Diana and Jack's wedding was set for three weeks time. Jack and his parents went home to Avonlea as planned, making provisions to return to Ingleside in a fortnight. Fred and Diana Wright had been shocked by the news of their youngest son's engagement, but were overwhelmingly delighted.

"Anne! Oh Anne!" Diana had shrieked, hugging her impulsively. "This is the most wonderful news. I always hoped we could be proper family, and now we will be!"

"Indeed." Anne had replied somewhat coolly, still not happy about the whole thing. Diana, ignorant of the circumstances behind the engagement, misunderstood Annes indifference.

"I suppose you think a child of mine is not good enough for a Blythe!" she had admonished. "Only a Ford or a Meredith will do! Well let me tell you, we Wrights might not have your education but Jack is a good hard working boy..."

Anne stopped Diana mid rant. "Di, darling, don't be such a goose. It's all been so sudden. I need time to get used to it. I am pleased." she said emphatically, trying to convince herself as much as Diana.

And, as much as she was disappointed, Anne grew reconciled to the situation, even beginning to get excited. Along with Susan she planned the wedding breakfast, and which flowers would adorn the parlour where they would say their vows. She also helped Diana cut out and sew her wedding outfit.

"Diana, you look divine!" Anne exclaimed when Diana tried on her completed outfit, a pale blue ensemble edged with a darker blue band at the sleeves, collar and bottom, coupled with hat and shoes the same colour. Diana had refused all notions of a traditional wedding dress, telling Anne it wasn't appropriate. She also declined to have any bridesmaids, her sisters both being married already, and she had no close female friends to ask. Jack's brother Fred was to stand as best man, and the only guests were their parents, siblings, Susan and in-laws.

On the eve of Jack's arrival Diana felt unwell and took herself to bed believing that it was probably just nerves. However the next morning the crippling cramps in her stomach were a sure sign to her that the wedding which she was rushing into was not necessary. Later that day when Jack and his family arrived, this was confirmed.

As Anne welcomed the extended Wright family into her home Diana took Jack to one side.

"I need to talk to you." she whispered. "Meet me outside when you can get away."

Jack nodded.

Five minutes later he joined her on the veranda.

"What's so urgent?" he asked moving closer to kiss her, but she moved her head so it landed on her cheek. He surveyed her face. "Got the jitters?"

"No. Yes. No." she shook her head, searching for the words to tell him of such a delicate subject. "We don't have to get married." she blurted out.

"Yes, we do. We can't leave things to fate." he replied slowly.

"Fate has intervened!" Diana burried her head in her hands and sobbed.

Jack tried to digest this - no child, no wedding?

Upstairs Anne was in her bedroom having settled her guests. She stood by the open window inhaling the fresh afternoon air. Below her she could hear the voices of her daughter and fiance. Anne knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but...

Crouching down on her knees she strained to hear...No child! Thank heavens! But she heard the disappointment in Diana's voice and felt a little upset herself...

"...but why does this mean we can't get married? Don't you want to?" Jack was saying.

There was a long silence. Anne thought they'd left. Gingerly she stood up and peeked out the window...Diana and Jack were still sitting there...

"What on earth are you doing Anne?" Gilbert demanded, walking into the room.

"Ssshhh!" she hissed, finger to her lips. Then crouching down again she beckoned him over, pulling his hand to get him to kneel also.

"Wh..." Gilbert started, silenced by her hand over his mouth.

"Listen." she mouthed at him.

"..I don't know." Diana said. "We have no reason to."

"I can think of one reason... I love you." Jack replied.

"Aww." Anne gushed to Gilbert, who was looking totally confused.

"Anne Blythe!" he chastised. "Stop listening to private conversations."

"Be quiet." Anne ordered, straining harder.

"Do you?" Diana was asking incrediously. "I thought you only asked me because...of...you know...what we did."

"I do love you. Every minute for the past few weeks I've thought of nothing but you...sleeping beside you, waking up next to you...making love to you...here..."

Jack put his hand in his pocket and produced a velvet box. Kneeling down in front of Diana he said, "I love you Diana Blythe - will you marry me?...Please?"

Diana looked at the box he opened, (Anne tried to see but everytime she leant over the windowsill she was firmly pulled back by Gilbert!) inside was a beautiful ring, a deep blue saphire surrounded by twinkling diamonds.

"Oh Jack! It's exquisite!" she exclaimed, reaching out to touch it, as if it weren't real.

"Well?" Jack probed. "Will you marry me as planned?"

Anne held her breath, waiting for the answer as much as Jack...

After a pause which seemed to last an eternity...

"Yes!" Diana and Jack fell into each others arms, kissing pasionately.

"Yes?" Jack was saying between kisses.

"YES!" Diana was shouting.

Anne grabbed Gilbert and flung her arms around him, kissing him too. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" she whispered loudly.

Gilbert, still confused by events, put his hands on her shoulders and shook her gently.

"Will you please tell me what is going on?" he demanded.

"There is no baby!" Anne said. "They're getting married because they're in love! IN LOVE!" She danced around the room. "Come on Gil. We have a wedding to get ready for!"

The atmosphere around Ingleside was one of immense excitement. Anne and Gilbert, delighted that their daughter was getting married for the right reasons, put their heart and soul into making this the most special of days. Diana didn't know her parents had heard her conversation and couldn't fathom the change in attitude. She and Jack didn't tell them of the non existant child in case they were advised to wait before getting married, but she was grateful that they had accepted her choices.

The night before the wedding Gilbert and Anne called Diana and Jack into Gilberts study. Jack was due to go and spend the night at Jem and Faiths house.

"Diana, Jack," Gilbert said, "Anne and I are delighted that you are getting married." He looked over at Anne who was beaming at Jack and Diana. "We know it has been sudden, but what the war has taught us is not to waste time, grab every piece of happiness that comes your way and savour it."

Jack and Diana smiled at each other. Jack tightened his grasp on her hand.

"Anyway," Gilbert continued, "as this happened so quickly I presume not much thought has been given to your future...where you are going to live?" He looked at Jack.

"W - well I thought we'd stay with my parents...to begin with." Jack hesitated.

"You want to go to Avonlea?" Gilbert addressed Diana. She nodded, she go anywhere with Jack.

"Well then, your mother and I were thinking about this."

Jack panicked. Did they think he wasn't capable of providing for Diana?

"We'd like to give you Green Gables - as a wedding present."

Diana and Jack stared at her parents, hardly believing what they were hearing.

"B - but..." Diana stammered.

"Well as you know Aunt Marilla left me Green Gables when she passed away. Uncle Davy and Aunt Millie ran the farm for me, until they went out west." Anne was saying. Diana couldn't believe it, she'd always thought it was Uncle Davy's farm. "And since last year the house has been empty."

Jack nodded. He knew Davy and Millie had left to go live with their youngest son.

"So we are giving it to you." Anne finished.

Diana flung herself at her parents.

"Really? Thank-you! Thank-you!" she cried, kissing Anne and Gilbert.

"I - I don't know what to say." Jack looked close to tears.

Gilbert went over to him and engulfed him in a bear hug. "Welcome to the family, son." He said. Then squeezing Jack a little tighter he whispered, "Look after her."

"Was there ever a happier couple?" Diana Wright whispered over to Anne as they watched their children exchange their vows in the Ingleside parlour.

"Hmmm." Anne replied, tears stinging her eyes as she watched her daughter radiate with happiness, promising to love, honour and obey, until death do part.

'They are happy...' thought Anne, squeezing the hand of her beloved Gilbert, but the accolade of happiest couple ever was still reserved for Gil and her...even after thirty years!