"Just one thing..."
Gilbert observed Anne's reaction to his long-awaited confession. The widening of her eyes, her increased breathing.
"I'm that one thing?"
He leaned in closer, his eyes seeking out hers in the dark. "Yes, Anne. You're that one thing."
"But I don't want to hold you back."
He reached out to her.
"Anne…"
She shot up from the log, causing him to stand up too. "No, Gilbert. I will not stand in the way of your dream, despite my feelings for you. Marry Winifred. Forget about me."
And without another word, she spun on her heel and walked away to join the others, leaving him rooted to the spot and gaping like a fish.
She has feelings for him! She has-"
His thoughts were interrupted when Moody barrelled into him. "Hey, Gilbert! Want some Moonshine?"
His old, clearly intoxicated childhood friend could have been a stranger to him at that moment. All he could focus on was Anne, standing at a distance, her fiery hair the only source of light he could see. He ignored Moody and set off towards the girl of his dreams.
As soon as he reached her, he took hold of her arm and spun her round to face him.
"Gilbert, I…"
He drew her close to him, ignoring the shouts and hollers of his classmates, their voices drowned out by his racing heartbeat. "Have you been drinking?"
To his immense relief, Anne shook her head. "No. I know all too well the effects of alcohol and what it does to people. I've been intoxicated before, and Mr Hammond..."
She broke off and shook her head. "Never mind."
He knew now was not the time to inquire about what she meant. He could question her about that some other time. He held out his hand. "Follow me. Let's talk somewhere private, all right?"
To his surprise, she slipped her hand into his and allowed him to lead her along the grass. Gilbert wasn't sure where he was going at first. But before he knew it, he had led them into his childhood home, up the stairs and into the privacy of his bedroom.
He locked the door and turned around to face Anne, who had seated herself on his bed, her hands fidgeting in her lap.
"So, you have feelings for me?"
His straightforwardness caused her to stare up at him in surprise. "Yes, but…"
"But…"
He came over and sat beside her, ready to argue his case.
"Your dream just landed in your lap."
He took her hand. "Yes, it did."
"Winifred is lovely."
Gilbert sighed. "Yes, she is, and she deserves better. I'll end things with her right away."
"But she's intelligent, beautiful and charming. Not to mention, she shares your interests like a kindred spirit. I think she suits you very well."
He kissed her palm. "What suits me very well is fiery hair, a face full of freckles and a vocabulary that rivals a dictionary."
"But…"
Gilbert groaned in frustration and shifted closer to her. "Stop it, Anne. Why are you running from this? You told me you had feelings for me."
She lowered her head, but Gilbert wouldn't have it and cupped her chin. "Anne…please look at me."
She raised her head.
"I love you," he said softly, caressing her cheek. "I've always loved you. I'm not denying it anymore."
She shrugged in reply. "I'm a ugly, penniless orphan with nothing to offer you. More specifically, a red-haired, freckled witch, as I've often been told. What do you want me to say?"
Her words hit him like another slate coming down against his head.
"Not to mention I've been cursed with a debilitating stubbornness making it difficult for me to believe you."
Well, he'd have to take drastic measures then, and he dropped his gaze to her lips. "Then maybe this will make you believe me..."
And without another word, he held her face and drew her in for their first kiss. When she didn't pull away, he deepened it, running his hands through her hair. Feeling bold, he let one hand settle on her thigh and caressed it, smiling against her mouth when she gasped.
She pulled away from him, and he immediately let go of her. "Anne…I'm sorry. Was that all right? Should I have done that?"
She hesitated. But then she nodded, biting her lip in a way that made him want to lower her to the bed and kiss her senseless. He kept his distance, however, and encouraged her to speak.
"Yes. That was more than all right. I'm just...I'm so overwhelmed right now." She gazed into his eyes, and Gilbert's heart raced when he saw hopefulness staring back at him. Plus, some tenderness. "I think I can believe it. The way you're looking at me right now, the way you just kissed me…."
He ran his hand along her cheek, and she leaned into his caress.
"You must know, Gilbert, that I've been unloved for many years. I've been treated like garbage, been constantly told how worthless I am. And it's made me question…how on earth could anyone ever truly love me..."
He cradled her head, his eyes boring into hers with such intensity that she shuddered. "I swear to you, Anne," he breathed, pressing his forehead against hers. "You will never have to question that ever again."
Recapturing her lips, he lowered her onto his bed and hovered above her, letting his eyes rove over her features, taking in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. Not to mention her hair, free of their usual braids, blanketing his pillow beneath her. Never had she looked so utterly breathtaking.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his thumb brushing against her cheekbone. "Is that why you're so hesitant?"
She nodded and he leaned down to brush his lips against hers. "Never again..."
His mouth trailed across her face to her ear "Anne, I want to touch you," he breathed, nibbled on her earlobe. He sat up and trailed a lone finger along her torso, bunching up her dress to reveal her stocking-clad legs. "But only if you'll permit me…"
She smiled at him and nodded despite her nervousness. "I've never felt like this before and I don't want it to end." She closed her eyes but quickly reopened them. "Oh, and I love you," she added almost as an afterthought. "I want you to know that just in case I forget."
He closed his eyes, savouring the words he had wanted to hear for so long.
"I love you too, carrots." His fingers skimmed along her body. "Let me show you how much..."
He fingered the waistband of her drawers and smiled seductively. "Close your eyes."
Her eyes fluttered shut, and he lowered his hand even further, pressing it against her legs and rubbing her there gently. This elicited the most beautiful sighs and moans from her, making him want to pleasure her even more. He leaned down and placed soft kisses, his fingers hooking into her drawers and slowly pulling them down...
"Hey, Blythe?"
A loud banging at the door caused them to break apart and return to reality.
"Have you come home?"
Gilbert shot up from the bed.
"Yeah. I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Bash."
"Night. I hope you'll make the right decision about your future."
Gilbert swivelled around to face his Anne who sported the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen.
Oh boy! Had he...
The sound of Bash's footsteps descending the stairs quickly followed.
Gilbert held his hand out to Anne for the second time that night. "I'd best get you home." He helped her to her feet and tugged her close. "I want to keep you here forever but..."
Anne leaned into his embrace. "I'd like that too, but I agree. I should head back. I don't want Matthew and Marilla to worry."
"Let's go."
Gilbert accompanied her to Green Gables, but before Gilbert could pull Anne in for one last kiss goodnight, the front door swung open.
"Anne! There you are! Do you have any idea how late it is? Come inside at once!"
Marilla came out and gave Gilbert a grateful smile. "Oh, thank you for bringing her home, Gilbert."
Gilbert shrugged. "It's my pleasure."
"You're such a gentleman. How can we ever…"
Marilla stopped short when she got a good look at Anne. She step forward and held her face. "Anne, what is this? Why are you so flushed?" She gasped in shock. "Anne, have you been drinking? Have you been deliberately drinking?!"
Anne turned even redder and glanced at Gilbert, who winked subtly at her. "Well…I…uh…"
Marilla rolled her eyes in a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "Oh well. Come inside. You'll be suffering a dreadful headache tomorrow, so I suppose that can be your punishment."
She nodded at Gilbert.
"Thank you once again."
As soon as they entered, Gilbert turned and ran back towards his own house, feeling like the luckiest fool in the world.