Chapter 3: Anne's POV

If I was being honest with myself, I was glad that the funeral was over and done with. My heart hurt a little bit, but that was because Naomi was hurting, my baby girl. She had not only witnessed her father suddenly collapsing and dying in front of her, she also had to deal with the funeral as well. All within a few days of each of other.

What was words, Naomi's own grandmother didn't even show any sympathy towards me or Naomi. Me? I don't care if she showed me sympathy, she knew Roy and I were having problems. But Naomi, that's just wrong. Plain mean.

I felt a tug on my dress and I looked down at the mini me I have for a daughter. She has red curly hair, as red as mine. Gray eyes and freckles. But Naomi had Roy's mouth line, lips, and nose. Naomi had tears coming down her cheeks.

I knelt down and gave Naomi a big hug and she sank into my arms. Her tiny body shaking with sobs. All I could do was rub her back and comfort her.

Naomi sniffed and asked "Why did grandmother come and not say anything to us? I wanted her to give me a hug, but she just glared at me the whole-time momma. It is my fault daddy died. I shouldn't have been running around the house and daddy wouldn't have scolded me. Grandmother wouldn't have yelled at daddy and daddy wouldn't have fallen to the ground and died. It's my fault momma and I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

Naomi was crying again and I felt myself seething. This child wanted comfort from her cold-hearted grandmother and she wasn't getting it. Naomi has it in her head that it was her fault Roy died when it clearly wasn't anyone's fault. It was just a freak accident.

"It wasn't your fault sweetheart. It was just a freak accident that could have happen to anybody. It could have happened to me. Please don't blame yourself sweet girl." I told her.

"But Grandmother said…" Naomi started to say.

"Grandmother Gardner is a mean old woman. She had no right to blame you and I'm going to say a few words to her before we leave. I'm sorry you had to hear what your grandmother said. She is upset that her son died and she took her anger out on you. Go with your Aunt Diana and Uncle Fred to their buggy. I won't be more than 10 minutes. After today, we won't darken her door step again." Anne said.

Anne gave Naomi a reassuring hug and Diana took Naomi by the hand and they went to their buggy. Diana and Fred had left their children with their nanny for the day so Fred and Diana could have Naomi time one-on-one. Anne winked at Naomi and Naomi gave her a small smile.

Turning her back on Naomi, Anne walked straight forward with confidence and anger towards the old woman. She was surrounded by a small crowd of her friends and was putting on show for them with her grief.

"I would like a word with you Mother Gardner if you don't mind." Anne said.

Mother Gardner had on a black hat with a black veil covering her face. She was making small noises almost like she was crying or pretending to cry.

"What do you want girl? Can't you see I'm in no state to talk, let alone talk to you? Your daughter killed my son. Your daughter was running around in my house making noise and I had an argument with my son because he was defending your daughter. Your daughter knew she wasn't supposed to run in the house." Mother Gardner seethed.

"Your son was playing with his child just like every father should be doing. He was chasing her around the house too. He was a grown man having fun with his daughter. That was one of the few things I did like about Roy. He cherished Naomi. He stepped up to the plate the minute I told him I was pregnant with her. If I didn't have Naomi, I wouldn't be here. However, Naomi made it clear how much she loves her daddy, even if I didn't. Even if Roy and I didn't get along. We always made sure we didn't fight in front of Naomi. They had a close bond and I'm thanking my lucky stars she even knew her father. I didn't know my parents. You're an angry, cold-hearted woman who is going to die by yourself. You're always telling Naomi to be lady like, including no running or playing. She is 6 years old! 6! You can't expect her to obey all commands. Roy knew what he was doing and Naomi asked to play chase and Roy gladly did. It was your fault for killing him. For yelling at him for playing with his daughter. You owe my daughter an apology. She cried after the service asking why you didn't comfort her and give her a hug. She said she heard you say it was her fault Roy died and that is hurting her deeply. Apologize to Naomi." Anne seethed.

Mother Gardner was so not only shocked at having Anne yell at her in front of her friends and family, but she was furious. She was shaking with anger and she sneered.

"Never. I will never apologize to your daughter. I owe her nothing. My son quit school so he could help take care of me. We had a close bond until you came along. Pretending you loved him, but you really didn't. He knew you didn't love him. You tricked him and got yourself pregnant with that out of control child you call your daughter. It was a plan that you came into our family because you were a poor farm orphan girl. You wanted to live in a grand house and have fine dining. You took advantage of Roy. You planned on getting pregnant and wanted to be in this family so you wouldn't have to be poor." Mother Gardner seethed.

