"So, Gilbert's coming huh?" Priscilla smirked as she fell back onto Anne's bed watching her frantically lay out dresses to wear. She'd been rushing around the house dusting and cleaning all afternoon, and now she'd dragged Priscilla into the mess.
"Oh, you're just as bad as Phil. Pris, can you please just tell me what dress to wear? There's no way I can decide for myself. Gilbert always like my green one, but it's so old now. Should I wear my new one? How does my hair look? Should I put flowers in it? Gilbert loves flowers in my hair. Maybe I'll-"
"Anne take a deep breath," and when she had done just that, Priscilla continued, "Now think rationally. I say wear the apple green dress – Gilbert was breathless every time he saw you in it. And don't put flowers in your hair, it's not a ball. The boys are simply coming for tea, you don't want to look like you're going out somewhere fancy. And you know your hair has always been perfect, especially for Gilbert – Carrots."
Anne smirked at the last comment and slipped on the dress she had chosen. "Alright then Pris, we'd better go down."
There was a small muttering between the girls as they padded down the stairs to join Jonas, Phil, Stella and Aunt Jamesina in the Parlour. Chatter grew as they joined the small circle, and each of them had bright faces and eager eyes.
"When's Gil coming?" Stella directed the question to Anne, who simply shrugged explaining that he had a meeting, "Oh, that boy will work himself to death. I've never seen him anywhere but in class, at meetings and in the library."
With this announcement they heard a timid knock. Anne shot up and rushed forward, nearly knocking the tea things off the small table in front of her. At the disapproving glance of Jamesina, she slowed a little and opened the door to the bright smile of Gilbert Blythe. He'd dressed up, Anne noticed, he'd obviously gone home after his meeting. He was clad in a dark navy suit that outlined his broad shoulders and tall figure, with a flat cap showing off those unruly curls that made Gilbert – well, Gilbert.
"Hello Anne!" He beamed, "Sorry I'm a little late."
"Gilbert, we didn't set a time for you to come," she teased, "come in!"
"You know what I mean Anne. A little later than usual," he grinned, and Anne carefully took his hand dragging him with her into the Parlour to greet the others.
A merry time was had that night with Gilbert telling them about his meeting with the board and letting them in on a few little secrets about their cohort. At Phil's erupted laughter, that was easily contagious, any awkwardness dissipated, and Gilbert felt right at home with the girls once more. Anne grinning turned to Gilbert, "What's made you so in favour of the board? Surely it's not all the football and lambs gatherings?"
"Oh, um no," Gilbert murmured shyly, "I'm in the running for the Cooper's Prize." Anne gaped, and he looked around the room to see others in a similar state. Gilbert flushed in embarrassment at the gleaming in Phil's eyes.
"The Cooper's Prize? Gilbert, I had no idea you had such high marks!" Anne whispered eventually.
"And I had no idea you had such little faith in me, Miss. Shirley. You should know by now that when I apply myself I go far," he shot back smugly, nudging her with his elbow. Anne flushed at this gesture and asked if anyone wanted some more tea. When everyone answered in the affirmative, Anne jumped up and hurried into the kitchen with the tea tray. Phil followed behind, telling everyone she would help her.
"Anne Shirley. Was that a blush I saw back there?" she whispered, "Surely it wasn't the handsome bloke out there that made that flush appear on your cheeks?"
"Phil, you know for certain it was," Anne mumbled back, "But I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction." The two girls continued in hushed tones while gathering together the few cakes and biscuits they had left for their tea.
"I'd better see what's keeping those two," Gilbert rose from the chair making his way into the kitchen to see Anne growing increasingly more aggravated at Phil's teasing comments.
"Phillipa Gordon! I will not have you say one more word on the matter. It is completely- "
"Ahem. Did you ladies need a hand at all?" Gilbert smirked at Anne's exasperated expression and Phil's red face, "You've been in here for at least ten minutes, and it looks like you've only arranged the food."
"Gil, we-" Anne began but Phil quickly nudged her in the rib with her elbow.
"Yes Gilbert, how about you help Anne. I'm sure Jonas is awful lonesome out there without yours truly." At Anne's scowl, Phil giggled and rushed out of the kitchen. Gilbert stood in the doorway of the kitchen for a few minutes and gazed at the girl in front of him. Anne continued to bustle around, setting the kettle on the stove to boil. When at last she realised that Gilbert was not helping her, she turned suddenly to where he was standing. He smiled a little at her and moved further into the kitchen.
"So, Phil wants us to talk again I suppose," he grinned, "Seriously, has she always been this way?"
"Not as far as I know…" Anne's face fell a little, "Gilbert. I'm sorry if this is… difficult for you to be here. I know we haven't talked in nearly two years, but… Oh I don't know whatever came over me today. I'm sure you didn't expect or want to be here tonight. And I had no idea you were running for such a prestigious award. The Cooper's Prize Gil! You certainly should be studying right now instead of talking to little old me. I-"
"Anne," he said, gently laying a hand on her arm, "Trust me, I want to be here." At the shake of her head, he continued, "No, Anne. I do. This afternoon when you invited me over I was so thrilled to know that you really did want to see me again. That the mistake I made, and it was a mistake, didn't matter so much anymore. That we can talk together without fear of hurting one another. I think what I've discovered after nearly two years of being apart from you, is that I really do need this. You have a family here in this little house Anne, even if you don't really know it. I've been cooped up in my room and in the library every Friday these last two years, and I remembered tonight what a privilege it was to be considered apart of this family. And I really, really missed you."
At this Anne teared up, "I missed you too Gil." And he wrapped her up carefully in his arms, and there they stayed until the sound of a boiling kettle broke them apart. "I should get that." They finished putting together the tea tray and brought it out to the waiting family and that's just what it was. A family.
When at last Jonas and Gilbert decided it was probably late enough, Anne and Phil escorted them to the door. Phil and Jonas went outside first, and Gilbert said to Anne, "How about a walk tomorrow? Just like old times, Carrots. Then we can fill each other in on the going ons of the last two years."
With a small smile she replied, "I'd love that Gil." And with a small wave, Gilbert walked off into the night, not without a wink thrown over his shoulder.
I know it's been ages since I updated y'all. Sorry about that but it took me a while before I was completely happy with this chapter. I've just started a new semester at uni, and I'm already super busy so please pardon me if I do tend to leave this story for long periods of time. Hope you are all doing well and thanks for all of your kind reviews and loving support for this story – it truly means the world to me ~laketrout