"You just got here, and you already are sick of me."

Gilbert looked up at Bash as he stuffed a shirt into his bag. "You know it's not that."

Bash was sat on Gilbert's bed next to the bag, arms crossed as he watched Gilbert pack. "I'm just teasing you, Blythe. You have everything?"

Gilbert closed the bag and nodded, "Yes."

"I don't think you do." Sebastian dangled a tiny bag between his fingers, "You're forgetting this." When Gilbert reached out to grab the bag, Bash pulled it just out of his reach. "Were you leaving it behind on purpose or on accident?"

"None of your business," Gilbert muttered.

Sebastian looked up at him. "You're ready for it. I can tell."

Gilbert stared at him.

"It being marriage. Dedicating yourself forever to Anne Shirley-Cuthbert," Bash clarified.

"I know what you meant. I… I am ready," Gilbert said. He put out his hand.

Bash looked up at him and placed the bag into Gilbert's palm. "I know you are."

Gilbert closed his fingers around the bag before putting it in his pant pocket. "I'm just…"

"Nervous," Sebastian answered for him, standing up.

Gilbert glanced at him before settling his gaze on the wooden floorboards of his bedroom. "I know you always say how sure you were when you proposed to Mary, and I might seem nervous and unsure, but trust me when I say that I am that sure. It's different than it was with Winifred. I'm… so certain of Anne. I feel like I always have been."

"I believe you," Bash said. He put a hand on Gilbert's shoulder and pulled him into a hug. Gilbert reached up and hugged Bash back.

"What if she says no?"

"Then she says no," Sebastian replied.

Gilbert couldn't help but laugh, "Thanks for the advice, Bash."

"I do what I can," Bash laughed, pulling away. He kept a hand on Gilbert's shoulder. The two looked at one another for a moment of understanding.

Gilbert finally picked up his bag, saying, "I have to meet the Barry's. I'm going to be late."

He was almost out the front door of his house when Bash finally caught up to him. "Hey, Blythe."

Gilbert turned to glance at him.

"You could write me more often, you know?"

Gilbert smiled and nodded before closing the door behind him and rushing to the Barry's house.

"Can I put my extra clothes in your trunk, Anne? I don't want to slow us down with more luggage than we need," Cole said.

"Of course! I have room to spare," she smiled, stepping aside from her luggage so Cole could carefully place his folded pants beside her stockings and skirts. "I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Do you know what you're going to say to him?" Cole asked.

"Not at all," Anne threw her arms out and sighed. "But I'm sure it'll come to me."

Cole took her hand, "I'm sure it will." Anne gave him a breathless smile and closed her suitcase, flipping down the latches with a satisfying click.

"What are you two still doing here?" Aunt Jo said from the doorway.

"Just finished packing!" Anne cheered.

"We're ready now," Cole answered.

"You two better hurry," Aunt Jo said. "The train waits for nothing, not even love."

"I've seen the train wait before. I think it was for a family with a misbehaving child," Cole said back.

Aunt Jo's mouth dropped open in mock surprise, "The way you treat me, boy. I should throw you out."

"You wouldn't," Cole answered.

Aunt Jo couldn't hold her look of disdain and started to chuckle. "Hurry. My buggy is waiting for you outside. Oh, I'll miss you two."

"We'll be back before you know it. Perhaps with exciting news," Cole smirked in Anne's direction.

Anne rolled her eyes and blushed, "Thank you for the money for the trip, Aunt Jo."

"It's no trouble at all. But the money will be for nothing if you two don't get a move on," Aunt Jo said.

Anne reached for the trunk, but Cole put out his hand, "Allow me."

Anne scoffed and picked up her parasol, leading the way down the stairs. She kissed Aunt Jo goodbye and climbed into the carriage, Cole behind her. She reached for his hand and held it as they rode to the train station.

Diana watched out of the window of the Barry's own buggy, desperate to see Gilbert. They couldn't wait for him much longer.

"He's coming," she said, more to herself than to her father. "He'll be here."

