I very sadly figured out getting to white sands from Avonlea was probably a bit too far so changed the location ... had no effect on the rest of the story I just like to try to do it so of anyone does read it from PEI they don't want to shoot me for not knowing much about the island... would LOVE to visit one day!
A vision of loveliness descended from Green Gables stair case that evening at least in Gilbert's opinion she appeared as an angel. Her hair in a braided bun little curls had came loose around her face which he always loved. The corset of her dress hugged her body close the off shoulder short sleeve showed more flesh he was accustom to seeing on Anne. The skirt a full a line to the floor a small trail behind her the whole dress a coordinated pastille green and cream in colour with a small pink heart pendent Gilbert recognised as the one he had bought her.
He clasped her hand as she reached the bottom two steps.
No words exchanged between the two immediately. Just the admiring looks of two lovers. His eyes not leaving her lead her into the kitchen where Marilla saw them.
" Oh Anne you look very elegant." She said. "don't you think Gilbert?"
"she's breath-taking." he said almost in a whisper.
Marilla smiled. Besotted that's what Gilbert was. Completely and utterly besotted.
"I hope you are planning on wearing a coat. You'll catch your death."
"my grey one with black trim." She said practically.
I'll leave the back door open be sure to lock up when you get in. Rachel has already retired herself for the evening I'll no doubt do the same." She smiled at the pair "have a lovely evening."
The buggie ride was a long one but Gilbert didn't mind. Sitting up beside him with straight back and head held high was the most beautiful creature he had ever beheld and on her left hand on "the" ring finger lay his ring! Every movement, every glance was a privilege for him, he could barely believe he was living it. He wrapped his arm around Anne's waist. The other hand still full of the reigns he couldn't believe his luck. Once they arrived he held her hand out the carriage and carried on holding it into the concert. There was two adjacent halls one for the formal readings and the other set for dancing the caters currently in there filling a table with various delights. Gilbert having purchased a programme shared it with Anne as they sat down. Anne whispered to Gilbert when she noticed Bingen on the Rhine was to be read.
"Did you really ignore the entire of my performance? you certainly seemed more interested in your book." He remembered.
"Oh I feigned it completely. I held the book so high but I didn't read a word. I never even admitted that to Diana. I don't think at the time I admitted to myself I thought you were rather good."
"Well better late than never." Gilbert teased as they took their seats.
Music was performed, dramatic scenes re-enacted, they smiled at the memory when Bingen on the Rhine commenced and the line came "There was another not a sister" Gilberts arm went securely around Anne's back. He looked at her sweetly. His eyes she noticed reflected the shy boy's eyes who had first recited this all those years ago. He wasn't a shy person, but when it came to her… he had always been shy and cautious, that was until 4 months ago.
The concert ended there was a party afterwards, Anne had excused herself to the ladies a couple of minutes ago, he headed towards the drinks so he would at least have something to hand when Anne came back. It was when he was crossing the room he almost bumped into a familiar older blonde women.
"Oh excuse me…" He started then looked and saw who it was. "Miss Stacy!" he said in surprise.
"Why Gilbert Blythe! What a lovely coincidence! Last I heard you were stuck down with Typhoid and look at you? I don't think you've looked healthier!"
"Well thank you, that was back in the summer, I'm doing much better now thank you."
"What have you been up to?" She asked.
"I started my courses to become a doctor, another 2 years and a half you'll be talking to Doctor Gilbert Blythe if I have my way… I thought you had moved to California?"
"Yes I have, but I wanted to show William PEI, he wouldn't believe how beautiful it was so I simply had to bring him we're here for the holidays. Well one of my students becoming a doctor! Well I couldn't be prouder. Oh dear old Avonlea, I don't suppose you've kept up with many of your school friends, any idea how they are?"
"Well yes, Anne is a principle over in Summerside she's just finished her first term there…"
"Its funny you should mention Anne first Gilbert, well you always liked her but she never seemed to returned the sentiment. Even in her letters once you went to Queen's and Redmond you were always just a chum, quite a shame really I thought you two would have made a nice couple."
Gilbert was confused his hand went uncomfortably to the back of his neck "Wait you don't know…?"
"Don't know what dear?" she asked, but just at this moment Anne decided to appear.
"Sorry about that, there was a line for the ladies…." She said looking only at Gilbert, he looked down at Anne then looked back at Miss Stacy, Anne got the hint and looked at the women he was speaking to. "Miss Stacy!" she said hugging her.
"Well as I don't live and breathe Anne Shirley, my two favourite students at once!" she looked again at the pair. "Are you two here together?" She asked tentative.
Anne and Gilbert looked at each other. "The one person you haven't told yet is Miss Stacy?" he asked in a whisper.
"I… I can't quite believe I forgot." She whispered back.
"Well at least this way we get to tell her to her face." Gilbert chuckled quietly.
"Anne? Gilbert?" she asked confused.
"Well you see, I mentioned Anne first Miss Stacy because…." He allowed Anne's arm to side into his "you see…"
"We're engaged!" Anne blurted out.
Miss Stacy's face literally dropped as she looked down at the hand through Gilbert's arm, sure enough there was an engagement ring.
"Why Gilbert Blythe you did it!" she exclaimed.
Anne's face dropped for a moment she looked at Miss Stacy then up at Gilbert "Why did everyone see it but me?" She half moaned half laughed. At this Gilbert pulled the best sad face he could and wrapped his arm around her.
"Aww, poor Anne." He said before they both burst out laughing. They looked to their school teacher again. "Sorry she seems to be reminded of it wherever we go." He told her as they laughed.
"Oh" She smiled with them she wasn't surprised the boy had been head over heels for Anne even back at school; she never understood why Anne seemed so resistant to his charms. "Oh I couldn't be happier for you both, you two belong together! My two favourite students marrying each other I couldn't imagine better news! Now I understand you are principle at Summerside?" she asked.
