Long Distance Love Letters

The Most Important Thing in the World

"So how did Gil take the big news?" Marilla asked as she gently set the ham in the oven.

Anne decided to spend her last day in Avonlea helping Marilla cook a big dinner. Gilbert was spending the day with Bash, Muriel, and the kids but they would be joining the Cuthberts when the meal was ready. Bash's mom and Elijah, who had both acquired their own homes after Bash and Muriel's wedding, would also be in attendance.

Anne chuckled as she churned the butter. "I love him so very much, but sometimes I feel as if I shouldn't have told him." She placed a gentle hand on her stomach.

Marilla smiled. "Is he quite protective now?"

"He won't let me do anything!" she laughed. "I appreciate the sentiment, I really do, but I am fully capable of washing dishes, Gilbert Blythe!"

Marilla laughed along with her as she closed the oven.

Anne sighed, pausing her mixing as she experienced a wave of nausea. "But I understand. Neither of us thought this was possible. I think the mere possibility of a miscarriage is just too terrible to imagine."

Marilla nodded. "I understand, but that way of thinking is not healthy."

Anne nodded, yet couldn't help the few tears that slid down her face as her throat closed up slightly. Under Marilla's gaze, Anne wiped the tears away. "Sorry. I cry over everything right now."

Marilla waited a moment before asking, "Have you thought about names yet?"

Anne breathed out a laugh as she continued churning, grateful for the change in subject.

"Gil's set on a few already," she answered. "I haven't given serious thought to it yet, though. It's something we will have to truly discuss, as it is a decision of immense importance."

"Why is that?" Marilla asked, checking on the ham.

Anne sighed, giving her aching arms a break. "The chances of me becoming pregnant now were a million to one. The odds of it happening again are even lower than that. There is a very good chance that this will be our only child and if that is the case, then we need to make sure we give him or her a name for the ages."

Marilla smiled. "Well, I am sure you will it out."

Anne sighed as her gaze traveled to the dining room, her eyes landing on Matthew's chair. Seeing her sad expression, Marilla followed her gaze and sighed.

She walked over and smoothed Anne's hair.

"I miss him, too," she whispered.

•••

By the time Gilbert, Elijah, and the Lacroix's arrived, Anne and Marilla were in much heartier spirits. The dining room was decorated marvelously due to the women's creative eye and the fireplace was crackling happily.

Anne gave Bash's mother an unexpected hug as she walked in. Bash chuckled, remembering how Gilbert had told him that all of Anne's emotions had become heightened.

Gilbert walked in last and made a beeline for Anne.

She smiled as he reached her and took her face in his hands. "Hi," she greeted.

He smiled back. "How are you feeling?"

She shrugged. "I'm alright. I didn't experience as much nausea today."

The two shared a kiss before Gilbert kneeled down to be level with her stomach.

"Hi, baby," he whispered before kissing it. Anne giggled.

As Gilbert walked off to talk to Marilla, Delphine waddled over to Anne, her little ragdoll dragging behind her.

"Why did Uncle Gilby kiss your tummy?" she babbled. "Does it have a boo boo?"

Anne laughed and kneeled down to her. "No, Delly. He kissed my tummy because there's a baby in there."

Delly cocked her little head in confusion, her curls jostling slightly. "Why? Did you eat it?"

"No," Anne laughed, loving her little niece so much. "For the first nine months of a baby's life, it has to grow within the safety of their mother's tummy before they can come and join the world. That's what little Matthew had to do. You did, too."

"I came from my mom's tummy?" Delly asked in wonder, her brown eyes wide.

Anne smiled and nodded. "Yes, you did." She put Delly's hand on her pregnant belly. "And soon, this little one will come join us and you'll have a new little cousin."

As Delly felt her belly in pure amazement, Anne marveled at how much she was beginning to resemble Mary.

The thought brought a tear to her eye.

•••

The dinner table was an epicenter of laughter and overlapping stories, with the exception of Mrs. Lacroix and Elijah, who tended to be quite quiet in any situation, but their love for their family was evident.

Gilbert, Bash, and Muriel each had a part in informing Anne and Marilla about the fishing trip they had taken earlier. As it turns out, Bash, in his excitement of hooking a bass, had capsized their canoe, submerging he and Gilbert in the chilly November water as Muriel roared in laughter from her seat with baby Matthew on the shore.

Delly then went on to tell stories about all the adventures her and Matthew take daily. Matthew simply stared at his big sister as she talked, his eyes wide with the same wonder that hers had held not long before.

"I can't wait to start school," she claimed in excitement.

No one noticed the subtle look that Gilbert shot Muriel at Delly's statement. Nor did they notice her imperceptibly shake her head in response.

Anne, usually the main storyteller at dinners, was content to simply sit back and take in the sight in front of her.

Though she enjoyed Summerside and had a special place in her heart for it, this was what it would never have and was what she wanted her child to grow up surrounded by. The most important thing in the world.

Family.

•••

That night, Anne crawled into bed next to Gilbert, who was just putting away his book.

She laid on her side, facing him. "Gil?"

He turned toward her with a soft smile, the candle still flickering behind him. "Hm?"

"Do you think we can move back here soon?" she asked. "I know I asked you before, but we never really got to talk about it."

He smiled. "Anne-"

She quickly continued on. "It's just that being back home reminded me of how much I love our family. Our child needs to know Marilla, and Bash, and Muriel, and the kids, and even Mrs. Lacroix and Elijah. I really want Marilla to be there for the birth, as well. Of course, having you there will be plenty comforting already but it would also be ideal to have her there, too. I just can't imagine raising our family anywhere other than here."

Gilbert's smile never faded from his perfect lips the entire time she ranted. When he was certain she was finished, he asked, "May I talk now?" He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

She breathed out a laugh, wishing her emotions had not become impossibly heightened. "Yes. Sorry."

His smile grew. "Of course I want to move back home. I do not want to raise our child in Summerside any more than you do. However, if it's alright with you, I would like to stay there for a few more months before permanently moving back."

Anne smiled and nodded. "That sounds wonderful."

Gilbert took her in his arms and she cuddled into the warmth of his embrace.

Both of them fell asleep with the wonderoud knowledge that their baby was safely cuddled in between them.

———
AN: hey loves! i'm so sorry this chapter took so long! health was acting up a little and i was trying to figure out what to put in this chapter blah blah blah but here it is!!

also delly holds my whole heart in her hands pls 🥺👉🏻👈🏻