Remains To Be Seen

The Feeling

Anne
       "Tragical romance and all?" Gilbert asked me as he stood across from myself.
His coffee colored swirling eyes astoundingly focused on my hideously plain blue. Yet my breath was caught in my throat as I thought my next words carefully. But with a smile I knew the four words that would fit together.
       "Remains to be seen," I said airily.
His smirk turned into a grin and his shoulders rose with a sweet but approving laugh. One I knew wasn't directed at me but at the words he recognized as I'd said previously before this day. He was laughing with me.
Oh, today, it was a beautiful day. It was Bash and Mary's wedding day. The church filled with wild flowers from endless magical fields of beauty and loved ones across Avonlea. I of course took the front row with Marilla and Matthew. Why else would I stand so far from such a beautiful exchange of magnificent vowing with an abundance of words to make forever promises to the person you love most in the world. Oh how I can't wait to say my own vows as I know it would be filled with endless promises for lifetimes even after we parish in the blessed ground beneath our very feet.
        "Anne Shirley Cuthbert!" I heard Marilla's shrill voice proclaim as I flinched looking back to where the voice came from. "Come child or we won't make it home before dark."
She was beside Matthew who was readying the carriage. I had gotten lost in those hazel eyes of the one and only Gilbert Blythe. Whom I did once call dreadful, now I call a friend. Or at least that's what my brain has been trying to convince myself of. The fluttering feeling in my stomach hadn't gone away in weeks. If spoken to Diana about it much. But I only felt it around Gilbert. And my breath didn't get caught in my very outspoken words unless it was to Gilbert. I needed to consult with Diana once again. Cause I didn't truly notice these until Cole said something about Gilbert and I.
     "Anne?" His voice hummed as his hand was on my arm. "Are you alright."
     "Yes. Just lost in the imagination of mine for a moment."
      "I must've been in it from the awestruck eyes you had on mine," He snickered.
      "I'll have you know it was not about you Mr.Blythe but about Bash and Mary's beautiful wedding day. Oh how I can't await my own," I got into my head again.
      "I can't wait to see how it turns out."
      "What?" I said confused snapping back to reality.
       "We are friends right? So I'd be invited to your wedding ceremony," he said with a huge smirk.
My cheeks went hot and my breath was gone again. The swirling in my abdomen intensified more than it has ever been. We were talking about the future and oh how it excites me but freightens me at the same time. Especially when Gilbert of all people is whom I'm with when the subject comes up.
       "Well if you are traveling the world as a doctor how will you make the time?" 
     "I'll make it. Just be sure to send me an invitation and only in your handwriting," he winked. "Better get going before Marilla surely loses it."
I looked over my shoulder and giggled. Gilbert laughed as well.
     "She looks as if smoke is billowing out her ears," I laughed.
      "That she does. I'll see you tomorrow?"
      "What's tomorrow?"
      "Well I'm now inviting you to breakfast. Mary and Bash are sending off to their honeymoon tonight and I'd love the house to at least have someone beside myself to fill it with joy."
      "Tonight? Gilbert you are going to be by your lonesome at home tonight as the two in love spend it together?"
       "It's not like I can join their honeymoon Anne. It's for the two of them. And it's only a weeks time before they are back. I will be alright."
I looked at him unconvinced. He had not taken an empty home well. He didn't return until he had brought Bash along. And I had an idea.
      "Stay right there," I said.
       "Where else would I go?" he called as I ran to Marilla.
I then proceeded to beg and beg the woman who was so gracious enough to take me in. I wanted so desperately to invite Gilbert to dinner. Even if it makes the feeling in my body even worse than it was before. But it made me smile with glee. It was a good feeling.
     "Hurry along and get him on the wagon. We must go now Anne!" Marilla agreed with a harsh undertone.
     "Oh thank you Marilla!" I hugged her tightly before going back to Gilbert who just had a toothy grin spread across his lips.
     "What's the news?"
     "You're having dinner with me-with us- at Green Gables tonight."
     "Anne-"
      "Please. I just begged my whole life to Marilla and I'd surely not want to be thoroughly embarrassed by being a failure to invite a guest to my humble abode."
       "You didn't even let me finish my sentence Carrots," he said. "Anne," he began. "I would love to have dinner with you."
My once frowning lips turned upwards as I grabbed his hand running to the wagon. Marilla mumbled under her breath and Matthew began the steer the wagon.
I thought back to our conversation. He called me Carrots. It didn't bother me though. And I thought about that for awhile. Gilbert noticed my lack of talking and nudged me with his elbow.
     "Whatcha thinking so hard about?"
He was looking closely at me almost like he was trying to count the ugly little red dots amongst my face.
      "Oh nothing," I averted his gaze.
      "Nothing is always something with you Red," he said looking out where I was looking.
      "What's with all the nicknames Blythe?"
He looked right into my eyes. For some reason I didn't move them away. They were enraptured with his face. His eyes looked as if they were searching for something.
      "Everyone has nicknames," he said near breathlessly.
      "Why do I have so many from you?"
      "Because I keep thinking of new ones."
      "So you think about me?" I said softly not realizing the words sputtering out of my mouth.
His face then turned red. Nearly as red as my hair. I realized what I'd said and looked away quickly. Crap crap crap. No no no. Why didn't I just keep my mouth shut. Marilla always tells me I need to think before I say something and I didn't and I did this and-
     "Ahhh finally home. We must start a fire and dinner. Anne can you grab the gate?"
      "I got it Miss Cuthbert," Gilbert said hopping off the wagon jogging ahead to the white gate.
      "Oh why thank you Gilbert," Marilla smiled as we entered the yard.
