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Gilbert proposed they went and picked up some take away from a restaurant Anne loved before they went back home. As they waited for the food to be ready, they debated on whether to tell people right then or if they should just quietly enjoy that first moment by themselves. They decided to wait to make calls, at least until they'd had some lunch, and Gilbert got out of the car to pick the food.

**Fred Musketeers 2.0 (12:49): We're out. And as I warned, Ella outdid herself. That thing we did should be in a magazine.

**Ella Musketeers 2.0 (12:50): Tell us as soon as you can!

**Gilbert Blythe Musketeers 2.0 (13:24): You both are the best. Thank you. We're picking up lunch and heading there. She said yes :)

**Ella Musketeers 2.0 (13:24): Yeeeeey good for you, Gilbert! Give us a call later so we can celebrate with you!

**Fred Musketeers 2.0 (13:25): Only after fully enjoying that fort ;)

**Gilbert Blythe Musketeers 2.0 (13:25): The two of you together in a chat are dangerous. I had forgotten that. But yes, we will call later. Thanks again! Love you both.

He received the packet and went back to the car, where Anne was waiting, completely absorbed in her ring, turning it on a beam of light that entered the car from the car. He left the bag on the back seat and got inside next to her, but she didn't look up still.

"You know? I also see it more green than blue. It actually reminds me of a forest," she explained. "But if you look at it this way… The green does remind you of seagreen, so I get John's point as well." Gilbert looked from the angle she was saying.

"Yes, I can see it now," he agreed.

"I love the idea of the sea after the storm, too," she mentioned as he pulled off.

"It's a great image. And I think it fits us as well," he conceded. She nodded brightly. They drove talking lightly, the ride to the apartment short. He had no idea what Ella and Fred had prepared, as he had kind of given them free reign and Anne's fort as reference, but he trusted them (mainly, Ella's eye for aesthetic and stable things). He thought about it as Anne put the code in the door, as he was carrying the bags with the takeout. He just pushed his shoes off in a hurry and went to the kitchen to leave the bags, hoping to be able to see her reaction. He was coming back when he heard her gasp, midway through taking her shoes off.

"Gil? When did…" she asked, going inside the living room after finally taking off her second boot.

"I have superpowers," he whispered teasingly, just behind her, holding her lovingly from the back.

As they had said, the Wrights had outdone themselves. The whole area was in Ella's signature style, making it light and airy, and probably not the way Anne would have done it. He could see she had put in her best effort to make it as organic as she could. While he had thought they would use the space of the living room, Ella had decided to reorganize the whole space to take advantage of the windows towards the dining room.

The dining table and chairs were to the side and covered, their only purpose to support the different fabrics in different shades of white and cream, enclosing the space. They had surely brought sheets and fabrics from their place (or who knows where, he would have to ask Ella), as he knew he didn't have as many or as white on hand, usually leaning towards patterned sets. She hadn't used many fairy lights, as it was clear that she had thought it for the daytime, but there were some as accents here and there with some branches of foliage. They had made a really cushiony space in between the enclosed space with plenty of cushions (again, he just knew they had brought some from their place) and a throw he recognized and knew it was Ella's. The way they had done it, the light filtered inside with a warm glow, most of their plants surrounding the space and a garland of pine cones and dried leaves framed the whole thing.

"How…?" Anne insisted. "There was nothing when we left," she insisted, baffled as to how Gilbert could have coordinated the whole thing when he hadn't even taken his phone on the whole trip. She had even been the one to take pictures!

"Fred and Ella, if you must know, then," he accepted, chuckling. "Fred offered to help and I couldn't say no. I knew you'd like it."

"Like it? Gilbert, are you looking at it?" she asked, as if she was offended. Gilbert laughed.

"Well, I wasn't expecting this much of a production. Fred has the photo of the fort you made months ago, and I was thinking it would be a version of that. A nice cozy fort, not… This pinterest production," he confessed. Anne laughed.

"What do you even know about Pinterest?"

"I lived with Ella for years. I know enough," he explained. "Should I get the food?"

"Yes, I'll go get a tablecloth, everything is so white I'm scared of staining it out of my clumsiness," she said. She went looking for one and was extending it when she saw a note. "Gil! They say we should check the fridge!"

