xv.

"One ticket for a one-way trip to Charlottetown." Eleanor sighed as she dug out a little satchel of coins.

The coins clinked together as she slammed down the correct amount, the man gave her a raised eyebrow before handing her a small ticket nub.

"Thanks." she nodded before spinning around to head to the train, only to be stopped and slammed right into two hard bodies infront of her.

"Where do you think you're going?" Alvin asked as he grabbed his sisters arm harshly and dragged her over to a bench.

"Somewhere." Eleanor mumbled and took down her hood.

"Eleanor...you can't just run away from your problems." Gilbert sighed.

"Oh yeah? Why can't I?" she hissed before jerking her arm away from Alvin's grip.

She shoved past the both of them before making her way to the train, another rough grab on her arm made her scoff and turn around. Only this time, it was Gilbert staring at her.

"Can we talk before you leave at least?" Gilbert asked.

Eleanor glanced over at Alvin, he was glaring at the two of them but nodded. Eleanor sighed but nodded as she allowed Gilbert to gently move her out of the flow of people getting on the train.

"Are you sure you want to leave? What about your friends? What about...me?" Gilbert asked.

"Gilbert...I don't think I can be happy staying there with him. You seen the way he treats me, why on earth would you want me to stay in a home like that?" Eleanor sighed.

"I-I don't want you to stay there, stay with me. You can come live with me and Bash, his girlfriend is moving in with us soon. Maybe you two can be friends! We can be one big happy family." Gilbert smiled.

Eleanor chewed on her lip as she thought about his proposition, having a girl in the house with her sounded nice. But she couldn't bear the thought of going home, getting her clothes, then moving out. What would her mother think? Her father? It was all so stressful.

She let out a shaky breath before laying her head on Gilbert's shoulders, soft sobs echoed as she gripped onto the front of his shirt. He quickly took his jacket off and slung it over her as he led her back over to Alvin, he slid the ticket out of her hand and handed it to her brother.

"I'll get her money back, you take her back to your home. I'll bring her clothes and items early tomorrow." Alvin stated.

Gilbert nodded and started back towards his house, a sobbing Eleanor on his shoulder.

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"That woman is a menace to society! Have you seen the way she dresses?" one elderly lady quarts to her friend beside her.

"Are you speaking of that Miss Stacey woman?" her friend asked.

Eleanor glanced up from her bag of flour she was carrying, she had rode her horse into town to grab some groceries at the local market. Only to overhear these alderwomen speaking of her teacher with disgust.

"Oh yes! I simply cannot believe that the council is allowing her to teach those young children. They will be influenced to be exactly like her! The girls will refuse to wear a corset, the men will refuse to work! Oh the horror!" one of the ladies cried out.

"Well I heard she's widowed,  not a husband or suitor in site for her." the other scoffed.

Eleanor scoffed, causing the two ladies to glance her way.

"Oh! Not to butt in here, but don't you think it's best to get to know Miss Stacey before judging her and her way of life? Why on Earth would you judge a girl if she refuses a corset, or a man who refuses to work, or a widowed woman? How would you feel if you lost your husband, then everyone around you judged you because of it?" Eleanor asked as she flopped down her few groceries onto the table.

The clerk smirked slightly as he rang up her items and bagged them in paper bags, she handed him the correct amount before tipping him a nickel and turning to leave.

"You really out to stay out of grown folks business ya hear? I've heard plenty of stories about you as well, you're the Park's kid that went rogue and moved in with that Blythe boy yes?" the lady scoffed.

"That would be me yes, and my name is Eleanor. And I will not sit around and let some old hags tell me I'm "rogue" you hear? I moved out of my home on my own will, and yes, me and my boyfriend sleep in the same bed if you were wondering." she snapped before walking out the door to the sound of the old ladies gasping.

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"Woah! Slow down there cowgirl." Bash's voice made Eleanor jump slightly as she spun around from loading her horse's satchels with the groceries.

"Oh...hello Bash." she sighed and allowed a small smile to creep on her face.

She had been angrily shoving her groceries into the satchel before Bash arrived, still upset about those old prunes she met int he store.

Mary poked her head out from behind Bash, she was holding onto his arm as she smiled at Eleanor.

"Hello Elle! What are you doing out here alone? Where's Gilbert?" Mary asked as she glanced at the large horse clomping its hooves.

"He's in Charlotte town today, he's having his usual session with the doctor. Helping out you know?" Eleanor smiled as she brushed the excess flower off on her handkerchief.

"I see...well you best be heading back soon. The sun is about to go down and it's at least a 30 minute trot back home. We wouldn't want the meat spoiling would we?" Mary winked.

The group laughed as Bash helped Eleanor up onto her horse, she waved a quick goodbye before clicking her tongue and snapping the reigns. Her horse gave a mighty neigh before trotting on down the road.

