Author's Note:

There's two possible schools of thought when it comes to the time period for Anne of the Island. One is to base it off the famed puffed sleeves fashion, a distinct period of fashion that can narrow down Anne to have arrived at Green Gables in 1892-1894. Or off of Rilla of Ingleside. The reason for this is that if you base Anne of Green Gables timeline on Rilla of Ingleside's dates, you're having Anne gushing over Puffed Sleeves, and various little details that don't match and setting Anne of Green Gables in the late 1870s. Instead, more realistic is to assume that the middle books take place outside of time to make it all work. (Bet you didn't realize that the Anne books involved time travel). Anyways, when writing a fan fiction variation and wanting historic details there's two options. Last time I choose to pull more of the details from the timeline off Rilla of Ingleside. This time I'm setting the timeline off the puffed sleeve. So rather than open in 1883, we're opening in 1899.

I truly hope you enjoy this story. Honestly I don't remember how I initially came up with the idea back in 2021. The basic idea was what if Anne & Gilbert found themselves parenting the twins while attending Redmond in a marriage of convenience. I have this vision of Dora sharing a room with Anne (The Little Blue Room), while Gilbert & Davy sleep in the attic over the kitchen taking care of all the ladies at Patty's Place. Yes, it's going to be hard as we'll loose Marilla before any of us want. But sometimes a catalyst is needed to launch our characters into a journey they never would have entered otherwise. So please be forewarned that the death of a beloved character does happen. This story also has no plans for any bodice ripping scenes, possibly to the frustration of Gilbert Blythe living a likely celibate marriage for the foreseeable future.

Chapter 1: Marilla's Visit

It was October again when Anne was ready to go back to school—a glorious October, all red and gold, with mellow mornings when the valleys were filled with delicate mists as if the spirit of autumn had poured them in for the sun to drain—amethyst, pearl, silver, rose, and smoke-blue. The dews were so heavy that the fields glistened like cloth of silver and there were such heaps of rustling leaves in the hollows of many-stemmed woods to run crisply through. The Birch Path was a canopy of yellow and the ferns were sear and brown all along it. There was a tang in the very air that inspired the hearts of small maidens tripping, unlike snails, swiftly and willingly to school; and it was jolly to be back again at the little brown desk beside Diana, with Ruby Gillis nodding across the aisle and Carrie Sloane sending up notes and Julia Bell passing a "chew" of gum down from the back seat. Anne drew a long breath of happiness as she sharpened her pencil and arranged her picture cards in her desk. Life was certainly very interesting. - Chapter XXIV, Anne of Green Gables

Anne stared into the distance as the sun set over the gravestones that crested the small cemetery of St. John's. She sat there dreaming of a prince charming ignoring the books that lay out beside her. Really how could biology compare to the raptures of a sunset or the dreams of romance. Yet it was getting cold, and the girls had planned to gather to study that night with their new friend Phil coming over to join them in Anne's snug little room. And truthfully it had much the same view - looking up into the quaint old cemetery where anyone who was anyone was buried in the bygone days.

The studying would have been more enjoyable still if Gilbert had promised to stop by to study in the boarding houses's parlor. Though, she thought with a frown, likely Charlie would have too, or Gilbert might have gotten ideas. Gilbert always found a way to not only make her laugh over unromantic and impossible to remember latin names of the plant and animal kingdom - he'd do it in a way she'd never forget. But really, it was for the best. One month into their tenure at Redmond College, and their names were coupled about far too often for her liking. Gilbert Blythe, she thought, could hold no candle to the prince of her daydreams. A kindred spirit and a good friend, but no romantic hero.

So she sat on a tombstone of a long forgotten hero, imagining her romantic hero making a long speech to the maiden he'd just rescued. No, been redeemed by. It would be full of poetry of course, she smiled. Thinking of the perfect line for the hero to speak to the fair maiden. She jumped up, grabbed her biology book, and rushed down the hill, across the street to return to number 38, St. Johns.

—

It was one of those blustery fall days, in early October when Gilbert received the letter asking him to be at the Kingsport station that evening. Already after dark, he could just see in the cool night air, the colorful leaves that Anne would have stared in rapture about had she seen, dancing in the streetlights. But she wasn't there, so he simply stood shivering practicing the biological terms he needed for his exam the next day.

She was the last to disembark, a wiry older lady whom young and old back in Avonlea called Marilla. Only the minister would dare call her Miss Cuthbert. She clutched her valise, thanked the porter who'd helped her descend and walked towards Gilbert. Slower than he'd remembered only 5 weeks before when he'd last seen her the day before they'd left for college and he'd come to collect Anne for a ramble in the woods.

"There you are Gilbert. I've got to thank you for meeting me. Anne would have been too excited, and I knew the train would give me a headache. Certainly has. I'll have to rest my eyes before I see her tomorrow. Mighty glad you helped me to surprise her. Don't tell her, it'll go to her head, but I'm rather proud of our girl."

