Gilbert went to his classes the next day without seeing Anne first. He assumed she was still asleep. However, she was at the bench by his classroom again the next afternoon. She had a sack lunch from a local deli. They ate in a comfortable silence. Soon, it was time for Gilbert to get back to his class. They shared an embrace before he went. Anne stole his key.

"Hello Gil, have a good day at school?" Anne greeted Gilbert as if there wasn't anything weird about her being in his room.

Gilbert was speechless. He was too busy thinking about how great it would be to she Anne's shining face everyday after a hard day's work. Then his brain kicked in. "Hi Anne, what are you doing here?" he asked with a kiss.

"I pick pocketed you. You should be more careful," Anne answered with another kiss, "Besides, your room has a better feel for writing I'll let you clean up, give me a buzz or a knock when you're done," Anne finished.

"Ok Anne, I'll be looking forward to it," Gilbert replied to Anne. He gave her a quick kiss, and Anne left.

A few minutes later, Anne heard a knock on her door. She opened it, and Gilbert was of course on the other side.

"Want to come over?" he asked,

"I have a lot of homework today, and wont be too good of a host, but I'd love for you to be with me."

"Sure," replied Anne, "I'll be over in a few, go along."

Anne decided to freshen up more than a bit. She changed into a beautiful but casual dress, and made sure she looked the best she could for where she was going.

Gilbert opened the door after Anne's knock. He swept her off her feet into a kiss.

Unbeknownst to Gilbert, Anne was writing about him. She was writing all the stories she could remember. The wink, the slate, shunning him for years, the dance card, you name it. Even the unfortunate Lily Maid.

Anne went back to Avonlea the next day. It was a strange change not being at all close to Gilbert. Not being able to see him everyday. Anne was, however, finished with the first draft of her collection of Gilbert stories. She began editing it.

Before she knew it, the manuscript titled 'Awaiting Love' by Anne Shirley was sent to the publishers for proofing. Anne waited on pins and needles for response. While she was waiting for the response, the Christmas holidays came. Gilbert was back for three weeks.

Anne stole Gilbert away from his family almost everyday. No one seemed to mind either. All the elders left well enough alone. For these three weeks, Anne and Gilbert were children again. Visiting all their haunts, frolicking all around, and both sleeping in their childhood beds. There was just something about being in Avonlea together, that made everything young again. They didn't care about catching cold. It would all be worth it. They had so much fun.

Christmas day came. The Blythes and the inhabitants of Green Gables came together for the celebration.

Anne and Gilbert exchanged their gifts in private. Gilbert gave Anne a gold-plated bracelet. Anne gave an equally stunning gift. The most beautiful pocket watch Gilbert had ever seen. Both of them were at a loss for words. When they finally spoke, they spoke at the same time. "How did you get the money to pay for that?" they asked each other very concerned for each other. Anne was the first to answer,

"It was Mathew's. I just had it engraved." Gilbert hadn't even looked at the engraving. It said 'To Gil, with love, Carrots' Gilbert giggled and then told Anne,

"I have a job alongside school." Then they went back to the room with their elders.

They ate their supper, and then desert. Everything was delicious. After the food, they opened the rest of their presents.

Gilbert got some handkerchiefs from Marilla and Rachel, a new hat, fifteen dollars and a pair of new trousers from his father. Anne got a new dress with gloves to match.

After gifts where exchanged, Marilla gave all the Blythes except Gilbert, who was going to stay with Anne as long as possible, a ride back. Rachel sat and talked with Anne and Gilbert for a while and then got the hint that they wanted some alone time. She began cleaning up after supper.

Anne and Gilbert snuggled in front of the fire until Anne fell asleep with Gilbert as her pillow. When Gilbert noticed that, he covered her up and put a blanket around her. He closed his eyes too, even though he knew he shouldn't have. He knew he should have gone then before the sleepiness set in, but he couldn't help himself. He fell asleep minutes later with his true love in his arms.

Anne woke up around 2am, stirred a little and was about to go back to sleep, then she realized Gilbert was there. Her eyes went big as saucers. "Gil," she whispered to him softly. She nudged him awake. "Gil," she repeated again. "Wha?" mumbled a disorientated Gilbert. "Why are.. why am... why are you here? now?" Anne asked, "I guess I fell asleep holding you," said Gilbert knowing very well what had happened, "Shall I go?" he asked politely. "No, No Gilbert, its too late and too dark now," Anne replied concernedly, "You just go back to sleep, and you can go home in the morning. I'm going to go up to my room. Goodnight!" Anne said with a kiss as she left to go upstairs.

Gilbert didn't sleep much the rest of that night, he was thinking about how good holding Anne through the night. Before he knew it, Anne was back downstairs waking him up.

