Hey guys!

Chapter 1 is finally here!

I've tried to continue most of the storylines here, in order to establish some progress by the time Christmas comes (I'm thinking chapter 3 - maybe?), but don't worry, more storylines are bound to show up. For example, I refuse to allow Billy Andrews to inherit his father's business. My girl Prissy deserves to run that business and we all know it.

Also, let me tell you that Ka'kwet's storylines is going to be one of the most importants. I haven't added much on it yet because I'm not done with my research and I want it to be as accurate as possible but we'll get more insight in chapter 2.

I don't want to spoil the chapter so the rest of the AN will be by the end!

Disclaimer: I do not own this storyline or characters.

WARNING: Please pay attention to the dates at the beginning of each scene because there's some back and forth! I'll try not to do the same in chapter 2 but if I do, I'll let you know. Also, there's a curse somewhere in this chapter. Finally, there are intense amounts of Shirbert's fluff so reader's discretion is advised.

Please fav, follow and review!

Chapter 1. "Of New Chapters And Unfinished Businesses."

September, 25th, 1899.

Queens Academy seemed to be the facade of every dream Anne had ever had.

Still, with its gothic architecture, large windows and elegant towers, the building seemed so much more real than anything Anne could have desired. Once upon a time, Anne Shirley - Cuthbert had been nothing but an orphan, a victim, a nobody.

When she was that girl, the chance of getting a complete education, of forming a career for herself, it had only been nothing but the most ephemere of dreams.

Years had passed since that girl had stepped aside in order to make space for a new Anne. And she still couldn't believe that at the end of the day, the marvelous Fates had chosen to be favorable towards her.

Now, she was a member of a loving family, so her heartache and her loneliness had been eased at last.

She knew of her origins, so the question she had carried throughout her life had been finally answered.

She had been blessed with friendships in all shapes and sizes. Friendships she had carried with her to Charlottetown. Friendships that were waiting for her in Avonlea. Friendships that were bound to send her love letters from Toronto.

Kindred spirits, all of them.

As her friends and herself stood side by side before the main building of Queens, Anne allowed her eyes to wander, intending to commit that moment to memory. That moment in which she stepped into another world, yet not at all leaving her world behind. In a way, it felt as if her worlds were colliding within her and, as a result, a new Anne was blossoming onto the surface.

A wider Anne, if it made sense. After all, her heart was in Queens with her friends and her education but her heart had been divided ever since she arrived in Charlottetown. Her heart had been left in Avonlea, with Matthew and Marilla, Bash and Delphine, even with Mrs Lynde and everyone else who had been kind to her in her first home. Her heart was with Gilbert, and it had been with him before she even knew he wasn't going to Paris.

Before she even knew her feelings were reciprocated.

Anne was a young woman drawn to the poetry and beauty in life. She had to be like that at first in order to survive but that trait hadn't left her once her home situation was stable. She figured it was because regardless of everything bad in the world, there was not enough time to appreciate the beauty of its nature and colors.

So, as she looked around her, taking in the clear sky, the birds chirping merrily as they hid between the yellow and red leaves of the trees around her and the excited crowd that surrounded her and her friends as they went on with their lives as scholars, and couldn't help but think with the most wonderful sense of victory that that day was everything it was meant to be.

After all, she had been through so much to get there. It made sense for the environment to be as magnificent and grand as she felt.

"I admit I've been so focused with other things to think about Queens," Ruby finally whispered from Anne's left. She carefully landed a gentle hand on her hat in order to prevent it from blowing away as she looked up at the tall building. "Now that I'm here, I am quite afraid of it."

"'Other things'," Josie scoffed from Ruby's right. Her lips were immediately set into an exasperated scowl but her eyes still wandered anxiously. "Please, as if we haven't witnessed your fawning over Moody."

"Must you always be so rude?" Jane snapped from the extreme to Anne's right. Her yellow dress complimented her skin nicely as the golden sun cast its rays on them.

"Must you always be so annoying?"

"Can't you leave it alone for one day?" Tillie whispered forcefully. She smiled awkwardly as a group of students walked past them before leaning to look past Josie at Ruby. "It's okay, Ruby. I am afraid too."

"Of Queens or of choosing between your suitors?" Jane wondered silently as she looked away, ignoring Tillie's annoyed glance.

"Anne?"

Anne jumped slightly, smiling apologetically as her gaze fell on her bosom friend. As a luck charm, she was wearing the blue dress Marilla made her, its tail flowing slightly higher as she turned towards Diana. "I'm sorry, I guess I was day-dreaming again."

"It's okay," Diana replied with a loving smile, although her eyes shone mischievously as she recalled the med student who had kissed her bosom friend rather passionately. If Anne noticed the latter, she chose to ignore. "I was just thinking that a moment as consequential as this one deserves a speech from our best orator."

At the chorus of agreement, of which even Josie took part - although rather reluctantly -, Anne took a step forward and turned towards her friends. Her eyes shone with excitement and pride as she straightened her posture, looking every bit like the lady she had become.

"Our entire lives have led us to this moment. It is until now that our life was a certainty, a thread of expected moments, each of them following the previous one as if it was a seamless line. From now on, our life is one big question mark, one enormous entity of which we know nothing but a little. What we know is that it will be filled with happiness and sadness, stress and victory, achievements and challenges." Anne spoke solemnly, her eyes falling on each and everyone of her friends. As her gaze finally fell on Diana, she finally allowed herself to smile. "This is the most exciting of adventures, and it is one I'm honored to be embarking on with my friends. Shall we go inside?"

For a second, silence reigned over the group as they exchanged looks filled with apprehension, nerves, determination and blissful glee.

At last, it was Ruby the one that broke silence.

"Oh Anne," she giggled as she twisted her right arm into Anne's left one. "How would we live without your wonderful speeches."

Filled with breathless giggles, the rest of the group interlocked arms and finally entered the large building, ready to face the first chapter of their futures.

oOo

October, 2nd, 1899.

