𝑺𝑵𝑶𝑾𝒀 𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑺 - Gilbert Blythe [1]

TWELVE

12|THE MOST AWKWARD CHRISTMAS DINNER IN HISTORY

The snow hailed down upon them, coating their outerwear with a blanket of white. A chill wind nipped at their skin, leaving their noses and cheeks a bright red.

"This countries coldness is unreal." Amaryllis grumbled as she pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, breathing in the small amount of warmth her body was willing to produce. "France was never this cold."

"Did you spend much time walking around in the winter in France?" Gilbert let his pace fall back in line with hers, body close enough to feel her coat arm brushing against his. His hand reached out, catching her body before she fell face first into the deep layer of snow that covered Avonlea.

She turned to face him, smiling with gratitude before turning to face straight ahead at the farm in the distance. "I wasn't allowed to leave the house often. It wasn't safe enough."

"Not safe enough?" Sebastian questioned her choice of wording, turning back to look at her. He watched her face twist with emotions, analysing every curve and line on her face to the point he could paint her with his eyes closed. He had never seen such a scared expression on someone. Almost as if she was hiding something.

"It's just, it's not safe." Amaryllis swallowed, ignoring the concerned looks on both their faces. "Oh, we're here."

"Merry Christmas to you three." Marilla Cuthbert greeted them warmly, stepping aside to allow her brother to meet the guests. Matthew Cuthbert stood frozen, his whole body still as he took in Sebastian. Even a blind person could see that he had never seen a person whose skin was darker than snow. The clear appearance of most residence of Avonlea.

"And to you." Amaryllis chimed as she followed Gilbert into the home, grateful for the warmth it gifted them.

"Do come in." Marilla led the three to the parlour where they undressed from their winter clothes. "Matthew, this is Sebastian."

"Pleased to meet you... Sebastian." Matthew and Sebastian shook hands.

"Please, call me Bash." Sebastian smiled at the man. "Oh, what a lovely home. Nice and warm."

"Let me take your coats." Marilla offered.

"Oh, uh... Thank you." Sebastian handed her his scarf and then his jacket. "I almost forgot."

"My, how very kind of you." Marilla accepted the glass bottle of green powder. The pair exchange pleasantries, mostly Sebastian trying to explain what curry powder was and the uses of it in cooking.

Amaryllis's attention was quickly pulled away from them as Gilbert placed a gentle hand on her lower back. Her head turned to meet his warm stare, finding herself lost momentarily in his eyes.

"Here, let me." Gilbert offered, slipping his hands to her shoulders and carefully removing her snow covered coat. He placed it over his arm, spare hand reaching for her scarf, gently unwrapping it from her neck before it joined her coat in his hold.

The moment was sensual. Both finding themselves lost in the simple touches, innocent touches that left them both curious for more. His hand reached out again, brushing the melting snowflakes from her golden hair.

"Merci." Amaryllis whispered, scared he would hear the nervous tremble if she spoke any louder.

"Oh. Won't you sit down?" Marilla approached the pair, pulling them away from their moment. She grabbed their coats from Gilberts hold, hanging them up to dry before beckoning them to sit on the comfortable looking couches.

"Thank you." Gilbert said, gesturing for Amaryllis to take a seat. He sank down on the soft pillows between her and Sebastian, hands fiddling in his lap as he stopped himself from reaching out and giving either of them a comforting squeeze on their shoulders.

"Uh, I wonder what has become of Anne." Matthew tried to make conversation, breaking the awkwardness that drowned the room. He turned to look towards the stairs, silently begging for Anne to appear.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Anne. I've heard so much about her." Sebastian revealed, glancing over at Gilbert.

At the sound of her name, Anne descended the stairs. Amaryllis jumped up from her seat, opening her arms to embrace her friend. The pair squealed in delight, excited ramblings talking over one another.

"Merry Christmas Marie."

"Merry Christmas, Anne!"

Anne turned to the other two guests, taking in Sebastian's full appearance from head to toe. "You're Sebastian. Oh, how thrilling. I've read so much about the ancient kingdoms of Africa and the Moors of Spain, but I've never actually met a coloured person before." She walked over to the surprised man. "Or not one of your complexion. Your skin is absolutely extraordinary. It-it's a rare pleasure to meet you."

"A pleasure to meet you too, Anne of Green Gables." Sebastian eagerly shook her hand, chuckling to himself at her ramblings.

"Who'd care for some supper?" Marilla stood up from her seat.

"Oh, everything smells so good." Sebastian complimented.

"Ever tried mince pie?"

"No, but my nose tells me I'll like it."

"Anne, please blow out the candles on the tree." Marilla told Anne before leading Sebastian and Matthew to the dining table.

"Anne." Gilbert awkwardly stepped closer to the girl. "Merry Christmas." He handed her a small brown parcel wrapped in brown string.

"I also have a present, Merry Christmas." Amaryllis gave the girl a slightly larger brown parcel wrapped in string.

"But, uh, I don't have anything for both of you." Anne stumbled for words. "Marie, I don't mean to sound rude but why are you here? Aren't you spending Christmas with your family?"

"I am with my family." Amaryllis looked down at the ring on her finger, playing with the simple band. She didn't know how to tell Anne, it was not something she had even admitted to herself.

"Marie and I are engaged." Gilbert boldly admitted, his hand pressing against Amaryllis lower back in comfort.

"What?" Anne gasped. "You two are getting married? Why? How?"

A strange look crossed Anne's face, only briefly before her usual bright smile returned to her lips. It was too quick for Amaryllis to understand it, but she saw it.

"It is an arranged marriage agreed between our fathers." Amaryllis snuck a glance at Gilbert, her chest becoming heavy as she let her eyes linger over his face. Even she could not deny he was handsome, from his high cheekbones to vibrant eyes hiding so many emotions.

"I am so happy for you both!" Anne feigned excitement, clapping her hands together eccentrically. "Do the others know?"

"Not yet, I especially don't know how to break it to the others." Amaryllis snapped her attention back to her friend. "Especially with, you know."

"Come, let's get supper." Gilbert placed his hand gently on Amaryllis's lower back, leading her away from the sudden awkward air falling over them. He had questions but knew it was not the time to ask.

"Gilbert, I never knew you and Marie were so close." Marilla stated. Her eyes started between the young couple, noticing the strange air around them. They seemed close, much closer than Anne let on. "How do you know one another?"

"Marie and I are engaged." Gilbert announced to the table, keeping his hand comfortingly on her back. "It was an arrangement made by our fathers but we have both come to accept it with excitement for our future together. Marie will make an amazing wife. I am most lucky."

"Thank you, Gilbert." Amaryllis whispered up to him, her eyes meeting his. It was as if the world around them blurred into the distance, the only focus was one another. She tried to deny the feelings, the way his words made her chest heavy and warm.

"Isn't it the most wonderful thing ever." Anne said loudly, breaking the pair away from one another. The same look crossing her face once again, Amaryllis barely catching it once more.

Gilbert cleared his throat and pulled a chair away from the table, gesturing for Amaryllis to take a seat. She smiled at the simple gesture and sat down with the family. This was her first Christmas since her mothers passing. This was how she always imagined Christmas to be. Happy.