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Chapter 26

Anne leaned against the rail of the ferry and saw, with melancholy, the mainland of Nova Scotia getting smaller and smaller. Slowly the sun set and gave the sea a red gleam. She felt a hand on her shoulder. With a smile, she leaned against Gilbert.

"What are you thinking about, Anne?" he asked softly.

"I am thinking about the children. They must go to bed soon. Mary will forget to pray and Peter doesn't want to get out his socks.." She stopped and looked silently at the sea.

"Will you miss them?" An insecure tone was in his voice.

Anne nodded and took his hand in hers.

"Anne, will you regret marrying me?"

With wide eyes, Anne turned to him: "How can you think that?"

"Ah.. I only think you will miss your work.. Do you think you can be happy with me?" Anne stopped his words as she laid a finger on his lips. With loving eyes she looked at him:

"Gil, I can only be happy with you. Of course, I will miss the children, but that doesn't mean I regret my decision." Gently, she laid her hand on his cheek. "I love you Gil. And it is my deepest wish to be together with you." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

He laid his arms round her waist and held her in his arms. While this was happening, the small island came nearer and was waiting for their arrival.

It was almost dark when the train finally stopped at Bright River Station. John Blythe was waiting for them with the buggy.

"Hello Anne, Gil." He called and hugged them both. "Did you have a nice trip?" Anne nodded: "It was wonderful, but actually there couldn't be anywhere more beautiful than here. PEI is something special." She smiled and looked around.

John laughed: "If I hadn't known better, I would have said you were an Islander, Anne. Mrs. Lynde would be enthusiastic if she could hear your words, now. She is always distrustful of all people who are not Islanders. But you are still one of us, Anne." He laughed again and carried the baggage to the buggy.

The Blythe homestead was brightly illuminated when they stopped in front of it in the darkness. Gilbert gave Anne his hand to help her down. Anne's feet had hardly touched the ground before Sarah came running out of the house.

"Miss Shirley," she yelled excitedly.

Anne squatted down and hugged her.

"Hello, Sarah, how are you?" she asked, laughing.

"Oh, it is so nice to see you again, Miss Shirley."

Meanwhile Mary was there, too and hugged them. It was a wonderful arrival. Anne felt as she had come home.

They sat together in the parlour of the Blythe home and chatted about everything. After a while, Sarah started to yawn.

"I think it is time to go to bed, Sarah," Mary said.

But Sarah opened her eyes wide and shook her head.

"Oh, please no, I want to stay up a little bit more." Sarah pleaded.

"It is still too late. You are tired." Mary answered.

Again Sarah yawned.

"You should really go to bed, Sarah." Anne answered with a smile. "We want to do many things tomorrow. You must have enough sleep to do it all."

Sarah thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. Anne brought her upstairs to bed and soon she was fast asleep.

The wedding would happen in only two weeks. Everyone was working hard on the plans. Mrs. Blythe swept and cleaned the whole house without resting. Diana talked all the time about the seating arrangement, about Anne's hairdo and so on.. Sometimes, all the bustle was too much for Anne and she longed for a walk with Gil. To stroll with him down to the lake, listen to the birds, holding his hand, and whispering sweet words to him.