Unbeknownst to Anne, Gilbert began his university life in a rather similar fashion.

Of course, he knew he couldn't entertain himself for too long but as Anne would say, it was too momentous a day for him not to rejoice on it.

Not for the first time, Gilbert wondered what Anne would think of the University of Toronto. He took in the large building, larger than any building he had ever seen, and thought that maybe, Anne would deem it as a building worthy of being the setting of Princess Cordelia's tales.

He then noticed the large windows, each floor of the building seemingly huge enough to contain the amount of opportunities U of T provided and thought that maybe, Anne would think it reminisced of Pemberley, the wonderful building in which Mr Darcy and Elizabeth had fallen in love.

At last, he subtly glanced at the young men who walked around him busily, carrying large books, their expressions twisted into weary focus even though it was only the first day. He imagined Anne loudly wondering about the destiny of his fellow classmates and had to hide his face in order to contain his gleeful smile.

The fact that Anne was so present on a day as important as that one filled Gilbert with relief, even as his heart still ached with the need of seeing himself back with his love.

Wherever his destiny lay - Queens, Sorbonne, U of T - he had seen himself overridden with loneliness. Even in a place as unlikely as the Sorbonne, which he had never seen himself attending there, if he was being honest.

He always thought he was going to be haunted by the ghosts of everyone he couldn't save. His mother and father. His siblings. Mary.

As he stood before the cream-colored building, Gilbert found that he was haunted, yes, but not in the negative way he had foreseen.

His father haunted him through the pride he had carried for his son regardless of what he did. Through the pride Gilbert knew he still carried, wherever he was.

His mother haunted him through the love she had felt for her son, endless and unreserved.

Mary haunted him through kindness and counsel she had provided for Gilbert while still alive, both of them remaining even now.

They were in his mind but so were Bash and Delphine, Hazel and even Elijah. So were Marilla and Matthew. So were his friends at Avonlea.

So was Anne. Always Anne.

When Gilbert entered the building, heading for his first class, he did so in a less boisterous manner than the girls at Queens, but with the same happiness in his heart.

Everything in his life had led him to that moment and god, wasn't he excited.

oOo

September, 25th, 1899

"Anne!"

Anne turned towards the sudden calling, her eyebrows raising as she noticed Ruby walking as fast as she could between the different groups of students cluttering the hallways of Queens without seeming improper. As she neared the ginger, Ruby smiled uncomfortably at one of the professors standing by the edge of the corridor, her face clearly masked into disappointment, and intertwined her arm with Anne's. "I keep forgetting that we are ladies now."

"I'm surprised, Ruby," Anne replied with a cheerful, yet slightly forced smile. She had decided to take advantage of her first break between classes to head to the post office and send the letter to Gilbert but she now wasn't sure she would get there in time. Not with Ruby's company. "You and Diana have always been so much more proper than myself."

"I know but isn't everything so exciting? We are independent women for the first time in our lives and everything is just so marvelous. The opportunities that lay before us make me want to dance blissfully," Ruby sighed dreamily, her mind clearly on her suitor as well as in Queens. Then, much to Anne's surprise, Ruby began to direct them rather forcefully towards the main door. "Now come, we should get to the post office in time if we make haste."

That moment was one of the few in which Anne was too stunned to come up with an answer. "I-,"

"Oh, please, Anne," Ruby scoffed, her free hand tightening her hat on her head as they made it onto the street. "You and Gilbert weren't exactly subtle. You are lucky Mrs Blackmore didn't catch you. You would have been evicted instantly."

"Oh, goodness," Anne breathed shockedly, feeling her cheeks heat as she recalled those wonderful moments with Gilbert. "Ruby, I'm so sorry. I know I should have talked to you-"

"No, no, Anne! I'm not here for you to apologize to me!" Ruby laughed, dismissing Anne's pleading expression with a careless movement of her hand. "I want to apologize to you."

"What? But-but-why?" Anne swore she had a way with words but it seemed as if they were going to escape throughout the length of that conversation.

"I should have seen the way you and Gilbert looked at each other sooner. If I hadn't held onto my childish crush, then maybe you wouldn't have waited so long to be together." Ruby suddenly stopped walking, and led them away from the sidewalk in order to avoid bothering the passerby.

Anne quickly opened her mouth, intending to put a stop to Ruby's ridiculous apologies. After all, hadn't she realized her feelings only a few weeks ago? What was Ruby to blame for? Anne was the stubborn fool, not Ruby.

Still, Ruby's eyes glowed with uncharacteristic determination so, out of instinct, Anne closed her mouth.

"If I had been a true friend of yours, I would have backed down the moment it became obvious that Gilbert has no feelings for me. I should have helped you achieve your happiness, instead of standing in the way of it." Ruby's eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she thought of how near had her friend been of obtaining her tragic romance. "Do you think you can forgive me, Anne?"

Anne smiled, reaching to hug her friend tightly. "There's nothing to forgive, Ruby. You're a really good person and I feel eternally blessed for counting with your friendship."

Ruby was the first to pull away from the hug, laughing delightedly as she intertwined her arm with Anne's once again. "Well, now that that's over, I need you to tell me everything. I wouldn't change Moody for anything in the world but I can't help but be swooned over a good romance story. Leave no details out."

"I suppose I owe you this much," Anne replied begrudgingly. Then, her eyes widened and with almost comical haste, she pulled herself and Ruby onto a stop. "Ruby? Do the others know? Did they see us?"

"Oh no, they were still getting ready upstairs," Ruby reassured her immediately before smirking gleefully. "Which means you get the honour of telling them about you and ."

Anne used every ounce of her self-control in order to avoid slapping a hand to her forehead in frustration.

She loved the girls but she could only imagine how insufferable they were going to be.

oOo

October, 4th, 1899.

Dear Jerry,

Diana stared at those two words with frustration, her usual gentle face etched with stress and guilt.

How was she supposed to continue that wretched letter?