"The fridge?" he asked from the kitchen.

"Yes, is there anything?" she said, walking over where he was putting everything in dishes. She opened the door and found two bottles, each marked with one of their names. Taking them out, she laughed. "So they left us sparkling wine… And non-alcoholic sparkling wine," she explained, showing the bottles to him. He chuckled, shaking his head. Of course they had.

She took the bottles to the fort and looked for glasses as Gilbert brought the food and put on some music. They ate, talking and joking and just enjoyed each other's company, and after Gilbert took the dishes back to the kitchen and Anne folded the tablecloth, they lay down looking at the white, light-filled ceiling, hands intertwined. Gilbert's thumb caressing lightly over the back of her hand.

"How are you feeling now?" Gilbert asked softly. "Was lunch well received?"

"Better than I thought it would be," Anne replied, looking at him with a smile. He smiled back and propped himself on an arm, supporting himself on the forearm to get closer to her.

"So no nausea?" he whispered softly in her ear before kissing her just below it. She shook her head softly and he smiled, his lips against her. He kissed her lightly and retreated a bit to look her in the eyes. "So no objections to me making love to the fiancée of my dreams?" he asked softly.

"As long as it goes both ways," she replied, lifting herself a bit to be closer to him. "It's kind of a teamwork thing, you see?"

"Is it?" Gilbert asked, already smiling like a fool. She nodded, grining, and closed the gap in between them, rising a bit more and pushing him softly so that she was on top of him. She straddled him and looked at him from above.

"What?"

"I like being a team with you," he mumbled, but really, he was more focused on how ethereal she looked, all red hair, white t-shirt (he could swear it was his), all glow in between the whiteness of the fabric. "You look out of this world from here, Anne-girl."

She smiled, because she had no idea what to answer or what he meant and she couldn't look that good, not with hair in a very messy braid and that t-shirt she kept stealing because it had the softest fabric. She held its hem and pulled it up her head, revealing the simple, comfy cotton bra she had chosen that morning. She hadn't planned on getting engaged, after all.

Shirt off, she lowered again to kiss him on the neck just there , making him close his eyes and gasp. He held her tightly, his hands caressing her freckled back as she continued kissing, first his neck, and eventually his jaw all the way to his chin. He looked for her lips and kissed her slowly, taking his time, but as he was about to shift them she shook her head slightly and he held in place, frowning ever so slightly.

"What…?"

"Just...," she replied, sitting back on his hips and watching him there, laying in between the cushions and throws, all flustered and blushed, messy hair and all. She moved slightly against him, feeling him correspond almost in an instinctual way as he closed his eyes lightly, as she slid his suspenders from his shoulders, before opening his shirt buttons one by one. Gilbert breathed deeply, his skin tingling where she was touching him, his groin hot and his erection really with no place to go as she sat directly on top of it. He let out a shaky breath, his hands caressing her arms going up, until they reached her shoulders, and he brought her down so he could kiss her, because he couldn't just stay there.

"My turn," he whispered, undoing her bra and shifting them so he was on top. He finished taking it off and, while on it, shed his shirt and the suspenders to finish what she'd started. She smiled softly, admiring his bare chest as her hands caressed him lightly, leaving a tingling feeling behind them and making him close his eyes for a moment. He opened them again and, his eyes on hers, he reached for her ring hand and kissed her knuckles lovingly. She felt her heart skip a bit as he did that, the reality of the engagement coming back to her.

Letting her hand go, he leaned down carefully. Her breasts had been tender again for a few days, so he did his best to avoid areas that might be uncomfortable while kissing the rest of the available skin. He started up, on her neck, brushing gently the hair off and giving open mouthed kisses as he made his way down, feeling her hands grasping his hair, the tension increasing with each kiss he gave her and letting go after. Smiling, and encouraged by her actions, he sucked a little bit stronger, revelling in her little gasps and squirmy noises, on her small moans, until he reached the hem of her jeans. He looked at her stomach, below her belly button, and stopped short as he realized that, not too far from there, was a tiny embryo. Just eight weeks. About two centimeters, if his memory didn't fail him. No one would be able to know, looking at her. Not yet. But he knew what was forming inside. Who was in her womb. He kissed there, reverently, and then looked up to find her eyes on his. "I love you, Anne."

