Sorry it has been so long between updates. I've had a particularly hard time writing what I thought would be the last chapter, but as I got going I finally realized that it needed split into two chapters, not one. I wanted there to be a little more Anne & Gilbert together (don't we all?) before the company came. So that means this is NOT the end. (Although the next chapter SHOULD be.) Also, the next chapter shouldn't be too long in coming as it's mostly written and the reason why it's taken me so long to update. Anyway, happy reading!

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Chapter 6:

The next morning it was Gilbert who was up early getting Anne some tea and bread. With his work keeping him so busy and Susan there at their House of Dreams to help Anne he really hadn't noticed how much Anne struggled some mornings with nausea. Oh, it wasn't anything that was out of the ordinary or anything that Anne couldn't handle. As a physician he knew most women dealt with similar symptoms in their first trimester. But he still hated to see her uncomfortable, and these other women weren't his wife, and that made all the difference in the world. Dora came in shortly after Gilbert started to heat some water on the stove.

"Is that for Anne?" she asked timidly.

"Yes," Gilbert nodded, "She's not feeling too well. How is this done? I'm afraid I haven't made my own tea for a number of years."

"Here, I'll do it," Dora offered. "I didn't know if I should bring something up for her this morning or not."

"Thanks," came Gilbert's reply, "If you can help get it ready I'll take it up to her. Has she been like this every morning?"

"Most mornings. She tries to brush it off and says that it's not that bad. But I can tell she's feeling worse than she lets on. She's usually much better in the afternoon after she's had a rest," confided Dora as she gathered the things necessary for tea.

"I'm going to take her this glass of water and this slice of bread right now. I'll be back down for the tea," informed Gilbert as he then turned and took the steps two at a time up to the east gable.

Anne was out of bed and beginning to fasten up her corset when Gilbert came in. "Anne darling, what are you doing?"

"Getting ready for the day of course," Anne said a bit slowly as she was fastening her hooks.

"But you were just sick," demanded Gilbert as he took her by the arms and sat her down on the bed. "Here, sit down a moment and eat and drink something. I'll bring you up some tea as soon as it's ready and I think you should stay in bed a bit longer."

"Oh Gilbert, don't be ridiculous. What would Miss Cornelia say if she knew I was taking breakfast in bed without due cause?"

"Miss Cornelia isn't here. And if she witnessed what I just did she wouldn't judge you harshly at all. Now please eat that."

"Yes, dear. I really am feeling much better. I'll be tired again in just a few hours, so I like to get up and get a few things done before that happens. And really, I should begin to feel much better in just a few weeks," and then added quietly, "At least, that's how it was last time."

Gilbert sighed and came and sat next to her on the bed. Taking her hand in his he looked into her eyes and hesitatingly said, "Anne? Do you remember when you were in labor with Joyce and you couldn't stop screaming?" Anne only nodded, so Gilbert continued. "I thought I would die Anne, if anything happened to you. Every time you screamed it seemed to me as if I had been stabbed through the heart. I'd delivered plenty of babies by that time and thought I knew how to handle myself in such a situation. I considered myself a practical man. I didn't think I would... well, let's just say I learned that I am a practical man except when it comes to you. Even after all these years," he stopped here and took a deep breath and with his other hand wiped it across his eyes. "My heart still goes on tip toe before you, Anne. You mean everything to me. I need you to understand why I take such precautions with you. Why I worry so much over you and this new little one," he placed his hand over Anne's stomach before continuing. "I'm a doctor, I understand how these things work and I know it will get better. But that's not going to stop me from being a worried and careful husband."

Anne wasn't used to this kind of confession from Gilbert. He was usually so practical and let his actions speak more than his words. But this touched Anne on a new level. She new Gilbert had worried over her after Joyce's death and took special pains to take good care of her. She loved him more than ever and wanted him to know that. She placed her hand over his and looked into his eyes. "I am being careful. I will be careful. I know I'm stubborn Gilbert, but not when it comes to this. I'm really not doing too much. I promise."

