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It was dusk, the late autumn afternoon cold and slightly windy. There was still enough light out that there was no need for any kind of lamp or artificial light, but the sun had warm, golden hues that seemed to accent the few leaves that were still on the trees, on the floor. There was the chatter of the gang catching up over the video call, and then Roy gently telling them he was going to mute them once the ceremony would start.

Meeting the judge, getting ready, seeing how Cole had organized everything beyond what they could have expected seemed to have happened at a slow pace. But, all of a sudden, Anne was there, turning around the corner of the building, and he was trying to remember how to breathe. Ella slapped his hand and he realized that he was so absorbed in Anne he hadn't even realized he had moved it, and that seemed to take him out of his stupor.

He was no longer shocked, but he managed to appreciate what Cole had organized for her. He had been skeptical of the deep wine red of his own suit when he had taken it out of the bag his friend had handed him, but he could see how it made all the sense as Anne walked to him. She was wearing a long, tulle skirt that just brushed the ground. It wasn't see-through, though, the layers of fabric giving it dimension. Clearly there was some other fabric under. It was a pale, dusty rose that he knew for a fact Anne insisted wasn't for her, but that he absolutely adored ever since she had gotten that night gown back for their trip to Montreal.

On top, she had a knitted sweater with a very intricate design, at least for his eyes, and he could see something of a light colour in between the gaps of the wool. He trusted Cole had considered the weather into account. She was holding a bouquet that held some of the same flowers as his boutonnière as well as several others that complimented the look, and her hair was gathered on the back. He could just make some braids and something like a flower peeking on the side.

She looked so little like a traditional bride, yet so much like the best version of her. Her smile was contagious even under the mask, and while he was pretty sure he had tears in his eyes because seeing this blurry wasn't normal, he couldn't help but smile back at her.

He almost didn't notice Jerry, who was walking arm in arm next to her, saying something to her with that teasing smile of his. They weren't far, and reached where they were all gathered (all five of them, plus the judge) in a matter of seconds, Anne letting go of Jerry's arm to give him a bone crushing hug, the bouquet digging into his back. He held her tightly, close to him.

"You look amazing, Anne-girl," he muttered into her ear. "Ready for this?"

" So ready," she replied, letting go of him and looking into his eyes, her eyes glassy. She suddenly remembered they weren't alone and turned to look at their closest friends, both in person and on the screen of Roy's phone. "Hey guys! Hi, Mr. Laghari."

"Good afternoon, Miss Shirley-Cuthbert," the judge replied warmly. The gang greeted in a cacophony of voices, the LaCroix as well from their little square in the screen and her present friends as well. Gilbert was greeting Jerry, who then went to stand with Fred and Ella. "We can get started whenever you're ready."

"Oh, let's do this," Anne said. She knew both of them had been waiting for this moment for way longer than they were willing to tell their friends, and she was so ready to just get the ball rolling. And to be Gilbert's wife. And have him as her husband. But for real, this time. She looked at his left hand and held it gently, looking up at him as she noticed the lone finger, a paler skin the only signal a ring had ever been there.

"It's gone," he whispered. He knew she couldn't see his sad smile behind the mask, but he blinked a couple of times and sighed, smiling more broadly. He looked at the judge. "So, how does this work?" He had never been in such a small (or informal) wedding ceremony, if it could even be called that, but he wouldn't have it any other way. It felt so intimate. So much like them.

"Well, we can start by taking a seat," Mr. Laghari said, signaling the chairs Cole had brought for them to take a seat and walking around the table to the other chair. Their friends went to the distanced chairs as well, Roy remained standing to get a clear view with the phone. Cole continued playing with his camera, and they did their best not to mind him, as he had asked to do so many times. "As you know, We are gathered together to witness the formal joining of Anne Shirley-Cuthbert and Gilbert John Blythe in legal matrimony according to the custom and law prevailing by the Government of the Province of Ontario…"

As the judge talked, Anne left her the bouquet on the table and held Gilbert's hand. He squeezed it gently and looked at her for a second, before turning his attention once again to Mr. Laghari, who was explaining the practicalities and all the legal implications that getting married implied. They both repeated after the judge as he told them to declare that there was no unlawful impediment why they shouldn't be joined.

