A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to update. Thanks for reading. So, to keep everyone updated, I'm going to end the reunion next chapter or at the end of this one. Afterwards, maybe some life at Queen's…I hope you're enjoying the story, and please review!

Andrea1984: Hi there! Clarissa Payne is a character I made up. She is Shirley's wife. I think there is a vague description of her in Chapter 4. Maybe I'll add more about her later…

Stella Maynard: I love getting your reviews! They're nice and long. I think that Una would have grown over the years, so that's why she's a little different, but you'll see later that some things don't change. ;) She's supposed to be the cool aunt everyone likes for now. About Una's age…I'm going to guess that she's in her mid to late thirties? I'm not quite sure myself. And you'll have to see what I come up with later on about Una's job and being roommates with Emily. Don't worry, there's a logic to my madness. :) You'll see Diana this chapter, but the rest of Anne's college friends will come along later in the story. You'll also meet Mary Vance again! I never really liked her, but I guess it's appropriate to make a small appearance. I thought Zara was an interesting name too. Let's hope the personality lives up to the name. Thanks for the wonderful reviews!

After Aunt Persis came to Ingleside, the days seemed to roll by too quickly, and it was almost the end of the reunion. Aunt Una managed a couple of extra days, but had to leave eventually. Of course, Uncle Shirley would have to go back to Montreal and continue to work. Uncle Ken had an impending business trip, Aunt Di was going to teach a few summer courses in Summerside, and Uncle Jem needed to return to his needy patients. Leslie and Owen Ford were also disappointed, for they missed the Blythes and couldn't visit often. After all, they lived with Persis and her family in Tuscany, and it was so hard to travel so far. It was a gloomy morning. Susan returned the night before, after Cousin Sophia Crawford died. Everyone sulked around the home or tried to make the best of their last days together. Emily was awfully sad, but tried desperately to hide that from everyone, although it was quite obvious. Tensions gradually disappeared between Alex, Ally, and Will, most of the girls traded fashion tips and promised to visit each other often, and the rest grouped off to share some final moments together. Aunt Una was upstairs packing when Emily came in.

"I wish you didn't have to go. I'll miss you terribly, Aunt Una."

"Emily, I will always be with you. And you know we'll always keep in touch. But I really need to go back to Washington. I would ask your father if you could come back with me, but I'd be so busy, and I don't want you to feel neglected."

"I wouldn't!"

"You'd be bored out of your mind, darling. Maybe after war tensions ease a bit…"

"…that might be awhile."

Una sighed and sat down on the bed next to Emily. "You're right. It might be awhile before the war is over. That's why you should stay in Canada until then. Home is the safest place for you, Em. Washington D.C. is possibly a dangerous place, and I would never forgive myself if you got hurt because of me."

"It's just as unsafe for you as it is for me."

"I know. It's a risk I have to take. I have a profession and responsibilities, Emily. You'll have some too some day."

"I hate responsibilities."

"I do too."

"Mother says we'll all have more as the war goes on," sighed Em, as she sat on Aunt Una's luggage. "When do you leave?"

"Tonight. I sent for a car to pick me up and take me to the nearest airport."

"Why isn't Uncle Shirley taking you?"

"I don't think Aunt Clarissa really likes me, dearest."

"Why wouldn't she? You're perfect."

Una smiled, but it was a rather meaningless one. There was definitely a reason why Clarissa didn't like her, but it would be wrong to tell Emily until they were truly alone. "She has terrible rows with Uncle Shirley about me, darling. Aunt Clarissa probably thinks I'm a disgrace."

"The nerve of her!"

Peter and Harry sat on the veranda, listening to the daily radio broadcast. War seemed inevitable when Harry or Peter were around. They loved keeping up with the latest news and informing everyone of it. Jerry and Shirley often scolded them, but nothing seemed to work.

"Can you believe the rate of this war? I can't wait to join up! But what division would I choose?"

"I'm going to join the air force, like my Father."

"That'd be nice, but the navy isn't a bad choice either. Anyway, I got some information about a military academy in Toronto. It might be a good substitute for Queen's." Harry had thought about going to Ambrose ever since he can remember. It was a great opportunity to jump start his career in the military. But now the timing seemed perfect, yet completely wrong. The academy could help train him before he turned 18, but he couldn't leave the family, especially with Will leaving for war soon. "I want to talk to Father about it, but it seems selfish to want to go."