Mr. Barry flipped his watch closed and said, "I'm sorry, Diana. I don't want to leave him behind, truly I don't, but we really can't wait much lon—"

Diana pointed through the window. "There he is!"

Gilbert waved to them, and from the distance, Diana could tell he was running. She laughed and looking back at her father, though he was annoyed with Gilbert's tardiness, she also recognized a look of relief on his face.

He was panting for air when he reached the Barry's. "Sorry I'm late." The driver took his bag and threw it on the back, securing it to Diana's trunk as Gilbert climbed to the seat next to Mr. Barry. "Thanks again for the ride."

Diana nodded politely and straightened her skirt.

"Been a while since you've been to Charlottetown, eh?" Mr. Barry asked.

"Yes, it has," Gilbert said.

"I'm excited to see Aunt Jo again," Diana smiled.

"Yes, yes, well we won't be staying there long. We have to get you settled back into Queen's so you can focus on your studies," her father said, waving the driver on.

"How are your studies going, Diana?" Gilbert asked.

Diana saw him wringing his hands together nervously. She nodded and figured conversation would help calm him, "My studies are going well, thank you. And yours?"

"Fine. Excellent," Gilbert muttered, obviously distracted.

"Are you planning on staying in Toronto after you complete your schooling?" Diana asked.

Gilbert finally looked up at her. Her gaze was unwavering, but his faltered as he said, "I… I'm not sure."

"Well, Avonlea would be glad to have you back, Gilbert," Mr. Barry said.

Gilbert nodded and glanced out the window. Once they reached the station, they boarded the train, and Gilbert's nerves only grew.

"It's okay," Diana reassured him. "It'll be just like last time."

But Gilbert knew that wasn't true. He knew this time he wasn't going to leave with unanswered questions or unspoken feelings. He hoped Anne would feel the same.

Anne and Cole reached the station, and Cole went to buy tickets for them while Anne waited. She put away her parasol and looked up into the sky, clouds rolling peacefully. She had never felt so sure of anything. Her hands were shaking and her stomach was churning, but it was all out of excitement. She closed her eyes to imagine Gilbert's face, his eyes and lips. She imagined seeing him open his room door and gazing down at her in surprise.

"Anne, why are you here?" he would ask, clearly happy to see her though his eyebrows would give away his confusion.

She wouldn't answer. She would just stand on her tiptoes and kiss him.

"What was that for?" Gilbert would say, smiling and reaching for another kiss.

She would put a finger to his lips and say how much she cared for him, how much she wanted to be wherever he was, and how she didn't want there to be anything left unsaid between them. Then maybe she would kiss him again and pray Tommy wouldn't come out of his room and catch them.

Anne exhaled and opened her eyes to see the sky still looking back at her. She said to herself, "Nothing can go wrong today."

"The train was canceled," Cole said behind her.

Anne spun frantically, "What?"

"Our train to Toronto. It's been canceled," Cole said.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Her breaths were quickening, and Cole was quick to set down the trunk and hold onto her shoulders.

"We'll get on the next one. It's just a few hours away. We can wait in town." When Anne didn't answer, Cole said, "It'll be fine. Here." He led her to a bench, and they sat down together. People around them boarded and unboarded the trains, but Anne and Cole stayed seated. After a few moments of quiet, Anne finally grabbed Cole's hand.

"What if it's a sign?" Anne sniffled. "All these obstacles, the distance. Things have never been easy for us. Maybe we aren't meant to be together."

"I don't think it's a sign. I think it's just unlucky," Cole answered.

Anne laughed but shook her head. "Maybe it's silly to think he was my destiny."

"Don't let this one thing change everything. You'll find your way to him," Cole comforted her. Anne sighed and placed her head on Cole's shoulder.

"Anne?"

Anne and Cole peeked up to see Henry glancing down at them.

"Hello, Henry," Anne said. She wiped off her face as she stood up to greet him. "It's good to see you again."

