Hearing a knock at the door Charlotte laid Matthew in his crib and went to answer it. It was Gilbert. "Sorry, just came back for my shirt."

"Of course. I laundered it special."

Lifting it to his nose, Gilbert noticed she used a different soap to his mother's, but it smelt fresh and clean for all that. "Is Mrs Gardner here?"

"She prefers to be called Anne, you know. Even I can't call her Mrs Gardner. She says that's his mother."

Gilbert laughed, "of course. Yes, well is Anne here then?"

"I think she's napping, I'll just see if she's awake."

Still somewhat groggy Anne smiled up at Gilbert when he entered the room. "I suppose we shouldn't allow you in at all, should we," she said.

"Our mothers would be aghast."

Anne frowned, "don't talk to me about mothers."

"Oh?"

"Marilla blabbed. She only went and told Roy's mother about Matthew here. I wasn't going to, and I told Marilla so, but she went ahead and did it anyway."

"Oh."

"Yes, and the next thing we knew Mrs Gardner arrived in full flow. Demanding to see him and take him away from me for a," and here she sobbed at the horror of it all, "for a better life. Oh Gilbert, it was just awful. No one can give him a better life than I. I won't let him be bought up in that sterile environment, surrounded by nannies and governesses. I just won't. I can't bear the thought of creating another Roy. I think that's what she wants. She lost one son, so she wants to create another in his likeness, but I won't have it! I won't!" Anne's voice rose into a crescendo.

"Now, now, we won't let her, don't worry, Anne. I'm sorry Marilla spilled the beans. I'm sure she didn't mean to cause such harm."

"I trusted her. She's always you know, just been there from the very start, but now," she trailed off.

"I know. She does love you."

"Then why did she do it, Gil? Why didn't she listen to me?" Anne cried. "I told her not to, in no uncertain terms. I told her I didn't want Mother Gardner to know about him. I don't think she could have misunderstood."

"Maybe she thought she knew best?"

"Well in this case, she was wrong."

"I know, love."

She glanced up at him. "Love? You've never called me that before."

"Haven't I? Well, I've thought it often enough."

Anne blushed despite herself. "You have?" she asked coyly.

Gilbert took her in his arms, "I have," he murmured against her ear feeling its velvet tickle his lips.

Anne pulled away, "not now, Gil, not now."

Gilbert drew back, "sorry."

"Oh, no, never be sorry about that. It's not until you touched me that I realised how much I've longed for physical contact. It's been a long time."

"Since Roy?"

Anne scoffed, "and since well before."

"Oh?"

"I probably shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but he wasn't the most passionate of men, Gil." Gilbert was silent. Thinking on it, Anne said. "Roy was nice enough, but he had no imagination."

"Didn't need to did he," Gil replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if he wanted a thing he got it. No need to daydream it into existence. If he wanted an education, he got it. If he wanted a friend, he had loads. He didn't need saving; he was already living in an ivory tower. What's there to strive for, to imagine, if you're born into it. You and I we had to dream it first, you more than anyone naturally but even I didn't have it all land in my lap."

"I guess," Anne said slowly. "You know for all my longing I think I'd rather have my imagination than get everything all at once."

"Mm, me too."

Easy conversations like this made Anne realise just how perfect a match Gilbert was. Whereas Roy always spoke in romantic platitudes empty of real meaning, Gilbert's reality and hopes were more closely aligned to her own. They understood and empathised with each other on a deeper level.

Later in bed she thought it through carefully. "Your papa was a fine man," she told the baby. "A handsome man, but I realise he wasn't right for me. He would have been happier marrying one of those Kingsport Bluebloods, not little old me." Anne opened her eyes in shock realising that Mrs Gardner had been right all along. We really weren't suited to one another were we. Roy and I fell in love with an ideal, but there's nothing like marriage to show up the gaps. "I was so lonely," she told the baby. I'm lonely now, she finally admitted to herself, but there might be a solution close to hand.

Gilbert visited a few days later. A weary Charlotte met him at the door. "Not getting much sleep?" he asked.

"The baby keeps us on our toes," she replied failing to conceal a yawn. Gilbert could hear him crying in the background. "You go to bed," he said. "I'll take over for a bit." Charlotte was too exhausted to argue, and she dutifully turned around to her beckoning bed.

Even if Gilbert had not known the house, the sound of Matthew's cries would have guided him. Anne was walking him up and down the length of the room her eyes closed as though she were about to fall asleep herself. "Here let me," Gilbert said, taking the baby from her arms.

"I can't," she murmured. "It's not right."

"Hush now. Listen to your doctor. Get back into bed."

"You're not anyone's doctor," Anne said quietly, following his instructions.

"No, but it's good advice regardless." Most annoyingly the baby was so shocked at this new intruder that he stopped his crying and gazed at Gilbert for a moment before falling asleep. Anne looked at him stupidly wondering why it was quiet all of a sudden. Her eyelids drooped shut at the cessation of noise. Holding the baby in one arm, Gilbert pulled the blanket over her and crept out.

Putting the baby into his crib Gilbert regarded the house. It was a mess of dishes in the sink and piles of creased laundry. Working as quietly as he was able Gilbert folded the laundry and set to warming the water before washing and then drying. He was no cook, but he fetched some wood and stoked the stove. By the time Charlotte emerged the house was in better order. "Thank you," she murmured in wonderment.

