Thank you all for reading and reviewing this story. I have enjoyed the learning that this experience has afforded. I hope practice will prove to be an effective teacher. I have several more ideas rummaging around in my brain and I plan to try another story as soon as I settle on an idea. Thanks again for reading!

Chapter 7:

Diana and Fred with their small fry were the first ones to arrive that evening at Green Gables. Little Fred jumped down from the buggy and ran right over to Davy who was waiting to help with the horses. Although Fred was still too young to attend school or be out much, he knew Davy quite well from activities at church as well as all the times Diana would stop by for a visit with Marilla and was quite taken with the sixteen year old. Davy, who was still on the fringe of boyhood himself, enjoyed having someone around that looked up to him for a change. Little Fred looked a little askance at Gilbert who had also come outside to help but warmed to him quickly when Gilbert slipped him a peppermint on the sly.

Gilbert helped small Anne Cordelia out of the buggy next and couldn't help planting a little kiss on the small girl's cheek. Anne Cordelia turned her big eyes on Gilbert and after looking at him for a moment lowered her long eyelashes in shyness and twisted to see her mother.

"Don't worry Anne Cordelia, that is your Uncle Gilbert," Diana reassured her small daughter.

The little girl lifted her long lashes and looked again at Gilbert. "Married to Aunt Anne?" she asked.

Gilbert threw back his head and gave a hearty laugh, "Yes! Married to your Aunt Anne," he reassured the young girl.

This seemed to satisfy Anne Cordelia and she allowed Gilbert to take her inside where Anne was waiting to welcome the little girl who had taken such a liking to her during her visit. She reached her arms toward Anne as soon as Gilbert brought her in. Anne helped her off with her coat and the two of them headed off to the kitchen with Gilbert looking after them with affection in his eyes. "Anne will be a wonderful mother," he thought.

Fred and Diana came in then with baby Jack and he helped them with their coats and then asked to hold baby Jack. Diana was quite willing to hand him over as she headed to the kitchen to see what she could help with.

"You've always liked kids, haven't you Gil?" Fred asked his friend in confidence as they settled down in the front parlor while the ladies were busy in the kitchen.

"Yes, I have," Gilbert answered truthfully. "I remember when I taught school at White Sands. Some of the teachers were impatient and tired of dealing with children, but I never was. They were so inquisitive and always made me see things in a new light. I learned so much in those two years."

"Did you ever imagine then that you'd be married to Anne?"

Gilbert laughed and responded, "Well, that was a thought I tried to keep at bay. I knew that someday I would want that, but back then I was just focused on being a good friend to her in hopes that someday it would be more."

"I know Diana always wanted the match and was quite disappointed when she turned you down that first time," Fred confided.

Gilbert took a deep breath and replied, "Don't remind me, Fred. That's a time in my life that I try not to dwell on. It's just too painful."

"Well, everything came out all right in the end so I think you can relax now."

"Relax?" Gilbert asked with a faraway look in his eyes. "I'm afraid I won't relax until I know for sure that Anne and the new baby are safe and well." Gilbert blew out his breath slowly and continued, "And I bet I'll go through the same thing for every child we have."

"I know what you mean. When Diana goes into labor I'm always so worried that I seem to wear a path in the downstairs hallway. How in the world were you able to be in there with her? Doesn't seem natural."

"You're forgetting my profession. I've delivered plenty of babies on my own by now and when I knew she was in pain I just couldn't stay away."

Laughter was heard from the direction of the kitchen and the two men looked up in time to see small Anne Cordelia coming out of the kitchen with a fistful of cookies in one hand and leading Anne with the other. Diana followed close behind. "I was dismissed from the kitchen. Marilla and Mrs. Lynde aren't letting me so much as lift a finger in the kitchen today," Anne sighed. "It really isn't fair when you think of all the preparation they've put into tonight's feast. I'm quite capable of cooking and they behave as though a Redmond B.A. disqualifies one to enter a kitchen."

"But they dismissed me as well," voiced Diana, "And if you remember correctly, I am no Redmond B.A., so that excuse is moot."

"But you are a guest Diana. Marilla and Rachel would never dream of asking a guest to help with preparations." Anne sat down next to Gilbert on the sofa and took her namesake up into her lap.

"Well, they did often enough when we were young," rejoined Diana while taking her place next to Fred.