Was what she supposed to say? Was she supposed to apologize? Was she supposed to explain herself? Would he even care about her excuses? Was she supposed to get closure? Was she even worthy of gaining blissful closure and redemption?

Was she supposed to admit to any feelings? Did she even know what she felt?

After a few seconds in which Diana could feel the agitation climbing up her body, extending itself through her limbs and finally reaching her hands, she snapped and after grabbing that sheet of paper, she crumpled it into a ball and threw it behind her. As she heard that last attempt clashing with her previous ones, all of them cluttering the floor of Anne's and Diana's room, Diana finally groaned and buried her face on her hands.

With so many years of friendship with Anne under her belt, why - oh, why - hadn't her knack with words rubbed off her?

"Diana!" Anne exclaimed as she threw the door of their room open. Her smile, so cheerful and filled with life was still there, in spite of the fact that seemingly everything characteristic of Anne - the braids, the short dresses -, was gone.

Diana scrambled to her feet, throwing herself onto the floor in a rather unladylike manner as she struggled to get all of the ripped papers out of the way before she saw them. If Anne saw them, she said nothing as she twirled excitedly towards her bed, plopping herself on it with a happy sigh.

"I just made my first visit to the library in Queens. It was such a magnificent experience! Rows and rows and rows of books, all of them awaiting to be able to discourse their gripping tales!" Anne exclaimed enthusiastically, though she made sure to lower her voice so as to not be heard by Mrs Blackmore. She laughed delightedly as she took off her hat and hairpins, allowing her red curls to flow behind her back. "Oh, what wouldn't I give to live only from books, to immerse myself from one story into the other! Dearest Diana, isn't it the most delectable idea?"

"That would sure be quite enjoyable," Diana muttered as she grabbed the final paper. She rose to her feet at once, her sheets of paper carefully hidden on her arms as she gave Anne her back.

For one miraculous second, Diana actually thought she had been spared by the fates but really, she should have known Anne was quite capable of decoding all of her moods.

"Diana? What are you hiding?"

She could have hid the papers from Anne, she really could have. Maybe if she went to her bed and threw them under her pillow while Anne was distracted, Diana would be free from any questioning.

So Diana almost hid everything from her. Almost.

She still remembered what happened the last time she hid something from her bosom friend. She couldn't jeopardize their friendship. Not again.

"I," Diana began nervously, slowly turning around to face Anne, who was looking at the brunette with concern. Slowly, she allowed the papers to fall onto the ground and closed her eyes in trepidation as Anne's eyes followed them. "I was trying to write to Jerry. The only problem is that I have no idea of what to say to him."

"I thought you had ended things with him," Anne quipped slowly, almost as if she was unsure of whether she wanted to hear the rest of the story.

"I did," Diana quickly reassured her before her expression fell once again. She took a seat besides Anne and smiled when her bosom friend immediately took her hand in hers. "But it wasn't as amiable as I would have wanted. I'm afraid I left things quite poorly between us."

"Oh, Diana," Anne sighed, squeezing her friend's hand.

Diana had been prepared for an overprotective Anne. After all, she was Jerry's sister in a way and it wasn't the first time they'd fought over this so she imagined she was going to scream or cry. She had been ready for that.

But when her friend showed her nothing but love and understanding, that made Diana's walls crumble.

At the end, she was the one who began to cry.

"I hate that I hurt him so much," Diana sobbed as she rested her head on Anne's shoulder. She could feel her friend's hands caressing her hair and that made her sniffle with despair, entirely sure that she did not deserve such a merciful gesture. "He did not deserve to be used and I...I was so wrong. I should not have broken his heart."

"Diana," Anne's voice was soft as she caressed Diana's hair. "Do you have feelings for Jerry? Or is this nothing but guilt?"

Diana opened and closed her mouth almost hysterically as she looked up at Anne. Anne merely looked at her with a mix of pity and understanding.

"I don't know," Diana finally whispered. "I'm so sorry, I know he is very dear to you-."

"He is but so are you," Anne cut her off, her eyes shining with determination. "And I'm no one to judge others' mistakes, especially after everything that happened between me and Gilbert. I...I have no idea of how to wander through the tricky maze that is love but Diana, regardless of how complicated and frightening love might be, I do know that you mustn't make haste when making a choice. If anything, you must make sure you don't make the wrong choice. You and him deserve to be happy and that, that is the most difficult quest I can think of. And coming from me, a young woman with outstanding imagination, I imagine that is quite the statement."

In spite of herself, Diana snorted a laugh as she hastily wiped her tears off her eyes. "How do you know? How did you know? With Gilbert, I mean."

"Well, you were there," Anne began in a nonchalant manner but, at Diana's unimpressed look, the ginger sighed and smiled softly. "The day I went to your house to talk to Aunt Jo, she told me that maybe the answer would come once my mind was in a state of quietness. When you came to Green Gables and we finally made amends, my mind was at last silent and that was when I finally realized that my heart no longer belonged to me, but to Gilbert."

Diana smiled, soothed by the happiness she felt at hearing Anne speak so fondly of her love. "Do you think the same thing will happen to me?"

Anne shrugged and squeezed Diana's hand in comfort. "I sure hope so but regardless of what happens, you are not alone. I'm right beside you."

oOo

October, 6th, 1899.

Dearest Anne,

No one should get to live their lives without knowing who their parents were. I never knew my mother, but my father never failed to tell me all about her so, even though I grew up without her, I still knew I was the one she loved the most in the world.

You're right, not everybody really cares about resembling their parents. Maybe the privilege of having them present in their lives makes a person take their folks for granted. I don't know. What I do know is that knowing who my mother was has always been a major source of gratefulness for me and now that you know more about your origins, my Anne with an E, that gratefulness is only bigger. The fact that you have survived so much and still are the brightest, warmest soul I know is astounding. You deserve everything in the world, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, and I'm glad you are finally getting it.

