Come As You Are (An Anne With An E/Sebastian 'Bash' Lacroix Fanfic)

22. Back From College

It had been three years since I went to college. Three years since I've seen Bash. I hadn't returned home since after the first year. I wanted to work in the city so I had to stay in Toronto. I wrote to Bash as much as I could, updating him a lot. There was that distance but we got to talk as much as we could. He even learned Braille for me and as the letters continued, he got better.

Gilbert interrupted my thought process. "Are you excited to see Bash again?"

I nodded. "I haven't seen him in a long time. We've talked but it has been too long since I've been with him. You went home last summer. How is he?"

"He's alright," Gilbert replied. "He misses you a lot, for sure. He wants you back."

I turned my head toward where I assumed the window was "I missed him too. I have a lot to tell him about college. It's been a fun time. I want to tell that I'm getting a job at the school that I went too. I don't know how he'll react though. He wants me to stay in Avonlea but I finally have the job if my dreams. But I don't want to leave him alone with the farm."

Gilbert placed a hand on my knee. "I assure you, big sis, that he'll be fine. Maybe he'll even move to Toronto to be with you. You never know. He does want to marry you a lot. You're the love of his life."

I smiled, blushing. "Thank you. He's told me many times that he has. I love him too. Thanks for bringing him here to Avonlea. He's been a blessing."

"I hope the best for you and Bash," Gilbert said. "And for your future as well."

"I hope the best for you too," I replied, reaching out to grab him. "You just became a doctor. What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know," Gilbert replied. "I'll try to see who is open to having me work with them. Maybe I can become a doctor in Avonlea so people don't have to go too far. If that's so, I can help Bash out on the far while you're gone. He'll need the help."

I sighed, smiling. "Thank you for that. My heart can rest a little easier because I know he'll have someone on that lonely farm of ours to keep him company. I don't want to leave him alone but since you're staying for a while . . . my heart can rest a little easier. Thank you."

Gilbert gripped my hand that was resting on his forearm. "You're welcome, Aria. I wouldn't let my twin sister down like that."

I rolled my eyes. "You're impossible. I hate you."

"You love me and you know it," Gilbert threw back. "I love you too."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms as I pouted. Gilbert chuckled and fell silent. The rest of the ride was quiet. We arrived in Avonlea at noon. I held onto Gilbert's arm as we left the train. He helped me down the stairs, telling me how many there were and held onto my hand as the last wider step.

"Is she dumb or something?" An older woman whispered behind me. "I mean, she has to be guided around by that man. She has to be ill."

I wiped around once my feet hit the ground. "I'm blind, not dumb or deaf, and I just got back from finishing school at the University of Toronto. Shut up now or I'll hit you."

The woman gasped. Gilbert gripped my hand, snickering softly to myself. I spit onto the ground and turned away. Gilbert walked with me, continuing to snicker to himself. I grinned, giggling too. We stopped when someone called out my name. It was Bash and he was at waiting for us. I dropped Gilbert's hand and ran toward his voice, my arms wide open. I knew it was dangerous to run while blind but I also knew that Bash would catch me.

He did, picking me up into the air and spinning me around. Laughter escaped my mouth as I held onto him as tightly as I could. I could feel his beard against my neck, telling me it had grown longer since I last saw him three years prior.

Bash set me down and pressed his forehead against mine. "I missed you, my dear Aria Blythe. You are finally back here in my arms again."

I grinned. "I love you. I have a lot to tell you about college but we best be getting back to our home. It's a long way and I'm already hungry for dinner. Let's go."

I took both of their hands and they took me to the carriage. I sat beside Bash in the front, my hand placed on his leg. We talked while we headed home. Bash even grabbed my hand once during the trip.

When we arrived home, Bash helped us carry our bags inside. He had one of my bags but went to help Gilbert with his first. I entered my room and stood still for a second, breathing in the familiar smell. I set my bag down by the dresser and went to the bed, tracing my fingers over the blanket. It felt just like I remember. I sat down, the bed creaking with my weight.

Bash came not too long, setting the bag he had down by the other one. "I have a lot to tell you and I'm sure you do too."

I patted the bed next to me. "Please, sit down. There's a lot of talking to do and we have all afternoon to do it."

Bash sat next to me. "Indeed we do. You can start."

"Well, college was a fantastic experience," I began. "It was truly magical. You wouldn't believe how many books they have in Braille! The teachers were astonishing as well! They taught us so much. They taught us so much about teaching and I can't wait to begin teaching. Did I tell you about my new position at the blind school I went to? I got hired there to teach."

"Really?" Bash's tone was disappointed. "That's amazing, Aria. I am grateful to hear that."

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Bash sighed. "I just wished you would stay longer." He took my hand. "I want to spend more time with you, my love. Get married. Do all that kind of stuff without long periods of time apart."

"Oh, Bash," I said. "I'm always going to be your lover. And wife, someday. Hopefully soon. Are you going to propose?"

"Probably." I could almost hear the shy grin on his face. "Most likely soon. I don't want you to leave but I know that this job is your dream. I won't stop you from achieving your dream of being a teacher for the blind. So I'm going to marry you and I'm going to love you with all my heart, even when you are gone. And I'm going to hold you tight when you return to me."

Not knowing what else to say, I kissed Bash. He returned the favor and held me softly. I felt a little better about teaching in Toronto because I knew that Bash was okay with it. He would be there when I came back. He would love me when I was with him. And we were going to get married that summer. I was marrying the man of my dreams and I could barely contain my happiness.