It feels longer than a week… For those of you who wished this story might go on forever- at this pace, it just might! Thank you all for your continued reading and reviews, they brighten my day considerably! and also for those reading my other stories in teh absence of updates on this one! I confess that I had only fragmented ideas about Montreal, but you were so excited about it… hence a week of working on this around other projects, and trying to come up with things of interest about a place I have never been! I appreciate your giving your time to this, and I hope you enjoy the countdown to Anne and Gilbert's happily ever after.

Love, Cate.

Chapter 34

On the last day of school for the year, Anne stood with Rebecca and her students outside in the sunshine. The board members had come to the small assembly, explaining that Miss Shirley and Mrs Matthews would share the job of teaching in the following year, elaborating on their wish that the excellent record the school would only grow stronger. Rebecca was formally introduced, and a small present was given to Miss Shirley on behalf of the school in honour of her approaching nuptials. The courtyard now was filled with children in their summer best, and every parent who was able to be present was- owing largely to the lavish afternoon tea the Women's Auxiliary had provided, courtesy Mrs Cornelia Elliot.

The older woman made her way through the happily chattering crowd to the teacher's side, pausing to look out on the scene with satisfaction.

"Well done, Anne dearie," she said stoutly. "You've done wonders with this class, I can tell you."

"The children did have a good year- I will miss it, I believe." Anne laughed wryly then, reaching down to disentangle her green skirts from the walking stick. "Although may I tell you a secret, Miss Cornelia? This is the most exhausting year I have ever had."

Miss Cornelia watched her carefully. "Might that might improve after the operation?"

Anne smiled at the motherly concern in her voice. "In truth, I don't know. The children do need someone more active in the long term- Rebecca will do marvellously with them."

Miss Cornelia sighed. "And you and the doctor will be married. It's quite romantic, Anne dearie. And to think you and the doctor met when you were only children!" Her eyes were beady as she surveyed the men and women gossiping by the fence. "And I dare say you won't miss teaching for long- this time next year, you and the doctor could have your own little ones to think about."

Anne smiled, a warm spiral running through her at the thought of a baby. "I do hope so," she said softly.

Rebecca came over to Anne with her youngest child in her arms, her eyes twinkling. "Anne, I just spoke with Mrs Brewer-"

Anne gave a wry laugh. "Why is Jack so much further ahead in reading than her daughter?"

"That's the one," Rebecca said brightly. She had been besieged with well-wishers after the assembly, many Glen folk not having known about her qualifications as a teacher. "I did explain to her that she needs to see an oculist about Millie, however, she only protested that her family have never needed glasses before." She worried her lip, looking at the young girl happily playing with her friends under the trees. "Do you suppose the doctor could persuade her?"

Before Anne could respond negatively, Miss Cornelia gave a decisive nod. "Oh, don't worry him about that. I'll have a quiet word with the family."

When Rebecca moved off to chase her eldest child, Susan came to stand near Anne with a sigh. "They all think you've done wonderfully, Anne. And I've had at least eight queries on when the wedding will be."

Anne laughed. "Soon enough, Susan- although not nearly soon enough for me."

Miss Cornelia and Susan had begun to make plans for the summer wedding, and for the organization of the new house. The trip to Montreal would eat into much of their preparation time, and Anne and Gilbert had been happy to turn it over to those they trusted most- all of which, Gilbert had said cheekily, left them much more time to simply be together.

Miss Cornelia adjusted her hat in the breeze. "Is it all set when you are to leave, Anne?"

Mentally counting the days, Anne sighed in relief. "Next week- Monday night, I believe. I am glad- waiting around for it would be quite painful."

Susan clucked anxiously. "I do wish you had a little more time to rest, Anne. I wonder if the doctor-"

Anne stopped her with a loving look. "Gilbert knew that I was anxious about it, Susan. And the sooner it is over, the sooner we can set the date for the wedding."

Susan sighed. "Just as you like, Anne dear. Now-" She turned to the gate, to see Gilbert arriving, his eyes on the red-head beside her. She couldn't stop her amused smile. "Well, there he is now. If he wants you to go for a walk, later on, remember to bring a shawl."

