The Orphan's Home

Unexpected Guests

A/N: Everything from here on out will take place after the events of Season 2.

"Marilla! When will the the package arrive?" Anne asked impatiently. She was supposed to be setting the table for breakfast, but was far to excited for such a task. Already, one of Marilla's egg cups had suffered from this impatience. The treasured set was now down to 5 fragile blue pieces.

"While you're at school, Anne." Marilla answered, still flipping the pancakes, "Why are you so excited about it?"

"I'm sure the books are simply bursting with thrilling stories from far-away places" she said excitedly. Her expression became wistful, "It would be heavenly to travel the world, wouldn't it Marilla? I wonder what it's like?"

"Gilbert Blythe has 'travelled the world'; why don't you speak to him?"

Anne's eye widened. She turned around and started setting the plates out quickly, without saying a word.

Marilla chuckled to herself. She knew bringing up 'that boy' would stop Anne in her tracks. Good thing - she was going to be late for school if she didn't hurry.

A few minutes of awkward silence followed this conversation while Marilla finished cooking.

"Anne, call Matthew in from the barn please."

Anne dropped the forks and ran hastily to the door, yanking the brass door knob to open it.

"MATTHEWW!" She yelled from the porch, then turned on her heels and re-entered the house, not realizing that the door had been ajar for the entire performance.

"ANNE!"

The culprit nearly jumped out of her pale freckled skin.

"For heaven's sake, I could have done that myself! What have I taught you about being ladylike?"

"I'm sorry Marilla, I'll walk down to the barn and get him."

"No, you may take a seat at the table. Matthew will be in soon enough," Marilla rolled her eyes, "I'm sure he heard you."

Marilla turned to shut the door, and attempted to hide a laugh behind her stern expression. Anne went slowly to her seat at the table. In one hand, she propped her face, and played absently with the polished silverware in the other. 

"Good morning, Anne," Matthew said quietly as he took his seat.

Anne jumped from her seat to give him a hug. "Matthew, are the books really truly coming today? Marilla told me they would, but I can hardly believe it"

Matthew cleared his throat.

"I went into town this morning to get them." He said, motioning to a package near the door. "You can look at them after breakfast."

Anne squealed with excitement.

"Well, let's say grace," Matthew prompted.

Marilla shot him a pointed look.

"Have some patience. The toast won't be ready for a few minutes yet." Opening a cupboard, she removed two additional place settings for the table.

"Who's eating with us?" Anne inquired.

"Jerry and Gilbert, Anne."