So, this is me dipping my toes into the world of multichapter storytelling. It's still a modern AU, with Anne being slightly older than in my previous two stories, plus Diana and Cole making a guest appearance. The whole idea sparked during a chat with Eraclea about this mysterious abandoned/not abandoned house in my neighborhood. I couldn't shake the image of Anne moving in next door to that kind of place and wondered who else might be around. That's how this story was born, with a few winks to "Anne of Green Gables", "Anne of Avonlea", "Anne with an E" and "Bridget Jones's Diary". I hope you enjoy it!
1. A Whole New World
The moving van rumbled away, leaving the faint scent of diesel fumes in its wake. With a satisfied smile, Anne settled on the porch, surveying her new home. Her fingers traced the painted wood of the front door, the surface warm beneath her touch.
"You may not have enough space for all your books, but I get why you chose this place," said Cole, as he took a swig of iced tea. They were all sprawled out in the front garden, seeking refuge from the afternoon heat under the shade of a tall cherry tree that grew by the little gate. Cardboard boxes, overflowing with the remnants of Anne's life, lay scattered around them waiting to be carried inside.
Anne glanced at him, shading her eyes with her hand. "It's like something out of a storybook, isn't it? My own House of Dreams," she remarked, playing with the key to Rose Cottage, sunlight glinting off the brass.
"Absolutely," Diana stretched languidly on a patch of grass. "Though if I were you, I would happily give up the whimsy in exchange for a few more wardrobes."
"True, you're not going to find Narnia in any of them, but just look around! There's so much scope for the imagination! And don't you just adore the name? It's like a blooming rosebud, full of promise and waiting to slip from its green sheath. It's as if it was waiting for me!"
Diana rolled her eyes playfully. "Something tells me you decided to snatch this place up the moment you heard the name, even before you saw it in person."
"It may or may not be true, I guess we'll never know," Anne teased, winking at Diana and ignoring the knowing look she exchanged with Cole. "You have to agree though, this place wouldn't be as nice if it was called a Thistle or a Skunk Cabbage Cottage."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, finishing their drinks, as their eyes drifted towards the row of cottages nestled together in front of them. Built from warm stone, each one boasted a unique charm hidden in delightful features. Little porches with inviting steps welcomed visitors, while cheerful bay windows peeked out from beneath gently sloping shingled roofs. Long front gardens, with vibrant blooms dancing in the gentle breeze, flowed seamlessly into cobbled paths that led to welcoming front doors, each painted a different color, giving each house an individual personality, with more surprises waiting to be discovered inside. Weathered wooden signs with etched cottages' names hung above the doorways. Wisteria Cottage, with its vibrant blue door, stood to the left. Lavender, painted a soft purple, completed the row to the right. Nestled in the center sat Rose Cottage, its door a pale shade of pink. Sturdy chimneys stood tall above it all, silent promises of warmth and crackling fires on long, winter evenings.
"I wonder who my neighbors are," Anne mused aloud. "In a place like this, there are bound to be kindred spirits residing within, just waiting to be discovered!"
"Yeah, I think I just saw Snow White prancing about," Cole deadpanned.
"Cole, haven't I told you to lay off the edibles during the day?" said Diana, her tone a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"It's medicinal!"
"Maybe for when you have glaucoma!"
"Either that or share some with us," Anne added, a twinkle of amusement dancing in her eyes. "But just imagine! Perhaps there's a wise old lady with a lifetime of stories to share over a cup of tea, or a bustling family with a brood of mischievous children who are always up for an adventure, turning this street into a playground for princes and princesses."
Cole raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I don't think even a whole bag of gummies could help me to picture a brood of children in one of those," he gestured toward the row of quaint cottages. "You can barely swing a cat in there, let alone a gaggle of kids!"
"Look at that one though," Diana pointed at the Lavender Cottage on the right. "I don't think anybody lives there. Curtains drawn, front garden completely overgrown. Those weeds look like gnarled fingers, clawing at the window. It's like something out of a gothic novel, gives me the creeps. I'm half expecting to see Heathcliff banging his head against a tree and shouting 'Cathy'."
Anne squinted against the sunlight, following Diana's gaze. "It does look a bit eerie. Ooh, maybe it's haunted! Maybe a white lady walks along the garden at night and wrings her hands and utters wailing cries! Or a headless man stalks up and down that path!"
"Anne, did you by any chance sneak a peek at Cole's stash, or add a little something extra to your tea?"
"Maybe a sprinkle of daydream dust. You know I like imagining better than remembering. Why not imagine things differently from what they really are? Sometimes, a dash of fantasy makes life a little more vibrant, don't you think?"
