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lollercakesff · 6 years ago

Text

soft touch

chapter 20 | ao3 pairing: anne/gilbert rating: mature wordcount: 3,548

The weather turns hot in the Glen and I finally find an apprentice in the next town over who’s willing to cover for me as I take Anne home. Susan declines the invitation, choosing instead to visit her daughter and give us what she has kindly termed ‘family building time’ which none of us will admit is actually coded words for letting Anne and I roam the house together whenever Harris is down for a nap or tucked away at night.

Though she would never admit it, lately whenever Anne and I found each other after too long apart she would give a knowing look and then disappear out of the house for as long as she could, returning only to help us prepare supper and care for Harris throughout the evening. It was almost predictable, by now, and while it made our cheeks flush with embarrassment it was the only time we managed to find each other with the summer activities and my work calling at all hours.

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth we took it kindly when she excused herself for her trip, preparing ourselves for the journey to Avonlea and mentally checking every box. When the day finally comes to depart I step out of the house and press my hand to her back in greeting. She holds Harris tightly in her arms as she works to convince herself off the first step.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” I state, my hand cupping her elbow as she looks out at the waiting buggy with trepidation.

“I’m not - I just haven’t been home since school. Is it very much different?”

Shaking my head I step down and stand before her, urging her forward. “Some things are. But it’s still Avonlea. Just think - Diana is on the other end of this and won’t she be so thrilled to meet Harris?”

“Oh, Diana! My sweet lovely Diana... “ She sighs and steps off the porch, closing her eyes tightly for the briefest of moments before exhaling on a rush. “It will be nice to go home. To say goodbye like I should have.”

“Nobody holds it against you, you know. Bash and Mary remind me that with every letter. I think they’ve made sure to fill the rumour mill with so many other things,” I chuckle, thinking of Bash’s story about the children in the Easter play and their off-key meandering songs.

“I’m glad we’re going, Gil. I am. I’m just nervous.” I don’t offer her any words for that, choosing instead to help her into the buggy and begin our trip to the station.

We travel through the day and into the early evening, trips up and down the train cars to soothe a mutinous Harris as the travel wears him out. When finally we pull into the station near Avonlea it’s with a sense of relief, of peace, that we disembark and collect ourselves on the platform.

“Anne!” A voice calls excitedly, Diana Wright crashing through the people and wrapping Anne up in a bone-crushing hug. Tears abound as the two friends reunite, their words babbling over one another until they pause for breath, screaming like schoolgirls. I stand to the side and watch it unfold, holding a sleeping Harris against me with a dopey smile on my face.

“Aren’t they just a sight for tired eyes?” Fred Wright says at my side, nearly making me jump out of my skin as he claps a hand on my shoulder.

“You’re telling me. It’s good to see you, Fred,” I greet brightly, turning towards him and offering him an extended hand. He takes it quickly and then reaches for Harris, eyes wide.

“Let me see him! It’s been years since I held a wee one like this,” he coos, holding the child to his chest and running his thumb along the boy’s nose.

“Gilbert! Oh it is so good to see you again!” Diana shouts, apparently finished with Anne and now moving onto me. In unladylike manner she lunges at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “You found her! You found her again - I couldn’t - oh, Gil!”

Diana’s tears come quickly against my chest, her composure failing as she turns back to Anne and holds her once more. I rub a thumb under my own eyes quickly, looking away as Fred chuckles. “They’re a real pair, aren’t they?”

“You could say that,” I respond and watch them for a moment longer. When Harris begins to cry I turn to Fred and extend my arms, only to be cut off as Diana instead pulls him to her chest. Together the two women fret over the wails, leaving Fred and I to collect the bags and steer us out towards the waiting carriage.

The ride to the Wright household is filled with excitement, boisterous stories from the couple keeping us in stitches as we ride down the trails. When we eventually crest the edge of their property I breathe a sigh of relief, my hand squeezing Anne’s side gently as we pull up their lane.

“We’ve prepared the spare room for you, Anne. It should be big enough for the three of you,” Diana explains as we step through the front door to the expansive house.

“And you’re sure it’s no trouble for us to stay here? Rachel said Green Gables was still furnished but…” Anne’s voice slips as she swallows her words. Diana reaches out and squeezes her hands as I step instinctively closer.