The words spoken were gentle and filled with love on both sides. Gilbert pulled Anne onto his lap and she laid her head against his chest. Anne's red trusses fell over her bare shoulders and covered the hand that Gilbert had placed there, pulling her in tight. He softly began to run his fingers through it as Anne wrapped her arms around his waist. Gilbert kissed the top of her head before whispering in her ear, "I love your red hair. Please don't give me that look dear, I know you don't believe me. But for this once just take the compliment and let me enjoy it."

They were interrupted by a shrill whistle coming from downstairs. "Now, that sounds like a tea kettle to me. I'll be right back up with your tea."

When Gilbert returned with Anne's tea it was to find her dressed and brushing through her hair. Gilbert watched her for a moment before slipping the tea onto the table before her and taking the brush from her hands. "I've always wanted to do this. Do you mind?" Anne shook her head and took a sip of tea while Gilbert gently resumed the work with the brush.

"I was wanting to take you out to one of our old haunts today. It's not too bad of a walk if I take the buggy as far as the upper Carmody road and leave it there by the farms. Are you up to it?"

"Of course I am!" Anne responded enthusiastically. "Let me finish getting ready and have a proper breakfast and then we can be on our way."

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Anne was nestled up against Gilbert as he drove the sled along the road, the white crisp snow beneath making their ride smooth and soft behind the sound of the horses' hooves. The bells that jingled from the horses' neck added to the rhythm of the horses' step which broke the stillness of the morning air and awakened both their souls to the beauty of a winter day. The blanket Gilbert had put in the sled was wrapped around both of them and Anne had rested her hand on his thigh underneath it. They made the journey quietly, just enjoying being in each other's company. It was a comfortable silence and Gilbert liked that they could be thus. When Gilbert pulled the buggy to the side of the road and secured the reigns to a nearby tree, Anne spoke tenderly, "Hester Gray's garden. How dear this little place is to me. I haven't been back since just before we were married."

Gilbert placed his hands at her waist and lifted her from the sled. "Remember how we'd visit this spot on our vacations after we were engaged? It's always been special to me ever since the day you said 'Yes' Anne. I had wanted to bring you back here for our first anniversary but, well, I just couldn't swing it at the time."

"Darling spot. I remember everything we've ever said to each other here. Every kiss we've ever shared," Anne added tenderly.

"Want to share a few more?" Gilbert asked in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist and led her to the old bench. He dusted the snow off it with his gloved hand and sat himself down pulling Anne onto his lap. She laughed girlishly and then bent her head towards his and proceeded to engage him in a long and passionate kiss.

"Hmmm... Well, Mrs. Blythe, you certainly know how to keep your husband warm on a cold winter's day," Gilbert observed when their lips finally parted.

"Oh? And how do I do at night? Did you sleep any better last night? Despite the narrow bed?" Anne asked with brazen openness as she played with the curls at the back of his neck and brought his face close to hers once more.

Gilbert smiled and pulled her in tighter. "I haven't slept that well in at least two weeks. I always sleep better when I can hold you close, and I had to hold you very close indeed."

They both laughed as they gazed into each other's eyes and shared several more smaller kisses that were no less passionate.

"Gilbert?"

"Hmmm?"

"I've wanted to know something for a really long time."

"What's that, sweetheart?" Gilbert questioned as he readjusted Anne on his lap.

"Well, why did you bring me all the way out here to propose? Were you very sure that I would say 'yes'? Because in the orchard at Patty's Place..."

"Oh, don't mention that horrid day to me Anne," Gilbert gently cut her off. They sat in silence for a few moments while Gilbert stared off into the distance and took a deep breath. "Well, at Patty's Place I didn't want to let you go. I had to though... and the house was just so close. So easily escaped to for you. So easy for me to just walk away. And yet so terribly difficult."

He paused here and looked at Anne who was watching his face with a gentle sympathy. "Gilbert, if it's too difficult to talk about..."

"No, no. I can talk about it now. I mean, everything turned out all right in the end, so I ought to be able to relive it without so much pain. Besides, kindred spirits like us should be able to tell each other everything, right?" Anne smiled and nodded, so Gilbert continued. "Well, I guess I chose this place for several reasons. First, I knew how much you liked it. Then, I liked the thought of how long the walk was. I loved spending time with you and I didn't want the afternoon to end too quickly, despite what your answer was."

