Hi all! Just quick note that I think this story might end up being longer than I anticipated. I can't see wrapping this up in a total of 15 chapters. So you might have to hang in there for a bit longer with me... I have some plans for these two that I hope you will enjoy! Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Glad the last chapter was so well received!

Enjoy!

~Lizzy

Anne awoke the next morning a good deal later than usual. She did not know what time she had finally managed to fall asleep, but it was well into the wee hours of the morning. She was far too gloriously happy to sleep. She still could hardly comprehend how it all happened, and she was still a bit embarrassed about how it happened. But Anne could not regret any of it, even if it started off a new wave of Avonlea gossip. What difference would it make?

None.

At least none that mattered.

Until of course those rumors reached Green Gables, in which case Anne had decided she would be rather forthright with Marilla about the whole business…. Courting Gilbert Blythe! Was there anything ever so curious! Who would have thought? Perhaps everyone except Anne. But it still seemed strange even to her that the man who made her feel like she was the most beautiful woman in the world, the man who made her so giddy with excitement, was Gilbert.

Was he not the same mischievous boy who pinned hair to desks and pulled pranks on Mr. Philips?

Was he not the very same boy she once vowed to loathe for all eternity?

Anne thought on that for a moment before she thought how he was also the same man who selflessly gave up the school for her, who studied night and day with her, who said not a word of censure about her giving up a scholarship that might have been his had he been half a point better at Queens.

He was Gilbert Blythe, the best man she knew.

And to hear from his own mouth that he loved her… that he wanted to marry her! It was all too much and Anne spent a good deal of the time pacing her room wishing for Diana so she could tell her absolutely everything.

As if on cue, there was a knock on her door and when Anne said come in, Diana Barry stepped through the door smiling brightly and shut it behind her.

"Diana, whatever are you doing here so early?" asked Anne, shocked to see her.

"Anne, you goose, it's nearly noon!"

"No, you can't be serious!" said Anne, jumping out of bed at once.

"Marilla sent me up here to make sure you weren't ill."

"Oh how could I sleep so late? I'm not ill, dearest, I was just tired." Anne tried to sound nonchalant, failing rather spectacularly.

Diana stood as she watched Anne quickly throw on her robe and brush out her hair. There was something different about her this morning and Diana could not wait to hear all about it.

"Anne, please tell me what happened last night," Diana begged. "I can't stand not knowing!"

Anne turned a bright smile to Diana and let out a laugh, "You mean what happened after Gilbert made a fool out of both of us?"

"Oh, Anne come now you have to admit it was romantic. Er, I mean it was, wasn't it?" Diana supposed her interpretation of the romance of it all depended on the substance of the conversation and its end result.

Anne gave Diana her most serious look, "It was humiliating, Diana!"

Diana's smile disappeared. Oh dear, here we go, she thought, until Anne could no longer keep up the facade and smiled widely, "And it was quite possibly the most romantic night of my life!"

Diana squealed and upon controlling her outburst begged Anne to relay the details. Anne happily obliged and for the next half hour there was a steady stream of laughter and happiness that emanated from Anne's room.

"Oh Anne, did he kiss you?" Diana needed to know!

Anne laughed, "Well not exactly."

"Not exactly?"

Anne shrugged and then blushed as she remembered her boldness, "I actually kissed him first."

"What?! Anne, you can't be serious!

"I'm quite serious, Diana." At the memory of the feel of Gilbert's lips on hers, Anne felt a shudder go through her whole body. How can he affect me like this when he's not even here? She tucked that thought away for consideration later. "But he did kiss me after that… several times."

Diana squealed again. "Oh Anne, I am so happy for you! For both of you!"

They were interrupted when a knock came at the door, "Anne, Gilbert is here to see you," Davy's voice came through the other side.

Anne's heart lurched forward and she looked at Diana as they both fell into a fit of laughter. On the other side of the door, Davy shook his head wondering just want was so funny about Gilbert paying a call, but what did you expect from girls?

"Oh Anne, I have to go. Mother only let me out of the house because I told her you left the party early because you weren't feeling well and I wanted to come check on you. If I don't have her floors back in tip top shape by dinner, I'll never hear the end of it."

"Di, I am sorry I left early. I fully intend to come over and help you clean up."

"You'll do no such thing, Anne! It's really not so bad anyways. Fred stayed and helped me already so it's fine."

"But I promised I would help and then I abandoned you at your party! I can't believe you're not mad!"

Diana laughed, "I would have been mad had you not gone with Gilbert! I still can't believe he did that! Half of Avonlea will be talking about it today no doubt!"

