Work Text:
Chapter 1
Anne gave a sigh of content as she sat down in the rocking chair next to Marilla. She patted her full stomach.
One of Dora’s kittens, who was named Bella, had just come downstairs after a long nap and was rubbing up agonist Anne’s legs, wanting to be held. Anne picked her up and cuddled her. Bella happily accepted the cuddles from Anne and was purring and rubbing her face against Anne’s. Anne giggled and scratched Bella behind the ears and underneath her chin.
Immediately, Bella started to make biscuits on Anne’s lap and had the tired, sleepy look in her eyes. Anne giggled again “You just slept the afternoon sweet girl. Another nap already? You won’t sleep tonight.”
Dora turned and smiled at Anne as Bella curls up in her lap. “I say Bella has taken quite the liking to you Anne. I think she came down to say hi and check in. Momma and the others must still be asleep.”
“Bella is the adventurous one of the three kittens. She reminds me of myself back in my younger days.” Anne said stroking Bella’s soft coat.
“I caught Bella climbing my curtains this morning. She got stuck because I heard her meowing for help and luckily, I was upstairs and heard her. Her claws were stuck on the curtains and she was just hanging there for dear life. She was meowing and begging for somebody to help her. I just got her down and she immediately took off into Dora’s room.” Rachel said.
Dora giggled and she said, “She did that to my curtains last night. Luckily, I took notice and grabbed her before she knocked off the lamp from my desk. She looked all innocent”
Marilla looked a bit concerned at the mention of Bella almost knocking Dora’s lamp over. Dora quickly added “Don’t worry Marilla, the lamp by my window wasn’t knocked over. I had the one on my dresser lit. Not the one Bella tried to knock over.”
“Well, that’s good.” Marilla mumbled.
Scratching Bella softly on her back, Anne said “I can’t believe we have to do this all over again in just a few weeks for Christmas dinner.” Anne moaned.
“Christmas will be here before we know it. I still haven’t sent gifts to my grandchildren yet and I need to make a few quilts or blankets to the Hope Town Orphanage.” Rachel said.
“I still need to think about what to cook for Christmas. I meant to get my mother’s recipe book out today, but I can’t think about food at the moment.” Marilla said.
Dora was kind enough to offer to do the cleanup from the Thanksgiving feast that Marilla and Rachel had prepared. Marilla made Davy dry the dishes which he didn’t want to do. Dora was up to her elbows in soapy water carefully rinsing the dishes off and Davy was blowing the bubbles and getting soap and water all over the floor and on Dora. Dora giggled and splashed soapy water on Davy.
“What are your plans for Christmas break Anne?” Rachel asked.
Anne was rocking in her chair and said “I have papers to grade, lesson plans to work on and try and figure out a simpler work load for Gilbert’s little sister. Gilbert said he would help me with that. Between the two of us, we should figure something out.”
Davy turned around to face Anne from the sink. “Anne, can we go out and look for a Christmas tree? I want to find a tall and bushy one. I want to look for one before the snow gets too deep.”
Anne chuckled and said, “Of course Davy. As long as it isn’t snowing to hard, we can go and look for a tree. We should get our snow shoes out and you can find the small saw in the barn so we can cut the tree down. Bring your sled to so we can put the tree on the sled. I’ll find some rope in the house.”
Davy grinned. “ Our tree will be the biggest in Avonlea. I’ll show the boys at school. We all have a bet on who will get the biggest and bestest tree.”
“I don’t want a million little boys coming into my house and messing up my clean floors. If you must, you can bring in two at a time. Just have them take off their boots.” Marilla said in a rather annoyed voice.
“When is Gilbert coming home Anne? You mentioned the other day you received a letter from him?” Rachel asked.
“I did. He said he would be home tomorrow night and managed to get a month off from the hospital. That’s all he does is work at the hospital these days. He finished up his studies for the semester so he was killing time. He volunteered so much this summer and spring; they told him to spend some quality time with his new sister Sarah. He jumped on the chance.” Anne said.
“What’s his plans for when he comes home?” Rachel asked.
“He wants to spend some quality time with his sister. He wants to teach her how to ice skate, teach her how to sled, show her how to make a snow Angel, and teach her how to build a snowman. Along with helping her with her homework for a few hours’ day. See what areas she is struggling in. He is thinking of taking her over to his medical school and show her around sometime during his break. He asked if I could go too.” Anne said.
