Anne with an E The Next Chapter

Changes

It was about dusk when Anne arrived at the Blythe house for dinner. Bash had stopped by Green Gables one afternoon to ask Anne to join them. He had something he needed to talk to Anne about and wanted to have dinner after Delli went to bed. Anne was a bit nervous. She always felt unsettled when people wanted a planned out discussion. It made her feel insecure and worried that she'd done something dreadful. She had to talk to herself, even at 18 years old and remind herself she was no longer a child.

Gilbert greeted her at the door cheerfully with Delli in his arms

"You're just in time for a story and bedtime" Anne reached for the little toddler who rubbed her eyes and nestled her head onto Anne's shoulder.

"Hi sweet girl, I've missed you".

She had kept her promise to Mary about watching out for Delphine and staying close to her. They had spent many mornings taking walks or learning new words and Delli looked forward to seeing Anne ride up across the green hill on Belle.

"Everything smells amazing Bash" Anne said.

"Well thank you, I hope my cooking will be up to the standards of my Mum". Mrs. Lacroix batted him and laughed.

"I don't know why he insists on doing the cooking when I'm right here with nuthin' to do.

Muriel popped her head in from the dining room to greet Anne. "He's been at it all afternoon, I have a feeling we're in for a dinner fit for royalty".

Anne had Delphine kiss everyone good night and took the little girl into the bedroom Bash and Gilbert had made up for her. It was previously a small den that Gilbert's dad had used as a reading nook. It was next to Bash's room and was decorated with many of Mary's things. There was the yellow kite Bash had made Mary which floated above her headboard. Mary's hat from the Easter party was a beautiful decoration on her wall. Many of Mary's books and family heirlooms lined a painted white shelf, including a carved wooden bird she had received from her own father. Her bed was covered with Mary's quilt and it was a warm hug every time she slept there. Anne had given Delli a set of white lace curtains for her window and decorated the top of them with a robin's egg blue sash. The room was a cozy little space, no bigger than 7x5 feet, but it worked for Delli. Anne has passed down a quilted doll she'd received from Marilla's sister and she knew that Delli would get more enjoyment out of it than she had, receiving it much later in her childhood.

Anne told Delli a short story about Princess Cordelia and her aunt Mary, a story she'd been building that summer. In the hot August night, she could hear the crickets in the distance and told Delphine that it was the sound of angels kissing her good night. Delli fell asleep quickly and barely made it to the part where Princess Cordelia caught 1000 fireflies in her net and placed them in the long dungeon tunnels to light the way for Aunt Mary. Anne settled her into the small bed, tucked her in with the sheet and kissed her soft pudgy cheeks. She turned and found Gilbert at the door resting on an arm and smiling.

"You have quite the imagination" he teased her. She gave him a quick elbow to the stomach and Gilbert cornered her at the top of the stairs.

"Oh really" - he whispered- "that's going to require an apology, and I won't accept anything but the best".

She laughed and whispered "Sorry- I have trouble controlling my elbows".

"Really? he said. "Not good enough"

"Hmm" she whispered back with a smile she couldn't quite conceal. "What exactly do I need to do?"

"Well I think I need at least a kiss" he said, looking more giddy then she had ever seen him.

She laughed and squeezed out from around him with a laugh and snuck down the stairs faster than he could he could keep up with.