Author's Note:

Alright originally I didn't have the issue with their lodging happen… but then it did. I'm having fun with both Anne & Gilbert being mortified about their surroundings.

Wrote that when I wrote the chapter. Note when posting. Please enjoy and be glad you're not staying there yourself. I just finished writing Chapter 18 and have enough ahead outlined that I decided to bless you with an extra chapter. As long as I'm maintaining at least 12 chapters ahead I'll post an extra chapter. Enjoy and happy Labor Day. :)

Chapter 5: Green Gables

But when the boat steamed out of Charlottetown harbor things took a turn for the better. The rain ceased and the sun began to burst out goldenly now and again between the rents in the clouds, burnishing the gray seas with copper-hued radiance, and lighting up the mists that curtained the Island's red shores with gleams of gold foretokening a fine day after all. Besides, Charlie Sloane promptly became so seasick that he had to go below, and Anne and Gilbert were left alone on deck. - Chapter III, Anne of the Island

Gilbert sat across from Anne, doing his best to try to not think about their sleeping arrangements that night. If they'd gotten a room at the Scotsman Inn he would have slept in the hall outside her room, or asked to sleep in the dining room on a chair. But here? His eye was caught by a commotion. A sailor groping and kissing a woman indecently, no doubt one of those fallen women his parents warned him about. He'd fumbled them about and within seconds they were bounding and moaning while the sailors friends cheered. Gilbert went quite red as he looked away, staring at Anne. He was going to bar the door to their room and get her up there as soon as possible. Thankfully that scene was to Anne's back.

"Gilbert." Anne whispered. "I… Lets ask if we can go to our room now, to our room… The bar tender, I think Maggie the woman serving us… She's…"

Gilbert glanced back. The woman was serving some men, and one of them had his arms up her skirt. He gulped. It was going to be a long night. "The room, yes." He jumped up quickly, rushed towards the bar tender, asking for the key, his face beat red. The man just laughed, handed it over and said he might want to take lessons before he got busy with his woman. For they looked both like freshly caught fish.

He was too mortified to even try to correct the man. At least, at least he'd not had to give Anne's name when he'd registered.

They climbed the narrow stairs behind the bar, and Gilbert lead her to the room at the end whose painted number eleven matched the key. Opening the door he took a deep breath before leading her into the room. The room was very small only a narrow space between the bed in the wall. There was a small table beside the bed on one side with an oil lamp and on the other a wash stand with the blue chipped pitcher and bowl. Above the bed was a high window with old yellowed curtains. It smelled all slightly sour, making Gilbert's nose crinkle. It certainly needed a good airing.

He stepped forward lighting the oil lamp and turned to her. Gilbert doubted either would stop blushing by the time they reached Avonlea. "Probably best we don't let anyone know. There's enough space beside the bed on the floor for me to sleep…" There really wasn't but he'd make it work.

She nodded, wringing her hands.

"I'll just head back down. Ask for some blankets. Bar the door behind me."

His heart leapt to his throat at the sight of her when he returned. Her long red hair taken down and braided. Her dress removed and a thick white nightgown covering her from neck to foot.

"I'll just make my bed…"

"I can wait in the hall while you prepare…"

"No!" He wasn't letting her out of the room looking like that. "I'll just wait until the lights are out."

She said nothing more. Instead diving into the bed.

She did her best to not think on the noises she heard as she hid her head under the pillow, only for the smell to slightly make her gag. Sleep, if she could only sleep. She heard him settle on the floor with a creak of the floor boards. If only it had been Pris who'd insisted on escorting her home, but she'd had two finals left next week. They would have laughed together about the smell curled up in the bed. Though they'd both would have been scarred to death of any men, at least with Gilbert...

Marilla's request came to mind. What had Marilla been thinking? Marilla who had believed that a woman's end in life did not rely on marriage to demand it of her? Why if she'd married Gilbert. She gulped. If they'd been married he'd expect to sleep in the bed with her. She liked to tell herself dream stories, little fairy tales as she'd fall asleep to but… She heard him lay down onto the floor.

"Comfortable enough?" She asked.

"It'll do."

