"To be honest Marilla, I didn't come here to talk about the kids, at least not exclusively." John says quietly.
"Then what?" Marilla found the conversation growing more curious every moment. She isn't surprised Gilbert had proposed, but she was surprised that Anne had turned him down. She's even more surprised that John is here at all, and talking to her civilly.
"I came to talk about us." John says solemnly.
"Oh, John, don't dredge up old wounds. It's not worth it." Marilla says practically bursting into tears on the spot.
"Then our parting did hurt you. I always wondered if it had. Why on earth didn't you ever say anything?"
"Because I was afraid that even if I forgave you, you wouldn't forgive me for treating you so abominably. I never stopped caring for you I just never found the words to forgive you and tell you so, but after a while I rather wished I had forgiven you when you asked."
"Oh Marilla, you underestimated me. I loved you so much I would have forgiven you for anything. I always hoped that we hadn't broken each others hearts when we parted, but I can see now that we did. Take me back. I still love you; I always have. Please, say yes." John says as he takes Marilla's hands in his own.
"I don't know what to say. It's what I've always wished for. Of course I'll take you back. I think the gossips of Avonlea will have a field day, especially my roommate. Would you like to stay for dinner with Rachel and me? She can start gossiping immediately if you do." Marilla knows the question sounds foolish after what she's just said, but John knew that expressing her emotions had never been her strong side.
"Don't you want to keep this quiet for a while?" John asks. Marilla had always been so private and here she is wanting to shout from the rooftops that she is no longer single.
"I've spent my whole life being demure and proper and quiet and inconspicuous. It's time to let loose a little. Besides, this is news that will make people happy. I only wish Matthew was here to see it. After all he tried to push me to forgive you all those years ago." Marilla gives John a hug and then says. "I should go start on dinner. Do you want to help me?"
John is shocked. Marilla never let anyone into her kitchen when she was cooking let alone let someone help, especially a man. "I don't know how much help I will be."
"I'll be supervising; you'll be just fine. Besides, I just want you to chop a few things." Marilla says as they walk into the house hand in hand.