"Anne and Gilbert sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Minnie May sang as she skipped around the Barry's yard. Diana glanced over her shoulder to laugh at her sister as she continued to make flower chains to hang between the trees.
"Minnie May, that's quite enough," Mrs. Barry said. She fanned herself and gestured for her youngest daughter to follow her inside, "Come inside now. It's much too hot out here."
"But I want to stay and set up the party," Minnie May said, crossing her arms over her chest defiantly. Diana held in a laugh. Minnie May turned to her with a glare, "Diana gets to stay outside."
"It's her friends' party. Now I won't ask again. Come inside with me, and we'll get refreshments for your sister and father," Mrs. Barry said tiredly.
Minnie May groaned but followed her mother inside. Diana and her father shared a glance.
"She's a real treasure, that one," he sighed, gesturing for Diana to give him the other end of one of the completed flower chains.
Diana handed it to him and said, "I think it was very considerate of you to offer to host Anne and Gilbert's engagement party."
Her father nearly smiled, possibly surprised that this daughter had offered him a compliment. "Well, it's the least we can do. Wouldn't want to stick it all to Sebastian and the Cuthberts when we have the means to do it here." He climbed up a step ladder and swung one end of the chain over a tree branch with a grunt.
Diana grinned and thought aloud, "It must be hard to be engaged for so long."
"They seem to be making the most of the distance," her father offered. Once he had climbed down the ladder, he stretched out his back. "I'll be right back out, Diana, but I need to take a short break."
"Of course."
Her father went inside, and she knew he wouldn't be back out that day. Her mother would offer him lemonade and sweets, and he would sit on the couch reading all afternoon. She gathered up another pile of flowers and sat down in the grass by a tree to continue making flower chains. As her hands wove the stems together, she couldn't help but smile thinking of her bosom friend's happiness. Anne had graduated from Queen's already, a year ahead of everyone else from their Avonlea class, and she would be the first to be married, as well. Diana knew her friend had gotten the great romance of her dreams.
She put down the chain, picked up one of the daisies, and stared at its yellow center, twirling the flower by its stem between her fingers. Though Diana had tried to force thoughts of love and boys from her mind, she did occasionally find herself envious of Anne and Gilbert.
"Diana," a voice called softly.
The sudden voice caused Diana to jump and drop the flower back into her lap. She craned her neck around the tree and saw Jerry smiling back at her. She gasped, "What are you doing here?"
"Well," he gave her a mischievous smile, "Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbert wanted me to see how the decorations were coming along for the party tomorrow."
"Did they?" Diana asked, doubtful. She stood up and walked the flower chains over to their outdoor set of chairs. Jerry adjusted his hat and followed behind her, glancing at the decorated trees and bouquets.
"Anne will love it," he said.
"Hopefully Gilbert will, too," Diana said.
Jerry shook his head, "He won't care so long as Anne is happy."
"I guess you're right."
Jerry adjusted his gaze to her and opened his mouth to speak.
The sincere expression on his face frightened Diana, so she cut him off, asking, "Will you grab that pile of flowers over there for me?"
Jerry nodded and walked over to pick up her extra flowers. He approached her and held them out. She reached to take them from his hands, and Jerry said, "Thank you for your letters these past months."
"Oh, it was nothing," Diana stammered. She pulled away and organized the flowers into a couple of vases.
"I hope you will continue writing through your next year away," Jerry said. Diana looked over her shoulder, observing Jerry as he wrapped his arm around a nearby tree and swung himself around it.
"Maybe I will," she said. Jerry appeared from the other side of the tree and looked at her, expecting more of an answer. Diana simply shrugged and turned away before her smile gave her away. She was happy he had come to see her, and she was even happier her father had decided to go inside earlier.
"Well, even so, I will keep writing to you, if that's okay," Jerry said from behind her.
She nodded, "That's okay."
"Um, Diana."
Something in his voice made her feel like this wasn't the time for playful teasing or flirting. So Diana faced him. Jerry appeared nervous, but his classic, wide smile hadn't left his face.
She asked, "Yes?"
"I understand if you don't want it," Jerry started. He held out his hand, a tiny poodle resting in his palm. "But I won it for you."
Diana stared at the tiny dog figurine affectionately. "It is so lovely."
"Will you have it?"
"Of course," she said, taking it gingerly from his fingers. She stared at its little face, a smudge of dirt on its nose, probably from when she had thrown it to the ground at his feet. Diana continued looking at it as she said, "I don't want to lead you on again."
"I know."
