Remains To Be Seen

I've Made A Grave Mistake

Marilla
Anne had been distracted lately. Since she received the letters from the Blythe boy. She had disappeared suddenly yesterday and didn't return until near dark. She skipped all her meals and went right back up to her room. She may be an adult but she must learn to communicate where she is off to.
I crept into Anne's room to check on her. She was sitting at her window. She had the letters cupped in her hands. Her thumb skimming over the ink etchings on the paper. She hasn't been up this late in a while. Her sleepless nights were just at its end. And now they've returned.
        "Can't sleep I see," I spoke stepping to join her.
She looked back to me nodding as I joined her side.  She looked down at the letters. It was gilbert. She was lost in thought of him.
       "You've loved him a long time Anne," I hummed.
       "I just can't believe he'd volunteer to be drafted. And he gave up Winnie and his dream of Sorbonne and the orchard. He gave up everything for me."
        "And?"
        "What have I done to deserve that? The only thing I've given him is a stupid pen which he forgot to give back."
         "Write back to him then. Ask him these questions and tell him about the things you have accomplished."
          "What's there to tell. I've been in the same place I've always been."
        "You tell him anything. He obviously loves you Anne, he always has. Just write to him."
Anne was silent. Her thoughts were ever so loud. I wrapped my cold hands around hers that held the letters.
         "He asked you to go to the train station on the 24th correct. So you will go, no exceptions. Whatever it is, it was Gilbert's last wish in this letter he sent you."
       "I just don't understand why he would do this."
       "Love is a powerful thing. I missed my chance, do not make the same mistakes I did. So you will go to him, go to the train station. Until then you sell and bake the life out of your pastries with Ruby, you're friend who has been here for you despite your own nonsense."
Anne nodded and put her head to my shoulder. I rested my cheek atop her head. I asked her where she had gone. She was at the Blythe orchard. Or more like Sebastian's now.
He told her to write to him as well. A little sense was talked into her. But she wasn't going to move on until she goes to the train station. That's all the hope she's got left in her.
The next few months were the hardest. Mostly on Anne. Each day her she'd excite herself by being one day closer to Gilbert's promise. Only to sadden her by the fact that it was so far away. Ruby kept her upbeat as best she could. They baked less than they had in the last year. Anne visited Sebastian often and had Delphine around all the time.
Anne was very motherly. A very caring girl. She would make a beautiful mother one day. I could tell. Anne reminded me of myself in some ways. She was very independent and that was something I lacked. Though my dependence was on the need of others. If I wasn't needed, I was lost. Anne was different in that way, she wasn't used to being needed like Gilbert needed her. Like she needed Gilbert really. They had a hold on each other that consumed them both.
Time passed and Anne managed the best she could. She often wondered how Gilbert was managing. With war and everything. She had many questions none of us could answer. She always came up with new questions. It kept us on our toes as always.
When the day finally came Anne was nervous. She was leaving the day before to stay with Josephine Berry. Spend a day with Diana while she's visiting from Paris. Anne had her bag filled with the clothing she was going to wear. She had on her pale green skirt and vest that Josephine had given her last year. Anne looked all grown up. She pulled on her cape coat and was ready at the door.
       "I'm so very proud of you Anne," I said straightening her vest.
She looked nearly sick. Her face was almost tinted green. I fluffed her hear bringing it across her shoulders.
       "Are you sure I'm not making a grave mistake. That I've made a grave mistake already?"
       "Do not fear the unknown Anne. It never stopped you before now."
       "I don't want to get my hopes up when it could all be a lie."
       "You trust so easily my girl, and that makes you special. Everyone is not a liar. Gilbert's father wasn't one,  Gilbert definitely isn't one."
       "I love you Marilla," she said.
       "And I you," I said kissing her head.
She nodded going to meet Jerry with the wagon. Matthew was on the porch. I stepped out beside him. He elbowed me. I looked to him harshly.
       "I know Gilbert sent you word Marilla. I know your hiding spots."
       "In fact he did. But Anne has to do this herself."
       "I read it," Matthew stated bluntly.
       "And?"
       "She's got no idea. I'm afraid for her Rilla."
       "Why's that?"
       "She's been taught to be strong for so long, always saw what was in front of her. This is the darkest unknown the girl will know."
       "You read the letter Matthew, his idea is no darkness. It's the light on the other side of the tunnel."
Matthew and I watched as the wagon was pulled out of sight. The two children now out of eyeline. I could feel words on the top of Matthews tongue. The most words he's ever spoken to me have been said in these last minutes. All thanks to Gilbert.
       "She's grown up too fast," he said.
       "At least we get to see her start her family and continue ours."

A/N: So Its Decided....I'm doing a second book :) this one will conclude at 40 chapters. The new one will have the first part posted the same day as the last one is for this book. I think you'll like the direction I'm taking with it. So Kindred Spirits, it's not the end of this story.
Also can we give our #1 Shirbert stan more credit. Gosh Marilla's underrated.
Anyways Enjoy my Lovelies!
Also HAPPY NEW YEAR!
-L.M.