"I love you too, Gilbert Blythe," she said. He undid the button of her pants and she lifted her buttock so he could push the pants down, and he moved to the side to be able to do so. He shed his pants as well, already hearing in his mind her annoyance at him still being dressed, and proceeded to hover over her until his eyes were level with hers.

"You make me the happiest man on earth, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert," he said, feeling his love for her seep through everything he was. He was just living his best life. He was going to be a dad. Anne was going to actually marry him. They were building their house of dreams. He kissed her slowly, taking his time to savour her lips, and caressing her cheek, putting some hair behind her ear as he continued kissing her neck, watching as her eyes closed with pleasure, her hands wandering to his erection as her legs went up to encircle his waist.

It wasn't the most creative love-making they've ever done, but it felt as one of the most intimate times, concealed in that cocoon, with the warm light and the softness around them. He entered her slowly, without rush, without any despair or impatience, with the knowledge and security they would always be there for the other. Their skins soft and sweaty, one and the same as they caressed and enticed the other. Their mouths looking for the other, for the sensitive spots that were within reach. Their hands caressing each other lightly, she had one on the back of his neck while the other went up and down his arm as he caressed her center in the way only he knew how to do, because her body was a language he spoke fluently by then, interpreting her cues better than his own.

They moved with a gentle rhythm that seemed to build as slowly but as surely as their relationship had, peaking hard and explosively with Anne feeling tears escape her eyes out of sheer pleasure. Interpreting them for what they were, Gilbert kissed them away before leaning on his back, bringing her with him so she could cuddle on his chest, listening to his heart go down from the frantic beat of his orgasm to the steady one she had come to rely on.

They stayed like that, watching the shadows play games on the fabric that was their ceiling as they listened to the music. Gilbert caressed her shoulders absent-mindedly, still thinking about how lucky he was, watching how she was stark naked except for that golden ring.

He would marry her the following day, if it was up to him. He had waited long enough. They both had. But he knew she'd probably want some kind of party, because it was also a cause for celebration… And he was totally behind the idea. But he couldn't imagine waiting for who knows how long for them to be able to do a party, with the covid cases going up and up every day. It didn't bode well. But he wouldn't mention this just yet. They could just enjoy the afternoon and talk about dates and parties and whatnot any other day. Today was just for them.

She stirred suddenly, waking him up from a slumber he hadn't realized he had fallen into, and she looked apologetically to his confused face. As she sat, clearly annoyed, he couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Pee again?"

"Ugh, yes," she replied as she got up. "I'll be right back," she added, walking towards the bathroom without putting anything on, and he stayed where he was, watching her walk with the comfortable ease she always had.

"So, who should we call first?" Anne said, looking over at him, as she returned and laid down again next to him, smiling.

"Who are we calling? In general?" Gilbert asked.

"Well, of course Fred and Ella. They managed to do all this," Anne said.

"Bash and Mary as well… And Jerry and Diana. They're our siblings after all," Gilbert added. Anne nodded.

"Cole and Roy," Anne said. "They're going to go mental."

"They all are," Gilbert agreed. "So… Fred and Ella? Should we put on some clothes at least? I know your position on this but I don't want anyone trying to switch to video call without us being kind of dressed, and I do know Fred" he said, feeling his ears turn red. Anne laughed and stretched to grab her t-shirt and underwear as he dressed as well.

"They already know anyway, right? I mean, they did prepare this fort," Anne said.

"They do. I checked to see if they were done when I went in for our lunch and told them. They don't know the details or anything."

"What are we saying?"

"That we're getting married, what else should we say?" Gilbert asked, confused. "It's been hours, we haven't even talked about setting a date or anything."

"I just know someone will ask," Anne mumbled, biting her lip absentmindedly.

"Well, we tell them we have no idea and we'll let them know," Gilbert shrugged. She nodded and he dialed to the first couple. Fred replied almost immediately and didn't waste any time before requesting a video call. Gilbert looked pointedly at Anne. He did know their people. She shook her head, smiling.

"So? You're still in your underthings or why are you depriving us from seeing your faces of sheer happiness?" Fred asked as Gilbert didn't seem to reply fast enough.

