Diana was at tea again with Fred along with Ruby and Moddy. It was the eve of fall break. She and Anne would take the train tomorrow morning to Avonlea. Diana was excited to be home again, but she also dreaded going back. There were so many bad memories there. Or perhaps there were too many good memories. Now that time has passed, Diana now viewed them that way.

Her thoughts wandered to Jerry walking her home from school. The brush of their hands and the small tingling sensation his touch brought. When he touched her cheek the other night, she had felt it again. It was so much different than when Fred touch her hand. Was that a bad thing, or a good thing? Diana didn't know. She thought of how his gentle finger scraped the tear from her cheek. How-

"Diana?!" Ruby's voice snapped her from her thoughts. She jumped slightly and eyed Ruby, who was sitting next to her.

"What?" Diana used her polite and light voice.

"I hope I wasn't boring you too much with my music talk" Moody grinned.

"Oh no, Moody," Ruby batted her eyelashes. "Diana was probably thinking about her trip tomorrow. Have you packed, Diana?"

"You're still going?" Fred asked before Diana could answer.

"Of course I am," Diana looked at him with raised brows. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought you were still considering staying here, with me," Fred took a sip of his tea.

"And with us!" Ruby added, exchanging smiles with Moody.

"Well, I can't leave Anne to go by herself," Diana defended.

"Nonsense! Gilbert's coming home. I'm sure he wouldn't come to fetch Anne first," Ruby said innocently. Diana had almost forgotten that Anne didn't tell the girls about Gilbert's absence.

"Well, he wants us to go on without him," Diana lied. "I miss home. Don't any of you."

"No," Fred muttered as he shifted in his seat.

"Yes, but there's so much to do here," Moody shrugged. "I got to take my little lady somewhere other than this tea shop." Ruby held her teacup to her lips but didn't take a sip.

"Are you really going to leave me?" Fred asked as they were walking back that night. Moody and Ruby were talking and laughing far ahead of them. Diana and Fred were mostly silent. They had talked plenty yesterday, but today Fred was just in a different mood.

Diana laughed a little. "I'm not leaving you. It's only a weekend."

"Well," Fred took both her hands in his. She looked at him curiously. "I want you to be careful. I know it's not easy for a woman on her own when it comes to safety."

"I'll be just fine," Diana assured. "You wouldn't have to worry so much if you didn't stay. I wish you would come too."

"I wish you would stay," he kissed the tops of her hands. Her heart sped up a bit. He looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please, stay." Diana found herself leaning closer to him, their faces inches apart. For a moment, she wanted to stay.

"I won't," Diana suddenly pulled away. "You can handle yourself. I have faith."

"Very well," Fred sighed as they reached the door. "I'll see you Sunday night." He then leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Diana held her breath as his lips slowly pulled away from her face.

"Goodnight," was all Diana managed to get out before turning to the door and going inside.

The supper had already been cleaned up. Lily was folding some sheets while trying to read Ruby's lips while she gushed about her afternoon and dinner. Diana grinned before making her way to her room. She was exhausted, and she knew all the packing she still needed to achieve. Diana yawned and sighed as she took off her hat. Her hair had come undone and laid on her shoulders.

Diana pushed open the door only to find Anne crying on her desk. Once the redhead was aware of her presence, Anne shot up and wiped away her tears. "Did you have a nice time with Fred and Moody?"

"Yes, but-" Diana threw her hat and gloves down onto the bed. "Why are you crying, Anne?"

"It's nothing, really," Anne turned her face away.

"What?" Diana pressed.

"Nothing."

"Tell me."

"Gilbert didn't even write back!" Anne snapped. She pushed her hair out of her face and took several deep breaths. Diana stayed silent. "By now I should have received any sort of response. I should've never let this happen to me. I'm letting a boy control my life. I thought this little game was over. But he couldn't face me to tell me the truth. Now that he hasn't written back I know that my doubts must be right. Gilbert's feelings aren't certain after all." She then slumped down on the bed.

"Oh, Anne," Diana whispered. "Gilbert cares so much for you, I know he does. Even if he doesn't, you'll be just fine without Gilbert."

"But I love him," Anne said quietly and let a tear fall from her eyes. Diana didn't say anything as she pulled Anne up from her bed and wrapped her arms around her bosom friend.

