iv.

(Authors Note- I accidentally messed up the time line, so I'll just make it Spring time whenever Gilbert's father passes. Sorry for the inconvenience!)

It had been almost three months since Eleanor was struck by Mr Phillips, he had yet to even steal a glance at her or Alvin.

Eleanor had been spending more and more time with Gilbert and Prissy, they were both so kind in their different ways. She loved the way Prissy would braid her long curls or offer to do her makeup, Eleanor loved the way the "blush" color that would come across her cheeks as Prissy moved a soft bristled brush across her face. But Gilbert was a different kind of friendship, one that Eleanor cherished and always wanted to progress.

(FLASHBACK)

"M-May I hold your hand?" Gilbert asked, blush creeping up his neck.

"Yes you may." Eleanor giggled as she held her small hand out towards him.

Gilbert beamed and grabbed her small hand, Eleanor's body instantly heating up as his warmth enveloped her. She was always cold and the feeling of Gilbert's warm hadn't in hers, made her feel like she would never be cold again.

"This is nice." she breathed out, the two walking as the flowers slowly bloomed.

Spring was just rounding the corner and Eleanor couldn't be more excited, springtime was her favorite part of the year. She loved to pick flowers and dry them out, or crush them in books to create bookmarks for her and her friends. But New York never had many flowers, so Laura often bought her a bouquet of beautifully arranged flowers to do what she pleases. But Avonlea was much different from the city, it was apparent to Eleanor when everywhere she looked she could see flowers starting to erupt from they're blooms.

The two walked hand in hand until they reached the school house, they quickly let go whenever they noticed Mr Phillips walking around the building. A breath escaping their lips when he turned and walked into the school house instead of coming to yell at them.

"Can I walk you home later?" Gilbert asked as he took Eleanor's hand and walked her into the schoolhouse.

"I would like nothing more."

(END OF FLASHBACK)

Eleanor was walking towards Gilberts house,  her pale yellow dress dragging behind her on the grass as she hummed softly to herself. The two had planned to finish their homework for the weekend and get it all over with in one go. So Gilbert said that they could meet at his house, and Eleanor wasn't about to argue, and so here we are.

"Oh hello Anne." Eleanor smiled as she came across her red headed friend.

"Eleanor! H-Have you heard the news?" Anne asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Heard what? Anne are you alright? You're shaking like a freight train!" Eleanor stated as she walked over to her.

"Gilbert's father just died."

The words struck Eleanor like a ton of bricks, she felt the air leave her lungs as she gasped. Anne tried to stop her but Eleanor was already running towards Gilbert's house, tears springing to her eyes. John Blythe was more of a father to her than her actual father was, he always made sure that she ate and was well dressed. It pained her to see his condition slowly getting the best of him, and this was the last time that it truly slipped him up.

Her feet hit the ground with hard thumps as she climbed the hill towards Giblert's small farm home. Outside was the nurse that came to take care of John, she was sniffling and weeping into a handkerchief.

"Elizabeth!" Eleanor called out as she climbed the steps.

The nurse looked up and smiled softly, she held her arms out and Eleanor quickly pulled her in for a tight hug. Elizabeth weeped softly into Eleanor's shoulder until the young girl pulled away. The nurse almost seemed to read her mind as she pointed towards the house, Eleanor nodded a thank you and trudged into the Blythe home.

The house was still and quiet, it looked like it hadn't been touched in years. The floorboards creaked as Eleanor made her way towards John's bedroom, which was much closer to the front door than she would like to admit.

"E-Elizabeth? Is that y-you?" Gilberts broken voice called out.

"No Gilbert...i-it's me." Eleanor whispered as she walked through the doorway.

Gilbert glanced over towards her and she swore she felt her heart break into a million pieces. His eyes were sunken in, dried tears littered his cheeks, and his fathers hand was resting in his own.

Eleanor quickly walked over and pulled him into a hug, his body completely relaxed into hers as he quietly sobbed. She carefully whispered sweet nothings into his ear as he pulled both of them down to the floor, he slid against her chest as he sobbed. His hands were clutched to her dress, he almost seemed to climb up her to bury his head into the crook of her neck.