"Now, Anne, Gilbert, please hold each other's hands. Anne, repeat after me," Mr Laghari said, and she felt butterflies in her stomach realizing that it was time, all bureaucracy aside. She held Gilbert's hands and he must have sensed how she was suddenly anxious and happy and excited all at the same time, because he squeezed her hand gently and winked lightly at her, making her chuckle and shake her head slightly. She looked at the judge, who seemed to be enjoying the whole thing, "I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, do take you, Gilbert John Blythe, to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live," he talked slowly, waiting for Anne to repeat the words as she looked at Gilbert, her voice trembling but her smile reaching her eyes. "Now, Gilbert, repeat after me…" he continued. Gilbert's voice was certain and even, but his emotions, as always, were clear in his eyes. For words they had heard so many times, in movies, in friend's weddings.. They seemed to be alight with meaning once they were saying them, actually promising themselves to the other. Gilbert swallowed as he ended, smiling at Anne, her eyes still shiny. "Now, you have your rings?" They blinked, looking at each other. Where had they...

"Here, Blythe," Fred said, standing up and taking a small box to them. "Cole was taking some photos before or something."

"Thanks," Gilbert said, opening the box and giving it to Mr. Laghari, who nodded. They had chosen the rings a couple of weeks ago in an online store that Fred's mother had recommended as trustworthy. They were both simple, smooth gold bands. Anne didn't want anything flashy, and Gilbert had decided that while tungsten had been all good and nice for a few years, he didn't want to keep that old ring for a very real union with Anne.

"This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your love and life together," he explained, and proceeded with the script.

Gilbert repeated after him as it was his turn, trying to concentrate on what he was saying and not on how the new, shiny gold band was warming on his finger, not with the heaviness of the previous one but with all the expectations and promises that this day represented. It felt lighter, and he was sure it wasn't just because of the material. He slid Anne's band, slimmer and daintier than his own, on her finger, letting it rest on top of his mother's ring. He looked up at her, to find her eyes focused on her hand. He looked at the judge only when he talked again.

"As you wear these rings may you find them reminders of an endless love which will grow more meaningful with each passing day. Anne and Gilbert have pledged themselves to each other and have declared this symbolically by their vows and the exchange of rings," he explained, looking not only at them but at their few guests and even acknowledging the phone Roy was still dutifully holding. "I, Mohinder Laghari, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Ontario Marriage Act, do hereby pronounce you, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert and Gilbert John Blythe, to be partners in life. At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register. If your witnesses may come forward, please."

When they had talked about it over the previous days as they looked for rings and Anne vented her frustration over the few choices of standardized ceremonies, one of the choices had been evident. Of course Fred was going to be Gilbert's witness, best man, whatever you wanted to call him. About Anne's… She had always Diana, if she was honest. It just made sense. She was her bosom friend, after all. But the logistics in 2020 really made it impossible, because she couldn't very well sign the registrar from PEI.

The next logical option was Jerry, of course. As Diana's husband and as her own brother. It made sense. But… as much as she loved him, she wanted him to take her to Gilbert, as Matthew would have if he were alive. It wasn't that he couldn't take her and then be her witness, but she felt there was someone else who had been crucial in their relationship. Like Jerry, that had helped her open herself to the idea of speaking with Gilbert and allowing herself to listen to him. Jerry had thrown her out of where she had managed to construct all those walls, for years, when he had spoken to her that day in the forest. Was that May? April? She couldn't even remember.

But then, as they grew together and had to deal with ten years of sadness and miscommunication… They had unconsciously come to rely too much on their friends to help them solve their problems. And it had been something they really needed to do on their own, not only for the sake of having a healthy, prosperous relationship where they could trust each other and deal with their histories, but also for their friends. And Roy had been the one to put some sense into her head and thus save her relationship with Gilbert in the most fragile moment they had gone through in the last decade, since the fallout they had as teens.

