Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters created by L.M. Montgomery and Moira Walley-Beckett. I do not claim any ownership over them and offer my writing to the world as a homage of appreciation to their creations as well as an outlet of imagination to imagine an infinity of alternate storylines. This is just one of them!

Author's Note: There is an epilogue to come which will conclude this story. But don't worry, I have many more AWAE stories to share (including "Distances Between Hearts" currently in progress). Thank you for all your lovely reviews and interest in my little story. Finally, I want to make sure to thank my wonderful editor who happens to be my sister! We are both lifelong Anne fanatics!

VIII.

Gilbert opened the door to the schoolhouse and was pleased to watch Anne's face change from utter confusion to astonished elation. Inside the schoolhouse were gathered what looked like most of Avonlea. There was a burst of cheer and applause upon their entrance. Anne was delightfully surprised to see Marilla and Matthew there along with Bash, Hazel, and Delly. She saw Mr. and Mrs. Barry, Diana, Minnie May, as well as Aunt Jo and Cole. She also saw the Lyndes, Miss Stacy, and many of their Avonlea schoolmates.

Anne looked at Gilbert in amazement. He then asked Anne in a low voice in the foyer as they took off their coats. "Would it be all right if I share with everyone our news?" He smiled. "It's a party to celebrate the new year, but it can also be a party to celebrate our E-N-G-A-G…" He paused here with a wink before continuing, "E-M-E-N-T."

Anne nodded, laughing at his emphasis on the "E" he had once missed in the spelling bee. She then responded in a low voice. "Y-E-S."

Gilbert grinned, his eyes lit with excitement, as he held her hand in his.

"Greetings everyone! Please, listen to me, I have an announcement!" Gilbert called out and everyone immediately fell silent. "Anne and I would like all of you to be the first to know officially that we are getting married."

Everyone cheered in response and converged on them with embraces and congratulations. Bash was already cajoling Gilbert to dance with him even though the musicians hadn't actually started playing any music yet. Marilla and Matthew embraced and congratulated Anne, who took pleasure in seeing them so happy and excited.

"Oh Marilla, Matthew, you were part of this all along! I thought I saw Gilbert wink at you when we left Green Gables this afternoon…"

"Did you now? Oh, he almost gave the whole thing away!"

"Not at all! I thought maybe he had something in his eye." They all laughed together.

Then Anne remembered another detail. "So Matthew, you knew that Gilbert was going to arrive at that time to meet me?"

Matthew nodded with a knowing smile. "Well, he was actually a f-few minutes late, so I-I had to wait in the barn before coming in to ask you for a favor." Matthew chuckled. "Gilbert and Bash p-planned it all last week while Gilbert was recuperating."

"This is why I was at Rachel's for most of the afternoon yesterday. It wasn't just council business," added Marilla, grinning.

"Marilla!" Anne giggled, pretending outrage. "I hadn't the faintest suspicion of all this subterfuge!" She then turned to look at the rest of the schoolhouse. "Oh my, just look at all of this!"

The schoolhouse had been cleared of desks and decorated. There was a table near the windows with a large spread of food and drink, including a beautiful cake that looked like Marilla's handiwork. There were banners hung on the walls that said "Farewell 1899, Hello 1900!" and "Happy New Year!"

Mr. and Mrs. Barry congratulated them. "Have you discussed a possible date for the wedding?" asked Mr. Barry.

Gilbert then answered that they thought of a wedding in the summer so that Anne could join him in Toronto the following fall.

"How exciting, Anne!" said Mrs. Barry. "You'll be a summer bride."

Diana smiled and embraced her. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you, Anne! See, I was right!" She grinned as she held Anne's hand up close to see her ring. "Oh, it's beautiful and it fits perfectly."

"Thank you. And yes, you were right. Oh Diana, you must be my bridesmaid as we've always planned. Honestly, I still can't believe this is all happening!"

"You deserve all the happiness in the world, my dear bosom friend, so believe it! And it will be my supreme honor to be your bridesmaid!" Diana hugged and kissed her again.

Anne was still taking in the sight of all the people she loved in one room and all the details of the decorations. Gilbert observed her wonder with pride; his plan to surprise her with an unforgettable proposal and new year celebration had gone according to plan. He took her hand in his and kissed it. "What better place to celebrate our engagement than the place where it all began."

