Chapter 14

Mrs Lynde walked in the gate of the Avonlea churchyard, her sharp eyes already assessing the atmosphere. People of all ages milled around talking, trading in gossip and dabbling in the complex politics that were rife within a small town. She studied the clusters of people, those of strong position and weak, the knot of women whispering in the corner of the yard, and men looking over the various horses tethered nearby. When satisfied that all in her kingdom was functioning as anticipated, she strode purposefully to the doors of the church, beadily eying the minister and his wife. It was an important day for the family- an appearing out, of sorts. She had work to do.

Anne, who had grown up more interested in the woods and fields surrounding the church than the people who populated it, stood looking at the hills in the distance wreathed in ribbons of fog even now. There was snow as far as the eye could see- a gift Mother Nature had bestowed the previous day, as families sheltered in cosy homes. The bushes of winterberry holly were a splash of colour against the white of the landscape, and she smiled at the sight of snow-covered apples on an almost bare tree. She was just reaching up to touch it when she heard a familiar step behind her.

"Apples grown in a churchyard? Did you learn nothing from Eve, Anne?"

She laughed and turned to find Gilbert behind her, his eyes twinkling. "I was merely checking to see if the fruit had frozen." Gilbert then reached up to touch it, and she leant in cheekily to whisper- "And that's how Eve made sure Adam was in the mess with her as well."

To this, he could only grin, very much liking the allusion. "And is 'Eve' ready to confront the Avonlea people with her Adam now?"

Anne's shoulders dropped, and she adjusted her hat with a small sigh. "Yes. Once more into the breach, I suppose."

Gilbert's eyes showed some concern as he adjusted her scarf. "Anne, I was teasing. I'm hoping it won't be so bad- not with our parents with us."

Anne tucked her hand into his arm with a smile. "I do like the way you say that, you know," she said quietly. "Marilla never wanted me to call her anything but her name- however, I do see her as a mother."

Gilbert chuckled. "Anne, the look on her face while we were telling them everything could have told you that much. I thought she was going to skin me alive- that had all of a mother's ferocity."

"And yet Marilla very much likes you- and I'm quite sure that she likes you for me. You'll see, Gil."

The congregation was preparing to enter the building, and curious glances were thrown towards the pair as they approached together. Gilbert stopped to greet Fred and Diana, and he noticed that Diana gave an oddly defiant look at her mother as she greeted Anne on her way past. Mrs Lynde was standing by the minister and his wife on the steps, waiting for them as Marilla ushered the twins into the building.

"Gilbert, don't dawdle. Take your wife to sit with your parents now," Mrs Lynde said calmly.

Gilbert turned to Anne, not bothering to suppress the mischief in his eyes. "Well, then. Are you ready, Mrs Blythe?" he murmured. "It appears Avonlea is."

Anne had been feeling rather nervous, and now almost laughed. "This is as good as a public announcement. Are you sure that we shouldn't just run in screaming that we were unexpectedly married three weeks ago?"

He grinned. "Well, that would save us sending out wedding announcements." For just a moment he saw the real anxiety on her face and lifted her gloved hand to press a kiss to it, making her eyes soften. "I'm not ashamed, Anne. I never will be."

She smiled at him and they turned to greet the minister.

"Now then, hurry along," the older man said cheerfully. "I've got a sermon about the Parable of the Unwise Virgins that you just don't want to miss."

He bustled through the doors, leaving a wide-eyed Anne at the steps. Her husband was working to control his laughter, and she couldn't help but scowl at him, her cheeks cherry-red. Together they stepped in through the doors of the sanctuary, and followed the minister toward the front, hearing the rustling of movement, and the whispers that now began in earnest. Gilbert saw Davy's grimace and Marilla's resigned look as they walked past the Cuthbert pew, and he led Anne to his family with a flush burning into his cheeks. He took his place beside her, slipping his hand into hers tightly as the organ began to play.

Once the Unwise Virgins had been given their rhetorical due in the service, the Blythes and the inhabitants of Green Gables were inundated with people eager to ask about Anne and Gilbert's engagement. Few were surprised by the news- until they were informed that the wedding had already taken place and that they had come home to announce their elopement to their families.