In the end, it had been decided. As in their story, Jerry would give her away, nudging her gently to this new relationship. And Roy would be a witness of them building something loving, stronger, healthier. Maybe, if they did something symbolic in the future back in PEI Diana would play the role she was always supposed to.

And so, Jerry went to where Roy was standing and received the camera, and both witnesses came to the table and they all signed on the dotted lines as Mr. Laghari instructed them. They went back to their seats and Anne and Gilbert held their hands.

"May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes and peace and contentment of mind as you day by day live and fulfill the terms of this covenant you have made with one another. I wish you happiness and prosperity and may the vows you made to each other today, sustain you forever. You may exchange a kiss as a token of your joy," he said. Anne and Gilbert looked at each other, not actually having considered the logistics of this with a mask on. Anne shrugged, pulling down her mask and reaching for Gilbert. He shook his head, chuckling, and pulled his mask long enough to give her a quick kiss, wishing they were just alone so he could just kiss her how he really wanted and not with a mask on his chin. It was quick, and soon they were back with their masks on again. He signaled for them to get up, as he stood himself "May I introduce to you the married couple."

They turned to look at their few gathered friends, their family, really, and Jerry unmuted the other's microphones in the zoom call. They could listen to the cheers of the rest of their friends and family.

"We're actually married?" Anne asked, not quite believing it yet, looking alternatively from Mr. Laghari to Gilbert.

"You are, Anne," Mr Laghari said kindly. She looked at Gilbert again.

"But it feels just the same!" she exclaimed, making her new husband laugh.

"What were you expecting, Anne-girl?" he asked. "Fireworks? A magic spell?" Anne laughed then.

"I think I was already just so committed to this having it down on paper doesn't change anything?" she said, feeling sheepish. Gilbert brought her close, an arm around her shoulders. "I don't mean it in any bad way, I just…" she trailed off, not knowing how to explain it. Gilbert rested his head on hers, wishing he could just kiss her. He understood where she was coming from- while it all felt much more final, it wasn't really life-changing. He was a bit shaken about the whole ring change in his finger, but he gathered that it was because he had worn the old one for so long without considering he would ever get really married that it had become ingrained in his mind.

"It makes sense, Anne," Mr. Laghari explained. "This is a formality, and a very serious one, but it won't create out of nothing something that wasn't there to begin with. That you feel this way is also very telling about your level of commitment to this project."

"Thank you for everything, sir," Gilbert said.

"It was my pleasure," he said, picking the stack of papers from the table. "I already explained to your friend all the procedures. Please, enjoy your day safely, and have a wonderful life together," he said. He said goodbye to the rest, who had waited a bit further back. They came forward when the judge left. Jerry as well, holding the stabilizer with the phone

"Hey hey, Gilly boy!" Bash said, "So you managed to marry Queen Anne!"

"No one actually doubted he would, once they finally got together," Jane said, making everyone laugh.

"But they can't be married!" Delly said, trying to get closer to the screen as Mary tried to hold her in her lap. "They said I would be the flower girl, and I didn't do anything!" she explained, her mouth in a small pout.

"You will be when we do a big party, Delly," Anne explained. "We just had to do it this way because of the pandemic. But next year, we'll throw a big party and you will be our flower girl. We're going to have a small ceremony, so it'll be like we're getting married again , how does that sound?"

"And I will wear a pretty sweater like yours?" she asked, her big eyes hopeful.

"If it's cold out, totally," Anne winked.

"So what's the plan now?" Moody asked. He was holding Ruby close to him. Her eyes were red, her smile huge and watery.

"No idea, we just planned to get married and didn't think about much else," Gilbert confessed as Anne shrugged.

"That is so true," Cole said, coming close. "So it's lucky for them I exist and I don't take for granted these two finally tying the knot. If it was up to them they would have put the first thing they found in their closets. We're going to take some pictures, Fred was telling me something about a trail nearby, and then I arranged for some take out. We'll have a weird picnic from our different cars, because Jesus, it's freezing."

"How come you're like that and not more covered, Anne?" Diana asked curiously.