Within days of this conversation, Susan was yet again farewelling Anne on the platform. Her brow was creased, however, she refrained from warning Gilbert to look after Anne this time. Instead, she asked them to telephone her after the operation was completed, and held on to Anne's gloved hand tightly. Andrew stepped in at this point, assuring Susan that his parents would be happy for Anne or Gilbert to call her whenever she would like. Anne reassured her that all would be well, cleverly diverting her with a comment about what cleaning Gilbert's present home might be like- this was the task Susan had chosen to complete while they were away. Susan huffed immediately, muttering comments about Mrs Leary's many shortcomings as a housekeeper- and making Gilbert laugh when she hinted that his mother would be furious that she had refused to cook for him.

"I see you really have met my mother," he said, amused. "Don't worry. You might be surprised at how well I've kept the house."

The farewells began in earnest now, and Susan saw Anne and Gilbert seated opposite Andrew and his daughter on the train with a sigh of relief. As it moved away from the siding, Susan wiped an unacknowledged tear from her cheek, her chin jutting out stubbornly. She had a month until Anne would be at home again, and she planned to use the time to the best of her ability.

"Are we there yet, Papa?" a little voice said with a heavy sigh that made the couple across the seat from her chuckle.

Andrew Winston rubbed a hand over his tired face and met Gilbert's twinkling eyes. "Do you see a city, little duck?"

Lizzie scowled, utterly ruining the angelic look her blond curls gave her. "No."

"Do you see a giant train station and a steamship that we will board?"

"No, Papa."

"Then clearly, we are not there yet."

Anne chuckled, smoothing the mint green skirt of her travelling suit. "It isn't far to Charlottetown now, Lizzie. We will have some dinner first, and then we will board the boat in the evening. Won't that be fun?"

"Can I have ice cream for dinner?"

"This is all your grandpa's fault, you know," an amused Andrew replied. "He does spoil you when he comes to see us."

"I know. I like it," the child said solemnly, making her father laugh.

Andrew smiled then, as Lizzie snuggled up by his side. His parents were beside themselves to know that they would have their son and granddaughter at home with them for almost a month- and to host Anne and Gilbert was an added blessing, as far as they were concerned.

"Is young Doctor Shelby set up for the month, Gil?" Andrew now asked.

Gilbert grinned. "He's no infant, Andrew. He's a respectable twenty-five, I'll have you know. Top of his class, and going into a practice in his hometown in September- he wanted to get some work in before tackling the people he grew up with- something I avoided, thank heavens."

"However did you find him, darling?" Anne asked curiously.

"I have good contacts. I'm in touch with Redmond throughout the year- and I asked the head of the medical school if anyone would want to spend the summer in Four Winds as my assistant. Bruce will supervise him as necessary, I'll work with him for a month or so after we come home- and by that time he should only require minimal supervision while we are away on our honeymoon." Gilbert sighed, resting back against the seat contentedly. "My patients will have proper care, the practice won't suffer- I get to be with you, Anne, and can look forward to the first holiday I have had since our first year of college. As a bonus, Shelby earns enough to set up his new practice with the equipment he needs. It's perfect."

Andrew chuckled. "Unless your patients don't like him- or they decide they like him better."

Gilbert shrugged, his hazel eyes twinkling. "It's why I asked Mrs Elliot to board him- if she likes him, he's safe in the community. And she adores Anne- so I'm safe by extension."

Andrew gave his curly headed daughter a loving look and pulled her close to his side. "Miss Cornelia- she was Miss Cornelia then- she knew Maddie when she was Lizzie's age- and she was sceptical enough about me when I first came. When Maddie became ill though, there was nothing she wouldn't do for us- she seemed to be always over at the house, scolding me and helping."

Lizzie sat up and looked at her father curiously. "Are you talking about mama?"

Andrew smiled, his eyes showing some lingering hurt. "Yes. Mama's name was Madeline."

"I knew that," she said pragmatically. "I found some letters that you sent Mama, and you called her that- and you called her your angel-"

Andrew choked slightly at this extraordinary revelation. "You found our letters, Lizzie?"

