Chapter 11

The Kingsport train jostled along the tracks in the early morning light, and Gilbert looked across at his wife. She was staring out of the foggy windows, tear-like droplets of condensation running down the inside of the glass. She had removed her hat, and soft, red curls shone in the swaying lamplight.

She had been quiet as they packed their bags the night before- adding things and removing them, repacking the carefully purchased presents and then standing in their bedroom staring into space for a time. When she hadn't moved for long minutes, he touched her gently on the shoulder.

"Anne? I was going to put the kettle on if you were interested in having supper now."

She nodded, the seven little freckles on her nose showing up against her pallor. Again Gilbert felt the frustration of not knowing how to comfort her- she had grown more anxious as the days wore on, and he understood- this would be the first time they were returning home after the wedding.

Anne soon sat at their little kitchen table, and the two of them shared a simple meal before Anne automatically began to tidy their living space. After Gilbert's own packing was done, he took her hand in his, and drew her over to the sofa in front of the fire. He could feel the tension in her body and was determined to wait until she was ready to speak, this time. He looked around the little room thoughtfully. A small bookcase now held most of their books, while the rest were stacked in a neat pile beside it. The walls were the same mossy brown, and some photographs were on the mantle- some of his parents, Marilla and Matthew- and one that she hadn't even known that he had- a small picture of the two of them from their AVIS days. He looked across at her, with a lump in his throat. It wasn't supposed to be like this- he was meant to carry her over the threshold and into a home borne of romance, not a shabby cottage with the hint of scandal about their relationship. And yet- as he studied her pale face, he couldn't be sorry. She was here, she was with him in a way he couldn't have dreamed for years. Was he so terrible for being thankful?

At her soft sigh, he squeezed her hand. She looked up at him, her eyes showing the turmoil inside. "You're worried about home, aren't you?"

Her chin seemed to tremble, then. He was waiting for it to lift, and for her to retreat from him with her head held high, her eyes flaming- and he was almost more worried that she didn't.

"Anne, please talk to me," he pleaded. "I know it will be hard this first time-"

"They will be so disappointed in us," she said faintly. She turned to meet his anxious face, and her heart broke a little. "To decide this- with no warning- to know that we only married to avoid a scandal- and you know that the others will think the worst of us."

Gilbert cleared his throat, his eyes holding hers. "Anne, honey- we didn't do anything wrong. We both know that. Although I would guess that we are going to have a rough couple of years to begin with," he said slowly. He watched her eyes close, and he put his arm around her, smiling when she turned to nestle against his shoulder. "But I promise I'll be right here with you."

"What if they are very angry?" she whispered. "What if they can't accept-"

"Then we come home early."

Anne blinked at the hardness of his tone, and looked up at him in bewilderment. "If things were to go that badly, then we're not going to stay there trying to convince them." His jaw moved convulsively, sure that it wasn't the time for any mad declaration on his part- but he wouldn't let them hurt his beloved girl with their ire. "We'll just come back home, alright? We are adults, and we made the best decision we could at the time. And no matter what happened, at some point news was going home, wasn't it?"

Anne seemed to wilt under the truth of this. "Yes."

"Look, we're going to tell them what really happened. My parents, Marilla-"

"Mrs Lynde," Anne said hoarsely. "Oh, she will be abominable-"

Gilbert couldn't help but chuckle. "Anne, we're going to show them all," he said frankly, and she tipped up her head to stare at him. "We are going to thrive. We will spend this time working hard, and graduate in eighteen months time, and then- if you will let me- we will begin everything properly."

Her cheeks flushed, and he wondered if her mind was as occupied as his own with the idea of beginning a real marriage.

"Gilbert? Are you quite sure that you don't regret this?" she asked, slowly.

"No. Do you?"

Anne was silent for a time and then turned her face to stare at him in the flickering light.

"I- I do wish we weren't going home in this manner." His heart sank, until she spoke again. "But no. I don't regret it."

Gilbert smiled, and it only grew when she relaxed in his arms.

Throughout the long trip to the island, Gilbert kept Anne close to his side, talking when she felt like it, and reading his book in peace when she didn't. On the water, they had sat out on the deck for a time, and he smiled to see her move to the side to see whales in the distance, her face brightening as she spoke with other passengers. His book was forgotten as he studied her then, her cheeks pink with cold, and her red curls blowing under the little grey hat she wore with her travelling suit.

