Anne sat in the window gazing out at the glorious spring day. The warm sun kissed her pale skin and a small smile played on her lips. The years had been kind to her. She had spent the greater portion of her adult life beloved by Gilbert and surrounded by her beautiful children. Anne watched the little darlings play in their "Rainbow Valley". Jem was growing up to be quite the little gentleman. The spring flowers he brought her every year graced the dining room table. His sister Di, was an angelic child. There was not a mean sentiment in that little heart. Walter was bright and imaginative. While the others may have believed in fairytales, Walter saw and lived them. His wistful expression seemed far beyond his young years. Anne was to thank for that characteristic. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she recalled her fanciful years in Green Gables. She quieted when her laugh caused her baby boy Shirley to stir in his bassinet. After waiting a few moments she was sure that he had cooed himself back into the dreams of another world.
A white figure caught Anne's attention and she turned to look out the window once more. There was dear little Rilla, energetic and happy as always. She adored that spring dress—it's a pity that it would not last past dinner time without being soiled. But that was her dear Rilla, headstrong and vain. She was not an unkind or rude child. Quite the contrary, everyone loved Rilla! How could they not? Her sparkling hazel impish eyes danced behind glossy curls of ruddy brown hair. The milky white translucence of her skin often drew comparison with porcelain dolls! The child was a beauty—and well did she know it. None could resist her charms, and those who tried quickly surrendered to the endearing sound of her "pleathe?" Although, that adorable lisp was quickly fading away. It only ever surfaced nowadays in moments of extreme nervousness. As if the little darling had anything to be nervous about…
"Jem, Di…please don't leave me!" The two stopped midstride to look at their little sister. Jem sighed. "Rilla, you can come if you want to. The fish are out though and if we leave now we might be able to catch one before dinner!" Tears of frustration began to well up in Rilla's eyes. "But I'm wearing my favorite dress! If I go I could get mud on it. Please just stay here and play!" Di felt pity for her. "Hunny, why don't you just stay and play with Walter? I'm sure he'd like it." Rilla stamped her little foot. "No! He's reading again! I want to play with YOU!" Jem sighed. He was out of patience. "Rilla, I'm sorry that you're wearing your favorite dress, but it doesn't change anything. You can stay with Walter or you can come with us. We're leaving now. Hurry!" And with that, the two eldest siblings took off running through the woods.
Rilla didn't even have time to stop the sniffles. She hesitated for only seconds before hiking up her skirt and gingerly running as fast as she could after Jem and Di. "Hey guys! Slow down!!!" No amount of care could keep her from that puddle of mud—or those thorn bushes. By the time she stumbled into the clearing at the lake she had leaves in her hair, dirt smudges on her face, mud and grass stains, and had lost one of her brass buckled shoes. Tripping over one last tree root, Rilla groaned as she pushed herself to her feet. She froze mid-crouch when she heard the worst sound in the world. Laughing…and not just any laugh—his laugh.