Anne turned to him, wide-eyed and dazzled. "Of all the romantical notions! Gilbert, all of this — this is wonderful!" She pointed out the potatoes which were fitted with wire and light bulbs that were illuminated. She also saw the sign that they had all painted for their demonstration. Its various pieces had been reassembled and displayed on a wall: "Freedom of speech is a human right."

"You collected and kept the sign?" Anne walked up to it and touched the various pieces.

"Yes, I found them last summer, thought it would be a nice remembrance of that day. And then I asked Miss Stacy if we could put up the sign here in the schoolhouse, and she agreed."

Anne beamed. "Oh, I love the potato lights! All of this is just so — so thoughtful and meaningful and I -" She felt overwhelmed and for the second time that day, at a loss for words.

Gilbert felt a lump in his throat seeing her reaction. "So, do you like the surprise?"

Anne looked at him in feigned disbelief and then answered him by reaching up to kiss him passionately.

"Congratulations, you two!" Muriel Stacy came and embraced Anne and Gilbert. "In retrospect, I feel like I should have known my two brightest pupils weren't just competing for scholastic achievements. I fully expect you to continue challenging each other to even greater academic accomplishments in the future." She smiled as she looked at each of them with pride. "I couldn't be happier for both of you and I wish you both so much joy."

"Thank you so much, Miss...Muriel!" Anne exclaimed. "I'm sorry, you'll always be Miss Stacy to us, but I'll endeavor to call you by your own dear name as you've requested me to."

"I understand. After all, we are pen pals, are we not?" Miss Stacy smiled. "So Anne, will you be joining Gilbert in Toronto?"

Anne nodded. "Yes, I hope to transfer there next fall."

"As the Avery scholarship winner at Queens, I know they'll accept you with open arms! I just know you'll enjoy city life, Anne." Miss Stacy then promised she would write with her recommendations of which some Toronto landmarks to visit first. Behind her were some of their schoolmates waiting to congratulate them.

"Anne! Gilbert! I am so delighted for the both of you!" Ruby Gillis, looking pale, came and embraced them both. Moody Spurgeon was at her side, and he added his congratulations.

As Moody, Gilbert, and several other schoolmates began catching up with one another, Anne took this opportunity to catch up with Ruby as well. "Ruby, how are you feeling? I'd heard you were ill recently." Anne observed that Ruby did not look as hale as she should be, and hoped she was truly on the mend.

"I'm feeling quite better, thank you! I can't resist telling you that my younger self would have been vexed at this news after having called dibs on Gilbert Blythe!" They both laughed.

"No one could doubt it. You had such a crush on Gilbert!"

"Thankfully, I got over it when Moody won me over with his music! And besides, you and Gilbert are a far more suitable pair. Will you be going to Toronto? "

Ruby giggled when Anne nodded. "Wonderful! We shall miss you terribly at the boarding house of course, but it would be so cruel for the two of you to be apart from each other for too long."

Josie Pye, Tillie Boulter, and Jane Andrews then came over to congratulate Anne. Together they reminisced about how Anne's slate led to that very day's festivities.

"Remember how we told you that you couldn't speak to Gilbert Blythe?" Josie asked Anne. "If we hadn't done that, maybe you wouldn't have ignored him."

Anne laughed. "Yes, and then he wouldn't have needed to pull my hair and call me carrots. And I wouldn't have needed to hit him with my slate."

"Well, I suppose the two of you were meant to be together all along," said Jane.

"I thought so too, until that Miss Rose came along!" Tillie interjected. "But thankfully Gilbert came to his senses!"

"Gilbert did indeed!" replied Gilbert himself as he surprised Tillie behind her. "I realized in time that I couldn't marry anybody but Anne." He then put his arm around Anne as all the girls let out a collective sigh of appreciation.

At that moment, Moody led the other musicians in playing "Dashing White Sergeant." Anne looked up at Gilbert with a surprised smile as he took her hand and led her to form a set.

"I couldn't resist," said Gilbert, his eyes already dancing.