"I know Gilbert...I know it's okay. He's in a better place now, he's not suffering anymore. Isn't that what you wanted?" Eleanor whispered, carefully lifting his head up to meet her eyes.

"Y-Yeah...but if I know he's in a better place...why does it hurt so bad?" he choked out another sob as he fell back onto her shoulder.

Eleanor allowed her own tears to fall as she listened to Gilbert silently sob, his body shaking with every one. Her tears dripped softly onto his hair as his soaked through her dress, she allowed him to cry until he had drifted off to sleep. She carefully pulled him into the chair and covered him up, her eyes then moved towards John.

She quickly covered her mouth with her hand as she tried not to sob loud enough to wake Gilbert. He really had become a big part in her life and just like that, he was gone. And she didn't even get to say goodbye.

"Elizabeth, why don't you go fetch the preacher and tell him t-theres been a death. I'll keep Gilbert company and make him dinner." Eleanor stated as she finally regained her composure and walked outside to see her in the same spot.

Elizabeth nodded and gave her one last hug before hurrying down the grass hull. Eleanor watched her until she was gone before moving back into the house, she cringed at the sight of Gilbert sleeping beside of his dead father.

"Gilbert, love wake up. I don't want you to sleep in here, come alone, I'll take you to your room." Eleanor whispered as she brushed one of his curls from his face.

His eyes fluttered open as he groggily nodded, Eleanor helped him up and down the hall and into his own bed. He almost immediately fell asleep as his head hit the pillow, Eleanor covered him up and kissed his forehead before walking to the kitchen.

She grabbed the apron that John had stitched her name on and tied it tightly around her waist. With a quick swoop, she tied her hair up into a braided bun and took off her gloves.

Gilbert's POV

Seeing her really helped a lot, but I still couldn't help but cry as I felt myself drifting off to sleep. She had helped me into my own bed, covered me, and even kissed my cheek before going to the kitchen. I could hear her cooking, and the smell of chicken and vegetables wafted into my room. Having her here is more than I could ask, she really is the sweetest.

I know I should've fell asleep by now, but every time I closed my eyes I could still see my deceased father. A shutter ran up my spine as I tossed and turned, my mind was racing so fast that it somehow lulled me to sleep.

(about three hours later)

I woke up to the sound of humming, the soft tune instantly made me smile as I recognized it as Eleanor's favorite song. Which meant she was still here, my eyes wandered over to the clock beside my bed.

"6:34" I sighed out, which meant I'd been asleep for almost three hours.

She really had stayed the entire time I was asleep? The house smelt amazing, smelt of a chicken roast but also a comforting scent of honey and lilac, Eleanor's signature scent.

I climbed out of bed and shivered at the coldness of my dark and empty room, I spent most of my time with my father in his room so I never got around to decorating it how I wanted. The floor creaked under me as I walked down the hall of my old house, I glanced towards my fathers room to see the door shut.

With a sigh, I passed the room and walked into the kitchen. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, it felt like my worries had melted away. The sun was beaming into the room and there stood Eleanor, she was swaying softly as she pulled something from the oven. The smell of blueberry's and butter hit my nose and lulled me over to her, she carefully sat the pie down before turning to face me. A smile forming on her lips as she walked over and brushed a curl from my face, her hand lingering on my cheek for a few moments.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"As good as I can be I suppose...your really didn't have to stay and cook for me. I-I know you have a lot of homework to finish-" I started to list of reasons but she held her finger to my lips.

"It's no trouble Gilbert, I already sent my mother a letter of my whereabouts and told her you would be staying the night with us." she smiled and brought me over to the table.

"Stay the night with you?" I questioned.

"Well of course, the preacher told me that he wouldn't be here until tomorrow. And as much as you don't want to leave your father right now, I feel like it would be best if you had a break from everything. Spending the night with a deceased body in the next room is not good for your mental health, but if you're really set on staying then I understand." she stated as he pulled the chicken roast from the oven and spooned some onto two plates.

"I-I guess you're right...does she mind if I stay over?" I ask as I stand to help her, but she waves me off and brings the two plates over before returning to pour drinks.

She pulls out a large pitcher of tea, I cocked my head to the side as I watched her pour it out. We've never made tea like that.

"Well of course not, she already sent back saying that she would prepare the guest room opposite of mine for you. That way if you need me, I'll just be across the hall." she stated as she brought the glasses over and sat them down.