Before he could even respond, she took his arm. Nodding for him to lead her to the hotel he'd arranged for her to stay at only blocks from the station. She'd asked him to help her surprise Anne at college. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for Anne.

He'd seen her into the hotel, ensured she was checked in when he smiled at her. "Would you like me to pick you up to escort you to Anne's boarding house tomorrow? I've got an early class, and the Junior football team is meeting late afternoon, but I'm free between."

"Yes... Could you come early though? I didn't just come to see Anne." Her voice faltered. "Dr. Blair wanted me to see a specialist. I need to know before I see Anne, what he says. Would feel better if you came. The headaches are getting worse, and Anne, she'll just drop out. She'll... Same reason I didn't tell Rachel. Either there's something I can do, or it's providence that it's time."

Gilbert was hit by the sudden image of college without Anne. A world without Anne. That was the only... "What time?"

"Eleven. If you can? Over at Redmond Medical. I'll feel better with you there."

He smiled. "Of course, though, Anne will kill us both if she finds out..."

"She's got a class then. I know. Wrote me her schedule last month..."

—

Which was why, he found himself escorting Marilla from her hotel over to the Hospital of Kingsport, where on the third floor the professors who practiced half the week kept their offices. He'd brought his biology book with him as he escorted Marilla into the lobby of Dr. Bernard's suite. He offered to wait in the lobby as he half studied dreaming of himself walking those halls one day as Dr. Gilbert Blythe. Perhaps coming to attend a lecture before returning to his home on the Island to a home of dreams where Anne would be waiting. And little ones with curly dark hair, or flaming red, and all with eyes like that of the sea. But that was a long ways off. He couldn't ask her to wait that long. He would just have to pray.

He was shaken from his dream by a nurse. "Miss Cuthbert asked me to come fetch you. She's meeting with the Doctor now for the results. Wanted you there young man."

He stood up, slipping his book back under his arm and followed her into an office, where he glanced about noticing various text books on medical achievements as a specialist on the brain, sat waiting for him, with Marilla primly and stiffly sat across from him. Gilbert lowered into the seat beside Marilla. Glancing at the diploma on the wall behind the Doctor, Efram Bernard, MD.

"Gilbert Blythe?" The Doctor spoke. "I thought I heard your name before. Oh I know, Perkins said you're one of the brightest students in his biology class. Expects you to do well in the sciences. What do you mean to study?"

"Medical, eventually. Have to graduate with my Bachelors first."

"That's right." He nodded to the papers on the desk. "Well, no wonder Miss Cuthbert wants you present, said you're her neighbor. I'm afraid I haven't good news. It's it's cancer of the brain Miss Cuthbert."

"Cancer?" She whispered.

"A growth, in the back of your brain. The reason behind the headaches, and eye issues, and those few seizures you'd had. I wish I could suggest we remove it, but there's yet to truly be any success with attempts of surgery in the brain and I would not trust it. I'll prescribe Bromide for the seizures, and rest. I think Miss Cuthbert, we only can make you comfortable. Months or years there's so much unknown about the brain and cancer. I know your regular doctor hoped I'd have more insight, and if surgery had hope of success I would recommend it. As to the time you have left, weeks or years may be hard to gauge, but from the progress of the failure of your eyesight, and headaches, and lacking of motion, not to mention that you've already had three episodes of seizures. I think it best that we assume it to be months, or a year or two at most. We could try the surgery, it might work but..."

"No. No surgery." Marilla said as she stood up. "I'll not be opened up. Thank you for the trouble. At least I can rest easily that I know I haven't much left and make arrangements."

He stood, his eyes crinkled slightly with a sadness. Gilbert glanced down at his papers, notes. Marilla was already out the door, when Dr. Bernard stopped him. "She hasn't much time. Survival might be difficult, always is with brain surgery and I don't believe in sugar coating it. But without it, she might only have months or a year left. With it? I've seen decades, if she survives the surgery."

Gilbert glanced back at door. "I... She's rather head strong..."

He smiled faintly before walking Gilbert to the door. "I'm glad she's got a good neighbor in you. Her family?"

"I'll take care of them."

With that Gilbert hurried out the door, catching up to Marilla. "Anne's class should be over in an hour, we can surprise her then I think we need to tell her... She might want to talk to Dr. Bernard."

"No." Marilla shook her head slowly. "Anne will insist on dropping out. I won't have it. And I don't want pity young man. Folks in Avonlea already pity me for my failing eyesight and headaches. I don't intend to have a year long funeral as they prepare my coffin for me and walk about as though I'm already dead. Promise me boy you won't tell Anne. I will, when the time gets close. But promise me. She's as head strong as you are, and she'll insist on dropping out to take care of me. Who knows, maybe I'l have years. Be back in four years for your graduations. So no more talk of this."