"It's connecting, Wright, tone it down," Gilbert said, Anne completely red. The image finally appeared. "All dressed here, as you can see."

"Aw, but look at your faces!" Ella said, smiling warmly. "You do have faces of sheer happiness, it's nice!"

"It's just what we feel, I guess?" Anne said, not knowing how else to explain it. Everything was just… much more than she had expected. "Guys! This fort! How on earth did you do this?"

"Recruiting all the pillows, throws and sheets we could manage," Ella chuckled, as Fred rolled his eyes. "And giving directions to Fred here, who did his very best to help."

"It's out of this world, Ella. It's so much more than what I was expecting."

"Good! That was the idea. You know I like a challenge, and well, this one was worth it. I couldn't half-ass a fort for your engagement day," Ella said, feeling proud.

"How was Fred, really?" Gilbert asked, smiling teasingly.

"Clumsy," Ella mouthed as if it was a secret. He protested immediately and she laughed. "But he also was the one who thought of the wine and added the pinecones, so he deserves some merit. Just not for construction talent."

"Fred, you can't be as hopeless as these two make you to be," Anne said, frowning slightly. Fred laughed.

"Oh no, I'm the first to admit it, Cordelia. I can't build anything, that's why Ella wanted Gilbert to help with Alicia's furniture. I just provide food and entertainment, but I'm hopeless for that stuff. Ella was losing her patience this morning."

"I totally was," she admitted. "But anyway, enough about that fort! I want to know everything!" she said, her enthusiasm contagious, and Gilbert and Anne proceeded to tell them their morning trail in more or less detail. Ella hadn't seen the ring, even when Fred had had it for weeks and they had gone to his parents to get it resized. "I can't believe you kept this from me for so long! I just found out about this this week!"

"Don't look at me, Blythe here was the secretive one," Fred defended himself. "He said not to say anything, so I didn't. And if there's anything I can do better than cooking, it is to keep shut about other people's business."

"Still! Anyway, show it again, Anne, it's so pretty! What stone is that?" Anne put the ring closer to the camera and looked at Gilbert. She had no idea.

"Zapphire," he confirmed.

"So pretty," Ella said. "Have you called your families?"

"You're the first ones. And family as well," Anne said. "After you did all this, we wanted to call you first."

"Well, call the rest! We can talk later again or something, but go share your news," Ella insisted, with Fred hugging her as he kissed her neck. They said their goodbyes and Anne looked at Gilbert.

"So… Bash and Mary? I still think we should tell them about the baby," Anne said.

"In a few weeks?" Gilbert said, feeling his resolve wane. The truth was, he understood the caution, and his private, paranoid side wanted to keep quiet. He knew all the facts and the statistics… But at the same time, he wanted to share that they were going to be parents, if everything turned out fine. And the odds were really good. He was just paranoid… But at the same time, he wanted to share how full his heart felt. "No, let's do it now."

"That's the attitude!" Anne said as Gilbert dialed. He called directly in a video call this time. Bash took a moment to reply.

"Hey, so the prodigal brother is finally calling! How's everything, Gilly boy?"

"Is Mary around?" Gilbert asked.

"Down in the kitchen, let me go there," Bash said, walking down the stairs. "Mary! Gilly boy and Anne are calling! They're alive!" he said. Mary soon appeared in the frame, grinning as she dried her hands.

"My dears! How are you?" she asked, smiling. They sat at the kitchen table propping the phone against a glass that was already there. "Where are you? It looks so pretty!"

"We actually have some news," Anne said, not knowing where to begin. She looked at Gilbert, asking silently to take over because she didn't know if they were sharing first about the engagement, or the baby, or… But it wasn't necessary.

"You're getting married!" Mary exclaimed.

"You're having a baby!" Bash said at the same time.

Gilbert and Anne looked at each other, laughing.

"So? Who's right? Because we do know about the house," Bash said. "Baby? Wedding? Gilly boy? Anne?"

"We're… both?" Anne finally said, as Gilbert was still laughing about what the chances were of Mary and Bash saying the exact things that were the reason for their call. Mary looked at them, astounded. Bash joined Gilbert's laughs.

"You're having a kid and you're getting married?" Mary asked to confirm.