"I guess so, but Aunt Nan and Uncle Jerry are so nice. They would want whatever is best for you. But Pennington Place would be awfully lonely without you this year."

"I've got it all planned. If I go to Ambrose, then Matt can move in with you guys, if he wants."

"I think he's content with staying with the Lewis family," sighed Peter, who changed the subject before Uncle Jerry came back from the store. "Can you believe the reunion is almost over? I don't want to go back to Montreal yet."

"It seems like we've only been here for a few hours, not two weeks. Well, let's go fishing in Rainbow Valley for old time's sake!"

Diana Wright sat in the old Ingleside kitchen with her lifelong chum, Anne. Diana and Fred moved to Four Winds Point a few years ago after retiring. Anne and Diana often found time to spend with each other. No amount of separation could damage their friendship, and they still talked as if they were the little girls in Avonlea.

"All the kids running around, I really feel old now." Diana might have felt old, but she was still the beautiful girl she always was. The dark curls were replaced with gray, but the rosy cheeks still burned brightly.

"I'm afraid we are old, Di. I don't want them to leave. If all my little grandchildren could just stay, I'd feed them and care for them forever."

"You'll spoil them rotten, Anne. Shouldn't you check on the soup?"

"Oh, you're right. Poor Emily, she's so upset Una has to leave."

"Is Una going to quit her job at the Embassy when Em goes to college?"

"I don't know, but she's pretty set on helping Emily through Yale."

"Can you imagine all the kids 'roaming' around the world? Susan will go crazy," laughed Di.

"There's not much we can do to stop them, can we? It's a new generation."

"I guess so, but--" Before Diana could finish, Tim burst into the kitchen. "What is it, sweetie?"

"Grandma Di, Daphne is going to kill me!"

"Why is Daphne going to "kill" you, Tim?" Anne was astounded that Tim would use such a strong word.

"I was looking through her bag for something to play with. I thought she might have brought something from home."

"Tim, darling, I don't think Daphne had anything for you. She's a bit old for toys, don't you think?"

"She's only 16. Beth and Audrey have their old dolls that I play with."

"Do Beth and Audrey know you play with their dolls?" Grandma Di always knew when Tim left out certain details of the story.

Tim hesitated for awhile, but then shook his head.

"Darling, you need to learn to respect other people's privacy. Daphne didn't want you to go through her belongings, darling. I want you to find Daphne and apologize to her. And you should probably ask Beth and Audrey for their dolls next time."

Tim sighed and left the kitchen with his head hung low, leaving Diana and Anne chuckling.

A few hours later, Mrs. Miller Douglass arrived at Ingleside. As you may recall, Mary Vance was known for her sharp tongue and some things never change. Even now, years later, Mary Vance had taken over for Miss Cornelia as the town gossiper. Two years ago, Miss Cornelia passed away due to illness and ever since, Mary Vance had done everything possible to fill her shoes. Miller Douglass was currently away visiting distant family, but Mary Vance insisted on staying back to attend the reunion. She had no children because she never was the maternal type. But she visited Rilla's family often, although she was usually unwanted.

"Nan, Di! Oh, look at you two! It's been so long. Di, remind me to give you some of my anti-wrinkle cream before I leave. I had it shipped from Paris. It works miracles. And Nan! Is motherhood wearing you out? I could never imagine having six kids!" Di gave a little snort and left to go "prepare dinner". She never really cared about what Mary Vance said when they were younger, but she should have grown out of it by now.

"Well, Mrs. Miller Douglass, I have six beautiful children that I'm proud of. They might tire me at times, but motherhood is the most rewarding thing in the world." And with that, Nan stomped off in the same direction Di did. Jerry gave a pleased smirk after Nan left, but Mary Vance was distracted when Una came in the room.

"Una, why surely this can't be you, is it?" Una's shy, tentative smile slowly crept over her. She loved Mary Vance, but she put on such airs! Mary pulled Una into a tight embrace. She believed she would always be in debt to Una for rescuing her from that old barn. Mary Vance did everything she could to give Una a 'better lifestyle', but Una was very content with where she was.

"Darling, you look so pale and weak. Are you sure you're eating right? I knew living in the States would break you. You poor thing, I'm taking you straight back to my house until you get better."

