Marilla looked at her with such sorrow. "I'm sorry Anne, I."

While Anne had her back to her, Mrs Gardner pushed into the house calling out for her grandson. Anne felt like falling to the floor with the stress of it all, but knew she had to be strong. "No! You need to go," she told Marilla. "Charlotte, please take Mrs Gardner through to the parlour."

Tearing up, Marilla implored, "Anne?"

Eyes blazing Anne reiterated her demand through gritted teeth. "I said, leave."

"I understand how you feel, but do you mind if."

"If you truly understood we wouldn't be in this situation."

"It's just that it's dark out," Charlotte interrupted. "I don't think we should."

"Leave and never return. Charlotte if you're going to take sides you may as well go too."

Marilla shook her head at Charlotte. As broken hearted as she was, she wanted Anne to have the girl's support. Sadly, she brushed past Anne into the night. "Do you mind if I give her a ride home?" Charlotte asked. Anne shrugged, truly Marilla was the least of her concerns.

"No stay with her, Marilla urged. She's going to need your support. I'll be fine."

"Go to the Wainwright's," Charlotte suggested. "Earl'll give you a ride home. It's too far to walk, especially at this time of night." Marilla nodded, though to be honest the thought of having to make small talk with Charlotte's beau did not appeal; she had much to think through.

"You've got a nerve coming here," Anne said by way of greeting having eventually located her mother-in-law in the nursery.

"Hmph, you're one to speak. Fancy not seeing fit to inform me. This here is my flesh and blood," Mrs Gardner said pointing at the baby. " I hear tell you named him Matthew? Unacceptable; first born Gardner males are named Royal, I will have you know, but perhaps it's not too late. Now let me hold him. Nancy, fetch him to me."

Anne stood in the way barring anyone from touching Matthew. "Oh, no, you're not going anywhere near him. Matthew is mine and we are not changing his name!" her eyes flashed dangerously. "Get out."

"And where do you suppose we should go?"

"That's none of my concern. You are not welcome here; leave."

Pursing her lips in frustration Mrs Gardner motioned to her manservant. "Very well, but this isn't the last you've heard of me."

"I don't doubt it," Anne muttered.

Tweaking the curtains Anne peered out the window, "have they gone?" she asked Charlotte.

"Yes Ma'am. I am sorry Ma'am."

Anne sighed, "what have you got to be sorry about? Were you involved?"

"No, but I wish Mrs Gardner hadn't seen fit to visit."

"So do I, Charlotte and I wish Miss Cuthbert hadn't spilt the beans in the first place. But there it is. It's done now and we just must protect Matthew from her machinations."

Matthew caught her mood, and they survived an unsettled night; broken far too early by another rap upon the door at first light. Somewhat dishevelled Charlotte answered and found herself brushed aside, "out of my way girl," Mrs Gardner demanded. "I'm here to see my grandson."

"Anne!" Charlotte called. "Anne! She's back!"

Groggily Anne rose from her slumbers to find Mrs Gardner with a woman in tow, in her room hands out to take the baby. "Oh, no!" Anne scrambled up to bar her. "No, you don't."

"See reason," retorted Mrs Gardner. "I've come a long way. I'm not taking him anywhere, now. You could hardly call this hovel a suitable place to raise him. I have all the help we need back in Kingsport. You are welcome to join us, I suppose," she added by way of placation.

Anne shook her head; her "no," sounding feeble even to her own ears. She was just so tired; they had had barely any sleep over the last few nights. The thought of having a quiet, uninterrupted slumber called to her insistently.

Hearing her tone Mrs Gardner pressed her advantage. "You look just exhausted, Anne dear. I've engaged a wet nurse to help you through the night."

Anne shook her head wearily her resolve dimming; she was so terribly tired, "no."

"Come now, there's no need. Mary here," Mrs Gardner gestured towards the woman behind her, "can nurse him, give you a break. You look done in. I know only too well how exhausting these tiny ones can be. But there's no need to tire yourself out," she added silkily.

Anne stared at Mary stupid with lack of sleep.

Charlotte could see Anne wavering and thought I can't let Mrs Gardner take over; she'd never forgive herself. "We are managing just fine," Charlotte interrupted. "I care for the baby during the day while his mother naps."

"Then, naturally we'll engage a nanny," Mrs Gardner continued relentlessly as if Charlotte had not spoken. "All the best families use them nowadays. There's no need to be stuck at home with the children all day. There's so much more to be done. Of course he'll get the best education money can buy. We sent Roy to school in Kingsport, though his father and I discussed sending him to Toronto. We decided to keep him closer to home, but I see on reflection that we made a mistake there. Well, we shan't be doing that again; a Gardner deserves the best money can buy."

"Stop!" Anne cried, summoning what little strength she could muster. "That's quite enough. Matthew will stay here and receive a local education. There will be no wet nurses nor nannies of any type. I am perfectly capable of caring for him myself."

"On your own?"

"If necessary. I do have Charlotte here to help."

"Charlotte?"

"Begging your pardon, ma'am, that's me," Charlotte interjected.

"Preposterous name," Mrs Gardner muttered. "You changed it if I recall correctly."

"Sounds like you did the changing," Anne replied. "Did you even ask Charlotte her opinion?"

