Long Distance Love Letters

I'm With You

"Thank you for agreeing to watch Joyce tonight," Anne told Marilla as they sat in the parlour-turn-Gilbert's exam room of Green Gables, Joyce asleep against her grandma.

"That's quite alright," Marilla responded, a smile on her face. "Ever since Jerry moved out, it gets quite lonely here at night. The company will be nice."

"Joyce has missed you, that's for sure and certain," Anne yawned, resting her head in her hand.

Marilla sighed. "It'll be good for you and Gilbert to be able to focus on your relationship tonight. Your circumstances need to be discussed."

"I just can't fathom why he wouldn't want Thomas. I can tell how much those two got along."

"I believe that is a question you need to ask him," Marilla suggested. "And this time, be ready to listen."

Anne remained silent; nevertheless, she recognized the truth in her mother's words.

•••

An orange-yellow glow spilled into Anne's vision as she opened the door to her home. In her view from the kitchen, she saw Gilbert sitting by the fire and pouring over a medical textbook he had received from Dr. Ward the last time he had busted Charlottetown.

Despite her efforts to close the door silently, her husband turned to her, a tired look gracing his perfect face.

"Hi," he greeted, his voice quiet and slightly awkward. "Where's Joyce?"

"She's spending the night with Marilla," Anne answered. Cautiously, she went over and sat next to him, leaving some space between them.

Though Gilbert didn't advance the conversation, he bookmarked his spot in his book before closing it.

Finally, he sighed. "It seems a little empty here without him," he admitted.

Anne immediately knew he meant Thomas. "I know." She allowed a little smile. "He reminds me a lot of you."

Gilbert donned a curious expression, but he didn't seem upset. "How's that?"

She scooted a little closer to him. "You're both incredibly smart, you're observant....you both listen more than you talk." She waited a moment before adding, "That has never been my strong point."

Finally, Gilbert looked over at her. Seeing her guilty expression, he put his arm around her. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, perfectly happy to be in his arms again.

"I'm sorry I didn't consult you before making up my mind to adopt Thomas," she apologized. "It's not that I don't value your opinion; you're the smartest person I know. I suppose I'm just so used to wanting to act on my decisions as soon as I make them."

"Anne," Gilbert whispered. "You know how I frequently tell you that I'm always with you?"

She nodded against his shoulder.

"That's because all of the decisions you make, no matter how rash they may be, are typically right and good-hearted. Sometimes, I just want to be included when you make them."

"I know," she whispered, lifting her head to look him in the eye. "You will be from now on, I promise."

He smiled.

She sighed. "Are you still against trying to get Tommy?"

A shadow of doubt crossed his face. "Of course I want Tommy, honey. But do you know how hard it will be to get him, especially when he has biological family alive?"

Anne's determination didn't waver. "All I know is that Matthew and Marilla had countless opportunities to give up on me when I was difficult. If they had, I'm not sure where I would be. Yes, Gil, we may lose, and we'll be heartbroken if we do. But it will be ten times worse if we go through life knowing we didn't try our best."

Gilbert gazed at her, seeming like his mind was in deep turmoil.

She gave him a small smile and laced her fingers through his. "But whatever decision you make, know that I'm with you, too."

Wordlessly, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, looking more conflicted than ever.

———
AN: cliffhanger babes 😜❤️