Chapter Text
October 1919
It has been nearly a year since the Armstice was signed - on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, and the winds of change are blowing through Glen St. Mary.
The small house Una Meredith bought with the money Aunt Mary Martha willed to her was the first thing that had ever truly been hers.
It sits on a hilltop a little apart from the village, and she can look down and see the Glen and the glistening harbor beyond. The moment she steps inside the grey stone walls feel like they are welcoming her, and she knows it will be her new home.
"It seems to me, Mrs. Doctor Dear," said Susan Baker one warm evening, "that everyone with a trouble finds their way up to Una Meredith."
And she was right. Schoolgirls who took sewing classes from Una brought their little friends and confided in her all their woes. Small boys from her Sunday school told her details of schoolyard fights. Old women without anyone to gossip to found themselves unloading all their troubles - they knew she would never tell a soul.
In fact, Una Meredith was so good at being a trouble-keeper that it scarcely crossed anyone's mind that she herself might be lonely or hiding some tragic hurt.
Even Rilla Ford (nee Blythe), who had once noticed so much, forgot.
She came gliding up the hill one crisp autumn day - even as a newly married woman, there was still something in her manner that made you think she never walked but danced - breathless with excitement.
Una and Faith were having tea.
"Oh, sister Rilla," cried Faith, jumping up to hug her impetuously. "What a lovely day, isn't it!?" She received great joy from the fact they were all sisters now.
Una was just as sincere but a bit more reserved, in her quiet yet sweet manner. "I'm glad you have come. Won't you take tea?"
"Yes, please, dear. I've got the most exciting news. Ken and Jem are visiting at the mercantile, Faith. Jem said you were up here so I decided to pop in."
Faith clapped her hands delightedly. "Splendid! Now, here's the tea, let's have your news."
"Well..." Rilla beamed at them and placed one slim hand on her stomach. "Ken and I have found out we're going to have a baby."
Faith squealed and Una couldn't help but smile. "How wonderful!"
"How far along?"
"I'm only about 10 weeks. You're the first ones to know, outside of Dad and Mother. The instant I told Ken I thought I might be pregnant he rushed me off to Dad to be examined -as if I might break!"
"Jem's a worrier, too," confided Faith, "He acts as if I'll catch a chill and always wants to give me his coat."
She and Rilla laughed comfortably and Una wondered what it might be like to have a husband that fussed over you or be delightfully pregnant with a dear baby. For a fleeting moment, she felt jealous. The feeling was so foreign to her she felt as if she were committing a grave sin.
It was wonderful news, and she shouldn't let her own hurt get in the way. It was not as if there was anything one could do about it.
Thinking hard, she found a cheerful thought. "I know it's early yet, but I'll sew some baby clothes and we can add pink or blue ribbons to them after baby comes.
"Ooh, yes, let's!" Rilla and Faith chattered happily and Una was joyful with them. The sadness could be stowed away and taken out later, when they were gone.