Chapter 25

At twelve o clock on Wednesday morning, the four girls stood outside Patty's Place. Two of the carriages that would be taking them to Mount Holly had arrived, and the coachmen were loading the luggage into the last of them. Aunt Jimsie locked the door behind them, and slowly walked down the steps. The cats had gone home with Stella's family in big baskets, spitting and yowling dismally. Gilbert had been on hand for the boxing of Rusty, and when Anne had been too soft-hearted to put her pet in there he had done so with several scratches on his arms and a grim look on his face. Perhaps it was just as well their own wedding would not happen for three years- if it was any sooner he might have had to put up with the wretched animal in their own home.

It was the kind of morning where washing should have hung on the line merrily, and the girls would have been relaxing in the orchard. As they prepared to say goodbye, Anne left the others, and walked around the little house and into the trees she had loved. She walked to the biggest and oldest of the apple trees, and ran her hand over the rough bark with a smile. She had been through every emotion known to man out here; laughter, tears, heartbreak and almost dizzying happiness. Phil would be returning to the house in just a few weeks to visit, and Anne drew a little breath of relief. She would take care of the remaining business now. Anne had been the main correspondent with Miss Patty, and she would miss the letters from the other side of the globe that the ladies had delighted in reading together. She believed that they had faithfully looked after the little house, and Anne found herself thinking dreamily that on her visits to the city in the future, she and Phil might be able to pop into the little house for tea occasionally. She smiled, thinking of all that Gog and Magog had seen from their places of honour on the mantelpiece. She would miss the china dogs especially.

Anne was so caught up in her memories, that she didn't see Gilbert walking towards her through the pines with a smile on his lean face. He had known he would find her here, and he was grateful that the others had not followed them for the moment. Strong arms slipped around her waist from behind, and Anne's eyes closed, relaxing against him. Gilbert turned his head to breathe in the scent of her hair, and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

She turned in his arms, with a big smile. "I am. No doubt I will grieve more later, however there is so much to look forward to over the next few days, that I don't believe we will have time!" she said with a saucy grin. She reached up to touch the collar of Gilbert's shirt, and the neatly knotted tie that she had given him for his birthday in their first year at Redmond. She smiled at the sight of the now slightly worn blue fabric, having noticed that he wore it quite often. She looked up to see his eyes tenderly on her, and smiled.

"Shall we say goodbye together?" he said with a grin.

Anne took his face in her hands, and kissed him unhurriedly under the tree, the sunlight coming through the leaves and a light breeze blowing through the nearby pines.

Gilbert chuckled. "Not to me, to the orchard," he said against her skin, nevertheless pulling her even closer.

She shook her head, her eyes still closed. "This is how you say goodbye to a place." she breathed, kissing him deeply again. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that?"

"You know you're the only one who would say that to me, Anne-girl." he said, amused. "I hope this is what is done in welcome as well-"

"Of course-"

"Because there are a lot of places I need to welcome you to back home."

This made her laugh now, and she pulled back to study his mischievous hazel eyes with a smile. He was looking lighter as well, and Anne sighed with relief. The term had taken a toll on him, and she had been concerned that he was losing weight again- now however, she saw the light in his eyes and dismissed her concerns.

"Shall we?" He offered her his arm formally, chuckling when she refused it, lacing her fingers through his own instead. Together they passed the last of the trees, and stopped briefly in the place he had first proposed. There was a thoughtful look on his face, and he looked at the girl beside him. He opened his mouth to say something, and was stopped by the kiss she gave him on his cheek.

"We've said it all, Gil. We don't need to remember it anymore." Anne said softly, holding his eyes.

Gilbert nodded, a little smile playing around his mouth. "You're right. Although I am remembering what else we did on this spot." he teased, loving the bright flush that covered her face. He let himself be led past the place, not missing the slight grin on her pink face.

They could hear the voices of the others close by, and stopped one last time before they came into sight. Gilbert could see her hesitation, the wistful look that covered her face in spite of her words, as she took a look at the beloved spot.