“We’re sure. My home is your home,” Diana insists and breathes through the shake in her voice. She settles herself once more and leads us through the space and towards our room to start settling in.

It’s later, after night has fallen and the stillness of the house has crept in, that I hold Anne against me as the tears finally catch up to her. We don’t speak, our touch enough to keep us grounded as all of the hurt rises and colours our day. When finally she drifts off to sleep with her back pressed to my chest I breathe a sigh of relief, my lips pressing a gentle kiss to her shoulder before I follow her quickly into slumber.

Morning comes later than we expected, Harris’ cries not rousing us at dawn like they always seemed to now. It’s almost disorienting, I find, to wake up well rested and with Anne curled into me. Disorienting and wonderful, I have to admit.

But the peace is short-lived as soon she stirs, her short red hair a tangled mess as she raises her head to look at me. “Why does it feel like I’ve slept for five years?” She yawns, tightening her arms around me before starting to withdraw.

In a quick move I chuckle and lean towards her, capturing her lips in a deep kiss that leaves her dazed. As I withdraw she groans, lifting her hand to my neck to keep me with her a moment longer.

If not for the knock at the door I wasn’t sure we ever would have gotten out of bed, the taste of her making me feel lightheaded as we reluctantly pulled apart.

“May I come in?” A small voice calls through the wood. Anne lifts a brow at me and I lean to the side of the bed, pulling on my shirt as I hand her her oversized sweater.

“You may,” Anne replies lightly, watching as a little girl carries in an overflowing tray.

“Father said not to bother you but Mother wanted to make sure you had sus-sus-tan-eze,” the girl greets, looking up at us with wide eyes as she stumbles over the word. I can see the recognition come over Anne’s features, her gaze softening.

“And what lovely girl brings us breakfast in bed?” Anne’s voice shakes as she takes the tray from her hands.

“Why, I’m Anne Cordelia!” The girl replies, a wide smile on her face.

“I’m so very pleased to meet you. I’m Anne Shirley Cuthbert Blythe,” Anne whispers, reaching a shaking hand out to the girl.

“Mother said we had the same name but you’ve got oh so many more than I do!” Anne Cordelia insists, taking Anne’s hand and shaking it thoroughly. “But I need to get back to the kitchen. Father said I couldn’t bother you for too long or else I’d have to do Fred’s chores. Are you coming out soon? It’s almost mid-day you know.”

“Yes - we’ll come see you as quick as we can,” Anne replies with a laugh, squeezing my hand tightly and watching as the girl retreats back out the door. Once the latch has clicked shut she turns to me abruptly, launching herself against me in a bone-crushing hug. “I’m so glad we’re here.”

“Me too,” I mumble and rub my hand along her back.

We finish the tray and dress as we go, preparing ourselves for the onslaught of Avonlea that awaits us this afternoon. A church picnic happened to fall later that day and Diana urged us to attend, promising that it would be a merry event for everyone to visit and see the long-lost scholars.

“Has he been behaving?” I ask Diana as we join them on the porch, reaching for Harris and settling him against me with a soft smile.

“Of course! We collected him this morning from your room when he was getting hungry. You looked too peaceful to wake up,” she says with a cheeky smile, her cheeks flushing. I feel my own colour rise as we share a knowing look that makes Anne slap at my shoulder.

“Are we meeting Bash and Mary at the picnic?” Anne asks, sitting down beside Diana and looking out over the rolling fields with a wayward gaze.

“Yes. They were helping set up and couldn’t get out of it,” I reply as I bounce Harris playfully on my thigh. He smiles and wobbles, his expression bright and warming.

“You look so lovely with him, Gil. I always knew you would make a splendid father,” Diana interjects, watching us with a soft gaze. I catch her eye as she smiles, looking between the three of us. “Did I mention how wonderful it is to see you together? After all this time?”

“Don’t start again or you’ll get me going too!” Anne groans, shifting towards her friend and grasping her knee. The two laugh and shake their heads, words unspoken but conveying the closing of the miles of distance between them.