Anne sighed, yes they surely would! "Well luckily I go back to Redmond in two weeks. Although I don't think Gil and I escape gossip there either. It seems we are rather destined to be talked about. I can't imagine why. We aren't that interesting

"Well Josie Pye is pretty mad with jealousy. She was spouting off nonsense about you leading Gilbert on and him being 'daft enough to fall for it.'"

Anne laughed, as she remembered the joke they had played on her regarding Anne's Kingsport millionaire.

A few minutes later, Diana left Anne's room, leaving her to get dressed for the day. Diana walked into the parlor and saw Gilbert sitting with Mrs. Lynde and Marilla. Gilbert had an amused look on his face as Mrs. Lynde spoke in disbelief. "Do you mean to tell me that they let girls into the boarding house?"

Marilla could only roll her eyes.

"Umm, yes, Mrs. Lynde. Our boarding house has several rooms downstairs that are community rooms. No ladies are allowed, er, upstairs."

"Well I never!" said Rachel. "I told you Marilla, I don't approve of these co-educational institutions. All the boys flirting with all the girls! It's shameful."

But before Marilla could answer, Gilbert chimed in with a smile, "We do study a little, Mrs. Lynde. In fact, Anne and I are both in the run for top honors this year."

"Humph," was the only reply he got from Mrs. Lynde on that score.

"Rachel, leave the boy alone. He's not spending all the money he is on his education to go and flirt with girls," Marilla admonished. Then she gave an uncharacteristic half smirk to Gilbert before adding, "He could do that in Avonlea for free."

Gilbert did his best to hold back a small laugh. It was then that Diana made her presence known.

"Anne will be down in a few minutes. She's getting dressed."

"Well it's about time," said Mrs. Lynde. "It's near noon."

Diana shot Gilbert a knowing smile before saying, "Yes, well Anne was out rather late last night and I believe she had a rather merry time."

Gilbert looked at Diana and had the good grace to blush. He had no doubt of her good information. "You threw a great party, Diana. The best I've been to in a long time." He smiled a wicked smile at her and winked.

"I'm glad you had a wonderful time, Gilbert. More happy than you could know." Diana looked at him sincerely and Gilbert merely nodded his understanding. It was the first time he had really thought about the fact that Diana was going to marry his best friend. He hoped he would one day be lucky enough to marry hers.

Several moments after Diana had excused herself and left Green Gables, Anne walked into the parlor. She wore a pale blue dress and had her hair plaited down her back. Her eyes immediately fell on Gilbert and a familiar blush rose on her cheeks.

"Hi Gil," was all she managed.

Gilbert swallowed hard before responding, "Good morning, Anne. Or should I say good afternoon?"

Anne laughed nervously. "Yes, well I had such a good time last night that I found I had some difficulty sleeping."

"Really?" Gilbert asked, "Funny, I had the most peaceful night of sleep I have had in a long time." And then, in spite of his best efforts to the contrary, he felt hotness creep into his own face. Trying to distract his thoughts away from what it felt like to fall asleep to the memory of Anne's kisses, he stood up and cleared his throat. "Shall we?"

Before she could respond, Rachel piped in, "Going out again, Anne? I guess you young folks don't stay home anymore. And in this weather, it's a miracle you don't become ill."

"Mrs. Lynde, we have to stop at the post office. Our books are in for the next term."

"I am sure you can wait for them to be delivered," was the predictable response."

"Oh that would never do! It's too exciting to wait. And besides, I believe Gilbert would like to get a head start. He fell a bit behind this semester," Anne said as she shot Gilbert a mischievous look.

Rachel gave him a stern look as though she was completely exonerated for being concerned about girls being allowed in the boarding house.

"Anne, come now. I have already told them that you and I are practically vying for top honors. I am not behind," he said, thinking he effectively ended whatever joke she intended to play at his expense.

But Anne only smiled sweetly and replied, "Well that is true, but you see you must not have checked your mail yesterday because terms grades came I can say with some confidence that you are a bit behind."

Gilbert looked on a little confused. He hadn't seen the mail come at all. In fact, he hadn't given a single thought to school pursuits in the past two weeks because all he could think about what how to get Anne alone!

"So am I to understand you got top class rank this semester?" Gilbert asked, genuinely impressed.

"That would be correct Mr. Blythe."

He rewarded her with his most delicious smile and she felt her breath hitch. "Well that's something, Anne! Nice work!"

"That really is great, Anne!" Marilla chimed in.