"Honestly, I'm fine, Mary. I love Washington. Really, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"Why are your things packed? You aren't leaving, are you?" Mary seemed like she was on the verge of tears.

"I have to. I really must get back to work, Mary."

"Don't be silly, Una. You're going to stay for dinner first. The kids will never forgive you if you leave without saying goodbye."

"Of course, I'll stay for dinner, Jem. I wouldn't dream of leaving without saying goodbye to the darlings, but I have to leave afterwards."

Mary pulled Una aside for what seemed like ages, and Una was so glad to hear that dinner was ready, she nearly ran away from Mary.

That night, dinner was a sober one. The children couldn't have looked more depressed, and nobody could do anything to help. Parting ways was always hard. Anne and Gilbert tried to pep them up, but it was no use. The only person carrying on conversation was, of course, Mary Vance.

"It's been ages since I've seen all of you. I do visit Rilla and Ken often, but it's just not the same. Do you kids know about our little adventures in Rainbow Valley? But back then, we had very strict upbringings, not like today."

Anne scanned the table. Her poor grandchildren looked like they were going to die of boredom. They looked so sad…

"Yes, Faith was quite the trouble-maker in her day, but I suppose Jem has slowed her down. He always could silence us."

"I wish he'd do it now," whispered Sarah to Emily, who giggled.

"Is everything alright, sweetheart?" Jerry took the chance to try to bring forth a new subject immediately.

"Yes. I was just thinking about when you were young. You know, a long time ago. Please pass the mash potatoes, Alex."

"Well, I also remember your father was also a trouble-maker. He loved to slide down banisters and cause any type of ruckus with Carl. And your mother was a feisty one. She always had a sharp tongue with me, still does. Always defending Una, Faith, or Di."

"Well, Aunt Faith is a loyal friend, Mrs. Douglass," interrupted Ally. She loved Aunt Nan's and Uncle Jerry's family so much that she hated to hear anything against them.

Conversations remained the same throughout dinner. The mood was generally quiet. Nobody wanted to interrupt Mary Vance, in case she bit their head off. After dinner, the children made their way into groups while the adults cleaned up and made future plans. Emily slipped out to Rainbow Valley to ponder over all the thoughts and emotions spinning in her head. She dreaded the moment when Aunt Una would leave, but nobody understood how much. It broke her heart to see Aunt Una go.

"Emily, are you okay?" Una had seen Emily leave and decided to check on her.

Emily apparently hadn't heard Aunt Una come up and jumped slightly. "Oh, Aunt Una, you gave me a fright…… I was just thinking about leaving Ingleside. It never gets easy, does it?"

"No. It was so hard to leave the Island after graduating from Redmond. I remember feeling like something was missing from life here, but it was hard to part from it too. I know you know about your Uncle Walter. He was always so good at goodbyes because he said to him there was no such thing as a goodbye, just farewells and that he would never be too far away from us. That's how it is now too. These bells, this house, it all haunts me, Em. I needed to leave. There was no way I could stay on the Island without being overwhelmed. Everyone always asks why I moved away or why I'm not married, it's too much to handle at times. But Emily, I know growing up is hard, and I know you don't want me to go, but I know no matter what you decide to do or where you go, I'll always be here for you."

"I know. I'll just miss you. Every time we say goodbye, I feel like I die a little or another part of me is missing."

"Don't worry; Queen's will fill the void. You'll meet new friends and you'll learn to be independent, more than you already are, that is. Be strong, Emily. Keep faith and you'll be fine. I'm proud of you."

"Is that what Uncle Walter told you?"

"Yes, and I've tried to follow his wishes everyday of my life. How am I doing?"

"Great, you're doing great."

Una smiled shyly. She and Emily were like best friends rather than aunt and niece. In the distance, they could see Molly tearing down the hill.

"Well, I guess this is it. Give me a hug, darling. You take care, alright?"

"Write me everyday."

"I will. Promise me you'll keep faith."

"I promise. I love you, Aunt Una."

"I love you more." Emily decided not to walk back up to Ingleside just yet. She could hear the car drive away and various sounds of the family walking back into the home. The wind silently blew the old bells, which softly chimed once again. The flowers swayed and the dark night sky was filled with bright stars. Ingleside was always there with its inviting windows and charming air. This would always be home.

A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I've been having writer's block for awhile. Hoped you like this new chapter. I'm depending on your feedback for the next chapter. PLEASE REVIEW!