Chapter 25

Gilbert glanced anxiously at Henry, who rolled his eyes at him. Anne had been asked to recite at the White Sands Hotel concert in aide of the hospital in Charlottetown and the three had been asked to revive their slate skit. Anne had at first protested, saying she would rather make people cry than laugh, but Henry had convinced her it would be best to do both, make people cry and then laugh, to lift them back up. Diana had come over to help Anne dress and Gilbert was attempting to wrap his mind around the fact that while he wasn't Anne's escort to the concert, he was attending with her, Henry and Diana. Jane Andrews had asked if Anne would like to go over with her and her brother Billy, but Anne had sunnily said her and Diana planned on riding over with Gilbert and Henry.

Gilbert knew he could count on Henry to play the gentleman for Diana, leaving Anne to him. And that was a thought that caused his breath to catch. It would almost be like a preview of what it might be like to court Anne someday. He was nervous and terrified he would give his feelings for Anne away before she was ready and she would shut him out of her heart again.

When Anne and Diana appeared downstairs finally, Gilbert opened his mouth but not a sound came out. He tried again with similar results, Henry to cover his friend's sudden loss of speech, strode over to Anne and grasping both her hands in his and said, "Who is this gorgeous young lady and where is my sister? You know carrot hair, fond of smashing my best friend's head with a slate?"

"I only did that once and I apologized to Gil for it!" Anne protested.

"But you never apologized to the slate, Anne!" Henry exclaimed laughing.

"Gil's head is the one that broke it and I didn't hear him apologizing to that poor little slate," Anne said.

"If you would have forgiven me, I would have gone down on my knees and made my apologies to your slate Anne," Gilbert said with a laugh, not completely able to hide the tenderness in his eyes.

"I was such a silly goose, but I'm glad we are friends now," Anne said smiling at Gilbert.

"And we had best get going before we are late and you decide you'd rather not be my friend," Gilbert said lightly to hide his racing heart at the thought that Anne would arrive on his arm.

"Oh no, Gil," Anne said smiling up at him. "We're kindred spirits, you won't get out of this friendship now, its forever. Until we are old and gray and even past then."

Please let it be, Gilbert silently prayed.

"You had better let me help you with your coat, Diana," Henry said.

Gilbert helped Anne into her own wrap, his hands lingering on her shoulders.

As they entered the hall Gilbert could tell the instant Anne was swamped with insecurity and shyness. She leaned into him and as much as he wanted to shelter her with his form, he knew he couldn't allow her to hide away. "Your going to be brilliant, Carrots. Absolutely brilliant and if all else fails, break a slate."

Anne gave a laugh at this and standing straighter, said,"My weapon of choice, I suppose."

"You wield it well," Gilbert assured her. "No one would expect someone as delicate and fairy like as you to be able to bring it down with such force."

"I truly am sorry, Gil," Anne said earnestly. "You must have been so mad at me."

"I was never mad, Anne. Awestruck. Amazed. Amused. Apologetic," Gilbert said with a grin.

"Ambushed?" Anne asked with a laugh her eyes sparkling.

"I do believe that is how I would describe my first meeting with Henry," Gilbert said with a quiet chuckle.

While Gilbert knew the rest of the audience was watching the professional elocutionist on stage, Gilbert was watching something nearer and dearer to his heart. Anne was completely entralled by the woman's preformance and Gilbert unabashedly watched the play of emotion across her features. When the end came and the rapture died from Anne's face and she covered her face with her slim delicate hands, he knew that she was wishing herself back at Green Gables, scared to follow a recitation that had given her such thrills. Gilbert reached out and gently pulled her hands from her face, and gave her a wink, causing a laugh, half hysterical, to bubble up. In the next second Anne's name was called and she made her way to the stage. Gilbert watched her go, silently willing her to not be afraid, for the vivacious confident girl he loved to emerge. While the shy, sweet Anne that had emerged tonight, made Gilbert's breath catch and long to protect her, the vibrant confident Anne made his heart race and pride swell up in him, for her own magnificence.

His heart clenched as her wide frightened eyes, in her paler than normal face, looked out at the audience. He wanted so badly to go to her and allow her to hide her face in his suit coat. To protect her from all the eyes peering at her. But he knew she could do this and that once she found her courage she would awe them. He couldn't help but also think of how achingly lovely she was up there, alone against a backdrop of palms. He leaned toward her as if pulled by a magnet to her, a smile of triumph, knowing she would succeed on his features. Anne's frightened scared eyes met his and all of a sudden she was standing just a little taller, her fear replaced by confidence. Gilbert had managed to pass courage onto her in his smile. Anne refused to let him down, to fail as he watched her, so sure of her success.

After Anne left the stage Gilbert was unsurprised when they encored her. He and Henry were right there cheering as loud as the rest, possibly louder. Anne returned and gave a short funny piece, that was enthusiastically received. When Anne stepped back on stage with the two tall boys, the audience, having already been impressed by her leaned forward eagerly. Now that Anne had finally made peace with Gilbert, their slate skit came off even better than before and the crowd was wild for the chemistry of friendship and love that was playing out in front of them. Gilbert and Henry each grabbed one of her hands at the end and raisng them up, all three bowed down together, before hands clapsed, they exited the stage together.

"You made them cry and laugh, Anne!" Henry said grinning from ear to ear still holding one of her hands as Gilbert held the other.

The rest of the evening flew by for the group. Anne was paraded around and exclaimed over. Gilbert and Henry watching and laughing. The were invited into dine and Gilbert couldn't keep the pride from having Anne on his arm as he escorted her off his face. They would leave for Queens soon, but for tonight, even as he shared her with the crowd, Anne was his. It wasn't Henry she turned to in her uncertain moments. It wasn't Henry who's arm she reached for as they moved about and it wasn't Henry who at the end of the event, exhusted but happy she laid her head ons shoulder. It was him. As he glanced at her asleep on his shoulder, Gilbert whispered almost to quiet to hear, "I love you, Anne-girl."