The little girl scratched her nose in perfect unconcern. "A whole box of them, Papa. And Mama wrote some of them, and she used to call you a prince, and some other name that sounded like a horse, but I don't think-"

At this, a hand was clapped over Lizzie's mouth, and a wild-eyed Andrew bent down to interrupt the flow of talk while Gilbert slumped against the seat in a fit of laughter.

"Lizzie, what do you say we see if the tea room serves ice cream?" her father asked desperately.

A sudden squeal and Lizzie had forgotten all about terms of endearment, and Andrew stood up and led his daughter away from the couple, his eyes anywhere but on his friend's.

Back in their seat, Gilbert wiped his eyes chuckling. "I swear that I see her, Anne, and I see a little version of you. I should very much have liked to have known her mother."

Anne tucked her head against his shoulder and sighed. "As would I." She was silent for a minute and looked out of the windows bathed in the afternoon light. "Gil? What happened to Madeline?"

Gilbert shifted her so that she could rest against him more comfortably, and it took some time for him to answer. "Consumption."

Anne's eyes closed. "Like Ruby," she said softly.

"Yes. Like Ruby." He sighed, holding her closely. "I don't know what I would do- if- if you-"

Her hands came up to frame his face then. "We're more aware than most, I suppose," she said softly. "We know what it is to be apart. But now- for now, Gilbert- we need to be thankful for every moment we have together. Every one. All of the arguments, the tears, the times we are frustrated with each other- for better or worse."

Gilbert smiled at her. "In sickness and in health-"

"For as long as we both shall live."

He pressed a kiss to her willing lips and then chuckled. "Are you sure that doesn't count as us saying our wedding vows, sweetheart? I'm ready if you are."

"To quote Andrew, are we surrounded by loved ones? Is your mother crying in the front row, closely followed by Diana? Am I wearing the most beautiful gown I have ever worn?"

He shrugged with a grin. "I always think so."

She laughed. "I admit that it would be lovely to just skip all of the fuss and be together- however those around us have waited for a long time. We can do this for them." She stroked his chin, her eyes twinkling. "This used to baffle me so, Gilbert."

"My chin baffled you?" he teased.

"We became friends at a fairly interesting developmental period, don't you think?" Anne asked.

Gilbert's eyebrow flew up then drolly. "I have no idea where you are going with this, darling."

"Do you remember the years we spent teaching?"

"Just how poor a memory do you think your future husband has?"

Anne lifted her hands in laughing protest. "It was interesting, Gil. We had just come from school days ourselves- we were teachers, and looking to become students again eventually. We used to talk about us needing to make up five years."

Gilbert simply waited, knowing that at some point her line of thought would make sense.

"We tumbled about like children," Anne mused, as his fingers gently rubbed her shoulder. "You would wear clothes that I associated with our school days, and in so many ways you were still a schoolboy to me. I suppose that was why I was so comfortable with you initially." She chuckled then, her hand on his jaw. "But in the evenings- I would notice this on you." He smiled as she stroked the stubble on his chin, and giggled. "It belonged to a man- and I wasn't comfortable putting you in that box yet."

Gilbert chuckled. "That was your problem with me? I wasn't staying a boy?" he teased, and she nodded.

"Gil, I was barely handling the changes that I had to deal with- let alone accept that my best friend was becoming a man. And really, you were that already."

His smile was boyish then as he regarded her. "So you didn't want me to grow up."

"I didn't want any of us to grow up," Anne said candidly. "You remember how poorly I handled Diana and Fred becoming engaged."

"I do." He looked at her curiously. "Still, you seem to have made your peace with him over the years."

Anne smiled. "He welcomed me on Diana's behalf- and always made a space for me in their family. I don't know what I would have done without Fred and Diana after- after Marilla died," she said slowly. "I had a house, but no home. They gave me that."

Gilbert pulled her close, a look of regret on his face. "Anne, should I have stopped you from selling Green Gables?" She looked at him in surprise, and he gave her a sad smile. "You could have kept the house, sweetheart. You didn't need the money."

