Gilbert paused at the red sandstone step that led into the House of Dreams and gave a small sigh as he watched Anne tidy up a few last minute things in the kitchen. He wasn't anxious to have her gone and he knew the next two weeks would be long ones. He loved coming home in the evenings and having her there. Her smile, the way her eyes danced when he came through the door, and the embrace he always received even before he took off his coat made this little spot dearer than ever to him. A house is just a house, but a house with a dear little red haired wife* who gives the sweetest kisses makes a house a home. Even when he gets home late and Anne has already gone to bed, he loves that she unconciously reaches out to him in her sleep and lays her head against his chest. How did he ever even sleep before? But he can't be selfish. He's so busy at present (which has been a good thing for his pocket book) that Anne has not seen much of him lately. And with Christmas just next week he wanted her to enjoy it at Green Gables.

The trunk had been placed and secured in the back of the buggy and Gilbert was now entering the house again to let Anne know that he was ready. It was cold and snowy outside and he didn't want Anne out in it any more than she needed to be. "Anne, I'm ready. Let me get these blankets for you and we'll be off." He took hold of the bundle Anne was carrying and placed it on a chair close by. "First thing first though," he said as he reached for his wallet. Pulling out two $10 bills he said, "Here, put this in your purse."

"Gilbert," Anne looked rather astonished, " I don't need so much." I'll only be gone two weeks before you come. Surely I will have no reason for needing all this."

"Maybe not," was Gilbert's reply, "but I don't want to have to worry about my Anne-girl. I didn't say you had to spend it," he added with a wink, "Just have it in case you need it."

"You are too good to me," Anne said with a smile as she placed the money in her purse. When she was done she was not surprised to find Gilbert's strong arms around her holding her in an embrace. Anne returned the embrace with the same force and turned her face to accept a passionate kiss from her husband. They both knew that they would share a kiss on the platform before Anne got on board, but that it would have to be a small chaste kiss that was appropriate for public viewing. Neither wanted to leave without what each would consider a proper goodbye. That was best accomplished behind closed doors with no viewers. So Gilbert kissed her and kissed her well. He then helped her don her coat, took the blankets up again, and offered his wife his arm. Once Anne had been placed in the carriage with the blankets tucked neatly around her, Gilbert took the reigns and they were off to the station.

"I've always enjoyed a ride in fresh snow. You get to feel the soul of winter on a day like this. Just listen. All the world is still, and yet, winter seems to have a certain music to it, a kind that can only be heard with ones soul. I believe I can actually hear the snowflakes falling." After reveling in the landscape she turned to Gilbert and said in a small voice, "I wish you were coming with me," and she leaned into Gilbert's side.

"Me too, Anne-girl. But I can't leave my patient right now. Besides, with me gone so much at the present, I think it will be good for you to spend some time at Green Gables. And I know that Susan is excited to spend the holidays with her sister. Don't worry about me, the pantry is well stocked and I'm sure to have plenty of dinner invitations once the community finds out that my wife has left me to fend for myself during the holiday season." He said the last statement with a twinkle in his eye and a crooked smile on his face. Anne gave his arm a little push, but she was smiling as well. Oh, he still loved to tease her, but all in good nature and Anne knew this.

"Don't be mean," Anne smiled as she brought her face close to his, "You know I'd stay if you really wanted me to. It was your idea to send me away, remember?"

"I know, Anne. But I want you to have a nice holiday, and with me so busy right now, I'd worry less about you if I knew you were with Marilla. Nothing against Susan, of course."

"Of course," was Anne's reply and she nestled even closer to her husband, forcing him to let go of the reigns with one arm and place it around Anne's slender shoulders. They always enjoyed a drive together, and Gilbert especially like being able to hold her like this. His mind wandered back to a time when he desperately wanted to put an arm around her but dared not for the reaction it would have gotten. He chuckled briefly under his breath remembering the longing he felt to move his arm and the physical pain it caused him to keep it in place at the reigns.

Anne looked up into his face. "And what is so funny Dr. Blythe?"

"Oh, just remembering how much I wanted to drive along holding you like this when you were seventeen. And for that matter, every year until you finally accepted me. I almost went mad, Anne. Do you have any idea how you tortured me?" he added in an indignant tone.

Although Anne had spent years trying to keep Gilbert as a friend only, once she realized she was in love with him, she gave herself wholeheartedly. She actually loved hearing these little endearing statements from him and sometimes nudged her husband into making them. "I hope I've made up for it," was her reply as she gave his thigh a little squeeze under the blanket.

Gilbert quickly placed his hand over it so she wouldn't move it. "Oh, I think we'll call it even," Gilbert said nonchalantly as they smiled into each others eyes. Their faces were close together and it didn't take much movement to close the gap and give each other a quick yet tender kiss. Anne nestled back in and Gilbert watched the road. They had a pleasant drive into town, with softly falling snow adding a bit of romance to the atmosphere.

Before pulling into the yard at the station, Gilbert quietly said, "You make sure you tell Marilla that you are expecting again. I don't want you over exerting yourself, and she'll make sure you don't if she knows."

"I will," was Anne's simple response.

"And make sure you take a nap everyday." Anne nodded her assent. "And don't spend too much time on your feet."

"Gilbert, dear, I'll be fine," Anne said with a small laugh. "You shouldn't worry so much. Nothing bad is going to happen to me."

"I can't help it darling," Gilbert said in a small voice without looking at her. "I almost lost you. I've never felt such desperation or pain before." With a quick change of expression and a wink in her direction he added, "I'm your husband. It's my job to take care of you," he said with a quick peck to her cheek before adding, "And to worry about you."

Anne just shook her head, but she had a smile on her face. It was good to be loved.

"And tell Davy I'll box his ears when I come in a fortnight if he makes you lift as much as a single bag," were Gilbert's parting words to his wife when he placed her on the train. He stayed and waved to her and pretended to catch the kiss she blew in his direction from her place by the window. He stayed long enough to see the train round the bend, gave a heavy sigh, and then went slowly back to his buggy to begin his rounds.