As she closed the boarding house door and turned to start for the train, Anne saw him there. Breathless and gazing at her. As if in a dream, she set down her trunk and slowly descended the front steps to stand across from him. She felt herself smile but couldn't help but feel that perhaps her wild imagination had conjured him there. That perhaps she should be running to the train to go find him rather than staring at his image in front of her.

But when he reached out his hand to touch her cheek, she felt it was real, and when he leaned in to kiss her, she kissed him back. He pulled away, but they both smiled at one another. For good measure, she pinched herself again, saying something to Gilbert about her imagination, spewing words while her head spun from finally being able to give him a kiss.

"Anne, I have to know, do you truly have feelings for me?" he asked.

Unable to form coherent sentences due to the romantical look in his eyes, she responded with another kiss, without a thought in her head of what was proper.

When a bell clanged to signal the time, Gilbert pulled away. She felt almost light-headed from the touch of his hands on her shoulders.

He said, "Twelve. I have to go."

Anne chuckled to cover her disappointment and confusion. "But you just got here. Where are you going?"

Gilbert lit up. "Toronto. U of T."

His smile made her laugh and grin at him. She found herself still unable to form words. She could still feel the light touch of his lips on her own.

"I still have a long way to go," he told her, "and it's imperative I arrive today."

She understood, but still, the confusion was setting in. If he left now, when would she see him again? "Alright then, so," she shrugged, "goodbye."

After a pause, he reached for her hands and raised them to his lips, kissing them. She felt her stomach flutter, and she couldn't believe she hadn't realized sooner her feelings for him. Even the peek of his hair underneath his hat made her insides churn.

He looked up at her with a playful grin, "Pen pals?"

Anne laughed and said, "I recall I have a very nice fountain pen."

His smile never left his face. They heard a horse and buggy pull up to the boarding house. Gilbert said, "I have to run. I left my bags on the train."

Anne's heart stopped, and she saw him turn. How romantical, Gilbert having dropped everything to find her. She felt a blush creep on her cheeks, and she wished he would take her hand again.

When she turned to follow Gilbert, she was surprised to see Diana in the buggy with her father. Diana told her she was going to Queen's, and the two embraced one another. Anne looked up to see Gilbert shaking Mr. Barry's hand and climbing into the carriage. She gave him a satisfied grin, still full of questions but slightly delirious. He stared at her from the buggy and immediately leaped out, reaching for her to kiss her twice more. She heard a startled gasp from Diana next to them, but she didn't care. She gripped on his jacket, not wanting to let go.

After a breathless grin to each other, they said in unison, "I'll write to you."

She blushed harder, "I have follow up questions."

"So do I," Gilbert replied.

He got into the carriage and rode away, waving at her from the back. She waved back, beaming from ear to ear as Diana held her hand.

Anne went back to her room that night holding her mother's book Marilla and Matthew had given her, filled up from the excitement of the day and a desire to discuss it all with Diana.

When she entered the room, she was bombarded by her bosom friend.

"How was it with Matthew and Marilla?" Diana asked, giving her a long hug.

Anne opened the book to show Diana the picture of her mother. They sat on the bed and examined it, both teary-eyed and breathless. Anne's fingers traced her mother's elegant profile and red hair.

"I have to tell Gilbert," Anne whispered.

Diana's eyes lit up as if she had been waiting for Anne to bring him up. Anne bit her lip and looked at Diana before bursting out into a joyful laugh.

"Oh, Diana!" she tried to speak, but couldn't find words other than repeating her friend's name and falling backward onto her bed.

"I've never seen you this speechless," Diana said, amused.

"When I saw Winifred today, and she told me about Gilbert's non-proposal two weeks ago, I felt like," she struggled once again to find the words, "like Mr. Darcy after Elizabeth Bennet spoke with Lady Catherine. I felt such a hope in me that our romantical tale would not turn tragic. It was dreadfully exciting to pack in a hurry and rush down the stairs to chase after love, but it was even more thrilling to see him standing there, looking up at me as he caught his breath and I mine and…" She sat up and sighed, "Oh, Diana, please tell me it was real. He was here, and we… he…"

"He was here, Anne. This wasn't your imagination," Diana held her hand. She looked pleased, "He never received your letter."

Anne's eyes widened. "What?"

"The letter you left him, saying you loved him. He never got it," Diana explained. "Just as you never got his."

