Sorry for the extended wait! I hope this makes up for it!
Gil walked briskly down Di and Fred's driveway, the twilight's calm, blue air broken only by the warm lights of his destination. Gentle music and busy chatter amplified as he approached the burgundy front door, and he felt his courage evaporate.
Because Anne was practically the princess of Avonlea and queen of Redmond, her upcoming nuptials drew visitors from all over, including all the old A.V.I.S. crowd. When Di and Anne realized every member would be in town simultaneously, they immediately began organizing a reunion party. It was to be a precursor to her wedding, a chance for all the old friends to reacquaint themselves before the main event.
As soon as the first Facebook notification of the A.V.I.S. event popped up, Gil immediately decided he would definitely be "tired" that particular Thursday evening; he would be traveling that whole day, after all. Of course, he would have clung to his excuse had not Di privately messaged him minutes after she created the event. Using clear and only slightly obscene language, Di explained to him that he would be attending, despite his feelings, excuses, or wants.
"Di always saw straight through my crap," Gil thought to himself as he placed his hand on the doorknob.
He could only picture one situation he'd rather be in less, and he would have to endure that on Saturday morning.
"Kill me now," Gil sighed, but he took a steadying breath.
And he opened the door.
Naturally, all eyes turned to inspect the newcomer; by choice, however, all eyes lingered on the hazel-eyed guest then whipped to the corner where an auburn-haired woman stood. The clinks and murmurs ceased and the atmosphere constricted. It was the moment the rollercoaster reached the top of the first hill; it was the breath before the final kickoff in football; it was millisecond when potential energy transforms into kinetic.
Gil felt the distinct burn of familiar eyes, but he only met the particular grey gaze from the corner. Twelve years dissipated, and suddenly, they were in Mr. Phillips' classroom, together for the first time. They were competing at Queen's. They were riding their bicycles through Avonlea's autumn air. They were nervously boarding the train off to Redmond together. He was down on one knee—
Someone cleared his throat; the ephemeral spell shattered. Di recovered first and took control of the situation.
"Gil, it's so good to see you! You must be so tired from your trip, but you have to tell me, how's the internship?" Di asked, approaching Gil with her arms outstretched, a champagne flute in one hand.
Gil felt her whisper in his ear as she embraced him.
"Just talk to her, Gil," her voice coaxed. "She misses you as much as you miss her, I guarantee it."
When Di pulled back, she gave Gil a sympathetic smile which turned into a laugh as Fred tackled him in a hug.
Gil felt the dreadful coil in his stomach unfurl, and he began his rounds. He discussed theological stances with Moody. He picked up a beer and shared a laugh with Charlie. He congratulated Ruby on her recent engagement. He avoided Josie when he slipped off to the bathroom.
As he wiped his hands on the navy hand towel, Gil looked at his reflection in the dim bathroom; there was a blush burned on his cheek, even after 45 minutes of inane chatter. And he hadn't even gotten to the guest of honor yet. He splashed his face with cold water.
"Maybe Fred has some stronger liquor somewhere," Gil thought as he unlocked the door and switched off the light.
He exited the bathroom with a mind so preoccupied he walked right into a slight figure as he turned the dark corner towards the kitchen.
"Gil," a soft voice breathed.
Gil's heart clenched, and he looked down into the sparkling eyes he knew by heart.
"Anne," Gil said gently, his breath catching.
Again, the party paused, but there were no distractions this time.
At least, no distractions other than those the two could generate.
"Gil," Anne repeated. "You're on my toes."
Reality resumed.
"Oh!" Gil sputtered, quickly jumping back. "I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay," Anne laughed. "You never have to be sorry, Gil."
Her words connoted perhaps more than they should have, but between Anne and Gil, most everything meant more than it really should, especially in this current stage of their lives. But Gil let the moment hang before forcing the conversation forward.
"Well, how about a proper hug? I don't suppose literally colliding with you counts as a nice embrace, does it?" Gil smiled, as he wrapped Anne in his arms.
The hug, too, meant a bit more than perhaps it should have to both parties.
