(Untitled)

[avonlea_girl]

The steps heading towards Room 203 aren't as light as they once were, but the laughter and the voices are just as girlish, and it's almost possible to forget the curve to Amy's stomach or the way Anne's hair is coiled so firmly instead of falling in a loose braid

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[kitchen_maid]

"Well," says Amy, laughing more than ever, "I think it was rather wishful thinking on her part, but she certainly appeared to. Oh, Anne, you should have seen her, batting her eyes like, well . . ." Amy demonstates, unable to find words. "And her mother. Oh, her mother was horrible."

[avonlea_girl]

"Did they ever find out you were a kitchen maid at the time?" Her eyes dancing, Anne sits down on the edge of her old bed, and giggles at the thought of the Princess Persephone attempting to set her claws in Perry.

[kitchen_maid]

"Heavens, no," says Amy. "No one knows that except Perry. It would be rather awkward, I think, all told, and you can't have the populace knowing something like that. They're such dreadful snobs, populaces."

It's good to be giggling with Anne again. Amy has missed it.

"I don't really miss it, you know. I mean, I occasionally wish we really were just a kitchen maid and a man-of-all-work . . . and then I remember the lemon cakes."

[avonlea_girl]

"And the other kitchen maids, and Princess Persephone," Anne laughs, and then adds, slyly, "and I remember you saying something about how you couldn't understand what they all saw in the King."

[kitchen_maid]

That sets Amy off laughing more than ever. "Well, yes. But I've been wrong before, you know, Anne. Besides, they didn't see the important things."

Pause, and then a very bright smile.

"Though he is horribly handsome . . ."

[avonlea_girl]

"He is very handsome, and charming, and he adores you," Anne says, firmly, while the starry eyes sparkle happily.

"You're lucky, Amy. And he is even luckier, to have you."

[kitchen_maid]

"Thank you, Anne," she says. "I think we're equally lucky, really, and I think we had best talk about someone else, because I can go on about Perry for hours.

"How's your Gilbert?"

[avonlea_girl]

"Busy," Anne says, and it's a little wistful, even though it isn't his fault in the least. "We're leaving for Redmond soon, and both of us have arrangements that need to be made and goodbyes that need to be said--but I'll be seeing him tomorrow--well, my tomorrow at Ruby Gillis' party."

And the smile on her face says more than she ever could about how she feels about seeing Gilbert there.

[kitchen_maid]

It does. It looks rather like the smile Amy sees in the mirror when she thinks about Perry.

"I am so looking forward to hearing all about your adventures at the university, Anne. And at least you and Gilbert will be busy together, in the same place, at the same time."

[avonlea_girl]

"Yes, we will, won't we? It'll be such fun, Amy, I can't wait."

Pushing herself back on the bed, she brings her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them, settling her chin on her knees.

"And I'm so glad. I've had Gilbert nearby almost since the first moment I arrived at Green Gables." Her smile grows a little wistful. "I'm not sure what I would do without him there."

[kitchen_maid]

"Well, being the terribly strong and capable person you are, Anne, you would manage. But it's much more pleasant when they're around. You'll have much more fun."

She looks around the room.

"I'm glad we're here tonight. It'll be the first time I've tried to sleep without Perry being there since the wedding. I'm not sure I would have slept at all in the House."

[avonlea_girl]

"You know," Anne says, a little dreamily, "I've missed this room. Not because of the room, of course, though it's dear--but mostly I've missed this. Sitting and talking with you, Amy."

[kitchen_maid]

"Oh, Anne, I have, too. We shall have to keep the room, I think, so that we always have a place that's ours, when we want to go and talk about whatever silly things enter our heads. And you must come visit Ambergeldar soon. And often."

[avonlea_girl]

She stands, and crosses the room to sit next to Amy, and put her head on the other girl's shoulder.

"I will," she promises. "And, oh, I'll try to come back as often as I can. This isn't home--not really--but it is more than Redmond is, yet."

[kitchen_maid]

"Redmond will become home-like, I suspect. Just as this did. Just as my Ambergeldar did and your Avonlea. They weren't always home, but they're as much home as they could ever be now, aren't they? After all, you'll be in Redmond with two of your dearest friends, and perhaps I'll sneak in to visit you there, too, some day."

[avonlea_girl]

"Amy, would you?"

Anne's eyes glow with delight, and she clasps her hands together.

"That would be so wonderful--though I imagine it'll have to wait until you and Perry and the baby are all settled."