A/N: The following songs in this chapter are not written by me, and they belong to their respective artists and lyricists: "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (I'm sorry I don't know the original recording artist of this song since it's been covered many times), "I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher, and "At Last" by Etta James. I usually don't like putting tons of song lyrics in the middle of a story/chapter, but I had to make an exception in this case. ;)

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Chapter 19: At Last

Three long years had finally passed, and Gilbert was now officially Dr. Gilbert Blythe. Anne beamed with pride as she watched her fiancé receive his diploma. It was hard at times to maintain a long distance relationship because they missed each other so much, but they managed to do so somehow. In their time apart, their relationship grew even stronger, and it also allowed them to slowly plan out details of their wedding. On days where Anne didn't have much to do, she would take Marilla and Diana with her to look at wedding dresses. After looking at literally one hundred dresses, Anne finally chose one that made her feel like royalty after putting it on. It was a strapless, Vera Wang inspired gown that had poofs hanging down towards the bottom of the gown, accenting her figure. Marilla couldn't believe her eyes.

"My little girl's all grown up," she cried as she saw Anne standing on a platform with her dress on. "I never thought I'd live to see the day."

"I never thought my best friend would finally come to her senses to marry the love of her life. It's about time!" Diana joked.

"I know," Anne giggled back. "You think Gil will love me in this?"

"Anne, he'll love you in anything," Diana said with a smile.

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The preparations for the wedding were complete. Diana was to be Anne's matron of honor, Fred was to be Gilbert's best man, Fred, Jr. was to be the ring bearer, and the Wrights' daughter Anne Cordelia was to be the flower girl.. The dresses were picked out, and the tuxedos were ready. The church and reception areas were already decorated and awaiting the happy couple the next day.

Time came for the couple to run through the ceremony with the wedding party. Everything went smoothly, but before the minister could even say "You may kiss the bride," Gilbert grabbed Anne and gave her a passionate kiss. Diana laughed and so did the rest of the people in the church. Even Rachel Lynde was touched by the scene.

"They're made for each other," Rachel whispered to Marilla. She nodded. Everyone in Avonlea knew for quite some time, except Anne, that she and Gilbert were made for each other. It was only time until she realized her true feelings for him.

After the run through, everyone went to the rehearsal dinner at Green Gables. Marilla and Rachel had taken the liberty of cooking the dinner against Anne's original wishes. She didn't want either of them to lift a finger because they had done so much for her already, but they insisted on doing so. Along with Marilla and Rachel were the Blythes, the Wrights, Phil Gordon (or Blake rather) with her husband, the minister and his wife, and Katherine Brooke. The rest of the guests would be at the ceremony and reception tomorrow.

Before dinner was served, John Blythe stood to deliver a small speech.

"I want to propose a toast to Gilbert and Anne, probably the most infamous couple in all of Avonlea. I want to say that I am so proud of my son. I've watched him grow up to be a man and a doctor, and now he'll be a loving husband and father. Gil, you're everything a father could ask his son to be." He started to tear up. "I knew you and Anne were a perfect match the moment I saw you two together, and I wish you nothing but the best. Take care of him, Anne."

"I will," Anne said as she went up to hug her future father-in-law.

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It was time to say goodbye, at least until tomorrow. Diana planned Anne's bachelorette party while Fred planned Gilbert's bachelor party. They knew the love birds couldn't stand to be apart and didn't know if they could last without another until the ceremony. As part of a secret pact between Fred and Diana, Diana would first take Anne to the same karaoke bar that Anne took her for her bachelorette party for a bit of fun. Fred would take Gilbert to the same karaoke bar a bit later; he'd stall by taking the longer route to it. The plan was to reunite the couple unexpectedly so they could spend a bit more time together before the night was over.

"Come on, Anne. Let's go!" called Diana as she got her car ready.

"Can I at least say goodbye to my fiancé first?" begged Anne.

"Okay, but hurry up!" Diana said impatiently. She looked over at her husband and winked.

Gilbert gave Anne a gentle kiss. "I love you, Carrots."

"I love you too, Gil," she said looking into his hazel eyes. "I'll see you at the altar tomorrow."

"Okay." He kissed his fiancée on the nose and watched as she went with Diana.

"Are you ready, Gil?" asked Fred.

"I'm ready," he said, "but where are you taking me?"