"I am so amazed at how you managed to include nearly every detail of our history together. It's perfectly nostalgic and magical and — thank you." Anne's smile communicated adoration, gratitude, and pride all at once. It took Gilbert's breath away.

Before Gilbert could respond to Anne, Rachel approached them to share her congratulations just before the dance commenced. She added, "And Gilbert, so glad to see you on your feet again. Try not to get sick again anytime soon, please!" She then saw the dance was about to start and she stepped aside. "Oh! I remember how well you learned and practiced this dance together! I'm looking forward to dancing this again on your wedding day! "

Anne and Gilbert laughed as they remembered perfectly the steps to the dance. Just as with the first time they danced it, they only had eyes and looks for one another, even as they changed partners throughout. When the dance concluded, they found their way back to each other. "How is it, that I still have butterflies in my belly, dancing with you even now?" exclaimed Anne to Gilbert, once the last bar of the song ended.

"I feel the same too," admitted Gilbert with a sheepish grin as he gallantly offered her his arm. "A man who had felt less, might not. Shall I claim the next two dances, Miss Bennet? Or rather, all of them?"

Anne laughed in surprise, as he recalled how she had written to him about how she had felt like Elizabeth Bennet from Pride & Prejudice when they had first practiced that dance. And here he was not only quoting from Austen, but also speaking in character. "Oh, Mr. Darcy, what will the others say?"

Gilbert heard Bash loudly greet someone in the foyer so he turned to see who it was.

"Anne, look who just arrived!" Gilbert led her to the entrance where they saw Elijah, taking off his coat and hat.

"Elijah! You made it!" She rushed over to greet him and was overjoyed to see him healthy and in good spirits.

"I wouldn't miss this for anything! Bash just told me the news. Congratulations to you and Anne." Elijah embraced Gilbert and Anne.

"I am so happy to see you up and about!" Anne exclaimed after they embraced. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, thanks. It was tiresome being in bed for so long but I'm feeling so blessed now that I'm healthy again. Thank you again to both of you for everything you've done for me. The reverend and Bash told me all you did for me."

"That is what family does." Gilbert patted Elijah's shoulder.

"Welcome to our wonderful family, Anne. I believe Bash is most excited of all to welcome you to the fold," said Elijah, making Gilbert chuckle.

Elijah then turned to Anne. "I'll never forget the day Bash got Gilbert's letter from Toronto letting him know that you loved him back. I think he even woke up Delly from her nap, so they were both yelling together."

"Yelling?" Anne exclaimed, laughing with both Elijah and Gilbert. "I didn't know about that!"

"That is the truth! We were both there!" Hazel walked over at that moment with Delly. "Congratulations, Anne!"

As Anne took Delly into her arms, Hazel whispered to her. "Like I said before, the two of you make a handsome couple. I'm so happy for you both."

"Thank you, Hazel! Oh Delly! How would you like to be a flower girl at the wedding? Yes you!" Hazel smiled indulgently as she watched Anne spin around with Delly, making the wee tot laugh. Rachel then came over to take her turn with Delly, who delighted in being the center of attention.

Marilla and Matthew then came over to greet Elijah and ask how he was. Anne smiled at seeing their two families were truly already like one big family.

Bash took Gilbert's arm as he twirled him around."I knew it! I always knew it!" Bash sang those words in Gilbert's ear. "I have been singing and will continue to sing this all night!"

Gilbert laughed in surprise. "I'm so happy you were right all along. Go ahead and sing it all night."

"You might regret this later, Blythe, because I can. And I will." Bash laughed and turned to Anne. "You don't understand, Anne, or maybe you do."

Bash then turned to point at Gilbert before turning back to Anne. "This one here was so blue when he thought you'd rejected him." He then took Anne's hands and twirled her around. "Thank God all of that is now behind us. I am so, so happy for both of you!"

Anne gave Gilbert a brief look of confusion before Bash whisked her away into another twirl. Gilbert knew he would probably have to explain to Anne what Bash was referring to sooner or later. He watched them dance as Moody and two other musicians began to play more dance songs. At one point, he overheard Anne ask Bash, "Did you really yell when you read Gilbert's letter?" And Bash's response, "Yes and both Ma and Elijah thought I was possessed. And they were right! Possessed by joy for you two!"

