It wasn't until they were on the ferry Mr and Mrs Blythe went for a walk leaving the engaged couple looking towards an ever fading PEI. They sat on a bench provided and looked towards the Island arm in arm.

Gilbert wasn't stupid. He knew Anne had lied about why she was crying back at the post office. He didn't want to push it in the moment, he knew he had came back in a tentative moment and didn't want to push her over the edge, but here, looking back at their home from a distance maybe he could approach the subject now she wasn't crying.

"What happened back there Anne?" He asked her.

"Ermm, when?" She replied.

"When I interrupted you and ma." he clarified.

"I told you..." she said not looking at him "I'm just nervous about coming back to Kingsport."

"Please tell me the truth Anne." he stated. She looked at him in shock. The look now across Gilbert's face she had recognised in his mothers glance earlier "You never could lie properly Anne, you're not a deceitful person in nature. I don't want you to think you ever have to lie to me."

Anne didn't say anything to start with, how could she start it. "Your mother loves you Gil. I can't blame her for doubting me. She didn't say anything, she didn't need to, but I knew she still wondered if I loved you as I should." A look of horror came over Gilbert's face. "No Gil, you mustn't blame her my love, please remember she doesn't know what happened but she heard the rumours. Gil you mustn't blame her, you are her son, she only wants what is best for you."

"Anne..." he started.

"I was only sharing with her my feelings."

He shook his head and stood up"I have to go and talk to ma about this, I can't believe she made you feel like this..."

"No Gilbert don't!" Anne begged him. "Gilbert its okay. She had every right to want to know her son's heart wasn't going to be trodden on. Just remember how nervous you were when you proposed the second time, you thought you knew but you didn't know for certain, that's all it was. I was crying because of the appalling way I have treated you, I know you don't like to think about it but the facts are is that I did treat you terribly and you were heartbroken and I knew it. Your mother just needed reassuring that I love you."

"We've been together for almost a year." he said sitting back down with her. "You have supported me, we're together whenever we can be... I don't understand why she would think..."

"Because she is your mother and she loves you. One day you might understand when you have a daughter..." she trailed.

Gilbert's mouth broke a smile. "A daughter huh?" he started to laugh "there won't be a boy good enough for her." he said proudly as if the child was standing in front of him.

"And that's how your mother must feel." she paused. "Although I had hoped she liked me. I think she does, she asked for my forgiveness so you should give it too." He gave a sigh. He knew Anne was right. So he settled Anne back into his arm. Anne suddenly started to giggle.

"What's so funny?" he asked

"I think I always wanted your mother as a mother in law, When I met Roy's mother she had came to Patty's place and asked scornfully if I liked cats. I didn't like her tone so replied 'They ARE adorable animals, aren't they?' and I remembered your mother loved cats and kept as many as your father would let her and how different her reactions would have been..."

"Oh I see, you wanted the mother in law but not her son now did you?" He teased feeling a bit more like himself.

She laughed back. "I always wanted you. I was always comparing Roy to you. It was so subconsciously I didn't even realise it! He never measured up to you."

Gilbert looked proud for a moment then blushed. "Well good." he looked back at Anne. "Are you sure its okay? I can go and talk to her."

"Don't you dare Gilbert Blythe" she warned him.

"Alright if you insist." He brought her closer to him so her head was resting on his shoulder and he kissed into her hair. "I love you."