(time skip:30 minutes)

"Woah girl, easy now." Eleanor whispered as she slowed her horse down as she seen the house's lights grow brighter over the hill.

She slowly walked her horse to the house before tying her to the wooden knot that Bash built for her. After unloading the groceries into the house, she gave her horse some water and hay before going back inside.

"Gilbert will be home soon, better hurry with dinner." She thought aloud.

"I'm already here darling." Gilbert's voice made Eleanor scream and spin around, her arms infront of her ready to attack.

"Calm down, it's just me." he chuckled and walked towards her.

She let out a shake breath before giggling and slapping his chest, he grabbing her hand and spun her around softly.

"How was your day my dear." he asked as he placed kisses on her cheeks and forehead.

"It was just as fine as it could be I suppose, I finally went out and got groceries." she stated as she spun around and placed her back to Gilbert.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and swayed her softly as she tried to chop up some carrots.

"That sounds adventurous, did you happen to see Bash and Mary? They were collecting the last of Mary's things before she was fully moved in." Gilbert asked.

"Yes I happened to see them, we spoke for a little before I headed back here. It's dangerous for a lady to be out alone at night, especially since she was missing her signature dagger." she poked Gilbert's hand as he let out a laugh.

"The last time I allowed you to carry it with you, you ended up cutting your thigh so bad you had to get stitches." Gilbert smirked and poked her side, making her giggle.

"It was an accident! I told you I needed to get a holster for it, but I just haven't had time." she shrugged and scraped the carrots and celery she was cutting into a pot.

"Yes darling I know, especially since all of this with Miss Stacey is going on." he sighed.

"Tell me about it, I had to tell off these old prunes in the general store that were speaking bad of her." she grumbled.

"You stood up for her?" Gilbert asked.

"Well of course I did! I wasn't about to let some dirt bags tell lies about her, they were saying all sorts of rude stuff!"

"That was very brave of you."

"Why thank you, now will you please let me go so I can start the fire for the soup?" Eleanor asked as she spun back around and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Well it seems as though you have now got a hold of me, doesn't it?" he smirked.

"I suppose I do." she giggled and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

He smiled into the kiss as he deepened it, both of their cheeks growing red as their lips danced in a fiery dance of love.

"Okay okay, enough of that. I must get to cooking." Eleanor sighed out as she slowly pulled away from Gilbert.

He made a sad sort of noise before allowing his hands to trace up and down her side, slowly leaving her body as he walked over and lit the fire.

Eleanor gave him an appreciative smile before filling the cauldron with water, vegetables, cut up chicken, and homemade noodles she made the other day.

She threw handfuls of spices into the soup, tasting as she went. Gilbert was watching her as he shined his shoes and finished up his homework, allowing himself to smile as he watched her smile with each taste.

"And there, the soup should be ready in about an hour. Don't forget, you're in charge of dishes tonight." Eleanor grinned as she turned to walk to the bedroom.

"Eye eye captain." Gilbert yelled.

Eleanor smiled to herself as she shut the door, she let out a deep sigh as she slipped off her dress. Allowing it to flow softly down onto the floor, she glanced at herself in the mirror, glaring at the parts of her body she wishes to rid.

"Eleanor? May I come in?" Mary's voice made Eleanor jump.

"O-One moment! I'm indecent." she yelled back before grabbing one of the velvet robes her brother had brought her from her closet.

She gently opened the door, Mary gave her a soft smile before shutting the door and sitting on the bed. She motioned for Eleanor to do the same.

Eleanor wearily sat on the bed as she covered her legs with her robe, Mary took a few deep breaths before raising her hand.

A soft gasp escaped Eleanor's lips, there on Mary's ring finger was a shiny gold ring with a bright red ruby in the middle. Soft indentions of swirls and patterns laced the gold band as Eleanor's eyes widened.

"Holy smokes! He proposed?" Eleanor squealed.

Mary cried out in happiness as the two girls spang up and hugged, both so excited they couldn't contain their noise.

Gilbert and Bash rushed into the room, wondering what on Earth was going on.

"What happened? Who's hurt?" Gilbert asked, out of breath.

"Gilbert, you ran less than 3 feet, how are you out of breath?" Eleanor giggled as she walked over and grabbed his hand.

"I'm a fast runner." he shrugged.

Mary held her hand for Gilbert to see, he grinned and quickly brought Bash in for a hug. The two men joking and laughing as they hugged.

The house was filled with happiness as the smell of homemade chicken noodle soup wafted through it. Life couldn't be more simple, more lovely, more celebrated than in that moment.

As Eleanor looked towards Gilbert, their eyes instantly met. He gave her a soft smile, she bit her lip and smiled back.

Little did she know, he had big plans coming up for them as well.

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Hey everyone! Sorry this chapter has taken so long, these past few days have been stressful and busy as I prepare to start my new job. I should be able to get back to a good schedule in the next few days.

Happy reading!

words:1991