Sure enough, as soon as Anne had another moment alone with Gilbert, she asked him. "When exactly did I reject you? Is he talking about our talk at the bonfire? Because I don't actually remember exactly what I said to you that made you feel that way."

Gilbert grimaced at the memory, before taking Anne's hand, and kissing it, his eyes on hers. "It's what you didn't say that I suppose I took as rejection. At that time I'd convinced myself that you didn't love me back, so that's what I told Bash. But now I know better."

Anne gripped his hand more tightly as she looked into his eyes with remorse. "I hate to think of having made you feel blue, even if it was the fault of the rum and bad timing and..."

Gilbert silenced her with a kiss. "It's all in the past now. And now here I am, the complete opposite of blue!"

Anne grinned back, trying to hold back from laughing at his response. "But do colors have opposites? Pray tell, what color might be the opposite of blue?"

"Glorious, radiant red." Gilbert took a lock of her hair in one hand and pressed it to his lips before kissing her again to confirm he was no longer in any doubt of her affections for him.

Diana and Cole came up to Anne and Gilbert with more congratulations, embraces, and smiles.

Diana turned to Gilbert. "Gilbert, you have a whole lifetime to spend with Anne, so please, would you spare us a few moments with her?"

Gilbert gave her a little bow which made Diana, Cole, and Anne laugh. "Of course, Diana! But I don't suppose you can blame me for wanting to spend every possible moment with her."

Anne, Diana, and Cole all melted visibly at his words before Diana interjected, "Gilbert Blythe, you are too much! But just right for Anne." They all laughed heartily.

"I agree. You two are a perfect match in character and words," said Cole, blushing.

"Why thank you, Cole!" responded Gilbert.

"I hope you'll let me paint both of you together. Maybe a wedding portrait. I - well...I sketched this the other day." Cole took out a sketchbook and showed them a pencil sketch of the two of them sitting together under a blossoming tree.

"Wow, this is amazing!" Gilbert looked at Cole with admiration. "It would be a tremendous honor to have you do our portrait. And we would make sure you get a commission…"

"No, no, let it be my wedding gift. And the honor would be mine!"

"Cole, this is beautiful," said Anne as she admired up close his sketch of Gilbert. "You've captured Gilbert's smile, even his dimples."

"And yours as well," added Gilbert. He looked at Anne and their eyes and smiles connected at the same time. Then they chuckled, tickled at actually seeing how true Cole's illustration of their dimples was.

Mr. Barry then came to speak with Gilbert, so Diana took that opportunity to pull Anne aside to speak with her and Cole in a vacant corner of the schoolroom.

"We have been dying to know the details!" Diana was grinning as she took her hand to look at her ring once more. "You see, I was right!"

"Oh my dearest, wisest Diana. I concede victory to you. You were absolutely right all along." Anne then described to both of them how Gilbert had met her at Green Gables, how they walked along the same path where they had first met, and how that ended up being the exact spot where he proposed marriage to her.

"Gilbert is something else," said Diana. "How perfectly romantic of him to choose that spot. You really are meant for each other." Her smile turned immediately into a frown when she saw Minnie May reaching for one of the potato lights on a nearby shelf. "Oh no, I'd better go and make sure my sister doesn't hurt herself."

Cole cleared his throat as soon as Diana left Anne and Cole alone in the corner. "I seem to recall that I once told you that I knew Gilbert had a crush on you, and you denied it. Not that I could have predicted wedding bells then. I'm so glad you found your life mate, Anne."

"Thank you, Cole." Anne embraced him. "I don't suppose we'll need that arranged marriage after all."

Cole grinned as he responded. "Yes, no backup plan needed after all. But we'll always be there for each other, no matter what."

"Yes. Kindred spirits always, Cole. So now to find your life mate!"

"We shall see," smiled Cole. Eager to change the subject, Cole then saw someone else approach their corner. "Here comes another well-wisher for you!"

Anne turned around and saw Aunt Jo walking toward them. She embraced Anne and told her warmly, "You have all my congratulations and love! I just spoke with your Gilbert and I must say I am quite impressed by him. Not just to have won your heart but to have organized all of this!"

