that here at home though. Just try not to give her any shots if you have too. They are painful and children aren't really fond of doctors or shots."
"I can't promise you that. If she needs a shot, I will be giving them to her; for her own sake. So, she can stay healthy. I'll be her doctor from here on out. I don't want our little girl to get sick or hurt. I don't like seeing children in pain. I want them to be happy and healthy." Gil said
"I do to Gil. I can't believe we might be bringing home a little girl this evening. If she is sick, she can be your first patient that you can take care of all by yourself.
Gil kissed me on the forehead. " Of course, I will sweetheart. You don't have to worry about that. I'll be her doctor from here on out."
I sighed in complete happiness.
"Do you feel better?" Gil asked.
"Some. I just want the interview over with. It is such a dreadful place to work Gil. But, I'm willing to make the best of it while we are in New York. I can at least help with the children. Teach them their school lessons. And Of course, bringing our daughter home."
Gil pulled me close and kissed my forehead once again.
"Thank you for coming out here with me Carrots. It would have been a long two years if you didn't come. We'll be happy for the short term here. Especially when we bring our daughter home. Come on. Let's get up and get ready for the day. I need you to eat. Even if it is a light breakfast." Gil said.
I frowned. I didn't feel like eating, but Gil got out of bed and was getting dressed and I did the same.
Ten minutes later, we were both dressed and in the kitchen. Gil was making breakfast because I didn't have the energy or strength to do so.
"Gil, please don't make me eat that. It seems awful and it's just toast. I'm afraid I would throw it up if you make me eat it." I begged.
I was sitting at the table watching him cook. He turned around to face me. "My cooking isn't that bad Anne. I need you to eat so you can have food in your stomach. I don't want one of the orphanage staff to come and get me at the hospital to tell me my wife fainted. And I would know the reason why and feel mad at myself because I didn't make you eat breakfast. Even if it is just dry toast and tea."
"Your cooking isn't bad at all Gil. You know I love you cooking. I'm afraid if I even take a bite of toast, I shall throw it up." I moaned.
Gil was done making toast and set it down in front me. He grabbed a cup of tea as well and placed it in front me. I was quick to push the plate away and Gil wasn't pleased with that.
He sat down right next to me and stared at me.
"If you aren't going to eat it, I'm going to feed you myself. At least that way I know you ate food." Gil said.
"You wouldn't dare hand me like a child Gilbert Blythe!" I said shocked.
"Wanna bet? I will. That way I can have a piece of mind that I know you ate." Gil said.
I still didn't pick up the toast he made. I couldn't eat it. I would for sure throw it up, but Gil saw my stubbornness and picked up the toast.
I was so shocked I didn't dare protest.
"Eat Anne. Take a bite." Gil said. He was actually holding the toast as if I was a child.
I opened my mouth to yelled at him, tell him I'm not a child, however he took that has a hint for me to feed. He put the toast to my mouth and I took a bite. Choking down the dry bread.
Once I managed to swallow it, I yelled at him.
"I'm not a child Gil! I told you if I eat, I will throw up! I'm too nervous to eat Gil. If I eat all that toast, I will throw it up." I moaned.
Gil didn't say anything. He just helped the piece of toast and made me take another bite. I tried to protest that I didn't need an adult feeding me, but each time I opened my mouth, he took that as if I was letting him feed me. He didn't say anything to me expect "Take a bite Anne."
Once the toast was finally gone, I felt more nauseous then ever at that point. I pushed myself from the table and ran to the bathroom. Gil right on my heels.
I made it just in time as I threw up my breakfast. Gil was kneeling down right beside me. Rubbing my back and pulled my hair back.
"I told you I would throw it up if you forced me to eat that." I moaned.
I leaned against the bathroom wall sitting down on the cold floor.
"I'm sorry Anne. I knew you wouldn't eat breakfast and you would be too nervous to even lift up the toast. That's why I fed it to you. I see that I made the mistake of at least letting you eat all of it. I should have had you eaten at least half. I'm sorry I pushed you sweetheart. I just didn't want you to get sick at your interview." Gil said.
Anne gave Gil a kiss and leaned against his shoulder. How did she get so lucky to marry him?
"What time is it?" I asked.
"Only 6:30. You have time to rest for at least 45 minutes if you want. I'll stay up and keep an eye on the time. I can use some coffee anyways." Gil said.
"I can use a quick nap. Can you help me up?" I asked.
