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Chapter 5: Gilbert's POV

As soon as Anne said the two words Scarlet Fever" I took a sharp breath in. This I wasn't expecting to treat; not on my own. Why did Anne have to go and find a sick child with one of the most dangerous illnesses? That's just like what Anne would do.

Anne looked startled at my reaction. To assure her that we will still take Ruby in and adopt her, I took both of my hands in hers and rubbed soothing circles on them.

"Are you sure Anne-girl that Ruby has Scarleet Fever? You do know how dangerous it is don't you?" I asked.

I looked into her worried eyes. " Of course, I do Gil. I watched someone I love have Scarlet Fever almost die. I, I don't think I could have lived if you had died. I understand if you don't want to adopt Ruby and not be her doctor if it brings back bad memories."

Anne looked down at her hands. She was going to bite her nails again, but I took both of her hands into mine and held them firmly.

"Anne-girl I still want to adopt Ruby. It will be an honor to have her as my first patient. I was just shocked and surprised that the child you happen to find was a very sick little girl. That's just like you to find a child in that state. Are you absolutely sure she has Scarlet Fever?"

Anne looked anxious at first and looked at her hands. But I lifted her chin up with my fore finger and thumb so I can look her in the eyes.

"You can tell me Anne-girl. I'm not going to change my mind about adopting Ruby. She is my daughter now and I'm her father and doctor. I need to know for sure so I can plan on how to help her." I noticed she has a red rash on her neck and chest. Just like you and I had. She also had it on her arms and face. i am not sure if she had it on her stomach or legs, I will have to have Gil check on that. She also had Swollen Lymph Nodes on her neck. Not to bad, but, Gil wont like it.

I took a deep breath and groaned a little bit. "Tell me one thing Anne-girl, please tell me you didn't have any contact with Ruby."

"I, uh, might have." Anne mumbled.

"Anne, you know how contiguous that is?! Being in contact with somebody that has Scarlet Fever? You can get sick and then I'll have to worry about you too. You're going to be the death of me." I moaned.

"I had Scarlet Fever to Gil. Not at the time you had it. You took great care of me Gil. When I was sick. I wanted to take care of you, but you wouldn't let me. I know you can do the same for Ruby, I wasn't going to have that child walk back to bed when she looks like she is on her death bed Gilbert Blythe. I wasn't going to have another child carry her either and risk them getting sick even though a couple of the children have been in contact with her. They just don't know what she has. All they know is she is sick. I won't get sick Gil. I promise." Anne said.

"It was meant to be. I knew the risk when I came to see you. Marilla didn't try to stop me once I confessed my feelings for you to her. I knew at that moment I loved you. That's why I had to come. Your parents didn't even try to stop me when I asked to see you. You didn't even kick me out of your room or stop me from getting close to you. You allowed me to take your hand and get close to you. I didn't get sick then and I won't get sick now. Please Gil? I need to help her too." Anne said.

I took Anne's hands in mine and kissed both of them. Then I looked into her eyes and said "We'll talk more about this later. I'm anxious to meet my daughter and I want to get her home." I said.

Anne nodded in agreement and we got up from the bench and headed to the big wooden doors of the orphanage.

Once Anne and I walked up the steps, I put my hand in hers and squeezed it slightly. I was nervous to see the orphanage and Anne was rather on the calm side. I have never set foot in one but Anne had many times.

Anne looked at me and took both of her hands in my face. "I know it's going to be hard sweetheart to look at all these children. Knowing you, you would want to help them all. Our main focus is Ruby and Ruby only. I need to you to do that for me. Can you do that?"

Without blinking, I stared back at her and said, "Of course Anne-girl, I understand. I'm just nervous is all. I have never been inside an orphanage before. I'm scared I am going to let Ruby down and not get her better."

Anne kissed me and said "I have faith in you Dr. Blythe. I don't trust any other doctor but you to look after our daughter. It was meant to be. Miss Mildred wants to meet you before we leave as well. She seems to like us. Can I knock on the door now please?"

I chuckled and said "Yes. Let's go and see Ruby."

Anne knocked on the door with confidence and a few minutes later, a young lady opened the door. When she saw that it was Anne, she gave us a smile.

"Dr Blythe , and Mrs. Blythe, please come in. Miss Mildred would like to see you both first and then you can go and meet your daughter Dr. Blythe. Miss Thistle wants to meet you Dr. Blythe. Nothing to worry about." The young lady said.

The young woman who we got to know as Sally opened the door wider for us and we followed her down the hall to Miss Mildred's office. Sally knocked on the door and Miss Mildred looked up from her paperwork and smiled at us.

"Dr. Blythe, Mrs. Blythe, please come in and sit down. Dr. Blythe, I'm sure your wife gave you Ruby's background before you both came in?" Miss Mildred asked us.