Later that night-just before bed checks- Diana had just finished packing her bags for Avonlea. Anne had packed hers earlier in the afternoon. Most of the day she had been waiting for the post, and when it came, she was gravely angry, disappointed, then heartbroken. She should've known better than to think that Gilbert and she were going to make it through this long distance.

Anne was playing with her fountain pen while staring blankly at the wall. She didn't know what else to do. For once in her life, her imagination had run out. At least Diana seemed chipper about her double date with Fred, Moody, and Ruby. At least Diana could be happy. If she wasn't, then Anne knew she wouldn't be able to make it out of her own sorrow.

Never once in her life had she felt in such despair. Of course, she has thought that millions of times in the last 16 years of her life. She had gone through worse things, but this pain was much different. It wasn't the same heartbreak she had experienced over the summer. Now, it was much deeper. She had touched him, kissed him, embraced him. She had grown to truly love Gilbert.

But apparently, her feelings were unrequited.

And yet her head was screaming that she was getting too far ahead of herself. Maybe Gilbert's letter was coming tomorrow or it was lost in travel. It only took a matter of days for a letter to get to him at the university. He should've had plenty of time to respond. Perhaps he was just thinking about what he was going to say and how to say it.

Whatever the situation was, it didn't change the way Anne felt.

"All done," Diana came back into the room. She had set her bags outside for the morning. She was in her nightdress, ready for bed. Anne's lamp was the only thing lighting the small room, but she could still see the small blush on Diana's cheeks.

"I suppose tomorrow will be busier than I anticipated," Anne said lightly.

"You'll need all of your rest," Diana added.

"I suppose you're right," Anne nodded and got up from bed. She then placed her pen on her headboard before going over to the vanity. She was still dressed in her day clothes. Taking out her hairpins with anger, Anne ripped her fingers through her curls as they bounced. She missed her braids sometimes, her head never hurt when she took them out.

"Anne," Diana whispered. "Did you hear that noise?" Anne's ears perk to a creaking coming from the deck outside. She froze when she heard it.

"Stay still," Anne mouthed as she stepped across the floor. She crouched down next to the window. Diana had gone tremendously pale. Anne listened for the creeping footsteps. When the figure was right outside the window. Anne lept to her feet, ready to strike as soon as the intruder opened the glass. She then stopped suddenly.

Gilbert was standing on the other side of the window.

He looked as shocked as she was. Then, his expression melted into a smile. Oh, how much she had missed that smile. Anne's heart skipped a beat before Diana sighed with relief. She didn't do anything for a moment, but then Gilbert raised his eyebrows at her in a pleading manner. Anne slowly pushed the window open. She leaned forward.

"Why didn't you answer my-"

Anne was cut off by Gilbert's lips pressing against hers. He had taken her face in both of his hands, feeling the heat of her cheeks. Anne wanted to fight the urge to return his kiss but gave in quickly. She rested her hands on his arms, supporting herself halfway out the window. He was here. He was really here. Once they pulled away, Gilbert looked her dead in the eyes.

"I love you," he said in a whisper, still cupping her cheek.

Anne had never heard those words from his mouth, but she felt as if she had known all along. All of her pain and misery slipped away as she gazed into his brown eyes. "I love you too." She smiled widely and leaned in to kiss him again. He held her tightly to him, slowly pulling her out the window. Then she fell into his arms. They both fell down onto the porch.

They laughed as they separated. Anne ran her fingers through his hair. He caught her hand and kissed her palm. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was coming," Gilbert said sorrowfully.

"I'm glad you didn't," Anne pushed herself up. "This surprise is much nicer."

"Well, I couldn't let my Anne down," Gilbert still held her hand and pressed it to his heart. Anne almost leaned down to give him another kiss, but then Diana cut her off.

"Mrs. Blackmore will be around soon!" she said in a harsh whisper. Anne paled, Gilbert looked at her with curiosity.

"Quick," Anne jumped back through the window. Gilbert hastily followed. Anne held open her closet door. "Get in here before she comes around."

"I can't just wait outside?" Gilbert asked, puzzled.

"Lily always checks the outside," Diana said as Anne cleared out a few things to make room for Gilbert.