Anne just rolled her eyes as she stared at the wall. Noises were coming from the next room. A constant thudding. She almost panicked for she'd not heard those noises in years. She almost shushed Gilbert to keep quiet. But then remembered the door was bolted. Abstractedly she knew what was going on. If they married, Gilbert would expect to… no she could not think on that. She tried to tell herself a fairy tale with a handsome prince. She had a favorite speech for him to declare his love. All stories were as elusive as the mist. Instead memories from before Green Gables. Matthews death. Marilla's… In desperation she clung to the sheets, buried her head deeper under the pillow and began to pray for Marilla. Pray that a miracle would happen and this nightmare would end. The smell though. She could identify it now.

She wanted to gag. The smell of Mr. Hammond, it all smelled of him. Stale beer and that. Not the even in her mind she'd put words to it. She had to breath. Her heart was racing. She scrambled to her knees and she fumbled with the latch on the window. Opened as wide as it could go. She leaned her head out. The sounds next door were worse now for they had their window open also. Not only thumping but moaning.

"Anne?"

She was not getting back into that bed.

"I panicked." Her mind raced. She couldn't tell him about the Hammonds. She'd only ever told Marilla and as little as possible. "Worrying about Marilla, her letter."

He sat up, and in the dim light of the full moon he struck a match to light the lamp again. "I saw the end, Marilla's suggestion when I picked up the letter after you dropped it. Can I read it?"

She wordlessly nodded. Moved to her bag at the foot of the bed and pulled it out. The bed felt like a trap though. Memories of Mrs. Hammonds face came to mind. So she sank down onto the floor beside Gilbert in his nest of blankets. She handed it wordlessly. He spread it out on his knee in the glow of the lamplight and she found herself reading with him.

Dear Anne,

I pray you may never need read this. I fear though that Providence will call me home sooner than I hoped. We can only pray that you are of age when I am called home. It was hard when we lost Matthew a few years ago, and I'd thought I'd have more time, perhaps I shall. But the migraines had worsened, and I'd had a few seizures though none but Rachel know of those, so when Dr. Blair recommended I see the specialist here in Kingsport, I couldn't resist coming to surprise you. I love you and am so proud of you.

The news isn't good. I'm dying, whether I have months or years left, we all must go sometime. You can press Gilbert for info on what the Doctor said, for I'd sworn him to secrecy when I asked him to take me to the appointment. Don't be angry at him Anne. He argued with me to tell you, but if I did you'd drop right out of school. I insist you don't neglect your studies, or delay your education because of what's happening.

If you're reading this, you and Gilbert have gotten news I'm dying. I've asked Gilbert to hold onto this letter, and knowing him he'll keep it secure and know exactly where it is. It does me good to know he'll be there for you.

My eyes are tired and writing is hard so I'll be brief. When I die Douglas Cuthbert will try to destroy your life in revenge for being a Green Gables Folk. That and for being Matthew's daughter. We never told you for I told Matthew it'd go all to your head, but when you were thirteen. Matthew paid a lawyer to draft up adoption papers and make you his daughter. He wanted everyone to know how proud he was of you, how proud we both were of you. But I was sensible, and told him it wouldn't do to talk too much about it.

What you need to concern yourself with is that Douglas Cuthbert, who is my cousin will try to hurt you and the twins and take Green Gables from you for revenge. I aim to adopt the twins to protect them as best I can. Due to the strict settlement placed by my grandfather though. The will may be contested in the courts. The settlement is a nasty document that when I was twenty two, and Matthew older and my grandfather nearing his death bed made us sign that we'd uphold.

The short answer is this. Green Gables passes onto the next heir at my passing as it was given conditionally for my use for life as long as I was a spinster. Upon the death both of myself and Matthew it goes to Davy or yourself. I don't quite understand how the will works. The key thing is this. If the final decision is that the heir is interpreted to be Davy then he will inherit at the age of 21, and the closest male relative or female relative over the age of fifty (My grandfather did not believe women to have sense until they were beyond childbearing years). That would put Davy under the custody of Douglas. He won't shape Davy into a good man. He's too much like his father. Dishonorable, unlike Gilbert.

If you are determined the heir, Douglas would have custody of Green Gables until your marriage and his approval of your husband. If he doesn't approve, he has the right to hold Green Gables from your husband. Knowing him no doubt he'd also send the twins to an orphanage. Only if Davy is the heir would he take care of at least Davy though I doubt Dora. For one thing he's always wanted is Green Gables, and revenge, but he's too much like our grandfather.