Anne blushed, with embarrassment this time, "Oh, I received his letter."

"But then why—"

"I tore it up," Anne said, covering her face with her hands. "All this could have been avoided had my temper not gotten in the way. But… it doesn't matter because Gilbert Blythe…" She sighed and fell back on her bed.

Diana fell back with her and held her hand. The two sat in silence for a moment, the only sounds Anne's excited squeals and deep breaths.

Diana finally said, "Gilbert Blythe loves you."

Anne smiled and felt her eyes well up. "I wish he didn't have to leave so soon today."

"He'll be back, Anne, don't worry." Diana got up and went to her trunk to start unpacking. She smiled largely and looked at Anne, still on the bed in shock, "He's been waiting for you all these years. He'll wait for just a couple more."

Anne stared at the ceiling and let out a laugh. She covered her face with her hands and laughed uncontrollably, blushing when she remembered Gilbert's hand rested on her waist and his lips touching hers.

Dear Gilbert,

I look like my mother… Matthew and Marilla found her portrait in an old book and brought it to me after you had gone. I wish I could show you now, perhaps copy its likeness onto this paper, but my own hand could not properly portray her beauty and elegance.

Diana told me how you had never received my letter before, so I will convey to you the sentiments I had written on it now.

I love you.

I have so much I want to talk to you about, so much I want to ask, but my hand is shaking from the events of the day, from seeing you once again when I thought all hope was lost.

Best of luck with medical school. I know with absolute certainty you'll succeed further than anyone could imagine, even myself. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Anne

Gilbert struggled to concentrate as he was shown around the university. He would have to ask again which building is which and where the library was because his mind was consumed with a certain redhead. The tour guide didn't seem to notice, though.

He hadn't slept all night, unable to get Anne out of his mind. How beautiful she had been in her long dress and red waves. How well she fit in with the larger city, and how perfect it had felt to hold her in his arms as if they were back in that dance class.

It had never felt as perfect with Winifred. No matter how hard Gilbert had tried, the memory of Anne whacking him with her slate was locked in his memory. How fiery and bright her eyes were, how her braids swung in the air in her fury. Her power was impossible to ignore. Diana had been right on the train. He never truly realized it before, but he was stuck on her from that moment, wasn't he?

When his tour was done, he made his way back to his room in one of the residential houses and sat on his bed, looking out his window. Right outside was a large tree with flowers blossoming. Anne would love it. Gilbert knew if she ever saw it, it would be all she spoke about for at least half an hour, maybe longer. He longed to hear what she would say about it.

Classes would start the next day, and he would have to focus. He needed to get through school so he could get back to her and they could start their life together. Though she didn't need it, he wanted to be someone who could take care of her and provide for her.

He pulled out a sheet of paper and started drafting a letter.

Bash,

How is the farm? I'm glad Elijah is there to help, as troublesome as our past may have been. Give Delphine a hug from me, and a kiss from Anne.

There's so much to tell you about. I met Diana Barry on the train, and she told me that Anne had left me a letter. Bash, she loves me, too. I found her today at her boarding house in Charlottetown, and she told me

There was a knock at the door. Gilbert slid the letter under one of his books.

"Come in," he called.

The door opened, and a tall boy stepped inside.

"Are you Gilbert Blythe? Avonlea?" he asked.

Gilbert stood up from his chair and straightened his shirt. "That's me."

"I'm Tommy Ricketts. Next door neighbor," he gestured to the door behind him. "Just wanted to say hello."

Gilbert approached him to shake his hand, "Good to meet you, Tommy."

Tommy seemed anxious and leaned in the door, "Are you ready for classes to begin?"

"Hopefully," Gilbert replied. "You?"

"Hopefully," Tommy replied playfully. He patted his legs and laughed awkwardly, "Well, I only stopped by to introduce myself in case you ever wanted a study partner or a dinner companion…"

Gilbert laughed, "I'll take you up on that."

"Well, goodnight," Tommy waved and closed the door behind him.

Gilbert looked at his watch. It was almost lights out. His letter would have to wait. He slid off his clothes and crawled into bed, too excited about school and Anne to get any reasonable rest that night. He fell asleep remembering her at the top of the steps of her boarding house walking down to meet him like an angel, and his fingers tingled when he recalled the softness of her cheek.