Just as she finished that sentence, as if on cue, the front door of Wisteria Cottage creaked open, and a short, stout man filled the doorway, his round belly straining against a red cardigan with brown elbow patches. His bald head shone like a polished apple in the sunlight, while his face, framed with a wispy fringe of white hair, resembled a permanently inflated balloon. Bright blue eyes bulged with what appeared to be a lifetime's worth of grievances, threatening to spill over at any moment. His lips were set in a perpetual frown, giving the impression of a man who had long ago exhausted his patience with the world.
Anne promptly rose to her feet and waved in an attempt to break the ice and get to know the first kindred neighbor. "Good afternoon! I'm Anne Shirley, just moved in! It's so lovely to meet you!"
The man grumbled in reply, his expression unyielding, then turned to trudge back to his cottage, muttering something about "newcomers and their fancies."
Anne's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes. He was definitely not the friendly old lady nor the rambunctious group of children she had imagined just a moment ago.
"You're right," Diana muttered under her breath, her lips twitching with the effort to hold back a giggle. "Just brimming with welcoming vibes. You'll need a bit more than a dash of fantasy to make him more vibrant."
Cole raised an eyebrow mischievously. "Well, you may not live next door to Snow White, but there's your Grumpy."
"Alright, guys, enough teasing," said Anne chuckling. "We still need to take these boxes inside and then we'll order some food. You're going to help me test the local takeout."
With a collective nod, they set to work, gathering up the remaining boxes and carrying them into the cottage. Inside, the tiny living room was a maze of cardboard boxes, some half-unpacked, others still stubbornly sealed, each one labeled with Anne's curly handwriting. A half-assembled bookcase stood awkwardly in the corner, and a picture frame with Matthew's smiling face leaned precariously against the wall. Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting warm rays that illuminated the dust motes floating in the air, creating an almost magical atmosphere amidst the clutter.
"We should call it a day," Anne said, collapsing onto the threadbare couch with a sigh. Her shoulders slumped, and she ran a hand through her hair, strands escaping her long braid. "I can finish the rest tomorrow."
"You can't have a moving day without a housewarming gift!" Cole declared, pulling a long box from a previously unnoticed paper bag. Anne's eyes widened in surprise as he reached out, offering it with a flourish.
"Just a little something to add a bit of MacKenzie flair to this place," he said with a grin.
Anne carefully unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautiful handcrafted vase. Tall and with a graceful shape, it featured intricate designs of interlacing branches with lifelike birds perched on them, all painted in a palette of muted natural hues with accents of gold.
"Cole, this is amazing!" Anne exclaimed, her eyes shining with delight. "Did you really make this yourself?"
Cole nodded, a hint of bashfulness creeping into his expression. "Yeah, I figured every new home needs a centerpiece, so I thought I'd try my hand at pottery."
Diana grinned, nudging Cole playfully. "He's been spending hours in his shed, channeling his inner Demi Moore."
"But really I was trying to summon Patrick Swayze. With no success I must add."
"I can't believe you made this for me," she said, admiring his craftsmanship. "It's absolutely stunning."
With a grateful smile, Anne carefully placed the vase on the windowsill in the bay, stepping back to admire it. The afternoon light glinting off the gold accents and casting dancing shadows across the room made it even more breathtaking
"Well, since we're at the gift-giving part of the day," Diana stepped forward with a mysterious smile, "I brought you a little something Marilla asked me to give you. I put it in the kitchen."
Anne navigated the makeshift path between boxes to the other room, her friends following close behind. The kitchen was compact but functional, with white cabinets and a wooden table, its surface worn smooth from years of use. On top of it there was a box that hadn't been unpacked yet. A flicker of recognition crossed Anne's face as she opened it carefully. Inside, nestled in soft, rustling tissue paper, was a dainty rosebud-patterned tea set that she had admired for years, back at Green Gables.
"I can't believe she did that!" Anne exclaimed, tracing the delicate floral pattern with her fingertips.
"Marilla said it would be perfect for your new place. And that a proper cup of tea deserves a proper china set. Now, how about we raise a toast to a new chapter in your story, Miss Shirley of Rose Cottage?"
Anne beamed, her heart brimming with warmth. "To new beginnings! And good old friends!"
She raised a china cup, and the three friends clinked them together, the sound echoing through the cozy kitchen.
"Okay, can somebody find the plates and cutlery while I order some food?" Anne suggested. "Has anyone got any cravings in particular?"
"I fancy some Indian, something spicy with extra rice and naan!" Cole called from the living room.
"I second that! And samosas and some onion bhajis! And don't forget the poppadoms with mango chutney! I'm starving!" added Diana.
With laughter echoing through the cottage, they settled down to eat and celebrate the first evening in Anne's new home.