"That's a surprise."

"Oh boy. Is it some place appropriate at least?"

"It is. I know you're not into that kind of stuff, so I think you'll like where we're going."

"Okay."

Gilbert got into the passenger seat of Fred's car. He saw Diana's car turn to the right while Fred was going to the left. He wondered how he would get through the night without his little redhead. Meanwhile, Anne was thinking about the same thing. How could she have fun without the love of her life? Ever since she realized how big of a role Gilbert played in her life, she never looked back. He was hers and hers alone. They were so used to doing things together ever since the accident that it was weird to do things on their own. Diana read what was on Anne's mind.

"Cheer up, Anne. I know you're going to love where we're going to."

Anne looked up at the upcoming sign: Paradise Grill & Karaoke Bar. "Karaoke? I haven't done that since your bachelorette party!"

"I know it's been awhile, and besides, we had a blast last time. Why not do the same this time?"

"Diana, you're the best!" She gave Diana a hug after they got out of the car.

Just wait 'til you-know-who shows up, thought Diana.

They went in, and since Diana had called ahead, she was able to call dibs on songs. She went up on stage, and Anne took a seat at a table to watch her best friend perform. Diana chose to sing Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", and she brought down the house with it. Anne was the first to give her friend a standing ovation; others followed her example.

"Thank you. Thank you," Diana said into the microphone. "My friend Anne is getting married tomorrow, and she's sitting over there." She pointed to where Anne was sitting. "I know her and her fiancé really well, and I know they'll be happy together. I also know that she wants to sing a song, so will my best friend please come up on stage?"

Anne went up on stage and looked at Diana. "Are you crazy? I don't know what to sing!"

"I'll find a song for you."

Before she could object, Diana had all ready chosen a song. "Everybody give it up for Anne!"

Anne was greeted with a chorus of cheers. "Diana Wright, you're insane!"

"I know," she said with a grin as she took Anne's seat.

Anne took the microphone and waited for her song to begin.

During this time, Fred had done his part to stall Gilbert's arrival. Gilbert had been dying to know where he was being taken to, but Fred wouldn't budge. Just as they were arriving, he noticed the sign.

"Karaoke?" Gilbert asked. "Fred, you know I don't sing -"

"But you do know who's singing there right now," Fred answered.

"Who?"

"You'll see."

Gilbert and Fred got out of the car and entered the bar. As they made their way over towards the karaoke area, Gilbert noticed the figure of a redhead up on stage. Could it be who he was thinking it was? His thoughts were confirmed when he heard the words coming out of her mouth.

Let me call you sweetheart. I'm in love with you. Let me hear you whisper that you love me, too. Keep the love light shining in your eyes so true. Let me call you sweetheart. I'm in love with you.

Sure enough, it was his fiancée singing her heart out on stage. She could make anything sound poetic and romantic. He went up towards the stage to get a closer look. At the end of her song, he was the first one to burst out with applause. "Bravo!"

"Gil!" she yelled with delight. She ran down the stairs of the stage but tripped on the last one. Gilbert rushed towards the stage to kneel down next to her to find her laughing.

"I'm glad to see that you're all right," he observed. "Is there anything broken?"

"I don't think so." She kissed him. "Why didn't you tell me that you were going to be here?"

"I didn't know. Fred wouldn't tell me where we were going."

"Diana wouldn't tell me either."

They looked over at Diana and Fred who were smiling.

"Did you two plan this out all along?" Anne asked.

They nodded. "You can thank us later," Fred said as he kissed his wife on the cheek.

"Now, Gil," Diana began. "I know you don't sing, but would you like to join Anne in a duet?"

"Please. Pretty please?" Anne pleaded.

"How can I say no to you?" Gilbert said. He joined Anne on stage as they sang a duet.

Anne They say we're young, and we don't know. We won't find out until we grow.

Gilbert Well I don't know if all that's true 'cause you got me, and baby I got you. Babe.

Both I got you, babe. I got you, babe.

At the last "I got you, babe" of the song the entire bar was on its feet. Gilbert's braveness was rewarded with a kiss from Anne. They got off the stage and said their goodbyes, knowing that they had a long day ahead of them.

Tomorrow I'll be Mrs. Gilbert Blythe, Anne thought happily.