Responses were varied. Mrs Andrews stood some way off surrounded by Madames Pye, Sloane and Bell, shaking her head at the apparent scandal. The younger women cast longing looks at Gilbert, turning to giggle together about the studious Miss Anne, now a married woman- and to the finest dish of all! Marilla was even asked if Anne's romantic nature had landed the two of them in a precarious situation: she would only say fairly that the young couple were as impulsive as each other- and that was a trait of the young, after all. The minister immediately offered spontaneous felicitations (at Mrs Lynde's request) and was encouraged by the said lady to pray a blessing over their marriage. Anne couldn't help but squirm under the hand that was surely crushing the flowers on her winter hat- and even Gilbert winced under his heavy-handed benediction. The older fellow had been a hammer-throwing champion in his youth, after all.

Anne's smile felt as if had been pasted on after some minutes had passed when she heard the voice she had been dreading- just as Gilbert had briefly turned away to speak to his aunt.

"So? Is it true?" Josie Pye said with evident disbelief. "The great Anne Shirley who was too smart to settle down got Gilbert into a little trouble?"

Anne paled. So far people had not outright asked them anything improper- of course, it had to be Josie. "It's nice to see you too, Josie."

The girl tossed her flaxen curls, her pink velvet cape swishing around her. "You might as well own it, Anne- no one here is fooled by the happy-family act the Blythes are putting on."

Anne's look was calm, refusing to allow Josie to know that she was upset. "It was sudden, certainly," she acknowledged. "But that doesn't mean there was a scandal involved."

Josie snorted unbecomingly. "Oh, please. A clandestine wedding that couldn't even wait until you were back here-"

Anne gritted her teeth. "A small wedding performed by a minister where we live in Kingsport, Josie. Not clandestine."

"If no one from here knew, that makes it suspicious."

"Then ask Moody for his opinion," Gilbert interrupted, suddenly reappearing. "He was there."

Josie snapped her head back at Gilbert's presence- and narrowed her eyes at the possessive hand he placed on Anne's back. "What? Why on earth would you have Moody there?"

"That's no way to speak of my best man, Josie," Gilbert said, frowning. "He did a fine job."

"Well, what do you expect us all to believe? That the two of you randomly decided to have a wedding when you weren't even courting?"

Gilbert shrugged. "Well, as you weren't in Kingsport with us, let's just say we disagree. And a quiet wedding instead of the fuss that Avonlea expected? It sounded good to us." Gilbert turned back to Anne then, clasping her gloved hand to his chest, and Anne almost choked at the barely perceptible twinkle in his hazel eyes. "Not that it's anyone's business, but we decided not to wait any longer, Josie. We didn't want to do that- and I think it was the smartest decision we've ever made."

Josie's look was disgusted. "I'd expect Anne to be this irresponsible, after all, she never had a real upbringing to speak of- but how could you be so foolish, Gilbert? You don't have a house, a job-"

Anne stiffened, her eyes on her husband. No one else would notice, however she saw the tightening around Gilbert's mouth, the sign that Josie's shot had hit home. She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm tightly, turning her head so that her cheek touched his shoulder. Gilbert looked down at her then, his look softening. He turned back to Josie coolly. "No. I don't have either of those things. But I have Anne. Frankly, that's all I need."

Anne observed the look of utter bewilderment on her pinched features. "I think what you are trying to say is congratulations, Josie," she said mildly.

The couple were not surprised to see that Josie stalked off, seething. Gilbert turned to Anne and shrugged cheerfully. "Oh dear- she left. I was going to kiss you next if we couldn't get rid of her."

Anne pulled away in indignation, giving him a mild slap on the arm. "Gilbert Blythe! You would use physical affection to punish someone else?"

He grinned, taking her hand. "Can you think of anything that would shoo her away faster?"

Anne scowled. "Oh! I feel rather used."

"You shouldn't," he said frankly, chuckling. "Trust me, I wouldn't do it at all if I didn't want to. I'm not above using her as an excuse."

