The Actual Proposal
A/N: I know in 'The Sequel' Anne and Gilbert profess their undying love for each other, but really… how was that a truly "Gilbert" proposal? I mean, everyone knows he could/would do SO much better than that… so here's my take on it :o)
I walked back toward Green Gables as the beautiful amber of day was quickly fading, giving way to the inky blue-black of night. The picturesque scene before me as I neared the top of the hill was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen, and every time I walked home I was captivated, taken into my dream world. That night however, the sight was merely added enchantment to the already dream-like state I was in. I seemed to float over the earth, rather than trudging through it as I normally did. My thoughts that evening were on one person, Gilbert Blythe.
Gilbert had 'proposed' just moments before and as much as I hated parting ways with him, I knew that it would only be for a brief time. As I walked home I envisioned the expressions of all of my friends at the bonfire when Gil and I would tell them the good news. When I reached Green Gables, Marilla and Rachel Lynde were out on the porch, drinking their tea. Marilla had always been one to notice my moods, even when my expressions failed to give them away.
"What's gotten you in such a delighted disposition tonight Anne?" she asked, smiling as if she already knew.
"Why Anne," Rachel Lynde interjected. "You look downright blithe."
I couldn't help but laugh at her comment. "Good choice of words," I replied, still smiling from ear to ear.
"Oh, Anne, is it true then?" Marilla asked, although not looking the least bit surprised.
"Well," I began, wanting to tell her everything at that moment. "Gilbert proposed, and I accepted." Marilla stood up as to give me a 'congratulations' hug. I smiled even more, squealed somewhat like a little pig and jumped into Marilla's open arms.
"It's about time," Rachel said, as usual, giving her opinion. "You know I pride myself on speaking my mind, and Marilla and I for years have been saying how Providence matched you two up from the beginning. All the way back from the time we heard you broke a slate over his head."
I laughed again, playing the scene over in my mind. Oh, how mad I was at Gilbert for calling me 'Carrots' even if he did just want to get to know me.
"Well, if you'll excuse me," I said, walking into the house. "Katherine and I have a bonfire to attend." I opened the door and was met with the scent of a freshly baked apple pie. Marilla made the best apple pie in the world.
"Will Gilbert be joining you then?" Marilla asked, hoping he would be driving Katherine and I to the bonfire.
"He is picking Katherine and I up promptly in twenty minutes," I said, smiling again at the thought of telling everyone we were engaged. "Although Diana will be driving us back here after the party is over. Gil can't stay long; he still hasn't fully recovered and needs his rest." I walked inside and up the stairs to the east gable, my humble little room. Katherine was wearing one of the dresses she and I made this summer. She had grown to look so much younger in the few weeks we were in Avonlea.
"Anne, will you do my hair?" she asked, oblivious to my overwhelmingly dazed appearance. "I just can't ever get it to look as good as you can." She turned away from the mirror to face me. "Anne, are you alright?"
"Alright?" I repeated. "I'm more than alright. I'm overjoyed and in complete and utter awe about being engaged!"
"Engaged? Oh Anne!!" She ran over to me and gave me a huge hug. "I am so happy for you. You deserve it Anne."
"Thank you Katherine, and of course I will do your hair. Although I do think it looks rather nice like that." Katherine sat down on the bed and I took the pins out of her hair, allowing her brown locks to fall to her shoulders. I carefully wrapped her hair back up into the latest fashion and placed the pins just so; that way they wouldn't be seen. "You look wonderful," I complimented, as she stood up and turned to face the mirror again. She hugged me again, although immediately letting go this time, and sauntered out of the room and down the stairs to show off her new look to Marilla and Rachel.
I walked over to the closet to choose a dress for the evening. I thought for a moment and then decided on one that I hadn't worn in almost three years. It was a light green dress that I had worn to Charlie Sloan's clam bake. I distinctly remembered Diana telling me that Gilbert told Fred that he liked the dress. As I took it out of the closet, I brushed the dust off of the bottom of the dress before stepping into it. I also carefully removed my green sweater that matched the dress perfectly. I sat down at my desk and carefully examined myself in the reflective surface. I admired the way the dress thoroughly brought out the emerald in my eyes. I took great care in pinning my hair into place, allowing small strands to fall down around my face, softening my appearance. I slipped on my favorite pair of shoes and walked quickly but carefully downstairs to tell Marilla and Rachel goodbye.
