Author's Note:

Hello lovely readers. You'll like this chapter. :)

Chapter 8: Betrothal

But it was a happy and beautiful bride who came down the old, homespun-carpeted stairs that September noon—the first bride of Green Gables, slender and shining-eyed, in the mist of her maiden veil, with her arms full of roses. Gilbert, waiting for her in the hall below, looked up at her with adoring eyes. She was his at last, this evasive, long-sought Anne, won after years of patient waiting. It was to him she was coming in the sweet surrender of the bride. Was he worthy of her? Could he make her as happy as he hoped? If he failed her—if he could not measure up to her standard of manhood—then, as she held out her hand, their eyes met and all doubt was swept away in a glad certainty. They belonged to each other; and, no matter what life might hold for them, it could never alter that. Their happiness was in each other's keeping and both were unafraid. - Chapter IV, Anne's House of Dreams

Though Gilbert was often at Green Gables in the days before their wedding they were little able to speak of their future. Anne though was often busy, either enclosed with Diana and Marilla in Marilla's room upstairs, or instructing himself and the twins with the decorating of Green Gables for Christmas. That Thursday afternoon he'd been sent with Davy to chop boughs of firs and pines for the decorations while she and Dora worked with Mrs. Lynde to complete the cooking that could be completed ahead. Returning she'd rushed out, hugging him when she saw that they'd even found a clump of holly.

"We've a side of roast for tomorrow, but ever so much baking to do." She whispered to him, leaning in close as though to kiss his cheek yet to his grief her lips never touched his skin. "Diana and I have been altering one of my dresses for a wedding dress, but I've no veil. Diana found some lace we tried to make into one, but it was a failure from the start. Please? Did your mother keep hers? I… I haven't anything from my parents I would like…"

He tilted his head slightly to look her in the eyes, their lips only a finger width apart. "She'd be pleased. I'll make sure we bring it. I know she kept it for she made me clean the attic three years ago and cried buckets taking it down. My folks renewed their vows that night in the parlor with me and the cats as witnesses."

Anne's eyes sparkled as she pulled back. "Good, now off you go with those branches."

He'd left soon after, returning home. The request to his mother to bring her old veil for the ladies to admire at the luncheon, and Anne's wish to wear it when he and Anne married brought tears to her eyes. She'd sent him straight up to the attic, to bring down the blue trunk where her dress and veil lay with other keepsakes. He'd not much more to do after that besides worry about his vows the next morning. He'd compared his two suits he'd brought home, His best suit, and the one he'd traveled in. His best suit, a dark charcoal gray, was of a fine wool. The other, a black suit, respectable, but still with the threat of death still hanging in the air at Green Gables he thought the charcoal suit best. So he brushed it that evening, polished his shoes and even went downstairs to request his mother press the suit. She'd laughed at that and did it gladly.

He slept little with excitement for the morning. Though nervous of how he'd support him and Anne, and later if Marilla did die, the twins. The fact that his most cherished dream would be a reality in less then a day brought him immense joy.

Anne lay, sleepless in her east gable bedroom. Her mind would not shut down. She'd been sent to bed by Diana who'd insisted on sitting with Marilla. The twins were tucked in over at Orchard Slope, and Mrs. Lynde's snores could be heard through the house.

She was struck with worry. Fearful of not marrying in time. Fearful of marrying at all. Most of all though fearful of marrying Gilbert. She'd thought once she'd only marry a missionary for as she'd told Matthew that on the ride home from Bright River the day she'd first come to the island. She was rather homely looking, and a missionary to the canabals couldn't be so particular. She was far better looking then she ever thought she'd be, and Gilbert thought he was in love with her. But they weren't truly in love. For him it was a madcap adventure that he'd wakeup and regret.

Perhaps she'd be best to call it off in the morning, at least the wedding.

The fear though that Marilla would die…

She would be no longer Anne Shirley of Green Gables. Instead she'd be Anne Shirley Blythe of Green Gables. Mrs. Anne Blythe, she thought. It was all so unromantic. Where was the romantic hero of her dreams? She comforted herself by imagining him, then thinking of a splendid speech for him to declare to the heroine, a woman of immense beauty with violet eyes and chocolate hair. She jumped out of bed, grabbed her journal and licking the tip of her pencil, began to write at the little desk where she'd dreamed such over her girlhood.

At least her girlhood would not end was her final thought as with the words written down, she returned to bed to sleep, dreaming of the hero.

Spending far longer than his normal on the toilet that morning Gilbert dressed in his charcoal gray suit with careful attention. He grinned thinking but he only had hours left as a single man. He ate breakfast hardly reminded his mother to not forget the veil so that Marilla and Anne can both see it. His parents had insisted that they would walk or ride with his aunt and uncle so that he could have the buggy to pick up the Allen's for Anne. Hitching the double row buggy, he began his way as the sun began to rise.

