"Marilla!"

"In here Anne."

"What happened?" She exclaimed as she walked in.she noticed their guest and smiled.

"Hello John. Fancy seeing you here. I just came back from seeing Gilbert." She smiled and turned to marilla." I saw doc andrews while we were on our stroll. Why didn't you tell me you have been feeling ill. If I had known you have been taking dizzy spells I would have stayed home."

"No need to make a fuss Anne. I am quite alright."

"You are not alright marilla. What if I were not here and you fell and hit your head. Can you imagine what would happen to you. "

"There goes your imagination again. Nothing happened to me. Luckily John Blythe stopped by and was here when I fainted."

"Yes, but had you told me your condition before I left I'd have made sure you stayed in bed. You wouldn't have fainted in the first place. You have to let me help you marilla. "

" I am fine Anne. Besides I have medicine now that will help. There is no need to worry any longer. "

"If you say so Marilla. Please though, will you tell me if your ever feeling ill again?"

"Yes Anne. Next time I will. So long as you do not hover over me."

"I am not hovering. I am concerned is all."

"I know child, but if there were anything to be concerned about, I would tell you. "

"Thank you. I'm glad you are alright.I was terribly worried. Do you want me to stay with you the rest of the evening?"

"No. I have took my medicine and I am feeling fine. Besides John will be here for a little while so you can go see Gilbert."

" ok. Can I borrow your picnic basket marilla. We want to have a picnic by the lake."

"Yes. You know where it's at. "

"Thanks marilla. If you begin to feel bad just send Jerry after me and I will come straight home."

"I will child, now go. Gilbert isn't going to wait all day. " Anne kissed marilla on the cheek and made her exit.

"Maybe we could have a stroll by the pond marilla if you are up to it. "

"I think I can manage. I think the medicine has finally started working." She stood up, walking to grab her shawl"I'm going to go fix my shirt and I'll be right back."when she reentered the foyer She slipped the shawl around her and waited on John. When she stepped outside the sky was slightly cloudy, but the sun stil shown bright. She turned to John."I hope it doesn't rain. Otherwise we'll be wet before we reach the house."

"We should be ok marilla." They walked in silence till they reach the pond.

" You have done good with Anne Marilla. You raised a fine girl."

"Matthew is partly responsible. He always had a soft spot for her."

"I think you are responsible to you know. She's level headed. Who knows, if her and Gilbert get married one day we might be grandparents."

"You'll be a grandparent. I never believed in anyone calling people by anything other than what they are. Her kids will call me marilla. Aren't you rushing the idea of those two. They haven't even gotten engaged yet."

"You wouldn't want to be called grandma."

"I always dreamed of having kids, and someday grandkids. I guess that life wasn't for me."

"You have Anne."

"I love her as if she is my own flesh and blood, but she isn't my flesh and blood. Not that it matters. I love her all the same."

"You would have made a wonder mother marilla. Why did you not find love after we parted ways."

"It was not to be. Mother was sick, papa had long since gone and no one could take care of Matthew. He was but a child then. I was 16 and someone had to take care of them. It was hard you know. Obligation can be a prison, but I don't regret staying for Matthew. He was my rock for so long. "

"I didn't know your mother was sick till long after we separated. "

"I never told anyone. It was hard to go to school, make sure Mathew was taken care of, and make sure mother was fed. Rachael was none the wiser as well.I kept it a secret. Call it pride, but i didn't want anyone to pity us. Mother always frowned upon charity. She always said someone else needed it more than us."

"I wish I had known marilla. I could have helped you."

"Nothing you could have done. Why are we talking of the past. We can't change what happened. "

" we can't but sometimes it's good to reflect on old memories. We can change the subject as you wish though. Remember the time we went cow tipping on Mr Adlers farm? " she laughed.

"I forgot about that. He went to his grave forever wondering who disturbed his herd that night. We done some awful things John."

"What about when you had shown a terrible display of temper to Mrs Harper." She got serious.

"I never met a more infuriating woman. She accused me of being a tramp just because I didn't like her son Billy. She said I was leading him on. I never talked to Billy a day in my life. She deserved every thing I said."

"She never spoke to you again I believe." He laughed

"I'm glad. Luckily no one listened to her. Which everyone knew me back then. "

"You always had a good name in avonlea. You have become a pillar in the community. Very popular to I suspect from your red currant wine."

" Rachael is still mad because I won't give her the recipe."

"Do you think you would have liked married life Marilla. Or wanted to see places other than avonlea."

" I suppose. Though that boat has long sailed. I am an old maid, so I suppose I ought to be content with my life as is."

" you never think that you could fall in love again."

"No I don't. It's too late for that."

"You could you know."

" I'd like to change the subject. I'm not comfortable discussing this anymore."

"I just wish you wouldn't completely give up on the idea of finding love even now."

"It's too late for that." She never noticed the rain drops that had began to sprinkle, nor the dark clouds that were looming above them, but John had and he grabbed her arm. He saw the rain coming closer to them.

"Looks like we need to find shelter. We are about to get caught in the storm.Let's get under the tree by the pond." Her attention was called to the rain that vastly approaching them in a wave.