Matthew hopped off helping Marilla from the wagon. She immediately went to the kitchen. I should be just as worried about dinner really but I was in a conundrum.
       "Anne?" Gilbert snapped me from my thoughts.
He had extended his hand to help me out of the wagon. I oh so desperately did not want to take it but Marilla always said it was rude to refuse. So I took it gingerly. I stepped down and wanted to run so fast in the opposite direction of the house but Gilbert was my guest. Who I invited here.
      "You've been quiet," he said walking beside me up the long path to the front door.
     "I was thinking."
     "Of?"
      "The delicious dinner Marilla and I will be cooking while you get the fire started?" I asked.
      "After you," he nodded opening the front door.
      "Anne!" Marilla called me into the kitchen.
      "Yes Marilla?" I said attentively.
       "Get on your apron and pull out the potatoes and bread," she instructed.
I left and grabbed my apron thing it behind me and pushing falling pieces of hair behind my ear. I pulled out four potatoes and the loaf of bread we made yesterday. I ended up doing much for dinner tonight for Marilla was busying herself with setting the table for the night. She never does that unless she's trying to impress the guests. I don't know why she'd go through all the trouble for a singular Gilbert Blythe. It's best not to question her though.
We set the food on the table and she asked me to ring the bell for Matthew. I tore my apron off while looking at my feet. I hadn't noticed Gilbert Blythe standing against the wall. He seems to have been there awhile. He looked comfortable just watching. He was so quiet I didn't know how long he was there. I slowed down hanging up my apron which the hook was right beside him.
       "I'm sorry, I forgot to take your coat," I said reaching for the jacket in his hands.
        "I can hang up my coat. I believe Marilla had asked you to call for Matthew."
        "Yeah," I said.
I stepped towards the door and he followed. The feeling seemed to rise further than my stomach into my chest. I was nervous I was doing something weird to make him so attentively look at my every movement. I shook my head and stepped outside to ring the bell which Matthew responded to by sticking his head out the barn door with a smile. I was dark so all I really saw was whatever the bright moonlight shone on.
I wonder how the lake of shining waters looks at this time. It's probably as glorious as I imagine it to be. Diana must adore looking out her vast window seeing the sights before her every morning and night. Oh how I'd love to see that view. Though I love my little cherry blossom that reaches right next to my window. Littering me in monarch butterflies in the Spring. While petals fall like snow as the world transitions to Autumn.
I finally came to my senses as the ringing of the bell had gone nearly silent. Matthew was halfway to the door as I turned faced with a curly haired boy. I took a startled step back to actually see him.
      "Gilbert!" I said harshly out of shock.
      "Didn't mean to scare you. Marilla was wondering what is taking you so long?"
      "My imagination gets the better of me with the moon shines like the sun."
      "The food is getting cold!" Marilla called.
      "Time for that dinner you promised," he winked pulling the door open for Matthew to stumble in and me to follow.
We all sat at the table with Marilla being last to get seated. Gilbert was across from me. Matthew by his side and Marilla by mine. She was across from Matthew. Marilla grabbed my hand for grace. When Gilbert rested his palm open I looked at it for a moment before hesitantly taking it. Marilla requested that I did grace. I was appalled. In front of Gilbert I was to make a fool of myself. I did it anyways for the sake of not receiving punishment. Eyes were shut and I was ready to begin.
      "Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for this food we have been blessed with on this table. For blessing us with a beautiful and happy family. Allowing Gilbert to join us. Please gift Mary and Bash the best honeymoon and life together for eternal time. And please give me the gift of winning the spelling bee tomorrow," I said.
      "Amen." Everyone spoke releasing the hold of each other's hand.
Almost everyone. Gilbert's hand lingered with mine in his until I pulled it to me. I grabbed my spoon and began to devour the stew Marilla and I had made. Gilbert made kind comments and told a few stories. Matthew listened with a smile on his face. He let out the occasional chuckle that Marilla seemed surprised to hear. It had never been so lively at this table as just the three of us. Gilbert made it so nice and joyful. It made me sad to think of him being alone in his home each trembling night. I had been so worried in thought for some reason I didn't hear my name being said at the table.
       "Anne?"
      "Yes?" I sat up straighter.
      "You've been very spacey today. Is everything alright?"
       "I'm fine," I said harshly to Gilbert.
       "He's right Anne. You have a taking to using your imagination but never this carelessly."
       "My sincerest apologies Marilla. It's been overly active today with such a beautiful ceremony for Bash and Mary it's kept me in quite the state," I made up.
       "Well then you must not have heard that you'll be staying at the Blythe house assisting Gilbert while Bash and Mary are away," Marilla said taking my empty plate.
       "I'm what?" My mouth gaped open.
       "Don't act so appalled dear Anne. I'm not the worst company in the world," Gilbert snickered.
       "And who made this decision? Why must I stay with Gilbert all this week."
       "Anne! Don't be in such disrespect. The Blythe residence is quiet for the week and Gilbert expressed how it would be alone. Now go get on and pack a bag."
I looked to Gilbert who just gave me a shrug. Marilla would always insist I do something other than be home. I've tried to tell her the scope of imagination Green Gables supplies is enough for a lifetime. Apparently my word was not enough. I have gotten forced to stay at the Blythe residence. I'm just glad Green Gables and the Blythes are so close in proximity. I surely couldn't withstand being too far from home. I'll have to deal with Gilbert.

But how on Earth was I supposed to do that?

AN: hey all! Had to republish because I kept making so many adjustments after rereading! Enjoy and prepare for the next chapter!