"One day," he said, lightly running his hands down her arms, "We will have a home like this, and one we won't ever need to leave." he said firmly. "We'll walk through the gardens in the sunshine, we'll snuggle together inside in the rain. You and I will love each other in all of its rooms, and we'll raise our family in it. We'll be together." He kissed her again, loving the little sigh she gave, and the flush that came to her soft cheeks.

They could hear the sound of footsteps coming then, and Gilbert put his arm around Anne to keep her in place.

"I thought the two of you would be here." Stella said, amused.

"We're just saying a quick goodbye." Anne said, with a conscious smile.

Priscilla rolled her eyes. "But not to each other. Come on, Mr Gordon has all of the carriages loaded, and we're ready to go."

Gilbert took a quick look around, and he was the last to go through the rose covered entrance to Patty's Place, closing it behind him with a sigh. He took his hand off the gate for the last time, effectively closing the season for them all. Anne was waiting for him at the carriage with a loving look, and they stood a little apart from the others quietly until Phil gave the two of them a nudge into the closest carriage with a smile.

"I thought the two of you might want to stay together. Don't thank me, though, I'm really just doing it for my sake." she said with an impish look, as she settled in across from them next to a smiling Jonas in the carriage.

The four of them talked for the first half of the journey, with Phil explaining the latest of her mother's plans for the big day. Even Anne, who had seen the delights that Mount Holly had to offer was surprised at the scale of the arrangements that had been made. Gilbert watched her expressive face as she chattered and laughed with Phil, and allowed himself to take a deep breath again. Maybe- just maybe he could start to relax now. He would take the best care of her that he could, and he already knew she would not need to lift a finger at the Gordon's house. She would be fine.

Anything else was simply not an option.

Some time later, Gilbert awoke from a short nap, to find the carriage quiet, apart from the sound of the horses and carriage along the dusty roads. Jonas had a book in on one hand and a dozing Phil's hand in the other, and Anne lay against his shoulder sound asleep. He stretched as well as he could without disturbing her, and turned slightly so she would be more comfortable. It was then that he caught Jo's eye, who put down his book with a sigh.

"We're not far now." he said quietly.

Gilbert nodded, and grinned. "Are you ready for it all to start?" he said in a low voice, and Jo chuckled. "For the marriage, yes. For the wedding, I think we're both anxious for it to be over with. I did my first wedding in the parish the other week. I have a feeling ours won't be quite so small as this one was." Phil stirred slightly, and sat up with a yawn.

"It won't, Jo dear." she said groggily. "But you get me out of it, so all will be well."

Gilbert chuckled, seeing the look of contentment on both of their faces.

Jo turned to Gilbert then. "When do the two of you leave for home?"

He turned to look at Anne, who was still out cold, and spoke softly. "We'll catch the train with Priss and Stella on Monday morning from Bolingbroke. It will make for a long day, but barring any delays, we should still all be at home by Monday night."

Phil smiled. "Mother will be quite a different person by Sunday, and I think you should all be able to relax a bit more then. I'm sorry I won't get to see it."

This made Gilbert grin. "No, you aren't."

He turned his eyes to Anne, brushing the hair back from her forehead with care.

To his surprise, Phil had brown eyes trained on him thoughtfully. "What's bothering you, Gil?"

Gilbert hedged a little, knowing that he had been caught; and finally sighed, answering her quietly. "It's been a rough term for her. I've made it worse at times, I know I have. I just- I just want her safe."

She shook her curls at him, an incredulous smile on her face. "Gilbert Blythe, she is fine. I've never seen you this overprotective. Goodness, the two of you need that summer you have planned- some rest and recreation is just what the doctor ordered, I feel."

He flinched at her words, but made himself respond. "I know. I'm sure I'll settle down soon. I do need a break." He gave a wry chuckle. "I lost our winter break to nursing Dad, and Easter was always going to be busy."

Phil shot him a teasing glance. "I thought you rested quite well at Easter." she said innocently. Gilbert's eyes flew open, and he looked at Phil in shock. She knew too? She laughed, and shook her head. "It's fine, Gilbert; Anne just said that you both a had a lovely time together. Look, we only wish we could have been the ones staying in Kingsport."

