Sorry this took so long to get up. I kept coming back to it every few days and seeing things I wanted to change. I suppose this could have gone on forever, so I decided to end my dithering about it and just post.

Chapter 4

The days before Christmas were filled with wonderment and awe for Anne as her dreams were beginning to take shape and she enjoyed the company of the friends she found surrounding her. She took trips into town often to drop off her letters to Gilbert at the post office and loved the letters she received in return. They hadn't had need of letters in more than a year and both found that they missed the form of correspondence. Anne had gotten used to feeling Gilbert's love for her through a happened glance in her direction or a caress, a loving look into her eyes, a passionate kiss upon his returning home. Gilbert showed his love for her through every action at their dear little House of Dreams, but words had always been important to Anne and now she again had a treasury of them that thrilled her to the core.

Going snowshoeing was a cause of momentary discourse one evening at Green Gables as the two good women of that establishment insisted that Anne should not go. Anne won out in the end through a persuasive argument about how the fresh air and exercise would do her good and always helps with her unsettled stomach. That was enough for Marilla, although she considered writing Gilbert and asking his opinion on the matter. She didn't however, and as Anne never showed any ill effects from the excursions she submitted to them as long as Dora or Davy (and preferably both) went with her. She was always ready with a bite to eat and some ginger tea upon their return and for this Davy was heartily grateful.

It was on one of these excursions that the perfect tree was found to decorate the parlor at Green Gables for the holidays. Davy, having anticipated such a find, had brought his ax with him and made short work of cutting down their find. They did not pick a large tree, for Davy would have to haul it back himself.

"If you get it set up, Davy, I'll go into the kitchen and make you a nice gingerbread cake with lemon pudding and whipped cream for this evening. Dora can pop some popcorn and then we can enjoy an afternoon of decorating and reminiscing," proposed Anne as Davy was bringing in their find.

"I think you should get a nap first Anne. You are beginning to look tired and a bit pale," Dora stated. "I'll bring you up a bite."

"Better not argue with her Anne," said Davy under his breath, "She can be as strict as Marilla at times and as impossible as Mrs. Lynde at others. And although it pains me to say so, the cake can wait."

The cake did indeed wait as Anne was ushered up to her old room by Marilla upon her arrival and found that she indeed was not so indifferent to her bed as she had previously thought. A refreshed Anne came downstairs later that day to find the tree ready for the trimmings made by Dora, and a glad afternoon was had by all with the preparations for Christmas the next day.

... ... ...

Christmas day dawned cold but bright with the sun reflecting off the newly fallen snow and the air as crisp and fresh as one of those mints Mr. Lawson was now carrying in his store. Anne lay in bed awhile and enjoyed the sunshine she felt across her face and imagined it was a fairy who came in to kiss her and thereby bless the little one she was carrying. She was warm and comfortable under her quilt and really didn't want to move. The dream she had woken from had been so sweet and she so wanted to linger in that world a little longer. But her bladder would hear of no such luxury and so she got up and got herself ready for the day. She made it down to the kitchen just as Dora was finishing with her tea and preparing to bring it up to her.

"Anne, what are you doing out of bed? I thought you needed to have something in your stomach before rising," Dora questioned as she saw Anne walk in.

"Oh, I'm perfectly fine dear. No need to make such a fuss. I am certainly capable of making it down to the kitchen before the nausea becomes too bad. But thank you for taking care of me, you've been such a dear."

After a satisfying breakfast everyone headed to the parlor to exchange gifts. Anne was delighted by the little trinkets or treats given to her by the members of the household and enjoyed just as much watching them open the gifts she had brought.

Anne had made plans to spend a portion of the day with her in-laws, and Davy, who always enjoyed getting out-of-doors, offered to take Anne over that afternoon after her nap.

Gilbert had written to his parents and told them of Anne's pregnancy and they were eagerly awaiting her at the door when Davy drove up the lane with Anne that crisp afternoon. She was quickly ushered into the house and Mr. Blythe took her coat as Mrs. Blythe embraced her.

"Come in dear, come in," Mrs. Blythe was saying. "I've missed you and Gilbert so much this past year. Although neither of you have lived here in Avonlea for quite some time now, I've still missed having you around."