"If they see you I'm dead!" Anne groaned. "I'll be kicked out of the house, then out of Queen's. Then Marilla would sure kick me out of Green Gables for being so foolish to get expelled. O-"

"Don't worry," Gilbert cut her off as he set his two bags down. He then took her hands. "I'll just stand in the closet."

Anne kissed his cheek before he got inside. She closed the door just in the knick of time. Mrs. Blackmore's knock came swiftly before the door swung open. Both Anne and Diana practically jumped. The old woman walked inside. "I swore I could hear a deep voice."

"Oh," Anne coughed. "I was telling Diana about a story I read and for effect, I spoke in a more masculine voice. Would you like to hear it?"

"Uh, no." Mrs. Balckmore eyed the floor. "Whose bags are those?"

"They're mine," Diana said suddenly. Mrs. Blackmore walked over to them. Anne had forgotten all about Gilbert's luggage. When Mrs. Blackmore was turned, Anne kicked the extra shoes under the bed, hoping she wouldn't notice they were out of place.

"Who is J.B.?" she asked. Anne shot Diana a look. They were Gilbert's father's bags. John Blythe.

"Josephine Berry," Diana lied quickly. "She gave them to me a long while ago. But, I thought to use them to pack some more things from home." They were all silent for a moment. Then, Lily tapped on the window, alerting them that she had found nothing outside.

"I see everything is in order then," Mrs. Blackmore straightened. "I shall you girls in the morning."

"Goodnight," both Anne and Diana said together.

Once Mrs. Blackmore left, and Lily was back inside did Anne finally let herself breathe. She pulled open the door and Gilbert quietly stepped out of the closet. He had taken off his shoes before, so his steps made no sound. "You're not going to border house?" Anne asked in a whisper.

"They're all full," Gilbert shrugged. "I would've gone to Josephine's but I don't know her that well."

"You're here now, so you better stay," Anne nodded.

"What?" Diana whispered. "He can't stay here!"

"Diana you know we can't turn him out," Anne defended.

"I can sleep on the floor," Gilbert proposed. "In the corner, where no one will see me."

"That corner has a terrible draft," Anne shook her head. "You'll sleep with me."

"Anne!" Diana scolded, but forgot to whisper.

"Beside me," Anne clarified. "On the floor."

Diana kept her silence as she got into bed and seemed to go to sleep. As Anne readied for bed, Gilbert was shunned to the closet once again. He took off his coat and vest. He undid half of the buttons on his shirt when Anne opened the door again. She was in her white nightgown. He knew how un-proper it was for him to see her like that, but it wasn't any different from how he saw her a few minutes ago.

She had made him a small little bed on the floor with blankets. Anne had even spared him a pillow. Grateful, he crawled between the blankets. Anne silently turned out the lamp and laid down. Gilbert had quickly gone to sleep for at least a few hours. It was hard to truly get great sleep when he wasn't at home. Even some night at U of T he would toss and turn all night.

When he woke in the middle of the night, Gilbert laid on his back, watching the bed move as Anne adjusted her body. When she slumped over, he grinned to himself. In the moonlight, her wide, curious eyes gazed upon him. She had a small look of surprise when she saw his own eyes open and alert, but they softened. "Hey," she said in the smallest of whispers.

"Haven't seen you for a while," Gilbert remarked. He reached up and tucked a dangling curl behind Anne's ear. He loved her. He loved her so much that he couldn't even express it in words. He made this trip for her, and they yet to have a conversation about the long-distance withdrawals. But that could wait until tomorrow. Gilbert hoped that he could make Anne understand.

"I can't sleep knowing you're uncomfortable," Anne pressed her cheek against the mattress. His eyes flickered to her hand that was thrown over the edge, limp with the other bedsheets.

"Well, then, I better get cozy," Gilbert raised a brow before pulling her down. Anne didn't resist as he pulled her into his arms.

"We shouldn't be like this," Anne said as she pulled the covers over her body.

"And yet you're not fighting," Gilbert pointed out.

"How could I when I'm with the man I love?" Anne asked poetically.

"I missed you, carrots," Gilbert mumbled. Anne stifled a laugh before nuzzling her head under his chin.

"I missed you too," Anne said softly. Gilbert fell asleep to the peaceful breathing of his Anne. That night it was forever clear. Gilbert didn't want anyone else in the world. Only Anne.