Author's Note: I would like to thank a few new friends I had met on Tumblr for giving me ideas and encouraging me on writing the story.
gilbertsannegirl: Thank you for volunteering on going over my chapter. I appreciate the offer and you taking the time to go over it. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
rrs1489: Thank you for reading over the chapter and also encouraging on me on writing the first chapter and giving me ideas. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Juniperandjustice; Thank you for saying that the story sounds like a good idea to write. That meant a lot!
Summary: After the sudden death of Gilbert's parents, he became his little sister's legal guardian and also Sarah's doctor. This is about how Gilbert handles taking care of his little sister who has anxiety and their journey on how they move on after their parents' death. Anne is with them every step of the way and they eventually get married of course.
Chapter 1:
Gilbert Blythe was holding his youngest and only sister Sarah at their parents' funeral. He had just graduated medical school and he was supposed to be celebrating with his family and friends. But instead, he was watching his parents get buried.
Reverend Allen was saying a prayer as a few of Gilbert's father dearest friends were lowering the coffin into the gravesite. They had asked Gilbert if he wanted to help too, but he has said no. He needed to be with Sarah and Anne, Gilbert's longtime girlfriend.
Gilbert took a deep shaky breath, trying to calm down. He wasn't ready to take on the task of raising his sister. Not as a parental guardian. He was loving his role as a big brother. Now, not only is he a big brother, he was also her guardian and on top of that, Sarah's doctor.
Once their fathers coffin was lowered into the ground, Gilbert whispered to a whimpering Sarah " They just lowered papas coffin into the gravesite sweetheart. They are getting ready to do momma next."
Gilbert felt the tiny arms around him tighten. Sarah has been having a hard time since their parents died. It wasn't fair. Gilbert had his parents for 22 years. Sarah only had them for 8 short years. Not long enough. Life was cruel, Gilbert thought.
Once they finally lowered their fathers coffin, their parents' friends went over to their mothers next. Reverend Allen said another prayer for their mother and silent tears were streaming down Gilbert's eyes. He quickly whipped them away with his free hand.
Gilbert took a peek at Anne to see how she was holding up. She was crying softly too. His parents had basically adopted Anne as their own daughter. They loved her dearly and loved how Anne loved Sarah as her own sister.
"It's okay to cry Anne-girl. Papa and momma loved you too like their own daughter. I know it hurts, come here." Gilbert said softly.
Gilbert opened his free arm and Anne gladly accepted the invitation. He pulled Anne close to him. He could feel Anne's body shaking as she was crying.
Gilbert didn't hear much of the prayer the Reverend was saying before they lowered his mother. He was focusing on Sarah and Anne.
Gilbert did notice that they were lowering the coffin down into the gravesite beside his father. The Reverend said another prayer and then their parents' friends started to put dirt on top of the coffins.
They can Rest In Peace together, side by side, Gilbert thought.
Just a couple of days ago, Gilbert and Reverend Allen walked around the Blythe's property so Gilbert can find a nice gravesite where his parents could be buried together.
Reverend Allen and Gilbert spent about an hour walking around the property. Gilbert had a hard time trying to decide where his parents would be buried. He wanted them buried at home so that Sarah can visit and talk to them whenever she pleases. Reverend Allen agreed with Gilbert and thought that was a good idea for Sarah's sake. Anne was kind enough and invited Sarah over at her house at Green Gables to distract her for a while and get her mind off of what was going on.
Anne was happy to watch Sarah. Anne and Gilbert talked about what he was going to do tomorrow and that he thought it was best if Sarah was at home and Anne agreed.
Gilbert had finally found a place that he thought his parents would love. It was close to the house and he wouldn't be worried about Sarah wandering too far to visit the gravesites.
The place Gilbert found was underneath a big pine tree that had shade in the afternoons and a creek was nearby. If was right across from the famous Blythe's Apple Orchard. Eventually, Gilbert wanted to make a white picket fence to go around the burial site to try and keep wild animals out from digging it up.
Gilbert was broken out of his thoughts when Anne whispered to him "Reverend Allen just got done saying a prayer for momma. They are getting ready to bury here next."