Jo smiled. "It gave your mother peace of mind, darling."

"You are more generous than I." Phil said with a sigh. "Away from society, she's really quite different- although I think only my father and I see that." She leaned forward then, her small hand grabbing Gilbert's own. "Gil, I'm sure Anne is going to be fine. But she will worry about you more if you don't calm down. Worry about you has nearly eaten her alive, over the last few months." she said thoughtlessly, not seeing Gilbert's face blanch. He attempted to smile, and tightened his hand on Anne as she slept. Phil smiled in response, leaning back in her seat. The three of them conversed quietly for some time, until Anne herself woke up shortly outside Bolingbroke.

Forgetting the other two in the carriage, Gilbert studied her face, smiling to see the way she awoke so happily.

"I must have needed that." she said in a quiet tone.

"Apparently so." he teased. "We've been talking away, and you are busy being a lady of leisure-"

Phil laughed. "Well, it's just as well that you're awake now, honey. We've almost arrived."

Phil was met out of the carriage by her mother and father, who had come out of the front doors within a minute of their arrival. Several servants stood ready to take the belongings from the carriage, and the other coaches were pulling in as they walked to the steps of the impressive house with her family. Gilbert looked up at the many storied building with wonder, and he felt Anne's hand slip into his. He shook his head with a smile, unconsciously running his thumb over the little pearl ring.

"You're doing much better than I did when I first came here, dearest." she whispered, smiling. "I was so in awe I could hardly greet everyone."

The two of them were ushered up the front steps by Mrs Gordon, who had greeted Anne and Gilbert with pleasure, before moving to greet Aunt Jimsie and the rest of the party. Within a very short time, all of them had been ushered inside to the spacious front hall, with an ornate staircase that divided between the east and west wings of the house. Anne gave Gilbert's hand a quick squeeze before Mrs Gordon shepherded the girls up the staircase, and Gilbert watched her red head go with a little smile. The gentlemen were led to the wide verandas at the rear of the house, and across the perfectly manicured lawn to the two storied guest house.

Jo led the way inside, greeting the manservant kindly. Gilbert was relieved to see that Patrick and Aaron's reactions were as surprised as his own, as they were shown to two spacious bedrooms in the rear that overlooked the gardens. He looked out the windows in bewilderment at the perfect lines of rose beds and hedges, and at the small cottage in the distance; quarters for the gardener, he assumed. Jo would be sharing a room with him for the time being, and he smiled at Gilbert's silence.

"It's impressive, isn't it?" he said quietly, and Gilbert could only nod.

"I've never seen such a place." he said with a comical look.

Jo laughed. "The first time I came here, I was going to ask Mr Gordon for permission to propose to Phil. I was so in awe of my surroundings that I didn't get up the courage until the day I left here." he said with an apologetic smile. "I was out in the guest house by myself, that time."

The gentlemen were offered the chance to bathe then, to remove the dirt and dust from travelling before dinner. Once dressed and in his right mind, Gilbert looked from the windows of the guest house parlour to the brightly lit great house, wondering how the ladies were faring inside.

Mrs Gordon had thoughtfully selected several maids to help the ladies to prepare for dinner, and Anne found herself in the company of a young lady by the name of Charlotte. She had laid out her dress on the bed and drawn a bath, and not many minutes later Anne found herself soaking luxuriously in the bath, thinking lazily that indoor plumbing was a most wonderful innovation. Some time later, fresher and more comfortable, Anne sat in the little dressing room having her damp hair expertly pinned up by Phil's maid.

"It's a shame to be putting it up wet, miss;" she said apologetically, "However it is a warm night."

Anne assured her that all was well, and she was soon joined by a rejuvenated Stella in Phil's sitting room. Stella was looking lovely in her deep burgundy gown and fell onto the little lounge with a sigh of pleasure.

"I declare that felt wonderful!" she said brightly. "Priss is almost ready now, and Phil's mother whisked her off twenty minutes ago to look at china patterns."

