Author's Note:

I am using 1899 as the year. Its clear that Anne of Green Gables starts in the early 1890s, likely 1892, and Rilla of Ingleside takes place in 1914-1918. The problem is that there's not enough years in-between to fit all the other books. If you set the timeline off Rilla of Ingleside, then you end up with Anne of Green Gables starting in 1876. 15 years before Puffed Sleeves started to be fashionable, and the opposite was the fashion, if Lucy Maud Montgomery intended the story to be taking place there Anne would be begging for a bustle not puffed sleeves. That also would mean Anne of the Island would take place in 1883-1887. Reviewing details from the books, its clear that it doesn't take place that early, so I'm setting Anne of Green Gables to start in 1892, giving it a year for Puffed Sleeves to come into fashion so it makes sense for Anne to ask for them, and their size & shape to match. I might be early by 1 year but it seems to be a good fit. That means that their Redmond years would be 1899 - 1903.

I wrote that note when I first wrote this chapter. Ros made a good note about the timeline etc this past week, and above is my thoughts. There's two ways of doing it. One is to pretend the fashions and technology mentioned in the early books matched the time the stories would have to be in order to fit the last book timeline. The other is to just use time travel and assume that something happened the day Anne & Gilbert married and time outside of the Island stopped until the day Rilla was born or so. My last story I used the established timeline of ignoring history and using Rilla of Ingleside for timeline. But in doing that I kept finding so many discrepancies and I'm too much of a history buff.

So as I'm not writing a story dealing with Anne & Gilbert's kids. I'm sticking to the original setting as I see it. Anyways, if we stick to the "established head cannon" (Truthfully there's no real cannon, not even Sullivans which ignores the later books), as LM (Lucy) Montgomery never wrote her own timeline. IF we stick to the established head cannon we have Anne winning the Avery Scholarship to Redmond which would also have put her as one of the first co ed women to graduate from Redmond (There was only one graduate in 1885 I think if I remember right in my research in 2021).

Honestly I think the best head cannon to explain the timeline would be: Lucy Maud Montgomery didn't care for WWI and put off writing about it as she told the story of Anne. She never wrote a timeline and set Anne of Green Gables in the 1890s and Rilla of Ingleside in WWI and figured the reader wasn't that good at math or geometry, so they could ignore that the only way to make the timeline from the first and final stories fit would be to have the school year 1899-1900 repeated yearly from Anne leaving for Redmond to Rilla being born.

Chapter 3: The Debate

Those first three weeks at Redmond had seemed long; but the rest of the term flew by on wings of wind. Before they realized it the Redmond students found themselves in the grind of Christmas examinations, emerging therefrom more or less triumphantly. The honor of leading in the Freshman classes fluctuated between Anne, Gilbert and Philippa; Priscilla did very well; Charlie Sloane scraped through respectably, and comported himself as complacently as if he had led in everything. - Chapter VII, Anne of the Island

The three weeks following the dance, Anne treated Gilbert much has she had during their youth in Avonlea. That was, she refused to even acknowledge him. He'd been busy though, with classes, practices, two games, and a Lambs meeting. There was even a meeting for the Freshmen officials that night, something he was determined to not enter until he'd finally broken the ice surrounding Number 38, St. Johns. He'd gone over to study as their habit only three nights after the dance only for Pris to apologize stating Anne had a headache. Perhaps he'd been a bit too pushy, so determined to win what ever part of her heart that Queen Anne would bestow.

He'd found a postcard at a little shop across from the train station on a walk that had taken him clear across Kingsport in worry about how to bridge the gap and not face years again without the girl he hoped to one day marry. There he saw it. A funny little post card with two dogs dressed as clowns trying to ride a see-saw. He'd payed a nickel for it, and another nickel for a stamp. Borrowing a pen from the clerk, he scribbled on the back. "Forgive your foolish clown of a friend. I've seen my foolish ways, A Friend." To the note he added a doodle that he hoped she'd recognize as them on the see-saw. Before the ink was quite dry it was dropped in a mail box, and his heart a little lighter he worked on his next strategy of attack.