Gil didn't need to be told twice. He gently helped Anne up from the bathroom floor. Then he guided her over to their bed and helped her lay down and pulled the covers up.
"Sleep. I'll wake you. Then we can take a nap when we get home. My meeting should be done by 10:15, 10:30 at the latest." Gil said.
By the time Gil had pulled the covers up to my chin, I was out.
"Anne honey. It's time to get up and get ready to go. It's 7:30." Gil said.
I felt somebody shaking my shoulder gently. I didn't want to get up, not yet. I swatted his hand away and Gil chuckled.
Since that didn't work, I felt him kiss me in the lips and my eyes slowly opened. I kissed back of course and hugged him.
"I knew that would get you to be awake. Do you feel better?" Gil asked.
"Some. Help me up so I can fix my hair."
Gil helped me up. I thanked him and quickly went to the bathroom to redo my hair so it looked like I hadn't been sleeping. That only took me five minutes.
Gil was ready by the door. His coat on, his doctor bag in hand and umbrella. He quickly helped me into my jacket and I grabbed my purse and we walked out into the rainy morning. Both of us huddled under the umbrella.
It was short walk to the orphanage. Gil and I didn't talk much on the way. I was still nervous and I think Gil sensed it. We stopped at the black gate that led to the entrance of the orphanage.
"This is where I leave you. Don't let the building intimidate you, Anne. I know it looks big, scary, and an awful place to be in. Just remember your here to help the children. Even if it is for a few hours a day. Keep an eye out for the little girl you want to bring home tonight." Gil said gently.
I tried one more time to beg him to come with me.
"Please Gil. I can't do this alone. It brings back awful memories. Please come with me."
"I can't sweetheart. Like I said, you need to do this on your own. I'll meet you back out here at 10:30. We can talk about how it went at home okay? Be brave Anne. I have to go or I'll be late. My meeting is at 8:30." Gil said.
I pouted, but I gave Gil one last kiss. Then I watched him look both ways before he crossed the street to the hospital.
I took a deep breath, and opened the gate. Luckily it was open. I took my time slowly walking towards the steps of the orphanage.
Each step I took, the closer the enormous building came to me. It was a big three-story building at least and all made of red brick. It had tons of windows. It looked like they were closed because of the rainy morning. It's black shutters open.
I finally made it to the steps and stared at the door. The building had two big doors, with brass knockers. I can hear children's voices inside.
I knocked on the brass knockers and waited. I was huddled under the umbrella that Gil left me as it was still raining. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long.
"Hello Miss. May I help you!?" A young girl asked.
"Hello. Yes please. I have an 8:00 meeting with the Matron? I am going to be doing an interview with her about working here."
"Oh yes. We have been expecting you! Please come in. We are just getting the children ready for their breakfast. Pardon the noise please. Come this way to the office." The young girl said.
I went inside and the young girl closed the door.
As the girl was leading the way to the office, I took a peek at the children lining up to go and eat. It looked like an all-girl orphanage. Maybe around 15-20 girls all lined up in two rows from smallest to oldest.
"Here we go Miss. This is the office. The Matron should be here shortly. Would you like some coffee and a slice of Lemon Cake?" She asked.
"That will be lovely. Thank you."
The young girl left. I could still see the girls as they stood in line, all ready to go and eat; expect I saw one little girl that caught my attention.
She looked rather thin, pale, and her face looked flushed like she could possibly have a fever. Her eyes looked a bit glossy and her hair looked like it could use a good wash and brush through.
I was watching the other girls around this child that looked like she wasn't feeling good. I could tell that she wanted to just go back to bed.
One of the girls next to our little girl gently put her arm around her. "Are you okay, Ruby?"
Ruby shook her head no. I could tell she was about to cry. Her friend gently hugged her.
"I will talk with the Matron and see what we can do to get you feeling better alright? Will you try and eat some breakfast? You need some food in your stomach" her friend said.
Ruby's friend sounded just like Gil this morning.
"I don't feel good Gracie. I want my Momma and Papa." Ruby whimpered.
Gracie just hugged Ruby and my heart broke for this child that wasn't feeling good.
"I'm getting the Matron. Why don't you sit down Ruby? I'll be right back." Gracie said.
Ruby sat down. She looked like she was about to cry again. My heart broke for her.
Don't worry sweetheart. Your coming home with Gil and I this afternoon we will be your new Mommy and Daddy. Gil will take good care of you. He is a great doctor and loves children, I thought to myself. This was the little girl that was meant to be ours.