I was about to push that mean old woman out of her wheelchair but I felt somebody grab me. I yelped in surprised and I squirmed in my captor's arms.

"Let me go. She needs to be taught a lesson. Let me go." I spoke.

"She isn't worth it Anne. You don't want Naomi to see you hurt somebody and her Grandmother at that. She is watching from the buggy." Fred said.

I turned around to face him and I just cried into his chest. I cried for the loss of Roy. I cried for the loss of Naomi not having a father. I cried that I feel like what Mother Gardner says was true that I did trick Roy into loving me and getting me pregnant. But the part that wasn't true was Mother Gardner saying Naomi was a heathen and I taking advantage of Roy and marrying him so I wouldn't have to be "poor" at Green Gables.

After I was done crying my heart out unexpectedly, Fred handed me his handkerchief. "Dry your eyes and blow your nose. You don't want Naomi seeing you cry. That'll just upset her more. Diana is worried about Naomi. She sent word to one of our doctors and he is coming by this evening to check out Naomi. Then he is staying for dinner."

I blew my nose and dried my eyes like Freed said to do and I looked at him with a concerned look. "What do you mean Diana is worried about Naomi? Naomi seemed ok this morning. She complained about her tummy hurting. She went to the bathroom before we left. I thought it was because she was upset about the funeral.

Fred started to lead me back to where Diana was talking to Naomi. I told Fred thank you and said I would wash his handkerchief when we got home.

"Who is the doctor coming to check Naomi?" I asked.

Fred hesitated and said "Don't be mad, it's Gilbert. Diana noticed that Naomi wasn't looking well this morning. Diana has that mother's intuition. She knew something was wrong with Naomi. Diana said Typhoid is spreading out here. She wants Gilbert to give Naomi a checkup."

"Fred Wright! You mean to tell me Gilbert Blythe has been here for 6 years and I never knew? Does he mind giving Naomi a checkup after uh, the heart break I gave him?" I asked.

"Absolutely. He never turns down a patient that needs help or not feeling good. He has a daughter of his own about Naomi's age. I'm her god father actually. They have dinner here a few days a week when he isn't too busy and his daughter plays with little Fred and Anne Cordelia. Joyce is a great kid. Gilbert wants to meet Naomi and he is surprised he hasn't seen you here." Fred said.

By this point, we had reached the wagon. He helped me up and Naomi quickly moved to sit next to me. I wrapped my arm around her and brushed her hair back.

"Hi sweetheart. How are you feeling? Uncle Fred said that Aunt Diana told him you weren't feeling good this morning. Is your tummy feeling better?" I asked.

I put my hand on her tummy to rub it a little bit. Fred got into the wagon and we started on the way to their house.

"It still hurts momma." Naomi said

"Why didn't you tell me you didn't feel good?" I asked gently.

Naomi sighed. "I didn't want to worry you. I knew Aunt Diana wouldn't tell you if I asked her not too. Only she tattled on me and told Uncle Fred and Uncle Fred told you."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Aunt Diana and Uncle Fred did the right thing on telling me. We have a doctor coming to give you a checkup as soon as we get home. He was er, a friend of mine back when I was younger."

Diana turned around to look at both of us. "Gilbert is a very good, respectful and talented doctor and surgeon. He has already treated Anne Cordelia for a small common cold and even croup. He saved her life when she had the croup. He didn't sleep a wink when Anne Cordelia was sick. Then he fixed Little Fred's arm when he fell out of a tree climbing it and came over a few times a day to check on him. He did the same with Anne Cordelia after her recovery from croup. When I had Fred go and tell Gilbert you were staying with us and I suspected that Naomi wasn't feeling good, he didn't even hesitate. He thinks he knows what she has, but he wants to do a proper diagnosis."

"So, he will take care of my daughter even after what happen 6 years ago with us?" I asked.

"Absolutely. He won't turn down a family friend who is asking for help saying their niece doesn't feel good."

"What does Gilbert think Naomi has?" I asked hesitantly.

"I don't want to say anything just yet. I'll tell you when we get home." Diana said.

"Diana Wright, tell me now so I can prepare myself and Naomi. I heard Typhoid might be back." I said.

Diana sighed and said "That's what Gilbert thinks Naomi might have."