Gilbert took a deep breath as his parents' friends were lowering the coffin into the ground. He held Sarah tight with one hand and pulled Anne closer to him with the other. Anne was quietly crying.
Anne buried her face into Gilbert's shoulder and he hugged her with his free arm. Her body shook with sobs. Gilbert was trying to be the strong one for all three of them.
Finally, what felt like forever, both of their parents were put in their final resting spots; side by side. Their friends started to cover the gravesite and 20 minutes later, a fresh pile of dirt lay on top of the graves.
One by one or in small groups, their friends came over to talk to Gilbert and said comforting things to Sarah. They weren't mad or upset if Sarah didn't acknowledge them. Gilbert did most of the talking and he knew Sarah's anxiety was going to start acting up. He wanted to get her inside to rest as soon as possible.
Finally, Dr. Spencer shook hands with Gilbert and told him that he was sorry he couldn't help or save his parents. Gilbert told him it wasn't his fault and Gilbert still looked up to Dr. Spencer, a great doctor.
"You take care of your sister Gilbert. Watch for any signs of her in case she gets sick. You know what to look for. Give her a checkup once this lot leaves and have her rest for a few days. Her anxiety hasn't been that bad while you were gone. Just the last week with everything happening to your parents. You know how to take care of her anxiety too. You're so good with her Gilbert. Be the best big brother that you can. Then worry about being a doctor. When you're ready, come by my office and we can talk." Dr. Spencer said.
"Yes sir, Dr. Spencer. You know I'll take good care of Sarah. I plan on giving her a checkup when we go in. I'll let you know if I need help. Thank you for everything you have done for Sarah my parents." Gilbert said.
"Good man. I'll be by in a few days to check in on you and Sarah. See how Sarah is doing." Dr. Spencer said.
Then Dr. Spencer made his way over to Anne. " Keep an eye on him Anne. See that he doesn't run himself sick or exhausted. We both know that he will. He will be focusing on Sarah and her health right now, especially since he is fresh out of medical school. If he doesn't slow down, come and get me and I'll talk to him, or have one of the twins get me. I'll be by in a few days to check on Gilbert and Sarah."
"I will Dr. Spencer. He is worried Sarah might catch Typhoid since she was expose to it. I pray that she doesn't." Anne said.
"Thank you, Anne. I'll see you in a few days. Call me if you need me sooner." Dr. Spencer said.
With that, Dor. Spencer made his way over to his buggy and got in it. He nodded his head to Marilla and Rachel as he rode off.
Marilla and Rachel were standing in a corner somewhat close to Gilbert and they were talking softly to each other.
Rachel was watching Gilbert and how he was comforting Sarah. He was rubbing her back and talking softly to her. Anne was close with him as well.
"Gilbert Blythe was meant to be a big brother, that's what." Mrs. Rachel Lynde was telling her best friend Marilla. Marilla nodded her head in agreement as she stared over at Gilbert holding his little sister Sarah.
Gilbert's parents had died from Scarlet Fever less than a week ago. Gilbert had just graduated from Medical School with high honors. They had a big celebration. Then a couple of days later, their parents sadly passed away.
"Do you think he will get mad or impatient with Sarah when her anxiety kicks in?" Rachel asked.
"Absolutely not. No one has more patients than Gilbert. He won't get angry at her. That will make things worse. He will be loving, caring, patient with her. He is a doctor and no one will understand Sarah more than Gilbert will. I'm not worried about that at all. Plus, he has Anne to help him and us." Marilla said.
"Sarah is going to school, right?" Rachel asked.
"According to Anne, yes. Anne and Gilbert were talking last night and when Gilbert thinks Sarah is ready, she will start school. Gilbert is planning on her going to school not next week when it starts, but the week after. Gilbert will be her teacher at home. Anne liked that idea since Gilbert was a teacher after all. Anne will come over in the afternoons to see how they are doing on Sarah's homework that Gilbert will give her." Marilla
Marilla felt a tug on her sleeve and looked down. It was Dora. Dora had been so quiet, that Marilla forgot that Dora was even there. Marilla smiled softly at Dora.
