Anne with an E The Next Chapter

Preparations

That week proved to be very wet and rainy and it seemed to be impossible to think of a dry and sunny day for Moody and Ruby's upcoming wedding. Diana and Anne got through the rest of the week preparing the students with rich content and creative learning activities that had them thinking more deeply and applying a critical thinking process to every lesson. On Wednesday, Anne, Jerry and Diana, who had been sidelined by James' unexpected visit the day before,  resumed their preparations for Ruby and Moody's big day. They had a little less than a week and a half to prepare for the festivities and Jerry had promised to work with Bash on a beautiful wood carved sign for their new home "The Spurgeons". Anne and Diana scoped out area fields to find the perfect spring flowers for Ruby's simple bouquet. By Thursday,  Moody and Ruby were at Gilbert's table with the girls,  working on invitations to hand out on Sunday at church, seat placings and thank you cards. Diana and Anne thought it would be the perfect opportunity to gift them the little suitcase they'd picked up at Mrs. O'Leary's that week. Jerry had set it up in the parlour and Anne and Diana excitedly ushered the parents to be to the parlour.

"Now, we have a little something for you because we won't be able to be there with you when the big day comes. I went to a friend, and with expert confidentiality, asked for a few items for a new family I know in Charlottetown... so have a look" Diana said with formality and excitement.

Moody pried open the two little latches and opened the stuffed case to find the beautiful woolen blanket and baby items. Moody was speechless as Ruby pulled out each item and showed him everything Diana had collected. "I can't believe you were able to secure all of this... I was worried about how I would manage to get these things together with such a limited timeline" Ruby smiled broadly at each item and Moody held the baby bottle, looking at it from all angles, seemingly trying to digest it all.

When Diana and Anne went to the kitchen to make tea and prepare desert, Moody and Ruby re-packed the case. Ruby noticed how quiet Moody was all of a sudden and touched his hand to get his attention. "Is everything alright?" she asked him in a hushed tone.

"Fine" Moody said with a small grin. When she continued to look at him with questioning eyes, Moody stood up and stretched pretending to be sleepy. "I think I'll take a walk around the lake to wake myself up...I'll be back soon". With that he was out the back door and making his way to the lake and Ruby thought she might follow him out but Anne walked in with tea and caught sight of his quick getaway. "What's happened Ruby... something changed in the air".

"I know" Ruby answered sadly..." I don't know... I was so happy to receive these things but it seems to have spooked Moody or something...".

"It's all very quick and sudden. I think the formality of married life and children can be a big change for men.. perhaps he's just got pre-wedding jitters" Anne said, setting the tea down.

As Diana entered with pie, she caught the end of the conversation and went out to look at the window to see Moody pacing. She wished Gilbert or Jerry were here to go out and talk with him. "I would imagine it's not easy to transition from boy to husband and father all of sudden...we should just give him a bit of space" Diana said.

"While we're just the three of us, I have to admit I am a bit nervous about the wedding night..." Ruby declared. "I can't say I ever gave that much thought.. I just assumed things would fall into place with whoever I married, but this situation is just so complicated. I don't really know if Moody is interested in an authentic...ahh..consumated marriage...or if he is marrying me as a friend to help me out". She looked genuinely embarassed but needed to get this out of her head.

"Ruby come on..Moody has been smitten with you since our senior year...there's no way he is looking for a platonic co-parenting situation. I genuinely feel he is committed to you and that includes everything about you" Anne said squeezing her friend's hand.