Devoted To You || Gilbert Blythe

LXI

~𝒜𝒹𝒶~
Teasing. A noun. Meaning, the act of persistently annoying someone, especially playfully and with silly jokes about them:
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Gilbert pulls away from my lips and gives me a hopeful look before inquiring, "We don't have to leave right away right? I just got here and I'd love to see Paris."

"Absolutely not," I reply with a grin, wrapping my arms around his neck. "We have all the time in the world to explore Paris together." I haven't felt this giddy in a long time.

Gilbert's eyes light up with excitement, mirroring my own. "Where should we start?" he asks eagerly.

"Well, there's so much to see," I muse, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "How about we start with a stroll along the Seine? It's beautiful this time of day."

"Sounds perfect," Gilbert agrees, his smile widening. "Lead the way, Ada Faye."

As Gilbert and I made our way into the kitchen, our hands intertwined, we were met with a surprising sight. Alexander and Daphne stood close together, their lips locked in a tender kiss. Shock washed over me, my eyes widening in disbelief at the unexpected scene before us.

Gilbert and I exchange a look, he clears his throat, getting their attention. They quickly separate, guilt written across their faces.

"You two are together?" My voice was filled with delight as I looked between them.

Alexander and Daphne pulled apart, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment at being caught. "Uh, yeah," Alexander stammered, scratching the back of his neck. "Surprise?"

Daphne grinned, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "Surprise indeed," she chimed in, wrapping her arm around Alexander's waist. "Ada, meet my Sir Phillip."

"Oh you are clever." I wave my finger at her.

"I wanted to tell you. But— well it was a confusing situation for a while." She explains.

Gilbert snorts. "We know all about that."

I couldn't stop smiling as I glanced at Gilbert, his expression mirroring my own. "Isn't this wonderful?" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of happiness for our friends.

"You're not mad?" Alexander asks.

I laugh. "Of course not. Why would I be?"

I walk towards the both of them and give them a hug.

"That's a relief." Alex mumbles into my hair. "Because we're getting married."

"What?!" I gasp and pull away from them. My eyes widen in astonishment, and I stare at them in disbelief. "Married?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alexander nods, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, we've been talking about it for a while now, and we finally decided to take the plunge."

Daphne beams, her excitement palpable. "We know it's sudden, but we're just so in love and we couldn't wait any longer."

Tears of joy well up in my eyes as I rush forward to envelop them both in a tight hug. "My brother and best friend, married! I'm so happy for you two!" I exclaim, my heart overflowing with warmth.

"Now onto other things," Alexander says, turning his attention to Gilbert. "What are you doing here?"

Gilbert gulps nervously, sensing my brother's protective stance. "Well, I, uh..." he starts, his words faltering slightly under Alexander's scrutinizing gaze.