The lady in question arrived at the door then, only to flop down on the other pink sofa with a moan. The girls scolded her for crushing her dress, and for a moment it all felt as comfortable it had at Patty's Place. Phil surfaced eventually with a grin.

"Well, ladies. You will no doubt be pleased to note that we have selected the Royal Grafton Gold Leaf for the table settings, out of a possible seven choices." Phil stated.

Anne nodded seriously. "I am glad."

Phil looked at her, amused. "Yes, I thought you would be. I think that's what I'll get you for your wedding present, Miss Anne."

She laughed at that. "Don't you dare, Phillipa-soon-to-be-Blake. Gilbert and I will be much more content with something simple."

"As would I. But Mummy insists on it for the wedding- and she told me how important it is to her, to give me a proper send-off," Phil said, with a good-natured shrug.

At this point, both Priscilla and the housekeeper entered the room, the latter with a kindly smile for the girl who had been her charge.

"There, I trust that you will all feel much better after your trip now. Miss Phil, dinner is being served downstairs; the rest of the party are waiting for you in the atrium."

Phil rose to her feet with a grateful smile for Mrs Langley, and turned to the others with a twinkle in her eye. "Well, my dears, we have a pleasure that I had almost forgotten about- eating a meal that none of us had to cook!"

Priscilla laughed, shaking her rose-covered gown out as she walked to the door. "Brilliant! It's just like a miniature holiday." she said brightly, making the girls smile.

Gilbert was waiting in the hallway as the ladies came down the staircase, and he stood looking up at Anne with a smile. Better rested than he had seen her in days, she was lovely. Bright curls were arranged carefully around her head, and her eyes were gorgeous. He came to meet her at the foot of the staircase with a light in his own, and took her hand.

"You look wonderful."

Anne smiled as she stepped down, smoothing a hand over his shirt front. "So do you, dearest."

He grinned, placing her hand in the crook of his arm to walk after the others into the ornate dining room. Anne bent her red head towards him.

"Mrs Gordon wants us to practice walking and moving together; so Phil says she has placed the groomsmen beside their respective bridesmaids for every meal. Isn't that lovely?" she said, her eyes twinkling. "I'm sure some of the party will feel quite glad about that, as well."

He only smiled at her then, hoping that they could be alone later.

Their hosts were keen to involve the bridal party in preparations for the wedding, and Mrs Gordon could be heard discussing the itinerary for the next few days. She kindly told the gentlemen that they would be going to the tailor first thing in the morning, and would arrive back just in time for the garden party. Gilbert was tasked with keeping the groomsmen on time for all appointments, as Mrs Gordon supposed Jonas would be too busy with the other things on his mind. He nodded solemnly, and Anne gave his hand a squeeze under the table, meeting his eyes with a smile.

"On Friday is the rehearsal dinner; and gentlemen, I would suggest that you are back at the house by four in the afternoon, to give yourself enough time to prepare."

Phil's startled eyes met Jo's, and then Anne's. "Mama, I thought that Friday was going to be a quieter day." she said, her voice uncharacteristically subdued. "I was rather hoping to take everyone to the lake for a picnic."

Mrs Gordon pulled her glasses off with some surprise. "No, dear. Your father is taking the gentlemen to the golf club on Friday. You will be busy yourself, in any case, Phillipa. I have arranged a luncheon with the ladies of the family and the bridal party, following your last fittings and meeting with the stylist."

"Right. The stylist." Phil said flatly.

"Madame Birskill comes very highly recommended, and she was the one whom Lady Ashton used for her daughter's wedding." Mrs Gordon said, mildly exasperated at her daughter's lack of enthusiasm.