I know it's asking a lot, but I know Gilbert will be asking me for permission to marry you one day. Please, my dying wish is to see you two wed before I die. You'll protect Green Gables, the twins, and even Rachel that way. But more than that I'll die easier knowing Gilbert will be there for you in the grief. If he's your husband upon my death, for as I write I know he's already twenty one and of age, he'll have legal authority to protect all of you. Whether Davy or you are finally decided the heir, he'll protect you from Douglas.

I'll always love you Anne, and I'm so glad they made that mistake in Hopetown sending us you instead of that boy.

Love,

Marilla Cuthbert.

Gilbert didn't dare say anything until he'd read it three times, biting his cheek as he read. He would of course marry Anne. It was a dream come true. Though, he'd mapped in his minds their lives ahead, and how he'd still meet the goals of supporting Anne and their future family if he needed to support them through college, he didn't know how he'd do it. Once he was Dr. Blythe he'd be able to support them well, but until then? Supporting them while they pursued their dreams?

"You're not alone in this." Gilbert spoke at last. "Sure we'll need more info, find the legal documents themselves and go over them. But Anne, Marilla's right. If it's worded such that you and the twins are left vulnerable without a male relative you can trust."

"Gilbert! I'm sure we can trust Douglas Cuthbert. It's likely just a misunderstanding." She glared at him. Looking bewitching making him imagine not having to wait until he finished medical school for them to… she continued though. "Marilla's suggestion is ridiculous. But, I can't loose them. The twins or Green Gables…" Anne whispered, a sob escaping.

He reached for her hand. "Anne, you don't have to. I meant to propose one day, when we're close to graduating, for I'll still have three years of medical school afterwards if I can find a way to afford it. So it might be years before I'm a Doctor, if I ever am…"

"Oh you will be! Dr. Gilbert Blythe!" She stared up at the the open window where it was now getting quite chilly in the room.

"I love you Anne Shirley, marry me?" He reached for her cheek to turn her face to look at him.

"Gilbert! Don't propose because Marilla of all people put the idea into your head! We'll find another solution. You're a good friend, but this isn't your problem."

"Anne." She flinched as his hand touched her cheek.

"Gilbert, I've thought about it. I'm not letting you throw your life away for my problems. One day you'll really fall in love and want to marry her. Not just to get your chum out of a scrape."

"Anne I'm not…" He carefully folded the letter, placing it on the table table beside him, then reached for her hand holding it between his own. "I'm either marrying you or dying an old bachelor."

She huffed. "Gilbert… You don't ask a chum to marry you, you ask the girl you love. Romantic like, not this..."

He pulled her hand to his chest, only the warn fabric of his long underwear between the warmth of her hand and his chest, his heart was beating frantically. "Anne, I love you."

She stared at him, the pad of one finger had found a hole he'd meant to ask his mother to mend. "Please don't Gilbert..."

They startled both of them as they heard a scream and moaning down the hall. Eyes wide, he dropped her hand. "You're right Anne, It's late. We've got an early morning to reach the boat. Get back to bed."

He saw her slowly stand up and move towards the bed only the freeze. "No, you take the bed please! I'll sleep on the floor."

"Anne."

"Please Gilbert. I can't. I…"

He would do anything for those pleading eyes. So taking her hand and squeezing it he nodded blew out the lamp one more time and climbed onto the bed Trying his best to not think about her close proximity. The air was freezing and they were both shivering. "The window? It's getting too cold."

"I… fine." She seemed to deflate as she made a nest of the two blankets he'd used on the floor.

He'd been a little cool wrapped in the two blankets. Now seeing her there curled in a ball. The bed was what smelled the worse in the room. He grimaced realizing why she wanted the floor. He guessed they only had though four or five hours to sleep. He could stomach it that long.

She tried to sleep, yet failed. Instead all she could think of was Gilbert's proposal. But to agree? That would mean giving up her ideals! And forcing both of them to settle, for she did not think he truly loved her, only being kind to improve the situation of the proposal. He was merely a good chum. Nothing more.

But to loose all that she held dear? Marilla, Green Gables, the twins, even Mrs. Lynde for no doubt if Douglas Cuthbert was as bad as Marilla claimed he'd evict them all from their home soon as the will was read.

She'd find another solution. She had to. Perhaps Marilla would make it? Or perhaps there was some way Marilla had missed to protect them from her cousin? Or maybe he might see reason?

