Later on that evening, as Walter walked Una to the manse, he asked her, "Dearest Una, what date shall we set for our union?"
Una cherished that Walter's more poetic side was beginning to flourish alongside their newfound love. "I really don't know, Walter. This is all so sudden, but something tells me that you've already got a date in mind."
"Well actually, I do, if you don't mind?"
"I won't know until you tell me."
"I know it's rather soon, but I would like to take you on an extended honeymoon and still have time for the children to adjust to our new home before school resumes in September. July 2nd isn't too soon, is it?"
"I would marry you tomorrow, but I don't want our wedding to take place the day that was set aside for me to marry that atrocious man," she stood still in her tracks. "What do you mean, new home?"
"You don't think that we'll still live at Ingleside?" he asked. "I love that old house more than anything, but it already has two mistresses. You deserve a home of your own; where you can dance in the moonlight with your husband and no one will care."
"I've never really danced before, Walter. I don't know how," she admitted, the old rule for ministers' children still holding her back.
"Allow me to remedy that situation, milady. May I have this dance?" he asked, bowing before her.
Una allowed him to take her in his arms as they began to waltz with Rainbow Valley serving as their ballroom. It was natural the way her body allowed his to lead from a fast waltz until they only rocked together as the silvery moon broke through the clouds and shined upon them, and Walter quoted a poem of Rossetti's.
"I wish I could remember the first day,
First hour, first moment of your meeting me;
If bright or dim the season it might be;
Summer or winter for aught I can say.
So, unrecorded did it slip away,
So blind was i to see and to forsee,
So dull to mark the budding of my tree
That would not blossom, yet, for many a May.
If only I could recollect it! Such
A day of days! I let it come and go
As traceless as a thaw of bygone snow.
It seemed to mean so little, meant so much!
If only now I could recall that touch,
First touch of hand in hand! - Did one but know!"
They remained there, in each other's arms for what seemed like both an eternity, but somehow not long enough.
"I guess that I hadn't thought about where we will live. Of course, we've only been planning a few hours," Una said, gazing dreamily into Walter's equally dreamy eyes.
"I've been planning since Shirley talked some sense into me the night Charlie was born."
"Shirley talked to you, about me?"
"Yes. He's very grateful you turned him down because he is very happy and content. I have to admit, I'm very grateful that you turned him down as well. I could never really look at you as a sister. You're so much more," he told her before leaning down for a soft, passionate kiss.
"So, where do you plan for us to live?" she coyly asked when they finally started down the path to the manse once again.
He only squeezed her hand and told her, "You shall find out soon enough. "
By the day before their wedding, Walter had yet to inform Una of where they would live. Instead, after the entire clan was gathered for an Ingleside lunch (the entire clan did arrive for this wedding, for no one wanted to miss the blessed event, babies or not) Walter announced that everyone needed to pile into their cars and follow some written directions to somewhere special.
Graceful Anne rode in the car with Walter, Una, Tenny, and Hope. Walter made all four of his passengers wear a blindfold. They drove rather close to the sea, because the sound of the tide soothed Una's small amount of anxiety.
"Where are you taking us, Daddy?" Hope asked from Una's lap.
"You shall see very soon, Prairie Princess."
"Dad, this blindfold is getting hot," Tenny complained.
"You will live, son."
Grace informed him, "Uncle Walter, I can see through my blindfold."
"Then just button your eyes until we get to where we are going, Little Rilla. I can't have you giving away my secret." Gracie did as her uncle instructed. She liked it when he called her Little Rilla. She though her mummy was wonderful. Actually, Graceful Anne thought her entire extended family was just wonderful. She had only met one person in her life she didn't like, and she was told that he would never be returning to the Glen.
Finally, Walter parked the car and led everyone out to where they could see his surprise. "Okay, one, two, three, take off your blindfolds!"
They did as he instructed, and gasps were let out by all. "Is this what I think it is?" Una asked Walter as she wrapped her arm around her waist.
"Yes, Dear Una, this is our new home," he said as he showed off the lovely old Victorian home that he, Hope, and Graceful Anne had found in the spring.
"We're going to live here in my house of dreams!" Hope exclaimed as all the other cars started to arrive in awe of Walter and Una's wonderful new home.
"Why yes we are, Prairie Princess! I signed the papers last week. It's all ours. What do you think, young Albert?"
Tenny looked about the house, then looked to where Anne and Gilbert were standing with Walt, John, Faith, and Jem. He was sure going to miss living with them, especially Walt, but the practical bent in him realized that if he had to live any other place than Ingleside or Dovedale, this would be the best. "I think it's pretty great, Dad."
Diana walked up, holding Laura, "What are you going to call your home, Una?"
Una looked around the house, then at the little girl who was already running through the front door with Grace, Cecilia, and Maddie to claim her bedroom. "I think that this is already, Hope's Cove."
Walter looked at his beloved in agreement, then turned around to address his family, "Everyone, welcome to our knew home, Hope's Cove."
There will be at least one more chapter, before we see the end of this fic. I know that last few all ended where we could end it there, but I have a little more planned. Rest assured though, the much lamented alternate ending will not take place. Please continue to read and review, it's the great encourager.