Anne's breath caught at his words, and she flushed as she met his smug look with her chin held high. "I don't know that I like this side of you, Mr Blythe."

She had expected him to refute his words entirely- and yet there was a cockiness to him now that the worst was over, that made her heart thud strangely. He grinned and moved his lips close to her ear, his warm breath making her shiver. "Anne, I think you like this side of me just fine. You just have to figure out how to manage me."

There was a brief, electric moment as their eyes met, and his gloved hand slipped into hers as he opened his mouth.

However, whatever he had been about to say, Gilbert turned in surprise at a disturbance in the crowd behind him. Anne instinctively moved closer to her husband as Charlie Sloane's enraged face appeared over the top of a cluster of little girls. Anne gulped- there was no mistaking the Sloane temper that seemed ready to erupt- and there was no telling the amount of damage that his tongue could do.

Charlie eyeballed them ferociously across the busy courtyard, growling at all in his way, and trying to sidestep the sizable bulk of Mrs Lynde and her cronies. Davy ran in front of him and was roundly abused, and finally, the three Cotton sisters jumped aside in fright, as Charlie bodily moved a young child from his path. Anne winced at the gruesome spots still covering his face, his normally tidy hair flopping to one side in his aggravation. Poor Dora who had been sidling up to Anne stifled a small squeak and ran back to Marilla for safety.

"Blythe, I have a bone to pick with you!" he snapped. Gilbert's breath caught, and he felt Anne grip his hand tightly.

"Charles, good to see that you're home."

"Don't you Charles me," he said indignantly. "Why would you ask Moody to be your best man instead of me?"

The group of girls behind them immediately pricked up their ears, and Gilbert blinked confusedly. He caught Anne's eye, and lifted his hand, placating him. "Now then, old fellow, you were rather laid up for the past month-"

Charlie scowled. "I should think you would need your best friend by your side when you get married. You couldn't have waited a few more weeks to have me there?"

A bewildered Anne cleared her throat, trying to be diplomatic. "Really, Charlie; we didn't want to do anything to slow your recovery- and we did rather impulsively decide to have the wedding-"

"It was completely impulsive, Anne," Charlie snapped, and through her indignation, Anne struggled to remain sober- he might as well have addressed her as young lady. "Gil, I don't understand why you would choose to do such a thing without consulting me for advice. I'm sure the Redmond faculty will think this most irregular. Have you considered what Professor Hallett will think? This could cause damaging gossip- even if it's clear that no one from Avonlea would ever behave that way." Now that his outburst was over, he sighed, his look solemn. "Still, despite the fact that you rushed into this without appropriate preparation, I will stand by you. And Anne, you have my word that there are no hard feelings now."

Here, Anne coughed in shock. "Charlie?"

The Sloane expression was on his spotted face, and he folded his arms condescendingly. "Clearly, you were setting your cap at Gilbert years ago- although perhaps you should have been more forthright with your intentions, to avoid misleading me." Gilbert's hand closed over Anne's wrist, seeing the enraged spark in her suddenly green eyes at his words. "I assume this is the reason you refused me a year ago; although had you just said that you favoured him, Anne, perhaps it would not have descended into a petty argument," he stated. "I should certainly have stepped aside for my best friend."

Gilbert was almost aching from trying not to laugh, and luckily, Anne was rendered too speechless to respond. "That's- awfully good of you, Charles."

Charlie was on his way to being appeased and sighed lugubriously. "Well, now I know why you moved out of your boarding house. It's a shame, Gil- I imagine that I could have been a steadying influence if you still lived there. I suppose you found an apartment somewhere in Kingsport?"

Anne had recovered her poise by now and sent a naughty look to her husband. "Charlie, perhaps you don't know that Mrs Whitley owns a cottage at the rear of your new boardinghouse? Gilbert and I are living there now. You won't lose him after all."