He had a wife. Gilbert released a long breath, exhausted. Shouldn't he, a student with no income, be terrified of the responsibility? And a wife who was as determined as he was to make her own way in the world. That she had even agreed to this marriage still bewildered him- they were still so young- she wasn't yet twenty-one, and he had only just turned twenty-three. She'd always grumbled about his age between his birthday and hers- since it elevated him to being three years her senior. he shivered slightly. Where could they be by her next birthday?

There was a small twinge in his heart then. He'd always dreamed of spoiling her with lovely things. The smallest token had always made Anne light up- a wildflower from the forest, a note from a beloved friend. He had a small gift for her for Christmas- but it was no engagement ring. He was hoping that he could do it for her twenty-first birthday, perhaps- an amethyst, he thought fondly. Anne didn't like diamonds.

In Charlottetown he thought that Anne seemed calmer- she even teased him about the uneven shave he had given himself that morning. He protested that he did it in the dark- the pair of them had breakfasted well before sunrise to make the train, and the air had been frigid on the short walk to the Kingsport station.

There was time for a swift dinner before the pair of them boarded the train for Carmody, and once they were on the familiar track Gilbert watched the colour drain from Anne's face, now anticipating the welcome at the other end. They were alone in the last of the carriages, and Gilbert pushed their belongings aside to turn to Anne on the faded seat.

"What if we don't tell them tonight?" he said suddenly.

Anne's eyes were enormous, and her voice rose in faint hysteria. "Then when? On our golden wedding anniversary?"

To this, he chuckled. "No, you goose. Tomorrow. When everyone's had a decent sleep- including us- and they'll be in a better frame of mind for us to spring a marriage on them."

"There isn't enough sleep in the world to make that go smoothly," Anne said morosely.

Gilbert shrugged. "Think of the alternative- trying to do it tonight when we're exhausted, giving them no warning- and then we'll each be alone trying to deal with the consequences." Anne's eyes softened at the look of concern in his eyes. "How will I know if you're alright, if I'm not with you when you tell them?"

Anne froze in dismay, her mouth open as her imagination furnished the rest. "Wonderful. Now you have me worrying about us being cast from our respective houses, and wandering through the Haunted Wood with our suitcases trying to find each other in a blizzard-"

Gilbert couldn't help but smile, and he cupped her cheeks in his brown hands, his hazel eyes twinkling. "Anne-girl, you're going into an irrational place now. You know that, right?"

This made her pause, and he was surprised to see that her cheeks flushed and that she had ignored his gentle teasing. "Diana's aunt used to call me that."

"I know. I heard her do it years ago. I liked it. Do you mind?"

Anne smiled, her eyes fond. "No, I don't. I do miss her." She was silent for a moment and turned to find him watching her. "She remembered me kindly till the last, Gil. I- I almost didn't return to college this year. I didn't have the money."

He paled at her words. "Anne, are you serious? Why didn't you tell me?"

She shrugged sadly. "You had your own worries, Gil. You didn't need to carry mine. But last Christmas I received a letter from Miss Barry's lawyer- and she left me a thousand dollars in her will. It was enough to keep me there this year- with some towards next year's tuition as well. She was so good to me."

Gilbert shook his head, still in shock, his mind only imagining her leaving. "I- I can't believe it. Anne, what would I have done without you?"

Her lips curved into a wistful smile. "You wouldn't be a married man right now if I hadn't come back."

He clasped her hand tighter, and his eyes were glittering strangely as he watched the lights flicker across her pale face. "Anne, you know I'd rather be here with you now, don't you?"

Anne paused, her eyes falling before his. "I know." He couldn't help but smile at the way she moved closer to him on the seat. "So we need to wait until tomorrow. Do you really think we can pretend that everything is fine until then?"

Gilbert shrugged now, his normal poise returning. "We can only try. I'll have mother and dad come over tomorrow morning to Green Gables- we can do it together then."

Anne frowned. "It's going to be strange."

"Stranger than this?"

She chuckled, looking out of the carriage windows into the darkness. "We've been together constantly for the last few weeks. It's going to be strange to be in separate houses now."