I opened the screen door and leaned over to give Marilla a kiss goodbye. As I stood back up I realized I had left my handbag in my room. I ran back up the stairs into my bedroom and picked up my bag before heading back downstairs to await my Gil's arrival. I reached the last step as I heard Marilla greet a guest.
"Good evening Mr. Blythe," she said. From the tone of her voice, I could sense that she was smiling.
"Good evening, Miss Cuthbert," he replied in a cheerful tone.
"How are you feeling this evening Gilbert?" Marilla inquired.
"I am," he paused. "Quite well, thank you."
"And would Anne be the cause of that?" Rachel piped in, always adding her two cents.
"She would be indeed," he replied. I opened the door as he finished his sentence. Our eyes met immediately and locked. "Anne," he smiled, "you look radiant."
"Thank you Gil," I answered, still holding his gaze. "You look very good yourself."
A long moment of silence followed, as Gil and I stared into the depths of each other's souls. After the silence became too overwhelming for everyone (aside from Gil and I) to bear, Katherine spoke. "Anne, perhaps we should be going."
"What? Oh yes, the bonfire. We should get going." I wouldn't have minded if we stood on the porch the entire night. I was with Gilbert, and nothing else really seemed to matter.
"Anne, before we go, I have something for you," Gil reached into his pocket and pulled out a white rose. He gently pushed it into my hair.
"Thank you Gil, that was so thoughtful," I said, still not really wanting to go anywhere.
"Oh, the flower, it was nothing. This is what I really wanted to give you," Gilbert said with a smirk on his face. He reached into his pocket again and pulled out a beautiful diamond ring. "Anne Shirley, I love you with all of my heart, and I will until the day I die. You are the only one for me. Will you marry me?"
"Gil, you're the only man I could ever love," He put the ring on my finger. "Oh, Gil, it's so beautiful." I was shocked that he had a ring already. "But how did you get it so quickly?" I inquired.
"Anne, you're the only person I could ever marry. I've known since before the first time I asked you to marry me that we would end up together. I bought this ring 3 years ago after saving up all of the money I received from my father for candy, or from my grandfather when he would come by. I saved extra money from every job that I've gotten paid for. Anne, you mean more to me than anything. I'm just so glad that you finally realized it too." Gil took me in his arms and hugged me, holding me close enough to his chest that I could hear his heart beating. A sudden chill ran up my spine, it was an odd sensation that I'd get whenever Gil would look into my eyes. The feeling only intensified when he held me close.
"You kids run along now, or you're going to miss the whole thing," Rachel broke up the moment and shooed us off the porch to Gil's carriage. The day was finally giving in to the night as the sun dipped below the horizon.
"Oh Gil," I said leaning into him for warmth on the drive over to the Benhowl's. I put my head on his shoulder and wondered how I ever led myself to believe that Gilbert Blythe wasn't everything I ever dreamed of. I looked down at my ring finger; the ring was absolutely exquisite. It was breathtaking and wonderful, everything I'd ever imagined it would be. I lifted my head and looked at Gil. How could I ever have even thought about marrying anyone else?
"Katherine, aren't you excited beyond words?" I asked, hoping she would be. She was going to have some potential suitors at the bonfire.
"Oh Anne, how will I ever make it through the night? I'm so nervous. I can't do it."
"Yes you can Katherine; I'll introduce you to those young men that were asking about you, and you'll have a wonderful time. A lot of people that you've already met will be there too. Don't be too nervous Katherine, I promise everything will be fine."
Gil drove the carriage into the barn and tied up his horse. I linked my arm through his and walked closely to him. Together, Gil and I guided Katherine toward the glowing light that was coming from the center of the party.
"Who shall we tell first?" I thought aloud. "I think I see Diana."
A/N: Wow…I am thoroughly surprised I finished another chapter already, although it can be greatly argued that I should have been studying or working on a paper or some other such nuisance. What do I need classes for anyway? Besides, who wouldn't choose writing hopeless romantic type fanfic's over studying for a psychology test? Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Weekend's about here, so maybe another chapter will soon follow. :o) As always, please R&R