There were a few more minutes of conversation, during which Charlie lectured them for not asking for a dossier on the young Reverend Blake before he married them. To Anne and Gilbert's bewilderment, Charlie appeared to be more concerned with missing the event than he was with the circumstances surrounding their marriage. As Charlie's pontificating began to wind down, people began to disperse from the churchyard toward their homes and dinners, and Anne and Gilbert farewelled the spotted fellow, both startled to realise that Charlie had no intention of keeping his distance from them. Blood, they always said, was thicker than water- and evidently, the ties of Avonlea were equally strong. Whether or not his presence would help or hinder those of malicious intent was yet to be seen.

Another strange encounter happened when Diana and Fred said goodbye. Diana asked rather awkwardly if they could come to see Anne and Gilbert for supper later in the week, instead of the couple coming to Orchard Slope. Gilbert had not hesitated in inviting the couple to come to his parent's home- however, Anne's grey eyes flickered across the courtyard, until they encountered the icy look on Mrs Barry's face in the distance. She paled and turned back to her friend.

"Your mother doesn't want us to come, does she?"

Diana cringed. "I'm so sorry, darling. I tried to explain, but she wouldn't listen. Of course, I couldn't tell her what you told me- and I don't think it would help in any case. Anne- it's my fault- if I hadn't reacted so poorly-"

Anne drew in a shaking breath, and was pulled by her friend into a strangling hug, trying to ignore the black eyes glaring right at her across the yard. "It's alright, Di. It will be alright."

Diana pulled away and shook her head, her voice broken. "It's not, Anne. But- in time, she'll see. You'll show everyone, I know you will."

Gilbert met Fred's eyes in regret. "Look, you don't have to come this visit- it might be easier for you both if you don't."

At this, Diana's black head came up, and she tossed her black curls defiantly. "No, I don't think so. We are celebrating your wedding this week, Anne Blythe- and my mother can just make the best of it."

The following week after Christmas went by swiftly. On the twenty-eighth of December, Green Gables hosted a congratulatory party for Anne and Gilbert, capably assisted by Amelia Blythe and Mrs Harrison. The house was filled with people young and old, although conspicuously absent were the Pyes. There were whispers of course, about the real reason that the happy event had taken place, although none dared to say so openly- not when Marilla and the Blythes were present at least. Rachel Lynde was another person no one felt very safe offending- not when she knew every sordid scandal that had ever taken place on the north shore and was none too precious about where she mentioned said information.

Avonlea admitted that Gilbert had always wanted the contrary redhead- and Anne would be foolish to not return his affection, not when the Blythe name carried such weight. Anne herself must have suggested the elopement- she'd claimed him, they supposed- and hadn't she always been an incurable romantic? Isn't that why she had written Averil's Atonement? No other girl would have dreamed of doing such a thing, however evidently, it had paid off. Rumour had it that Anne and Gilbert were gifted with a lifetime supply of Rollings Reliable Baking Powder.

A blushing Anne received her guests, and all noticed the look of sunlight on Gilbert's face as he beheld his bride- something the women at least found adorable. It was a more pleasant evening than Anne had expected- perhaps Amelia and Marilla had been right about the need for public support from the families. Diana and Fred mingled amongst their guests, bubbling with joy over the news- something that made Anne want to cry, knowing how hard Diana was trying for her sake. Charlie was telling all in his hearing that he'd known all along about the couple. Moody stood by stoutly, questioned by all on his role in the small wedding, and declaring that it was all the better for being without all of the usual fuss. Of course, he did mention this in front of his cousin Cynthia who was getting married in a whirl of fuss in four month's time, and she subsequently wouldn't speak to him for the rest of the holiday.

The Irving's would not be back in Avonlea until the summertime. Anne had received a warm letter on Christmas Eve from Miss Lavender, talking about their home in Toronto, how darling Paul had grown, and how much she missed her dear cottage. Anne shivered slightly. What would Miss Lavender say? Somehow, she doubted that she would be surprised. There was a prescience to her friend that had occasionally unsettled Anne- and she had been exceedingly curious when she met Gilbert over three years ago. She had liked him greatly then, and insisted that Anne bring him back whenever he was in town on the weekends- and Charlotta the Fourth was often reduced to stuttering whenever the tall, broad-shouldered fellow had stepped inside the little house. Anne had written back to Miss Lavender on Christmas day, acquainting her with the new circumstances of her life- all the time wondering what she would think.