"Well, why don't you get the tea ready Mary? It's cold outside and the poor girl needs warmed up. I don't want my daughter-in-law getting sick. I'd be in trouble with my own son when he comes if I were to let that happen," Mr. Blythe piped in from behind his wife. "From the sounds of his letter he is wanting you closely looked after. Here, this arrived for you just about an hour ago, Anne. Looks like something from Gilbert."

A bewildered Anne took the package from her father-in-law and began to unwrap it. Inside she found a delicately filigreed brass plated hair pin with three small ivory rose buds in the center. It was accompanied by a letter from Gilbert.

"No use getting indignant darling - I know we exchanged gifts before you left," wrote Gilbert, "but I found this in a shop the other day and just had to buy it for you. It just looked like you: small and intricate, beautiful yet bold. I had it sent to my folks house knowing you would be spending some time there on Christmas and I desperately wanted you to have something from your's truly on that day. Selfish reasons really, I want you to spend considerable time thinking of me!"

"Well that's just lovely, Anne, just lovely," Mrs. Blythe remarked as she came in with the tea. "He always was a thoughtful boy. He seems to spoil you somewhat, although I can hardly blame him. Such a time as he had getting you! Never did see the boy so distracted as when you wouldn't notice him, did we John? And then when you rejected him, well, it left a hole in his heart I think. I was so glad when you changed your mind. I truly believe it helped him heal so quickly," Mrs. Blythe rambled on as she inspected Anne's gift.

"I remember the evening you accepted him," began Mr. Blythe. "He came practically running into the house. At first we thought maybe something was wrong. It was too soon after the fever for him to be so active, but then he caught his mother by the waist and just waltzed and waltzed her around the room."

"It was quite dizzying," Mrs. Blythe added in. "I had an idea what had occurred then. The boy seemed to be floating on a cloud. Such a time I had getting him to calm down and take a bite to eat before sending him to bed. He didn't want to go, said he was afraid he'd wake and think it all a dream."

"I remember he was up early the next morning taking extra care with his dressing. Said he had made plans to pick you up and was going to take you to find a ring." Mr. Blythe stopped here and gave a bellowing laugh. "He then turned to me all of a sudden and needed reassurance that he was indeed an engaged man. Oh, he was alright again after I assured him that his mind hadn't played a cruel trick on him."

"I never knew he had been so nervous about it," Anne marveled. "I always assumed he knew he had a chance when he started coming around so much again after his recovery."

As they settled into having their tea the conversation naturally turned to the new baby Anne and Gilbert were hoping for. Mrs. Blythe, who was getting no younger, was in no way ready to let the subject go by the wayside. In fact, her husband had heard of little else from the woman since Gilbert's letter arrived and had been forced to drive her to the store in the snow just last week to buy fabric.

"I was at Lawson's the other day picking out this white fabric when I saw Josie Pye walk in. She's visiting for the holidays, you know. Oh, she saw what I was buying and guessed at the reason. Was no mystery really, as I was talking to Mrs. Lawson about how I was hoping to be a grandmother again. They're all real excited for you, Anne. But anyway, Josie mentions how she hopes this baby won't have red hair because who in their right mind would find that cute? I tell you what Anne, I got out of there real quick before I said anything I would regret. She never really knew Gilbert if she thinks that way. To think that Gilbert ever wanted anyone but you since the day he laid eyes on you! Oh, I know you've never liked your red hair Anne-dear, but I tell you what, it's Gilbert's favorite hue to be sure. I remember a time when Charlie Sloane was here and asked him to describe his ideal woman. Well, he pretty much described you right down to your freckles. Charlie then stated that he agreed that you were just about perfect if it weren't for the color of your hair. Said something about a temper then and Gilbert shut that boy up real quick by saying red hair was natures way of telling the world when a truly special person comes about. Otherwise the world would have more of them. Did he never mention it to you?"

"No, he rarely ever mentions my hair color. He knows it's a sensitive subject for me," answered a rather stunned Anne. She had never known of this conversation or the fact that Gilbert had so long ago pictured out his ideal, or that she had red hair of all things!