Her mind raced, if she dropped out to tend to Marilla and then raise the twins if... She couldn't think on that. All she saw was a future without Gilbert, and in a way that made her sick. To not study with him, to not... Yet the future with him, as his wife in a marriage of connivence was far worse. The thought of being his wife.

She could not think of it. She'd find another solution, she had to. For she would not let either of them settle for a loveless marriage. She would not let him risk his future. He'd be Dr. Gilbert Blythe, one day meet the right girl, and she'd raise the twins and tend to Marilla so she'd recover then find her ideal or never marry at all.

So still unable to sleep she turned into her pillow that smelled too much like Gilbert but at least not of the smells that tried to drag her back to the Hammonds and especially their bedroom after Mr. Hammond had come home drunk and dragged his wife there only to… She'd always hate those times, and refused to think on them. Instead she began to pray. Pray for Marilla's life.

He barely slept, between the noises, the smell, the cold and sleeping on the floor. Or more accurately the fair maiden only feet away from him. Such that when the church bells two blocks over began to chime 7am, and he saw the first hints of light coming in through the window. He rose, leaning over Anne, still buried under the blankets and pillow in a tight ball. He leaned over to glance behind the curtain, where the pre dawn light was starting to form to the east. He stepped back, then reached to her shoulder. "Anne, we best get ready."

She'd sat up, her hair a mess, her eyes rimmed with red. She was beautiful.

"I'll just, give me a minute to dress and I'll wait outside for you."

She nodded, turning her back once more to him, hiding her head again under the pillow. He couldn't help it, but watched her lay there as he quickly dressed once more in his clothing from the day before. He was tying his shoes when he cleared his throat. "I'm presentable. Figure we'll find something to eat as we board."

"I should give you something for the room…"

"Nah," He shook his head. "Was the same as if I'd split it as planned with Charlie. And officially it was only me here in the room…"

They said nothing more. He waited in the hall as she hurriedly dressed, returned only to grab their bags and coats, and left, stepping over a few drunk sailors in the common room. The air was refreshingly clean outside, and they both took deep breaths of the cold air, before swiftly walking the block to the dock where the SS Stanley was moored. Handing their tickets to the pulser, Gilbert lead Anne on board. The summer ferry was best enjoyed from the deck where one might see the last glimpse of the land behind and the first glimpse of the land coming. The Stanley though, due to the frigid conditions and crowds was a mass of bodies crowded below deck. The'd found a seat on a narrow bench that Mrs. Lynde would have declared too narrow for one soul, let alone two.

They'd spoken nothing more of the letter. Instead they both dozed off and on through the day. The ship was crowded, such that they did not dare abandon completely their bench. Instead they'd take turns walking about. There was talk that it might take longer to cross. It wasn't unheard of one of the passengers whispered for the winter ferry to come in late. Sometimes over six hours after the scheduled arrival. It might be the best of Canada's ships for ice breaking, but only a fool would expect it to be perfect. Not with the wilds of Canada's ice.

It was about half way across, out in the open clear water that Gilbert spoke at last. "Anne, I can't imagine a future without you. I know we're not ready, but I want you to know you're not alone. We'll be there for Marilla and put her at rest that I'll take care of you and the twins. Together we'll find a way to do it, and still graduate and my medical school. But it's only worth it with you by my side." She stared at him, suddenly noticing he was holding a ring.

"Gilbert..."

"I... don't answer until we know more. But I've always meant to ask. Bought your ring with my first paycheck from the White Sands school. Saw it in a shop there, and had the jeweler engrave it to you. It's just a ring of embedded pearls but it always made me think of the necklace Matthew…"

She couldn't think, staring at the ring.

He gulped. "I always meant to ask..."

"I won't let you sacrifice your future. Gilbert! I don't love you that way, you're my dearest chum, but you deserve more. Not the struggles we'll face trying to graduate, raise the twins, care for Green Gables, and get you to your dream of medical school! No there must be another solution."

He sighed, slipping the ring back into his pocket, than began to joke about some of the characters there on the ship, distracting her from the mounting troubles.

Providence though was on their side. They only arrived forty five minutes late, and the afternoon west bound train was late coming into Charlottetown, which meant they made it in plenty of time to send a telegram to Diana, and take the west bound train to Bright River. They'd only relaxed though upon seating in the back car of the third class coach, watching the island train twist slowly around every bend and curve.