Mr Harrison had succeeded in helping Davy build a bonfire for the young folk, and a good night was had by all, inside and out. Gilbert made a short speech after Mrs Lynde demanded it, with Anne's hand securely in his. Anne couldn't help but smile at the way he charmed his audience, old and young alike- he admitted with a smile that although their decision had been swift, that he was more than pleased to come back to their home as husband and wife now, to a series of ahhhs from the younger crowd. He was careful to give no hint to the events that had taken place a month earlier- only saying that he was blessed to stand by his new wife, and proud for them to forge a future together, one that allowed them both to chase their dreams.

The days in Avonlea were swift to pass, and the families began to get used to Anne and Gilbert being in either one house or the other. Davy did his best to monopolize Gilbert's time while he was at Green Gables, saying stoutly that Anne's impromptu wedding at least brought another fellow into the household. Gilbert eventually took Davy for a walk through the Haunted Wood, finally having the conversation he had been dreading for some days. John Blythe had laughed immoderately at the task Gilbert had before him, before giving him some hints on just what he should tell the boy.

Davy came out of it fairly well- Gilbert, on the other hand, felt as if the hundred or so questions thrown at him were driving him to a nervous breakdown. When at last they entered Green Gables, Davy hustled off to his chores, leaving Anne struggling to remain sober in order to soothe and tend to her deeply embarrassed husband.

Anne, meanwhile spent time with the older ladies and Dora, catching up on their lives and entertaining them with some of her household concerns. She was given a good deal of unnecessary advice from Mrs Lynde, but also some helpful hints that she would one day be grateful for. She was furnished with recipes and more books on housekeeping and was informed that she would be taking an extra trunk home filled with jams and pickles and contrivances of both households.

Three days before they were due to leave for Kingsport, Gilbert and Anne were at the Blythe farm once again. Diana and Fred had come for dinner that day- now that everything was out in the open, the couple were able to talk more freely about their home and life in the city- and the way that the girls had banded together to create the hurried wedding. When Gilbert and Fred had gone outside to check on the Wright's new horse, Anne found herself talking even more freely with Diana than she had with the girls.

Diana stared at her, a small smile curling on her lips. "Anne Shirley, would you care to repeat that for me?"

Anne groaned, her head falling into her hands. "Blythe, Di."

"You actually asked him to kiss you?"

Anne's red head rose then, her voice high in embarrassment. "A little louder, Di, I don't think that Gilbert's parents heard you!"

Diana rocked back on the sofa in fits of laughter. "Oh, honey, I'm sure they know you have kissed their son once or twice."

Anne huffed, her arms crossed defiantly. "I didn't want us to embarrass ourselves in front of everyone at the wedding."

Diana, who had yet to be married worried her lip. "Oh dear- is there a wrong way to kiss someone at your wedding?"

Anne's brow came up with a smirk worthy of Gilbert himself. "Not when two people have as much experience as you and Mr Wright do, Diana."

Her friend rolled her dark eyes. "Well, dare I ask how it was?"

The redhead hesitated, before- "It was rather nice, actually," Anne admitted unexpectedly.

Diana chuckled and pulled Mrs Blythe's famous chocolate cake from the tea table again. "Good girl! And do the two of you make a habit of kissing now?"

Anne seemed to want to shrink into the corner of the sofa, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. "Well- we said we wouldn't, at first," she said softly. "It's too fast. But it worries me that it's too easy to forget what we said. I didn't know it would be so easy to- to be together like that."

Diana, surprisingly, gave a short laugh. "Yes. It's the one thing no one tells you."

Somewhat reassured by the privacy they had at the moment, Anne sighed. "It's confusing and embarrassing- and I have a feeling that we've only just begun to figure out who we are together- and it frightens me that I don't know exactly what that is." She closed her grey eyes, her shoulders drooping. "Sometimes I don't know how we're ever going to do this."