Gilbert gave her a curious look, his twisted smile evident. "Do you want to come and stay in my room at the farm then? Or have me in yours at Green Gables?"

Her cheeks instantly flamed into colour. "Oh, that would be so odd." Her eyes found him, and together, they began to laugh. Anne shook her head. "Maybe that's a stretch too far right now," she said sheepishly.

Gilbert grinned. "You're right. There's no sense sending them into early graves just yet. I'm sure by summertime we'll have it figured out."

It was eight o'clock in the evening when the train pulled into the Carmody station, and Anne and Gilbert were the only passengers to climb down from the train that night. Gilbert placed Anne's bag down on the platform while he went for their trunks, and Anne stood shivering, looking around until she saw Marilla talking with John Blythe at the fence. There was a moment when the train shuddered, and she was overwhelmed with a mad desire to grab Gilbert's hand and pull him back onto the train with her- but then the train began to move, and Gilbert was standing by her side, his hand on her elbow in reassurance. Nervously, she put her hand to her throat to feel the chain that carried her wedding ring.

Marilla was the first to reach the pair, and enfolded her girl into her arms, noting instantly that Anne was rather thin. She pulled away to study her carefully, and in an unusual display of public affection, she cupped the girl's pale cheek in her gloved hand.

"Is all well?" she asked, her eyes watchful.

Anne tried to smile. "Yes. It's been a rather trying few weeks, that's all. It's so good to be- home," she faltered.

Gilbert and his father had greeted each other with an unembarrassed hug, however, Marilla's sharp eyes didn't miss the way he moved back to Anne's side, that his hand slipped into Anne's unconsciously, followed by the nervous look she gave him in return. Unconsciously, she gave the boy a measured glance and noticed with some alarm that John was frowning as if something puzzled him as well. Their eyes met, but the moment was broken as Gilbert greeted her courteously.

"Miss Cuthbert, it's good to see you. I- I wondered if my parents and I would be able to call on you at Green Gables in the morning?"

This was evidently the surprise to John as it was to her, and she found her tongue after a moment of silence. "You never needed an invitation before, Gilbert. You and your parents certainly don't need one now."

"Nevertheless, thank you," he said with a strained smile. "Perhaps we all should head home- It's only going to get colder out here, I think."

He picked up Anne's bags quite by matter of course to carry them down the steps to the buggy, and John followed with Gilbert's in puzzled silence. Marilla turned to Anne, searching the girl's face anxiously. Anne smiled at her then, settling her jaunty hat on her red curls.

"Is everyone at home?" she asked, and Marilla gave her an amused smile.

"Yes, and eager to hear all of your news."

Anne nodded, a slight smile on her face. "And I can't wait to see them all. I've missed you all so."

As the foursome arrived at the wagons, Anne looked around her absently. The breeze rustled through the trees that she and Diana had played under when Mr Barry brought them to town, and in the distance, she could hear the sound of the crashing waves on the rock shore. All around her were memories- the walk home from Queens through fine weather, and the stores she had loved to peruse when Matthew had needed supplies. She remembered Gilbert taking her there to order their schoolbooks too, and the first time he had asked her to go to a dance with him- the very first time they had been anywhere together, in fact.

The two wagons were next to each other, and Marilla was already seated, the reins in her hand. Anne turned to find Gilbert beside her, and there was a faint pang inside as their eyes met: it was guilt, she realised. Guilt that she needed to step away from her husband without proper acknowledgement. Almost she moved toward him, almost he moved to her- and both halted, restraining what was becoming normal to them. She swallowed, trying to shake off the unreasonable emotion. He understood that they couldn't, she knew that. However, it was with an apologetic look that Gilbert handed her into the buggy beside Marilla, and in his eyes, she saw the shadow of a wry smile.

He pressed her fingers with his and stepped away with a nod. "Miss Cuthbert, Anne," he said lightly. "We'll see you tomorrow."

The next morning dawned grey and cold, however inside Green Gables was a haven of comfort, with Davy's handiwork blazing merrily in the fireplaces. Anne flitted around after breakfast answering questions distractedly and picking up items only to forget what she had intended to do with them.