"Yes," Gilbert confirmed, staying still as Bash exploded in a happy dance around the kitchen. Delly was just entering the space and ran to see who her parents were speaking with. "Delly beans! You're having a cousin!"

"Hi fairy Anne! Uncle Gilby? You can't have kids. Only old people who are married have kids," she explained, speaking slowly as if she didn't want to disappoint him. "You're confused."

"Where did you learn that?" Mary said, shaking her head slightly as Delly sat on her legs. Gilbert and Anne looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

"Well all my friends have old people as parents. And they were all married. Even Nathan, he has two moms, but his moms are married, and Eve, her parents were married but they no longer are" Delly lectured them, leaving them all blinking.

"It does happen that once in a while, people have kids without being married. Because they want to, or… because they have them as a surprise," Mary explained, looking at Bash as if calling for help.

"And we're also getting married, Delly, isn't that great?" Anne said. Delly looked at her, frowning.

"You are?"

"We are. Would you be our flower girl once we have a big party to celebrate?" she asked cautiously. They hadn't talked about this yet, but she just knew Gilbert would be on board. Delly's eyes lit up in myrth and as Gilbert brought her closer, she knew she had been right.

"Like in the movies?" Delly asked, her voice high pitched as her emotion got the best of her. She tried to stand on Mary's lap to get closer to the phone, and her mother had to hold her steady by the hip so she wouldn't fall.

"Like in the movies," Gilbert confirmed.

"I will!" Delly said. "When? This weekend?"

"Yes, when?" Bash asked. "And I'm asking about the baby too. When are you due, Anne?"

"We don't have a date for the wedding," Gilbert explained. "This was all… just a couple of hours ago. And the baby is due in early June."

"Early June? So… How far along are you, Anne?" Mary asked, confused.

"About… eight weeks, I think?" she said. She was still getting used to the whole week thing. Mary nodded. They continued talking for a while, until Mary asked about Jerry and Diana and they realized they still had several calls to do.

"So… I almost want to just call the gang and let them know all at once," Anne said. "It's going to be much easier than making six different calls."

"That makes sense… We're just talking about the engagement, right?" he asked, and Anne nodded. He considered the call for a second. "But it's like three in the afternoon on Saturday, do you think they'll be free?"

"Have they ever asked before calling?" Anne asked back, lifting an eyebrow. Gilbert laughed and started the group call. Josie was the first to pick up.

"You're making surprise calls now?" she asked, unimpressed, as she sat on the porch of her house.

"We felt it had been a long time without one," Gilbert nodded, "You're busy?"

"Not really, I was going to rake leaves but I suppose talking to you all is way more entertaining," she replied as Ruby and Moody joined. They were just greeting as Diana appeared as well.

"Hey guys! I'm sorry, I'm shopping for groceries, is everything alright?"

"Yes! Just maybe, go to the side so you're not in the middle of the aisle?" Anne proposed as Cole joined.

"Roy is outside, had we planned for this call? I'm really lost right now," he said. The PEI gang all shook their heads, as confused as he was.

"Does anyone know about Charlie, Tillie and Jane?" Gilbert asked.

"I know Charlie was going with his girlfriend or was it Tillie?… to Portage or somewhere. For the weekend. So he might have no signal," Moody offered.

"Wait, Charlie and Tillie?"

"Maybe…?" Moody said, clearly having spoken more than he should have. "I don't know about Jane," he added almost immediately.

"She's with Billy, so it makes sense she doesn't reply. What's this call about?" Josie replied, clearly not wanting to go into details about Jane's family that was still a sensitive point for her. And Anne. Cole looked to the back and Roy appeared on frame a few seconds later. "Gilbert? Anne? Diana is still holding chicken in her hand and it looks yucky even if it's on a tray."

"Di, just put that in your car or wherever?" Anne said, really not wanting to see it. Diana laughed and left it to the side. "Ok, so they'll just get the news later. We're getting married!"

"Are you guys being serious?" Ruby asked, her eyes already shining and Moody holding her close.

"Ruby, they denied dating for months, if they're sharing this bit of information it has to be true," Josie replied. "Right?" Diana, Cole and Roy were stunned, looking at the screen, not saying anything.

"Right," Gilbert confirmed. "I proposed, she said yes, we're getting married."