Diana lifted the hand that wore Gilbert's ring and smiled. "By doing what you and Gilbert do best, I suppose. Joining forces and annihilating the competition."

"Di, there is no competition."

"Well, it's not so complicated, either," Di said gently. "Do you trust him?"

Anne frowned. "Of course."

"Look, you are the smartest people I know-"

"Well, clearly not all the time-" Anne said dryly, making Diana laugh.

"Alright, not always. But you both already care so much- and it's not so very hard to fall in love. Especially not when he is the one man alive who can keep up with you."

"Keep up with me, pass me," Anne commented with a slight smile, before becoming serious. "I meant it, you know. I did this to make sure that Gilbert has the chance he is fighting for. He deserves it."

Diana bent her dark head close, her look warm. "And what about the rest of the reason?"

Anne was silent for almost a full minute while Diana waited. "Because I didn't want to lose him."

Diana smiled. "Well, you can't, now. Anne, will you please do me a favour?"

"Anything, Di."

"Tell me what happens," Diana now pleaded. "Tell me when it's hard, and when it's good. I want to be a part of your life- and I want you to stay a part of mine. We swore an oath, remember."

Anne's grey eyes widened, then. "But Diana- it's awfully wicked to swear!"

To this, her bosom friend could only throw her arms around her with a laugh. "I'd only ever do it for you, Anne."

That night, after Fred had taken his fiance home to Orchard Slope, Anne and Gilbert sat in the comfortable sitting room of the Blythe house. They had brought their schoolwork home for Christmas, and the older Blythes were content to let the young couple study, observing with pleasure the comfort between them.

Several times Gilbert had looked up from his book to see Anne dreaming before the fire, her feet tucked up beneath her, a forgotten book on her lap. He traced the lines of her pretty figure in the flickering light. She was beautiful, he thought dreamily. Smooth, pale skin, the smattering of freckles that she hated- and the long, red hair twisted high on her head, little locks curling around her neck so tantalizingly.

He closed up his book, at times feeling a certain despondency at their situation. Loving her, wanting her so desperately- and not yet being able to show her. She wasn't ready; Anne had said so herself. And yet she was here, in his parent's home with him. His eyes drifted to the heavy skies through the window, and he hid a small sigh. What wouldn't he give to have her stranded with him indefinitely? Then, he shook his head, feeling idiotic. Had he forgotten that she was married to him now?

Anne looked across at him then, smiling at the faint grin on Gilbert's face. "What is it?" she asked quietly.

"It's just nice to be here with you without everyone else. I miss you," he admitted.

Anne gave him an indulgent look, nevertheless moving to sit beside him. "We've hardly had a chance to miss each other, Gil. I'm certain we've never been together so much in our lives."

There was silence for a time, before Anne turned to Gilbert thoughtfully. "It's been a bit of a respite here, hasn't it? Do you feel rested?"

Gilbert gave a dry laugh. "Anne, if respite means what we've just lived through, then send me back to Kingsport."

She shook her head. "No, back in Kingsport, the pressure is greater, I think. And we need to go back to work soon enough."

Gilbert took her hand in his, choosing his words carefully. "Anne, I know that things need to get back to normal with us, too."

She looked up at him and felt her heart clench at the sudden vulnerability on his face. "What do you mean?"

He couldn't quite meet her eyes then. "I- I take it seriously that you want us to take our time with everything. I know that- when we're back home- I-" he seemed to freeze then, and he tipped his head on one side as his brows lowered, studying the fingers entwined with his own. "I suppose I just want to say thank you. Even with everything else- it's been the best Christmas of my life."

To this, Anne raised one eyebrow. "Really, Gil? With a forced marriage and subsequent confession to our families, and this was the best?"

His eyebrow rose, and he chuckled. "Well, it has been, alright? I'm allowed to have my opinion, aren't I?"

"Well, then we can look forward to next year at least," she commented, contentedly. "We'll be six months off graduating, and won't have any news to shock everyone with- and that will be an improvement."

