Eudaimonia (A GIlbert Blythe Love Story)

Chapter Three: Conquincidence of a Lifetime

The next day, was most definitely not like any other, Theo woke up earlier than the sun and began to gather her things and bring them down the stairs toward the front. One of the boys who worked on the farm, the son of the cook,  pulled around a cart for her after hooking up the mare. He helped her load her things onto the cart. The boy remained silent the whole ride to the dock even when Theo attempted to talk to him. He just nodded in her direction whenever she spoke. She hopped out of the cart when they arrived at the dock and went to her things as the boy was getting ready to pull off her two bags.

"Sorry, I can get this," she spoke to him and grabbed a bag.

"Miss I get for you," he said in his thick accent. She was grateful for the help but she knew that it truly wasn't necessary.

"I will help," she looked at him as he pulled off her second bag and sat it down.

"Thank you kindly," she spoke and he nodded his head in her direction. He hopped back into the cart and went back in the direction of the home she had known for the past three. She picked up her bags and began to walk and as she walked closer to the dock, she heard a voice behind her.

"Miss, would you like some help?" the voice yelled.
She ignored it, even though it sounded vaguely familiar, thinking that they must be speaking to someone else. Until she felt a tap on her shoulder and then "Would you like help, Miss?" She turned her head and was faced with the boy, Gilbert, whom she had met yesterday. He held his cap in his hands.

"I think I can handle carrying two bags," She said and continued walking, "Gilbert right?"

"Yes Miss," he said, putting his cap on his head and taking a bag from her hand and helping her carry it.

A smile grew on her face as she said, "I remember telling you yesterday to call me Theo."

"Right Theo where are you off to?" he said, trying to spark up a conversation.

"The steamer, I'm on it till it arrives in Canada," she smiled excitedly.

"Why are you going there when you could be here?" He said, "I regret that I have to leave this place. It is just so beautiful and everything here tastes amazing."

"I'm just excited to see somewhere else for a change," she furrowed her brows, "I barely remember the last time I went anywhere new."

"That's why I'm on the steamer as well. To travel and see some place new. Although I do truly miss my home sometimes." he said looking rather sad.

"Oh, where are you from? What is it like traveling all over the world?" she said rather quickly.

"I'm actually from Canada, a small town called Avonlea. It is mainly just a few farms, a church, and a small schoolhouse.  As for my travels this is actually one of the only stops we have made since I got on the ship but as I have said it is truly wonderful here." Gilbert explained to her a smile growing on his face as he explained as she looked at him to capture the way the light hit him. Even covered in soot he was handsome. Her eyes darted back to the ground in front of her

"That sounds so splendid. Is that by Charlottetown?" she asked with a curious look in her eyes.

"Actually it is. Is that where you will be?" Theo watched as he furrowed his eyebrows before raising them.

"That is splendid. I am meant to meet my Aunt Josephine there and then my cousins will come up the next day to escort me to their home, where I'll be staying." Theo was nearly exploding at the thought of staying with her cousins and possibly seeing GIlbert while she was there.

"Mrs. Josephine Barry?" she nodded her head in response to his question and wondered how he might know her.

"So you're staying with the Barry's?" he asked with a small smirk on his face. Theo wanted to believe it was because of her but she thought he was most likely just a happy person.

"Yes my cousins, Diana and Minnie Mae. I haven't seen Diana since we both left france. I haven't met Minnie Mae yet. Do you know of them?" Theo's heart was pounding in her chest.

"Well, Theo you will be able to see Avonlea first hand. I went to school with Diana in Avonlea" she was beginning to wonder if he planned to stay in Canada when they docked. If he did then they would be going to school together and then she may actually have a friend.

"That is wonderful. Perhaps I'll see you after all of your travels. I'm meant to stay through college" she says hoping that he will say he plans to not leave Avonlea again but her hopes are soon diminished.

"Well I guess so. I'll see you around, Miss" he said, handing her the bag.  She had not really noticed that he was carrying. It also came as a shock that she hadn't realized that he had walked her onto the boat and to the part with the passenger rooms were. With a small smile and nodded her head toward him to show her appreciation, Gilbert smiled back.

"Thank you for your help. I'll see you around, Gilbert" he smiled in her direction as he watched her turn and find her room. 

She opened the door to her room and entered it. It was small and only had a bed, a desk, and a  place to sit. She sat her bags by a dresser and then she pulled out her journal and began to write of all the things that have happened that day. 

After documenting the day she got up and changed into her nightwear and sat in bed with a book in her hand. She read for a while before sleep came over her and she couldn't keep her eyes open. As she drifted into sleep the smile never left her face.

A/n sorry this wasn't posted on schedule. Ill try and do better about posting when I said I would.