Marilla had not asked any questions since the previous night; Anne supposed that she was waiting to see what would come of the morning's visit. She had endured Mrs Lynde fretting over the small amount of food she had been able to eat the night before, asking if she had been quite well, until Anne felt quite ready to scream. She knew that Marilla suspected something, and longed to ease her mind- as if anything she said could possibly do that! She had come up to tuck Anne in as she had done after many a homecoming, blowing out her lamp, folding her scarf neatly, and chasing the twins from her room, who were eager to hear the news from Redmond. Dora asked what the students were wearing in Kingsport this winter, and Davy was eager for news of Gilbert's exploits. Anne could only say honestly that she had left him quite well, and that they would see him the next day. To Anne's relief, though, Marilla had had the foresight to send the twins to visit the Harrison's for the morning.

In the parlour, the old-fashioned lamps were lit, emitting a golden glow over the horsehair furniture. Anne cast an anxious eye over the room, adjusting cushions and antimacassars, and moving Marilla's tea trolley to a better position. In the old mirror above the mantle, she checked her reflection yet again, wondering if she should change her dress back to the green one that Gilbert had once told her he liked especially. She smoothed the blue wool gown over her hips uneasily, and then jumped in fright, as the door bell sounded.

It was time.

Now, she could hear voices in the hallway and looked around in something like panic. All of the consequences that she had imagined danced around her, and she stifled a groan as Mrs Lynde bustled into the parlour, an ample sewing basket in her arms that she dropped beside the most comfortable of the chairs. Before Anne could even consider how she could remove her without hurting her feelings, Mr and Mrs Blythe were ushered into the room, and greeted Anne with the same tense cordiality that Marilla had displayed that morning. She excused herself to check on the tea, only to see Marilla taking it past her to the parlour, and Gilbert grabbed her hand quickly as she passed him in the hallway, seeing that they had a moment of privacy.

"Mrs Lynde is in there," she whispered, and Gilbert closed his eyes for a brief moment, clasping her hand tightly.

"Last chance to run," he said then, his hazel eyes suddenly gleaming and wicked. "You and I could be in Charlottetown in just a few hours." To his surprise, she seemed to consider it, before breaking into a nervous laugh. "You just thought about it, didn't you?"

Anne groaned. "Maybe it's not a silly idea to tell them on our twentieth wedding anniversary."

"Come on, how badly can they take it?" Anne opened her mouth to speak, and Gilbert shrugged. "Worst case scenario, we tell them and then make run for it." Gilbert raised her hand to kiss her fingertips, and twinkling grey eyes met hazel. "Are you with me, Mrs Blythe?"

He saw her smile anxiously and nod, and he released her to walk into the parlour ahead of him. All polite small talk ceased at that instant, and Gilbert felt four sets of eyes watching him. He cleared his throat. He carefully took a seat next to- but not too close- to Anne, and an impish sense of the ridiculous nudged him.

"Well, for starters, neither of us are pregnant."

Anne choked back a hysterical laugh as Marilla froze, Mrs Lynde's jaw dropped in horror, and Gilbert's mother clutched her husband's arm hard enough to leave a bruise. All eyes turned to Anne.

"I'm sorry, that wasn't really funny," she muttered, abashed.

Gilbert met her pained eyes, having to curb his own nervous laughter. "I apologise, Marilla, mother; I shouldn't have been so flippant."

"Suppose you tell us what all the fuss is about then, Gilbert," Marilla said tartly.

He looked to Anne, who shot him a faintly desperate look, and he manufactured a smile for her benefit. Knowing how it would be seen, he took her hand in his deliberately. "We have some rather big news for you all. I'm sorry that we could give you no warning, however, we felt it important to tell you in person."

"I knew it!" Mrs Lynde said triumphantly, "I knew it, I was telling Maude Andrews yesterday-"

Mrs Blythe hardly seemed to hear Mrs Lynde speaking, and her own joy bubbled over. "You're finally engaged! Oh, my darlings-"

Anne seemed to pale even further, and Gilbert drew in a deep breath, steeling himself for the chaos. "We're not engaged." He watched every eye fly to the way he held her hand and tried to smile calmly. "Mother, Dad, Marilla; Anne and I were married two weeks ago."

Mrs Lynde seemed to choke in shock, and Anne prayed feverishly that she might remain silent for just a moment.