With a serious look on her face Anne commented to her friend while looking at Gilbert, "Well, I guess that's that then. Diana, it's official. We have both been relegated to the realm of adulthood for good. No, no darling. Try as we might, we can never re-enter childhood now." She then sighed and winked at Gilbert before adding, "I won't disillusion them if you don't."

"There is such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen and there are already three in there," Gilbert said while laughing. "I'm sure that's not what they think, dear. They didn't mind you cooking Christmas dinner last year, did they? No, I think your manner of arriving in the kitchen that first day has had great bearing on their decision to keep you calm and quiet and off your feet. Now don't give me that look, sweetheart. They've done me a favor looking out for you the way they have," Gilbert concludes. "I'm not surprised they kicked you out, it's crowded enough in there, especially with all the comings and goings of little children who want to spoil their appetite with cookies before supper." Gilbert said the last bit while raising his eyebrows up and down and giving small Anne Cordelia a pointed look. She snuggled in closer to Anne and took another bite of her cookie, unsure of what to make of "Uncle Gilbert."

Anne noticed the baby in Gilbert's arms and was momentarily taken aback by how natural he looked. Their eyes locked for a moment and neither needed words to express their feelings. They wanted a baby. Their baby. Anne thought of how natural Gilbert looked holding a baby, for although he had plenty of practice it wasn't something Anne was used to witnessing. It was clear he would be a wonderful father. It was clear he wanted a baby. Gilbert saw the look in Anne's eyes and while looking deeply into hers winked at her. She blushed, gave a small smile and turned her attention back to the little girl in her lap and to Diana who had taken a place beside her.

Just then the door opened and in came Davy carrying little Fred on his shoulders. When he was let down he ran over to his father exclaiming, "Daddy, daddy! Guess what Davy just showed me outside? It's a bonfire. Well, not a bonfire yet, but it will be when Davy puts the fire in it. Does that just make it a bon? And what is a bon anyway? Hey, where did Anne Cordelia get the cookies? I want some. Are they in the kitchen?"

Everyone laughed and Davy took the little boy's coat and hung them up with his own before ushering him into the kitchen to try to procure some for little Fred and himself. "Why don't we see if all those cooks in the kitchen would mind giving a couple of growing boys something to take the hunger pains away until supper is ready."

In due time Green Gables was filled with Mr. and Mrs. Barry and Mini May, and Gilbert's parents. The house was almost bursting with activity and aside from Anne's wedding had never seen such a gathering. Wonderful smells were permeating from the kitchen and little Fred and small Anne Cordelia were known to run through the kitchen on several occasions asking when supper would be ready. Davy usually accompanied them and could thereby get away with what the cook's considered an obnoxious question by passing it off as the little ones idea. Mrs. Rachel and Marilla were not so easily fooled and on the third trip through told Davy to "take the children up to the garrett to play and for pity's sake keep them there."

Mrs. Barry was quite excited to see Anne and gave her a surprisingly long embrace when she first came in and removed her cloak and muff. "My but the townsfolk miss the two of you. We never realized what an impact you had on all of us until you married Gilbert and left. Marilla and Mrs. Blythe have ever so many more visitors now - always wanting to hear the latest news and all. We were all so sorry to hear about little Joyce, but if the news that is circulating is correct there is much to look forward to again."

Anne returned the hug and glanced at Gilbert over Mrs. Barry's shoulder. She took a deep breath and was able to give Mrs. Barry a genuine smile when she replied, "Yes, we are very happy about our news."

The group fell into conversation with Gilbert still holding baby Jack. He had fallen asleep in his arms and Anne caught his eye and gave him such a look of admiration that he was a little taken aback. He realized the source and gave her a wink that seemed to say, "Sweetheart, we'll be holding our own soon enough." It gave Anne butterflies in her stomach at the thought. She turned away before her blushing face turned too red and was noticed by the others.

... ... ...

Little Fred came running through the downstairs hall and into the parlor with Anne Cordelia hot on his heels. It was soon apparent what they were running from as a sound like a tiger resonated through Green Gables and Davy appeared on all fours. Not knowing the layout of the house, the children were now trapped in a room with the angry beast fast approaching and no way out except to escape the same way they had come. But by now Davy was blocking their exit and they were nearly dancing with excitement from the thrilling game. And as much as they liked Davy and were not afraid of him, they in no way wanted to be captured by this terrifying beast that had taken over his faculties. Gilbert saw the dilemma in an instant and handed baby Jack back to Fred. With a glint in his eyes he looked at the two children and said, "Do you want out?" When they nodded in consent he quickly stood up and picked a child up in each arm and threw them over his shoulder and made a quick escape past the roaring Davy. The chase was on, and Davy, not hindered by any burden on his shoulders was quick to catch the trio. Gilbert made it as far as the dining room before Davy caught hold of him. The children squealed in delight as Gilbert tried to escape the hold and ran into the already set table. The table shook and the glass closest to Gilbert was sent to the floor with a shattering thud.