The drive was peaceful, alone with his thoughts. They tended to go towards the responsibilities as head of his household, and how he'd want to provide for Anne. He was determined to be the best husband. Husband, he grinned. He would in only a few hours be the husband of Anne Shirley. No, the husband of Anne Shirley Blythe.

It made the stress and grief and worry over Marilla all worth it.

The train was early for once. A rarity on the Island, and a rare gem for a winter day. The Allens weren't in sight, but there standing on the platform was Charlie Sloane.

"Gilbert! How'd you get home early? You had an exam on Monday, I know you told me. And you couldn't have caught an earlier boat then me. Knew you'd gone when I'd gone to knock on your door to ask if I could borrow some shoe polish, ran out you see. Wanted to look my best when I danced with Anne at the dance on Tuesday, but she wasn't there. Priscilla told me that she'd rushed home early, Marilla being ill or something. She didn't have any more finals. But you?"

"I escorted Anne home. Made arrangements to take my last final early." Gilbert said, noticing then the Allens exiting the station waiting room. "There they are. The Allens promised to come see Marilla, what with there not being a new minister selected yet. She's very ill. Dr. Blair didn't think she'd make it, but she's been rallying with Anne home."

"Hello Gilbert, Charlie." Mrs. Allen smiled at them. "Has your father come to pick you up Charlie?"

"I've got to rent a buggy or horse." Charlie grumbled. "Unless Gilbert you've got room? Marilla isn't the only one ill that Rev. Allen should visit. Father went and broke his leg."

The Allens climbed into the back row of the buggy, while Gilbert sat in front with Charlie. They rode in silence, listening to Charlie recount his adventures of his return trip home. The Scotsman Inn bedding had been too lumpy. The boat had taken forever to cross, coming in three hours too late and he'd had to take a room. Now he had to go home, and comfort his mother and father with their tragedy.

They'd dropped him off at the Sloane farm, but not before Mrs. Sloane had dragged Rev Allen inside to say hello and pray over Mr. Sloane. Finally they'd gotten back into the buggy, making their way towards Green Gables.

One would expect that on the morning of her wedding Anne would be a dignified lady ready to step into the role of matron. Instead she squealed as Diana jumped on her bed to tickle her. The sun was just rising yet there was much to do before the guests arrived at ten. Eating breakfast quickly and ensuring that everything was an order and ready for their gathering mid morning, Anne slipped into Marilla's room with her wedding dress and a book to pass the morning while Marilla slept.

She failed to focus on the pages instead her mind whirling with the implications of that day. Three times she was tempted to bolt and call the wedding off instead she would glance at Marilla and remembering why she was doing it. Half an hour before the first guest were expected Diana slipped into the room whispering that her mother had suggested the twins stay all day at Orchard slope. "Oh and I couldn't think of how to explain why the twins needed to be here for this luncheon. Not without revealing the secret. Mother won't hold with keeping it a secret that you and Gilbert are married. Perhaps is for the best because I don't see Davy keeping his mouth shut."

"It certainly doesn't feel like my wedding day." Anne sighed. "It's nothing like the day I imagined. I have that day one day. The twins should be here…"

"I'll wait until we tell the others and then go get the twins."

That would have to do, Anne realized. "It's time to wake Marilla and help her change and then I'll need to change myself. Once Marilla's dressed will you keep an eye out for Gilbert and also Mrs. Blythe? I don't pity Gilbert having to explain to everyone our plans."

By ten in the morning Marilla was awake, dressed in her Sunday best, while lying with a damp cloth over her eyes as she lay on top of her bed covers. Diana had returned downstairs to assist Mrs. Lynde, while Anne paced in front of Marilla's window looking for a sign of the guests arriving. It was Gilbert's parents she saw drive up first.

She could hear Rachael and Mrs. Blythe coming up the stairs. She glanced at Marilla took a deep breath and walk to the door to open it.

"Anne dear, Gilbert told me how you wished to see my old wedding veil and to use it when you marry after you and Gilbert graduate. Least I assume you'll wait for then. Gilbert hadn't mentioned any plans made yet…"

"Landsakes Anne! I know you hadn't time to pack much and your traveling suit isn't right for today but a summer dress?" Rachel Lynde asked.

Anne motioned them into the room. Took a deep breath. Yet before she could speak Mrs. Blythe laughed. "You wanted to try the veil on and look the part of a bride for all our sakes. Hello Marilla, you look better then I heard."

"I'm dying Abigail." Marilla opened her eyes. "Or at least growing feeble. Anne's got news."

"We're marrying today, oh we will again after graduation. But I couldn't bare to not have Marilla there, and there's legal issues over Green Gables. Legally we're better protected, if Marilla does go, if Gilbert's able to legally step in being of age. Oh it doesn't change a thing about our plans. We are thinking of it like the betrothal of Mary and Joseph in the Bible. She was his wife yet they did not live together until the second ceremony the wedding feast. So this is our first and the Allens are coming to officiate. It's our betrothal ceremony. The feast and the wedding night will wait."