Diana Barry was waiting for them at the station. Wrapped snuggly in her wrap with the buggy just waiting patently only twenty feet behind her. She cried rushing towards them hugging first Anne then Gilbert. "I was so shocked to get your telegram Gilbert, I mean I expected one from Anne…"

"Oh Diana how's Marilla?" Anne ignored the question.

"Several seizures a day." Diana spoke quietly. "Dr. Blair thinks she's holding out for you. Doesn't expect her to last more than a month. I've been helping out of course, so is Mrs. Harrison and Mother. She had a really bad seizure on Sunday during church and then they've been non stop nearly since."

Gilbert wrapped his arm around Anne's waist helping her towards the buggy as she sobbed. "I can't loose her…" Anne whispered.

"I'll drop you off at home after we get to Green Gables, Gilbert. Thank you for taking care of Anne." Diana said as she took the reigns. They were snug three across, but thankfully the Barry buggy was wide enough. The whole drive home Anne pestered Diana with questions about Marilla's condition. Even Gilbert was asking questions though a bit more scientific in scope, that Diana struggled to answer. When they'd pulled into Avonlea Diana glanced over at the turn off for Apple Bough, the Blythe residence. Diana glanced, "If you prefer I can drop you off now."

"No." Anne spoke bitterly. "Marilla thinks him as the son she's never had. Trusts him far more than me."

"Anne!" Diana cried.

Gilbert bit his lip. "When Marilla came out for her visit. She saw a specialist but didn't want Anne to worry, asked me to take her and to keep it from Anne. I've been trying to apologize."

"Friends don't keep secrets."

"It wasn't my secret."

"Well, soon as you've seen her you're going home. We don't need you Gilbert Blythe. Thank you for escorting me home, but I'll be busy with caring for Marilla, and I don't know if I'll be returning for the Spring term."

She'd refused to talk to him after that. He'd tried, and even Diana tried to help him. Instead the three silently made their way into Green Gables five minutes later, taking off their outer layers before rushing upstairs to Marilla's room. Gilbert stared at Marilla from the door as he watched the the love of his life rush towards the old woman. She'd aged years in the few months since he'd seen her for her visit. Refusing a ride home from Diana, he'd said he'd simply walk home. It wasn't far after all.

His parents were shocked and surprised as he walked into the kitchen door, hungry and exhausted. "Had to escort Anne home." Was all he said before sitting down as his mother rushed to prepare a plate for him to join his parents for supper. He'd shared nothing more as he ate, instead exhausted and heart broken he'd climbed the stairs to his small bedroom facing west, where beyond trees and a little hill, cutting across two more farms, was an east gable window he loved so well.

—-

"The twins have been at orchard slope. Diana and her parents have been a real help there." Rachel Lynde said. "And Diana's been helping along with Emily tending Marilla's sick bed. We don't dare leave her alone a minute for soon as a seizure hits we have to give her medicine and make sure she keeps breathing. She's had clear moments and she's been asking for you Anne. And Gilbert, funny enough."

Anne rolled her eyes. "Well she seemed to trust Gilbert more than me. He knew and didn't tell me. He'll be by tomorrow no doubt. He's got it in his thick head I had to be escorted home."

"Right and proper. Mighty glad he did Anne. Now if you don't mind I best get a bit of sleep. Your bed's all made up, though Diana's been sleeping in it some when she's helping. Real glad the twins are out from under foot right now."

Anne sat with Marilla for an hour, lovingly tending to her as she clung to Marilla's hand. Marilla woke at one point, slightly slurred in voice. "Anne?"

"I'm here."

"Promise you won't stop school."

"I'm going to take care of you! You'll get better you've got to."

"When it's Providence's time to take me home, Anne Shirley… I'm going home. But I've got to protect you and the twins. Don't trust Douglas. Oily snake, like his father." Marilla stared at Anne. "The legal documents are in the safe in the cellar. Gilbert will…"

"I'll review them in the morning. Right now you just rest." Anne bristled. She, not Gilbert, would look them over. Maybe she'd let Diana help her piece them together. Gilbert though seemed to have gotten it into his thick head he had to be her hero, her savior.

Author's Note:

For those curious, the SS Stanley served as an ice breaking ship between the main land and PEI according to my research during the time the books take place.