Hello again, dear readers! I must admit, nobody was more surprised than me when this chapter seemed to write itself over the weekend. A few of you have asked for some more detail about Anne and Gilbert's first night at Ingleside, and so here it is...

As with the rest of this fluffy little story, if you're looking for a plot, you've come to the wrong place. This is just my way of cheering everyone up in the only way I know how during this crazy, crazy year.

Please stay safe and well. x

One October morning Anne wakened to the realisation that she had slept for the last time under the roof of the little house.

"Oh, I shall be so homesick at the Glen tonight!"

"We have been very happy here, haven't we, Anne-girl?" said Gilbert, his voice full of feeling.

Anne knelt down and kissed the worn old step which she had crossed as a bride.

"Good-bye, dear little house of dreams," she said.

~ Chapter XL – Anne's House of Dreams

. . .

It was a crisp, starry night and the moon was just rising over the maple grove as the buggy drew up to the large house. Gilbert drove the buggy beside the magnificent hardwood grove, and even though the fiery-red and orange of the trees were no longer visible in the dim evening light, Anne could hear the leaves rustling in the cool October breeze. Leslie and Susan and Little Jem had gone to the Glen with the last load of furniture earlier that afternoon.

The two-storey structure was sitting resplendent before the expansive lawn and pretty stone path to the front steps, which seemed to be waiting patiently for the feet of happy children to run along it. The wide verandah, with a white wooden swing in the corner looked inviting and the line of magnificent trees along the edge of the lawn enhanced the beauty of the garden. There was a warm yellow glow shining from each of the front windows, and for a brief moment, Anne even imagined the house seemed to be smiling graciously at them in welcome.

"Welcome home, Anne-girl," Gilbert said as he lifted her down from the buggy, and then instantly regretted his words when he saw the look in her eyes.

There was an ache in her heart and Anne was already missing their dear little House of Dreams as she clasped Gilbert's hand tightly and walked up the stairs to the front verandah, but she put a brave smile on her face. Susan and Leslie came to the front door to greet them. Anne's smile became a genuine grin of delight when she saw Little Jem, who was fidgeting in Leslie's arms.

Jem was almost three months old now, and he had grown and was thriving as became a child of the House of Dreams. There was a dear little tuft of soft ruddy curls on the top of his head and his round long-lashed eyes held more than a hint of his father's hazel colour in them already. One tiny fist was in his mouth and his chubby legs were kicking vigorously beneath the rug he was wrapped up in. When he caught sight of Anne, he began gurgling and cooing, waving his arms at her excitedly.

"I've got your supper warming on the stove, Mrs Doctor dear," Susan announced before she nodded at the baby. "This blessed wee man is wanting his supper, too."

"I'd better feed him first," Anne said, reaching for her son, cuddling him to her and covering his velvety-soft cheek with kisses as she crooned to him. "Come upstairs wif muzzer, you tweet itty wee sing."

A little while later, Anne was sitting in the rocking chair by the window of their new bedroom when Gilbert appeared in the doorway. He paused for a moment, his heart swelling with love as he took in the gorgeous scene before him.

Susan had lit the squat little stove in the corner earlier, so the room was warm and cozy. Anne was gazing out the window at the moonlit sky, a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her bodice undone with Jem grunting and gulping greedily at her breast. Her red-gold hair was gleaming in the soft lamplight and a few long tendrils were curling loosely at her nape. The long, creamy column of her neck was begging for Gilbert's kisses. Anne was rocking the chair back and forth gently and humming a lullaby, one hand caressing the downy curls atop Jem's head.

Gilbert couldn't resist crossing the room to kiss the top of his wife's glossy head before bending lower to place a light kiss on Jem's soft curls. The baby was wrapped snugly in the little blanket that Miss Cornelia had carefully knitted for him. One corner of Anne's shawl was draped across Jem's lower body and she moved her hand to gently pat his rump in a soothing rhythm as she smiled up at her husband.

Gilbert reached down to tuck the shawl more securely around the baby's feet before he placed his hand on Anne's shoulder and squeezed it gently, smiling as he watched his son sucking lustily at his mother's breast. After losing their wee Joyce last year, Gilbert and Anne both loved to see how healthy this baby was, and Jem's appetite was certainly never in question.