"What is it, Dora?" Marilla asked.
"Sarah won't be starting school with us? Even though it starts next week? I was so excited to have her at school and we would share a seat together. Anne even said so." Dora said.
Marilla couldn't help but chuckle at Dora's sadness.
"Sarah won't be starting school right away as I have mentioned. Anne and Gilbert feel that Sarah will be more stressed and anxious if she goes to school right away. Since Gilbert is also Sarah's doctor now, he has the right to keep her home from school until he feels like Sarah can handle it. Her anxiety is already high Anne said and Gilbert doesn't need Sarah to be in anymore stress at the moment. What Sarah needs to know, Gilbert and Anne can teach her at home until they feel she is ready. Gilbert used to be a teacher and he knows exactly what Sarah needs to learn and study." Marilla said.
Dora thought about this for moment. "Can I come over to Gilbert's house with Anne sometimes after school? I can help Sarah and keep her company. It'll give Gilbert and Anne a break for a while."
Marilla couldn't help but smile at Dora. She didn't think it was a bad idea.
"I don't see why not. We can talk to Anne about it and then Gilbert. I think it will be good for Sarah to be around someone close to her age. I'll speak with Anne tomorrow about it. Right now, I want her to focus on Gilbert and Sarah." Marilla said.
Dora didn't say anything after Marilla had explained why Sarah wasn't going to. But she was happy that she had agreed to let Dora go over sometimes when Gilbert or Anne gave them the okay.
Dora was hoping she would be able to take Sarah out into the famous Blythe's Apple Orchard to pick apples and make a pie for Gilbert and Sarah. Usually, Sarah and Dora pick apples in the fall with Sarahs' family and Gilbert if he was home. Sarah loved picking apples and she would send a box full of them to Gilbert while he was at school. This always made Gilbert laugh.
After all the apple picking, Dora and sometimes Anne would go over to the Blythe's and spend the day baking apple pies. It was always a fun time for Dora.
Finally, what felt like a life time to Dora, Marilla noticed that Reverend Allen left and it was just Anne, Gilbert, and Sarah. They made their way over.
"I'm very sorry for your loss Gilbert. Your parents were very nice, respectful, and hard-working people. They will be missed dearly." Marilla said softly.
"Thank you, Marilla. We will miss them and it breaks my heart Sarah only had 8 years with them when I had longer years. At least she got to experience there love and kindness." Gilbert said softly.
Rachel and Marilla nodded their head in agreement.
"How did Sarah do last night?" Rachel asked.
"Not very good I'm afraid. She was crying and asking for our parents. Her anxiety kicked in about midnight and she threw up a few times from it, clinging to me. After I gave her a brief checkup, I crawled into bed with her and stayed with her all night, telling her I wasn't going anywhere and that she stuck with me whether she likes it her not. She was able to get some sleep; I didn't get much. I was too worried about today and how Sarah would do." Gilbert said.
"Poor child. If anyone can get Sarah better, it's you Gilbert. You know her better than any of us. Just please, don't get mad at Sarah for her anxiety." Rachel said.
"I would never, ever, get mad at her for that Rachel. You know that as well I do, I would never lose my patients with her. She is just a child that lost her parents. Right now, we just need time and she needs to understand what is happening. You have my word that she is in safe hands with me. I'm her doctor now and now that I am home, I can keep a close on her." Gilbert said.
"That's all I ask Gilbert. Just make Sarah feel safe and loved, but be firm when you have too." Rachel added.
"I will Rachel. Thank you." Gilbert said.
"I'll make a pot of Beef Stew and I'll have Anne bring it over in the morning for you guys. I'll make enough to last at least a week, along with some fresh bread. Don't try to talk me out of it, Gilbert Blythe. I need you and Sarah to stay healthy and we all know that you can't cook very well. According to Anne, you even burn eggs! How, I have no idea. This will give me something to do as well." Marilla said.
"Thank you, Marilla. We will be sure to eat it. It won't go to waste." Gilbert said.
Once Gilbert had brought Sarah into the house, he sat her down on the couch and he went to go and get a chair. Anne was with him and she was going to help with Sarah too.