You wrote about constants. It is definitely strange, not arguing with you, but I feel quite similarly as to what you described. You have been a constant in my life, for certain, ever since I met you in the woods. I should have known that no slates, trips across the world or petty arguments would have kept us apart for too long. I don't think anyone really understands me quite like you do, and I consider myself an idiot for not comprehending it earlier. Everyone else definitely did. You should have seen Bash when I received your letter telling me about the gold. The man was infuriating.

God, Anne, it is so vexing to be so far from you. Don't get me wrong, I'm so proud of us, of the new chapter going on in our lives and of the things we will for sure accomplish during the next couple of years but still, the last I want is to be away from you.

I apologize if I'm being too blunt but again, I agree with you in that we should be honest with each other. After all, where has our lack of communication gotten us?

I believe you, dear Anne, because I was scared too. After Mary's death, I was so terrified of admitting my feelings for you and therefore, altering our relationship. Losing Mary, who was like a sister to me, made me even more hesitant when it came to you. The mere idea of losing you, whether you returned my feelings or not, was excruciating for me. I think that I preferred to maintain our complicated friendship as long as it meant not losing you.

As much as I'm deeply grateful for Diana, I hate that I wasn't the one to tell you about my feelings. I should count my blessings and focus on the fact that we are here now but...Anne, I could have done everything so differently (I will never be able to apologize enough for approaching you like I did at the ruins. My mind was a mess but, by not thinking carefully about my actions, I harmed both of us greatly).

I know that your fights are for you to fight on your own and I cannot imagine a better prepared warrior than you but Anne, please, do not ever think you are not worthy of me. You are my partner and my equal, in every sense of the word. There is no one I'd rather be with and the fact that you, beautiful Anne, chose me makes me the luckiest bastard in the world.

Maybe we should forget about everything that could have gone differently. The past is in the past where it can no longer hurt us and the important thing, the only thing I care about is that we found each other, regardless of the circumstances.

I swear I'll be honest with you too from now on. I love you. I am so in love with you that I can't understand how I could have denied it for so long. It is such a wonderful feeling, acknowledging myself as a man in love, and as one who is loved in return. I wish I could be telling you all of this in person, so I could lose myself in your striking eyes and your wonderful red hair but I will have to content myself with saying it to you everyday when we're finally reunited. Fortunately, this feeling doesn't know of distance so, wherever we find each other, I shall always be elated by us finally being together.

I wish I could feel offended that you ripped my letter but I really can't. I'm just glad my head wasn't smashed by another slate, which would have been completely deserving, just as it was when we first met. I guess it is reassuring for some things to not change at all.

I have no problem sharing with you the contents of that letter, for its content is entirely dedicated to you:

Dear Anne,

Since we're parting ways, perhaps forever, I feel I must unburden my heart. You are the fond object of my affection and my desire. You and you alone are the keeper of the key to my heart. Please, don't be alarmed. I don't expect your favor but I can't in good conscience not reveal myself.

I'm not engaged nor will I ever be, unless it's to you Anne. My Anne with an E.

It always has been and will always be you.

With love,

Gilbert.

I truly do mean it, Anne. Like you said in such beautiful words, I'm no longer in the business of denying that you are it for me.

Which is why I'd like to ask for your permission to court you. I also have to admit I have sent a letter to Matthew and Marilla informing them of my intentions. Perhaps this is a bit rushed and I apologize if I have been too hasty but I didn't want to wait. If I'm being honest, though, the only permission I need or want is yours. After all, you're my equal, and you should get to be the sole agent when it comes to choosing how to live. Also, your independence and resilient character wouldn't forgive me if I asked others about a decision that only you and I should make.

So far, everything about Toronto has been positively exciting. The constant level of activity and the permanent progress in all aspects of the city have left me in awe of Toronto. I miss Avonlea, but this change of scenery is breathtaking. I only need your presence for Toronto to be perfect. Perhaps you could visit me during Spring Break?

About my studies, I live for the challenge of such a demanding career (even though I am much fonder of the challenge you provided me with while we were classmates), but I'm yet to see the human side of medicine. So far, everything seems so...clinical. Still, the constant knowledge is inspiring and at last, I have acquired enough words to beat you at a spelling game. Perhaps we should engage in some innocent competition when we are finally reunited?

Please, tell me all about your classes at Queens. I have no doubt that you will excel at them, just as you have excelled at everything else. By the time you receive this letter, more than two full weeks will have passed ever since you started classes. I truly apologize for the delay but between settling down and getting ready for the beginning of term, I couldn't find the time to reply to your letter. I will try to do better in the future, I promise.

Also, I wanted to give you a gift to celebrate the beginning of your new chapter. On the blissful day in which I finally got to kiss you, I noticed the charm bracelet around your wrist. I thought quite a lot about giving you something that would represent your time at Queens but I soon realized I have no business doing so when you and you alone will be the protagonist of such an experience. You are a force to be reckoned with, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, and I can't wait to see everything you accomplish in life.

Anyways, you will find the charm in the envelope along with this letter. I decided to give you something to represent our relationship. I know you aren't fond of its beginning but I am. In fact, I wouldn't change it for the world.

I am counting down the days until Christmas arrives and I get to be with you once again. Until then, you must know that I love you and that I'm looking forward to telling you so in person.

With all my love,

Gilbert.

P.S. Of course I was speechless. She told me everything I wanted to hear. Please let her know I'm eternally grateful for her yelling at me.

Gilbert bit his bottom lip in order to conceal his smile as he straightened, letting the letter he had just written dry before folding it closely.

He could hardly contain his happiness when Anne's letter finally reached his hands. It felt as if it was finally real. Sure, he left PEI knowing she loved him but receiving her correspondence, so filled with love and honesty, it meant having a physical token that this, they, were finally real.

Determined to school his features before Dr. Oak entered the class, Gilbert looked around him, taking in the much smaller-than-usual lecture room.