John Blythe got to his feet, rubbing his forehead in a dreamlike manner, and seemed to be trying to process the news. "Gilbert, if this is you trying to be funny-"

Anne squeezed Gilbert's hand rather hard, and she looked at her new father-in-law nervously. "He's- he's not, Mr Blythe. We know how unexpected this is-"

Marilla found her voice at this point, quite flabbergasted. "Anne Shirley, unexpected is an understatement. What happened? What of your schooling? Of a proper courtship- and you told none of us?"

Anne and Gilbert both flinched as Mrs Lynde's words began to spew forth over the top of the other adults. "I told you that nothing good would come from this higher education for girls, Marilla; if she was determined to have this boy ahead of time then the wedding should have been done decently at home before they could compromise themselves-"

"Rachel-"

"Mrs Lynde-"

The older woman seemed to swell in indignation. "How could you elope? Don't you realise how this will appear to the town? What will Mrs Harmon Andrew say about this- what of the Pyes? Anne Shirley, time and time again I have told you that a woman must be guarded, lest she allow some young man's lust to overthrow his common sense-"

Before either Anne and Gilbert could react to this fresh assault, John stepped in front of the young pair protectively, his look stern. "Rachel, would you mind stepping outside, please? This should be a family discussion."

Gilbert watched Mrs Lynde's eyes widen in resentment, however, Marilla spoke up crisply. "Rachel, John is right. If you wouldn't mind, the five of us will talk now."

Anne shuddered at the sound of the heavy door banging closed behind the wrathful lady. "I suppose that could have been worse," she said faintly, and Gilbert exhaled. No one seemed to know what to say next, until Amelia Blythe clasped her hands together, clearly a woman trying to find something to anchor to.

"Well. I expect that there is a story here."

Anne's smile was forced, and she licked her lips nervously. "Yes, Mrs Blythe. We know that you must be disappointed- but there was an accident- and while this outcome was not anticipated, this was the solution that Gilbert and I believed was for the best."

Marilla had not spoken a word since Rachel had left the room, and Anne moved now to kneel at Marilla's side, her eyes pleading. "If you will let us, we'll explain everything, Marilla."

The room watched as her hand cupped Anne's cheek, and she looked at the girl who was like her own flesh and blood with bewildered eyes. "The two of you were really married?"

Anne smiled then, her look hesitant. "Yes." She stood then, and moved back to Gilbert's side, taking from him the folder that contained their marriage certificate. "Three weeks ago-"

The room sat in stunned silence as Anne and Gilbert told the entire tale, from the incident at the medical tent, to the meeting with their professors. Gilbert's mother insisted on examining the site of the injuries, much to his embarrassment in front of his new mother-in-law. The bruises had faded somewhat, however, it was quite plain that some damage had been done. The behaviour of the faculty was debated for a time, and when it was over, Mrs Blythe turned to Marilla, flabbergasted.

"Heavens above," she exclaimed blankly. "Isn't this something that could only happen to this pair?" she asked, only to be greeted by Marilla's wry smile.

"I did imagine that they had more common sense together." She turned to Gilbert then. "Did you not think about simply remaining engaged for the duration of your degree? Surely that would quiet any rumours."

Gilbert chanced a look at Anne and shook his head. "No. It was part of the agreement with the head of staff at Redmond. If Anne and I were to stay and not be penalized in any way, we needed to be married."

John folded his arms, his eyes on his new daughter-in-law curiously. "I- you're really married." The statement was more like a question, and at Anne's nod, he suddenly cleared his throat and bent down to give Anne a warm, if somewhat unsure hug. "Well- welcome to the Blythe family, Anne."

Amelia drew a handkerchief from her bag, trying to smile shakily. "I'm just so sorry that we missed your wedding. What did you do for it? Was it at a registry? Was anyone with you?"

Anne wiped a tear from her eyes and shook her head. "It wasn't at a registry- we had a tiny wedding at home at Patty's Place. The minister-"

"Oh, thank heavens there was a minister-" Mrs Blythe gasped in relief, making her husband laugh.

"Jo- Reverend Blake- was wonderful," Anne added shyly. "The girls were our witnesses, and it was- simple, and lovely- I even had a white dress- and Aunt Jimsie made a wedding feast for the eight of us. She even made us a wedding cake. Moody was there to stand with Gilbert- he promised he wouldn't say anything until we had had a chance to tell you all. We are so very sorry that it couldn't wait for us to be at home- it was made clear to us that we needed to act swiftly."