"I don't know where life will take me after Queen's," Diana admitted. She glanced up at Jerry, "I'm not saying this because of your family and your position, but I'm not sure if we can be together… like that."
"I understand," Jerry said.
"But I do like you, Jerry," Diana offered. "And I want to keep writing to you and talking with you. Even if we're just friends, I want to be friends."
"That is okay?" Jerry asked.
Diana nodded.
Jerry said, "Then it's okay with me, too." He bowed, immediately embarrassed by the action, so he started to back away, "I'll see you at the party tomorrow."
"Yes, see you then," Diana called after him. As he found his way back to Green Gables, Diana went to her room and cleaned off the poodle before setting it on her nightstand on top of her books beside her candle.
"For Heaven's sake, Anne! What is taking you so long to get ready? You can't be late for your own engagement party!" Marilla yelled up the stairs. She turned to Matthew and grumbled, "See that Jerry has the horses ready."
Matthew nodded and went outside to check on Jerry.
"Anne!" Marilla called again.
"I'm sorry, Marilla," Anne answered, clamoring down the stairs clumsily. "I haven't seen him since my graduation last month, so I wanted to look my best."
"Well, if you are so desperate to see him, you should've been ready ten minutes ago," Marilla replied, smoothing down her own dress.
Anne appeared before her on the stairs in a beautiful new gown of green fabric. She had embroidered the hem herself with flowers and leaves. Her hair was delicately pinned up underneath her newest hat, adorned with more flowers.
"Well," Marilla said. Her eyes started to sting with tears, so she sucked in a sharp breath and said, "You do look beautiful."
"Thank you," Anne said, reaching for Marilla's hand.
Marilla squeezed Anne's hand in return before saying, "But you'll look even more beautiful on the buggy heading to the Barry's. Let's go." She took Anne's arm and tugged her along outside. Anne couldn't help but laugh at Marilla's anxiety. Once she was seated on the back beside Jerry, they took off.
"You look nice," Jerry said.
Anne glanced at him, "You, too. I've never seen those clothes before."
Jerry reached for the suit jacket he was wearing as if to hide it. "Is it too much? It's my father's."
"No, it looks very charming," Anne said, linking her arm in his. She reached up and took off his small cap, "Though you shouldn't wear this hat. It ruins the look."
"What hat should I wear, then?" Jerry asked. Anne stared at him for a while, unsure.
Matthew took his flat hat from his head and held it back to them.
"Matthew Cuthbert," Marilla said. "You can't go without a hat."
"I'm not going without a hat. Jerry," Matthew waved his hand, "I'll be needing that cap."
"Matthew," Marilla warned.
Anne took Matthew's hat and put Jerry's cap in its place. Matthew slung the worn cap onto his own head and looked at Marilla with a grin. She rolled her eyes and looked the other way.
"Lord help me," she muttered under her breath.
Anne placed Matthew's hat on Jerry's head. "There. A true gentleman. I can barely recognize you."
"Funny," Jerry replied.
"I mean it. Some of the girls will be awfully sorry they passed you by," Anne answered.
Jerry blushed and smoothed out his jacket again. Anne helped him flatten the collar, and they rode with anticipation to the Barry's house.
Gilbert rushed off of the buggy at the Barry's to go offer help for the final set-up of the party. Sebastian took his time stepping back to the ground. Elijah took the baby carriage from the back of the wagon and rolled it to Sebastian. Once Delphine was settled inside, Bash took Elijah's shoulder and made him look up at him.
"Would you mind watching her until I get back? If not, go in there and find Ms. Rachel Lynde, and she won't be able to say no to you."
Elijah glanced down at Delphine and then back up at Bash, "Where are you going?"
"I have to do something quick before the party starts," Sebastian replied. "Just watch her until I'm back. And you know, better keep an eye on Gilbert, too."
"Yeah, sure," Elijah answered. Sebastian started to walk off, and Elijah called after him, "It's your lady friend, right? The teacher?"
Sebastian didn't turn around but an unwelcome smile came to his face, "Don't know what you're talking about."
Elijah laughed behind him and rolled Delphine into the party, where Rachel Lynde immediately rushed to coo in her face and offer to take her off Elijah's hands for a bit.
Ms. Stacy hastily pinned up her hair and threw her hat on. She was running late, but after a quick glimpse into the mirror, she groaned and started to redo her hair. Anne and Gilbert's special occasion demanded her to look her best, not a strand out of place. After all, they were her two favorite pupils.
Once her hair looked more proper, Ms. Stacy picked up her hat and went for the door. As she opened it, Sebastian, who was about to knock, nearly fell in.
