An: Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading my one and only Anne with an 'E' story. I hoped you enjoyed this story of self-discovery and romance. Diana's character was always so incomplete, and I feel like I've given her a much better ending and completeness. Each of the songs I've suggested is from the album title Anne With An E (Music From The Netflix Original Series). I HIGHLY suggest listening to the songs. They are very empowering and filled with emotion. I worked hard to fit the music perfectly into this story and I think it truly makes the words become real.

Thank you once again.

Keep on Dreaming! :)

P.S. Duchessebibi: Thank you for the compliments and the French correction :)

Diana gazed out the train's window as Charlolettetown came into view. She hadn't been here since the funeral. She usually just took the train straight to Avonlea. But Diana knew she couldn't avoid the sight of it any longer. Coming home to the island always brought a sense of joy to Diana when she came back from her concerts. This was the longest time she had been away.

She spent a fortnight on the mainland. Diana had finally decided to leave the island with her works. She played at parties and just concerts. Her original pieces had become quite famous among the people of the island, and for the borders of the mainland. Diana loved to play for them, loved hearing the applause, and loved feeling the thrill of music, but it was always nice to come home.

When the train pulled into the station, Diana took a deep breath. There were too many memories here. She used to come to this place with such ease, but now something was completely different. She felt as if she had been gone for multiple lifetimes. What if it wasn't the same? What if she was to feel like an outcast or branded as a coward?

...

Song Suggestion: Make Your Own Decision (Ari Posner & Amin Bhatia)

...

Diana stood from her seat and ran her fingers through the raven curls that fell onto her shoulders. Gathering her luggage bag, Diana hesitantly went down the steps onto the crowded platform. Taking a nervous deep breath, she shuffled through the crowd with her eyes mostly down. Even if she looked up, there would be no way to see through the sea of people.

"Mama!" a little girl's voice shrieked. Diana froze and lifted her eyes. She searched desperately for the caller. "Over here, mama!" That was when her eyes settled on Adalia, a bright talkative girl of seven years, and Joanne, a shy but creative child of five years. Both wore their raven hair in bows of matching royal blue and wide smiles.

Diana smiled as her daughters both ran to her with their arms outstretched. She set down her luggage bag and got down on her knees as both girls wildly threw their arms around her. Diana laughed and accepted the embrace. All of her nerves suddenly flushed away. "Oh, I missed my girls too much!"

"We missed you too, mama," Adalia smoothed her yellow dress. "How was the mainland?"

"Thrilling, but I think I'll have to take you two with me next time. I'm afraid I got lonesome without you." Diana turned her attention to Joanne. "Have you been keeping your father in line?" Joanne looked down at her small feet before giving a shy nod. "Where is he?"

"Diana!" Jerry's voice called. Diana's ears perked as she stood straight up. Jerry suddenly came into view, trying to merge through the crowd. Little Jack of two years was holding on tightly to his father's coat as he held him. Diana's smile widened as she stepped forward. Jerry set down Jack before pulling Diana into his arms and giving her a long-anticipated kiss.

Adalia instinctively covered her eyes as well as Jack's, but Joanne watched her parents with admiration and a little grin.

Once Diana pulled away, she gave Jerry a small grin. "Does that mean you missed me?"

"It means that je t'aime," Jerry matched her expression. Diana looked at him with loving eyes. She missed him terribly.

That was when little Jack had wobbled into Diana's legs. She looked down to see his little brown eyes gazing up at her. "Hello, mister," Diana chuckled as she hoisted him up into her arms. "Did you have fun with papa and Marilla while I was gone?"

"Cows!" Jack clapped his hands together, making Diana laugh. She looked at Jerry questionably.

"I may have taken him to the barn with me a few times." Jerry gave Jack a little tickle, making the toddler giggle.

"The barn is smelly," Adalia shook her head and folded her arms. "When I grow up I will never live outside of the city."

"You might change your mind one day," Diana patted her oldest's head as she gave a small glance and grin to her husband, who picked up Diana's bag and Joanne in the same arm. Both took one of Adalia's hands and together left the train station.

They walked all the way to the mansion. Outside, Diana stopped walking. It felt so weird knowing that Aunt Josephine wasn't going to be waiting for her in the parlor. Strange to know that she would never sit down and play the piano for Jo randomly in the afternoons. All of that time ago, Diana used to find this a place of comfort and sanctuary. Now all of that felt like a distant memory with her gone.

Adalia was the first to let go of her parent's hands and run up the steps. Jack then wiggled free of his mother's grip to join her. Joanne was the last to leave. Once she was back on her own feet she began to help little Jack up the stairs. Diana watched her children go up and ring the doorbell, but her feet didn't move. She felt Jerry's arms wrap around her shoulders.

"This is not another funeral," Jerry reminded her. "It's a celebration."

"I know," Diana swallowed. "But I also know she isn't going to be there, no matter how much I wish."

"I wouldn't say that," Jerry grabbed her hand and led her up the stairs where the butler had just answered the door. The three kids ran in, throwing off their spring coats. "Perhaps she will be there, in a spirit form."

"Those sorts of things only happen in stories," Diana raised a brow.