"I have a better idea. There is a shed just around the line of trees. We might get wet before we get there but I think we could make it before we get completely soaked." They ran hand in hand to the shed. The rain had started to fall hard and thunder was beginning to roll. They made it there quickly but not before getting a little wet. She opened the door to the shed and then closed it quickly before the rain came in. "There is blankets in the corner near the hay. Lay them on the bales and I'll get the lamp. This use to be a tool shed but I mostly keep emergency supplies in here now since the Barry's took over the farm. The hay is here because I ran out of storage in the barn last year for these last few bales. " she retrieved lamp and they both sat back on the hay. She ran her hand over her hair and he did the same. Their hair was damp and her hair had became messy. Trying her best to smooth it out she continued pushing her hair back. "This rain has ruined my hair. "

He looked over at her. Maybe it was the way the lamp light hit her face, or the slight dew that was glistening on her face. It mesmerized him how he still felt the same pull toward her as he did when they were young. He turned to her and noticed a tendril of hair loose from her other strands. He took his hand and placed it on her face, grabbing the tendril of hair. He played with it in his fingers before brushing it aside. Something about the gesture made Marillas heart beat faster. That and the way he gazed into her eyes. They were lost in each other and never heard the lighting crack or the thunder roar.Her hand was trying to fix the pins in her hair before the feel of his hand on hers stopped her movements. He felt brave in that moment, something like curiosity washed over him. What would she look like with her hair down instead of in her signature bun. He began to pull the pin.

"What are you.." he silenced her with his hand. He pulled her hair free and was mesmerized by her hair as it cascaded down her back.

"How long has it been since you've let your hair down Marilla?" Her hands dropped to her sides and he removed his hand from her mouth."you look so beautiful with your hair down like this." He ran his hands through her hair. Her heart beat faster as he moved closer to her. She knew what was about to happen. When he smirked she laughed low.

"What are you playing at John.." he stopped for a second just inches from her face. His hand on her neck as he beckoned her to come closer to him.

"You know what I'm playing at marilla." His voice was low, almost a growl. He pulled her to him.

"I.." he silenced her with a tender kiss. It was slow at first. She placed her hands on his chest. Her heart was racing now as he dragged their kiss out. When she felt his tongue slowly drag across her bottom lip she opened her mouth to him. His free hand rested on her waist as his other hand dropped from her neck. Her arms moved from his chest and wound around his neck. When he heard her moan low he changed the angle, dragging them deeper under. His hands moved from her waist to her back. Pulling her closer to him until she was flush with him. They broke apart for just a second, staring into one another's eyes.

"John."

"Marilla I.." then they were connected again. Their tongues joined once more as he pleased with lovers strokes. He turned her backing her against the wall.she felt the wood hit her back as he pulled one of her hands from his neck. Intertwining her fingers with his he brought her hand above her head. They kissed like this for several minutes until they finally needed air. With their hands still intertwined they rest their heads together. Breathless. He couldn't resist giving her one final kiss. He moved to set beside her just as the door swung open.

"Dad! Marilla. Am I glad I found you!"

"Gilbert. We took shelter here when the storm hit. I didn't expect it to be as bad as it was.is everything alright?"

"The storm will be back full force in no time so we best get you two back to green gables. Anne was worried when we got to the house and you two had gone. Then when the storm came she was frightened you'd catch your death of cold. You know how Anne is miss Cuthbert. She insisted I find you!luckily Jerry saw you two headed down here by the pond"

"Well there was no need for Anne to worry so. I am a grown woman for Christ sakes. " John smiled . Had Gilbert come any sooner he'd have witnessed there interaction. He looked at her face. Her lips were slightly swollen from their kiss and he knew her lips were tingling as his was. He could still taste her on his lips.

"Marilla is right Gilbert. We are grown after all, but since you are here we best catch a ride back with Gilbert marilla. Did you bring the buggy son?"

"Yes dad."

"Good." He stood up from the hay, extending his arm to her. When he noticed her hair pins on the blanket he sneakily snatched them putting them in his pocket. The 3 of them exited the shed and followed Gilbert to the buggy. Gilbert extended his hand to marilla but John dismissed him, telling him to get in first. He himself helped her in. When he climbed in he sat beside her. Gilbert had the reigns and they were off.She was deep in thought the whole way back to green gables. John studied her face the whole way back. She had to have felt what he felt. She responded to openly. She hadn't hesitated. She matched him step for step the whole encounter. The sound of her moaning still fresh In his mind, he began to wonder how she would sound in the throes of passion. He invisioned her hair down, as he removed her corset. He could see the moonlight dancing across her face as he kissed her, revealing her to him. He could almost feel the way her legs wrapped...

"Dad..."

"Yes son.."

"We are here."

"Sorry son. Im a little worn out, I guess I must have went into a daze."

"It's ok dad." John exited the buggy, helping marilla down. When she heard Anne calling she turned to see her.

"Marilla! Thank god your alright. You could have caught your death of cold. I was worried."She hugged marilla then stepped back. "Where were you?"

"We were by the pond when the storm hit. We didn't realize the clouds had turned as dark as they were. So we took shelter in the shed by the tree line. Sadly, i lost my hair pins on the run there." He was shocked. Had marilla just told a lie.

"I'm just glad your alright, and mr Blythe was there with you. "

"Yes John kept me company. "

"That's good to hear."

"We best let these two go. John and Gilbert has had enough excitement for today dealing with us two."

" it was a pleasure marilla. Getting stuck in a storm with you was the highlight of my day."

"Well, I don't wish to repeat it anytime soon. My hair certainly doesn't wish to."

"Well Gilbert. Let's be off and let these two ladies get back inside. I don't want to be traveling when the rain starts up again."

"Yes dad."

"Evening Marilla. Evening Anne."

"Evening John, Gilbert."

"Goodbye Gil, mr Blythe."

They began walking up the path to green gables.

"Something tells me he didn't mind being stuck in the storm with you Marilla."

"That'll be enough on the subject and we will never discuss that again."