"Sebastian," Ms. Stacy said, shocked. She smacked her forehead while Sebastian stood up, "I'm not so late that they sent someone to find me, am I?"
"No, no. It's not started yet," he answered. He put his hands in his pockets and remained awkwardly on her front stoop rather than stepping inside.
Ms. Stacy sighed, "That's a relief. I was so frightened when I saw you. I don't want to ruin their special day with running late or causing a scene by—"
He interrupted her, "You're not late, Muriel."
Ms. Stacy held her tongue for a moment and looked at him. She would've spoken again, but Sebastian looked like he had something he wanted to say.
"Muriel," he started. "I… came to take you to the party."
"Okay?" she said, confused.
"Not because you need a chaperone or because you're late," Bash said. He got frustrated with himself and forced out, "but because I wanted to."
"You did?" Ms. Stacy said, understanding. She felt her heart race, and she kept her hands folded in front of her to keep them from shaking visibly.
"I can't promise anything now."
She nodded slowly.
"It's so soon after Mary…" he trailed off.
"I know." Ms. Stacy examined his troubled expression. "But whatever you think I want from you," she burst, stammering as she continued, "I'm not asking for anything right now."
He looked relieved and pleased when he answered, "Really?"
"Sebastian," she said, stepping out of her front door and closing it behind her. "I have no expectations of you. Mary was beautiful and wonderful and perfect, and asking you, expecting you, right now to move on from her and that relationship… that is not something I want to do. I certainly will never truly move on from my lost loved one, and I don't expect others to do it, either." She stood up straighter, "But I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy your company."
"I would be a fool to agree," Bash replied.
Ms. Stacy bit her lip to hide a wide grin. "I don't want you to feel that because we are good friends or even kindred spirits that we have to be anything more than that. If your enjoyment of my company is strictly platonic, I don't want to impose myself and my own feelings. I don't want to be a burden to you."
"It's no burden to have… those feelings again," Sebastian said carefully. He leaned back against her railing. "It's only I feel…"
"Guilty," Ms. Stacy guessed.
Sebastian nodded. "I've spent so long loving Mary, even after she's gone. I don't want to feel like she's being replaced in my heart."
"The ones who lose are not pieces that can be shoved to a corner or covered up with another. They stay with us," Ms. Stacy replied.
"Is your Jonah still there?" Bash asked.
Ms. Stacy pointed to her chest, "He's still in there." She took a shaky breath, "But I know I like you, Sebastian. And I know I like Jonah. And somehow, there's room for both of you. I don't know how. And right now, more than anything, I just wanted you to know that I care for you. No expectations. No courtship if you don't want it. And if you never want to try anything, that's fine with me. I understand. But I'm glad you're here because I've wanted to express these things to you for a long time."
"Now, Ms. Stacy," Sebastian said. "I came all this way to express my own feelings, and you've gone and beaten me to it."
She laughed and shook her head.
"Can I escort you to Gilbert and Anne's party?" he asked, extending his arm.
Ms. Stacy nodded and wrapped her arm in his. As they walked back to the party, Sebastian pulled Ms. Stacy a bit closer to him.
"People will talk, though, won't they," Ms. Stacy wondered quietly.
"Of course they will," Sebastian replied. He glanced at her, "But they were talking before anyway, weren't they?"
Ms. Stacy nodded and allowed herself to bump into him slightly. She snuck a peek in his direction and was pleased to see a smile on his face, a slight blush on his cheeks.
"Congratulations, Gilbert," Tillie said loudly. She took a sip from her lemonade glass.
Ruby smiled, "It must be so wonderful to be engaged." She snuck a glance in Moody's direction that she thought was subtle. However, everyone caught it, and Moody started to blush.
"I'm gonna go say hello to…" Moody trailed off and wandered off to stand behind a tree. Ruby smiled at the group before going to join him. Everyone watched for a moment as Ruby approached Moody with a fake smile. Gilbert laughed watching Moody and Ruby pretending they weren't having an argument. Moody peered around the tree for a moment and looked at Gilbert imploringly. Gilbert merely shrugged.
Jane sighed, "Who would've thought Anne would be the first of us engaged?"
Gilbert smirked and took a sip from his cup of lemonade.
"Look, no hard feelings," Charlie said, patting Gilbert on the shoulder.
Gilbert glanced up at him, "Was there going to be?"
"Well, you know, I was the first to post about Anne on the notice board all those years ago, so," Charlie shrugged.
The group laughed, but Gilbert couldn't tell if Charlie was joking or not.
