Disclaimer: I don't own it, but I wish I did. No one in their right mind would pay me for this.
This is a fanfic about Anne Shirley's grandchildren and what I think they would be like. It's my first story, so it's probably a little shaky. Please review. I'd love some feedback.
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"And so, spring slips away like sand through the hourglass," sighed Emily Meredith.
"Just like the days of our lives…"added Matthew, who just slipped into the room. "Why the long face, Em? Summer is just around the bend! Your favorite season, remember?"
"Oh, Matt. I'm just tired. It seems like just yesterday we were all little kids with our naive bliss. Oh, the world seemed so small, yet so large too. As if life were only as big as we wanted it to be. And now, everything is happening so quickly, and I feel as if I have no control."
"Emily, it's called life. You're just growing up, that's all. Everyone goes through it,"
"I can't believe Will is getting married! My big brother! I feel so selfish that I want him to stay with us, but after he goes, we won't be the same."
"Will isn't getting married yet. He still wants to go to Redmond and study geography. Afterwards, he'll be an apprentice for a captain, and then he'll become a sailor and then get married. I thought you liked Brooke anyway."
"I do, I do. It's just, why does he have to rush into marriage? Brook Douglass is wonderful, but she's taking him away, away from me, away from us." Matt comforted Emily with a hug. "Oh well, what can I do to help? I'm just little Emily Meredith. Let's go downstairs."
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The Meredith clan consisted of six beautiful kids, who distinctly varied from each other in personality, looks, and ambitions. This often made life at Clarence House very interesting. There was never a dull moment, and the house was rarely quiet or unoccupied. Nan had her hands full as a mother and as a famous Canadian novelist. Jerry had an odd reputation as a minister. He was serious and solemn in church, but very jolly and fun outside of it. Kensington residents grew fond of the Merediths, but some still wondered how Jerry became a minister. His children also had reputations of their own. Each had a special place in the congregation's hearts and was known to be a loveable bunch because nobody could help but love them to death.
William Henry was the oldest. He had sandy-brown hair with chestnut brown eyes, just like his mother's. Will was known to be a lady-killer because of his looks. How could any girl not go weak at the knees? He had a low, caressing tone to his voice, he was tall and built, and he was the typical guy, who loved sports and was very manly, but he was taken. Brooke Douglass sunk her 'claws' into him, as Emily had said, and would not let go. They were engaged and every girl on P.E. Island envied Brooke. After all she had quite a catch.
Harry Charles came next. His dream was to become a military leader. In fact, he lived like he was in the Army. Harry followed rules very closely, worked hard, and rarely ever complained about anything. If anyone needed to know a military fact, Harry was the one to go to, but he was careful not to mention war to his baby sister Emily because she was his favorite and he would never do anything to hurt her. Harry was shy and reserved, but fun when comfortable. He was the easier one to talk to, even if he wasn't as handsome as Will. Rusty red hair and sandy-hazel eyes couldn't compare to Will's looks, but Harry was the friend, not the beau.
The fifteen year-old twins followed. Melanie Anne was two minutes older than Madison. Melanie's aspirations were far more different than Emily's, which is probably why they quarreled often, that being an understatement. The old spites of Kensington had nothing on Melanie as far as gossiping goes. She loved to gossip about boys, clothes, and anything else that could be gossiped. Mel's taste in fashion and trends did not go to waste, though. She got a discount on fabrics, being a regular customer, and she made her own designs to practice for her future career as a fashion designer. This job suited Melanie well because her looks worked with almost everything she wore. Mel was the oddball of the family. She had classic blonde hair and blue eyes, unlike any other family member. Madison Leigh enjoyed photography and traveling. Maddie's future was planed with traveling the world and photographing everything possible. She was obviously the more mature of the twins, although she fitted into Melanie's circle of friends relatively well. Madison was used to living in Melanie's shadow and that was that.
The youngest son of the clan was Matthew James Meredith. Matt had a passion for reading and was very much like Uncle Walter. He also aimed at being a professor of English Literature at a university. Matt wasn't considered sissy, but not manly either. He often confided in Emily about his problems of being lost. Should he be a man and sacrifice his beliefs? Or should he be himself and be ridiculed? The answer constantly worried Matt and Matt, too, was not as handsome as Will, but he did have glossy brown hair and grey-green eyes that shone brilliantly. Em always said that Matt's eyes said everything anyone needed to know about him.