They had two classes together that fall. Biology on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and British Literature on Wednesdays. She'd ignored him all morning that day in Biology, but she'd have the post card by the time she needed to leave for British Lit, so with a plan he'd lie in wait, to escort her to class.

Perhaps it was some improvement that she'd nodded to him, her arm linked with Pris's as he found himself carrying both girls books with his own trailing after them. It was a start though. She'd left paths with Pris who went to the library. Then her nose held high she took her books, thanked him and lead the way into the classroom. She'd taken the adjoining desk to his own the first day of class, for no other girls were in the class with them. So he followed, her sitting his books down.

Professor Reed stood at the blackboard, writing before turning around. "We'll be debating Shakespeare today. Miss Shirley as the representative of the fairer sex, would you share your thoughts on the most manly of all of Shakespeare's heroes?"

She stood up, smiling. "Easily, it's Romeo."

Gilbert rolled his eyes, raising his hand. When Professor Reed nodded Gilbert stood up. "Romeo is simply a poetic sap. Killing himself rather than facing life. Why he didn't even think to check if Juliet was truly dead."

"He was not a poetic sap!" Anne cried. "Why he was manly, for his wooing of Juliet, to spout poetry from the balcony. 'O, Speak again, bright angel, for thou art as glorious as this night, being o'er my head, as a winged messenger of heaven. Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes of mortals that fall back to gaze on him. When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds and sails upon the bosom of the air.' That Mr. Blythe is true poetry."

Gilbert just laughed. Deep and from the depths of his heart. He was never going to spout such nonsense to Anne. Unless he was trying to get her to laugh. Poetry? He spoke up. "Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. But at the same time a pun, to show humankind how foolish a man can be. Why Romeo and Juliet rather than seeing sense about their futures, kill themselves. Hardly romantic. But if we were to speak of romantic? I'd say Much ado about Nothing. For while Romeo and Juliet were a sudden flame that went out quickly, and you must question whether their love would have lived day in and day out if they'd not been so foolish to take their lives in their unwise passion. No, I think Benedick and Beatrice to be more romantic, for theirs is a union of minds though it takes time to admit it."

Professor Reed had merely nodded, then turning to another student posed a question on the merits of the Tempest, and what the student thought Ariel was. When the classroom broke into a loud argument over that as three students across the room argued over the nature of the character, Gilbert whispered. "Please… Forgive an old friend of his foolishness? No more steeling of third dances?"

She bit her cheek. "Next time I'll slap you. Oh Gilbert. Poetic sap? Really you didn't have to start an argument to appease Professor Reed, even if he likes debates on literature. No more than you had to argue with me last month in class about Paradise Lost."

He laughed, his heart lightened. "I'll treat you to tea after if you update me on all the goings on at Avonlea."

"You must be getting letters from home."

"Ah, but I haven't Mrs. Lynde writing me, unless she's not writing to you?"

Anne shook her head. "After class."

—

He was back to the good chum, with no hints of lovemaking. So with a lighter heart, for she could not bear to think of loosing him, yet to think of him such? He'd taken her books and after class escorted her over to the tea house a block from Redmond's campus. There always were several students there, and they sat chatting as she updated him on all that Davy, Mrs. Lynde and even Dora had written. She'd even mentioned a brief letter from Marilla, though brief for Marilla claimed Davy had been giving her a headache with his latest mischief. She was glad for Rachel's presence that was certain.

They'd left from the tea house, back in the right place. Good chums with no lovemaking. Instead Gilbert, as though recovered from his lovesickness as a cold, was back to his usual self, laughingly referring to Charlie's attempts to destroy Miss Ada's cushions the last time they'd both come calling.

They'd gone to collect Pris from the stacks, and the three of them had laughed at Gilbert's various jokes on the way back to Number 38th. It was only when they were nearly back that Gilbert spoke with any seriousness. "Anne? I've got to have a date for the Lambs Christmas supper, any other girl might get the wrong idea. Know you won't. For you'd correct me like the good school Ma'am you are."

She slapped his chest. "Gilbert!"

"Come with me?"