Phil looked to Anne, who smiled at her regretfully. Gilbert saw her take a deep breath, and look to Jonas, and the little smile he gave her seemed to calm her ire. Anne and Gilbert, sitting across from her clearly heard Phil mutter "Two more days." At this Gilbert choked slightly on his glass of water, and then apologised courteously for drawing the attention of the rest of the table. Anne suppressed a giggle, and Jonas grinned at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

Along the table, Stella was discussing business strategies with Mr Gordon, and Mrs Gordon had at last put down her list to be engaged by a very engaging Aaron in conversation, who had most accurately seen the consternation of the bride and groom at the attention. He winked at a grateful Phil, as he talked expansively. Priscilla was placed beside Patrick as Phil had foretold, and Anne gave a little smile to see his deferential manner toward her beloved friend. Priscilla was chatting to him comfortably now, and Anne was almost sure she had seen her blush at a comment he made. She herself had been daydreaming for some moments when she felt a gentle nudge from Gilbert.

"You aren't eating, sweetheart." he teased quietly. "Where have you vanished to?"

She gave him a big smile. "I'm just watching people. I love to do that." she said softly. "Besides, I'm really not that hungry."

Gilbert contrived to look only mildly interested at this news. "Oh. With so many delicious courses yet to come?"

"Perhaps that's the problem." Anne said with a slight grin. "Too much food after a long day, I feel. What do you think of the house?" she asked.

He looked around him, shaking his head with a grin. "It's amazing. And yet-"

"And yet it's not for us, is it?"

Gilbert's thumb ran lightly across her fingers. "No. I wouldn't want a house that would master me. I want to feel like I owned it." he said frankly. His fingers brushed the soft folds of her skirt, and he sighed.

"I love this dress on you." he whispered.

Anne looked at him with a little smile. "You often say that, Gil. Why?"

He looked at her with a smile. "I've always liked it, ever since I saw you in it for the first time."

Anne's eyes widened. "You remember it?"

"Of course." The two of them forgot that anyone else was around them while the party waited for the course to end, and sat talking quietly. "It was the summer before we went to Redmond. You wore it to a dance that Ruby hosted at her house." He smiled at the memory. "You were already there when I arrived, and you were dancing with Frank Stockley, I believe, he was visiting Moody for the weekend-"

"That's right-"

Gilbert chuckled. "And I stood as close to the platform as I could so that I'd be the next one to dance with you."

Anne smiled, loving the chance to talk with him. "And you were."

Gilbert flushed then, and tried to keep the boyish smile off his face, one that Anne did not miss.

"Gil?" she asked in a low voice, smiling herself now.

He sighed, and grinned. "You were so beautiful that night, Anne- I wanted to keep you all to myself, and I could have strangled Fred for telling me that he'd already arranged to drive you and Diana home. Of course, now I just think he was trying to rile me up."

Anne gave a little laugh. "If I remember that night correctly, I was dropped home post-haste, and I had a very vague goodbye from the two of them. Their eyes never left each other."

"Well, I would have loved the privilege of walking you home that night." Gilbert said with a grin. "It was one of the many nights I almost kissed you. And whenever I see you in this dress, I just remember how beautiful you were, and how much I loved holding you in my arms when we danced."

Anne's smile was loving. "Well, you certainly have that right now. Actually, Josie told me that this shade of green clashed with my hair horribly."

He shook his head, amused. The jade of the fabric made her curls gleam like copper and her eyes sparkle, and the delicate ivory lace on the dress framed her neckline beautifully. "You never actually believed her, did you?"

Anne tipped her head in thought, and gave a wry smile. "In the beginning I did. Josie always went for my weak spots, she knew what would hurt me the most. I soon learned that she was jealous- although I couldn't imagine why at the time- until Diana pointed out to me that it was about you."

Gilbert frowned. "She was jealous because you were stunning, Anne. Diana could have told you that."

Anne looked at sea at that comment. "But she is pretty, Gil- she had nothing to fear from me- except that as I understand it, she lost her best chance of getting you."

He laughed then. "There wasn't a chance- and I would have made her fairly unhappy too, I think. I could never have spent my days being saturated in gossip and constant comparison with her."

Anne smiled at him sadly. "No, and it seems unlikely that at this point she will change."

"No, at this point I think they're in a world of their own." Gilbert suddenly heard Phil say, and he and Anne turned in shock to see the room smiling at the two of them.