I stared at the glass before lifting it to my lips and drawing out a long sip, sweetness and the taste of peach tea filled my mouth. I smiled slightly as I remembered that Laura said that Eleanor's favorite tea is peach tea, and it was iced!

We ate in silence, I stole a few glances towards her but she was busy looking out the window as she chewed. She really is the kindest person that I had ever met, she stayed with me for hours while I cried, she made me dinner and a bloody pie for that matter. And she didn't make fun or tease me for crying, like the way Billy Andrews would.

My eyes finally met hers and she gave me a smile, that smile is enough to drive any man wild, and she did just that.

Eleanor Parks, you drive me wild.

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Eleanor sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror, today was John Blythe's funeral.

She knew that he would be having one, but she didn't expect it to be so soon. The preacher explained that John's body would most likely start decomposing very soon if they didn't plan a funeral. So Eleanor and Gilbert spent the whole day after his death to plan his funeral, John had saved a little money for his funeral.

After a few hours of planning, they decided that they would bury John's body beside his wife's, right below Gilbert's home. Eleanor explained to the preacher when and where he would be hurried, since Gilbert didn't have the energy too.

But the day had finally come, April 12th. The funeral of John Blythe.

(Past time to the arrival of guest at the funeral)

Eleanor walked along side her mother as she held tightly onto Harvey, many other people were arriving with them. Her mother had given her an old dress that seemed to fit her well, since she didn't have many fully black dresses. Laura insisted that Eleanor look her best, even if a father figure of hers had just passed. So Eleanor was up almost four hours before the funeral, her mother forced her to bathe and sit while she did her hair. It was in an elegant half updo with a braided bun and the rest fell freely on her shoulders in bouncy curls.

"Eleanor." Anne sighed out as she seen her friend.

Eleanor ran forward and pulled her into a tight hug, her eyes already burning with tears. She then went on to hug Diana and Prissy, along with Ruby and Tillie. It seemed that everyone in town was at John's funeral, all except one, Gilbert.

Eleanor glanced around for her boy as the guest were making their ways towards the small cemetery on Gilbert's land. She didn't see his curly brown hair, so excused herself and made her way to into the house. The sound of soft sniffling alerted her that he was in there, when she neared the sound her heart dropped when it came from John's room.

She gently pushed the door open to see Gilbert sitting on the bed, his head in his hands as tears pooled on the ground as they fell from his eyes. He looked up when he heard her footsteps and quickly wiped his eyes before standing.

"Gilbert-" she started but he quickly shook his head and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the house and towards the cemetery.

"Gilbert slow down, the funeral doesn't start for another five minutes." she whispered as she almost fell down the hill.

He slowed his pace but kept moving until he was down near the other guest, all giving him sympathetic looks. The preacher nodded towards the boy as he and Eleanor took their places in the front, then he started with the funeral.

"John Blythe was a father, husband, neighbor, and a friend." the preacher started.

Eleanor glanced up at Gilbert as he stared at his fathers grave, his eyes glazed over as he desperately tried to stop crying. She slipped her hand into his and squeezed, he glanced down at her and gave her a small nod before turning back to the ceremony.

The two held hands the entire ceremony.

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"That was a lovely service, I'm sorry for your loss Gilbert." Maurilla stated as she quickly pulled him into a hug.

He awkwardly hugged back before quickly moving back towards Eleanor. She was talking with Prissy about something as he grabbed her hand and pulled her from the girl, she waved bye to her friend before turning and following Gilbert outside.

She decided it was better not to ask as he dragged her over to the cemetery, he quickly sat them both down on the wooden bench. The air was filled with stiffness and sadness as Gilbert shut his eyes and sighed, leaning slightly on Eleanor. She ran a hand up and down his arm as the two stared at the freshly dug up grave.

"It's okay to cry Gilbert, I'm here for you." she whispered.

The words seemed to hit a soft spot for Gilbert as he broke down for the third time that day. He sobbed into her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close. Gilbert breathed in her perfume and smiled slightly, he understood what death was at that moment.

Even though his father is no longer with him, he knew that Eleanor always would be.

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Sorry for the sad chapter :( we needed it after the fluff chapter :)

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