Friday mornings were reserved for the Mental Diseases lecture. Dr. Oak, extra-mural professor of that subject when she wasn't busy with her responsibilities as researcher for the university, was actually the one who managed to get Gilbert into U of T with a fair discount when it came to tuition so Gilbert wanted to make the best impression possible on his benefactor.

He couldn't help but wonder whether the size of the room was supposed to be a sign of something related to the subject. So far, his lectures had taken in place in the biggest halls of the university, being that first year had the most students.

Fifty classmates, at the most, were sitting in a random order as they waited for the professor. Some of them were writing letters and others were chatting amongst themselves but most of them were lazily going through the bibliography for the course.

"Do you think this course was actually an elective?" Fred Wright suddenly asked, his eyes wide with alarm as he slowly analyzed the room. "Have I actually wasted my money buying the books for this stupid class?"

Gilbert rolled his eyes. His new friend and roommate was everything except poor. He was actually from Ottawa, and the first-born son of a wealthy family dedicated to farming, though he didn't like to be reminded of the fact. If anything, the one thing Gilbert had managed to discover for sure from his friend was that he was completely overdramatic.

"Please, what you actually regret is missing on the extra hours of sleep," Gilbert grumbled good-naturedly as he smiled crookedly at his friend, his dark eyebrows dancing across his forehead on their own accord.

"Aren't you going to tell me you would much rather be writing to that sweetheart of yours?" Fred retaliated with a roll of eyes. If Gilbert had learned of Fred's dramatic antics, then Fred had learned of Gilbert's utter adoration for his love.

Gilbert opened his mouth to reply but a new voice entered their conversation.

"You have a point, Wright," Roy Gardner quipped moodily from the row above theirs. "This is such a waste of my time."

"It seems as if I have quite some work to do already."

At once, the entire group turned towards the back door, their gazes zeroing on a brunette, intimidating woman who was leaning against the doorframe.

Whenever Miss Stacy had mentioned her friend in Toronto, Gilbert had imagined someone quite alike to his dear teacher. Someone determined, passionate and stubborn surely, but someone kind and gentle as well.

His first impression of Emily Oak told him she was the complete opposite.

As she walked down the stairs towards the front of the lecture-room, Gilbert followed her with his eyes. Not because he was interested or anything but because she reminded him of Anne in everything that she did. Whether it was her heeled-boots or her natural height, she seemed to tower over all of the gentlemen in that room. Her raven hair had been pinned into an elegant updo and her clothes, quite similar to those Miss Stacy wore, brushed against the floor with every step that she took.

It was truly impressive, how her mere presence seemed to render everyone into silence, especially considering that she was only in her late-twenties. Her gaze, proud and relentless, fell on those around her as she calmly made her way to the platform by the front of the room. Once she reached it, she rested her bag on the wooden desk before turning and leaning against as she faced her class.

"Does anyone know why mental illnesses are studied?"

When nobody else answered, most of the attendants slightly intimidated by their professor, Doctor Oak smiled slightly. "Does anyone here disagree in that it is useful to study such diseases?"

At that, Roy snorted.

Dr. Oak perked up at that. "Mr. Gardner, please. Tell us your opinion on this conundrum."

Roy hesitated but eventually leaned against his seat, his attitude smug. "Well, the solution for such diseases is clear. People who suffer from mental diseases are committed to the asylum. I do not see why time must be wasted on something as unimportant as this."

"So you would say that the brain is less important than for example the heart?" Dr. Oak asked, her voice nonchalant as she reached the edge of the platform. She stared at Roy with calm confidence. "What about the stomach? Which is more important?"

When Roy didn't answer, Dr. Oak turned towards the rest of the class. "The brain is a silent, yet a productive member of our bodies. It is where our thoughts come from. It is where our dreams and our memories are contained. It is where we process the information we receive. Every action we do, it is our brain that is responsible for said move. For every invention, every creation, every new idea meant to revolutionize our previous knowledge, it is the brain, the one behind all of it. Without our brains, we wouldn't be who we are."

Gilbert had never thought of it that way and all of a sudden, the course seemed exponentially more interesting.

"Something so important should be studied in order to preserve its health," Gilbert mused softly, already intending to commit every moment of the lecture to memory so he could tell Anne all about it.

Gilbert's voice had indeed been low but, in the dead silence reigning in the room, he was perfectly heard by their professor.

Dr. Oak nodded approvingly at Gilbert. "Exactly, Mr. Blythe. I understand that this class is not what you wanted. A priori, it might not seem as exciting as your other curriculars but it is mandatory for all med students because of its key subject. By understanding how the brain works it is that you will be able to understand how everything in the body is related and therefore, you will be able to think like actual doctors."

At that point, Dr. Oak paused her speech and made her way to the blackboard lined up on the wall. She wrote the name of the subject before turning towards her students once again, nodding to herself as she caught them writing as well. "I can promise you that this will be one of the most important subjects of your careers. It will not only be the only one you will have on mental illnesses but also, the one that will begin paving your minds in your way to become doctors. My name is Doctor Emily Oak and this is Mental Diseases. Shall we begin?"

Gilbert could feel his eyebrows raising in interest.

He couldn't wait until he told Anne he'd found a kindred spirit.

oOo

Once the lecture was over, Gilbert made his way down towards the front of the class. His focus was on the pile of books he was carefully maneuvering on his hands but he smiled slightly as he caught Dr. Oak's eye. "Hello, doctor. I'm terribly sorry to bother you but I-."

"Mr. Blythe," Dr. Oak nodded in recognition. She stopped collecting her materials and crossed her arms behind her back. "You are Miss Stacy's student, am I correct?"

"Yes, I am. I wanted to thank you for the opportunity you've given me," Gilbert continued, slightly unnerved by the accomplished woman. "I have always wanted to study medicine and to be able to do so in such an advanced university, especially when it comes to research, is humbling. Your research on antitoxin, especially, is groundbreaking."

"Thank you, Mr. Blythe," Dr. Oak nodded in appreciation before smiling slightly. "I now see that Muriel described you quite accurately."