"So you knew you were going to propose again?"

"Yes, I had it planned out. And no, I was most certainly not sure of how you would respond to the question. Our friendship had been rekindled that summer after I recovered, but I had deceived myself into believing you had cared for me before, and I was terrified that no matter what I did or said you would never feel anything more than friendship for me. But the time for my departure back to Kingsport was fast approaching and I knew I couldn't leave without at least trying. At least then I would know. And if you refused me again I was determined to know what it was about me that you couldn't love. Why you couldn't see me as more than a friend. What were you holding out for? I figured a long walk back just might get me some answers before I left for good."

"Oh Gilbert, if only I had known myself better at Patty's Place. I would've said yes then. I should have said yes. I just didn't know love when it was staring me in the face. I was terribly afraid it would ruin our friendship, which is something that I had always cherished and didn't want to lose."

"Not realizing that love and friendship sometimes go hand in hand?"

"Precisely. When I realized what I would lose that night you were dying, oh, I knew then what love looked like. Friendship seemed pale and scentless* after that. And I was terribly afraid that that was all you wanted after all. Especially when the weeks went on and you were always so friendly. You never gave me any reason to hope!"

Gilbert threw back his head and laughed at this statement from Anne. "Hope is it? You only had a few weeks of wondering, Anne-girl. Imagine what I went through, years of patiently waiting and wanting. Of course I wasn't too keen to let my true feelings show so openly! My heart had been crushed and if I was going to put back on the chopping block I wanted some kind of sign that all the knives had been put away. Which leads me to a question Anne. Why didn't you give me some kind of sign or something that a renewal of my feelings would be welcome? Girls had flirted with me for years, yet you never did. Even when you changed your mind about me you didn't let on. Why ever not?"

"Oh Gilbert, how could I? I had already refused you once. What right did I have to seek another proposal from you? And I was terribly afraid that you were in love with Christine Stuart, and if you were, well, I didn't want to put myself in that awkward position."

"I still don't see why you couldn't have looked deeply into my eyes and then blushed just once. It really would have helped my cause." Gilbert said while tickling her and then stood her up in front of him. "You are terribly hard on a fellow."

"Would you have written me if you had left for Kingsport without asking?" questioned Anne taking hold of his hands.

"I spent some time tossing around the idea. I came to the conclusion that yes, I would, if I hadn't asked. If you had said 'no' then I needed to be done chasing you. I would never stop loving you, I knew that. But I also didn't need to torture myself."

"Oh Gilbert, how can I ever make it up to you?" asked Anne with serious concern.

Gilbert smiled and grabbed her by the waist with both hands and pulled her close. He was still sitting on the bench and bent his head to kiss her stomach. He then glanced up at her and with a roughish glint in his eyes and said, "Have my baby?"

Anne went into a peal of laughter that rang through the old garden like silvery bells and then responded by taking off his cap and placing a kiss on the top of Gilbert's curly head, "Is that all it will take? Well, I think I've more than made up for it then."

Gilbert jumped up then and taking Anne's hand in his they walked through the garden. They didn't spend long there as it was cold and snow still covered the ground. No flowers bloomed but the beauty of the garden could be felt in the spirit that pervaded the area. Shortly Gilbert took Anne back to the sled and they began their ride home. Anne yawned and Gilbert put his arm around her and tucked her into his chest. It didn't take long for the gentle rhythm and movement of the sled to make Anne nod off to sleep.

When Gilbert pulled into the yard at Green Gables Davy was there waiting to help Gilbert with the horses. At seeing Anne asleep he offered to do the chore himself while Gilbert took care of Anne. Anne woke briefly when Gilbert gently lifted her from the sled to take her inside but he hushed her and insisted on carrying her upstairs to the East Gable. He then helped her out of her clothes and tucked her into bed. When he joined Davy outside to help with gathering wood for the bon fire it was with a smile on his face and gladness in his heart. The girl of his dreams belonged to him heart and soul... and they were going to have another baby. And he wasn't even dreaming... he was sure of it.

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* Taken from Anne's House of Dreams