Gilbert and Davy halted in their game playing and stared at each other for a brief few seconds before Marilla opened the door from the kitchen to inspect what she feared had happened. It had been a long time since Gilbert had found himself in such a predicament and he wasn't sure what he should do. It helped his cause that he had both children on his shoulders, but poor Davy did not have such an excuse.

"Davy Keith! What did we tell you about playing around in the dining room?" Mrs. Lynde asked sternly from her place behind Marilla. "Not to, that's what. We told you the table was already set and not to be disturbed. That's why we sent you to the garrett with the children."

Anne and Diana showed up in the dining room at this time and were not quite sure what to say about the situation. One almost expected such a display from Davy or the children, but for Gilbert to be in on it, well, that was not so expected. Anne and Diana looked from the scene in the dining room and then to one another with an amused smile. Gilbert really did look winsome with both children hanging from his shoulders and a sheepish look on his face.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Lynde, it's my fault. I picked up the children and ran in here with Davy following. I'll clean up the mess and buy a new glass."

Marilla countered, "Not to worry Gilbert. Davy has broken a few of those himself, even Anne has back in the day. I hardly have a full set now anyway, it makes no difference. If you can get it cleaned up I'll go and get a jar to put in its place."

Gilbert put the children down who then followed a very docile tiger back up to the garrett to resume play while he proceeded to clean up the glass.

"Still not quite done getting into trouble, dear?" smiled Anne as she found him a broom and dust pan.

Gilbert gave a hearty laugh, "Apparently not! I suppose I'm still a boy a heart. Weren't we just talking about that?" Then thinking it over leaned into her, kissed her lightly on the cheek, and whispered in her ear, "Well, in some things that is," and then he gave Anne a very pointed look which made her blush. He laughed at her response, took the broom from his wife's hand, and proceeded to cleanup the mess he helped create.

... ... ...

Supper was served in the dining room with Gilbert insisting on taking the seat where the jar was being used as a glass. He proclaimed the punch tasted better out of it than anything else. It was a fine affair that had caused Marilla and Mrs. Lynde much trouble in getting all the delicacies just right. The roast duck which had given Marilla anxieties came out perfectly and even Mrs. Barry could find no fault in either the cooking of it or its carving by Gilbert who had passed such a test with Mrs. Lynde just a year prior. Mrs. Lynde felt as though an old rivalry had at last been put to rest with its success. And when the first of the desserts were being passed around Mr. Blythe (the elder) made the comment of how he "had never before seen such a spread except back in '62 when his own mother had hosted Christmas dinner for her in-laws." This earned him a glare from his wife but was forgiven when he winked at her and then whispered among the commotion, "One must say something civil,"

"Like father, like son," she retorted with a roll of her eye.

The children were all on their best behavior and only once did they have any issue. Little Fred at one point during dinner had gotten quite bored by the adult conversation and decided to entertain himself by putting his peas on his spoon and seeing if he could flick them into his now empty glass. It was working splendidly and even Davy, who was an excellent shot, quietly got involved in the game. To be sure, Gilbert saw the game but gave it a blind eye. It was then that small Anne Cordelia bumped her glass and spilled her punch which quickly made its way toward her brother. Seeing the fast approaching beverage little Fred quickly tried to move out of its way only to let the pea on his spoon go with far too much energy and without aim. He and Davy watched in horror as the dreaded pea flew through the air and hit Mr. Barry squarely on the forehead. The conversation came to an abrupt stop as the stunned Mr. Barry looked for the source of distraction and noticed the paled little Fred.

Diana, who witnessed the pea flying through the air and could guess from where it hailed, gave a sharp look to her little son. "Fred!" she began.

Mr. Barry chuckled and winked at Fred, "Good thing you're my grandson. I imagine we would've had more of these episodes in my house if I had raised a boy. Diana, I'm glad you get such an experience. Boys will be boys, remember that."

"Golly, I wish I had someone who thought that way while I was little. I've only been surrounded and raised by a bunch a girls without much understanding of what it's like to be a boy. Anne was pretty understanding, but she's still a girl for all that. I guess that's why I liked it when Gilbert came around," a stupefied Davy commented. "Anyway, I guess I'll clean up this mess."