Deliciously sleepy in the warm firelight, she hardly noticed when Gilbert turned again so that she could lean against him, her thoughts drifting lazily. "Your mother spoke with me about some recipes that she wants to give me."

Gilbert chuckled. "Ah- Blythe family recipes, Anne. I hope you realise what an honour this is."

"One I am entirely sensible of," she replied dryly. "I wanted to make sure that we were eating enough of the things you like- it's the least I can do."

"Here, now." Gilbert suddenly dislodged Anne from his shoulder, turning to her with a stern look. "You can't keep doing this, Anne. I don't want to find us on that wedding anniversary we keep talking about, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and still hearing you talk like that."

Anne rolled her eyes at him. "Gil-"

"No, I'm serious, Anne. Enough with the blame- there's plenty to go around." Her look was sceptical, and he sighed in exasperation. "Yes, you started it. I won't argue with you there. But if you had been found sitting by my side in that tent and I'd- oh, I don't know, actually left my shirt on, there wouldn't have been such a fuss, you know that. We did this. We chose to go through with it. You didn't force me into a marriage, we chose it."

Anne bit her lip, her eyes troubled. "I- it's just- the approach of the new year bothers me," she said slowly. "We close the old year out tomorrow night- and we're supposed to reflect on the year that has passed. And I still remember what you said to me last New Year."

Gilbert gave her a startled look. "What did I say?"

Anne tucked a red curl behind her ear self-consciously. "You said that you wanted to put everything you had into your studies. You wanted to explore new territory- and push yourself further than you ever had. And instead, you wound up married to me, living in the Mushroom, for heavens sake, and fighting to escape the whirlpool of scandal."

"I remember that."

"And don't you wish you were beginning this year differently?"

"Anne, you don't want to talk about all this tomorrow night?"

"No. Tomorrow night we will be surrounded by all of Avonlea," Anne said stubbornly.

"Sweetheart, you have to hear me," Gilbert said with a sigh. "I don't regret the outcome, I keep telling you that. And I- I'm afraid I wasn't being completely transparent with you back then. The new territory I was talking about- it was with you."

There was a hurt look that flashed through her grey eyes, and she went to pull away from him. "You can't just make up things like that to try and make me feel better."

Gilbert was quick to grab her, and he bent closer to allow her to look in his eyes. "I'm not making anything up. Is it so hard to believe that I liked you back then, but I wasn't at all sure how you felt about me?"

Anne swallowed, nervously smoothing her blouse over her chest. "Oh- I- I-"

"Now, there's my articulate girl," he said, amused, and sighed. "Look, Anne, I just didn't know how to say anything to you last Christmas. And it's a good thing I didn't. You told me a month ago that you weren't ready for all this. You- you didn't think about me like that."

She cleared her throat nervously, her eyes falling. "I'd never thought about anyone like that, Gil. I'm sorry-"

"Hey," he said tenderly. "It's alright. I know where we are at, now. And we're so lucky. We've got a way to get through this now, and we've got the time to get used to us. This is going to be a good year, Anne."

She gave him a derisive look, and he placed a gentle hand on her cheek for a moment. "It will be, sweetheart. We're going to be the best students that we can be, we've easily got the determination between us to do it. You're going to come down off your high horse and admit that you need me to help you with the housework-" here, Anne scowled at him, and he only shrugged. "You're going to teach me to cook too- I'm not putting up with you becoming exhausted trying to do everything, while I sit back like some pampered prince. I'm not helpless. If I can use a spectroscope, I can cook a meal for us."

Anne grimaced. "I did plan on teaching you, Gilbert. I just- I thought it would be easier if I did it, to begin with."

He seemed to be uncomfortable with this. "Well, I don't plan on feeling useless for the next year and a half- so you'd better let me do my share now."

Anne chuckled. "You may regret saying that."

There was a tap at the door then, and Gilbert's mother came inside, closely followed by his father. Anne couldn't help but flush, wondering why Amelia had looked hesitant. What state was she expecting to find them in?