Marilla and Rachel looked at each other and Anne quickly said “I’ll have my own room and Sarah would share with me. Oh, please can I go Marilla. He so badly wants me to see his world that he works in and he wants Annalee to see too.” Anne asked.
“I’ll think about it. Davy, be careful with that platter the turkey was on. Good grief boy, it almost slipped through those wet hands of yours. That was my aunt’s platter.” Marilla shrieked.
“I didn’t break it though. I caught it with my cat-like reflexes though.” Davy said.
Dora turned around to face Anne, “ I remember when Gilbert taught me to ice skate. I was really scared I would fall and break my arm or ankle, but Gilbert held my hands the whole time until I felt comfortable. He promised I wouldn’t fall and get hurt and at least on his watch and he was right. Remember Anne? We spent all afternoon at Barry’s Pond while he taught me to ice skate. That’s one of my favorite memories of my first Christmas here.”
Anne nodded. “ I do remember that, Dora. You were shaking like a leaf because you were so scared. It took Gilbert a half an hour to convince you it was perfectly ok to skate on the pond. You held onto Gilbert’s hands so tightly the whole time, I think he was afraid you would break his fingers. You have been practicing every winter since then. You can show him some of your twirls you do on ice. He will be so proud of you.”
Dora beamed at Anne’s compliment. “I can help Gilbert teach Annalee to ice skate. I can hold one hand and he can hold the other. Do you think he will let me help him teach Sarah?”
“I don’t see why not. You’re just as good at skating now as Gilbert. I’m not so good on skates.” Anne said.
Dora giggled. “I know. Gilbert told me on his letter he tried to teach you, but you were not very good on skates. You were trying to skate on your own and you fell in on the snow bank face first.”
Anne blushed at the memory. “ Gilbert thought that was hilarious and that out of all the Avonlea girls he helped teach to ice skate, I was the worst. That was my first and last time I skated. I was around 11-12 years old.”
“I want to help teach Annalee how to sled and how to do a snow ball fight. Then Annalee and I can plan a sneak attack on Gilbert by throwing snowballs at him” Davy said rubbing his hands together gleefully.
“You’re teaching her bad habits already.” Rachel said.
“Am not.” Davy said.
“Actually, Annalee’s mother dropped by over here before break. She came over to thank Davy for sticking up for Annalee. Some of the girls were teasing her because Annalee had gotten a bad grade on a spelling test. She begged me not to tell Gilbert. One of the girl’s name Stella Pye was calling Annalee a crybaby. Davy immediately stepped in and told them to knock it off and threatened to put worms in their sandwiches and spiders down their dress if they kept it up. They stopped immediately. Then he and Dora walked Sarah home.” Anne said.
Marilla was trying her hardest not to laugh and managed to say “We appreciate that you stood up for Annalee, Davy but I can’t say I agree with the threats of worms and spiders.”
“Those girls are a mean lot. I think Davy should if he feels the need too. He would know when the right time is. I usually don’t agree to this sort of thing, but I have a soft spot for Annalee that’s why.” Rachel said proudly.
Davy grinned at having won this battle and secretly, Anne wouldn’t mind seeing those girls get a taste of their own medicine. Anne can only do so much as a teacher, but children have their own battles. This would be one of them.
“Davy, why don’t you go out to the barn before it gets to dark. Bring the sled, saw, and some rope to tie the tree down.” Marilla said.
Davy didn’t need to be told twice. He left the sink, splashing Dora with some soapy water earring a grin and giggle from Dora. “Davy!”
“Put your coat on and boots on; it’s supposed to snow this evening.” Marilla cautioned.
“I’ll help you finish up the dishes Dora, then maybe we can talk about what we can get you for Christmas.” Anne said.
Dora turned around and grinned at Anne.
“ I would like that. I have some ideas in mind.”
“Doesn’t anybody want to know what I want for Christmas?” Davy asked as he was putting his boots on.
“You can tell us as soon as you come back. I don’t want you out there too long because it gets dark early. Go straight to the barn and come back.” Marilla said.
By then Davy was putting on his jacket and getting ready to go outside. Just as he was opening the door, Davy said in a surprising voice “ Gilbert!”