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The day that all of Avonlea had waited for for years had arrived. Anne and Gilbert were to be married (finally), and both arrived early at the church, careful not to see each other before the big moment. Through Fred and Diana, they exchanged gifts. Anne gave Gilbert a gold watch, and in return he gave her a white gold necklace with a heart pendant. Anne was so touched that she decided to wear it on this special day. With the help of Marilla and Diana, she got in her dress, had her hair done exactly in the way she knew Gilbert would love it, and had her veil tucked in.

"Matthew would have loved to have seen you like this," Marilla said barely above a whisper.

"I know," Anne whispered back.

"I'm proud of you, Anne. I'm so proud to call you my daughter. I can't imagine having anyone else; I'm so glad I have my girl. You'll make a great wife and mother, Anne. Gilbert is a lucky man, and I know you'll make him happy."

"Thank you, Marilla." She hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"I guess it's time that you join the rest of the wedding party. Gilbert's waiting for you."

Marilla left Anne to take her seat. Anne took one last look at herself in the mirror and smiled. "You'll forever be Anne, Anne of Green Gables."

Anne grabbed her bouquet of lilies of the valley before heading to the back of the line and watched the others walk down the aisle in front of her. Diana was the first to make her way through the church followed by Fred, little Fred in his little tuxedo with the wedding rings, and Anne Cordelia in her pink flower girl's dress throwing rose petals. Anne took a deep breath before beginning her walk. The congregation stood up and turned to look at the blushing bride. While some had doubted her beauty before, they admitted that Anne made a marvelous bride. Anne looked up to see Gilbert ahead of her. She noticed that he looked nervous and was sweating and a bit teary eyed, but he definitely looked happy. His heart started pounding once he saw Anne all dressed in white, just like he imagined. She was his at last. There would be no more lonely days without her, and now they could begin a new journey together.

Gilbert took Anne's arm and walked her up towards the minister.

"Dearly beloved," the minister began, "we are gathered here to witness the union of this man and this woman in holy matrimony."

The rest of the ceremony was blurred up to the "I Do's." Anne and Gilbert glanced sideways at each other throughout the ceremony. Anne thought Gilbert looked ever so handsome and couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life waking up next to the man of her dreams. Gilbert looked at Anne, his angel dressed all in white, and still couldn't believe that after all this time she willingly agreed to be his wife and wanted him as much as he wanted her.

"Do you, Gilbert, take Anne to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?"

Gilbert looked straight into Anne's eyes. "I do."

"And do you, Anne, take Gilbert to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?"

With tears in her eyes, she looked at Gilbert and rubbed her thumb against his hand. "I do."

"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Gilbert lifted his wife's veil over her head and kissed her. My wife, he thought. I love the sound of that.

The happy couple walked up the aisle, making their first walk as husband and wife. They were genuinely in love with each other, and everyone could sense it. The reception area wasn't too far from the church, so the newly married couple decided to take in the country air and walk there. The guests eagerly awaited the arrival of the pair to congratulate them on their marriage. Surprisingly enough, Josie Pye was the first to congratulate them.

"I'm so happy for you two," she managed to say. "Take care."

Anne and Gilbert looked at each other. It was the first time Josie had said something nice to both of them in...forever. They didn't let that initial shock get in the way of the rest of the evening. For the couple's first dance, they chose "At Last," a song they felt that truly conveyed their feelings for one another. The lyrics couldn't have been truer; it was as if the song was written especially for them.

Gilbert led Anne out to the dance floor and began swaying to the beat of the music. They couldn't have asked for a better way to begin their marriage.

At last my love has come along
My lonely days over, and life is like a song
At last the skies above are blue
Well my heart was wrapped up in clover the night I looked at you
I found a dream that I could speak to, a dream that I could call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to, a thrill that I have never known

Well

You smile, you smile
Oh and then the spell was cast, and here we are in heaven for you are mine at last
I found a dream that I could speak to, a dream that I could call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to, a thrill that I have never known

Well

You smile, you smile
Oh and then the spell was cast, and here we are in heaven for you are mine at last
Ooo yea
You are mine, you are mine
At last
At last
At last
At last

At the end of the song, Gilbert took his bride, spun her around, and kissed her. She smiled. "I love you, Gilbert Blythe, for as long as the stars an sun may shine and much, much longer."

This was where she was meant to be, and she wouldn't have it any other way.