Gilbert brought a chair and Anne went to sit on the couch with Sarah. Sarah looked defeated and heartbroken at the same time.
"Gilbert?" Sarah whispered.
If Gilbert wasn't paying attention, he might not have heard the tiny voice call his name. He turned around with his doctors' bag and looked at his sister.
"What is it sweetheart?" He asked.
He had sat down and placed his doctor bag on the floor.
Sarah bit her lip and trying to figure out what to say. Gilbert had an idea and so did Anne. But they wanted Sarah to talk.
"Is it my fault momma and papa died? I couldn't help them when they were asking for it. I tried to help them but all I could do was give them water and put cool cloths on their forehead. I fed them a little bit of soup some people had brought over, but, but, right before they died, momma called me asking for help and by the time I got to her, her and papa died. It's my fault they died." Sarah whimpered.
Gilbert's heart broke for his sister and he pulled her into his lap and she clung to him. He knew her anxiety was going to go up soon, and he needed her to calm down.
"Oh sweetheart, it's not your fault momma and papa died. You didn't do anything wrong. The sickness had come on all of a sudden and without warning and I pray to god you don't catch what they had. You did nothing wrong little one. You are too young to take on that big of a responsibility. Why no one called me or got a hold of me, I don't know. You did the right thing by going over to Anne's to tell her what happened. I'm so sorry little one I got here so late and I might have been able to help them. It's not your fault sweetheart." Gilbert had said.
Sarah by this point was whimpering and her breathing picked up. Gilbert new that was a sign of her anxiety kicking in. This was going to be a long road to recovery for Sarah.
"Anne-girl, can you hand me the trash can please? I think Sarah might need it." Gilbert muttered.
Wiping her eyes, Anne got up to get the trash can, glad to do something useful. She handed it to Gilbert just as Sarah threw up.
Anne held Sarah's hair back and rubbed her back.
"Is it her anxiety Gil or what your parents had?" Anne whispered.
"Just her anxiety. I knew this was coming on. I could feel how tense she was when I was holding her and breathing was deeper and more labored at the service. We are going to have to keep a close eye on her for any symptoms of what ma and pa had." Gilbert said.
"I'll help watch her too." Anne said.
"You okay little one? Can you take slow deep breaths for me? Follow my breathing." Gilbert said.
Gilbert placed a hand on Sarah's chest to see how fast her heart was beating. From what he can tell, it was beating too fast for him.
"Okay sweetheart. Slow breath in, slow breath out. Follow my breathing. I know you don't feel good right now. I need to get your breathing under control. That's right, slowly breath in, breath out." Gilbert said.
Sarah was trying to do what her brother was telling her to do. It was hard for her and Gilbert new it was hard for her. He was going to give her some medicine to help her sleep.
"Anne-girl, I'm going to bring Sarah into my room and give her something to help her sleep. Can you grab my bag and I'll carry Sarah?" Gilbert asked.
"Of course." Anne said.
Gilbert got up and was whispering comforting words to his sister. Telling her that he was going to take her to her room so she could lay down for a while.
He put her down and she didn't want to let go of him.
"Don't leave me Gilbert. I'll be good. Please don't leave." Sarah whimpered.
"I'm not going anywhere sweetheart. Not without you. You have my word. I'm just putting you on the bed where you will be more comfortable. I'm going to give you a quick check up though." Gilbert said.
Anne sat on the bed next to Sarah while Gilbert got out his stethoscope. Gilbert knew Sarah didn't like it when he went into doctor mode, but he needed to monitor her symptoms and watch for any signs of illness.
Gilbert put the ear pieces in and he told her he was going to unbutton her dress so he can listen to her heart. Anne had helped Sarah sit up and Gilbert quickly unbuttoned the top part of the dress.
"This is going to be cold sweetheart. Bear with me, okay? I'm going to place this on your chest and I need you to be still and quiet. Are you ready?"
Sarah nodded her head yes.
Gilbert placed the bell on her chest and she flinched at the coldness of it and she could feel his fingers on her chest too. He looked straight into Sarah's eyes while he was listening. Moving around the bell of the stethoscope around her chest to hear her heart. Her heart was slowing down to a normal beat much to Gilbert relief.