"How are you, darling?" Gilbert asked as he caressed Anne's cheek with the back of his fingers.

"I've just been acquainting myself with the view across the harbour," Anne said as her eyes turned back to gaze at the silvery water. She began stroking the tiny dimpled hand which was resting comfortably on her breast.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Gilbert was searching Anne's face, hoping that she liked what she saw.

Anne nodded but Gilbert knew she was missing their little House of Dreams and wanted to comfort her.

"Susan has our supper ready," Gilbert said.

Anne turned from the window and raised her face to gaze into her husband's concerned hazel eyes. Little Jem pulled his mouth away slightly to wheeze and hiccough, making her smile before he latched onto her breast once more.

"I'll put Jem in his basket and come down soon," she said, leaning into Gilbert and rubbing her cheek against his forearm. "Could you please let Susan know?"

Jem had almost fallen asleep by now and Anne gently pulled him away from her breast. His little mouth slid off her nipple and he sighed in contentment. She placed his head on her shoulder and rubbed his back soothingly.

"I can do better than that," Gilbert replied. "Leslie has offered to have Jem sleep in the spare room with her so you can have a good rest until he wakes later, and Susan is preparing a tray for you right now. I'd say they're both trying to give us some time alone together."

"Dear Susan and Leslie," Anne said, feeling a sudden pang. "I know I've been abominably selfish these past few weeks and they're both being so kind."

Gilbert leaned down to whisper into the shell of his wife's ear. His warm breath tickled her skin.

"I must confess, I wasn't arguing with them," something about the low tone of his voice sent a thrill down Anne's spine. She hadn't heard that tone since before Jem was born. Anne felt another pang in her heart as she realised how very patient her husband had been with her. "I'd very much like to have a little time alone with my beautiful wife tonight."

"Mmm, I would too, darling," Anne sighed and reached up to stroke his cheek with her fingertips as she smiled into his hazel eyes.

Gilbert grinned.

"Why don't I take Jem down to Leslie then?" Gilbert said, reaching to lift their son out of Anne's arms.

Gilbert strode across the room before he placed the sleeping babe carefully in his basket. Lifting the basket in his strong grasp, he turned back to Anne with his hand on the door handle.

"I'll be back soon," Gilbert promised.

Anne's pulse quickened when she saw her husband's eyes darkening with a wicked glint.

True to his word, it was only a few minutes later that Gilbert returned carrying a tray laden with delicacies from Susan and deposited it beside the bed.

"Susan's made all your favourites," he announced before he turned to glance up at his wife. His mouth went dry and he swallowed hard when he saw her. "Anne…"

Gilbert's voice was barely more than a croak as his eyes feasted on the vision Anne made. She was standing beside the bed, her slender figure silhouetted by the lamp behind her. Anne was wearing his favourite nightgown, the one he knew she had worked on for so long, the one she made especially for their wedding night. Her burnished hair fell in loose waves to her waist and her entrancing eyes were sparkling like evening stars.

"I'm sorry I've been so selfish lately," Anne told him. "How can I make it up to you, darling?"

The delicate fabric of her gown was translucent in the light. He could see the ripe curves of her hips, her long shapely legs and her slender waist. Then his eyes became transfixed by her luscious breasts with her juicy nipples jutting towards him temptingly beneath the intricate lace of the gown's bodice. Gilbert licked his lips.

"I think you just did," Gilbert said hoarsely.

Anne walked slowly around the bed towards him, her hips swaying invitingly. There was a delicious smile curving her lips and her eyes never left his. Gilbert took a step towards her, but she side stepped him as she reached out to turn the key in the latch and lock the door with a firm click. In another instant her warm body was pressed to his and he wrapped his arms around Anne's waist, pulling her even closer to him.

"Thank you for bringing our supper," Anne whispered in his ear as she slid her fingers through the curls at the back of his head and placed a soft kiss on the corner of his jaw.

"Are you hungry?" Gilbert asked as Anne's soft lips closed around his earlobe.