"Yes I took a three year contract there." Anne explained. Gilbert's arm come from around her and now his hand settled into hers, "That way I have something to occupy my mind instead of pining my life away!" she said mockingly.
"I don't envy you Anne that school is notorious for scaring away teachers. How are you coping?"
"Oh I think I have everything under control." Anne said with a broad smile.
"Well I better go and find my William." She said gently. "He's around here somewhere."
"Its nice to see you again Miss Stacy." Anne said as their old teacher walked away.
They arrived back in Avonlea quite late midnight had struck by the time they reached Green Gables. They walked hand in hand to the porch which Marilla had left open for them but had long ago retired to bed.
"You realise…" Gilbert said "Its now Christmas Eve?" he whispered to her gently.
"Oh Magical things always happen on Christmas Eve… " Anne started "You know one year when I…"
Speaking of magical things Gilbert caught her mouth on his, first kissing it gently then making a bolder move his hands followed round her back bringing his whole body in line with hers so there was no visible gap between them. He pulled back gently. "Sorry, you were saying…?" he asked.
"hhhmmmmmm, was I?" she answered.
He smiled and let out a soft chuckle. "Yes you said magical things happen on Christmas Eve."
"Did I?" she said opening her eyes to look at him.
"So what magical happens?" he asked.
They laughed. "You were telling me something, don't you remember….?"
"Kisses like that don't leave room for anything else , for the reality of such a kiss is so much sweeter then anything else which could be said or imagined."
"Well I can't disagree with you there." He said smiling. "I must have imagined your kisses hundreds, nay thousands of times but nothing prepared me for seeing you again."
"Do you love me the same as you did in the summer?" Anne asked him.
"No." He said truthfully. Her eyes flickered for a moment as he took breath "I love you more." He kissed her "My wonderful, beautiful Anne who single handily brought an entire towns clan to their knees to beg for forgiveness quite by accident…" he kissed her again " I'm so glad you chose me."
They sat on the chairs on the porch close together.
"I'm going to have to go soon." He said to her kneading his fingers through hers "Its improper for a unmarried man and women to be out alone like this." He said jokingly
"well if you will insist on taking me to concerts and such like..." She retorted quietly. She looked at him again "you are looking so handsome Gil, it's like you never had Typhoid."
He smiled. "Well I have been trying my best to get well. Hopefully my grades won't be effected too much. I'm so nervous about them. Seeing that class list... just thinking about it..."
She placed her lips on his once more. Drawing him in gently then slowly they built the kiss up. His hand untangled itself from hers as he slid his fingers through her hair... she ruffled the curls out of his hair. They brought their bodies closer. "Then don't think about it" she told him.
"What?" He asked in confusion.
"exactly." She whispered kissing him again.
He brought her to his knees sitting her gently on them still kissing her he brought her closer down his thigh as he relaxed back in the chair. His hand left arm wrapped around her making the journey up and down her slender curved frame from the outside of her thigh up to the side of her chest. She gasped every time his hand reached the extremities of the journey. The other hand twisting and striding through her long red hair. It thrilled him that even through their thick winter coats he was still having this effect on her, the thrill only made his hand move faster.
She unbuttoned his winter coat and the waist jacket which hugged his body. Brought herself closer to him and ran her hands up and down his shirt feeling the muscles contract as she swiftly moved past them. Her hand dipped under the arm of his jacket as she felt his muscles react to her every move she pulled back from the kisses and smiled.
As The cold winter's air hit his chest along with closeness of Anne made him shiver. Anne pulled back in concern wrapping him back up in his coat. "Oh Gil I'm sorry my love you must be freezing."
He couldn't speak instead he buttoned back up the coat. Still Anne was sitting on his knees her long arms caressing the curls in his hair. He placed his arms back around her. Then placed her sitting down next to him.
" What are your plans for tomorrow... Well today?" He asked her giving them the chance to calm their excited bodies down.
"we always go to the ladies society baking relief on the morning. Marilla normally does the mince pies but she thinks it might be good to try some mince puffs this year for a change. I usually help her with little tasks but I suppose I should think about what I can do on my own, I'm hardly a little girl anymore. Your mother usually is in attendence isn't she?"
he nodded. "Yes although don't make your hands too full I think I remember her saying something about making sure you were introduced as part of the 'Blythe' clan this year... so be warned."
"Oh great Jehoshaphat! Oh what if they don't like me? We'll be casted into the outer circle of your family and friends referred to as only "Gilbert and that red head he married."
Gilbert snorted quietly "don't be silly Anne. You won over the Pringles... in comparison my family is a regular soft touch. Well with the exception of Aunt Mary Maria but she's most definitely not going to be there."
Anne looked at Gilbert worried she somehow didn't share his belief in her to make complete strangers love her.
"What about the afternoon?" He asked.
"I promised Diana I would see her I only had the flighing visit on Monday and you know the rest." She said smiling. "You can come along too, the invitation did include you."
He nodded "It'll be nice to catch up with Fred. I don't keep in touch half as much as I should." He smiled "Then I can admire you from afar. Just as I used to."
"and Christmas day morning at Green gables afternoon with your parents?" Anne reiterated.
"Are you looking forward to your present Anne?" He asked her.
"were the flowers not my present?" Anne asked in surprise.
"of course not!" He exclaimed. "No my love truely they were for congratulations only."
"You're spoiling me Mr Blythe." She told him seriously.
"you deserve to be spoilt Anne Shirley. I can't help it."
He stood them up and escorted her to the door. "Would you like me to arrange for you to come back from the food drive with my mother. Then we can head over to Fred s and Diana's together."
"yes that makes sense." She replied.
" I'll see you in the morning."