"I'm going to put this on your back to hear your lungs. I'm going to have Anne unbutton your back part of your dress, okay?" Gilbert said.
Anne quickly did as Gilbert asked and he leaned Sarah forward a bit so he could hear her lungs. He listened to her lungs for about another 10, minutes. Moving the bell of the stethoscope around. Her lungs sounded good so far. Gilbert gave a sigh of relief.
Gilbert took the ear pieces out and draped the stethoscope around his neck. He buttoned up the front part of the dress while Anne did the back. Then he gave Sarah a kiss on the forehead telling her how brave she is being.
"I'm going to lay you back on the bed and lift your dress up, but have the covers covering up your legs to your waist. I want to look at your tummy.
Anne and Gilbert had laid Sarah back down on the bed and Gilbert pulled her dress up to where her tummy was exposed. He pulled the blanket up to Sarah's waist and her dress was just above her tummy.
"Okay sweetheart. I'm going to feel your tummy for any bumps or lumps. I'm sorry that my hands are cold. I need you tell me if I'm hurting you." Gilbert told her.
Anne held Sarah's hand. She felt like she needed to do something and Gilbert gave Anne a look that said thank you and Anne nodded her head yes.
Gilbert felt Sarah's tummy. Pushing on her tummy and gently running his fingers over her tummy. While the whole time, he was feeling Sarah's tummy, he was staring in his sister's eyes and face. Watching for any signs of pain or discomfort. There was none to his relief.
Gilbert pulled Sarah's dress back down and pulled the covers back up. He patted her hand and asked "How are you doing sweetheart? Feeling any nausea, like you have to throw up?"
Sarah didn't look at her brother's eyes or face. She didn't want him to worry any more than he had too. He smiled at her. Anne gave her hand a squeeze.
"I can't help you little one if you don't tell us you don't feel good. I have one more thing I want to check before I let you take a nap. Do you feel like you have to throw up? I promise I won't be mad. Trust me, if I get mad at you Anne will break a dozen slates over my head." Gilbert said.
Anne grinned at Gilbert and said "I will let you help me, Sarah. You do the first six slates and I'll do the other six. Only if he ever gets mad at you."
Gilbert winked at Anne and Sarah slowly shook her head yes, letting her brother know she had to throw up. Just as she was nodding her head yes, Gilbert quickly took the trash can by his bed and Sarah threw up.
Anne rubbed Sarah's back and pulled her hair back as Gilbert was comforting his sister, his whole world.
"I-I'm sorry. I tried not to throw up, really, I did. Please don't be mad," whimpered a terrified Sarah.
Gilbert looked at Anne helplessly. Anne shook her head sadly, understanding Gilbert.
"I will never be mad at you sweetheart for having anxiety. It's perfectly normal. Especially what you have gone through the last few days. You have my word and Anne as a witness that I will never scold you or be angry with you for having anxiety, okay? We are going to get through this, I promise. I know you feel responsible for loosing ma and pa, but please sweetheart, it's not your fault they got sick and died. Their bodies just couldn't handle the sickness. I should have been home but I had to take care of a few things first. You're okay sweetheart. I promise." Gilbert said.
Sarah sniffed and said "You aren't going to go away again? I don't want to be by myself. I want to be with you. I'll be good Gilbert, I promise. I'll do what you tell me to do. Please don't go away. I already lost mama and papa. I don't want to lose you too."
"I'm not going anywhere sweetheart. Not without you and Anne. We are a family. We will stay here in Avonlea so we can be close to Ma and Pa. You can visit them every day when you feel better. I'm not going anywhere." Gilbert said.
Sarah clung to him. Her breathing was picking up fast again and Gilbert can tell she was going to throw up. She did. Sarah got herself worked up and it broke Gilbert's heart to see that.
"Anne, I need to finish up my exam on Sarah. Then I'm going to give her something to help her sleep. Nothing heavy, just a light sedative, but she won't like it, and I'll need you to help hold her." Gilbert said.
Anne nodded, knowing exactly what Gilbert meant. He was going to give her an injection with some medication to help her sleep. She needs a good rest for at least a few hours.
