Chapter One

From Anne of the Island:

"Gilbert drew her close to him and kissed her. Then they walked home together in the dusk, crowned king and queen in the bridal realm of love, along winding paths fringed with the sweetest flowers that ever bloomed, and over haunted meadows where winds of hope and memory blew."

Hands clasped tightly, Gilbert and Anne slowly paced down the lane, gazing into each other's eyes. Anne felt enraptured in completion; this was the bend in her road.

"You don't know how I've longed for this moment, Anne-girl," said Gilbert in a quiet, romantic voice "I will never forget it. Look at the moon, darling, it is full and pure."

"It is a beautiful moon, Gil," Anne said adoringly "Let us bask in its silver glow."

They stopped for a moment, and turned towards each other. Gilbert drew Anne close to him and was immediately engulfed in the floral scent of Anne's hair. He wallowed in it, until he looked into her beautiful grey eyes and whispered "I love you, Carrots."

Anne's lips molded into a smile, and, eyes twinkling, said "I love you too."

Gilbert slipped his hand momentarily into his pocket, fished around, and found what he was looking for. A circlet of pearls. He bent down on his knees, took Anne's hands, and gazed into her eyes.

"My darling, my Anne, I have loved you ever since the day you broke that blessed slate over my head. And I will promise to love you forever more, no matter what happens," Gilbert kissed her hand and continued "I only want to love and take care of you for the rest of my life. So now, my Anne," Gilbert produced the ring "Will you promise to love me too? Will you marry me, my love?" Gilbert finished with an adoring look.

"Gilbert, of course," answered Anne with as much love in her voice as she could muster "There isn't a thing in the world I would rather do."

Gilbert got up off his knees and slid the ring on to Anne's left hand. It sparkled in the moonlight and Anne smiled down at it. She then looked into his hazel eyes and decided there was nothing more beautiful than them at this particular moment.

Their lips met, and time ceased to exist. Whether that kiss lasted a few seconds or days they could not tell. All that mattered was the moment they were sharing.

Back at Green Gables, Marilla Cuthbert and Rachel Lynde sat at the kitchen table, having a cup of tea. Davy and Dora were soundly asleep in their beds upstairs. Until now, Marilla was silently worrying where Anne was. Finally, she said to Rachel "Goodness, is it nine-thirty already? Anne was due home half an hour ago."

"Now, Marilla I wouldn't worry too much," affirmed Rachel "She will be back soon. Have you any idea where she went?" Rachel, now worrying a bit herself, pondered where in the world Anne could be.

"She and Gilbert went for a ramble in the woods, to Hester Grey's garden," answered Marilla.

"Aha! There they are coming up the lane this very minute. And oh, bless my soul Marilla, Gilbert's got his arms around Anne! I shall not have a moment's rest until I give this boy a piece of my mind!"

Marilla started and almost knocked her chair over. "Rachel stop!" shouted Marilla "Just wait until she gets inside, she can talk to us then."

Marilla, now peering out the window saw Anne and Gilbert standing by the gate, their hands grasped. They seemed to be having a serious discussion. Rachel reluctantly resumed her seat and kept a firm eye on the pair.

At the gate, Gilbert and Anne were indeed having a serious discussion.

"Now, Anne, are you sure this is the best time to tell them? I will not make you," said a concerned Gilbert.

"Oh Gil, they've already seen us, but they haven't seen the ring. I will simply be bombarded with questions from Rachel when I go in. Now is as good a time as any."

"Well alright, if you're sure."

"Come on, let's just get it over with."

They climbed the steps together. Marilla and Rachel were waiting for Anne at the door. When Anne opened it, an expression of shock spread across Marilla and Rachel's faces. Marilla was too immobilized to say anything, so Rachel took the reins.

"Anne Shirley! What do you mean by bringing this boy into our house this time of night?! It is beyond improper! And what's more, Marilla and I have just seen you coming up the lane together. You come in and explain all this right now!"

"Rachel, Marilla, please calm down. You'll wake the children," said Anne quietly and motioned upstairs "Please let us sit down and we will tell you everything."

Once sat in the living room, Gilbert started to speak, and once he started, he simply couldn't stop.

"Now Miss Cuthbert, Mrs. Lynde, I would like to tell you that while Anne and I were walking this evening, Anne had a sudden realisation that I have longed for many years now. Tonight, Anne and I pronounced our love for each other," Anne extended her left hand and showed off her new ring, to both Marilla and Rachel's astonishment. "Now, I realise you may not approve of this but I want you to know that I love Anne very much, and she loves me, (Anne nodded) and I only want to love and take care of her for the rest of my life. I intend to build a good home for us and have a good practice as a doctor here on the island. I hope I have not shocked you too horribly, ladies and I would like to say that-"

"Gilbert, you've said enough," interrupted Marilla, with a smile on her face, "I can't begin to express how happy I am for the both of you. Of course I approve."

Anne and Gilbert sank into the cushions of the sofa in relief. Gilbert extended an arm and slipped it around Anne's shoulders. Mrs. Rachel, however looked simply beside herself with concern.

"Do you mean to say, Marilla," she began "that you are going to allow these two to go gadding about getting married without consulting me first? I've kept my tongue this entire time and now I'm about to speak my mind, as I've prided myself on doing for years. Now, I for one, think that-"

"Rachel, do you really think you can change the way they feel about each other?" enquired Marilla slyly, "You speak as though you can change the weather. Look at how happy they are. Nothing will change that."

Anne and Gilbert looked at each other and grinned. Rachel looked rather taken aback at first, and then finally sighed and admitted "I suppose you're right Marilla. Providence matched these two up and it's in the hands of He what will happen next. Oh, Anne, what can I say, of course I'm happy for you both. It will be a marvelous wedding, I can see it now," finished Rachel with a kind smile.

By this time it was getting close to ten o'clock and Gilbert announced that he must leave, for his parents were surely on their way here to search for him. Anne put on her sweater and walked him to the bridge, realising that this night was drawing to a close.

"Well, Anne, I hope you feel as happy as a queen right now," smiled Gilbert.

"Oh, Gil, right now I truly feel that we are bonded together in love for eternity. I don't ever want this night to end."

"I must go, you know, sometime," teased Gilbert.

"Of course, but not before I tell you how much I love you,"

"And how might you do that?" questioned Gilbert

"Just...like...this," during this sentence Anne had extended her arms around Gilbert's neck and was slowly caressing his curly brown locks. She looked into those handsome hazel eyes and:

They were kissing, just like they were before, their arms entwined around each other, for this was the kiss that would bond them forever.

When they broke apart, Gilbert exhaled and said "Goodnight, Anne-Girl."

"Goodnight, Gilbert Blythe."

He retracted his arms from Anne's body and took off across the bridge without another word. Anne walked silently home, already dreaming about what her wedding dress would look like, and how handsome her groom would look on the happiest day of their lives.