“To have you home Anne… It’s a dream I could not imagine after all those years where we didn’t hear from you. It was the longest silence,” Diana sighs, lifting a handkerchief to her eyes and dabbing at the tears that appear.

“It really was the loneliest too,” Anne adds before standing and pulling Diana into her embrace, a proper tight hug bringing the two bosom friends back together.

I take my leave to let them re-connect and head towards the pond, toting Harris along with me as I show him the beauty of our home. By the time we arrive back it’s nearly time to leave again and we quickly get ready, dressing in our best under strict instruction from Diana.

The church courtyard is full of people when we arrive and for a moment Anne simply sits in the carriage looking out at all of our old acquaintances and their families. “I can’t believe how many people I recognize,” she whispers as Diana and Fred head with their children and Harris towards the gathering. I sit with Anne’s hands in my lap, waiting until she’s ready.

“It’s different but still the same,” I agree softly.

“Blythe!” A familiar voice calls out from behind us, Bash coming into view with his arms raised wide and over his head. He climbs into the carriage and pulls us into tight hugs, eventually dragging us down and towards the crowd excitedly.

With my hand wrapped tightly with Anne’s we approach the cluster of people, eyes wide as they all look towards us. Bright smiles greet us as the crowd parts, inviting us forward and towards a small arch lined with summer flowers. Below the structure stands Reverend Allan, aged but still smiling.

“Bash,” I hiss, looking towards the man who gives me a wink. I look to Anne who freezes mid-step, the whole picture starting to come together as her brow furrows.

She turns to me then with a stricken look, grey eyes wide. “Is this what I think it is?” She questions, her fingers squeezing mine so tightly that I nearly lose feeling. Instinctually I pull her into my arms, ducking my head so that I can whisper my replies into her ear.

“It just might be. Do you want to leave?” I offer. Anne pauses, her hands coming up to draw my gaze to hers.

“No. Do you?” With a shake of my head I grin and turn us back towards the altar, leading us forward with a blush colouring up my neck. “Reverend, it’s been a while.” I greet as we join him. Behind us the crowd quiets, anticipation filling the air.

“As it has, Doctor Blythe. Mrs Wright informed me things were a bit unorthodox in your marriage which, to be honest, only surprised me a little. Miss Anne, how are you?” The Reverend greets, beaming down towards Anne with a knowing look.

“I would like to hug you - Oof!” Nearly knocked off her feet with the impact, Anne laughs as Reverend Allan pulls her into a quick hug.

“It might not be proper but you’ve always held a special place in my heart, dear girl. I couldn’t pass up the chance to be here for you,” he replies, settling his hands on her shoulders as she wipes away tears.

“Kindred spirits still?” She laughs and we join her, my own eyes blinking away tears.

“Always. Now - shall we get onto the real reason we’re all gathered here today?”

The wedding happens in the blink of an eye. One minute we’re slipping off our rings and then next we’re placing them back with weighted words, our hands shaking as we say our vows before the people of Avonlea and God himself. Though surely we would offend some in the crowd with our out of order nuptials and the obvious glaring truth of Anne’s existing marital status, on that afternoon there doesn’t seem to be a care in the world for propriety and the idea of right and wrong. There was only us, our family, our friends, standing with us as we promised each other for now and forever.

“And now you may kiss the bride,” Reverend Allen announces to a roaring applause. I grin down at Anne, her beaming smile meeting mine, before I pull her against me in a breathless kiss that makes the crowd whoop and Bash let out an ear-piercing whistle.

“Mrs Blythe,” I breathe as we part, her arms still tightly wrapped around my neck

“Doctor Blythe,” she counters softly, her fingers playing with the curls in my hair.

“You’ve got your whole life to kiss her, Blythe!” Bash interrupts eventually, jovial in his excitement.

The gathering dissolves into a party unheard of in the small town, a band setting up under trees filled with lanterns as the evening begins to set in. We dance and visit until our feet ache, only giving ourselves a moment of peace when it’s time to settle in to eat.

“Miss Anne!” Seb shouts and leaps to his feet as we tuck ourselves into the table. He’s at Anne’s side in a flash, his arms outstretched as he barrels towards her before he stops abruptly, nearly colliding into her as he slows and puts his arms down. “Sorry Miss Anne, I almost forgot. May I hold your hand and say hello?”

