-3.
"Blythe!" He heard Bash calling him from the kitchen "There is a very surprised lady here to see you." Not sure who to expect he was happy to see Marilla Cuthbert standing there looking very surprised indeed. Last time he has seen Miss Cuthbert she had been standing before his fathers grave and it was revealed that the two had shared a connection in their youth, one that Marilla let go of in the light of her obligation to her family. Knowing that the Lady before him had been important to John Blythe earned Gilbert's respect and he always had time for her.
The purpose of her visit had been to extend an invitation to Christmas dinner at Green Gables. It was such a kind gesture to welcome him, most likely having assumed that he would otherwise be spending the holiday alone. Gilbert very touched by the offer, but there was an awkward moment when he wasn't sure how Bash fit into it. Upon realising his struggle Marilla also welcomed Bash to join the dinner, even if only to be polite, and then bid the two men a good day.
This invite pleased Gilbert immensely as it was the perfect way to begin facilitating introducing Bash to the people of the town, and it went without saying that Anne would be one of those people. After Marilla had gone Gilbert explained to Bash that she and her brother Matthew were Anne's adoptive family, which of course prompted excitement out of older man, finally he was going to be able to meet the young lady who was the object of his friends poorly concealed affections.
"I am looking forward to meeting Anne. I've heard so much about her" Gilbert chuckled at Bash's words, understanding what bash was implying and laughing it off.
Moments later Anne entered the room, wearing a dress that was in another league compared to the dresses she usually wore, and it suited her very well. Gilbert smiled at the sight of her, his eyes wondering over her briefly before he rose to his feet, Bash following suit. Anne however only had eyes for Bash.
"You're Sebastian. Oh how thrilling." Diving into her excitement of how wonderful it was to meet a person of colour. Gilbert was shocked at how Anne was so cavalier in the way she spoke about Bash, as were the Cuthberts. Not even seeming to realise she went on and spoke with such adoration that Bash didn't know what to say, clearly never having had a white person speak to him this way. Once the shock subsided Bash shook Anne's outstretched hand and Gilbert was once again in awe of her, having never seen her so captivated.
As everyone began the migration to the table for dinner Anne stayed to blow out the candles on the tree and Gilbert hesitated, reaching into his pocket as now seemed like the time to give Anne her gift. First checking that the bow he tied was sturdy he proceeded with his approach and handed it to her with Christmas wishes. Her immediate concern that she did not have anything to give him in return was dismissed with a smile. Anne standing before him, being who she was with all her quirks and her wonderfully intelligent mind was more meaningful a gift than any object could have been. He gazed at her taking in all that she is and marvelling at how she had walked straight passed the elephant in the room, and with elegance and compassion had forgone propriety and welcomed Bash into her acquaintance whilst fully acknowledging everything that he is. She was simply remarkable. They continued to smile at each other until Anne remembered herself and quickly set to the task of blowing out the candles. Gilbert moved to assist her and between the pair all but one candle had been extinguished.
At the same moment Gilbert and Anne leaned hastily towards the last remaining candle and blew. They was suddenly a very small distance between there faces and Gilbert eyes met hers before they briefly flickered down to her lips, still feeling the breath that had come from them fresh over his skin. His eyes returned to hers as they both began to straighten. In that moment he knew Bash was right and couldn't deny the rush that he got from being so near her, a light chuckle slipped from him as he looked at her. They may only friends to each other, but his heart was pushing for more. Oh how it was good to be back. Anne suddenly seemed flustered under his gaze and broke their eye contact to place his gift at the bottom of the tree and they proceeded to walk towards everyone else.
At dinner Anne insisted on sitting next to Sebastian, eager to find out as much about him as she could. Gilbert sat across from Bash as he recalled all the ports he had travelled to but it was Anne who had his attention. She was so drawn in by Sebastian as if he was a character from one of her books brought to life and had endless questions for him which he answered kindly. Gilbert felt truely blessed to be spending Christmas in this place and as the dining time came and went he and bash took their leave, thanking the family for their hospitality.
It was late and Bash had long since gone to bed, not feeling in the mood for company. Gilbert sat by the fire with the events of the day running through his mind. Gilbert could not be more disappointed at how the people of the town failed to live up to the standard set by Anne in how they treated Sebastian. Gilbert had dropped the line for the prop to come down which knocked out Billy, and everyone assumed it has been Bash. This had shocked Gilbert immensely, but sadly it was not a surprise as Avonlea was a township made up of people very stuck in their ways who rejected change like it was a plague. He regretted deeply that he did not say anything in Bash's defence but it was a crazy moment and a part of him knew it wouldn't make a difference in that moment. Most of the town were yet to meet Bash let alone get to know his friendly nature, so he let it be for now. Understanding would come in its own time and in the meantime the family at green gables welcomed Gilbert and Bash with open arms.