"You, too." Henry smiled awkwardly before he gestured to Cole, "Who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is my dear friend Cole Mackenzie. Cole this is Henry Clark," she introduced.

Cole stood up and towered over Henry. He extended his hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Henry."

"Nice to meet you," Henry answered. His attention went back to Anne. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

Anne started to speak but found her eyes welling up with tears again, so Cole spoke up, "We were going to Toronto to see a friend, but our train got canceled."

"Really? Why?"

Cole looked to Anne, but when she didn't answer, he asked slowly, "Why are we seeing a friend, or why the train was canceled?" He wouldn't know the best way to answer Henry's question if it were the first.

"The train," Henry clarified. "I've never heard of them canceling a train before. Especially not to somewhere like Toronto." A look of realization spread across his face, "I hope my ride home wasn't canceled. I should go check." He started off but hesitated. "Anne, I'm sorry—"

"No, don't apologize," Anne started.

"I was hasty and surprising," Henry admitted. "I'm sorry I put you on the spot. It wasn't fair."

"It's okay," Anne answered. "I don't have any hard feelings."

Henry nodded, "Neither do I."

"I hope your train wasn't canceled," Anne offered when the silence between them lingered too long.

"I hope you find a way to your," Henry grinned, "friend."

Anne's breath caught in her throat.

"Goodbye, Anne," he said, entering the office.

Cole watched him go. "Is that the—"

"Yes, that's him," Anne replied.

Cole nodded and finally pulled his eyes away from the office, "He's handsome."

"He is," Anne agreed. She took a deep breath, "Maybe we should just go back to Aunt Jo's. I can go to Toronto another time or just continue writing to Gilbert."

"Are you sure?" Cole asked, unconvinced.

"Yes, I am." Anne smiled through her sadness at Cole, "I promise."

Cole shook his head and argued, "I know you too well to believe you saying that."

"I know," Anne muttered. "But I can't wait here. It's… utterly depressing to think that all these people are off to who knows where reconnecting with their own loves and families. These trains arriving could be bringing people's loves back to them, and I've… I've lost my chance for that today."

"Well, this is the train coming from Avonlea," Cole said. "Maybe a loved one will be returning today."

Anne suddenly perked up, "Diana!"

"I did overhead Aunt Jo saying Diana was coming to visit her before she and her father went back to Queen's this evening. Should we wait?"

Anne nodded and wiped her cheeks off viciously. Though the sadness was still evident in her face, she allowed someone new to occupy her thoughts: a bosom friend. "Yes, yes, please."

Cole hugged her tightly. "I love you, Anne."

"I love you, too," she smiled. "Thank you."

Cole pulled away and kept an arm around her shoulder as they watched the train pull into the station.

As soon as the train pulled to a stop, people flooded off and started moving in every direction on the platform. Anne struggled to see over the crowd for Diana. Cole even had to crane his neck at unnatural angles with no luck to see any glimpse of the Barry's.

"I'm going to stand on that bench for a better view. Watch the trunk, please," Anne told him. She started to push through the people for the bench. She muttered, "Excuse me. Pardon me. Sorry."

Someone knocked into her and grabbed onto her arm to steady himself, saying, "I'm so sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay," Anne interrupted. The grip pulled away, and the boy pushed through the crowd at a sprint. Anne spun to look at him, and from behind, she just saw someone in a cap running from the station. But something in his figure…

Her face went red and her eyes welled up. "Gilbert?" she whispered. She pushed her way back through the people, more aggressive this time, thoughts of Diana going from her mind as she followed the boy, but he was fast. She almost lost him. But finally, she pushed through the last of the thick crowd and made it to the end of the platform.

Anne shouted, "Gilbert!"

The boy stopped and turned to face her. It was him. Even at the distance, Anne recognized him. It was the boy she could never get off her mind, somehow in front of her and not in Toronto. The two stayed still at that distance, many people darting into the space between them as they stared at one another.

Anne finally called, "What are you doing here?"

"Were you going somewhere?" Gilbert shouted at the same time. He started taking steps back to her, pulling his hat off into his hand by his side. Anne saw his shoulders heaving up and down as he caught his breath.

