This one is for @anneshirlxy. I fixed it.
Tags: Angst. Mentions of blood. Happily Ever AfterÂ
Gilbert coughed, the handkerchief pressed to his mouth coming away bloody. Anne dabbed his sweaty forehead with a cool cloth, eyes trained on the doctor across from her.Â
“He’s going to be alright, isn’t he?” Anne half begged, half asked. Dr. Meage, the new physician in Carmody, frowned, and placed his stethoscope in his black doctor’s bag, motioning with his head towards the door.Â
Abandoning her cloth, she joined him in the doorway.Â
“I’m afraid it’s bad, my dear. He’s strong though that lad of yours. If he makes it through the night… Well it’s best to say your goodbyes now, my dear. Before it’s too late.”Â
He patted her shoulder in what was supposed to be comfort, but felt like the shadow hand of death coming to claim her dearest love.Â
Barely noting the doctor’s leaving, Anne sunk down into her chair, hand pressed over her mouth.Â
“No,” she murmured, over and over. “No, no no.” The world moved back and forth, seesawing with her shaking head.Â
Gilbert shifted next to her, trying to catch her gaze.Â
“Anne,” he gasped, interrupted by a fit of coughing, “Marry me.”Â
It took her a second to understand. “What?” She half laughed, half breathed.
“No, you’re going to get through this. You’ll get better and you’ll be ready for our wedding in a month. This is just a… a setback. It’s just…”
“Anne… Anne. We…both… know… i… won’t… make… it. Better to.. do it… now. Just in case.”
“Gilbert.” She stopped, turning to window as a few tears slipped down her cheeks. She didn’t want him to see her pain at his request. Ever since he’d proposed, she’d had visions of her wedding in the old Blythe Orchard, amid the blossoms and the birds. A gathering of their family and friends. Laughter. A new life.Â
She loved him, she did. And if this was to be his final request, then how could she refuse?
“Yes, I’ll do it.” She turned back to him. “I’ll marry you now. But we don’t have rings.”
Gilbert attempted a smile, a ghoulish grimace. “I’ll marry you… with paper rings… if I have–” The handkerchief gained more blood.Â
Anne nodded, and went to leave. “Wait, Anne. I gotta tell you… going from rivals to friends to this…has been the best moments of my life.“
” Oh Gilbert.“ Anne returned to his side, knelt, and kissed his hand once, twice, and a third time before rising. She walked backwards holding onto his hand until the last possible second.Â
Anne made her way downstairs. Hazel bustled around the kitchen, with Bash, Elijah and Delphine clustered around the table. Bash rose at Anne’s appearance.Â
“I need you to go for the minister, Bash.”
Hazel looked at her sharply. “He’s that close to death to need his last rites?” She questioned.
“No.” Anne inhaled, steadying herself, holding back her emotions. “No, I need him to perform a wedding.”Â
jbbartram-illu
origamiaround