"Cole packed a ton of thermic stuff, you have no idea," she laughed. She actually was quite warm, just her hands cold. She had some mittens somewhere, but she didn't actually want to cover her hand just yet. "And it's not that cold, Cole here is just being whiny."

"It feels like -10ºC, that's not whiny, that's freezing" he said. "Anyway, people, if I don't take these two for pictures now it will be dark and I won't be using a flash if I can help it, not when the light is like this," he explained. They all said their goodbyes and finished the call.

"You really organized all this?" Anne said.

"Of course I did, Nan, what did you expect?" Cole said.

"You're just amazing, Cole. Thank you for everything. And the note saying the yarn is actually from recycled bottles," she said, her voice soft, still grateful for Cole having thought of that.

"It's all in the details, Nana," he said. "Ok guys, let's bring the tables and chairs to the truck. Girls, can you take the flowers and the rest of the stuff? It's not heavy at all. The flowers and that in your car, Nan, they're for you to enjoy."

"Thank you, Cole. You're sure you don't want some? They're a lot," she said. "Do you, Ella?"

"Anne, believe me, there's actually no space for more flowers in our place. He played with them half the week, when he wasn't calling someone about something that was delayed in the mail," Roy said, carrying a chair in each hand. "Please take them."

"Are you sure, Anne?" Ella asked. She was putting everything in a box that Cole had left to the side and Anne hadn't noticed before.

"It wouldn't make sense for us to take them all. They're supposed to be shared! Take some, please," she said, taking the flower arrangements that were left on the table. Fred and Gilbert picked it up and followed Cole, who was carrying two more chairs. Jerry was taking another couple. "And you know our place- there's not much space for them anyway. I would hate it if they went to waste."

"Thank you," Ella smiled under her mask, picking the box, now full but still pretty light. "Put your bouquet on top of this, I think it will be fine. There's nothing left, so I don't think we'll come back here."

In effect, the space was now as if they had never been there, Cole's decor pretty and surprising, but surprisingly portable. They met the others in the parking lot, the small uhaul van she had seen when she arrived with Jerry now making more sense. The guys were finishing to load everything in it.

"So, Blythe, I was telling Fred we could go to the Escarpment trail, but there's also Chedoke. I reckon we're about the same distance from both, which one do you like more?" Fred said. Gilbert thought for a second.

"Chedoke is the one with the big bridge and the falls, right?"

"Yes. I mean, it connects with the other, but…" Fred explained. Gilbert nodded.

"Let's go to that one, I believe I haven't taken Anne there yet and it's a nice one. I just hope we manage something before it's dark," he said, looking up. It was still light, but it was clear the night was very, very close. Cole closed the back door of the van.

"I'll deal with the light. So, we follow you?"

The trail was long, straight and lonely in the late dusk. Most of the trees were completely bare by then, the leaves all around crunchy under their feet as they walked. Cole gave them only light directions, nudging the others to be in the photos from time to time. At Fred's insistence, he went as well for a couple, letting the camera in Fred's hands, and then in Ella's. Anne and Gilbert just enjoyed being there with their friends in what felt like a stolen moment.

They were technically allowed to meet for the wedding, and they were just stretching it as they could while not hugging or touching, much as they wanted. It wasn't that the prohibition was strictly enforced, it was more of a general recommendation of the government with which they were, if not exactly happy, very willing to comply. It made sense and it helped to contain the spread, and considering that the day had had a record count of cases, it seemed even more important. Still, they were enjoying being kind of together for the first time in weeks.

The photo session was, in any case, sweet and short, reaching a natural end when Cole could no longer use the remaining daylight in a way that made sense to him. He had brought some flashes and screens in case he needed them, but after a look at what he had managed to take, he declared there was no need. They would do just with what they had, and they could maybe take a couple more around the restaurant where they would pick up the food he had ordered or in the parking lot Fred had suggested for all of them to eat.

They walked back to the cars, Gilbert's arm around Anne as the cold was beginning to be too much for what she was wearing. It had been good and warm for the ceremony, but the temperature was now dropping and she had left the coat in the car. They were reaching the parking lot, which had some street lights in it, when she felt something in her hand. Frowning, she looked at it, a single snowflake melting slowly in her skin.

