𝑺𝑵𝑶𝑾𝒀 𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑺 - Gilbert Blythe [1]

THIRTEEN

13|THE KISS

Tales of the sea consumed the conversation, Sebastian's stories pulling them all in as his hands made large gestures to exaggerate his points. Anne was hooked on every word, asking one hundred and one questions about every place he had seen.

"Sea legs? I've heard tell from fisherman around these parts, but I didn't know it was true." Marilla added, nodding along to Sebastian.

"Oh, it's true, as Bash here has delighted in pointing out to me." Gilbert chuckled, shooting Sebastian a small glare but the grin on his lips was prominent.

"He was a sight to behold." Sebastian added, laughing to himself at the memory.

"Have you been to many exotic ports of call? Please, do tell us." Anne begged, leaning in even closer.

"New Your, Boston, Maine, Jamaica, Canary Islands." Sebastian listed a few, counting them off on his fingers.

"Do you have a favourite?" Amaryllis asked, joining the conversation. She leaned back in her chair, cradling her half drunk glass to her chest. She quietly sipped it every so often, listening to the conversation.

"My island, of course." Sebastian gifted her a  cheesy grin, proudly beaming about his home.

"I can understand that." Anne shared his grin, her eyes flitting briefly to Gilbert. "In fact, the Christmas Panto is about our magical island."

"Panto?" Sebastian questioned, looking to Gilbert and Amaryllis for help.

"Pantomime." Gilbert explained. His arm lazily resting against the top of Amaryllis's chair."The play Marie and I have been helping with."

"I was helping?" Amaryllis asked, furrowing her brows with confusion, her nose crinkling up slightly.

"No, you were just distracting me." Gilbert smirked, shooting her a playful wink as she blushed red. Her cheeks burned at the compliment, hair falling over her face to shield her from the curious glances.

"It's going to be wonderful." Anne gushed, waving her hands dramatically. "And the costumes are fantastical, thanks to Marilla."

"Oh, hush now." Marilla smiled at the compliment.

"Sounds like Carnival." Sebastian piped up. "Why you didn't tell me more about this?"

"Because you said you wanted to stay in the house until Spring!" Gilbert fired back. "But... now that you mention it, I could really use your help with the rigging, without Marie distracting. What do you say?"

"Why not?" Sebastian chuckled. "I'd like to know more about this magical island."

"To the island." Anne announced, tapping her glass against Sebastian's.

"To the island."

"Merry Christmas." Gilbert added, bringing his glass to the middle to celebrate the holiday.

"Merry Christmas." Everyone cheered, tapping their glasses together.

___

The evening carried on long into the night, the snow never stopping it's brutal rain on land. The moon was high in the sky, small skims of light slipping through the snow clouds.