"The farm boy only gets the princess in stories too," Jerry contradicted. "But obviously that wasn't true."

Diana took in a small breath as her cheeks flushed red. She gave his hand a small squeeze before letting go. Unhooking her small shall, she let the butler take it from her. Jerry took off his hat with a curt nod and followed Diana into the entrance hall. There were chatters of others down the hall. The kids were already racing into the party scene.

"Jack! Come back here!" Jerry called as he chased after them. Diana watched him with a smile as Jerry playfully ran with the child before scooping him up into his arms. He tickled the little boy's stomach.

"Papa come on!" Adalia dragged Jerry into the hall and out of Diana's sight. She was about to go after her family but decided against it.

Instead, she gazed around the hall. Not much had changed since her last visit here. There were a few more decorations, which Diana was sure was in Cole's good taste. He had inherited the mansion in Jo's will. It was rather fitting rather than to have Diana or her family take it over. It was never her home. It would never be her home. This place would always belong to Josephine. Anne had claimed that Jo and Cole were the most wonderful of kindred spirits, so Diana trusted him with keeping the house in its proper glory.

When the butler wasn't looking, Diana slipped away from the entrance hall. She went farther away from the noise of the party. When she was in the parlor, Diana gazed at the same old bookshelves and chairs. She envisioned all of the times they sat here and talked the days away. All of the times she and Jerry had come to visit. When they had announced their engagement, their first child, and then their second child.

The first visit with Joanne and Adalia was quite memorable. They had waited a few years to bring them into Charlottetown. Adalia was only four and Joanne had just turned two. Josephine had taken quite an interest in the little girls, even though Joanne was more of a mute back then.

"That Joanne of yours is going to do something wonderful someday, and Adalia is going to be a strong lady of lead."

Diana grinned as she continued to recall, but all of her thoughts subsided when she saw the piano.

It hadn't changed at all. The bench was still in the exact position she had seen it last. Diana stood over it, looking down at the dusty keys. She felt her eyes beginning to well with tears as she ran her fingers over the ivory. The music that flooded her mind didn't want to even reach the ears of reality, but to stay in the final memory of this piano.

Jo had been laying on her deathbed for days in the parlor. The whole family had been called up to visit with her. Diana was the last of them to arrive. She and Jerry had brought the girls up to see her a few days ago. They didn't want their children to see Josphine in her weakened state. Anne, Gilbert, and Cole were the only ones there when Diana arrived. Minnie May and Diana's parents were in the other room preparing for supper.

"The doctor said it wouldn't be long before..." Anne trailed off when she met the two in the entryway. More tears leaked from Anne's eyes. "I would say anything you need to now."

...

Song Suggestion: Dearest Diana (Ari Posner & Amin Bhatia)

...

When Diana laid her eyes on the dying woman, tears began to prick her eyes. She didn't look like the strong woman Diana used to know. When Jo saw Diana, a light seemed to flicker in her eyes. She reached out her old hand to her. Diana took it. "My dearest Diana," Jo whispered. "Could you play this old woman one last tune?"

"Oh," Diana let tears spill from her eyes. "I wouldn't even know what to play."

"What about the very first?" Jo suggested.

She did know.

"Yes," Diana agreed.

Jo gave her a small smile. "I always hoped you would find your regrets and replace them with new hopes."

Diana wasn't sure what she meant, but she gave her a small nod before standing slowly.

When she turned to face the piano, Jo began to cough hoarsely. It sounded as if the life was being sucked out of her. Minnie May and the rest of the Barrys suddenly rushed in. Diana fell to her knees beside Jo. Anne did on the other, but Jo only looked at Diana. When the coughing subsided, Josephine reached out to Diana. She touched her great niece's cheek lightly before her hand dropped dead with a shaking last breath.

Now, Diana looked back at the piano with guilt. Jo had never gotten to hear that last song she had wished for. Ever since that day, Diana had given herself small blame for what had happened. She hadn't even played the tune Jo asked for since. It was so disheartening, that Diana's fingers just refused to even begin playing the chords.

She ran her fingers over the keys again. Her eyes gazed at the music in front of her. They were all of her own original pieces. Jo had boughten every single one, so Diana wouldn't have to bring them over to play. As if Diana truly needed them. She had them memorized from the moment she had created them. Even so, Diana sat down at the bench and began to flip through the pages.

When she took them off of the stand, a small slip fell from the pile. Diana reached down for it and grasped the slip of parchment. Surely, it must've been a receipt of the purchased music. But when Diana opened it, she was shocked to find a little handwritten note.

Dearest Diana,

I witnessed a life leave and return to you, and I wish you never lose yourself again. But if you do, this piano will always be left for you to reclaim. I'm so very proud of your works, and I wish that my home still be filled with your music and talent. I knew your own hands had something special to bring to the world. Tragical romance and all? I believe that was fate's hands. Or even perhaps my own.

Love,

Aunt Josephine

"I was instructed to never let anyone touch that piano," Cole's voice came from the entryway. Diana's teary eyes left the note to look at her new company.

"I'm sorry I-"

Cole held up a hand. "Not until you decided what you wished to do with it."

