Long Distance Love Letters

You're Real

(in this story, pregnancy tests already exist bc it makes my life easier. good enough for everyone? smiles all around? ok cool)

As Anne stared down at yet another negative pregnancy test, she had to push down the all-too-familiar pit in her stomach.

She and Gilbert had been trying to get pregnant for almost a year now to absolutely no avail. She had gone through all the expected emotions: disappointment, sadness, confusion, anger, you name it. However, she felt none of that now. She only felt fear.

She stepped out of the bathroom, walking to find her husband in the kitchen.

"Hey, Gil?" she voiced.

Gilbert looked over from where he was making dinner. "Yeah?"

"I think we should get our fertility tested."

His eyes widened in surprise for a moment before a grave expression took over his face.

"It was negative again?" he asked.

Anne nodded, holding back tears. "I'm not saying anything's wrong, but if we get tested, at least we can rule our health out."

Gilbert took a moment to consider it before nodding. "Okay, we'll go see Dr. Ward this weekend."

Anne strode over and placed a sweet kiss on Gilbert's lips. "I love you."

He smiled and kissed her nose. "I love you more."

She smiled softly back. "I love you most."

•••

Saturday slowly rolled around and, after visiting with Marilla and the Lacroix family, Gilbert and Anne headed over to Charlottetown. Mrs. Barry had been kind enough to let them stay with her for the weekend.

Gilbert had taken up his past apprenticeship with Dr. Ward and therefore went to see him every Saturday, but as he looked over at his wife, he realized how foreign this felt.

What if something was wrong?

He gave his head an almost imperceptible shake. He couldn't think this way, especially for his wife's sake.

Anne noticed his gaze and gave him a smile. The action seeming forced, conveying how nervous she was.

He leaned over and kissed her temple, knowing that no words could console her.

•••

"Anne, Gilbert," Dr. Ward spoke up, coming out of his office. "I have your results. Please come with me."

Gilbert and Anne had been in the waiting room after taking their tests, their hands clasped together as they sat in silence.

Now that the results were here, the two exchanged a sound yet visibly nervous expression before standing and following Dr. Ward.

The three of them sat down at his desk. He took a moment to organize the mess of papers on the smooth wooden surface.

Finally, he looked up at them.

"I have reviewed your tests thoroughly," he began. He took a little pause, turning to Anne. "And I noticed that you are struggling with an egg count that is much lower than what is considered normal."

Gilbert transcended into a state of shock. He had been afraid that something was wrong, yet the news still left him shaken.

Anne sat up straighter in her seat, her motions rigid. "Um...what does that mean exactly?"

Dr. Ward offered her a sympathetic look. "At your age, we consider a normal egg count to be around 400,000. However, your test revealed that you seem to be carrying around one fourth of that number."