"I hope it was all positive," Gilbert quipped with hesitation, thinking of the healthy competition he and Anne had engaged in throughout the years.

As if knowing what he was thinking, Dr. Oak laughed. She finished picking up her things and made her way towards the exit, Gilbert trailing behind her. "Of course, Mr. Blythe. She told me you had found your calling in medicine. I must admit I didn't believe it at first, for it is quite difficult for a person to find a calling, especially at such a young age, but I'm starting to get the feeling she was right. I believe you will do just fine at our fine university, Mr. Blythe."

"Thank you, Dr. Oak," was the only thing Gilbert could utter as he followed the intimidating woman out of the room. It wasn't the first time he heard those words but to be validated by his professor, by his future colleague, it was incredibly honorable.

As they reached the top of the stairs, Dr. Oak stood before the door but suddenly turned towards Gilbert, her hand still posed on the door handle. Gilbert could hear his classmate just outside, discussing amongst themselves as they went on their day but it was only a distinct sound. Gilbert cared infinitely more about what his professor was going to tell him.

"Listen, Mr. Blythe," Dr. Oak said, her eyes narrowed as she studied the young man before her. "I do not grant anybody with privileges they haven't learned. However, I am looking for a student to assist me in my research. It will be an incredible amount of work but it could grant you with better opportunities once you obtain your degree. Do you think it is something you'd be interested in participating?"

"Of course, I would love to be considered," Gilbert replied instantly, withholding himself from jumping in victorious celebration.

"In that case, I urge you to give your best in your classes, especially mine. I will be making my decision after Christmas holidays," Dr. Oak nodded to Gilbert before opening the door. "Good day, Mr. Blythe."

"Good day, Dr. Oak," Gilbert called. He stood by the door frame for a second, frozen as he watched his professor retreat.

After a few seconds, Gilbert made his way outside the university and towards the post office.

He had so much to tell Anne.

oOo

October, 11th, 1899.

Bash,

I apologize if this letter is too short but I thought I should inform you of the most important developments before telling you about my life in Toronto. I promise my next letter will be much longer.

When I left for Toronto, I had no idea of how to fix things with Anne. You have always known of my love for her so I won't bother pretending as if this is something of a surprise to you. You know I broke things off with Winnie because I couldn't be with anyone I didn't love and I loved Anne. I still do.

Then, life decided to help me out in the form of Diana Barry. She was quite blunt towards me - I'll be sure to describe the scene in detail when I make it back home for Christmas but all I will tell you for now is that you would have enjoyed it tremendously (probably would have joined her, too) -, but she was honest.

It turns out that Anne did love me back...and that I'm a moke, as you have warned me more than once.

Fortunately, I was able to get to her in Charlottetown before I had to catch my train again, and I think things are good between us now. I am sending Anne my request to court her and I'm informing the Cuthberts of my intentions so all three letters should be arriving on Wednesday, meaning five days from now. Does this mean I'm finally a man?

Please, try not to wake Delly up with all your joyful yelling. I know you were right all along but Bash, your child is small and she needs to sleep.

Send Delly all my love and please answer at your soonest convenience. I want to know all about home now that you, Elijah and Hazel are living under one roof.

Gilbert.

P.S. I'm sure you will see Anne before I do so please, try not to embarrass me. I know you like her more than me but Bash, I'm your brother. Do not betray me.

Miss Stacy was making her way towards the Blythe - Lacroix' household, her step brisk and purposeful as she imagined herself fishing by the river as she took Delly into her arms.

But then, a scream halted her into a sudden stop.

"I KNEW IT!"

Miss Stacy frowned with concern, exchanging a glance with Elijah, who had been working on cutting wood for the fireplace but stopped as soon as Bash yelled.

"Do you know what's going on?" Miss Stacy finally asked Elijah with calm politeness, knowing better than to be surprised by such an outburst. After all, Bash could be a child when he wanted to be.

Elijah merely shrugged but before their rather one-sided conversation could resume, the front door opened with a thud and Bash glided through it, one arm carrying Delly and the other holding a piece of paper proudly.

"Miss Stacy!" Bash called in surprise as soon as his gaze landed on the startled teacher. "Good morning!"

"Good morning, Sebastian!" Miss Stacy replied, her voice laced with laughter as she nodded towards the letter the tall man held in his hands. "Good news, I hope?"

"The best of them," Bash replied cheerfully. He handed the letter to Miss Stacy before twirling Delphine around, smiling widely as the little girl gurgled happily. "Blythe is actually capable of doing things right."

Elijah, who had resumed his task, stopped once again at those words and straightened with a sceptic expression. "I don't your brother all that well but…wait, don't tell me he finally admitted his crush over the ginger girl."

Bash rolled his eyes at Elijah's careful tone but smiled widely once again. "See? You met Anne once, maybe, and you were still able to see what was going on between them."

"I have eyes," Elijah quipped drily, though not as forceful as he would have in the past. "I'm glad he's used them too."

Bash sighed at that and turned towards Miss Stacy, who was reading the letter with a wide smile gracing her features. "What do you think?"

Miss Stacy looked up slowly, as if struggling to get her gaze off the wonderful letter. "I knew there was something going on between them. However, it appears you knew even before I did?"

At that, Bash got even more excited. He nodded towards his house with a beaming smile. "Miss Stacy, you have no idea. Let's make some tea, and I will tell you all about it while I put Dellie back to sleep. I'm afraid I woke her up with my screaming."

Miss Stacy shook her head in faux exasperation. "Dr. Blythe said so himself, Sebastian. The girl needs to sleep."

Bash turned around to follow her but suddenly, Elijah straightened and called, "Bash, wait."

Bash complied, albeit with a slight frown on his forehead. "Yes, Elijah?"

Elijah gulped before speaking nervously, his voice breaking slightly. "Mom... she told me about Anne. She would have been so happy about this."