"Feeling more human?" Gilbert asked handing a mug of tea over.

"Much. He gets into such rages. Anne and I don't know what to do with him. Then he's too exhausted to sleep. We've tried everything. Mrs Gardner offered us a nurse, and."

"Reckon that must sound enticing in the middle of the night."

"Mm hm," Charlotte nodded. "But I can't blame her for not succumbing."

"You think there'll be strings attached."

"Great big chains, I'd imagine." Charlotte clapped her hand to her mouth, suddenly mindful to whom she was speaking.

"Don't worry. I shan't say anything. I 'spect Anne would agree with you, anyways."

"Is she still sleeping?"

"I expect so, I hope so, but I haven't checked on her for a while."

"I'll just go and check." She popped out to see and returned a moment later nodding, "still out like a light and the baby too."

"I'll leave you to it then," Gilbert said. "I hope they sleep for a while yet, give you a chance to catch up. I'll ask Mother if she has any tips."

"Thank you, Dr Blythe." She smiled up at him.

Gilbert grinned. "Just Mister. I won't be a doctor for a few years yet, but it was my pleasure. Don't forget to finish that tea before you get started. You need to look after yourself as well, you know. I'll let myself out. I'll be back tomorrow to check on you all. Might even bring Mother along."

I can see what Anne sees in him, Charlotte thought as she heard the door close behind him. He's a gentleman but humble with it. Not like Mr Gardner, she recalled his grandiosity. He'd never have handed me a cup of tea or let me sit at his table. Let alone, she thought glancing around the room, done the dishes.

Mrs Blythe turned up with Gilbert the next morning bearing freshly baked bread, her famous apple cake and a large pot of vegetable soup. Feeling a touch conspiratorial they had discussed the matter of newborns with Rachel Lynde and had a few tips to impart. "It's a difficult time, that's for sure and certain," Rachel had said thinking back to those times. "You're still exhausted and the baby is coming to terms with the world. Invariably they're not happy with the situation and they want to let you know all about it."

"Anne, darling." Mrs Blythe started. "Let me have him," and she gently plucked the fractious baby from Anne's weary arms. "Gilbert was just the same, you know. It's a bit of a blur; all I remember was crushing fatigue." Anne nodded watching the baby like a hawk. Since Mrs Gardner had appeared she was loath to let Matthew out of her sight. "Now, the last thing I want to do is interfere, but have you tried some warm sheets on his belly? I found that quite beneficial." Anne shook her head; such a thing had never occurred to her. "It does sound strange, doesn't it," Mrs Blythe remarked. "But you might be pleasantly surprised."

Painfully aware of her rock-hard breasts, Anne said, "I should nurse him."

"Ah yes, of course. While you do that, I'll pop a sheet in the oven for a moment." Anne pointed to the correct cupboard and watched as Mrs Blythe bustled away. Still coming to terms with latching Matthew she fumbled for a moment, embarrassed that she still hadn't quite got the easy knack of it that she had seen Diana and other women manage. By the time Mrs Blythe returned Matthew's back was arching against her stomach, furious at the proximity of his meal. "Let me help," Mrs Blythe said in pity.

"I feel like such a failure," Anne sobbed, frustrated.

"Not at all. You've yet to learn the skill. He's only a few days old after all." She smushed the baby against Anne's nipple and they both breathed a sigh of relief when he finally latched on. "There you go young man, what was all that fuss about?" Anne smiled gratefully. "Now, there's a bowl of soup warming on the stove, which you must have."

"You're too kind."

"Not at all." Feigning ignorance, Mrs Blythe added, "I'm surprised Marilla isn't providing support."

Anne bit her lip. "She isn't here."

"Oh?"

"We quarrelled." Anne stifled a yawn.

"Oh dear. How's he going there?" Initially so eager, Matthew had slowed down so that he was only sucking occasionally. "Don't let him fall asleep, or he'll be screaming again all too soon. Here, uncover his feet and tickle his toes to keep him awake." Anne looked on curiously as she worked. "They get so exhausted that a little bit of milk sends them straight to sleep, but that's not what we want right now. You want him to have a full belly."

"I never thought."

"Of course not, you're just so relieved to have him quiet for a moment that you'll take whatever you can get, but take my advice, get as much in him as possible. He'll probably still fall asleep at some point."

"It feels so mean," Anne remarked as she roused him yet again.

"Think of yourself for a moment. You can't care for him if you're too exhausted. Nothing wrong with being selfish."

Smiling, Anne looked up at Mrs Blythe, seeing her in a completely different light. "You are kind to look after me this way. I probably don't deserve it."

"Hush now. Of course you do. All new mothers do. If your own, oh but I'm talking out of turn."

"No, I know what exactly what you mean. If Marilla had any experience, she'd be helping me now."

"It's not her fault her life turned out the way it did." And just as well, both women thought.

"She's good in other ways," Anne admitted.

"Of course. Now," Mrs Blythe added, "you should sleep when the baby does. Has anyone else suggested that?" Anne shook her head hesitatingly. "Best advice I ever received. You lie down while I settle him."

"I should," Anne made as if to get up.

"Actually, it's easier for someone else to do it. He'll smell your milk." Mrs Blythe swaddled the baby and lay him down under the warm sheet in his cradle and walked out of the room to leave mother and baby to rest.

She was just warming up the soup when a loud knocking at the door disturbed the peace.