Devoted To You || Gilbert Blythe

LXVII

~𝒜𝒹𝒶~
Food fight. A verb. Meaning, a form of chaotic collective behavior, in which foodstuffs are thrown at others in the manner of projectiles.
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"What a beautiful orchard!" Daphne's delighted exclamation fills the air as we stroll through the rows of apple trees, their branches heavy with ripe fruit. My family has graciously offered to help us pick some apples for tonight's dinner. "I can't wait to taste these apples in your pie, Adelaide," she adds with a smile.

"I can't wait to bake one. They are my favorite, and I haven't made a pie in so long," I reply, reaching up to pluck another apple from the tree.

"I haven't eaten one in so long. Last time I was in Avonlea, Ada wouldn't even look at me." My father stumbles as he tries to reach an apple.

"I don't blame her." Gilbert teases making us snicker.

"If it makes you feel better, Simon—" Aunt Jo says from her lawn chair. "Ada fixed me many pies while you were away."

Father squints at her as the sun hits his face. "Why would that make me feel better?"

The gentle sounds of a baby catches my attention, I look over my shoulder and see Bash walking towards us with Delly in his arms.

"Oh!" I exclaim, climbing down from the tree and hurrying towards Bash. "There's someone I'd like you all to meet. Sebastian Lacroix and his daughter Delphine. Bash, this is my Father Simon, my brother Alexander, and his fiancée Daphne."

Setting down their baskets, they come over to formally greet him. I reach for Delphine and notice the frustrated look on Bash's face.

"It's lovely to meet you all finally," Bash says with a brief smile. "Your daughter has told me so much about you all, I feel as if I already know you."

"We feel the same," my father replies, pulling him into an embrace, which Bash awkwardly returns. "We were sorry to hear about your wife. She sounded like an amazing woman." Bash nods silently in thanks.

Leaning over to Gilbert, I whisper, "Does he seem alright to you?"

"Not at all," Gilbert replies, chewing his lip.

"What do we do?" I ask, but he just shrugs in response, so we return to the conversation before us.

"It's lovely to meet you, Mr. Lacroix," Daphne says, smiling before her eyes dart to Delly. "Adelaide, you must introduce me to darling Delphine."

I smile and turn Delphine towards her. "Delly, this is Daphne," I say, shaking her little arm. "Hewo, Daphne."

"Not the baby talk," Gilbert sighs, holding back a snicker.

Daphne looks to Bash. "May I hold her?"

"If she will go to you, yes," Bash replies with a smile.

Daphne reaches for Delly, who stares at her reluctantly before reluctantly settling into her arms. While she tends to Delly, giving her all the attention she needs, I head for Sebastian.