Marilla's gaze was thoughtful. "And do you expect any backlash at the college?"

Gilbert let out a long breath and clasped Anne's hand in his tightly. "Honestly, yes. There will certainly be gossip- at best, we will be seen as impulsive and thoughtless." His hazel eyes were grief-stricken as he looked at the woman who had adopted his wife. "I'm so sorry, Marilla. This isn't how it should have been- it isn't how we wanted it to be. But our choice was either to deal with the consequences apart, and most likely both leave our schooling behind or to tackle it together. We chose to stay together; we plan to make a real marriage of this, and to prove to everyone that we are not what they think of us right now."

Marilla watched him keenly, and nodded. In his eyes was the steadiness she needed him to have- Anne would come to no harm by his side. "May I ask why you chose to not write us about this as soon as you married? We could have been a little more prepared."

Here, Gilbert and Anne looked at each other, and Gilbert cleared his throat. "We honestly thought that you would worry more if you couldn't talk to us about it. If we hadn't been coming home in a fortnight then we would have written- or if Charlie had been well enough to spread gossip as he usually does. No doubt you've heard-"

"Measles, yes," Marilla said dryly. "His father is terribly embarrassed. Apparently, no Sloane has ever had it before."

John cleared his throat then. "Well, I think I might need a smoke, if you ladies will excuse me. Gil, want to give me some company?"

Gilbert nodded reluctantly, and soon Anne was left in the room with the two women. She tried to smile, seeing Amelia still trying to process this news.

"Well- I- well," Amelia said feebly, and turned to Anne with a deep breath. "Anne, dear- I always hoped that it would be you. That is to say- congratulations, darling."

Marilla took in Anne's now swimming eyes. "Anne?"

The words seemed to spill out, then. "I'm so sorry," she choked. "Marilla, Mrs Blythe, I'm sorry that it wasn't how you would all have liked- I'm sorry that this will make talk- I'm sorry that you didn't get to have a proper wedding for us-"

Mrs Blythe seemed to get her second wind now, and she came to sit beside Anne, placing her arm around her. "Well, you and Gilbert never did things the easy way, did you?" She brushed the red hair back from her forehead and turned to Marilla. "So. Since we are not planning an elaborate wedding for this pair, we will have to see what can be done to celebrate their marriage now."

"Mrs Blythe, this will create a lot of unsavoury gossip- perhaps now is not the time-"

Marilla cleared her throat. "No, now is precisely the time to show that we support your decision," she stated crisply. "And we do. While I am relieved that you and Gilbert did not exactly elope, it will be seen as such- and a little family support will go a long way in this community."

Anne shivered. "I can't imagine Mrs Lynde ever being supportive about this."

Marilla sat back in her seat, meeting Amelia's eyes shrewdly. "I wouldn't worry about Rachel, Anne. I think if you sit her down this afternoon and tell her exactly what you told us, you'll find that she will be slightly more understanding. Plenty of folks have started off from worse places, I can assure you."

Amelia reached a hand up to stroke Anne's flushed cheek. "Dear, are you alright? I can't imagine that this was easy for you-"

To her amusement, Anne gave a faint choke of hysterical laughter, thus confirming her words.

Gilbert and his father chose that moment to return to the room, and the new husband eyed his wife carefully, relieved to see that his mother was beside her.

John was swift to draw the attention to practical matters, sitting himself down in Matthew's old chair, his hands clasped across his chest. "So- what are your immediate plans?"

Gilbert looked at Anne for confirmation, and at her nod, he faced his father. "We intend to finish college," he said quietly. "Our finances were in order for this academic year in any case, and we had both planned to find work this summer- that will pay for the year to come."

Marilla looked at the pair in consternation. "And what of rent, food-"

"All part of what we had saved for," Anne reassured her. "When either of us planned for the year, living expenses were included- and we are quite good at budgeting carefully by now."

The older Mrs Blythe hesitated. "Forgive me, I know this is indelicate, but how do you plan to not begin a family right away?"

Gilbert saw that Anne had turned away in embarrassment, and swallowed, carefully avoiding Marilla's eyes. "By remaining- er- celibate- until we have finished college."