He gulped slightly, and moved to apologise. "I'm sorry, that was terribly rude of me." he said, shamefacedly.

"Of us." Anne added, blushing. She noticed that both of their plates had been cleared, and thought with chagrin that they hadn't even noticed- or she hadn't, at any rate.

Phil waved a hand in dismissal. "Don't worry, the rest of us were busy talking as well. The staff is serving coffee and dessert in the drawing room, when we're done." She said, turning to Jo with a tender smile. "We're just about to head in there now."

Gilbert turned back to Anne, and took her hand in his. "Shall we adjourn, Miss Shirley?" he asked lightly.

They rose together and followed the party down the halls lit with ornate sconces, smiling as Phil pointed out the family portraits on the walls.

It was late that night when Jo stood reluctantly, bending to kiss Phil's cheek, and giving his soon-to-be mother-in-law a gentle smile.

"We started today quite early, so I think it's time to head to bed, if that is alright with you, Mrs Gordon."

"Of course." And I've asked you not to call me Mrs Gordon, Jonas." she said cordially, standing to come to her daughter's side. "Please, call me Maureen."

Jo nodded, with an apologetic smile. "It may take me a little while to get used to that, however I will try. And thank you so much for your hospitality."

Anne had risen with Gilbert, and the two of them had moved into the hallway to say goodnight, away from the still chattering party. He stood there holding her hand, with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Tell me, Anne;" he began, gripping her hand tightly in his own. "You studied psychology more than I did. Tell me why, when I will be closer to you tonight than I am usually able to be- why does it seem so much further now?" Anne looked into his wistful eyes, smiling at the tiredness that she could see him fighting.

He saw the mischievous look on her face then, and smiled. Anne raised her finger to her lips, and pulled him down a little hallway and suddenly into a room, sparsely furnished, and blocked off by heavy curtains.

"Anne, what-" he began, in shock. Without giving him any time to think, she pulled herself into his arms then, and raised her lips to his own. His arms were around her then as they kissed, his breath warm against her mouth, and heart thundering against her own. When several long minutes had gone by, she pulled away a little, placing her hand on his cheek to steady herself.

"I suppose it's because we have a job to do here." she said at last, in answer to his previous question, her grey eyes holding his. "We aren't home yet, and there are proprieties that need to be observed by us here." she said gently, making him smile. "Things you and I do not generally worry about, much to Mrs Lynde's dismay. And I have a feeling that moments like this will become a little rare with the schedules we need to keep."

He chuckled then. "Then I need to let you get some sleep. I want you well rested and able to enjoy the wedding with me."

Anne laughed. "I'll do so for your sake, Gil."

Gilbert bent his head to give her a swift kiss, and then turned them towards the curtained doorway. Anne stopped him with a smile. She opened the door he had not noticed, and found himself looking outside towards the guest house itself.

"How did you-" he said, mystified.

"Phil showed me. She used to use this door to escape from her poor, harassed nanny."

Gilbert heard the menfolk crossing the lawns talking cheerfully, and Anne gave him a little smile. "Go quickly, dearest, they won't even know you were gone."

His lips were on hers then, his hand warm against her smooth neck for just a moment. With a reluctant sigh, Anne saw him go, and closed the door behind him.

Outside, Gilbert caught up with Jo, walking a little behind Aaron and Patrick. As they walked, Jo turned to look at him shrewdly. "You found the secret exit, didn't you?" he said, amused.

Gilbert stopped in astonishment, and Jo only laughed, clapping a hand on his back. "I wouldn't worry, Gil. Phil showed me that on my first trip here. It's not easy saying goodnight under the eyes of prospective in-laws. Or a house full of people, for that matter."

Gilbert thought with a grin of Mrs Lynde, of Davy and Dora and Marilla. Of the Pyes and the Sloanes, of hurried farewells in the shadows of the front porch, of awkward goodbyes with many eyes watching. "You know, I couldn't agree more."

With a little smile he followed the others into the house, and closed the door behind them.

One day, the privacy of their own house of dreams would become a reality. And he would never be forced to leave her again.