Cordelia Marilla

An Apple a Day

Despite only containing the two women, the house became a frenzy in a moment.

Mostly on Marilla's part, as all Anne did was stand in the center of the kitchen and give her directions for where things were, both hands on the underside of her stomach at all times, supporting the life that was about to show itself to the world.

First things first, Marilla took the cushions off the couch, creating a makeshift bed on the floor. Then she filled two bowls with water and one with dry rags. As she was bringing them into the living room, she finally noticed Anne still standing, looking awestruck at the puddle of water still on the floor.

"Child!" She yelled frantically. "Move your legs and call your husband!"

That caused Anne to snap out of her frozen state and bustle over to the phone.

***

Gilbert Blythe was one of two doctors in the Four Winds area, and the only one that was worth paying a visit to. The other, an old man a few decades late of retirement, was avoided by most, gone to only for consulting. Even then, people were wary.

So he was over-booked and under-staffed, taking only the riskier clients in case Anne went into labour.

He was inspecting Phillip Frankfort's swollen tonsils when his assistant, a old woman named Janis Romero, ran into the room.

"Dr. Blythe! Dr. Blythe!"

Gilbert looked up, setting down the small flashlight he was using to look down the man's throat. "What's the matter?"

Out of breathe, she huffed, "Anne just... she just called here...." She started mumbling under her breath at unimaginable speeds.

"Woah, woah, woah. Slow down," he gestured with his hands. "Anne?"

She nodded hysterically. "She said her... her... water... it broke," she managed to choke it all out.

Gilbert stared at her in disbelief, the words not working themselves into his brain. "What?"

"Her water broke," Phillip said for her to quicken the pace of things. He turned to Gilbert. "Is she a patient of yours?"

Suddenly, Gilbert shot up so fast he dropped the flashlight with a clatter. "She's my wife."

With that, he grabbed his bag and ran out the door, leaving Janis to take care of everything else.

Bursting out of the back of the office, Gilbert raced to his horse and quickly untied it, jumping into the saddle before she's even able to relish in her sudden freedom.

With a whip of the reigns, they're off towards the cottage where his wife and mother-in-law laid in wait.