"Perhaps a bite to eat?" Gilbert bit his lip, hoping that he might talk some sense into Marilla.

"Yes. Then we can find Anne."

They'd sat down to bowls of soup from a small cafe near the university. He'd gone there only a week before with Anne and some of their other friends from the Island. Laughing as Anne insisted that Rachel would declare that they had left out the most important ingredient.

Neither of them spoke anything as they waiting for the food. Only when the food came and Gilbert prayed over it, did Marilla look at him. "Gilbert Blythe. I... I can't tell Anne now. But I'll write a letter just in case. There's things I haven't told her. Haven't wanted to about my past. Not many in Avonlea know about it, for we kept it wrapped up but no doubt my dying would bring it all to light. I just pray I make it until she's twenty one. And the twins!"

"I'll be there for Anne. You know that... I mean, I mean to ask her to marry me one day."

She bit her lip. "I'm sure most of Avonlea knows that but Anne. She's got her head too much in the clouds I say, but I love her for it. Don't you dare tell her that."

He shook his head.

"Gilbert… A few years before your kinfolk came to Avonlea, something happened at Green Gables and even I don't know the full of it. And now isn't the time and place. I'll have to find the words to tell Anne, but telling her means admitting I'm really dying. And despite what the Doctor says I intend to prove him wrong. I'll just keep resting my eyes. But, just in case I'll write what happened and explain what I can for Anne. You'll hold the letter for her?"

"Of course. But Marilla, I think you should tell her…"

"No!"

"Let her enjoy what time she has left of not worrying. Let her have her dreams and fantasies. No doubt she's right now dreaming she's a fairy queen or some such rubbish. We'll have to protect Green Gables from Douglas…"

"Douglas?"

She stood up, pushing her empty bowl away. "Just ignore an old woman's ramblings. Now, weren't you going to help me surprise my girl?"

"Perhaps you need to rest?"

"Nonsense." Marilla glared at him. "I need Anne. She'll insist I rest my eyes and tell me all about college and her friends as I rest in her room."

And so Gilbert lead her ten blocks over to Anne's boarding house, where the young ladies were just finishing their luncheon in the dining hall. He waved to Priscilla Grant just existing the house. "Why Gilbert Blythe! And Marilla Cuthbert!"

"I'm escorting her here to see Anne, is she home?" Gilbert asked.

"In her room." She glanced back. "But no gentlemen in the house at this time you know that Gilbert."

Gilbert bowed as though addressing a queen smiling with a twinkle in his eyes to Marilla. "Then Dowager Queen I release you into the care of this fair handmaiden, as you go and attend your ward the fairy queen."

Pris laughed. "Oh Anne certainly would love that!" Then taking Marilla's arm she waved Gilbert off. "Come Dowager Queen."

Marilla just humphed. As only Marilla could in the face of such nonsense.

—

Five minutes later Marilla and Pris were on the third floor, knocking on the door to the little room Anne had facing the street. "Anne? I hope you don't mind but I brought a visitor up."

"Mind? Oh Pris I've ever got to study. These latin biology verbs I haven't a clue why I'm struggling so! Why must I continue it when I intend to take literature?" Anne turned then, her glistening red hair piled high on her head framing her face. "Oh Marilla!" With one jump she was up hugging the older woman.

"Easy girl. Let's not make a scene in the hall."

"Come in! Oh when did you get in, why didn't you write me you were coming? Oh Marilla… You are a feast for homesick eyes."

"I missed you. And I wanted to make sure you're settled in well. Rachel got talking about too many horror stories she'd heard of co-eds at the universities. So I asked Gilbert to meet me at the station last night and escort me over this morning."

"Oh sit, I'm afraid all we have are my desk chair and bed, but you can see I've kept good housekeeping in my little room."

"Quite good." Marilla nodded in approval as she sank onto the chair. By habit she began to rub her forehead.

"Marilla, your eyes. Perhaps you best lay down and rest and I'll study later. I'll tell you all about the college and later when you've rested I'll show you around. How long will you stay?"

"Until Monday. I've a room at that hotel only a few blocks from the school…"

"The expense. Marilla, perhaps you should stay here. I can ask…"

Marilla just shook her head. "Anne. I've been saving up. Meant to surprise you. Thought if I needed to see a specialist, but really all I can do is rest. Just rest my eyes…"

And so she rested her eyes as Anne spoke delightfully telling of her chums, classes, and even the enchanting graveyard. Painting a world of wonder, until Anne heard the soft snores from Marilla. Then just glad to have a bit of home she dreamily began to study.