"Yes," Anne breathed into his ear as her fingers eagerly loosened Gilbert's tie and flung it to the floor.

Gilbert moaned softly when her lips blazed a trail along the side of his throat as her fingers unfastened his collar.

"You need a shave, darling," she whispered as her teeth nipped at his skin.

"I didn't have time this morning," Gilbert's hands tightened on her waist as he tilted his head back. Anne's lips brushed over his Adam's apple. "Sorry."

"Mmm," Anne's low hum sent a shiver down Gilbert's spine as she shook her head slightly. "I like it."

Her hands were sliding down his chest and her fingers began unbuttoning his vest as her lips dragged along his cheek. Gilbert shrugged out of the garment as Anne pushed it over his shoulders and down his arms.

His hands began caressing the gauzy fabric at Anne's waist, slowly sliding over her ribs until Gilbert cupped her luscious breasts in his hands as his mouth captured hers in a searing kiss.

"Do you remember the first night you wore this nightgown?" he murmured against her lips.

"I wore it for you," Anne told him, pressing kisses to the side of Gilbert's neck, making him shudder. "After all, I made it for you. I so desperately wanted you to like it."

"I loved it," Gilbert told her, his fingers were now pushing her long hair over her shoulder as he dragged his lips along her soft skin. "I still do."

Anne smiled wickedly as she recalled Gilbert's lips and tongue exploring her body the first time he had seen her in this nightgown. "All the hours I spent working on this nightgown and I never once imagined how much joy you would bring to me when you finally saw it."

The memory of that night made Gilbert growl into her mouth as he slid his arms around her shoulders and pulled her body even closer to his. He'd felt like a king that night. It was the second night of their honeymoon and the very first time he'd experienced the joy of Anne's body bucking in ecstasy with his head buried between her thighs. The recollection never failed to make him hard.

He pushed his aching hardness into her soft belly. Anne's hand moved to touch him right where he needed it and Gilbert groaned, thrusting into her palm a little.

Anne began hastily unbuttoning his shirt before pushing it over his shoulders and down his arms. His cuffs got caught at his wrists for a moment before Gilbert helped her to tug the shirt off completely. She moaned into his mouth and her slender fingers were roaming over his torso as the kiss grew even more passionate. Then Anne's fingers began working at the buttons of his trousers, pushing them to the floor.

Gilbert kicked them away from his ankles before drawing her soft form to him, desperate to feel her bare skin against his.

"I know you're homesick, Anne," Gilbert mumbled between kisses. "Please, tell me what you want me to do - what will make you happy tonight…"

His hands were gently squeezing her breasts and he dragged his mouth from hers as he bent his head to caress the tip of one succulent breast with his tongue through the delicate lace on her gown. Anne's back was arched over his arm and she pushed her breast further into his mouth.

"Oh, Gilbert, you always know how to make me happy."

"I'm going to make certain that you're satisfied tonight," he promised as he moved his mouth to her other sweet breast. "Supremely satisfied."

The hem of Anne's nightgown began to slide upwards as Gilbert gently gathered the fabric in his fingers. He stepped back a fraction as he pulled the beautiful gown over Anne's head. His eyes were hazel fire as they gazed at Anne's naked form.

Her creamy skin glowed in the soft lamp light and her ripe figure made the breath catch in his throat. Gilbert's heart pounded as he gazed at his wife's body. Her breasts were much fuller now, and he loved the way her still-slender waist curved into the luscious flare of her hips. His hands caressed the gentle curve of her belly and then slid around her hips to grasp the soft globes of Anne's bottom as he pulled her closer to him.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured as he lowered his lips to the fragrant skin at her throat.

Anne shivered as she stepped back, promise glittering in the depths of her eyes as she lay down on the bed.

"Darling, it's been so long…" Anne said, as Gilbert stood before her.

Anne's beautiful hair was fanned out on the bedcovers behind her. Heavy-lidded grey eyes darkened with want and a delicious flush blooming on her cheeks. Her lips were so tempting, slightly parted and her breasts rising and falling in time with her panting breath. The dark pink tips of her nipples were puckered and pointed towards him invitingly. Her long legs dangled over the edge of the bed, as she rubbed her thighs together and whimpered softly. She had never looked more beautiful.