"My heart will explode!" Ruby suddenly said, her eyes shiny with tears about to drop. "These are just such good news!"

"Guys, we're so glad for you!" Cole said. "It seems you managed to leave Roy speechless, but I can tell how glad he is as well. Was the size good, Gilbert?"

"Anne, Gilbert! This makes it the most perfect Saturday ever! Ugh, I just wish I wasn't here with raw chicken and I could hug you both properly!" Diana said, her smile evident even with the mask she was wearing. The rest, at home, had their faces bare. "My god, I am so happy!"

"I know you both will have a lifetime of happiness together," Roy finally said, his eyes warm and big smile. Cole kissed him on the cheek, apparently needing to let out some of the emotion somehow.

"Thank you guys!" Anne and Gilbert said.

"When was this? Tell us everything!" Moody insisted, interpreting what Ruby would want, as he continued to gently caress her hair.

"Show us the ring!" Josie demanded as well, making Anne laugh. She showed the dainty ring to the camera.

"It was Gilbert's mom. It's perfect," she explained. "So we went to a nice trail close to here… We've been several times now, it's such a welcoming forest, the trees are ever so friendly and well, the day has the perfect weather, and the colours! Oh, if you could see the colours. It was the perfect combination of reds and oranges and yellows. So we went to sit at the place where we usually go, and Gilbert is super quiet… Of course, I thought he was as enraptured by the landscape as I was, you can even see the lake from here and it looks so magnificent, but it turns out he was just thinking about what to say," she said, looking at him and smiling softly. He chuckled.

"Well, I was proposing to Anne, I had to make sure I was using the right words," he excused himself, making everyone laugh.

"So well, he said his words, very well chosen by the way… And it took me a bit to realize this was happening for real and not just in my imagination, because you all know how I can get into daydreaming…"

"I'm so sure you were pinching yourself, Nan," Cole giggled.

"Of course she was. I had to stop her," Gilbert said, laughing softly at Anne's annoyed expression.

"Well, anyway , eventually I realized it was for real and then Gilbert says something like we should see if Cole was right about the ring size…" Anne said, trying to change the subject, and everyone started asking Cole how he even knew that.

"Well, from the time Diana was getting engaged! We ended up trying rings as well, we were bored! So I know her size by heart, I knew it would come in handy one day, and I have a good memory," Cole explained.

"Guys, I have to go, my phone's dying," Diana interrupted. "But I'll call you both later! I can't wait to tell Jerry, he's going to be so happy!"

"Diana, remember, lunch is tomorrow at one!" Ruby reminded her and their friend nodded as she suddenly disappeared. Anne felt a small pang of sadness at not being able to meet with the few friends that lived nearby, but she understood it wasn't a good time. Still, frustrating.

Gilbert squeezed her gently, and they continued chatting with their friends for a while (the remaining ones all at their places and in no rush to go anywhere), making jokes and talking nonsense. Josie confessed she hadn't thought this would ever happen, but it was evident she was overjoyed with their news and could only express it in her sarcastic, usual self.

Ruby kept sighing out of happiness and of the sheer romance of the whole situation and Cole and Moody were trying to think back to the locker rooms of high school at the one time they were sure Gilbert had said he would marry Anne one day. He was positive that had never happened, but Moody said even if it hadn't, it might as well have, so evident it was even back then how far gone he was for her. Eventually the conversation died down and they hung up, only for Cole to call Anne not thirty seconds after the video call had finished.

"Nan, I'm totally designing your dress, you know that, right?" he asked, forgoing any greeting as if there hadn't been any pause in between the two calls. Gilbert stood up and went to the kitchen, making a sign as he offered some tea to her. She nodded and laid on her back, chuckling.

"You can design whatever you want, Cole," she accepted. "But as we said, we haven't talked about anything yet. I have no idea if we'll marry this year, in one, during the summer or in the dead of winter. Just so you take that into account."

"Oh, I will. I have so many ideas I'll just go with whatever is appropriate for the weather and formality you choose. But I've been dreaming about this moment for far longer than I care to admit, and that Gilbert is your groom not only makes all the sense, but fills me with such joy you can't imagine," Cole said. "And I know he'll let me dress him up as well."