"It's snowing, Gil," she mentioned, coming to a stop. He frowned, looking up, and could see against the light from the parking lot the snowflakes coming down. He smiled. "Isn't it supposed to be good luck when it rains on your wedding day?"

"I don't have a clue, Anne-girl. But if that's true, snow has to be double luck," he said, leaning to look at her. They had taken the masks off for the photos after Cole had said he had enough with the others and wanted them to have at least a couple of pictures that didn't scream pandemic. The others were already ten, twenty meters towards the front, just Cole trailing in between the two groups as he reviewed the photos. "I feel pretty lucky just being here with you, you know?" he added fondly, his voice tender.

"I know, I feel the same," she replied. They were just at the entrance of the parking lot, a street lamp close.

"You both, stay there, will you?" Cole said suddenly, surprising them just as they were about to resume their way to the car. They looked at him, stopping again. He had the camera in his hand. "No, just ignore me, just…" he shook his head. Anne shrugged, and looked back at Gilbert.

"Do you think it will snow much?"

"I don't think it will stay," he said, looking up. "The forecast did mention some flurries, but those never last long. It's not cold enough."

"Such a shame. I love snow, once the trees are bare. October has the prettiest colours, but the end of November is just a weird middle point," she explained. He chuckled. "Can you believe this?"

"What, November…" she shook her head. "Not really. It's… like you said back at City Hall, it doesn't actually change anything about how I feel about you and the plans we have. But at the same time, I keep looking at my hand, and it's like this is… I don't know," he said. He still couldn't put it into words, his inner conflict with both rings. He tried to remember where he had left the tungsten one. Anne held his hand with both of hers, caressing the fingers, softly, looking at the golden band. She kissed it gently and looked at him.

"I can't imagine how you feel, Gil," she said after a moment. They were talking in low voices, the shutter of the camera and the wind on the leaves the only other sounds around them. "I know I tried to move on for years, even if I failed spectacularly. But… I still can't wrap my head around how, after all this time, you were still choosing me."

"Of course I was, Anne-girl. It took me some years of trying before realizing that actually getting over you was something I wasn't sure I was very capable of doing, or even willing to keep trying," he said, his hand caressing her cheek gently as he looked into her eyes. "It's not like I had any hope. I didn't really want you to come to the apartment in March and tried to avoid it, until Fred just dialed your number."

"I'm so glad for Fred and Ella to exist in your life," she sighed, looking down. "So grateful."

"Well, I'm grateful for Roy, and Jerry, and really, everyone else we have supporting us," he murmured, his hand moving down from her cheek to her chin, and lifting it gently. "But mostly, for you, Anne. Don't ever doubt that. You're the keeper of the key to my heart, always remember that," he declared.

She smiled softly, not able to take her eyes off his, but suddenly he was kissing her, bringing her closer to him as her hand went instinctively to his neck. He kissed her deeply, as he had wished to do back in the City Hall but hadn't been able to, giving his all in a kiss he only ended reluctantly as he remembered they weren't actually alone, the click of the camera reaching his ears and somehow making its way to what was left of his reasoning mind. Anne didn't seem to care, as she reached up to him again, kissing him even with more fervour and passion. She finally let go, her breath shaky. He held her close to his heart.

"Dear god, dr. Oak really has to give us a green light soon," she muttered. So far, all the tests were coming back perfect, the medication they had been given Anne doing it's job with much more side effects than occasional bad headaches. But sex was sill banned and she was suffering heavily, because Gilbert had been cautious as if she was going to break down again. Gilbert laughed heartily, holding her closer, and she felt his chest vibrate under her. She smiled.

"She will do it when it's safe for both you and the baby, Anne," he chuckled. "And I promise we will make up for the lost time."

"We're doing a pretty good job of that this year, don't you think?" she joked, looking at him but without letting go. He was warm. Gilbert looked at her, an eyebrow shooting up in question. "Finally speaking again and smoothing out everything that happened in grade 12, baby Blythe is on the way, getting married…"

"Well, if you consider all that, I could say we're experts," Gilbert replied, winking.