"Gilbert, your father collected a parcel while Diana and Fred were here- you and Anne may want to open it now."

Anne sat up taller, her big eyes on Gilbert. He grinned sheepishly and turned to her. "I'd hoped to buy you a proper engagement ring down the track- you know, when we aren't struggling college students."

Anne's cheeks were flushed, trying to ignore Gilbert's parent's identical smiles. "Gil, you don't need to-"

"Oh, but he didn't, love," Amelia said excitedly, pulling the package from Gilbert's hands to open it for him. Anne's eyes were enormous as she drew out two small boxes. "These belonged to John's mother and father- they've been sitting in the attic for years." When Gilbert cleared his throat, his mother's cheeks turned suddenly pink. "Oh- I'll just let Gilbert do this, shall I?"

Gilbert met Anne's grey eyes then, his own twinkling in amusement, and a sentiment somehow much warmer. "I didn't even know these existed, Anne- but when mother showed me them, I- I wondered if you would let me give you this as our ring."

Anne's hands were shaking with nerves as she accepted the box from Gilbert, seeing how much this meant to him, despite his light tone. She opened the box to see five small pearls set on a golden band. The moment seemed to carry the weight of expectation of an entire family- only now did she see that she was not just gaining Gilbert, but things she had never before had: a mother and father, aunts, uncles, and even cousins- recipes and traditions and the name of a family. However, as she caught her breath, it was the man before her who held her attention. Without any explanation, she handed the box back to Gilbert, before slipping off her small wedding band.

He seemed frozen until she held out her hand, now very aware of his mother growing teary, and John's gentle chuckle. Gilbert's smile was huge then, and he slipped the pearl ring over her fourth finger, following it with the wedding band he had placed on it only a month ago.

"It's like it was made for you," he said proudly, and she couldn't help but smile at his obvious happiness.

Anne shook her head in wonder. "It's so lovely, Gil."

Gilbert cleared his throat again. "I was told that pearls were meant for tears," he admitted.

Anne chuckled. "You've never had happy tears, Gil? I have." There were some in her eyes now, and Gilbert pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her red head.

Amelia Blythe was wiping away some of her own when she spoke thickly. "Don't forget the other one, dear."

Gilbert opened the second box, his cheeks hot, almost wishing his parents weren't watching them. "This one belonged to my grandfather. He wore a wedding ring as well. I know it's not customary-"

"That is, it is for us." Anne turned to see John Blythe holding up his own left hand, and she smiled to see a ring there as well. "It's a Blythe custom."

She chuckled, blushing under the scrutiny. "Well, given the number of girls who shamelessly flirt with the class president, I think it a good idea," she teased, laughing when Gilbert turned to his parents in horror.

"She's exaggerating, mother, they really don't."

It was to Anne that the Blythes looked then, and she mouthed 'They do so', making them laugh.

John rose then, taking his wife's hand. "Well, we'll leave you two to finish. Gil, be sure to take Anne home before the snow starts- we don't want Marilla worrying."

Amelia hesitated, looking at the pair longingly. "Can we see you put it on him, dear?"

Anne chuckled at Gilbert's long-suffering look, as she took the other ring from the box and placed it on his finger carefully. Amelia seemed to be waiting for something more, and finally, Anne realised what it was.

"Oh. I think she expects you to kiss me," she muttered, while Gilbert's father worked on drawing her from the room.

Mrs Blythe didn't bother to hide that she was shamelessly eavesdropping, and she shrugged innocently. "Well, we did miss the wedding..."

Gilbert frowned crossly. "Ma, that's terrible, using guilt like that!"

"And yet I'm still waiting, dear."

Anne began to wish she could sink through the floor, when Gilbert took her left hand in his, admiring the ring on her slender fingers. "Well, I think I've proved that I won't complain about doing it," he murmured, making Anne chuckle, her cheeks fiery. He bent closer and gave her a sweet kiss that made his mother burst into tears again, and over her excited chatter, he spoke softly. "Happy New Year, sweetheart."

Anne smiled, tightening her fingers around his. "Happy New Year, Gil."