"Good Morning!" said a cheerful Anne. "Hi," replied Gilbert pulling Anne into a hug. "Your mother came over here early with some clothes and such. She thought that you might want to just change and spend the day with me. I have to do a few arrends in town, and then we can do whatever you want." Anne told Gilbert. "Thats great. Where can I change?" he asked "In the guest room. Its upstairs fourth door on your right," Anne replied as Gilbert went up to change

Gilbert and Anne went to the Lawsons' General store to pick up a few things for Marilla and then went to the post office. Anne mailed Katherine a letter, and there was a letter for her. They exited the store, and then Anne read the letter out loud,

"Dear Ms. Shirley, We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript 'Awaiting Love' has been accepted for publication. Here is your check, of $250 as advanced against our royalties. Congratulations."

"What is this new book?" Gilbert asked.

"You'll see," replied Anne slyly. She wanted Gilbert to see it first hand, not just hear about it.

Soon Gilbert had to go back.

About a month later, Anne received her book. She just had to give it to give it to Gilbert herself. She mailed the boarding house to get her room, and left seven days later.

She arrived at the boarding house very late. "Hello?" she asked, hoping someone would hear her and give her her key. And someone did.

"Ah Ms. Shirley. Here's your key. have a goodnight," the receptionist said giving her the key.

"Thank you, could I have a wake up call around 6:30?" Anne replied.

"Certainly, Goodnight," Anne went upstairs, slipped on her night dress and went to sleep.

She was woken the next morning by the wake up call. She got up and primped. Then called Gilbert. "Hello?" he answered the phone.

"Come over after you get ready," Anne said without saying her name or anything.

"Same room Anne?" Gilbert asked

"Yes," was Anne's reply.

Five seconds after she had hung up, Gilbert was standing at her door.

Anne was immediately swept into a passionate kiss. After that was taken care of, Anne began speaking "The reason I'm here..." she went to go get a copy of her book, "Is to give you my book."

Gilbert read the title, and then said with a laugh "So, this is what you had up your sleeve."

"I'd like to explain it just a bit before you open it," Anne began," even though it sounds like a romance novel, it really is not, but is at the same time. Open it and read the inscription."

Gilbert opened it and read "'Again for Gilbert Blythe, because without him, this book would not exist. And for Diana Barry Wright. For steering clear, even when I didn't know what I wanted, and for being the best bosom friend a girl could have.' Without me this book wouldn't exist?"

"It would not. When you read it you can find out what I mean," Anne replied.

"I can't wait to read it," responded Gilbert. He looked at his watch and then realized that he had to go to class.

"Time just flies by when I'm with you," he observed.

"Yes, it does Gilbert, but you need to go to class," Anne ordered. She planted a kiss on Gilbert's cheek and gave him a hug then Gilbert left for school.

Anne waited outside the school on a bench during Gilbert's lunchtime. She was reading her latest library find. Anne had brought lunch to Gilbert so he could read and eat at the same time.

Gilbert did so. Until he had to leave again. He said before he left, "Anne, this is wonderful. Its a great tribute. I can't wait to read the rest." Gilbert kissed then hugged Anne. Wishing he didn't have to let go.

Gilbert did let go. He walked a few steps and then yelled to get Anne's attention. Gilbert threw Anne his keys with a wink. This wink meant he wanted her to be there when he got home and both of them knew that. Anne made her way back to the boarding house about half an hour later after she had finished the next two chapters of the book she was reading. Though not without going on a couple of arrends first. She went to the bakery to get a few of Gilbert's favorite muffins, (the boarding house didn't have ovens in the rooms, or she would have baked them herself) then to get some peppermints, last of all, she got him a beautiful bookmark. She had to get to the boarding house after that. Gilbert would be getting out of school in an hour.

So Anne got back, put her purchases in her room and checked her hair and makeup. She locked up her door, and went over to Gilbert's she laid down on his bed and waited for Gilbert to return.

She fell into a sound sleep. And Gilbert found himself knocking on his own door. Anne was awoken and she walked to the door with a yawn.

Anne hugged Gilbert before he could even get into his room. Gilbert returned Anne's hug and picked her up so that he could get inside. Still hugging her all the while. Their hug finally ended with a kiss. "I am so in love with you," Gilbert told her after the kiss as she was still in his arms.

After their long and pleasant embrace was over, Gilbert took off his coat. He began unbuttoning his vest. Anne was shocked, "If you're going to undress, I should go," she said.

"Anne, its okay , I'm just taking off this vest. I'm not changing. I would have told you if I was," Gilbert replied reassuringly. Anne was a little bit embarrassed. She turned a bright shade of red. Gilbert noticed that and came over to hug her, "Its alright, Carrots, it was an easy mistake. I should have told you what I was doing."

The next day, Anne was off once again. She arrived at Bright River to find Diana waiting for her. Diana drove her to Green Gables, where everyone was anxious for her arrival.

The daily grind was back the next day. Anne first went to post office. There were a few letters to Marilla, one to Rachel, and one to Anne herself. Anne opened it, it said:

'Dear Ms. Shirley,
I regret to inform you that Captain Morgan Harris has passed away. It is requested in his will that you come to Boston. He has left you a few of his worldly goods and one of the most important things in his life, his daughter. Come as soon as possible. My office is at 224 Maple. Come there during business hours, or come to Captain Harris's home if you arrive after business hours.
Sincerely,
Robert Price, attorney.'