"You're going to dress Gilbert?" Anne giggled

"Well I'm going to shove an outfit at him, and he better wear it. I'll talk with Fred, I'm sure he'll lend me a hand and we'll make this happen," Cole explained.

"What's with you and Fred anyway?" she asked curiously. Cole laughed on the other end.

"He loves Gilbert as much as I love you, and we have several more things in common than you would think at first," Cole explained. "We've gotten quite close since the whole… Winifred thing," he continued. Anne winced in silence, but remembered how Cole and Fred had stayed together when she had got back home with Gilbert. "...and Roy likes him too, which is great. And Ella is about the most peaceful and down to earth woman I've seen in years. I keep seeing you, and the other girls from the gang… hardly the image of peace and down to earth."

"Diana is very much down to earth," Anne countered.

"And very much not peaceful, Nana," Cole insisted. "So is that ring really as special as I imagine?"

"The blurry camera can't make it justice," she replied. "Cole, it has the most amazing blue and green hues. It's almost like it changes color depending on how light hits it. Once you can see it in person you'll die, honestly. It's like the forest and the sea all at once."

"So pretty much your eyes?"

"No, my eyes are blue. This is definitely green," she insisted. "I'll try to take a picture and send it to you, ok?" Her phone started vibrating and she saw another incoming call. Jerry. "Can I call you back later? Jerry is calling…"

"So Diana must be home by now. Call me once you decide something about the wedding? Or even before? I'll go mental, I hadn't had a lockdown like this back in PEI and I'm going bonkers, how did you do it the first time?"

"Cole, I'll call you. This time isn't as bad, we get to go out," Anne hurriedly said. "I love you, bye!" She switched the calls and accepted Jerry's. "Jerry!"

"My sister is getting married? That story Diana is telling me has a sliver of truth?"

"Your sister is getting very much married, thank you. And don't be like that, you say it like you don't believe it!" she answered back.

"I just thought Blythe would never find the courage," Jerry said. Anne protested and he laughed. "Ma fri, je suis… I'm honestly very happy for you, chère. Honest. I just… Blythe called me weeks ago, so…"

"Gilbert called you?"

"Well, yes, didn't he tell you?"

"Not about that call, what was that about?"

"Pretty much telling me what he was going to do," Jerry explained. "Like not the plans or anything. Just that he was going to ask you, and since Marilla and Matthew are no longer here… He wanted to at least inform me, because he wouldn't look for a blessing. You're way too independent for that."

"That's…" Anne said, at a loss of what to say.

"That's the man you're going to marry, sis. The one that, for all it's worth, is the best for you. Puts some reason into your head, helps you keep grounded so you reach for the stars," Jerry said, his voice calm, making Anne's throat gather in a knot and her eyes well up. She tried replying but her voice broke with emotion. "And now I made you cry," she could almost see him shake his head. "Sis, I mean it in.."

"The best way possible, I know," she said.

"You're just emotional, then?" he asked gently.

"Yes," she muttered. "It's like too much joy. I don't know how to take it," she explained, cleaning her eyes with her free hand.

"Well, with your arms open, chérie, how else? You deserve every bit of it," Jerry said. She extended her arm to catch a leftover napkin and blew her nose. "How have you been feeling? How's the nausea?"

"Comes and goes. Todays' been good so far and lunch seems to be staying down," she replied.

"That's good. Please keep me posted on it. I know I'm obnoxious, I know I exasperate you, but I can't physically be there so worrying is all I have."

"I know, you silly brother."

"Je t'aime. Marie and Diana send you love."

"Me too. Speak to you soon?" she asked.

"Of course, don't doubt it. And let me know once you have some plans, I'm really curious about how this will evolve."

"You tease."

"You dreamer," he countered, and she could see his smile.

"Bye you," she chuckled. He replied something along the same lines and she hung up. Gilbert appeared on the threshold a moment later.

"I saw you were talking with Jerry and I didn't want to interrupt. Everything good?"

"Everything is perfect, Gil, he's happy for us," she confirmed. He sat down next to her and passed her a cup. She looked at him, her eyes full of mirth as she imagined his conversation with her brother. She looked teasingly at Gilbert, who frowned, confused. "So how about you tell me about that call you made to Jerry?"