"Thank you! I can't promise to repeat it, but it feels good to know that all my hard work has paid off."

"Well we are real glad for you," said Marilla, who tried her best to hide the pride that swelled in her chest.

Gilbert likewise felt a bubble of pride of his own. It was true they had a friendly rivalry all semester, but he was heartily pleased that the woman who owned his heart was not only beautiful, kind, and passionate, but she was also smart. How had he become so lucky?

"Hat off to you, Miss Shirley," Gilbert bowed. "And since I seem to be so far behind, I suppose we ought to go pick up those books so I can spend the next two weeks getting the drop on you for next semester."

Anne laughed, "You'll have your work cut out for you, I am sure."

"Nevertheless, the man has to try! I am still licking my wounds about the Avery!"

"Ah the Avery, the first feather in my cap! It seems I will just go on vexing you academically, Gilbert Blythe!" Anne spoke so charmingly teasing that Gilbert had to fight the urge to kiss the smug smile off her face. He almost moved to do just that until he considered it might send Rachel Lynde into an apoplectic episode.

"You know Anne, for someone who I am sure only beat me out by the slimmest of margins, you're awfully confident. I am taking science and history next semester. Two subjects in which I excel."

Anne laughed at his confidence. "Oh, well perhaps, then I should not even bother returning to Redmond next semester. It seems I am already licked."

"I think that's a fair assumption," came the smug reply.

Marilla looked back and forth between the two of them and wondered at what she was seeing. There they were, speaking to one another as though there was no one else in the room. That in itself wasn't all that shocking. It was a common enough occurrence. But something in both of the countenances seemed altered and neither could stop smiling at the other. And if she wasn't mistaken, her girl had not stopped blushing since she entered the room.

Marilla wisely turned her attention back to her needlework and sighed… Her heart told her it was the first blush of young love, but it had been so long since she had felt it herself that it was hard for her to understand exactly what she was seeing. She reasoned that if there was something to to know she would soon enough. But she had seen enough to hope.

In another minute, Anne and Gilbert were putting on their outerwear and venturing out into the cold under strict instructions from Mrs. Lynde not to stay out too long in this weather.

As soon as the door the Green Gables closed behind them, Gilbert turned to Anne, "You're a teasing little minx!"

And before she could respond he briefly pinned her against the door and bestowed and very brief, yet very passionate kiss on her lips. They were both left rather breathless and in the next second, Gilbert grabbed Anne's arm and ran her down to his waiting buggy. He handed her in and they set off for town.

Slightly flustered, but no less excited about spending time, however mundane in the pursuit of books, with Gilbert, Anne found herself a little uneasy as she sat down and Gilbert set the horse off to a canter. So much was different this afternoon, but positively nothing had changed! It seemed so strange that birds weren't chirping louder and that a rainbow did not reign down from the sky to punctuate this day. Had not she just stolen the most passionate of kisses on her doorstep of Green Gables? Was it honestly Gilbert Blythe kissing her? It was all so surreal that she found she had to look sideways at Gilbert several times before she settled the fact that it truly was he who set her heart on fire.

Sensing her eyes on him as they turned onto the lane, Gilbert asked, "Just what are you thinking of, Anne?"

Embarrassed at being caught and a little vexed at being so transparent to him, Anne replied, "Hardly anything at all."

Gilbert laughed, "I don't believe that for a second!"

"Must you always ask what I am thinking?" asked Anne, thinking of new fewer than a dozen times he had asked her in recent memory. Although the one that popped into her mind at that moment was when he asked the day he took her to their apple tree. She had refused to answer him then.

"Well if you would just tell me out loud I wouldn't have to ask now would I?"

"Do you have to have answer for everything? It's quite irritating!" Anne smiled and feigned annoyance.

"So I am destined to spend the first day of our courtship irritating you? That's a rather inauspicious start!" cried Gilbert. "I might remind you that it was you who started it! I have 'catching up' to do, do I?"

Anne laughed, "Yes, well I believe we already covered that back on the porch."

Gilbert turned to looked at her and remembered the passion in both their bodies as he kissed her, "Yes, I suppose we did."

They were silent for a few moments, before Anne startled both of them by saying, "I'll tell you what I am thinking on one condition."

"And that condition would be?"

"No, you have to agree to it first?"

"You expect me to agree to a blind condition?" Gilbert asked, incredulously.

"I do."

"I don't think so," he said flatly. "Knowing you, you'll end up telling me you were thinking about what you wanted for lunch today and I will end up agreeing to something crazy for all my trouble."

"I promise it won't be crazy."