"We should probably go, the others must be waiting," Anne said.

"We should. And you're freezing. Please tell me you have some kind of coat," he said. She nodded. "Cole, do you have what you wanted?" he asked, looking at where Cole was now standing. Their friend laughed.

"Oh yes, more than what I expected, actually," he said. "Come, the food should be about ready and we wouldn't want it going cold." They walked back to where the others were talking next to the cars. "Sorry, got caught up on something."

"We're done with the photos, Cole?" Fred asked.

"I don't know, maybe I'll snap a couple more once we're eating or something, why?"

"As much as I enjoyed you playing dress up with me, I'm done with the bowtie. I feel weird," Fred declared.

"Don't be such a crybaby, Fred," Gilbert laughed. "You use a tie almost every day!"

"A tie , Blythe. While I think a bowtie does look nice on you, with all your vintage aesthetic and whatnot, I feel like I'm wearing a costume," he explained. "Cole?"

"Take it off, if I take anything else it won't be formal portraits," Cole said. Fred nodded, taking it off and putting it in his pocket. Ella rolled her eyes, clearly amused, and walked to Fred to undo the first button of his shirt.

"Looks weird otherwise," she explained when Fred raised an eyebrow. She turned to the others. "So, shall we get going? I really need a toilet, I think Alicia kicked my bladder."

"Ok, so I ordered food at this place…" Cole explained, showing them the map. "Gilbert mentioned once Anne enjoyed it, and they actually had plenty of options. We can't actually share the dishes, but I talked the restaurant into making small packages with a bit of everything, so I suppose it will kind of resemble sharing. There's a park on the corner, and Fred told me there's a decent parking lot there. So here's what we were thinking: we park and walk to pick the food, eat in the cars so we don't freeze, and maybe put on a call on speaker or something and that way we can actually talk?"

Once they parked, they divided into two groups. Anne stayed behind with Roy and Jerry, Ella walking quickly clearly with the washroom as her sole goal. Fred, Cole and Gilbert would split the bill, after Gilbert had said he wanted to invite them all and no one had agreed. Splitting it into three was all they were willing to do.

"So, how are you feeling now, sis?" Jerry asked her, offering an arm so she could snuggle against him. She was now wearing the green coat Cole had suggested, but it was still fresh and she felt odd on her own.

"Content," she replied, smiling at him. "Calm. It's… I thought I would feel much more excited, but it feels just right. Like this is how it should have been all along."

"And how about your wedding? All your dreams come true, dear Anne?" Roy asked, leaning on the van. "Cole was actually worried about that."

"Cole? Worried? This all was perfect! Honestly, beyond any expectation. I was up for the boring, scripted ceremony, but it was that, which was weirdly more meaningful in person than it looks like when you're choosing from the four different options… But it was so much more with all of you there, and then all the decorations and flowers… How did you both pull this off?"

"That was all Cole, darling, I was just his assistant when he needed something," Roy said. "And about how he managed, I have the feeling he didn't have to come up with much, it's like he had already decided all this way before."

"What do you mean?" Jerry asked, curious.

"Well, he wasn't looking for a range of ideas. He was very specific. As in Roy, help me find a place that has a good quality suit of this shade , and there I was, asking my dad's tailor to please hurry with the order," he explained, shaking his head, fondness written all over his head. "So yes, I think he had any number of different weddings planned in his head for the two of you, and he just chose the one that fit better, considering the circumstances."

"That's incredibly thoughtful of him," Jerry commented, Anne feeling a knot of emotion in her throat. She wasn't even sure about it being all the pregnancy hormones. How much she loved her friends, and they loved her, was something she couldn't quite explain.

"That's just how Cole is when he sets his mind on something," Roy said. He turned to Anne again, a smile so wide it was evident under the mask reaching easily his eyes. "Anne… I still don't know how to explain to you how much it means to me that you chose me as your witness."