My heart nearly stops in my chest, the memory of Christmas flooding back into my mind as little Sebastian curbs his excitement for a more refined approach.

“Oh Seb,” Anne sighs, reaching towards the boy. “I do wish you would give me the biggest hug you can provide.” He holds nothing back and leaps towards her, arms wrapping around her neck as tightly as he can make them.

“I was afraid you were still scared of soft touches and I didn’t want to ruin your day,” he whispers conspiratorially, leaning back and lifting his palm to her cheek. Her eyes shine as she glances over towards me, colour rising in her cheeks as the boy smoothes her hair back.

“Well, Seb, I’ve had quite a good teacher these last few months. Uncle Gil has been helping me remember how to let - how did you say it? Love speak through our hands?” Seb nods vigorously, a wide smile beaming from him. “He’s helped me realize that you were very right to say it like that. I’m not as afraid as I used to be and I’m even able to help Harris with it too.”

“So do I have to ask first everytime I see you?” He asks pointedly, dark eyes gazing into hers.

“It’s always good to ask first but if you get really excited and you just want to give me a hug, I wouldn’t mind that so much. Okay?”

“Okay Miss Anne, you got it.” He crawls down from her lap and heads back towards his chair, stopping once to look up at Anne with a charming smile. “I almost forgot - I like your red hair a lot better. It fits my memory of you best.”

I feel like I’ve been run over by a horse, Anne’s hand clasping tightly in mine as she takes the compliment and blows the boy a kiss. He runs off in another second and she turns to me with the widest smile I’d seen from her in decades, her colouring flushing out her freckles. I could nearly drag her into a bedroom right now for how the joy makes her look, stunning and alive.

“You pick good, Doctor Blythe,” she whispers into my ear, resting her chin on my shoulder for a moment before the food is placed before us.

“Tell me about it,” I murmur back, my hand squeezing her thigh until she chuckles and brushes me away. The meal passes and I don’t remember tasting a thing, at some point finding myself tied up with tiny dancers, the daughters of our friends having taken my dance card and filled it so that I barely have a chance to sit down.

When I finally do it is with a surprised glance that I realize Anne is nowhere to be found, Diana and Fred sitting with Bash and Mary, Harris soaking in the attention that the group would provide him.

“Has anyone seen Anne?” I question over the music, watching as they all look at me with confusion. Only Mary smiles sadly, nodding in the direction of Green Gables without a word.

I don’t hesitate to go to her, making my way through the fields and hopping the long standing fences between the properties. The graveyard sits in the corner of a field and it’s there I see a small figure seated on the ground amongst the tombstones.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming here?” I ask as I come to join her. There’s fresh tears on her cheeks, her hair a wayward mess as she sniffs and looks up at me.

“I felt like maybe I needed to tell them on my own,” she replies lowly, looking between Matthew and Marilla’s graves. I settle beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and letting her lean back into me.

“Were they happy to hear the good news?” She chuckles and absently plays with my fingers, drawing her nails across the back of my hand in a soft pattern.

“I like to think so. I saved that part for last though. I wanted them to know the whole story so that they understood why I didn’t come back but I didn’t want them to be sad for me. How could they be knowing that it all brought me back to you?”

“They would have understood. They loved you Anne,” I say unnecessarily.

“I know.”

We sit there together until the moon is cresting the horizon, dusk evolving into night and the cool evening air wrapping around us. Occasionally Anne shares another tale, a funny story from the Glen or a charming piece from school, sometimes it’s me with a recollection of admiration for their girl, something that would have pleased them so.

“I’m glad we came back,” Anne admits as we get to our feet, our arms linking together as we head back towards the party. “It’s almost like I’ve closed this book on my life. Like I’m ready to start fresh with you, finally.”

“Are we on the same page then?” I ask with a pause in my step. She twists and wraps herself around me, looking up from where her chin has settled against my chest.

“I’d argue we’re in the same sentence,” she whispers and without thinking we hold tight to one another, my hands lifting her chin so I can meet her lips with mine in a promise of forever.

#anne of green gables #anne with an e #anne x gilbert #shirbert #shirbert fanfiction #lollercakes

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