"These are for you," said Anne abruptly. She awkwardly pushed the bouquet in Gilbert's face.
"Oh," Gilbert said, caught off guard. "Thank you," he added sincerely. The dimples in his face popped when he smiled like they sometimes did and Anne smiled back back at him, relaxing a little (but only a little). He reached for the bundle of twigs and greens, his fingers grazing hers, or at least they would have had she not been wearing gloves.
"Should we walk?" Gilbert asked pleasantly, offering his arm.
"Indeed," answered Anne, taking it. They walked quietly a ways through the woods, both beside themselves that this moment had finally come.
"Thank you for rescuing me," said Anne eventually.
"What?" asked Gilbert.
"That day, in the woods. Billy Andrews and his thugs were picking on me and you rescued me."
"Anne, if I've learned anything these last five years, it's that you don't need rescuing. But I am happy to have been of service that day, even if in being so I somehow managed to get on your bad side."
"It wasn't you, Gilbert, it was Josie and the other girls. They were horrible to me at first, every one but Diana of course. They threatened me; told me that if I even looked in your direction I was dead to them."
"That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"
"Yes, and no, I don't know. Ruby's still upset with me. It's the silent treatment for the most part. I mean, she's civil when the occasion calls for it, but otherwise she's ice cold. It's like I don't even exist. I was certain she was going to tell the others but from what I can tell they're still in the dark."
Without realizing it, Anne and Gilbert had made their way through the forest and to the new school house. They stopped at the foot of the stairs, surveying the scene. Neither had seen the school finished as construction had extended into the fall, and both were in awe of the grand institution.
"Education. What a gift, what a blessing," said Anne.
"Agreed," said Gilbert.
They decided to pop their heads inside, curious as to how the new school would resemble the old one. In just a few glances, they were able to determine that it was a touch bigger and the stove was no longer in the middle of the room, but otherwise it was mostly the same. Instinctively, Gilbert removed his cap and Anne took off her gloves and scarf. They took their seats, almost as if in a trance. Gilbert, third row from the front, right hand side. Anne, second row, just left of centre. Gilbert ran his hands up and down the wood grain of the new desk, carefully examining it with the palm of his hand. Anne looked out the window at the rolling fields and forests, gingerly resting her chin on her hand and sighing. Eventually, Gilbert looked up and over to where Anne sat, as he had done so many times. It was still morning and the sun shone brightly, catching her hair and setting it a blaze.
"Carrots," Gilbert whispered under his breath, marveling at the picture before him.
"What did you say?" Anne asked sharply, turning her head towards him.
Gilbert inhaled deeply, rose from his spot, and purposely walked over to where Anne sat. "I can't contain myself any longer. Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld. May I kiss you?"
"You may," said Anne, grinning from ear to ear.
He helped her to her feet. Again he raised his right hand, this time stroking Anne's hair with his pointer finger. Slowly, so very slowly, they leaned in to one another until they were only millimeters apart. They waited there, trapped in one another's eyes for one seemingly infinite moment before their lips found each other. Lightly and tenderly, they pressed together. Unlike the last time they kissed, they were in no rush. Here, they were alone. No one was waiting for them. There would be no interruptions. They could take their time, and they did. Proper or not, everything about this moment was right and the two lovers enjoyed every second.
After a time, they decided they ought to be getting to Green Gables. Marilla was fixing lunch and Anne had promised the family some big news. They were two thirds of the way back when Anne stopped, suddenly:
"Gilbert, can I ask you something?"
"Of course! Ask away!"
"Am I a good kisser?" asked Anne. Gilbert laughed.
"I don't see what's so funny about asking," she said defensively.
"Oh, don't be embarrassed. I wonder the same thing, I just don't have the gall to speak my insecurities aloud, that's all. You're really something, Anne."
"You didn't answer my question."
"I'll tell you if you tell me."
"Deal."
"My darling, Anne. I think of you by day, and dream of you by night, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined sharing such a divine and inspired intimacy with you. I don't have a lot of experience, but I fancy you may be the greatest kisser in all of the world. How's that?" he asked, cheekily.
"Acceptable," she said, blushing.
"What about me?"
Consider a moment: "Acceptable," she stated as though she was grading an algebra test.
"Anne! You're insufferable!"
"Tag, you're it!" Anne hollered, fwaping Gilbert in the belly and taking off through the fields.
"Oh, just you wait, I'll get you!" he yelled in return, chasing after her. They ran and played all the way to the front door of Green Gables where they stopped dead in their tracks. Flushed and out of breath, they stood side by side, arms akimbo.
"We didn't plan this part," said Gilbert.
"No, we did not," said Anne.
"We should have."
"Yes. Indeed." Anne took Gilbert's hand in hers and turned to look him in the eye. "Onward?"
"Onward!"
Anne pushed through the door, dragging Gilbert behind her. "Marilla, I'm home. Gilbert's come for lunch. Would it be alright if we set another place at the table for him?"