𝑺𝑵𝑶𝑾𝒀 𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑺 - Gilbert Blythe [1]

SEVENTEEN

17|SNOWY DAYS

The school bell rang loud, an array of excited students grabbing their belongings to quickly leave the building. Amaryllis was most eager to leave. A whole day of questions about her relationship with Gilbert and glares from Billy exhausted her. She met Gilbert by her coat, him openly helping her put it on. She could feel the stares, hands awkwardly slipping through the sleeves and turning around for him to fix the collar. But once he offered his arm, she could not handle the glares any longer and dragged him out of the schoolhouse, not even waving goodbye to her friends as she rushed away.

"I heard you talking about me today to your friends." Gilbert smirked down at her, noticing the blush burning her cheeks. He was quickly learning that she did not like being the centre of attention. "How I'm so handsome, intelligent, and a great kisser."

"I did not say that to them!" Amaryllis gaped at him, finally meeting his amused stare.

"So you're not deny that I'm handsome, intelligent, and a great kisser?" He leaned his face in closer. "I would love to hear you say it. Maybe if I kiss you now it might refresh your memory?"

"Oh, um. Well..." She stumbled for words, feeling her whole face burn red as he leaned in closer, his grin growing as she did not move away. Amaryllis quickly ducked down, her hand slipping away from his arm as she thought of a distraction. Then she felt it. The cold snow soaking through her wool gloves. Scooping it into her hands, she threw it, watching as it landed straight in his face.

"Did you just?" Gilbert stared at her wide eyed before smirking. A smirk she knew that would not end well.

Amaryllis darted away from him with a squeal, pulling her dress up to run through the snow. She could see the farmhouse appearing in the distance but it wasn't enough. A large pile of snow landed perfectly on the back of her head.

"It's on, connard!" She laughed, turning around and scooping snow into her hands. She formed the ball and threw it perfectly at him. Gilbert laughed along, chasing her around with snowballs. They continued their snowball fight until they grew exhausted, both collapsing back into the snow together.

"That was fun." Gilbert panted, trying to catch his breath. He turned his head, watching as she tried to dry the melted snow from her face. Her smile was contagious, Gilbert feeling true happiness for the first time in forever.

"I wish we could spend everyday like how we spend snowy days." Amaryllis turned, meeting his stare. Her heart melted, hand reaching out to hold his. Maybe this marriage could work.

___

Her hand wrapped around his arm, the sun slowly falling behind the horizon as they finally stood up from the snow, busy spending hours talking. They entered the warm home, both jumping in fright as Sebastian met them with folded arms.

"What took you two so long?" Sebastian demanded like a disappointed mother. "I have been here worried sick."

"Snowball fight." Gilbert shrugged his shoulders and helped Amaryllis take her coat off. "Come, let me run you a bath before you catch a cold. I will start dinner."

"Excuse me?" Sebastian dramatically gestured to himself as they both walked past him.

"Desolé, Sebastian." Amaryllis went up on her tip toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. "We didn't mean to worry you to sickness."

"You're forgiven."

"Come on." Gilbert reached down and grabbed her hand, dragging her up the stairs and into the bathroom. He lit the boiler and waited for the water to heat up.

"Gilbert?" She said slowly, squeezing his hand to gain his attention. "You can let go of my hand now."

"Sorry." He cleared his throat, quickly dropping her hand. "I will let you bathe and go start dinner."

"You don't have to." Her hand shot out, grabbing his jumper sleeve. "I will just take a moment. Non, you take the bath. I can start dinner."

"Amaryllis." Gilbert said sternly. "Take a bath, warm up. I will start dinner. Please."

"Okay." She nodded, caving in and glancing at the hot bath, it's steam tempting her shivering skin. "But please change out of your wet clothes."

"Thank you." He placed a careful kiss to her cheek and left the bathroom.

Amaryllis locked the door behind him and slipped out her wet dress. Her feet sank into the hot water, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as her entire body was immersed. Her head leaned back against the edge of the tub, eyes closing as she let the heat warm her shivering body. She did not know how much time passed until the water turned cold.

"How are you feeling?" Gilbert lifted his head, noticing her stood at the bottom of the stairs watching him and Sebastian cook. He smiled and placed the dinner plates on the table. "A warm meal will help."

"That bath did help." She sighed happily, sitting next to Gilbert.

"You took an awfully long time in the bath." Sebastian smirked, swallowing his last mouthful of food. "I thought I might have to send Gilbert in to save you. You might have drowned."

"I fell asleep." Amaryllis glanced down at her food, smiling to herself. He was telling the truth, she didn't need to be the perfect housewife. He insisted on cooking so she could warm up. Taking a mouthful, she quickly smiled at the pair. "This is very tasty, merci beaucoup."