I do not own the Anne series. L.M. Montgomery does.
Gilbert and Anne
The Love Story: Chapter 2
Anne touched her lips and her reflection in the mirror followed suit.
"Cordelia, how I wish could turn back into the scrawny, little runt that first came to Green Gables," whispered Anne.
She always found, that if she closed her eyes and sat for a while in silence, she could almost hear and feel Matthew Cuthberry. His presence seemed to resonate in Green Gables, in the barn, and in the orchard.
Sometimes his voice calling her name rang in her ears. Sometimes she would answer, pretending that everything could be as it was, before boys – no men, complicated her life. Before Matthew had passed. Before Marilla was left alone with Green Gables.
Gilbert was as steady as the beating of her own heart. But now, with Morgan sitting downstairs in the parlour, her heart was beating a tattoo of its own speed, which outraced any of Gilbert's professed love.
If he was here with her, right at this moment, she knew any excitement over seeing Morgan would pale in the light of seeing Gilbert.
But he wasn't here, and Morgan was sitting downstairs on the sofa in the parlour, waiting for someone to talk to him. How long could a guest sit alone?
A light tap on the door. Anne smiled as Marilla entered the room. She recalled the incident of green hair, where the presence of Marilla had been as feared as a mouse is of a snake.
Yet somehow, Marilla had always righted the wrong. Perhaps she could fix this mistake of love.
"Marilla," began Anne.
"Anne Shirley, you just march right back downstairs and tell that young man to remove himself from here right away," said Marilla grimly. "You're to be a Blythe, not a unknown stranger's wife."
"But I don't know—" said Anne, interrupted by Marilla's forceful stare.
As she made her way down the stairs to the parlour, Morgan met her at the bottom of them.
"My darling," he said, bending over her hands like an elaborate Frenchman. "Can we talk somewhere private dearest?" he asked humbly.
Her firm resolve melted as snow under the gleaming sun. "Just a few minutes Morgan. I have errands to run for Marilla."
He led her into the parlour and sat down beside her on the settee. "Dearest Anne," he said gravely. "It was a mistake for me to let you go."
"Morgan, I left you. You did not leave me. I chose to be with someone else, Gilbert who I love, with all of my being," said Anne passionately. "Please don't make this more difficult than it needs to be. You will find another woman who will suit you far better than I ever could have."
"No, Anne…you are the one who suits me. You made me think, feel alive. Anne, I need you in my life. Please, don't tell me to walk out that door, without one hope of being with you one day."