Anne turned to him, her eyebrows raised. "You didn't push me to sell it, Gilbert. I chose to do that. And while it is true that I didn't expect to be getting married, I still believe that selling it was the most logical choice." She looked at him with a sigh then. "Besides, if I held onto it, what were my choices? To leave Four Winds, leave you?"

"That was a factor?" he asked with a smile, and she laughed.

"You know that it was. The Williams family is settling well into Avonlea- and Diana said they have repaired the house beautifully." She swallowed then, and Gilbert rested his cheek against the top of her head.

"Did you want to go and see it sometime?" he asked gently. She didn't look up, and Gilbert sat unmoving, waiting for her response.

"I'm glad for them but- I don't think I'm ready for that, yet," she said in a soft voice. "Not now."

He pressed a kiss to her red hair and sighed. "Whenever you are, we'll go," he whispered.

"Thank you, Gil." She was quiet then until a chuckle broke through. "Besides, I have a feeling I will be spending quite a sum of that money while we are away."

Gilbert then pushed her back from him, his hands on her shoulders. "Now just why would you think that?"

Anne watched the stubborn set of his brow and her mouth quirked. "Because I have an operation coming up, dear. I have a trousseau to buy-"

"I told you that I'm paying for the operation."

"You are not-"

"Am so," he said, his voice calm. "I told you that I wanted to do that."

"And I said no."

Gilbert had had too much experience arguing with Anne to give up so easily and gave her a stern look. "Anne, I'll give you the trousseau, but as far as the operation is concerned, I'm doing this."

Anne scowled at him. "Blythes," she muttered. "Marilla was right about you, you know. A stubborn offshoot of a stubborn breed."

He had to laugh then. "And you'll be one soon enough." He faced her squarely, eyeing her carefully. "What really bothers you about me paying for it?"

She huffed a little, and finally sighed, gesturing to her walking stick. "This. This happened while we were in exile-" he snorted at the term she had chosen and Anne rolled her eyes at him. "-while we were so far apart. Why should you pay for my foolish mistake?"

Gilbert bent down to look into her eyes. "Now look here, we both paid for foolish mistakes, Anne. An accident is just that- it wasn't your fault." His jaw clenched, and he took her hands in his own. "And I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I'm selfish. I hate that it hurt you- but it brought you back to me. I would pay that ten times over for the privilege of being the one who gets to be with you. I don't care. I'm doing it."

Anne looked at him for long minutes, her grey eyes piercing. Eventually, she sighed and nodded. "Alright."

Gilbert suddenly grinned and kissed her on the cheek. "You've mellowed, you know. When we were younger, you would have argued me until the sun went down."

"Then let us be thankful that this is the Anne you are marrying," she said cheekily, as she pulled him close to kiss him again. This was halted abruptly at a disparaging noise which made them pull back in blushing confusion. Lizzie's serious face was behind them, and Anne smiled sheepishly at Andrew's amused look.

"Billy Slater said that you can get germs from doing that," she said dubiously. "Did you know that, Doctor Blythe?"

The stopover in Charlottetown for the boat was a whirl of activity. A tired and grumbling Lizzie was hustled through a meal at a restaurant near the water, and it was a relieved Andrew who saw his daughter to the room that she and Anne would be sharing for a few hours of sleep- or so he hoped. The night was a clear one, and the water as they steamed away from the harbour was like glass in the moonlight. Andrew and Gilbert sat out on the deck in the fresh air talking. The late crossing had been rendered necessary to catch the appropriate trains, and Gilbert was looking forward to the promise of a proper bed to stretch out on, on the midnight train from Nova Scotia to Montreal.

As Andrew puffed away contentedly on a cigar, Gilbert sat looking out on the same water he had crossed so many times before and smiled. He'd never crossed it like this before. Anne had been tired but cheerful as she made her way to the room with Lizzie, and he had watched her go, euphoria bubbling up inside. A year ago- even six months ago he could not have pictured being in this place with Anne Shirley. Now, he looked up at the bright starlight, remembering starry skies that had swirled and burned above them. When he had ached to tell the girl who lay on haunted fields beside him that he loved her, ached to show her with his hands and his body that he adored and would cherish her always. He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes with thankfulness. Soon- so very soon.