"Please, Gilbert," she begged him. "I need you to -"

With a groan, Gilbert knelt between her legs, pushing her knees apart slightly as he bent his head to place a soft kiss on first one knee and then the other, delighting in Anne's sharp intake of breath as he did so. Her arms were spread out beside her, fingers clutching at the bedcovers as her back arched upwards.

"I love you," he said, watching as his fingers slid a slow path from her knee along her thigh right up to her hip and back down again.

He could see her sex, glistening and swollen with want. Her musky scent filled his nostrils and his lips parted in a wicked smile.

"Stop torturing me, Gilbert," Anne breathed, hitching her hips. "Please…"

Gilbert shook his head as his eyes devoured her naked body.

"I think it's you who's torturing me," he muttered as his hands settled on her knees once more, pulling her a little closer to him as he licked his lips in anticipation. "You know I love to see you like this, Anne."

"Like this?" Anne breathed as she writhed and her hips arched off the bed.

"Mmm," Gilbert nodded. "Desperate and wanting."

"I do want you," she said. "Desperately."

"Oh, Anne," he said hoarsely. "I'm never going to be done with wanting you."

"Touch me. Please."

Grasping the back of her knee, he raised her leg slightly, as he slowly ran the tip of his tongue along the inside of her thigh, and he loved hearing the soft whimpering noises falling from her lips. His mouth stopping just short of the slick warmth at the apex of her thigh, Gilbert moved to place soft kisses on her other knee, his tongue licking at her skin before he traced another leisurely path up her inner thigh with his lips.

By now Anne's fingers were digging into his shoulders, her hips squirming as the fiery trail of his lips set her skin on fire. When she felt his hot breath on the red curls between her legs, she thought she might faint.

"Oh, Gilbert," her voice was beseeching him now.

Finally he pressed his mouth to the pinkly glistening flesh. When his tongue flicked out to touch her, Anne let out a soft cry. His tongue was teasing her in tiny feather-light strokes and his warm hands were pinning her hips to the bed.

"Ah!" she gasped, her hips bucking against his hands and her fingers clutching at the brown curls on his head. "Yes."

"Shhh," he warned, drawing his mouth away slightly. "Susan and Leslie will hear you."

"Please." He loved hearing the desperate tone in her voice. "Don't stop. Oh, please don't stop…"

Gilbert had no intention of stopping. His mouth continued to love her, teasing her slowly until she was gasping and he knew Anne was close. He let go of her hips, sliding his hands down her thighs and then she was grinding herself frantically against his lips and tongue.

"Yes, Gilbert," she murmured. Anne's panting breaths were growing more ragged and she was rubbing herself shamelessly against him. His hands slid under her thighs and pushed her knees higher until her toes were perched on his broad shoulders as he worked her.

Finally a low, wanton moan escaped her lips and her body trembled as she pressed hard against him.

Gilbert thought he had never been so hard as he placed another soft kiss on her glistening flesh. Her panting breaths were loud in his ear as one knee flopped onto the bed and her other leg slid down his back.

"Oh, Gilbert," she said with a breathless laugh. "I'd forgotten how good you are at that."

Gilbert raised his head and grinned at her.

"I thought I might have been a little out of practice."

Anne shook her head and laughed again.

"I'd say you don't need any practice, darling," she said.

"Are you sure?" Gilbert waggled his eyebrows at her.

"Quite sure," Anne said with a grin. Then her finger was pointing to her mouth. "Now, come and kiss me here."

Unable to resist, Gilbert crawled up her body until he was hovering over her and kissed her lips. Hard.

He pressed his aching length along the soft skin of her belly, desperate to be inside her. Anne moaned into his mouth, her slender hands running over the rippling muscles of his back.

"I love you," she said when their lips finally parted.

"How much?" Gilbert smiled into her eyes.

A wicked smile twisted her lips, grey-green eyes sparkling in the lamplight.

"Let me show you how very much," she replied. The warmth curling in the pit of his belly twisted and pulsed.