"Then why can't you tell me what it is?"

"Well because where's the fun in that?" Anne gave him a cheeky smile as she took his right hand in hers and laced their fingers together.

"So this is all for your amusement?" Gilbert replied, trying to ignore the sensation of Anne's hand in his.

Next, she scooted close to him so they were touching, moved his arm to wrap around her body as she rested her head on his shoulder. But she did not answer his question. He had forgotten it anyways as her scent wafted up to him and wreaked havoc on his senses. He turned his head to place a light kiss on her head and was rewarded with a small sigh that escaped her parted lips. Did he really get to do this? It was almost surreal.

Sighing, he relented, "I'll agree to whatever you want, Anne. Just so long as you stay this close to me."

Anne looked up at him and beamed. "You have a deal."

"So, what were you thinking?"

And shifted against him and thought of how to begin. "Do you remember the day you took me to the apple tree?"

"Of course! That was one of the best nights of my life!"

"Well that night you asked me what I was thinking too. And I find myself today thinking much the same thing now as I did then."

"Which is what?"

Anne swallowed and began, a little surprised at her own honesty, "That I almost can't believe that it's you! That after all this time and after all these years it's Gilbert Blythe who has made my heart so full. I didn't let myself admit it that night in the woods, but it's the same way I feel now. Like it's a part of some ridiculous dream that I might wake up from and realize with horror that you and I are still only friends. It's been a long time since that has not been enough for me. It's been a long time since I wanted so much more." She stopped and he made no reply, making her a bit uneasy. "I suppose that must sound silly to you."

His unexpected laughter startled her head shot up from his shoulder to look at him. "Anne, I've spent the whole of our acquaintance wanting more from you than you were willing to give. If anyone understands what that feels like, it's me. For years your friendship has not been enough for me, but I accepted it because it was what you offered. But when I finally had it, it was like I could put those other feelings aside for a while and just bask in the glory of being with you. But it wasn't long before I wanted more. Much, much more. Anne, I still want more from you." He swallowed hard as he turned to look at her and he saw her blush at implication of his words. Yes, he wanted absolutely everything. "That's what I was thinking about that night, Darling. I was thinking about how much I wanted from you but I didn't know if it was the right time to ask it of you. I was so sure. I always have been about how I feel about you. But I knew you were still uncertain. You should know I had no intention of calling on you that day. But I ended up there nonetheless. Pulled by some unseen force that apparently has me quite tethered to you whether I would wish it or not."

"Oh," was all she could say in response.

"You say you can't believe it's me because until a few months ago you never considered the possibility. But I almost can't believe it's you, Anne and I've been dreaming about it since I was thirteen." His words made her almost speechless. When she really considered his longstanding affection she was nothing but truly honored that he had bestowed that love on her. It was her turn to wonder whether she was worthy of it. She would work hard to be and to make him proud of his choice.

She managed to smile at him and put her head back on his shoulders as his grip around her tightened. "I suppose some of this might take a little getting used to for both of us."

"I suppose it might," Gilbert considered. Would it really for him? Had he not always thought about her in that way? Although now she was pressed up against him leaning her soft body on his so he supposed he would be happy to get as used to that as long as she would allow. "But that is what a courtship is supposed to be about is it not?"

Anne sighed, "Yes, indeed."

"And as long as you can get used to the fact that I love you more than life, we are in good shape."

Anne blushed again and said, "You know, for a man who took weeks to finally come to the point, you're awfully free with endearments now."

Gilbert looked at her with a seriousness she had not anticipated and groaned, "Anne I know I was an idiot. I should have told you weeks ago. But now that I have, I am afraid there's nothing holding me back from telling you everyday what I have always dreamed I one day could. I love you. It's that simple. And I hope you don't mind hearing it often."

Anne reached up with her lips and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, still marveling at how she managed to inspire such feeling in the man beside her. "I don't think I shall ever tire of hearing it from you, Gil."

Then Anne all of sudden changed the subject, "When shall we tell people?"

"You want to?" he asked surprised.

"You don't?"

"Well, I just thought you might want to keep things under wraps, you know in case the whole thing doesn't come off."

"Gilbert!" Anne cried, but at the sight of his smile Anne realized he was joking. She remembered all those weeks ago on the dock in Kingsport when they had joked about the gossip that constantly floated around them. She gave him a playful punch in the arm and shook her head. "You're incorrigible!"

"Well if I am not mistaken, Diana already knows does she not?"

"Of course she knows. And half of Avonlea probably suspects something after your nonsense last night."

