Author's Note:
Life has been busy, but slight lull this week enough to review the plot and get back into writing a few chapters a week. The current forecast is for there to be 70-72 chapters in the end. This is a revised chapter 61.
— Gilbert —
Wednesday, August 4th, 11:30am
Bright River, PEI
I could finally breath as Anne and I began our slow ride home. I kept my arm around her, with my hand over her ring. Determined it would never come off again. "Anne," I glanced at her, her head resting on my shoulder. "I've been such a fool."
She glanced up and I saw her eyes, red and puffy. "Oh Gil! We both have. I don't trust you. It'll take time to rebuild. But even going out west I could no more imagine a life without you than you can without me. Gil, the letters I sent… about me trying to seduce you. Perhaps we best face it then go west together?"
I laughed. Perhaps the first laugh since the accident. "Why Anne Shirley, soon to be Anne Blythe. Din't you know? I'm the most excellent of husband material. I put my foot in my mouth as well as the next fella. Know how to grovel when I can't imagine life without you. Sure you seduced me, that new girl with the dreamy eyes and the hair of carrots or the red island sunset. My carrots. I'll just tell them the truth. I've been a goner for you since then and carrying your engagement ring for years… Would have gotten a preacher that day if I wasn't so feverish…"
"Gilbert."
"No Anne, even the committee, well those who really knew me. They'll think you're just trying to save my reputation. Even marrying me. No," I sighed. "They know how a man thinks especially if he's been pining for the girl for years. Anne, they'll know it was me who seduced you and I'm going to be the man and admit it. Even if I didn't complete the act… I did… I'm having trouble facing myself…. Anne…"
"Gil." She buried her head into my shoulder. "Just never let the romance die. We both have a temper, especially me. No doubt it won't be the last time we fight I.."
"Anne. I'll spend a lifetime making up that I didn't cherish you as I should have. You'll have to help with the romance, and charming the committee. I… We'll have to tell the truth."
"Everyone will know." She sighed.
"We'll just hold our heads high. Anne-girl, my love."
"My love." She repeated.
Our hands were clasped as we drove into Avonlea. First by Apple Bough where Dora and Minnie May rushed out. "Oh Anne!" Dora cried. "Did he finally cherish you?"
"We're marrying at sunrise, on Monday." Anne laughed. "He rode right onto the station to stop me leaving. Insisted either I came back and marry him or he'd chase me until I would."
"Sunrise!" Dad cried. "Can't you wait for a decent time in the morning?"
"We'll need to leave Tuesday at the latest for Kingsport." I sighed.
"And sunrise is important to us." Anne smiled up at me. "We might need to leave Monday, more time to discern what is going on in Kingsport. I… I fear the gossip might be even worse there. And we're not eloping. Its' early I know…"
"But it's Sunrise." I helped Anne down from the wagon.
"Soon as your mother then, and Marilla and Mrs. Lynde are back no doubt we'll be inundated with wedding plans."
"Oh!" Dora cried. "Anne let's take the wagon to Diana's and start planning. We'll leave a note for Marilla of course."
"Yes!" Minnie May agreed. "We've so much to do! Only days!"
With that Anne was pulled form my side by two young girls insisting they hurry over to Diana's begging both to be flower girls. I was pulled into the house by Dad for both a lecture and plans. I didn't dare think of what would happen after the wedding when we faced the committee. Just somehow we had to convince them. Let us keep the scholarship. Somehow even if I lost the dream of being Dr. Blythe at least I got the ultimate dream. Anne was going to be my bride.
Dad nodded to me as he grabbed a composition book mother kept for lists in the kitchen, turned his chair around and licked the tip of a pencil and began to write. "Figure I best write your Aunt Mary Maria. Wouldn't hear the end of it if she finds out after the fact. Don't approve of you two not coming clean sooner."
"Dad… I know I messed up. I and not Anne take full ownership of our mistakes, lies, and sin. Will you forgive me for what we've done? I… I plan to confess the whole truth at the hearing. Not try to save face. I… I'd rather loose it than keep it because I lied. Because I brushed our sins again under the rug. It's time I take ownership and take care of my bride. I'm scared Dad, but Anne, she's worth it. She's always has been."
"Well, she certainly is." Dad nodded. "I'd say it's your responsibility to talk to the Reverend, but with his sermons lately and all the gossip. We'll ask, but might have to write and see if Reverend Allen can come. We best go…"
"I can go." I stood up quickly. "It's my wedding…"
"Well…"
"You best stay here to explain to the ladies where to find Anne and the girls."
"Reckon you're right."
So I strolled down over to the church where I found the current reverend.
"Heard you've become a heathen, living in sin." He said in greeting.
"Have not, just a repentant sinner. Anne and I want to know if you can marry us, Monday morning at Sunrise."
He stared at me for a long second. A distant cousin of the Sloans… "Don't think I'll be available. I don't marry heathens."
I held my head high as I walked then over to the telegraph office, for paper, a pencil and a stamp. Writing to Reverend Allen I begged him, to come as soon as possible and marry Anne and I. Explaining our sin and asking for help. I mailed it with a prayer he'd be able to come.