She sighed. "Alright." It was rather an honor, most of the Lambs were juniors and seniors and to have been invited in his first term? It might continue that ridiculous notion about their names being coupled about. But at least, she could trust Gilbert. If he'd seen the error of his ways, then he truly had.

—

It was nearing term time, the Lambs dinner was the next night and Gilbert was determined to be the perfect chum. Not a hint of romance did he allow, in fear that she'd grow skittish again and with more seriousness reject his friendship. He'd run to the citadel for his daily run, only to wind his way down below towards the warf passing several of the shops.

He was dreaming, trying to think of the perfect gift, that might speak of his love without scaring her away. Something that would bring a deep smile to her eyes. Then turning a corner, he saw them, a pair of white skates hanging in the window of the store on the corner.

He'd gone skating several times growing up with the fellas, often on Barry's Pond, or Lake of Shining Waters as Anne called it. He'd never seen her and Diana skating in the winters. But the thought of skating with her, his old skates might be a bit small, but perhaps if he didn't bother with any socks they'd still fit comfortably, and as he glanced at the price, he counted in his mind through the funds he had left.

But he'd need her size. So with a grin, he thought best to find Phil in their mathematics class that afternoon to help, or better yet Pris to find her size. Phil of course loved the idea, as he escorted her from class. "Oh of course I'll find out! What jolly fun! I'll find her size, don't you worry. But you'll have to promise to take all us girls skating when we return from the winter holidays in January. There's a handful of lakes across the inlet between Kingsport and the western shore. Though we might need a sleigh… We'll get a whole group to go and it'll be jolly. And I'll make Anne tell me all about skating in Avonlea. I'm afraid it'll have to make up for not being able to take her home. I so wished she'd decide for me between my suitors."

So with a slight pat to ensure the letter from Marilla was still secure in his inside coat pocket, he left Phil off at her boarding house and returned to his own to study, dreaming of teaching Anne to skate on the Lake of Shining Waters.

—-

When Phil pounced on her as soon as she came downstairs from her room after depositing her books from her history class. "I declare, I simply can't study Anne. Oh do come with me! Christmas is two weeks away and I can't make my mind up on any of my gifts. You and Pris must come with. We're burnt out with studying. The exams will happen and we know the material I like to think. Now come and help me for I can't decide."

So with a laugh, Pris and Anne gathered their outer things and joined Pris on the half a mile walk towards the shops in the older part of the city below the citadel. They had though made her promise that all three would study after they returned for supper. Yet Phil's eagerness to find gifts infused them.

It was quite merry, for of course Phil made them try on a number if things from shoes, to hats, to gloves, and Anne could have sworn there were two pairs of gloves in Phil's bag after they left one store, just of the style Anne loved. They'd then stepped into a book store, for Anne was determined to foster the twin's education with a pair of good books. Little Women for Dora, and Tom Sawyer for Davy. She was contemplating Huck Finn instead, when she saw it. An odd book tucked where it shouldn't be.

She'd leafed it open, glancing at the poems briefly before biting her lip to keep from laughing too much. It made her think so much of Gilbert. Yet the price. She'd made her presents for the girls already, lovely little embroidered bookmarks with the outline of the shore at Kingsport. She'd even gone as far to make one for Gilbert though she'd gone back and forth on presenting it. She'd also made gifts for her other loved ones at home. Anyone who knew Anne would know each gift was quite the act of love, though small and homemade. Only for the twins had she planned to purchase any gift. The books would be a special treat this Christmas, promising adventure in the deep winter.

Pondering the book she calculated the funds she had left, discounting what she'd need to return home. There was just enough if she stopped any extra spending. No more stops at the tea house with friends, or various cafe's when Number 38 was too far. Yes, she could just do it. It really was too perfect for him. Gilbert was a good chum, though she'd likely have to make gifts for the other boys at home. Not so anyone would think she singled him out. Glancing at the other girls hoping they'd not notice.

"Tom Sawyer isn't quite right. I'll look a little more if you wish to move on? I'll catch up at the next shop…"

"Oh they had hats, come on Pris!" Phil laughed. "Perhaps I can finally choose a hat for mother."