"Where is Anne?" Josie asked. She continued, "Late to her own party? That's classic."
"They'll be here soon," Diana replied. She, too, was waiting for the Green Gables group to show up, and while she was excited to see Anne, there was someone else Diana was more highly anticipating the arrival of.
"Anne said you two kept up your correspondence all year," Jane said. "Will that continue or is Anne going to Toronto?" She and Tillie giggled together at the thought.
"Well, she'll be staying at Green Gables until we're married later this year, and then she'll move up to Toronto with me. I have some connections up there who think a teaching position may open up."
"How romantic," Jane said.
"Teacher and student," Tillie joked and nudged Jane, "reminds us of a certain sister, doesn't it?"
Jane groaned.
"Quite a long engagement," Josie added.
"It's not ideal, but I'm just happy that Anne and I officially have a future together," Gilbert responded.
"Speaking of Anne," Jane said, waving her arm over her head. Gilbert turned quickly to look in the direction, standing up tall to try and find Anne.
The Cuthberts, Anne, and Jerry steadily made their way to the yard. Marilla and Matthew immediately walked across the yard to the Barry's with their refreshment offerings and thank you's for the party while Anne hesitated to take in all the flowers and people.
"Anne!" Diana cried.
Anne nearly didn't hear her as she grew distracted by the flowing flower chains above her head. She spun around, and the shiny green fabric of her skirt caught the sun and glinted. Jerry appeared behind Anne and whispered something in her ear. Anne turned to him and straightened his hat and jacket while Gilbert handed Charlie his cup and went to Anne. As Gilbert approached Anne, Jerry crossed paths to meet Diana halfway.
"Jerry," she sputtered, casting her eyes over his entire outfit, right down to his shined boots.
"Do you like it?"
Diana's hand reached out as if to grab it, but her hand hovered over his chest before she put it back at her side. "It's very proper."
"Thanks," Jerry smiled. "I think you're dress is very pretty."
Diana held her hands in front of her, suddenly feeling self-conscious of her party dress. He looked sleek and elegant in what she assumed was his father's suit, and compared to it, her dress looked almost gaudy with too many ruffles and ornaments. "Thank you," she muttered.
"Should we go and talk to everyone? They're starting to stare," Jerry said. He touched Diana's shoulder and faced her back to her group of friends.
"Oh, yes," she said. She allowed him to lead the way, but not before taking another glance at him. They rejoined Tillie, Jane, Josie, and Charlie. At the same time, Moody and Ruby made their way back to the group, both giggling like school kids.
"Engaged?" Jane pried.
Ruby whacked her and then smiled prettily at Moody, who let out a relieved sigh before leaving the girls to talk with Charlie.
Gilbert and Anne faced each other, both beaming with happiness at their meeting.
"Not too much longer now," Gilbert said, "until we're together without having to leave at the end of the day."
"Are you excited?"
"Of course," Gilbert replied.
"Me, too," Anne answered, sneakily taking his hand into hers.
Gilbert reached up and lightly touched one of Anne's curly tendrils. "You look wonderful. I've never seen this dress before."
"No," Anne said. "It's new, and I embroidered it myself. See." She lifted up one side of her dress to better display the decorated hem.
"It's beautiful. But not as beautiful as the woman wearing it," he said, offering his arm.
Anne blushed and said, "I never know how to respond when you say those things to me."
"You don't have to say anything. Though I will say, it's highly out of character for me to see you at a loss for words," Gilbert said. He placed his hand over Anne's on his arm and leaned over to quickly kiss her cheek.
"Well maybe I'll just have to find a way to make you speechless, then," Anne replied.
"I don't know if you'll be able to," Gilbert answered. "I always have something to say."
"Really?" Anne challenged him.
"Yes," Gilbert replied. He stopped them and turned Anne to face him. "Try to make me speechless. You won't beat me."
"Okay," she said, getting into the challenge. "I could say something like, you're the smartest man I've ever met."
"You're the smartest person I've ever met," Gilbert replied fast.
"See I couldn't say smartest person because I knew that it was me," Anne teased.
Gilbert laughed and nodded in agreement.
"How about," Anne started, "when we're apart, I can't stop thinking about you and when we'll finally be together?"
"Closer, but there is something I'm always ready to reply with. Something that no matter what you say, I can say to you," Gilbert said, taking her hands in his.
"And what's that?" Anne asked.
He kissed her hands and looked up at her, "I love you."
Anne raised Gilbert's hands to her own mouth and kissed them in return. She glanced up with a lovely smile and said, "And I love you, too."
