Remains To Be Seen

Courting for a Thought

Gilbert
Anne has gone to the Berry's residence for the afternoon. I took that as my opportunity to speak to Marilla and Matthew. I brought Jane Eyre with me to speak to Marilla about my father. I was sure she must've had an affinity to my father before my own mothers. The books were not one my mother was a fan of. At least that's what my father surely expressed.
I knocked on the door and Marilla opened the door to her own surprise.
"My, Gilbert is everything alright. Did Anne cause you trouble," she scolded the girl from here.
"No Miss Cuthbert. I actually was hoping to speak to you," I asked.
"Please it's Marilla to you Gilbert. Would you like some tea?"
"Please," I nodded sitting at the dining as she poured the tea from the kettle.
I pulled out the book from my bag and set it on the table. Brushing a bit of dust off of the old thing. Taking the cup gingerly she sat down with me.
"Now what is it you'd like to talk about?" She asked kindly.
"You had a previous affinity for my father didn't you?" I spoke peeling the cover open to a gorgeous cursive message.
She turned the book to herself reading the message. She smiled in memoriam. Looking up to my she closed the book again.
"In another life I had, yes."
"Fate must surely be lucking our families."
"What do you inquire why that is?"
"I-" I hadn't even admitted it to myself. "I have an affinity for your wild and beautiful Anne."
"Oh my," Marilla was caught off guard.
She sipped her tea taking the information in. Probably thinking over her decision of letting Anne stay with me.
"I ummm. Anne staying at my father's home has nothing to do with this and how I feel Miss Cuthbert. I had grown quite fond of Anne since she had come to school on the first day. She wrote to me while on the steamboat. She was my rock. As my father was to you," I had opened the book again.
"Gilbert Blythe, you must be right. Fate had predicted our families were one to come together. But what are your intentions with my Anne?" She was being cautious.
"I know it is early to ask and to even be thinking so far ahead. But I was hoping to one day court her if she would so kindly let me."
"You don't need to convince me or Matthew of that Gilbert. We know you are a kind and respectable young man. But the decision to be courted is up to Anne."
"I know. But I also came to give you this. A thank you for all your kindness. For you and Anne," I said pushing Jane Eyre toward her.
"She will love it," Marilla said. "Where is that girl by the way."
"She went to the Berry's residence. She should be on her way back now actually," I nodded.
"You must get home then. Don't act any suspicious," Marilla winked and sent me off.
I don't think my smile had ever been bigger. I went running as I held my hat. My speed racing nearly as fast as my heart.

Marilla
I wasn't surprised of Gilbert's affinity for Anne. Anyone with eyes and a sense of self could see that they were to be. The two had a love for each other that was and is unexplainable. It's similar to what I'd had with Gilbert's father before his own mother. But the death of my brother and state of my mother, I could not promise a happy home to him. I could not have promised anything as I was needed. I had to mother Matthew for years until she finally passed. By then Matthew had grown up and forgot what our mother used to be like. We don't speak of it much now. We just get by.
Anne for one needed much more convincing of her feelings unlike Gilbert. He can confront them himself and to others apparently. Anne needed to please everyone. She needs validation of her feelings from others and a pass to follow her heart. I've tried to give her that with her imagination and adventures as she calls them. To show her feelings when she feels it. Love gets complicated though. Feelings squished into a four letter word. Surely Anne will think of something better than love.
I hoped Gilbert the best. Anne was one who needed a lifelong friend. Lately Diana has been back and forth between lifelong friend and foe. Gilbert himself has never done Anne wrong. He may think he has but he hasn't. The Blythe boys never did. They were kind and respectful, they learned how to do things they didn't need to learn. John Blythe made sure of it. That his boy, was one who didn't have an ounce of mean in his body. John Blythe succeeded with Gilbert. He may not be alive to see him living his true potential but he did it.
I took my thoughts into my baking. I kept baking until I couldn't feel my arms. Matthew had finally come in from the barn and was surprised eyeing the table littered with hundreds of pastries and cakes.
"Lost in your thoughts hmm?" Matthew said tossing a cookie into is mouth.
"You wouldn't believe me if I had told you."
"Since having brought in Anne I'll believe anything," he chortled.
"The Blythe boy desires to court Anne in years to come," I said.
"I'll say...didn't you have an affliction for his father Marilla?"
"Now Matthew that is none of your business. And stop eating the cookies!" I hushed swatting his hand away from the basket.
He laughed and headed back to the barn. I decided to start separating the pastries to take to different residences of Anne's classroom. The Gillis', Berry's, Andrews, Sloanes, Blythe residence and such. I even set some aside for Jerry and his family.
The next few days were quiet. Anne being at the Blythe residence made the home quieter than I was used to. Anne has made our home so much more lively. I don't know what life would've been like now if Matthew hadn't convinced me to keep the girl. I'd definitely not be thinking of my previous flame John Blythe.

My how the world could've been so much different.