Her hands grasped his broad shoulders and she pushed on them until Gilbert was lying on his back.

She leaned down to kiss his lips thoroughly and her soft hair tumbled over his shoulders. A delicious humming noise slipped from her lips making Gilbert shiver as his hands gripped her waist more tightly.

"What are you planning to do now?" he grinned. His hips flexed upwards slightly and Anne smiled lasciviously as she gazed at his length, straining and hard against his belly. She licked her lips.

"Oh, there's so much I want to do with you, Gilbert Blythe," Anne murmured.

She pressed a kiss to the side of his neck and then her lips trailed a fiery path across to his Adam's apple, pausing there to circle lightly with the tip of her tongue. Gilbert's skin was on fire wherever she touched.

Anne's mouth moved lower and she lingered at the delicious hollow at his throat before her teeth grazed along the skin at his collarbone. Gilbert could feel her smile when he let out a soft whimper in response. Her mouth moved lower and she paused to lick at one brown nipple before her lips trailed a slow path down the middle of his chest, tickling the light dusting of hair covering his skin. The muscles of Gilbert's belly were vibrating as Anne's soft hair slid over his skin.

Her hands were caressing the sides of his torso and her mouth was placing kisses along the skin covering his lean ribs until her lips brushed the line between the hard abdominal muscles on his upper belly. When she moved even lower still, her tongue flicked out to circle his navel and Gilbert moaned. One fingertip trailed slowly upwards from his knee along his inner thigh and Gilbert quivered.

He lifted his head off the pillow to glance down at Anne, his eyes blazing. Her red hair was tumbling over one shoulder, tickling at his belly. Her lips were parted and her eyes fixed on his straining erection.

"Anne..." His voice was like gravel as his hips bucked towards her.

"Oh, Gilbert." He could feel her soft, panting breath on his aching hardness. "I love you."

When her soft tongue swirled around the tender skin at his tip, Gilbert groaned, low and long.

"Shhh," Anne whispered with a smile. "Susan and Leslie will hear you."

Gilbert squeezed his eyes shut as her cool fingers grasped the base firmly and her warm, wet mouth began gliding over him. He bit his lip in an effort to stop another groan escaping.

Her mouth moved slowly, voluptuously, up and then down again. Gilbert sucked in his breath with a hiss. His hips were twitching with the urge to thrust as he gripped her soft shoulders. He couldn't take his eyes off her and he eagerly watched his swollen length sliding between his wife's luscious lips.

"Oh, Anne, Anne, Anne," he started babbling incoherently when Anne began sucking on him hungrily. "Yes - oh, Anne, I love - please - yes, sweetheart - oh, yes, darling, oh, Anne, please. Uh, just like - that. Hold still - ah, Anne, I'm going to - unh -"

The cords of his neck were straining and his eyes closed tightly when Gilbert pulled her mouth away just as the pleasure exploded and his body shuddered as his hips jerked upwards.

When he opened his eyes, his chest heaving as he gasped for air, Anne was sitting back on her heels, her red hair swirling around her beautiful face as she watched him with a satisfied grin on her face. Her long legs unfolded and she reached for her nightgown on the floor beside the bed, then used a corner of it to wipe off the sticky mess drying on his stomach. Then she pulled the covers over them and she stretched out beside him, her soft skin sliding against his side.

Her head resting on his shoulder, her lips were twisted in the most delicious smile and her eyes -

Gilbert curled his arm around her body, pulling her even closer to him. He placed a kiss into her soft hair and sighed contentedly as she curled her body next to his.

"Now that's what I call a real housewarming," he chuckled as his eyes closed.

"We haven't even touched Susan's supper," Anne said as her soft fingers traced a leisurely pattern on Gilbert's chest. "Are you hungry?"

Gilbert turned his head to look at his wife and grinned wolfishly.

"Yes," he replied as he leaned forward to kiss her.

Well, I hope this made you feel just a leetle bit better, dear readers. If it put even the hint of a smile on your dial, please tell me about it, won't you? Please?

Thanks so much for reading. :)

~ Love and smiles to you all from FKAJ xxx