Chapter Text
The union of Sebastian and Mary Lacroix generated more blessings than was expected.
Upon Mary’s arrival, Bash, Mary and Gilbert made a ceremony out of signing the family Bible, celebrating the joyous occasion that was family.
Once Mary was settled in Avonlea it brought the presence of delicacy and gentleness that a woman brings to a home. It was the first for Gilbert, who has only ever known a household ran by men. It gave him comfort that he had the love and guidance of a brother and now a sister.
A significant addition that was unexpected but was a welcomed by all was the close bond that had formed between the Blythe-Lacroix and Cuthbert houses. Hosting each other for supper became a weekly tradition. Asking each other for assistance or baking extra goods for each other became the norm. It was acknowledged more than once that they were more than neighbours, that they were in fact family. They often joked that the blessed Lord was laughing at them for forming such a family of misfits.
Marilla and Mary developed a special friendship, sharing with each other their life stories. Marilla was glad for a friendship outside of Rachel Lynde. While she loved Rachel despite their differences, Marilla on occasion just needed a friend that was less forceful.
Matthew was glad for Bash’s company. Bash was a talker at times and would happily chat to quiet Matthew about his travels. In return, Bash was appreciative of Matthew parting his knowledge on farming. Sometimes, the women would hear Matthew laugh at something Bash has said which was a rare emotion for Matthew to display.
Then there was Anne. Anne who would greet Mary with a hug and give Bash the biggest grin each time she came to call. She found a sister in Mary just as Gilbert did and Anne would be found at the Blythe-Lacroix kitchen quite often, excitedly cooking with Mary, learning from her and filling the kitchen with an immense amount of talk, stories and laughter.
At last Gilbert felt he was in a safe haven. Gone were the feelings of loneliness and isolation that consumed him when his father passed. The thoughts of being orphaned that brought about darkness in him hardly resurfaced. He had a brother and a sister now. All was well and good.
Good news was also to be had. Bash and Mary were expecting, with the baby due to arrive in winter. Happy news indeed!
That spring and summer not only brought the ripening of crops. Anne and Gilbert also blossomed exponentially. Anne’s short red tresses grew back to its luxurious long length bringing back her signature braids. Her legs grew long and lithe. Her girly dresses barely hid her soft curves. Anne’s lips were fuller, hands were more elegant and delicate, while her freckles, still visible a plenty, seemed to be slightly fading against her alabaster skin.
Gilbert meanwhile continued his physical journey to manhood. His jaw was much squarer and his Adam’s apple more visible. His gait was taller, shoulders broader and a hint of a muscular silhouette on his arms and torso was occasionally visible through his shirts.
The two seasons had also brought about a friendship with Anne that Gilbert was grateful for.
Anne saw Gilbert much more favourably. While the girls at school two years ago warned her to distance herself from Gilbert due to Ruby’s claim on him, she had seen that this claim should not deprive her of a friendship with one of the most intelligent and compassionate boys she has ever met. She also recognised that they now had a family bond. They were both orphans who found a new type of family, and now the two households have welcome each other with open arms to form a new extended family.
Gilbert was pleased for Anne’s change in attitude towards him. Anne was no longer so abrasive. She was more comfortable around Gilbert. While at times they argued over opinions and academic thoughts, it was more to challenge each other’s thinking. Annoyance would sometimes ensue with each debate but was never serious. Anger and grudges never stayed. Joking and laughter increased by the day.
Gilbert’s heart still held the secret that he has a crush on Anne, a truth that he admitted to himself after Bash and Mary got married. He has not divulged his true heart’s desire to anybody. He has always been a logical and practical person. They were still both minors and felt that revealing his feelings would be futile. She was two years younger than him and they were too young to court, he reasoned, and he was unsure what Anne thought of him. He would often push his feelings aside and believed that there would be plenty of time for him to consider how to approach Anne and proclaim his true feelings for her.
Besides, Gilbert thought, should you only act on your feelings if it’s love? A crush is different to love was it not? It’s superfluous to ruin a perfectly good friendship just to entertain selfish feelings, Gilbert rationally explained to himself.
Little did Anne and Gilbert know that the new school year, their last at Avonlea school, would be filled with more than just academic folly. For the first few months of the new school year, life would bestow them with sweet moments as a sign that they were bound together by love. It was destiny’s way to be matchmaker and give them subtle hints that they were indeed fated to one another.
However due to Anne’s and Gilbert’s stubbornness to look into their hearts despite their special moments, fate conceded the need to be forthright in order to bring their romance to a head.
Destiny had a plan - to create turmoil in order for Anne Shirley Cuthbert and Gilbert John Blythe to come to a consciousness that they belong together.