Soon as they were out of sight, she'd grabbed the book. Then looking for the first book she thought might interest Davy, "The Boy's Own" she read on the cover. That would have to work, and with Little Women for Dora she used the last of her funds, asked for the books to be wrapped, and hurried out of the shop.

She'd found the girls two doors down at the confectionery instead. Then seized with inspiration she'd bought with the last of her funds candy for the fellas, including a few more of her girlfriends. And if she was spending ten times on Gilbert's gift than even Diana's? She didn't dare even think about it.

—

Phil had slipped him a note between classes on Friday for the size, and so rushing over to the shop before returning to his boarding house to prepare for the supper he'd purchased a pair of white skates for Anne. He would have loved to purchase some flowers too for tonight, but thinking both of his lack of funds and fearful of coming across as too lover like, he'd instead rolled up some papers into the shapes of flowers, pinned them together and when he arrived on her doorstep, presented them to Miss Ada and Miss Hannah instead with a flourish, while he waited for Anne.

She'd laughed at the two sets of paper flowers until he pulled out a small cutting of a pine branch. He watched her rapture as she breathed it in, then waited for him to pin it on her dress. "Perfect."

It was most certainly perfect. They had a wonderful time. He'd whispered jokes to her between courses, got her to laugh, and though they danced was careful to ensure it was not during the one time a waltz was played. She'd told him of her latest letter from Davy, how she longed for Avonlea. To tramp through the snow with Diana, if there was enough, for it didn't look like it would be a white Christmas, but rather gray if they didn't see snow soon.

And of course it had begun to snow when they'd left. So he'd escorted her laughing as the two did their best to ignore the dignified upper class-men and try their best to catch the flakes on their tongues.

He'd left her at her doorstep, with a deep bow, bowing over her hand such that she could only laugh, and vowed to teach Davy how to do such a magnificent bow to a lady. And he'd gone home to dreams, of skiing with Anne that Christmas on the Lake of Shining Waters. But sooner than that, escorting her to the Christmas Dance before they all left for the Island.

—

After the Lambs dinner they fell into a steady stream of preparations for finals. There were final papers to write, a few projects to complete, but mostly studying for the final exams of the term. Anne was determined to make good marks. She could just see it, coming home and informing Marilla that her Anne had gotten some of the highest grades, not only representing Avonlea well, but all of the Island at Redmond. Between breaks though she did wrap her presents, even inscribing a quote from Pride and Prejudice on bad poetry killing love in Gilbert's book. It was the sort of quote he'd quirk about. She'd give him his gift before they left. She didn't dare let more tongues wag at seeing what she'd gotten him.

But then she changed her mind. What did she care what they thought, he was a friend just like Diana, or Phil or Stella, or Pris, or any of her other countless friends. A Christmas gift should be opened on Christmas day itself. And everyone knew they were good friends. Let the busy bodies keep their thoughts to themselves!

So, she'd instead placed it at the bottom of her valise, with the other gifts wrapped and ready for the pile that would build in the parlor at Green Gables. Christmas Eve, she and the twins would find the perfect tree, and decorate it. Then move all the gifts under it. Oh it would be quite lovely to be home. Left on top was just barely enough room for three sets of unmentionables, one of her two flannel nightgowns and her green plaid dress, which she thought would be quite cheery for Christmas.

The rush of exams finally began and she had little time to think about such things. Instead, with the bag packed and Gilbert's gift firmly at the bottom she began to doubt her decision wishing she could have given it to him then, as he'd taken her bag of books when they left their biology final. He'd escorted her back to Number 38, laughing as he talked of plans for Christmas and how his mother had written that thankfully Aunt Mary Maria had broken her foot on the stairs and could not come for Christmas. He'd continued on with his plans, for once Anne lost in thought on how she might get him to wait to fetch his gift, she'd have to unpack the bag, but it would be worth it.

"Fred writes we're to have a snowball fight again, us fellas tend to have one most years. But he's determined you and Diana will have to join. Course I don't know if Moody or Charlie will be game for that. For if you both join we'll have to let the other girls join and that'll mean the Pye sisters too."