Bash nodded with a sad smile and left Elijah to resume his work. His thoughts, as always, were with Mary.

oOo

October, 11th, 1899.

Matthew and Jerry are working by the edge of the Cuthbert's grounds when a familiar figure suddenly appears by the distance.

"Matthew! Matthew!"

The older man straightened at once, his eyes widening in alarm as he took in the sight of his sister running towards him in quite a state. Quickly dropping his tools onto the ground, Matthew rushed to Marilla, therefore preventing her from running any longer.

"For Heaven's sake, Matthew, how could you be so deaf?" Marilla demanded as soon as she regained her breath. "I have been calling for you ever since I left the house."

Knowing her tongue-lashing was just her way to cope with the sudden stress, Matthew ignored her skillfully. Still, he nodded at the letter Marilla held in her hands. "What is it? Is it Anne? Is she okay?"

By then, Jerry had also joined them. Marilla glanced at him before rolling her eyes and handing Matthew the letter as she huffed impatiently. "Is Anne okay, don't be ridiculous. Of course she's okay! Read, Matthew!"

"Very well, Marilla. Please...calm- calm yourself. There's-there's no need to be frantic." Matthew spoke with intention of reassuring his sister but, as he felt her trademark glare falling on her, he chose instead to clear his throat and study the letter Marilla had handed him.

With surprise, he realized the letter was from Gilbert Blythe.

Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbert,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I wish I could be in Avonlea to talk to you two in person but, as I find it impossible to make such a journey with classes having barely started, I suppose this letter will have to do.

During this last couple of years, I have found myself blessed to count with your friendship. Your kindness - and Anne's -, has prevented me from feeling alone in a world that suddenly found myself without a family. Your generosity has been endless and not only to me but to my brother Bash and the rest of our family. For that, I count you amongst the group of people I trust the most and I will be forever grateful for your presence in our lives.

I understand that you were in the know of my courtship with a miss in Charlottetown. Under Miss Rose's request, I was not allowed to discuss the state of our relationship until she left for Paris on the same day I left for Toronto and Anne left for Queens. Now that I am free to do so, I must let you know that I have no intention of marrying said miss and that I broke my courtship with her as soon as I realized that.

Before Mary became ill, she told me to marry for nothing but love. Those are words I have cherished since then, if anything for the fact that my beloved sister-in-law was the one who spoke them.

I understood rather late, but my affections for your daughter Anne were soon too clear to be ignored. I apologize if I'm being too blunt but I must let you know that the moment that became clear, I had no interest in being with anyone but her.

I am sure Anne must have told you about the events that took place during our last days in Avonlea. I am sure she must have admitted in detail of how the fates made what they wanted with our circumstances. Still, I wanted it to be me the one who told you of my most serious intentions when it comes to your daughter.

It is quite clear for me that this is time for Anne and for myself to advance our studies. Our callings - teaching and medicine - are our main priority and I would never wish to deter Anne from her goals and dreams. However, if I may be so bold, I would like to request your blessing to court Anne. I am sure you would agree with me in that she would much rather direct the course of her own life but still, you are her parents and I know that you are the two kindred spirits she values the most, which is why I would feel much relieved should I count with your permission.

Once again, I must thank you for everything you have done for my family and myself. Your friendship is invaluable.

Most sincerely,

Gilbert Blythe.

Matthew cleared his throat as he looked up. He was rather stunned and by Marilla's tearful eyes, he could tell she was overwhelmed as well but thinking about it carefully, as he tended to do, he found it wasn't a negative feeling.

Of course, Anne had told them about Gilbert's appearance at the boarding house and, while Marilla had been quite scandalized by the kisses they shared, Anne had quickly brushed it off, assuring them that it was only through a kiss that they could have embarked on such a romantic journey, yet one so tragically affected by the distance between them.

Matthew had been so shocked he had been silent through the entire ordeal but really, when hadn't that been the case with Anne?

"What do you think?" Marilla asked as the wind picked up. At once, she took the letter off Matthew's fingers and held it carefully in her grasp.

Matthew gulped as he studied the folded letter, looking between Marilla and the letter several times before finally sighing. "It seems...It seems as if the last few years went by in a second. I can-I cannot believe we are already dealing with...suitors."

Marilla snorted lowly as Matthew whispered that last word, almost as if the idea of suitors were the base for every and all of his nightmares. Soon enough, though, she smiled, secretly thinking of the man she once loved, and whose son had turned into a remarkable young man.

She knew better than to share those musings with her brother, though. Instead, she smiled melancholically. "I suppose it does seem as if the moment has come too soon. I would never be able to picture another man more worthy of our Anne than him, wouldn't you agree?"

Matthew shrugged uncomfortably, the chaos that were his feelings once again silencing him. Finally, he could mutter, "I suppose you are right."

Marilla nodded in appreciation, her hands clasped together before her, the letter secure in their grasp.

"Matthew!"

Jerry's sudden exclamation startled the siblings, forcing them to yield their conversation in favor of the new distraction.

Beyond the Cuthbert's grounds, three figures were barely recognizable as they left the distant treeline. Neither Marilla - who still struggled with her eyesight -, nor Jerry - who had never met them -, could have recognized them but Matthew had went on a rather emotional journey with them so, as soon as they were relatively near, Matthew's eyes widened yet again.

Anne's friend, the native girl.

Ka'kwet was back with her parents.

"Aren't they?" Marilla began rather slowly but Matthew was already climbing over his own fence, motioning for Jerry to help them.

Matthew could only hope he would have good news for his daughter.

oOo

October, 11th, 1899.

Please, tell me all about your classes at Queens. I have no doubt that you will excel at them, just as you have excelled at everything else. By the time you receive this letter, more than two full weeks will have passed ever since you started classes. I truly apologize for the delay but between settling down and getting ready for the beginning of term, I couldn't find the time to reply to your letter. I will try to do better in the future, I promise.

