That Fateful Night

Chapter Four

Gilbert's POV

The kids diligently worked on their geometry projects all afternoon into the early evening.

Well, almost all the kids.

While everyone else was busy discussing the way they could creatively display the answer to their problems, their chalks etching ideas onto their slates, their pens scratching their papers Gilbert was lost in a daydream.

A daydream that involved Anne and him living in a beautiful white house in Avonlea right next to the Avenue or the 'White Way of Delight' as Anne had coined it, so that every morning they could both get the view they wanted.

Anne, was looking out the window of their bedroom, staring down at the beautiful white flowers,

Gilbert, watching Anne, her red hair glistening under the rising sun. The sunbeams hitting her freckles in a way that made them appear to dance and move under the shadows.

Gilbert gets up, and walks over to where Anne stands at the window. He grasps her hand in his and leans down to kiss the top of her head, which reaches a little above his shoulders. Her giggle fills the room as he places more kisses all over her hair, his lips brushing against her cheek as he leans down even further. 

More giggles are heard, but a more childish kind.

Anne steps away from the window and turns around, facing two bright eyed children with rosy cheeks, one with hair the color of the sunrise and his eyes a beautiful hazel green, the freckles adorning his tan skin like a million constellations. The other with dark locks and striking blue eyes, her hair falling down her back in wild curls that contrast perfectly against her pale skin.

Gilbert laughs and turns to Anne.

"It's funny how they both got a mix of our striking features. All thanks to you carro-"

"Gilbert Blythe!" Anne says as she laughs her wispy laugh

"Anne Shirley-Cuthbert-Blythe!" Gilbert responds, laughing with Anne. "Man, that's quite a mouthful." Anne shoots him a look.

"I could just remove the last part of my name if you wish!" Anne states with a smirk as she takes the two children out of the room and downstairs for breakfast.

"You know you won't do that!" Gilbert calls to her as she leaves the room

"Are you sure about that, Mr. Blythe." Anne calls back with another laugh

"I'm absolutely positive, Mrs. Blythe." Gilbert answers, drawling out 'Mrs. Blythe' like he never wanted the words to leave his mouth. He would never get used to her being his.

"It's Mrs. Shirley-Cuthbert-Blythe!" Anne exclaims once again, this time from the kitchen.

Gilbert sighs as he makes his way out of their room and down the stairs, following the sound of his kids' laughter. 

As he reaches the bottom step he sees two pictures on the wall. There are four people in one. Marilla is in the right corner, her usually serious face is brightened by a beautiful smile, as she looks at the happy couple in the center. Gilbert is on the left, and Anne is on the right. Anne stares directly at the camera, Gilbert on the other hand is staring at Anne with a dreamy smile on his face. Matthew behind the both of them is looking straight into the camera as well, the angle of the picture making his face take on a more youthful look. 

In the other picture there are so many. It's a picture taken of them by the tree in front of the schoolhouse on the last day of school, before all of them went to college. Moody is in the back with a wicked grin on his face, holding a terrified Charlie Sloane above his head. Anne is in the front her arms linked with Diana and Ruby. Cole standing behind all of them holding Anne's hair to the sides with his eyes crossed and a goofy look on his face. Josie Pye and Tillie are smiling in the back, sitting on top of Billy's shoulders as Jane sits cross-legged in between her brother's legs, a look of shock on her face with her hands cupping her cheeks to add emphasis. Miss Stacey stands off to the side, a smile on her face as she watches all of her graduating students.