Let Me In ( Anne with an E fanfic)

Chapter 27

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/16VwGQJl6SM9TNBTNPoJb1?si=88qDYOr-StWY0IKc_ZNdwA

When they finally entered the LaCroix property on the skirts of the city, in a very rural location, Bash and Mary were already waiting for them, alerted by the real time location Gilbert had started sharing about half an hour before. As they got down from the car, Gilbert going to retrieve the suitcases, Bash approached them with the arms wide open.

"The return of the prodigal son! With Queen Anne, nothing less!" he exclaimed, his smile so big his face had to be hurting. Anne laughed, instantly at ease with him as she had felt since she had known him. Mary was following close behind, a warm smile and a bit of shaking of her head at Bash's teasing. A small girl exited the house running, yells and squeals of delight getting to them before she even got down the porch steps, a colourful playsilk tied as a cape blowing in the wind.

"Uncle Gilby! Uncle Gilby! You're really really here!" she yelled, going directly to Gilbert's arms, who had squatted on the ground and lifted her as soon as his arms were wrapping her tiny frame. "I'm super happy!"

"I'm here Delly-beans! How's my favourite niece?" he asked, laughing in delight as he gave circles on the ground, the bags forgotten. Anne looked, smiling at the picture of Gilbert with a tiny girl who clearly adored him. "Did you see who I brought to you?" he asked when he finally left her on the ground. Delly instantly looked at Anne for a split of a second, her exuberant demeanour turning into the shiest of the shy, all silence, wide eyes, as someone who sees real Santa for the first time. Bash and Mary standing a couple of meters away, arm in arm, smiling at the scene that was unfolding before them."Come! I'll introduce you."

"How are you, Delly?" Anne asked, smiling as she kneeled to be at her eye level.

"Are you really fairy Anne?" she asked quietly.

"I am Anne... the fairy is just my super secret identity. We can keep that between us, what do you think?" Anne proposed, winking. Delly nodded, smiling, but still half hidden behind Gilbert's legs. "That's a great cape you have there, are you a superhero?"

"Of course not! I am a princess!" Delly declared, standing proud.

"You could be both, you know? The princess superhero," Anne suggested, her voice a conspiratorial whisper that made Delly squeal again. Gilbert watched the interaction in silence, his heart swelling with warmth. He had always wanted kids, but at some point had resigned himself it was not going to happen for him. Maybe if he adopted one. But seeing Anne? He wanted them. Now .

"I will! I will save everyone with the help of Foxie!" she declared, and ran back to the house. Anne stood up, smiling, and Bash and Mary approached them finally.

"It's so good to have you back, Queen Anne, you have no idea," Bash said as he hugged her tightly. "This one's been moping for ten years straight, finally looking his age."

"How are you, dear?" Mary asked her, hugging her as Bash turned to Gilbert, giving him a tight hug as well. Anne corresponded, smiling, feeling as at home as she had always felt with them. "Bash, help Gilbert with the bags? Lunch is almost ready, you can unpack everything in a moment. Do you want anything to drink? Cider, juice?"

"Just water, Mary. Thank you," Anne said, the four of them walking to the house.

Soon they were seated at the dining table, Anne next to Gilbert, Delly in front of them examining curiously all the food on the table. Mary had outdone herself, preparing Gilbert's favourite crab callaloo and then some vegan casserole for Anne as well as different side dishes. Even if he scooped some crab on his plate, he served mostly of the same dish as Anne.