Author's Note: The wedding… :)

— Gilbert —

Tuesday, August 9th, 4:30am

Apple Bough, Avonlea, PEI

We were up hours before sunrise, took turns with cold baths as Mother made us breakfast in the kitchen, sending it with whom ever was decent into the sitting room where baths were commencing. Lets just say that by the time we were all done the water was fifthly. I of course was instructed to bathe first, with Davy, the dirtiest of the bunch washing last, his painted face turning the tub an odd assortment of colors. I went upstairs to dress in my best suit, my trunk packed by Dad the day before, with only my traveling suit left out to change into after the wedding.

And just as the sky began to lighten, we began the walk over to Green Gables to claim my bride. I was walking on air. We arrived and Diana bustled down to greet us, kissing Fred and inserting flowers into my button hole of my suit coat, before shooing us off to wait in the orchard.

I greeted Reverend Allen and Mrs. Allen, and the few guests already gathered. The crowd was large despite the gossip and early hour. Or perhaps because of the scandal, though even I could hear Aunt Mary Maria complaining about the decency of a decent hour to my mother as we waited for things to begin and Anne to walk down from Green Gables with Davy.

Fred, and Davy's friends stood with me, making sure that none of the gossip hungry crowd came too close, though they did let Moody into their mix who apologized for not joining in the day before. His mother wouldn't allow it. But told her he wasn't missing our wedding and dragged her along with one of his sisters out of bed to come and attend. Though his father had already left for the far pasture.

When Marilla and Mrs. Lynde came, both dabbing their eyes with wet handkerchiefs, it was time to start. Dora and Minnie May came down first. Dressed in their sunday best, with flowers in their hair to do Anne proud. Then, Diana, herself dressed in her sunday best, as Matron of Honor, for Anne had no brides maids. And finally Davy leading Anne, just as the sun rose, a glow of red behind her hair as though she were the sun itself coming to me.

My throat caught. My heart stopped. Time stopped. I just stared as Anne, an image of beauty, her face behind a veil, though it could not hide the beauty of her red hair, as the sun rose just in time. And the Rooster began to crow. I couldn't take my eyes off of Anne, even when Davy whooped to the sound of the rooster.

I barely remembered the words as it flew by. The sunrise shining through Anne's eyes. Saying I do. Slipping her ring back onto her finger. Lifting her veil. Kissing Mrs. Gilbert Blythe. And the cheers. And through it all, Aunt Mary Maria could be heard. "At least we know they're really married now. Though I don't know if it's decent to marry at sunrise."

Next came the wedding breakfast, with Anne and I sat at a table on the porch in front of Green Gables, as friends and family wandered about holding plates talking. Until the time came to send us upstairs to change. Which took longer than it should have until laughing Diana and Fred separated us and made us actually change so we wouldn't miss our train.

Several piled into wagons, with me driving Anne in the Green Gable's buggy, covered in flowers with tin cans tied to the back as we drove towards Bright River. My arm around Anne with our turns in one of the wagons following I didn't think the smile would lift off my face. I purchased our tickets, quite glad to truthfully ask for two tickets for Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Blythe, was surrounded by loved ones for the biggest send off I'd ever had to Kingsport, and with one final good kiss to Anne in front of them all, Anne threw her bouquet, to which Dora caught and Davey cried.

"I ain't dealing with another beau! Don't you dare think of marrying Dora Keith!"

And so I tucked my bride into the seat beside me, and we waved until Bright River was long out of sight. And with a sigh and exhaustion. We napped until we reached the boat station. Then with a rush to catch the boat, we were boarded, standing at the railing and in the midday hot sun while most passengers took to the cooler below deck. We watched as the Island slipped away.

"We'll be back, we will won't we Gilbert?" Anne asked. "We'll fight for the scholarship then work you through medical school."

A memory returned, of my review with the Cooper Prize committee. How they'd drilled me, investigated that I was not only a top student but an exemplary one also. "I… I best work on my speech."

It was late, after dark when we reached Kingsport. I hired a cab, gave our address and took Anne home. The Carrolls rushed down to greet us, and helped us bring our luggage in. "Just in the door, you must be exhausted." Mrs. Carroll said. "You must be Anne, I'm assuming you're here that you've married properly Gilbert…"

"Yes." Anne smiled, yawning. "We married this morning with friends and family present. It was beautiful."

"No doubt, and it being your wedding night. You two take up what you need tonight. Mail came for you Gilbert, best you look it over." Mr. Carroll handed it to me.

Most important was the timing of the meeting. 3pm in the afternoon. I yawned myself. "If you don't mind us leaving the trunks down here. I… I guess we best find out if I'm still a medical student before we bring them up."

And so with just our carpet bag and malice that we'd began the journey I lead my wife up the stairs to the top floor, waved good night to the Carrolls, and with a laugh carried my bride over the threshold.

"Gilbert…" She sighed.

I dropped our bags on the floor, kicked the door shut behind us, and despite my exhaustion carried my bride to the bedroom, where I'd dreamed of her often, and somehow we weren't so tired any more. And I knew Anne as Adam knew Eve.

—*—*—*—*—

Author's note: For anyone wanting the details of the wedding night. Sorry… not necessary for the plot. And we all know what happened. My original idea was to have them have their wedding night in Hester Gray's Garden, really romantic moment, but I couldn't get Reverend Allen there in time… and still have the wedding at Sunrise. Chapter updates are happening as I have time… and I'm on a roll this evening hence several chapters at once.