Also, I wanted to give you a gift to celebrate the beginning of your new chapter. On the blissful day in which I finally got to kiss you, I noticed the charm bracelet around your wrist. I thought quite a lot about giving you something that would represent your time at Queens but I soon realized I have no business doing so when you and you alone will be the protagonist of such an experience. You are a force to be reckoned with, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, and I can't wait to see everything you accomplish in life.

Anyways, you will find the charm in the envelope along with this letter. I decided to give you something to represent our relationship. I know you aren't fond of its beginning but I am. In fact, I wouldn't change it for the world.

I am counting down the days until Christmas arrives and I get to be with you once again. Until then, you must know that I love you and that I'm looking forward to telling you so in person.

With all my love,

Gilbert.

P.S. Of course I was speechless. She told me everything I wanted to hear. Please let her know I'm eternally grateful for her yelling at me.

P.P.S. Expect me to tell you all about my Mental Diseases class in my next letter. Dr. Emily Oak, who also happens to be Miss Stacy's friend and the one who got me into U of T teaches the class and she has already made me see that side of medicine under a different light. I now see what you mean when you speak of kindred spirits. Medicine was Dr. Oak's calling, just as it was mine, and I feel honored to be studying with her.

Anne smiled as she read the last part of Gilbert's letter. She could feel a light weight in the depths of the envelope in her hand but for now, she needed to bask in the feeling swimming through her soul so, with closed eyes, she let herself fall onto her bed and sighed dreamily.

How wonderful it was, to be the recipient of such intense love. If she was honest, Anne had always felt Gilbert's feelings for her - after all, the guy was everything but subtle - but she had chosen to ignore them, out of fear, doubt and concern. He had been one of her first friends in Avonlea and the idea of losing for something neither of them were ready for had been positively terrifying.

Being free from that fear was more overpowering that she could have prevented. It was so scrumptious, knowing herself to be in love. The downfall to it all was that she missed her love greatly but still, the relief of having her life fixed itself, of knowing her heart had been spared and that it was going to be cared for by one of the warmest souls he knew was everything, and definitely more than she could have dreamed of.

If only the fear had been slightly less daunting. If only she had dared to risk herself sooner. If only she had had more time to bask in the presence of him before they went their separate ways.

She sat up once again, intending to read his letter a second time. She wanted to drown in his words, she wanted to rejoice in the warmth of his feelings, so magnificent that they had emanated all the way to Avonlea.

She would have to request a detailed description of Toronto. Maybe, if Gilbert was skilled enough, Anne would be able to read it and imagine herself in Toronto, living the life she knew she was meant to have with him.

As she re-read the letter again, finding her curiosity spiking at the mention of Dr. Oak - who must have been quite special if Gilbert had spoken of her as a kindred spirit -, she realized she hadn't really checked what his gift was.

The gift was on her lap and tears were rolling down her cheeks as Josie opened the door without knocking first.

"Shirley-," Josie began, sighing as she caught the red blotches spread across Anne's cheek. "Shirley, not you too. I have not moved into Charlottetown to live with a bunch of ninnies."

"What-" Anne began, clearing her throat as her voice broke from the emotion of it all. She wiped her cheeks with the sleeve of her dress and took a deep breath before resuming. "What did you mean when you said 'not you too'?"

Josie rolled her eyes with impatience but leaned against the doorframe to Anne's and Diana's room anyways. "I meant that Ruby is in her room crying over a love letter Moody sent him. I know you are quite dramatic and passionate, Anne but please, I had more faith in you."

Ever since Billy's and Josie's incident, her friendship with Anne had changed. Josie Pye would always be quite blunt and snobbish, it was who she was, but suddenly, Anne began to see Josie's harsh comments as a defense mechanism, rather than an attack towards her.

So, instead of engaging in an argument with the blonde, Anne laughed as she rose to her feet. "I know, I'm sorry. I guess I'm not used to being in love. With Gilbert of all people! If you had told me about this an year ago, I would have laughed in your face. Can you believe we're together? Doesn't it sound like the most wonderful of fairy tales?"

"You're right. It sounds so unreal that it must be fairytale," Josie deadpanned before handing Anne a small piece of paper. "Here. This telegram just arrived for you."

"Thanks, Josie." Anne went back to her bed, carefully laying Gilbert's letter beside her before reaching for the telegram.

Josie, however, hesitated by the door. "Anne?"

"Yes?"

"What did he give you?"

With an emotional smile, Anne lifted the carrot charm and showed it to Josie with pride. "Apparently, he didn't mind that I smacked him with that slate."

"Of course he doesn't," Josie scoffed as she retreated from the room, leaving the door opened. "Lovesick fool."

Anne shook her head at her friend's antics before placing clasping the charm onto her bracelet. She was about to immerse herself into blissful musings related to one Gilbert Blythe but then, her eyes fell on the telegram.

She opened it with interest, though not at all preoccupied by its contents.

She read it once before her eyes widened in shock.

Ka'kwet was in Green Gables.


Okay, so I'm actually quite worried about whether I nailed the characters but I guess I'll come back tomorrow and edit it. I've been working on this for a while and I need to step out from this chapter for a sec.

This chapter was actually longer but I decided to leave some scenes for the following chapters. Not to worry, for we'll get enough teasing from the girls and Bash so Shirtbert is going to have it quite complicated.

Now, the "Mental Diseases" class was actually a class in U of T in the 1900s. It really struck me how little importance they gave to mental health at that time (not surprising but still). I actually searched for the curriculums of U of T in 1899 and found this file with the courses for First Grade, along with the description of each subject and even the schedule (yeah, nerd alert.)

It is astounding how a woman was able to be a doctor during this time so I'm giving Dr. Oak quite a role as Gilbert's role model, etc. At the same time, I wanted to make it as believable as I could imagine so I reckoned that if a woman was to teach in a university, then it was going to be one of the less relevant subjects (the feminist in me burns with rage at this but whatever). Also, a major subject during this time is suffragism so that will come up soon enough.

That's it for now! (I think). Stay tuned for chapter 2!