John Blythe seemed to have trouble keeping a straight face and tried to clear his throat. "So- that is- you haven't actually-" There were two red faces at this point, and two definite 'no's that made the older generation smile furtively. After an uncomfortable silence, John nodded smilelessly. "Well, there's plenty of time for that later, I suppose. I assume the two of you have found an apartment."

Gilbert nodded, grateful for the change in subject. "Yes. There is a cottage behind my boarding house- my landlady was kind enough to rent it to us for the next year. It's close to the college, it's- er, watertight," he said doubtfully.

Anne had gathered herself at this point and smiled bravely. "It's small, but then we will be busy with our coursework- we won't have hours to spend cleaning it. It's furnished too, and I think we have everything that we need."

Gilbert nodded. "Our address is the same as my old one, mother."

Amelia worried her lip. "And is it- nice?"

This was a sore point for Gilbert, and so Anne fielded this one. "It certainly has much scope for the imagination, Mrs Blythe. We understand that it was- ahem- recently renovated. In the spring we hope to plant a little garden, and we are welcome to tidy up the place between our classes if we wish."

Marilla spoke up then, her eyes on Gilbert's mother. "They will need more blankets-" she said thoughtfully.

"And linen. How are your curtains, dear?"

Anne's eyes widened in consternation at her husband. "I- I think we have brown ones?"

For some minutes the discussion went on this way, and Anne and Gilbert merely sat back watching them in bewilderment. After a time she looked down, seeing that her hand was in his once again, and that he was stroking the back of it with his thumb. He did have nice hands.

The older Mrs Blythe then turned to her husband with a determined smile. "Well, John, I think it is high time for us to visit Kingsport, don't you think?"

He frowned slightly and then nodded. "Sure seems that way." Anne caught Gilbert's eye in some horror, and John's easy tone was quick to reassure them. "Oh, don't worry about us, we'll find a hotel nearby, I think. No point squeezing us in when you don't have the room. It's been years since I've been off the island- and we'll be able to bring some more of your things with us."

With that, all was accepted. Marilla, John and Amelia began discussing plans for the holidays at once, remembering to refer to the shell-shocked young couple from time to time. The decision was made that Green Gables and the Blythe family would spend Christmas night together and that Anne and Gilbert were free to split their days between the two households. No comment was made when the pair assured everyone that they were content to stay in their respective households for this holiday, although Marilla assumed with a slight sigh that that would change soon enough.

The teapot needed refreshing by this point, and it wasn't long before Gilbert's father announced that he needed to get back to the farm- he had some fences that needed work before the snow set in.

When the adults were talking outside, Anne collapsed against the kitchen wall. "Let's never do that again," she said, exhausted, and Gilbert chuckled. He took her hands in his own and pulled her close, unaware that the kitchen door gave the parents a clear view of their closeness.

"Cheer up, the worst is over," he said cheerfully. "Until the next time we need to shock them with news."

Anne snorted, pleasing him greatly when she looked up at him, relaxing. "In the future, I vote that any children we have should announce their own arrival with their grandparents, don't you think?"

Gilbert chuckled. "They all took it better than I would have thought- we shouldn't be surprised by that, really. They did raise us, after all."

Anne looked at him wistfully. "It's all out in the open, now. Are you sorry you did this?"

He stepped close again, brushing back the red curl from her forehead. "Not even a little. You?"

Anne didn't answer, but she smiled and accepted the warm hug he gave her.

The three adults were observing them thoughtfully, and Marilla's stern face softened. "Well, they look contented enough, despite the circumstances. To be honest, I didn't think she would be at this point any time soon."

Amelia turned to the two old classmates. "They want to finish their schooling, then that is what we will help them to do," she said firmly. "We'll have to see what we can do for them- I think a party is in order; and I have an idea that the two of them are being deliberately evasive about this cottage of theirs." She frowned. "And I must check the size of Anne's ring finger."

As she bustled towards the kitchen door that framed the young couple, there was a brief moment when John's twinkling eyes met Marilla's, and the old school friends shared an amused look. "So. My son actually married 'Rilla Cuthbert's girl. It's a funny old world, isn't it?"

Marilla looked back at Anne, seeing the slight smile on her face as Gilbert's mother took the hand that held her small wedding ring. She chuckled, then. "It certainly is."