Welcome to Avonlea

Chapter 22

"Anne. Please be careful." "I'm not going to drop anything." I only shook my head as she carried my typewriter and I carried everything else. The moment she got inside. I was scared she was going to drop it again. "I don't even know where to start!" I set down my heavy load while getting my coat off. They were all surprised except for Aunt Josephine when I came back with proper writing material. I did feel nervous about the amount of money that was hidden, but also had to keep what I earned a secret. "From the beginning Anne." "It went well then?" I hung my scarf followed by my hat. "'Well' doesn't even begin to explain it! It was the most wonderful ti... where's Marilla?" "Up in bed. She's under the weather. Just a bit, I mean. Not to worry. I know she'd love to see you both." Anne was the first to go up. I didn't want to tell them just yet of what I did. I grabbed my load and walked past him. "What have you got there?" I bit my lip smiling. "My official step into being an author." "So you got your, um..." "Royalties? I did, yes. I was very much surprised. I thought Mr. Benedict was flying through the sky like a bird. We already have what we need for this coming year. He said I should do very well for many years to come." He nodded. "Good, good." "If you ever need anything-" "No, no. You worked hard for what you earned. I refuse to take advantage of that." "If I want to help I will. I'm pretty stubborn as you know." He smiled and nodded for me to go upstairs. "Oh, and Matthew." He looked at me. "I may need to see if you can retrieve a writing desk of sorts, if you can please?" "I'll see what I can do." I went upstairs to put everything away.

I was going over everything Mr. Phillips was wanting for us to do. "A word or phrase that makes specific the meaning of the word or phrase? Perhaps the good doctor can tell us the answer." I looked up at Mr. Phillips then to Gilbert. He's been studying hard to catch back up with the rest of us. "The answer is modifier sir. And I managed to learn that with no extra time from you." I stared at Mr. Phillips successfully hiding a smile. He is more than happy and willing to use his time to help Prissy. I'm honestly surprised that her parents let him in the house after they've been accused of being seen together. I was told it was inappropriate to be alone together with a man. "Correct."

"The good doctor? Gaining nicknames because of what you want to do." Gilbert looked at me as I pulled my scarf around my neck. He laughed a little. "Maybe someday... I hope to get there. And Bash did call me doc before. It's nice to know what I want." "Two nicknames already. Impressive. And you should go after what you want. Shows you have the passion to move forward with doing what it takes to get there." "Do you still plan on going to school to be a tutor?" I thought about it for a moment. "Yes. I did have a pupil but ended up having to share him with Anne. You remember the boy with us in Charlottetown, Jerry. He didn't understand why we liked books so much. So, you could say he became the first. Anyone can learn at any age. You just need patience. Which you should, don't want to wear yourself out with too information at one time. Though I must say I'm impressed. You will be a formidable opponent while trying to see who comes out on top, fair and square." "Hmm. No time to be patient. If I'm to make it fair, I gotta catch up first." "I'll be waiting then." I smiled before leaving.

Anne looked just as uncomfortable as I did while Ruby went on about who proposed, who started courtships, and who has beaus. "When my big sister, Susan, was purposed to, he said: father has given me the farm in my own name. What do you say, my darling pet, if we get hitched this fall? Have you ever heard such a thing?!" I shifted from my spot hearing that he called her pet, darling would have been enough. And instead of saying will you marry me this fall, he said hitched. "That's it?" "Anne, he called her a darling pet." "Darling should be good enough without the pet part." I said quietly. "That proposal is about as amorous as Mr. Phillips doing a roll call." "And Jane said Prissy's convinced it'll happen any day now." I became even more uncomfortable. "Prissy, you leave me breathless! Marry me, or I'll die choking on my love for you until the end!" I giggled at Diana. That sounded like a loved confessed proposal that was a little forced and bold, not that I mind bold. Only shows they're not scared and have confidence. "Will you marry me, will you have me, my dearest Ruby?" That one sounded sweet. "No. I plan to have several beaus and be proposed to several times just to drive Gilbert Blythe mad before I accept his offer. Your turn Anne." "For you... I would build a castle, with each brick forged in my heart with the fire of my transcendent love. Will you accept this exquisite diamond ring? What say you?" "Yes!" They giggled. "Lydia? What about you?" I stared at everyone before clearing my throat. "My dearest love, my sun that lights up the sky, my moon that shines with a beautiful glow. No matter how far apart we are, I will always find my way back to you. Being by your side and having your love is like breathing in the most sweetest flower. Your lips I would kiss thousands of times and more. Would you do me the honor of being my soulmate for eternity?" Ruby just stared at me making me look at Anne and Diana. "Was that all right or too much?" "I would say yes." Ruby sounded breathless.