Marilla and Rachel gave each other a look that seemed to speak of their thankfulness that the pea came from little Fred's spoon and not Davy's. The Barry's wouldn't be too judgmental of their own grandson, but they might be of Davy and for this reason they made light of the situation too. Poor Diana seemed the only one embarrassed by the situation but all were quick to put her anxieties to rest and the conversations continued without much halt or or effect to their affability.

... ... ...

Later that evening when the little ones had been put down to sleep in various beds, Mr. Harrison showed up with his fiddle and obliged the small gathering with some lively tunes around the bon fire. Gilbert grabbed Anne around the waist and danced her merrily up and down the path between the house and the fire. Fred and Diana joined in and they all had a moment of remembering the old dances that they enjoyed at the hall not too many years past. Even Davy danced with Mini May and Dora in turn.

Marilla sat on an old log and remembered the dances she had shared with John in days gone by and reflected inwardly again at how things might have been different if... but it was not worth thinking over any more. She looked over at Anne who was so happy in Gilbert's arms. She was laughing gaily and smiling into Gilbert's eyes while one of her arms was about his neck and the other was held fast in his own. He held her close as they danced and they were the very picture of happiness Marilla thought as she watched with eyes that no longer regretted her past. Although she had never said so, she looked on Anne as a daughter. What she would never put into words but pondered so quietly on the log in this picturesque moment was that she and John would be sharing a grandchild after all. Providence certainly did know how to right a wrong. Or rather, knew what was right in the first place. A smile crept into the old lady's face and softened the hardness of her eyes and crispness of her features and replaced them with a gentleness that was not unknown to her in her younger days. "How did I ever think her homely?" she mused about Anne. "She is so becoming she puts all the other Avonlea girls to shame. She really is in a class of her own. I wonder why? It must be those eyes of hers. It can't be the red hair, Meryl Hastings has hair like that and yet is no beauty at all. Hmm... she's certainly one of a kind. And Gilbert saw it from the first. Kindred spirits she says. Maybe there's something to it."

Davy noticed the softening of her features and the thoughtful expression on her face and took the opportunity in full to ask for another slice of pecan pie. Marilla, enjoying the moment, did not want to be bothered with giving any explanations and so gave him permission without so much as a thought.

It was Rachel who broke her contemplations by mentioning some of her own. "I remember when my Thomas and I looked like that. Well, not exactly like that, I was considered to be quite a beauty in my day you know, nothing like Anne. But she does have a way of showing up the other Avonlea girls somehow, doesn't she? Well, I always said that would be a match someday, didn't I? Providence has a way of seeing things through, that's what."

"Yes, it certainly does," Marilla agreed softly.

The lively music wove a spell around all who were present and when Davy came back out to announce that it was almost midnight all were reluctant to withdraw from the dance. But the magic of the evening stayed even when all were silent and the only thing that could be heard was the crackle and pop of the fire as it jumped and danced around the dead logs. The orange and blue of the dancing fire mesmerized the now quiet group and it was then that Gilbert started to sing "Auld Lang Syne." Mr. Harrison picked up his bow and accompanied on the violin and soon all present had joined in.

Anne laid her glossy red tresses on Gilbert's shoulder as she sang and thought of long ago days spent in childhood with Diana, of Redmond days with friends by her side, of Gilbert who had always been there for her, of dreams both buried and growing. Gilbert wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close and reflected on the hard work and patience of the preceding years and of the happiness that he now enjoyed. There was no Captain Jim among them this year but both remembered last year at the lighthouse among friends. Captain Jim had opened the door to let the new year in and Anne and Gilbert had nothing but precious hopes for the future. There was no letting in of the New Year tonight, just a silent passage of time as if an unseen soldier had marched to its close and a new one took its place with an invisible yet not undetected finality. Now there was only the sound of the fire and the soft voices of friends as they sang the song with an introspective feeling. The year had not turned out as they had hoped, but they both shared a renewed sense of hope for the future as they gazed into each other's eyes at the close of the song and felt the importance of keeping alive ones dreams.

There was silence then, except for the crackling of the fire, but all felt the passage of the old. "Let the old year die," thought Gilbert as he kissed his sweetheart gently on the lips. He then caressed the corner of Anne's jaw with his gloved hand and whispered, "Happy New Year, Mrs. Blythe."

The End