"We wouldn't be here without you, Roy. Or maybe, just relying on everyone else to fix our shit, and that doesn't make any sense," Anne explained. "I'm so happy you accepted. And you too, Jerry, if you hadn't talked some sense into me that time I fought with Gilbert…"

"It's what family does, chérie. We tell ourselves our hard truths," he shrugged, holding her close.

In the restaurant, Cole was double checking everything before they paid for the bill. Fred and Gilbert were waiting outside, not wanting to cram the space. Ella joined them a couple of minutes later, her face much more relaxed.

"Tell your kid to stop kicking me, Freddie," she said, resting her head on his shoulder. Fred hugged her with an arm, the other caressing the belly gently.

"What's gotten into her now?" he asked Ella. She shrugged, but winced at another kick.

"Everything ok?" Gilbert asked.

"Alicia here is having a party inside me to celebrate your wedding" Ella said. "And as much as I love her, I also love my ribs. She's still tiny, how am I supposed to deal with this when she keeps growing?"

"I know Mary used to go prenatal yoga and at least it seemed to distract her, maybe you could try?" Gilbert proposed. "And there's some positions and stuff… I'll send her a message and forward you whatever."

"Thanks, Gilbert," she replied. "So how do you feel now?"

"Like a weight lifted from my shoulders," he said. "I mean, I'm happy, I'm excited… But there's also so much relief from being done with this… farce, I can't really explain it." His hand went to his nape and he lowered it sheepishly as Ella glared at him.

"You don't really have to. For one, I'm happy you finally have something real," Ella replied, once his hand was down again. Cole peeked his head out and called Fred, leaving Gilbert and Ella by themselves. She looked at the door of the restaurant. "You know, back then… I know we've talked about this and everything, but sometimes I can't believe how far we've each come. Considering how hopeless we felt in 2012. At least something good came out of it and now I can mix cocktails"

"Don't even mention it," Gilbert chuckled. "The amount of alcohol we drank whenever Fred wasn't home shouldn't ever be mentioned. We can just attribute your skills to some weird talent, there's no need for them to know."

"Oh, I'm not telling them. Fred really doesn't need to know," she laughed. "Still, considering how horrible everything was, I have great memories of that time. And look at us now. All grown and married and expecting our first kids at the same time."

"Just perfect," Gilbert acquiesced, looking fondly at her. He broke eye contact to look behind him at the door. Cole and Fred were taking longer than what he imagined, considering he was paying the tab with them"Let me just check in on them, I have the feeling they're just…" he couldn't finish what he was saying when Cole opened the door, letting Fred, who was carrying two big takeout bags, go out. "Oh no, you didn't," he said.

"Of course we did, Blythe, you honestly thought we were going to let you pay for your wedding night dinner? Thanks for distracting him, love."

"Not a problem," Ella said, smiling brightly. Gilbert looked back at her, feeling tricked.

"What?!" he exclaimed

"Oh, Alicia really is kicking, but I didn't need to go to the washroom. Just a ploy to come with you three and keep you out," she explained. "No one was going to question that."

"I'm not believing anything else you say, just for the record," Gilbert said, crossing his arms. "Guys, really, there was no need for this."

"Of course there wasn't," Cole agreed. "We just wanted to. And if I couldn't have us enjoy a proper dinner somewhere to celebrate, this was the least I could manage. Should we get going? It'll go cold quickly in this weather." It was no longer snowing, but it was cold enough that they knew the containers wouldn't hold the heat for long. As Gilbert had mentioned, those first flurries hadn't managed to stay. They walked to the car quickly, Fred giving Gilbert one of the bags.

Eating in the cars was an interesting experience. They had parked in a corner of the parking lot, so that they could kind of see each other. They made faces, jokes and signs over the windows, chatted over the three-way call Jerry set up, and stayed in reality way longer talking there than they had originally thought, trying to squeeze as much time together (even if apart) as they could. Cole went out and took a couple of pictures of Anne and Gilbert through the windshield. If they were going to have a weirdly distanced wedding as close to their friends as they could, they were going to have fun and document it.

At the very least, it was a great story to tell their kids in the future.