Anne laughed. "Best keep it to the boys then. Anyways Diana writes she and I will be ever so busy. She knows I'll want to sleep the first night in my room in Green Gables, but I wrote her promising to stay with her at Orchard Slope the second night for we'll talk all night. And Jane's promised to come for a night after Christmas also. Oh I do so miss them. Ruby said she'll be throwing a party. It's been nearly a week since I've had news for I've kept my homesickness at bay for all the plans when we're home. Oh, one more final tomorrow morning, a paper Tuesday, the dance of course that night then homeward bound. Think of it a week from tonight we'll be in Avonlea."

Gilbert grinned. "What time shall I pick you up for the dance?" Gilbert grinned, tapping her on the nose with his gloved finger. "And I'll reserve my dances now."

Anne laughed as they turned the corner onto St. John's. "But only one dance. You've overdrawn your credits."

"Two."

"One." She glared. "I still haven't lived it down that you stole three dances."

He ran his free arm down his front, smoothing his coat before stopping her. "Two then, for I'm not dancing with my best friend less than Charlie and you know he'll ask for two."

She rolled her eyes before dragging him along. "Hurry up, it's rather cold. Miss Hannah said they're serving soup tonight, and I'm rather hungry and cold."

He ran with her the next block as the two of them laughed. They'd just reached the steps to Number 38, when a shout was heard behind them. She glanced back to see a young boy in a telegram uniform running towards them, pushing a bike.

"Telegram!" He'd reached them, panting and something about him reminded her of Anthony Pye one of her former students making her smile at him as he caught his breath. "Telegram for a Miss Anne Shirley, she at home?"

"I'm Miss Shirley." She said taking the telegram. Who would be sending one? There was no reason she could think of save bad news. Perhaps Diana and Fred had eloped? Or Ruby Gillis had run off with one of her suitors to elope, between the two she'd think it much more likely of Ruby. Or something happened at Green Gables. There could be no other reason.

She tore it open with shaking fingers, not minding that Gilbert stood so close, his arm holding hers in comfort. She stared at the words in shock, than as most befitting a heroine fainted in Gilbert's arms.

—

He'd not seen the words, yet knew at once it was bad news as the fear crossed Anne's face as she read. Then in slow motion saw the telegram drop from her hands to the slushy steps. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted into his arm, he reached with his free arm to grab her, and pull her into his chest.

The boy grabbed for the telegram. "Awfully sorry sir, must have been bad news." He'd taken his cap off, staring at the two. "Would you need help getting her…"

"We'll be fine," Gilbert reached into his pocket, taking the last of the coins he'd saved for some food on the train home the next week. He slipped one of them to the boy. "If you could just open the door for us."

With that he scooped down, and picked Anne up into his arms, and carried her into the parlor to the shocked faces of Miss Ada and Miss Hannah. It was only when he had her comfortably placed on the sofa, with Miss Hannah covering her with a blanket did he glance down at the telegram.

He found himself whispering the message. "Anne. STOP. Marilla dying return immediately. STOP. Diana."

Author's Note:

I know… Bad news. But in order to force Anne & Gilbert into a future they wouldn't have picked, something had to be the catalyst. This What If deals with Marilla being that catalyst. But we've got coming up some great coming of age stuff for Anne & Gilbert as they're forced to grow up a little sooner and navigate marriage and what that means for them. And yes some deliciously awkward moments and scenes between them because of that. Don't worry the first of those comes next week. You know - the ones where you love to curl up and read but you're ever so glad it's not your life?

I got a great feedback suggestion for the dog's name. "The Shrimp" and "The Shrimp" he shall be. Look for The Shrimp to show up in Chapter 17 I think. I finished Chapter 16 writing last week, and have Chapter 17 outlined. As much as I want to post more chapters a week, I recognize I want to stay well ahead as life happens. Once I'm far enough along to be comfortable with posting 2x a week I'll make that change, hopefully in the fall.

Now Question: I've been brainstorming how to be cheeky and poke fun at bodice ripping in steamy romance novels. I have one idea for it, and want your thoughts. Gilbert gets to rip off Anne's bodice and show off his manly strength for her. Only it's because Davy talked Dora or Milty into helping him to dress up his dog in Anne's dress and the dress got stuck on the dog.