"Sweetheart, can I finish up my exam I'm giving you? It will only be about 10 more minutes. Then you need to sleep. I'm just going to feel your neck and your throat and make sure there isn't anything alarming or I need to be concerned with. "
Sarah nodded her head yes.
"I'm sorry my hands are cold. This won't take long." Gilbert said.
"Can you tilt your head back for me a bit so I can feel your throat?" Gilbert asked.
Sarah did as she was told. Gilbert put his finger tips on top of her throat and head concentrating very hard while he lightly moved his fingertips up and down her throat and on the sides. He felt relieved when he didn't feel anything out of the ordinary.
"You can relax now sweetheart. I'm just going to feel the sides and the back of your neck and then I'm about done." Gilbert said.
"All seems good little one. I just need to do one more thing. I'm afraid you won't like it, but, since I'm your doctor, I feel like it's the right thing to do. You need sleep sweetheart. Anne said they have tried everything. " Gilbert said gently.
Sarah's eyes got wide when she realizes what her brother meant and she tried to back away, but she ran into Annes chest. Anne wrapped her arms gently around Sarah and stroked her hair.
"Don't let him do it Anne, please. I'll go to sleep, I promise. I don't want any needles." Sarah begged Anne.
"I'm sorry darling, but your brother is your doctor and he feels this is what he needs to do. He is very gentle." Anne said.
Sarah was watching her brother's every move while he was getting the syringe and needle ready. That's when Sarah knew her brother wasn't joking and that he was serious. He really was a doctor at this point, her doctor. Gilbert was going to give Sarah her first injection.
Gilbert got out the small bottle of medicine. He filled the syringe up very carefully. Then when he was happy with the amount, he squirted out the air bubbles a little bit and then flicked the syringe to mix the medicine up.
Anne felt Sarah flinch while he did that with the syringe. Anne gave Sarah a small comforting hug.
Anne could tell that Sarah was starting to get antsy and she started to stroke Sarah's hair, telling her that everything was going to be okay and that both Anne and Gilbert will be here when she wakes up and that she has nothing to worry about.
Sarah watched Gilbert walk over to the bed and sat down on it. Sarah curled up in Annes lap, suddenly afraid that her brother was her doctor and he wouldn't take any nonsense from her.
"No needles Gilbert please. I'll promise I'll go to sleep on my own. I don't want any medicine to make me sleep." Sarah said.
Gilbert gently took Sarah's hand and squeezed it. Sarah was curled up against Annes chest hiding her arms.
"I love you sweetheart. I'm not doing this to hurt you. I'm doing this to help you. You're tired little one and you need your rest or you will get sick. Are you ready? It's going to be a little poke. Don't fight it. Just sleep and I'll be here when you wake up. I love you baby girl." Gilbert said.
Sarah moved from her spot from Annes lap and moved over to Gilbert's lap which he gracefully accepted. She curled up in it and hugged him.
"You're not mad at me sweetheart for giving you an injection to help you sleep? You understand right?" Gilbert asked.
Sarah nodded her head yes.
"Are you ready sweetheart? I'm going to roll up your sleeve and clean your arm off with a wipe. Then I'm going to give your arm a small poke. It will hurt for just a moment. Don't fight the medication. Let it do its work, okay? I'll be right here when you wake up. I love you." Gilbert said.
While Sarah was still on Gilbert lap, Gilbert gently rolled up Sarah's sleeve of her dress. He gently cleaned the area on her arm where he was going to inject her with the medicine.
"You can hold Anne's hand little one. Take a deep breath in and slowly let it out." Gilbert said.
Gilbert gently squeezed Sarah's arm to relax the muscles. One hand holding Annes, Sarah buried her face in Gilbert's chest. Sarah felt a small poke in her arm and whimpered.
Less than five second, Gilbert pulled the needle out and set the syringe on the dresser for the short term and he rolled down Sarah's sleeve.
"I love you baby girl. Sleep well and I'll see you when you wake up." Gilbert said.
Sarah told Gilbert she loved him too and she finally fell asleep in her brother's lap.