Finally, the youngest and dearest of them all was Emily Rose Meredith. 'Em', as she was always called, was by far the most intelligent and witty of all the children. She was actually in the same class as Melanie and Madison in school, at least she would be once starting Queen's. Em was shy and sweet, but very sassy and spunky too. She was known to be very quiet, usually because she was buried in a book, but she was very different from the rest of society. Em firmly believed that women could do anything they wanted, and she resented men or beaus because they 'bring you down'. A few summers ago, Emily spent a few weeks with Uncle Jem and Aunt Faith at Green Gables, where she followed Uncle Jem, or Dr. Blythe, and learned all about medicine and 'doctor business'. From that point on, Emily had always wanted to be a doctor, and no matter how much anyone protested, Emily stood firmly by her beliefs. Only Father understood. He would never discourage Emily because it wasn't normal for girls to be doctors. Mother tried to be supportive, but there was always some doubt in her eyes. Emily wasn't considered pretty, but there was something about her that lured others into believing she was handsome. It probably was her inner glow and the mystery behind her dark, dark brown eyes. Or was it her silky black hair? Either way, Em had a reputation of being very caring and sensitive, but a little odd.
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"Nan! I'm home, darling." Jerry Meredith swept into the kitchen with a bouquet of lilies for his beautiful wife, who over the years still hadn't lost her beauty.
"Jerry, I love them. They're beautiful. Oh, and such a nice centerpiece for the table too!"
"How was your day, sweets? Where are the kids anyway? They're always buzzing around the house at this time."
"Emily and Matt are upstairs, Melanie and Madison are at the Spencers, and Will and Harry went to Summerside for the afternoon. They should be home soon. We should really visit Di and Jack more often. They have such a lovely home, and I miss her terribly. Plus, the boys are over there more than they are here. I'd like to see them every once and awhile," said Nan.
"I know, but it's so hard to get away from Kensington. You know that, Nan. But we'll see her at the reunion in July. Don't worry, love. When we find a new assistant minister, I'll have more time to spend with you and the kids. Then, I'll take you everywhere."
"Oh really? I'm going to hold you that promise, Jerry Meredith."
"You better. All right, I have a sermon to write, so I'll be locked up in my office if you need me." Jerry kissed Nan's cheek before leaving the room, making Nan flush a warm rosy color. Even though they've been married for eighteen years, Nan still felt like a young kindred spirit when Jerry was around.
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"Mother, Em has been sighing all day again. I think going to Queen's will help ease some of the loneliness. Maybe she'll even get some intellectual rivals." said Matt, who was currently trying to sneak a cookie out of the cookie jar.
"Matt, no cookies before dinner. Em, what's wrong? You seemed a little cranky today. Didn't you have fun at the picnic?"
"Mum, today Julie Kent confused Hamlet with Macbeth, again. Once can be understood, but twice is an insult." Em slipped a cookie to Matt on the sly while Mother wasn't watching. "She was just trying to seem smart by quoting Shakespeare, but she couldn't even do that."
Mother and Matt laughed. Emily couldn't help being too intelligent for her own good. She developed a habit for correcting people at a very young age.
"All right, all right. Which one of you will go get Melanie and Madison from the Spencers? Supper will be ready soon. The other one will set the table. That's right, you don't get off that easy." teased Mother.
"I'll go get the two. Emily, stay and set the table." Matt hurried out of Clarence House before Emily could protest.
"Now that your brother's gone, let's talk. Dearest, what's wrong? You've been sad lately. Aren't you excited school here is over? You'll be heading to Queen's with Matt and the rest of your brothers and sisters. And your birthday is coming up too! I can hardly believe my little girl will be 13!"
"Of course I'm excited, Mother. I can't wait, but I'm—I'm scared."
"Of what, darling?"
"Of growing up and experiencing new things. I love Melanie and Madison, but going to Queen's will mean living in their shadows. They're so pretty, and I'm… just…me." sighed Emily.
"Sweetie, Melanie and Madison are separate people from you. Emily, you are positively lovely. Think of Queen's as a chance to grow and become you."
"I guess you're right, Mum. Maybe a new beginning at Queen's will help me find myself. But no matter what you'll be there, won't you?"
"Of course, darling."
"Good. I suppose I can always hide behind Will, Harry, or Matt. Thank you so much for giving me such tall brothers!"
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A/N: I know the story is starting a little slow, but I'm trying to work on it. Anyway, I'll introduce Anne's other grandchildren later on. Please let me know what you think.