"My servants do as they're told."

"Well, that's the difference between us. I listen to mine and respect their decision."

Now they're fighting over me, Charlotte thought. Makes a change from fighting over the baby. She held her hands out for Matthew and took his light weight in her arms, noticing his damp nappy. As far as Charlotte was concerned, she could see both sides. Miss Cuthbert did right by Mrs Gardner, she thought, much as I despise her, she had the right to know her heir existed. Regardless of her opinion, knowing which side her bread was buttered on; Charlotte held her tongue, she was undoubtedly happier in Anne's employ than she ever had been with the Gardners.

"Well if you won't see reason right now, I shall take my leave," Mrs Gardner pronounced. "But don't think you've heard the last of me. This child deserves the best and he shall have it. You will be hearing from my lawyers." Anne watched her swirl out in a flurry of skirts, the familiar tapping of her shoes thankfully fading.

Sinking to her bed, Anne turned to Charlotte, "thank you."

"She's right about one thing. You are exhausted, ma'am."

Anne yawned, "mm hm."

"Once you've given him his breakfast, let me take him."

Reluctant to let Matthew out of her sight, nevertheless Anne handed him over to Charlotte, trusting her implicitly.

As it turned out it was Earl's father who delivered Marilla home. Sensing she had plenty on her mind, the trip was mostly carried out in silence for which Marilla gave thanks.

"Marilla!" Rachel rose from her chair when her friend walked through the door. "What on earth?" Close to tears Marilla sank into the closest chair, her head sinking into her hands. "What's the matter? Marilla? Is it the baby? What's happening?"

"No, he's fine. I just. Rachel I've made the most terrible mistake. Please, I implore you, don't tell me what a fool I've been. Don't I know it," she swallowed hard and heaved a big sigh. "I've been such an fool."

Rachel listened while Marilla told her the whole story, not omitting a single detail, laying the blame squarely upon herself; tears flowing freely before her tale was done.

"There, there," Rachel patted her hand. "Don't beat yourself up so. She'll come round eventually, once she settles down."

"I doubt it. I've lost her for good and I deserve it. I should have kept out of her business."

"Now look Marilla, when Anne has been a parent for longer than a hot minute, she'll come to realise that we mothers do the best we can. We make mistakes because we're only human. Tell me, why did you send that note? You acted out of love, didn't you?" Lifting her tear-stained cheeks Marilla nodded weakly. "Of course you did. She'll realise that in a little while."

"I pray so."

"How many mistakes did she make as a girl?"

Marilla couldn't help but laugh, "too many."

"But you never stopped loving her."

"Of course not."

"Naturally, and this is just the same. Give her some space, she'll come back, that's what."

Before she climbed the stairs to bed Marilla knocked on Rachel's door. Now in her nightgown, hair down Rachel said, "mm?"

"Thank you."

"What for?"

"For being a good friend, for not admonishing me."

"You were doing a good enough job of that on your own."

"Well thank you for not piling on. Lesser people might have done."

"We've known each other for long enough, Marilla. You've certainly done your fair share of forgiving. Perhaps you could try sending her a letter, explain your reasoning, apologise."

Later that night a sound woke Rachel from her slumber. Crying, well who could blame her, I can't help thinking she made a mistake, not that there's any need to tell her, she knows well enough. I pray Anne comes round, forgives her. Maybe someone will help her come to that conclusion. Gilbert's dark curls sprang to mind.

Dearest Anne

You must know how terribly sorry I am. I know I erred, but darling I acted out of love. Love for you. Love for wee Matthew. Love for our entire family. You of all people know the importance of family, Anne. You lived without one for far too long and together we made one of our own. It's always been unconventional, but none the less important or true for all that.

I thought my heart would break when you left Green Gables to marry Roy, but I knew you had to get on with your own life. My feels were unimportant; I had mothered you as much as I could, my role altered when you wed. Now it would be your husband Roy upon whom you would rely. It was far from easy to accept but I knew it to be right.

When you returned, I was relieved. I suppose that's a terrible admission. Not because you had lost your husband or had such a torrid time, but because I had the chance to welcome you back into the family fold where you are loved unconditionally, we miss you most dreadfully when you are gone.

It came to me when Matthew was born how I would feel if anything untoward became to you, how I would feel utterly rent in half with grief. Upon reading my Bible I realised I had no choice but to alert Mrs Gardner to the existence of her heir, grandmother to grandmother. To know that her boy lived on in Matthew would, I believed, be a tremendous solace.

I should have consulted with you, I know. I acted impetuously because I suppose I know you would have forbidden me to send the letter. It never occurred to me that Mrs Gardner would land on your doorstep in the middle of the night. She must have received the news and made her way overland without delay. I pray she accepts her limited role in Matthew's live and if she does not, I will be by your side, if you allow, to ward her off.

Anne stared absentmindedly into space, Matthew at her breast, trying to forget. Charlotte approached holding out an envelope. Absentmindedly, Anne took it and glanced at the first line: Dearest Anne before she crumpled the page and threw it into the fire watching as it caught, the words unfolding and blazing momentarily bright before collapsing into ash. The baby snuffled against her breast as she stroked his downy head. "At least we have each other, that's all the family that matters," she murmured kissing him gently.