𝑺𝑵𝑶𝑾𝒀 𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑺 - Gilbert Blythe [1]

TEN

10|SURPRISES

It was a peaceful winter morning, the sun streaming through the large windows while a fire roared with life, heating the small cottage. Sebastian sat in the kitchen, a cup of tea in his hand as he flicked through a book, enjoying the warmth radiating from the oven. Amaryllis kneaded the bread dough out on the countertop, humming to herself as she worked. The pair occasionally heard a noise from upstairs reminding them Gilbert was in his room studying. Their peace was suddenly disturbed by a knock at the front door. They shared a look of confusion, Sebastian standing up to answer the door.

"Good day to you, ma'am." He greeted the person at the door. Amaryllis dusted her floury hands on her apron and followed him to the door, peeking around his frame.

"Oh... hello." Ms. Cuthbert replied, stumbling over her words. "I... Are you?"

"My name is Sebastian. I'm Gilbert Blythe's friend." Sebastian introduced himself to the woman.

"His friend?"

"Yes. I live here now." He explained. "We met when we was both working on the ship, on our way to Trinidad."

"Oh. I see."

"Sebastian, it is freezing outside. Let our guest into the warmth." Amaryllis placed a gentle hand on his arm, smiling to the shocked woman stood in the doorway. "Bonjour, Ms. Cuthbert."

"Marie?" Ms. Cuthbert stared at the girl with surprise. "Is Gilbert home?"

"Of course, yes." Sebastian smiled at her. "Blythe! There's a very surprised lady here to see you."

"Ms. Cuthbert! What a pleasant surprise." Amaryllis stepped back to let Gilbert greet the guest at the door.

"Hello, Gilbert. Welcome home." Ms. Cuthbert smiled at the boy.

"Thank you." Amaryllis placed both hands on Gilbert's shoulders and peered over at Ms. Cuthbert. Gilbert's cheeks blazed red at the sudden contact but he coughed it away and glanced back at the woman at his door. "I see you've already met Sebastian and Marie. Won't you come in?"

"Oh, thank you, I-I just came to see if you'd like to join us for Christmas dinner at Green Gables." Ms. Cuthbert offered, not moving from the doorway.

"That's... that's very kind of you to offer." Gilbert glanced at Sebastian and Amaryllis in the corner of his eye, looking for their opinions on the invitation.

"And of course you're welcome to join us... Sebastian and Marie." Ms. Cuthbert followed his stare to the pair hiding behind him.

"I'd be delighted." Sebastian grinned, nodding to Amaryllis in agreement.

"Very well, then."

"Good day." Amaryllis waved goodbye to the woman as she walked away. Sebastian shut the door behind them, his face pulling into an amused expression.

Gilbert shared a look with the man before reaching down and grabbing Amaryllis's hand, pulling her into him up the stairs and into his bedroom. She followed him cluelessly, wondering why he was staying quiet.

"Gilbert?" Amaryllis asked as he sat her down on her bed. "Is everything okay?"

"I have a Christmas present for you." He turned his back to her, digging through a wooden box of old picture frames and clothes. Finally, he pulled out a small jewellery box and placed it down on the mattress beside her. Gilbert looked down at her with a gentle smile. He grabbed her hand once more, facing her palm up and placing a small silver ring in her hold. "It was my mother's. She would want you to have it."

"Gilbert..." Her voice was barely louder than a whisper. Her hand shook as she handed the ring back to him and offered her finger instead. He slipped the ring on to her fourth finger, the band hugging her finger perfectly.

"Now it is official." Gilbert squeezed her hand. "I am a man of honour, Marie. And I plan to honour my fathers wishes for us to wed. I know I don't have much but I will do everything I can for you."

"It's beautiful." Amaryllis gasped. She leaped forwards and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Gilbert chuckled to himself and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Thank you."

"I don't know how we are going to break the news to our friends." Gilbert laughed, placing his chin on her head.

"We just tell them that our fathers forced us into this arranged marriage and we have both just accepted our fates." Amaryllis shrugged her shoulders, sighing gentle as Gilbert squeezed her closer to him. She never wanted to let him go.

"You make it sound like you don't want to marry me." Gilbert fake gasped, letting go of the giggling French girl in his arms.

"Well, we are young."

"I know but we will make this work." Gilbert stared at her with determination, he reached for her hand again, lifting the ring to his lips and sealing his promise with a kiss on her hand.

"Je l'espère bien." Amaryllis blushed. Her cheeks burned a fiery red, the tips of her ears matching her face. She knew she resembled a tomato. Giving him a vibrant smile, she slipped her hand from his hold and skipped down the stairs to show her ring to Sebastian.

___

"Gilbert, are you coming to help prepare for the Pantomime?" Amaryllis asked from the top of the stairs, the other members of the household were downstairs eating breakfast. She quickly fastened the dress at the front and wandered down the stairs, her fingers subconsciously twisting the ring on her finger.

"Yes. Are you ready to go?" He asked, standing by the door and putting his jacket on.

"I just need my jacket." She answered. Gilbert grabbed her coat off the hook and held it up, helping her slip her arms in. "Thank you."

"You two be good." Sebastian waved them off, refusing to get too close to the cold breeze coming through the open door.

"We should be saying that to you." Amaryllis laughed, stepping out into the frozen abyss and pulling her coat closer to her body.

Gilbert rolled his eyes at the pair and shut the door behind him. He linked his arm through hers, keeping her on her feet as they walked through the thick snowy canvas of Avonlea. Small chatter was passed easily between the pair, both occasionally glancing at the ringed hand that rested on his arm. Although gloved, the small rise from the decorative diamond was enough for them both to know it was there.