~𝒜𝒹𝒶~
12 Days Of Christmas. A song. Need I say more?
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"Six geese a-laying / Five golden riiiings!!" The children's choir sings, very off-key.
I grimace as I string together popcorn and cranberries. "Thank goodness we're not doing a nativity scene this year. They'd wake the baby Jesus." I say making Diana laugh.
"Four calling birds / Three French hens / Two turtle doves..."
"At least they are doing it from the heart." She shrugs.
I sigh. "That's what counts."
Minnie May runs off stage with her hands on her ears. "Please make them stop." She whines.
"Minnie May. You're supposed to sing loud and pretty so you drown out the ones that sound like dying crows." I insist as I grab a few more pieces of popcorn.
She groans. "Why don't you do it?"
"Because I am very busy over here with my cranberries and popcoAHH!" A hand grabs the back of my rocking chair and yanks it backwards making me yelp in surprise. Brown eyes meet mine and I try to catch my breath.
"Gotcha." Gilbert winks before sitting me back up right.
"You devilish boy!" I slap his arm and I throw a handful of popcorn at him. He laughs and runs back to the stage where he is helping with the behind the scenes work. I huff and turn back to find Diana smirking at me. "What?" I ask.
She shakes her head, still smirking. "You know what."
"I don't think I do." I shrug as I turn back to my needle and thread.
"You lie, Ada." Diana narrows her eyes at me.
"Pray, dear lad, go fetch it for me!!" I jump at the sound of the minister yelling. I jab my finger with the needle. "Is that loud enough for you?"
"Yes." I roll my eyes. I look back at Diana who is awaiting my answer. I sigh, deciding to tell her about the other night. Minnie May has gone off now so no one else will find out. "We kissed." Her eyes nearly fly out of her head. "Don't make a big deal of it!"
"Are you kidding me?" She asks. "How do you expect me not to?"
"Please Diana. I don't want this to spread like a scandalous rumor." I beg her. "It was a very sweet, very innocent kiss. I may never experience another like it." I sigh making her brows draw together.
"Why would you say that?" She asks.
"I..." I decide to push down everything I want to talk about and I make an escape instead. "—need a bandaid."
"You're lucky I need to change anyways." Diana huffs before we stand to leave.
I head for the stage and I find Gilbert in the back, fiddling with the ropes and such. He looks up, acknowledging me. I approach him, attempting to distract myself from the lingering awkwardness. "Got any more surprises planned, or was that your grand entrance for the day?" I smirk, trying to lighten the mood.
Gilbert chuckles, setting aside his backstage duties for a moment. "Oh, you never know, Ada. I might have a few tricks up my sleeve," he teases, his brown eyes sparkling mischievously.
I raise an eyebrow, a playful grin forming on my lips. "Well, I hope they involve fewer near heart attacks. I'm just here for the cranberries and popcorn, not an adrenaline rush."
He laughs, the sound echoing through the backstage chaos. "Fair enough. But I have to admit, it was worth it to see the look on your face."
Rolling my eyes, I retort, "You're incorrigible, Gilbert Blythe." We share a moment of lighthearted banter before he resumes his behind-the-scenes tasks.
I walk back around to find Diana in her costume with the rest of the girls.
"So, about that kiss," she begins, her tone sly. I shoot her a warning look, but she's undeterred. "Details, please."
I sigh, realizing I can't escape the inevitable interrogation. I pull her to a corner. "It was just a moment, Diana. Innocent and fleeting. Don't go weaving dramatic tales."
Diana smirks, clearly enjoying the opportunity to tease me. "Innocent, huh? You're blushing, Ada."
Ignoring her comment, I redirect the conversation. "Anyway, let's focus on the play. We don't want any more surprises, planned or unplanned."
Gilbert joins us again, looking amused at our exchange. "Ready for the grand performance, ladies? Your costume looks dashing, Diana."
Diana grins. "Thank you, Gilbert. We're always ready. Ada just needed a momentary distraction."
I shoot her a pointed look before turning to Gilbert. "Distractions aside, let's make sure everything runs smoothly. No more surprises, please."
He raises his hands in mock surrender. "You have my word, Ada. Smooth sailing from here on out."
***
The days are passing quickly as the Christmas pantomime and my birthday approaches. The days have been cold and long but everything is coming together nicely.
"What are you wrapping there?" Bash asks, rather loudly.
I shush him. "Did your mother teach you no manners?" I whisper, mimicking him. "It's a Christmas present for Gilbert!"
"Where's mine? I hope it is a dinner with some kick to it." Bash retorts teasingly.
I smile. "Oh I'll give you a kick."
Before he can respond, someone knocks at the door. He clicks his tongue at me before answering the door. "Good day to you, ma'am."
"Oh... Hello." Oh it's Marilla! "I... Are you...?" Great. She has probably never been this close to a man of color before.
"My name is Sebastian. I'm Gilbert Blythe's friend." Bash says.
"His friend?"
"Yes. I live here now. We met when we was both working on the ship, on our way to Trinidad." I could probably step in, but I want to see how this goes.
"Oh. I see. Is Gilbert at home?" Marilla asks.
"Of course, yes." He nods. He pokes his head around the door. "Blythe! There's a very surprised lady here to see you." He winks at me making me almost laugh. I cover my mouth as I throw a towel over Gilbert's present. Gilbert rushes from down the hall and opens the door all the way.
"Miss Cuthbert! What a pleasant surprise." He smiles widely.
"Hello, Gilbert. Welcome home." She smiles. She peeks her head around the two boys. "Ada. Good to see you." I smile somewhat guiltily.
"I see you've already met Sebastian." Gilbert says, sensing the tension. "Won't you come in?"
She shakes her head. "Oh, thank you, I-I just came by to see if you and Ada would like to join us for Christmas dinner at Green Gables."
"That's... that's very kind of you to offer." Gilbert smiles.
"And of course you're welcome to join us... Sebastian." Marilla smiles, awkwardly.
"I'd be delighted."
"Oh. Very well, then." She backs away from the door as she takes her leave.
"Good day." Gilbert waves before shutting the door.
Sebastian lets out a breath of air. "My goodness. She looked like she had just seen a ghost."
"I wouldn't use the term ghost." I grimace making the two of them laugh. "I'd say you handled that well, Bash."
"Me too." He nods.
"What's under that towel?" Gilbert asks.
I tighten my grip on it. "For the time being, it is none of your concern." I smile sweetly.
He holds his hands up in defense. "If you say so."