When the train from Halifax to Montreal finally arrived at the Windsor Street Station, it was mid-morning on Wednesday. Andrew stepped off the train onto the familiar station with great thankfulness, bringing his six year old daughter to stand beside him- after a completely unexplained storm of tears just five minutes earlier. Anne had declared that she could easily join her after two days of travelling. In vain Gilbert had tried to distract Lizzie with games to pass the time, and Miss Shirley had spent the past day and a half telling stories; shooing away a concerned Gilbert to walk up and down the train with the little girl while her father took a nap in his berth. Andrew grinned. He had a feeling that Anne needed to stretch as much as Lizzie did- and he had been quite amazed at the number of people the 'girls' met in their travels.

Now, as the steam from the train began to clear, Andrew, at last, saw Penny waiting on the platform with her father, and with a happy cry, she ran to them both, catching her niece tightly in her arms. The commotion was all around them, and Lizzie had her aunt in a hug so tight that she didn't bother trying to separate herself from the girl. Instead, her brother hugged the two of them, turning to greet his father while Penny wiped away happy tears. For a few minutes, the family stood together talking over each other, and it was Penny who finally turned to look for Anne and Gilbert.

A lump came to her throat, as she saw the two of them standing off to one side, allowing the family to greet each other in private. She watched Gilbert place an arm around her waist, his eyes twinkling at something Anne must have just said. He bent to kiss her cheek, no doubt taking advantage of a city of unknown people. The intimate manner between them made her jaw drop slightly, and Penny found herself wanting to laugh at the besotted look on the couple's faces.

With a jolt, she turned back to her niece to hear what she was saying.

"They keep doing that," Lizzie commented, screwing up her little face in contemplation. "Kissing. Papa says it's because they're in love. Do people in love have to do that?"

Penny did her best not to blush, as a certain moonlit walk from the previous evening came to mind. "Oh- well, yes, Lizzie, I suppose they do. Shall we go and say hello to them now?"

"But I already saw them-"

In another moment, Penny had reached Anne and met her warmly with a hug, declaring that happiness suited her entirely. Gilbert was greeted as well, and Penny drew her father near to introduce him to their guests. Penny smiled as his old-fashioned courtesy took over, and he welcomed Anne with a fatherly warmth that at once made her relax.

"Miss Shirley, Penny has not stopped talking about you since she arrived home," he said with a smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, my dear. May I call you Anne? Such a lovely name- my sister's, in fact. And so you are the woman who has caught the young doctor's eye! Doctor Blythe, why did it have to take you so long?" he said reproachfully, and Gilbert glanced down into the warmth of Anne's grey eyes.

"Sometimes the right things just need to line up," Gilbert said lightly, making the older man chuckle.

"That's how you win a woman's heart, son- it's good to have you both with us."

Gilbert grinned. "Thank you, sir. I can't thank you enough for opening your home to Anne and I."

Mr Winston viewed the red-headed young woman benevolently. "And you are my granddaughter's beautiful teacher as well! You were all Lizzie could talk about when we were on the Island in the New Year."

Anne's eyes twinkled at him. "And she has told me much of you as well, Mr Winston- she informed me that you are her very favourite grandfather."

He shouted with laughter at this, eying Lizzie proudly. "I'm the only one, I'm afraid- but I will take the compliment nonetheless. And are you prepared to see some of Montreal while you are here?"

Anne smiled. "We certainly are, sir. I assure you, that Gilbert is quite eager to make up for his lack of sightseeing in the past."

The older man leant toward her solemnly. "He's never seen the Basilica, my dear. It does concern me." He patted her hand fondly, turning to look at his son in apparent disappointment. "You couldn't have met this lovely young lady first, Andrew?"

Anne choked slightly, and Andrew snorted with laughter.

"Err- no, father. Gilbert beat me squarely- he and Miss Shirley met when they were children."