"Well I know for a fact that Gilbert wants a red headed little girl. He as much said so in his last letter. Beware if that ever happens, Anne. She'll be wrapped around his little finger so tight and you'll have to be the one to do the disciplining," Mrs. Blythe said in a warning tone. Then she added with enthusiasm, "Anne-dear, I just have to tell you how excited I am about this new baby. Oh, I know it's really too early for any of that, I had ten pregnancies but only ended up with Gilbert after all that. I know of your heartache, I really do. But I just have my heart set on being a grandmother." Mrs. Blythe pulled out a pile of white fabric with the beginnings of some delicate embroidery work on it and began to show Anne the stitches. "I know you already have so many articles Anne-dear, what with already having been so prepared for Little Joyce and all, but I just can't help myself. It eases my mind to have something so delicate to work on, and really, you can never have too many outfits. You'll find they dirty them quicker than you can wash them. I remember Gilbert was a perfect terror for making a mess of his clothes. He never could last until wash day," she added with a sigh and a shake of her head.

Anne, who was learning to hear these little remembrances of her baby with appreciation rather than hurt, laughed at the mental picture Mrs. Blythe's words conjured up of Gilbert. It was hard to imagine Gilbert as a baby since she hadn't even meet him until he was a teenager, but she could imagine those thick brown curls and roguish hazel eyes on a dimpled toddler and was quite overcome by the mental image. She wanted their baby to look just like him! Oh, he or she would just be a dear!

"And how is Gilbert's practice?" Mr. Blythe chimed in. "He tells us he's made that maid of yours permanent. Must be doing pretty well to be able to afford that and put some savings aside. I know he's wanting to buy a house sometime in the future. But, I suppose he's being overly protective of you right now. Is that right?"

Anne did not feel any sting from this comment as she knew she was well-liked by her father-in-law and that Gilbert, indeed, was known to lose a bit of his level-headed ways when Anne looked his way, especially now. "His practice is doing quite well, most of the over harbor people call for him now and he has been quite busy for some time," replied Anne while enjoying Mrs. Blythe's pastries.

The conversation continued with Anne informing her in-laws of the many patients Gilbert has been tending to as well as how the community as a whole has taken to him. She concluded with a description of Captain Jim and Miss Cornelia and the many interesting conversations had between them. Mr. Blythe laughed, "He sounds like a fine old chap. I wouldn't mind meeting him someday when we visit. Maybe we'll take a trip up later this summer. You'd like that, wouldn't you Mary?"

"You would both be welcome anytime," Anne concluded.

... ... ...

Mr. Blythe drove Anne back to Green Gables later that evening and an exhausted Anne entered the kitchen to hear, "Now Marilla, you know roast duck would be a more appropriate dish. And I don't think having three options for dessert would be amiss."

"Here, here!" came an enthusiastic response from Davy as he was finishing a slice of bread and jam.

"I know Rachel, but I'm worried about what Mrs. Barry might think. You know she's very particular about how duck should be cooked and she's not afraid to offer her opinion of how you've measured up," Marilla countered.

"Well, you make a good point of course. But I still say we have it anyway. What kind of New Year's dinner would it be without it?"

("A lame one," Davy said from the corner under his breath.)

"And if we don't serve it, she'll just think we don't know how to do a proper job of it, that's what," reasoned Mrs. Lynde. "We'll be just fine, we've been cooking just as long as she has, longer really."

"I suppose you're right. Now for the desserts. I was actually thinking of adding a sponge cake to the list. With the number of people we'll be having I don't think it would be too much," added Marilla in a contemplative tone.

"Yes! Oh, hello Anne," Davy beamed from his chair in the corner. "Ain't it bully? We'll be having at least four desserts for the dinner on New Year's, Anne. Golly, ain't I glad you came for a visit!"

And with that Anne gave one of her silver laughs that echoed through Green Gables and sat down to hear the woes of Marilla and Rachel as they discussed their plans for the dinner and to offer her advise on the menu they were planning. Marilla was reminded of the time when Anne and her friends had planned a luncheon for Mrs. Morgan. She had thought Anne rather foolish to go to such extremes at the time, but she was finding that she could understand that girl more and more as of late. When she retired to her bed later that night it was with the thought of how much she was glad Anne was home. And how it was really her home no more.

... ... ...

AN: I found it hard to find a voice for Mrs. Blythe, which is a character LMM did not develop. I feel she sounds like a mix of Miss Cornelia and Susan. It was the voice that kept coming in my mind anytime I was writing her. I'll chalk it up to inexperience and say I haven't figured out how to create my own character yet, which is why I'm using already established ones.

Personally, I think it's time Gilbert came to Avonlea...