Long Distance Love Letters

An Unexpected Visitor

Anne sat at the dining room table in her home, Diana sitting across from her. Her bosom friend hadn't had too many opportunities outside of AWA meetings to see the Blythe household and Anne had been feeling lonely that night.

To Diana's enthusiastic compliance, Anne had offered to her famous lasagna and shepherd's pie as well as homemade ice cream for dessert as long as Diana would be in attendance. Anne had loved being able to have dinner with Marilla at Green Gables, but she felt as if her true home was the one she shared with her husband, even if his presence was absent.

The redhead bounced her three-week-old daughter as she and Diana sipped their after-dinner coffee.

"I still cannot quite believe how good she is," Diana marveled, referring to Joyce. "I rarely see her cry."

Anne smiled proudly. "I know, it's extraordinary. I can only imagine how much I must have cried as a newborn. Poor Walter and Bertha."

Diana giggled before becoming serious. "Do you think Gilbert's okay?"

Slightly taken aback, Anne had to fight her sudden emotions before responding. "I think so. I think I would feel somehow if something bad had happened to him. I would feel this terrible pain and dread in my heart."

The raven-haired woman nodded softly. "I suppose so. You are intending to take over Muriel's teaching job, correct?"

Anne nodded. "I am not sure whether to be nervous or excited. Sure, I taught in Summerside, but Avonlea is my home. There will be girls sitting in the seats that you and I used to sit in. A young boy will be in Gil's place.
It'll be so strange."

"Have you seen the schoolhouse since it has been rebuilt?"

Anne shook her head. "I've passed by it quite a few times, but I have never actually been in it. It's hard to believe that the last time I was in my own school was before it burned down."

After a few moments of heavy silence, Anne stood up.

"I'm going to put Joyce in her crib. Let us pray that she does not wake up as soon as I set her down like she typically does."

She walked into her bedroom and softly set Joyce down into her crib. She fussed a little, but thankfully stayed asleep.

As Anne walked back out, she and Diana were surprised to hear a knock on the door. They looked at each other nervously.

"Are you expecting anybody?" Diana asked.

Anne shook her head. "Are you?" Diana also shook her head.

Slowly, Anne took a deep breath and headed towards the door, praying for something good.

She was definitely not expecting the person on the other side of the door.

"Gilbert!" she cried happily, jumping into her husband's arms.

Gilbert laughed and held her tightly, spinning her around slowly.

"Oh, tell me I'm not dreaming," she mumbled into his shoulder before pulling away. "Is everyone okay? Are they safe?"

Gilbert hurriedly nodded. "Yes, they're safe. They are in route to Trinidad."

Anne nodded, breathing a sigh of relief before pulling him into a kiss. She didn't understand how she used to be able to go months without seeing him, for now, three weeks was completely unbearable.

After Diana came and hugged him, Gilbert addressed, "I want to see my daughter, but then I have a whole story to tell you."

•••

Anne and Diana stared at Gilbert after he concluded with his story, their jaws on the floor.

"You were arrested?!" Anne cried in disbelief.

"Wait," Diana interjected. "If you were arrested, how are you here?"

Gilbert sighed, donning a smile. "Well, I realized that God is a woman and her name is Josephine Barry."

"Aunt Jo bailed you out?"

He nodded. "She didn't just bail me out. She was able to get the police to completely sweep this incident under the rug so it won't interfere with my career."

Anne laughed gleefully. "I love you, Aunt Jo!" she cried to the heavens.

The three talked and laughed for a bit longer before Anne remembered Gilbert's present.

"Oh, Gil," she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him up with her. "I have something to show you."

Her husband furrowed his brows and chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"Just come here."

They had been sitting on the porch, so Anne pulled him inside while Diana trailed behind them.

When they got to the living room, Gilbert gasped. For inside the room sat a brand new grand piano.

"Anne, how-" Gilbert stammered. "How did you do this?"

Anne smiled, wrapping her arms around him from the side. "Diana's father knows a man that makes instruments, and he was able to pull a few strings. It cost a little, but not a fortune."

Seemingly speechless, Gilbert pulled Anne closer and kissed her forehead.

Diana stepped forward, smiling. "We could start your lessons as early as tomorrow."

Anne giggled as Gilbert descended back into shock.

"Welcome home, darling."

———
AN: i made a couple references to anne of green gables: the continuing story in this chapter. can you find them?