Anne was frozen on the steps, unable to answer. Why was he there? What was he doing? Was she dreaming? Was it possible for him to get more handsome with each passing day?

"I missed you!" he called again.

Anne finally laughed and picked up her skirts. She ran to meet him, flinging herself into his arms. He embraced her tightly, lifting her off the ground slightly and turning them around. He was warm.

"What are you doing here?" she asked again.

"I had to see you."

"You did?" Anne smiled.

"I couldn't leave things how we did. Especially when I heard…" he trailed off and set Anne back on the ground. "When I heard that someone had proposed."

Anne shook her head, reaching up and grabbing Gilbert's face. "Don't worry. It wasn't like that. I don't want to marry anyone but…" She trailed off, as well.

Gilbert tried to hide his smile at her comment but failed. He brushed a strand of red hair from her face and then rested his hands on her waist. She moved her hands to his shoulders, unable to stop looking into his eyes. Those eyes that had confused her so many times were clear as day now; he loved her.

"I was going to Toronto. I would've missed you," Anne suddenly realized.

"Why didn't you go?" Gilbert asked.

"The train was canceled," Anne mumbled.

Gilbert smiled, "I'm glad I didn't miss you."

The two gazed at each other for another moment before they started speaking over each other hastily.

"Listen, Gilbert, I love Avonlea. I want to end up there and be with my family, and not just the Cuthberts. I mean all my family, old and new, new being… well, you hopefully, but—"

"Anne, I was a fool. I can be a doctor anywhere, but you're not someone I should let slip by. I'll go wherever you go—"

"I can go back to Avonlea whenever. You need to finish school and establish yourself. I stand by what I said in my letter, I'll go to Toronto with you if you want me to. I want to—"

"I don't know why it took me so long, I should've said it last time I saw you here before school started, but I want you to marry me—"

"I don't want to impose myself on you and intrude into your schooling, but," Anne stopped immediately. They looked at one another, processing the fragments of words they had both heard from the other.

Anne quietly asked, "What did you say?"

Gilbert took a deep breath but then stopped, "Your letter?"

"My last letter. Did you not read it?"

"No, I… after Diana's letter I was scared it would contain rejection," Gilbert admitted.

"I was so worried!" Anne cried, swatting his shoulder.

"I'm sorry!" Gilbert responded, chuckling.

Anne started, "I thought you didn't want to be with me anymore—"

But Gilbert also spoke over her, "I couldn't bear the thought of you marrying someone who wasn't me—"

"I was waiting for a response," Anne stated. Gilbert was going to continue speaking, but Anne laughed and waved her hands in front of their face, "Wait, wait. You want to… do you…"

Gilbert exhaled and gazed at her.

"Ask me," Anne whispered.

Gilbert asked, "Are you ready?"

She nodded, biting her lip.

Gilbert smiled largely, "Me, too."

She laughed and felt tears starting to form in her eyes.

Gilbert got down on one knee and pulled a small bag from his pocket. From it, he revealed his mother's simple wedding ring. He smiled at it and then looked up at Anne, "We won't have much while I'm in school, and even once I'm working, it won't be much."

"I don't care about that," Anne said, reaching for Gilbert's free hand and holding it tightly between both of her own.

He stated, "I love you."

"I love you, too," Anne replied, trying to hold her tears in.

"Anne," Gilbert started, smiling just at saying her name aloud, "Will you marry me?"

Anne gasped out in happiness, speechless.

Gilbert laughed and jokingly said, "Y-E-S?"

"Of course I will," she said, laughing with him.

Gilbert stood up and slid the ring onto her finger before swooping in to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. They pulled away, both smiling at one another, and they were going in for another kiss when they heard cheers behind them. Diana and Cole were clapping from the train station stairs, Mr. Barry looking aghast at the public kiss, clapped his hands together a few times, as well.

Gilbert touched Anne's cheek, and when she turned to face him, they kissed again.