"Who cares about the rest of Avonlea, Anne. Let's just tell our family and close friends and not worry about anything else. They are the only ones we ought to care about at all. Everything else will take care of itself."

They agreed quite mutually and resumed the trip into town and back joyfully content to be alone and happy. As far as the first day of courtship went, it wasn't especially romantic or exciting. To any bystander, including the many they met in town that day, they looked as they always had. But perhaps once the good fold of Avonlea found out about Anne and Gilbert's courtship they might remark how Anne seemed to look a little brighter that day and Gilbert seemed to walk a little taller. They might say they thought they saw them holding hands walking down street. They might say they were shocked to see Gilbert pull Anne into an alleyway and give her a breathless kiss before they resumed the ride home. They could say all that and more, for Anne and Gilbert were quite oblivious to their surroundings, even more than usual. But if anyone had seen any of that, they kept their peace rather remarkably. For either Avonlea was losing its touch in regards to gossip or it was hardly news that Anne Shirley was courting Gilbert Blythe. Hadn't she been for months now?

Gilbert dropped Anne off at Green Gables and walked her to the door. Looking around to make sure there was no one watching, he bent forward and gave Anne the lightest of kisses on her lips.

He could tell Anne was disappointed when her nose wrinkled as he pulled away. Again he had to wonder just what had he ever done to be so lucky? He could see the passion in her eyes when she looked at him.

"Anne, as much as I would like to, I can hardly scandalize you on your doorstep."

"That didn't seem to stop you before."

"Yes, well I was quite thoroughly provoked if you recall."

Anne laughed and then smiled coyly, "And what might I do to provoke you now?"

Gilbert felt a shiver go down his spine. "Anne, please don't ask questions you don't want the answer to. If I kiss you the way I want to right now, you won't want me to stop and then we would have a lot of explaining to do when Mrs. Lynde opens the front door."

Anne huffed, "What we all might do but for fear of Rachel Lynde!"

Gilbert laughed. "Indeed!"

"Will you come to dinner tomorrow, Gil? I will have told Marilla by then and I know she'll wish to have you."

Reaching his hand to her upturned face, Gilbert gently caressed her cheek. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. See you tomorrow, Anne."

Gilbert turned to walk down the steps when he remembered something and turned back to face her. "You never told me your condition?"

Anne looked confused, "My what?"

"Your condition for telling me your thoughts before."

"Oh, yes," she remembered. "My condition is quite simple. I only demand honesty."

Now it was Gilbert's turn to be confused, "Honesty? About what?"

"You'll know when it's time," she simply said.

"I don't understand."

"You will, when I need you too. Just promise that when I ask for it, you will be honest."

He looked at her, still quite confused. "So, your condition is that I be honest at some time in the future about something I don't understand yet?"

"Precisely!"

"And I get no hint about what this something might be?"

Anne shook her head wordlessly.

"Alright, Anne. You have my word. But you ought to know that whether about this or any other matter, I always intend to be honest with you."

Anne smiled, "Well then it seems my condition will be rather easily met when the time comes."

Gilbert shook his head and chuckled, "You're a teasing woman, Anne Shirley!" And with that he turned to walk away.

"Gil," Anne called, as he was halfway to his buggy. He turned around to see her smiling on the porch. "There was one other thing I was thinking about that day at the apple tree," she said.

"Oh?"

"Yes, it was after we started laughing. Do you remember that?"

He merely nodded.

Anne continued, "I remember wondering if you knew how handsome you were when you did so. I am not sure I have ever seen anything more striking in my entire life."

A wide smile came across Gilbert's face as he blushed a little at her words. He was not sure how to answer, and was saved from doing so when overcome with a bit of embarrassment, Anne simply mouthed the words 'I love you' and made a hasty retreat into the house.

Gilbert stood a still like a fool for a few seconds before laughter bubbled to the surface of his lips. Would any other woman be so bold? She was so very Anne, and he simply adored everything about her.

On the other side of the door, a flustered Anne stood breathing a little heavy. What had Gilbert Blythe done to her? As if moved by inspiration, Anne walked straight up the stairs to her room without so much as a greeting to the rest of the house, took off her outer wear, flopped on her bed, and took out her writing folio. Words that had eluded her for weeks suddenly fell onto the paper in a furious fashion, only stopping to momentarily to collect ink and then write on. Anne had been stuck on this particular story for weeks, not knowing what direction to go as her characters withered in her imagination. But now they were given new life, as though her newfound happiness gave rise to this inspiration. An inspiration she could only credit to the handsome face and the steadfast love of her Gilbert.