Great was the rejoicing in the House of Blythe when Di and Patrick shared their news. Rilla purred complacently at the fact that her sister was getting married at last; Mrs. Blythe was quietly glad that her daughter had found a lasting passion; Dr. Blythe, though he didn't quite think any young man good enough for his Diana, was happy just to see her so happy; and Shirley, who came up from Avonlea that week, was openly triumphant.

"I knew it," he said, kissing Di's cheek and hugging Patrick. "I knew from the first time you two met that you were destined to be together."

It had been Shirley who had encouraged Patrick to come to the Glen and try his luck with Di after Elizabeth had left for Winnipeg.

"I hadn't even heard about the fire," Patrick explained, sitting on the Ingleside verandah with his arm around Di and Polly in his lap. "I was left thinking you were still wedded to the Home, until Shirley told me it had burned and you were back on the Island looking for a new venture."

"I thought marriage was the only challenge left for you, after everything you faced in Toronto," put in Shirley, his brown eyes twinkling wickedly.

Di laughed and shook her red curls at him. "And here I thought Rilla and Nan were the matchmakers in the family. Shirley Blythe, you humbug!"

Shirley leaned back in the porch swing. "I just wanted to ensure you as my neighbor."

"Then you are going to live in Avonlea?" Rilla asked.

Patrick nodded. "Shirley's designed a beautiful house for us on your father's old farm. I'd been trying to fix up the old house, but he finally told me that it was structurally unsound, and offered to design me a new one for my wedding."

Shirley winked. "At the time, I didn't even realize that the bride would be my sister!"

"When will the house be built?" Una asked. She had been quite pleased to meet Di's Patrick, and for his part, he was openly admiring, remarking to Di in private he wished he had a brother he could marry off to her.

"It won't be ready to live in until January," Patrick answered, making a face. "I hate having to put our wedding off until then, but … I've waited this long for you, my darling Di, I suppose I can wait a few more months."

"And you'll be having a big family wedding, of course," Rilla added.

Di looked dismayed. "Oh Rilla, no. I don't want a lot of fuss … I just want a very simple, quiet little affair, with just us and the Merediths and the Wrights."

"But Di," Rilla argued undauntedly. "You are the last one of the family to get married. We won't have another chance for a big wedding until our children are ready to marry, heaven forbid. Nan ran off and eloped; so the burden falls to you, sister dear, to fulfill your daughterly duties to the house."

"Nonsense!" Di exclaimed. "You had the big wedding; that will have to satisfy everyone."

Rilla looked unmoved, and Di suspected with a sinking feeling that she would have her way in the end.

"It's just so wonderful, that you two are finally getting married," Faith interposed tactfully. "Everything just seems to have come together now … Una's home, Di's getting married … all's right with the world."

Later that day, when Di and Patrick were rambling alone through Rainbow Valley, Patrick turned to Di with serious eyes.

"My dear," he said. "You are giving up a great deal for me … your career, the Home, Toronto, everything. Are you sure you won't regret it?"

Di laughed blithely. "Regret it? Patrick, I loved what I did in Toronto. I was able to help a number of children, and I made a great many friends. Aunt Jen, Tricia, Leah … I can't imagine my life without knowing them. But as wonderful as it was to be Diana Blythe, of the Shirley-Stedman Home, for a little while, it will be a hundred times better to be Diana Samuels of Prince Edward Island for the rest of my life. Oh Patrick, I'm so happy I don't know how to express it."

"I do," whispered Patrick, tilting her chin toward his with a smile.

Their lips met in a perfect kiss, and there, in that golden valley, their dreams of happiness became reality.

The End

Author's Note: It's over! (Sniff, sniff) It's been a long, winding journey, but Di and Patrick finally found happiness in each other. Be sure to leave a review telling me what you think of the ending!