Mr Winston gave a hearty laugh and clapped Gilbert on the shoulder. "Aye, so that's his secret! Ah, well. Now, we'd best be going. Miss Shirley, may I offer you my arm while Andrew and Doctor Blythe get the luggage?"

After a bewildering first day, it was nearing ten at night when Penny showed Anne to her suite on the ground floor at the house, a big smile on her face as she took Anne's arm.

"My parents adore you, Anne- and I feel selfishly glad that your operation means that you can be here for a month. We are going to have a marvellous time with all of us here."

Anne sat on the edge of the large four poster bed, looking around at the comfortable room with pleasure. "It's lovely Penny- and your parents are simply delightful." She had watched the affectionate way that the parents were around their children, and a little shard of equal pleasure and pain was felt- for the parents she herself had never known, and for the parents that she and Gilbert hoped they would become one day.

She could hardly keep back a yawn, and within minutes Penny had summoned a maid to help Anne dress in her nightgown and robe, and Anne soon sat on the side of the bed braiding her hair back. A knock came on her door then, and the maid opened it to Louisa Winston who stood in the doorway, her voice soft.

"Anne dear, Gilbert has asked if he may check on you- he is a touch concerned about your foot after travelling so far."

Anne swore she could detect amusement in the woman's face, however, she nodded bashfully, and an equally affected Gilbert was soon summoned to the room. Louisa busied herself in checking that Anne had all she required, as Gilbert stepped past the maid hanging up Anne's gowns, his black bag in hand.

Anne's cheeks were heating as he sat down in the chair by the bed. "Are you coming up with excuses to come in here, Gilbert?" she muttered, and he chuckled.

"I am still your doctor, sweetheart- and you are after all in Montreal on my recommendation. It is, however, a good excuse to say goodnight to you."

Anne nodded and sat back on the bed for Gilbert to check her ankle. His look was thoughtful, and he sighed as he saw the telltale swelling. Anne gave Louisa an apologetic smile when she stepped behind Gilbert in concern, taking in the slight bruising on her guest's foot.

"Do you need anything for her, Doctor Blythe?"

He shook his head. "I think we should wrap it for the night- possibly tomorrow as well. I have the bandages right here." He directed his frown back at Anne then. "Was this hurting you today, and you didn't tell me?"

Anne shrugged innocently, making Louisa Winston smile. "I couldn't feel it, to be honest, Gil-"

He pulled a pillow from the other side of the bed and propped her foot upon it, his look amused as he began to wrap. "I suppose you think that is some kind of justification."

"Gil, I am fine," Anne said seriously, stopping him for a moment. "It was a long day, and a long trip- but we are here now. You did say this might happen."

Gilbert sighed, tucking the last piece of the bandage in with a smile. He then brushed the hair back from her face. "I know that."

As the maid curtsied and left the room, Louisa 's hand was on Anne's shoulder. "Well, I am glad you were here, doctor. Anne, please ring the bell for Sally if you need a hand through the night- she is only too happy to assist you. You do remind me of Penny, dear- as a girl I could never keep her in bed if she was unwell." She straightened up with a twinkle in her eye. "Now, Gilbert, I believe that I will wait outside for you for just a minute- just one, mind. Anne does need her sleep."

The door closed behind her, and Anne and Gilbert both began to laugh. "Mrs Lynde wouldn't dream of showing you that kind of trust, Gilbert- although Diana might, perhaps."

"I'd better make the most of it then." He bent over her to kiss her then, his hazel eyes darkening. "Please tell me if you're hurting, Anne."

Anne cupped his face in her hands, her eyes studying him lovingly. "Aside from a small twinge, I'm not. We're here, now, beloved. We have four weeks together- to rest and recover, and then only another month until we marry. You need to stop worrying."

Gilbert's shoulders dropped, knowing she was right. "I'll try." He grinned then, bringing his face close to kiss her again. "Now as I figure it," he mumbled against her lips, we have half a minute left to say goodnight. Don't you think we'd better-"

The rest of his words were cut off as Anne pulled him into her embrace, and with her lips on his she could tell that he was smiling.