"Thank you so very much, Aunt Jo! I'm so happy you are here in Avonlea!"

"Yes, well, Diana insisted I visit for a New Year's celebration and possibly more...and it seems she was right!" Aunt Jo gently brought her hand to Anne's cheek. "So Anne, no longer the bride of adventure, but the future bride of Gilbert Blythe!"

"It seems ages ago when I spoke to you about not understanding my heart. I can't adequately tell how much your words helped me." Anne's eyes were brimming with tears.

"So you're no longer unsure or confused? The path forward is clear?"

"I know my heart now, yes. It belongs to Gilbert, and his heart is mine. Do you know, he once told me in a letter that I'm the keeper of the key to his heart?" Anne left out the detail that he had originally written it in the letter she tore up, but he then recounted it in one of their many letters of the last three months.

"He's a poet as well as a scholar." Aunt Jo's face was full of affection and admiration as she glanced over at Gilbert as he was speaking with others, before she turned back to Anne. " You have not only found yourself a quality suitor, but the best partner worthy of you. I may not know him as well as you yet, but already I can see some of what you see in him."

Anne and Gilbert were regaled by their friends and families all evening long with stories and memories of their adventures together, sometimes together, sometimes individually. Everyone partook of the feast that Marilla, Rachel, and Hazel had put together, and there was even some singing along with the dancing that made it a wonderful New Year's party as well as a celebration of Anne and Gilbert's engagement.

Even when Anne and Gilbert were in different groups, their eyes never failed to find one another, and they never strayed too long from each other.

Later that evening Anne asked Gilbert in a playful manner, "But what if I had not accepted?"

"Then this would've been a very dreary New Year party indeed," Gilbert caressed Anne's cheek. "Fortunately, you accepted me and I am now the happiest and luckiest man in the world." He kissed her tenderly and then looked into her eyes. "I love you so much."

As Anne heard his earnest words conveyed with such sweetness to her, she felt a sob take over her throat as tears flowed from her eyes. Gilbert put his arm around her and asked her with concern, "What is it, Anne?"

Anne retrieved a handkerchief from her pocket; it was the one he had given her earlier. "Oh Gilbert, I love you with all my being, and I'm just so happy — so why am I crying? I suppose I'm still in disbelief that this is all happening and that I can make you feel that way. Me!"

"Only you, Anne." Gilbert held her face as he wiped away her tears.

"I just didn't think that anybody would love me the way you do, and that I would find love right here in Avonlea. But you do, and I did. Love revealing itself as it bloomed from friendship."

"And no tragical romance necessary." Gilbert embraced and held her close.

"If you hadn't gotten well, it might have been! I'm so thankful you've recovered. What we have is stronger than any romance."

"Love doesn't have to unfold like romance stories. It can unfold out of broken slates and shared affections."

Anne laughed as she looked up into Gilbert's eyes. "And shared destinies. I couldn't imagine a better life partner than you."

Hearing Anne's words and knowing the vast expanse of her vibrant imagination, Gilbert's own heart melted as he kissed her in reply.

Mr. Barry cleared his throat and asked everyone in the room to quiet down as glasses of champagne were passed out to everyone in the room. He had his pocket watch out as it approached the midnight hour. "As it is getting late and very close to the dawn of a new day and year, I would like to take this opportunity to toast our happy couple as well as say farewell to 1899! To Gilbert and Anne, congratulations on your engagement, and we look forward to your wedding in the summer. We wish you many years of happiness!"

"Cheers! Hear, hear!" Everyone clinked their glasses and added their congratulations. Both Anne and Gilbert blushed as all eyes in the room were on them. There was a moment of silence as everyone seemed to wait for them to say or do something.

"Now you have to kiss!" Minnie May yelled out, clear as a bell.

Anne and Gilbert laughed, before complying to the cheers of everyone in the room.

Mr. Barry continued. "Excellent! And now let's have a toast as we close one century and begin a new one. Goodbye to eighteen ninety-nine and here's to nineteen hundred! Best wishes for a happy new year!"

"Happy New Year!" Everyone greeted and cheered as they welcomed together 1900.

Anne and Gilbert only had eyes for one another as everyone around them continued to celebrate the close of not just another year, but of a century.