Sally quietly walked out of the room and closed the door. Anne and I sat down. I still had on my doctor's coat and I managed to not to mess that up while we sat down. I looked at Anne with a sideways glance and she just shrugged her shoulders. I don't think she knew what Miss Mildred wanted.

"Hello Dr. Blythe. I told Anne I would like to meet you. She tells me you're a senior medical student at Bellview Hospital and that they asked you to stay on at the hospital for a while. She said you're a well, respected, young surgeon. "Miss Mildred said.

I felt myself blush and Anne squeezed my hand.

"Yes, mam they did. I'm planning on staying for at least for another year. Until I graduate. Then I want to take my wife back home to Prince Edward Island were we both grew up. I want to raise Ruby in a calm community." I said.

Miss Mildred wrote what I was saying down in her note book.

"I see. New York is a bit on the wild side and fast paced. Anne also told me that you were a teacher too and how you gave up the Avonlea School so Anne can be near the woman who helped raise her. I like that you did that Dr. Blythe. Not many people would do that. I can see you care and love Anne deeply. Anne told me she was very appreciative that you did that for her and that you told the school board why you wanted to do that and that you were going to teach at a different school." Miss Mildred said.

I looked at Anne and she blushed. I was going to tell her about this later. I guess this was an interview on my behalf so we can adopt Ruby. I just wanted this to be done with so I can meet my daughter.

"Yes mam. I knew that Anne wanted to be close to Marilla so she could help her on the farm that Anne grew up on and Anne wanted to try to help save Marilla's eyesight. That's why I gave up the school for Anne." I said.

I took a peek at Anne and she sniffed and whipped her eyes at the mention of Marilla and Green Gables. I squeezed Anne's hand and ran my thumb over Anne's hand in a comforting circle.

"That was very kind of you Dr. Blythe. Let's talk about Ruby. I'm sure your wife told you what's going on with Ruby at the moment?" Miss Mildred said

"Yes mam. Anne did tell me about Ruby's past and her medical history. I'm determined to help Ruby get through this. I know what to do for Ruby. As far as Ruby's anxiety goes, I'll work with her on that. Once she is better, I will talk to her about her anxiety and what happens when she does get her anxiety. We studied about that in Medical School. I understand from what Anne tells me that Ruby throws up when she gets anxious. You have my word that I will not be angry with Ruby when she does have these anxiety attacks. We will take this journey slow and at Ruby's pace. I also understand about Ruby wetting her bed to when she has her nightmares. I will not be angry with her for that either. I'll be very kind to her mam. I will treat her as my patient and daughter. She might be embarrassed and upset about her wetting the bed, but I'll talk to her about that. " I said.

Miss Mildred was writing down in her book about what I was saying. I couldn't help but ask "How long has Ruby started showing signs of being ill?"

"A couple of days at least. One of the other girls came and told me that Ruby has been ill during the night." Miss Mildred said.

I got out my book and started to write down what Miss Mildred said. Under the page of notes from what Anne has given me.

"What are her symptoms?" I asked.

"Well, I have been told that she has a red rash on her neck and chest, She also has it on her arms and face. i am not sure if she had it on her stomach or legs, She also had Swollen Lymph Nodes on her neck.

"Dr. Blythe, do you know what might be causing Ruby to be ill?" Miss Mildred asked?

I looked at Anne again and she shook her head no. Not wanting me to tell her what Anne thinks Ruby might have.

"I have an idea, Miss Mildred. But I would rather examine Ruby first and then discuss it with you later if I may. Do we have paper work we need to sign so we can adopt Ruby and bring her home?" I asked.

"Yes. Both of you sign right here please. Also Dr. Blythe, please sign and leave a note saying that not only you're Ruby's official guardian, and parent, but also her doctor if you don't mind. That way we have it on record." Miss Mildred said.

I quickly signed my name and note Miss Mildred wanted.

"You may take Ruby home whenever you're ready. Her small bag is already packed. Emily should have her ready for you both by now. Just pop your head in when you're about to leave. Sally will show you the way to Ruby's room. Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Blythe. Good luck." Miss Mildred said.

"Thank you, mam. You're okay with me starting in about a week?" Anne asked as we got up.

"Of course, Mrs. Blythe. The children have gone this long without any schooling. They can wait another week. Take the time to get to know Ruby and get her back on her feet. See you soon."

Sally was waiting for us at the door and she showed us the way to Ruby's room. It was a long three flights of stairs.

"Please tell me you didn't make Ruby walk these flights of stairs?" I asked.

We were on our way to the third flight of stairs and Anne said, "Of course not Gil. I told you I carried her back to bed."

I gave Anne a look that said "We'll talk about this later." Anne just rolled her eyes at me.

Finally, we reached Ruby's room. Sally opened the door for us and a young woman was sitting in a chair next to my daughter.

"Thank you Sally. We can take it from here." I said.

Sally nodded her head and left. Leaving Anne and I with the young women that has been taking care of our daughter.