"Me?" Diana raised a brow.

"You could take it home, to Green Gables," Cole shrugged. "Jo said that she wouldn't like any other composer but you play."

"That's..." Diana looked down at the piano. "Nice. But, I think this shouldn't leave its true home. And, you have my blessing for others to use."

Cole shook his head. "Even though she is dead, I don't like to go against her wishes. Besides, there is still one in the great hall that can be used for the public. As if I know many pianists as she did." He then sighed, taking a look up at the portrait of Jo above the fireplace. "She always loved meeting new and interesting people."

"How do you do it?" Diana asked suddenly. He turned to her with a confused look. "How do you live here without her?" The pain was obvious on his face.

"I don't feel like this house is empty," Cole shook his head. "She's still here. In these walls, floors, doors, and everything in between. It's her. Just because she's gone doesn't mean she doesn't live on."

"I've never afforded to think like that," Diana admitted. "But perhaps you are right."

"There you are," Anne suddenly came in. "Jerry was worried about you. My, Diana have you been crying?"

"Just..." Diana looked down at the note. "Reminiscing. Why was Jerry worried? Are the kids alright?"

"They're just fine," Anne assured her as she linked arms with her bosom friend and her kindred spirit. "Let us go join the party."

When they walked into the gathering room Diana's mouth fell open. She couldn't believe her eyes. The walls and ceiling were decorated in the most beautiful variety of greens and flowers. It was like the first party they had attended together as children. Diana laughed as Anne placed a small flower crown upon her head. Diana let Anne crown her too before they continued to march through the crowded hall.

Jerry was standing by Gilbert, little Jack now in his arms. Anne wrapped her arms lovingly around Gilbert's middle as he places his arm around her. "Little Jack is so precious," Anne sighed. "I cannot wait for Nan and Di to be that age."

"Anne, you were just crying the other day about how they've been getting too big," Gilbert reminded.

"Well, a year is a big milestone," Anne defended. "Of course I'm going to say that they're too big."

"Where's Jem?" Diana asked, gazing around.

"With Adalia," Jerry pointed towards the dance floor. Jem's red hair caught Diana's eye. He was twirling around the Spurgeon MacPherson girl, Malina. Jem then held out a hand for Adalia. The trio was a good match for the life of the party. Diana grinned, remembering the first time she had danced with Anne in this very house.

"Walter is over there," Anne pointed out. Diana's gaze shifted over to the little boy reading a book in a chair next to the grand piano. He was only a year older than Joanne but was obviously very bright for his age. Joanne was standing next to him, peering over his shoulder. "He doesn't talk very much anymore."

"Neither does Joanne," Diana said, grin still on her lips.

"Jo once told me they would make an excellent match," Gilbert said in a quiet voice. This got everyone's attention.

"Even on her deathbed she still was playing matchmaker," Anne laughed.

"Well, she was pretty good at it," Gilbert shrugged.

That was when Diana let her head rest on Jerry's shoulder. He gave a small smile before leaning his head atop hers. Diana could recall everything that had happened to them in the last ten years. Her life had changed so much, but she was the same. He was the same. Their love was forever strong. Even with their once tragical romance and all, Diana knew that she would be happy for the rest of her life.

"I would like to make a toast!" Anne proclaimed later that night. Everyone in the room raised their glasses. "For the most wonderful woman, I have ever known that passed away a year ago today. Josephine Barry. Who had inspired and accepted many alike. Who once was a natural meddler, but a good one at that. May we have no regrets in our lives in hopes that we can live a life of happiness. To Jo!"

"To Jo!" everyone repeated and took a drink from their glasses. Diana however, did not. She felt something strange like something was right next to her. Then she suddenly felt the feeling pull away

Quietly, Diana slipped from the gathering hall. Curiosity was burning inside her as she crept down the halls of the mansion and away from the crowds. She could feel a strange presence leading her. There was something oddly familiar to it, and Diana knew she had to follow. But why? And where was she to go?

...

Song Suggestion: Kindred Spirits (Ari Posner & Amin Bhatia)

...

Diana froze when she heard the piano.

Joanne was sitting on the bench, her little fingers pressing down on the keys lightly. Her curious brown eyes gazing at the music. Diana was shocked. She had never taught Joanne to play anything. Suddenly Diana saw herself ten years ago, sitting at that piano, with her aunt sitting there and listening. How much she had grown since then. It had felt like it was only yesterday.

The little girl stopped when she saw her mother in the room. "Sorry, mama," her little voice said sheepishly. She began to crawl down from the bench.

"No," Diana wiped the tears that were forming in her eyes. She moved forward, sitting on the bench next to her youngest daughter. "Could you play that song again?"

Joanne looked at her mother questionably, but turned to the music and began the song over. Diana watched her daughter with a small smile. The presence was back in the room, and Diana suddenly felt less alone than before. It was as if the piano had brought it back to life. Diana's regret from that tragic day suddenly washed away and was replaced with a new hope.

And that was when Diana felt truly complete.

"I always hoped you would find your regrets and replace them with new hopes."

END OF TRAGICAL ROMANCE AND ALL?