It was late afternoon that she helped Marilla with her toilet, and offered a scarf in the school colors, suggesting they attend the junior league game. But not before she insisted on checking Marilla out of the hotel and bringing her bag to the boarding house. So just as the air was getting crisp, Marilla found herself being pulled by Anne and Pris across the campus with promises to take her on a more extensive tour in the morning.

A new friend of theirs, Phillipa Gordon as Anne introduced her soon joined them on the arms of a handsome young man. "Oh Anne, I couldn't decide what to write about for essay for Thurston, so when George here suggested the Jr. Football game. Gilbert's playing I presume? You didn't tell me you had…"

"I suppose so." Anne spoke quickly smiling at the stern elders lady. "This is Marilla, I told you about her."

And so they were a merry party heading towards the bleachers. It was a joy to cheer the game on, and watch Gilbert lead his team to victory. Though she kept a careful eye on Marilla throughout it. Ensuring that Marilla was well cared for.

And afterwards, when Gilbert came straight towards them, grinning still in uniform suggesting they all head over to a favorite spot of the students for hot chocolates Anne grinned at him.

Marilla just kept smiling at her, staying close. Not that Anne allowed Marilla to be more than a few steps away from her. Even Charlie had joined them, and it felt good. Like old times, of her friends gathered for desert in Green Gables after an AVIS meeting. Only Diana was missing. And so as all of them celebrated, Anne dreamed of once more being home, at her beloved Green Gables.

The weekend was wonderful. Marilla had one of her headaches both of the mornings, but felt much improved by mid day and Anne cherished showing her guardian every aspect of her life in Kingsport. Marilla had even insisted on attending church though Anne could tell her head hurt, she would not miss meeting the minister charged with Anne's spiritual growth. So with approval of the man and his wife who counseled many of the young coeds at Redmond of their futures. She smiled with contentment. When Gilbert came by, suggesting that the ladies join him for a ramble in the woods near the park over near Spofford Avenue. Marilla had called off insisting that Anne and Pris join him, she wished to sleep, insisting that if Anne remained she'd talk Marilla's head off.

—

It was marvelous to escort the girls. He would have especially loved to have gone off on the ramble with just Anne. But Pris and Phil were good chums, and it wasn't the time yet for romance anyways. So instead he'd laughed when Anne made up some story of him serving the three maidens. Their trusty brother she'd called him. Brother was not what he wished to be called.

Still though, it was a lovely afternoon, and all of them flush with the crisp fall air, as the sun dropped behind the horizon, he hurriedly escorted the girls back towards Anne & Pris's boarding house, where Charlie was to join them as Anne had made arrangements for a final dinner for Marilla before her return the next morning.

He walked into the parlor where Marilla was already standing, informing Charlie Sloane that yes, his mother was well when she saw Mrs. Sloane last the previous Wednesday. The girls had rushed upstairs to remove wraps, and as Charlie had gone over to speak to Miss Hannah, one of the two land ladies, He'd found himself again alone with Marilla.

"Take care of my Anne," Marilla whispered.

He nodded, quickly tucking the letter into his inside pocket, wondering what it might contain. Anne would be taking Marilla to the station in the early morning, and late that night Mr. Harrison would be meeting her for the last boat train into Bright River. "I will."

She then returned to Anne who had come down, sitting down on one of the over cushioned chairs in the parlor. Even he wasn't that daring.

Standing closer to the fireplace where he might better observe Anne and Marilla he smiled at them, but his stare must have caught Anne's eye for she glanced at him, blushing slightly before glaring. "It has been a wonderful visit. And though I'd wished you'd told me you were coming Marilla, thank you Gilbert for helping her to surprise me. I was mighty homesick and now… I will be quite well until Christmas. Then home! All the familiar haunts, I'll demand two days of Diana's time, I am certain and I'll have hours of answering Davy's questions."

"Home." Gilbert smiled, glancing across the parlor of the boarding house at Anne laughing. Some of the girls caught him staring and he quickly averted his eyes down to the fireplace, to see papers burning in the grate, blown away from the flames. Meaning to push them back into the grate, that what ever feminine secrets hidden could remain so, he stared in shock at the name and the words that followed…

Anne, I'm asking a lot of you. Douglas Cuthbert will try to destroy you when I die. Trust Gilbert to protect you, the twins and Green Gables. My hands are tied.

Author's Note:

I started this after finishing Typhoid and Gossip in 2021. Its outlined for 40 chapters and I've had little time for writing but I am trying to change that by devoting 30 minutes to writing a day during my lunch breaks. At that pace, between this and stories I mean to publish elsewhere (Pride and Prejudice Variations on Kindle), I believe that I may maintain 1 chapter a week, or at least every other week. Act 1 is 10 chapters, and finished. Act 2 and 3 may grow as those acts cover the most amount of time during their years at Redmond. This thought is a hobby and may get side railed if business and life get too busy. Yet I feel this story needs to be told, so I am carving out time to tell it. Please look for updates Fridays.