"Anne, that sounds rather foolish." Rachael shook her head.

"It's for me," Marilla stood straighter. "Four years from now when they graduate, I'll likely be dead or blind. Let me watch my girl marry."

Mrs. Abigail Blythe sat the veil box down on the bed. "Then let's finish getting the bride ready. And someone should warn my husband, brother and sister before my son is forced to try to explain."

Rachel nodded. "I'll do just that. I just told Mrs. Barry the twins could stay over and skip the luncheon but I don't know now. Anne?"

They were doing it for the twins. "I'll have to explain so they understand. But yes, please."

Gilbert arrived with the Allen's just as a shout was heard. "They mean to what?" His father cried. "They should wait until Gilbert can provide. I raised my son better."

He left Rev. Allen to escort his wife in. Jumping from the buggy, tying the reins to the hitching post before running up the porch steps two at a time. "Dad, we're considering it a betrothal ceremony. We'll have a second wedding when we're ready to live as man and wife. It's important to Anne and me to marry when Marilla can join us. Praise the Lord she's taken a turn for the better. But still. Trust me. I'll take good care of Anne. We'll take good care of each other."

"A Betrothal?"

"Like in the Bible. She will be legally my wife, and we won't lie. But it's easier to explain this way."

"That's right." Diana nodded stepping forward. "Mrs. Lynde went to fetch the twins and Fred's gone upstairs to carry Marilla down. Please make sure the sofa in the parlor is ready for her? Hello Rev. & Mrs. Allen! I'm so glad you've come! Oh and music. Mrs. Allen you're so lovely on the piano is there a piece you could play when Anne comes down?"

With that Diana marshaled them all into their places. Rachel Lynde soon returned with the twins giving him a look making it clear it was his responsibility to explain the plan. Finally the room was ready. Diana went upstairs to fetch Anne, Mrs. Allen sat at the piano to play a favorite hymn and he watched through the open door of the parlor, first Diana slowly descend the stairs. Then Anne. His heart stopped for a second then beat wildly. She was beautiful. The most beautiful bride he'd ever seen.

He grasped her white hands. They trembled. He barely noticed the others in the room. Fred behind him and Diana behind Anne. Marilla on the sofa with the twins sitting on the floor beside her. His uncle and aunt standing by the window with his folks. Their vows were spoken. He slipped the ring of pearls onto her finger as he pledged his life to her. The minister spoke then. "You may now kiss the bride."

He lifted the veil gently. Her eyes, deep pools of the sea in the fog behind her thick red lashes drew him in as a starving man. He kissed his wife. He'd kissed a few girls on the cheek before. And that almost kiss. So he had nothing to compare it to. Her eyelids had dropped when he'd come close. She stool still through it, seconds though it felt like minutes that he'd kissed her. As though he'd kissed a statue. Her lips only moving as he pulled back. Her eyes fluttering.

"May I present Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Blythe?" Rev. Allen announced to the room.

They'd really done it. They were married, Anne thought. There was no escape now. Only that he was such a kindred spirit had she not bolted from the room when she'd walked in.

" Whoopee!" Davy jumped up barreling into her skirts.

Congratulations were given all around, then Fred pulled out his Kodak camera and began to pose them for pictures, it felt like a blur though to Anne. When both rolls were used up, Gilbert carried an exhausted Marilla back upstairs to her bed, while Mrs. Lynde and Diana had rushed off to the sitting room and kitchen to prepare the luncheon.

She'd sat with the twins then and Mrs. Allen explaining the particulars of a Betrothal. How it was much more then an engagement. You could cry off and engagement but a Betrothal meant you were legally married but would not live as man and wife or start a nursery until a second wedding feast. Davy asked several questions while quiet Dora fiddled with her necklace, an old locket that wouldn't open she'd been given from her mother before Mary Keith's death.

Gilbert returned then, and they'd signed the license. It was legal. The luncheon began then, a merry meal despite the fear and looming grief of the past week. She sat beside him, glancing at him occasionally. His hand would brush hers and she'd blush.

Diana had made a cake for desert, insisting Anne and Gilbert cut it. With their families watching they fed each other their first bite. She had no appetite though. Instead the cake fell as a heavy weight down her throat. At least she'd have years before their second ceremony and wedding night. That night Gilbert would thankfully return to Apple Bough.

The party continued chatting as they nibbled on cake, the evening train would not leave until four that afternoon, if it was on time. Plans were discussed about the spring term, Rev. Allen shared all he knew about betrothed in the Bible. And a million questions it seemed were answered to Davy about why it was only a partial marriage. And oddly enough it was Dora who finally answered him in a manner that appeased him. "Davy Keith, a full husband and wife share one bed. It's the only proper way to do it."

"Do what?"

"Why gather all the information for the baby catalogue, Sears I believe. Minnie May told me all about it, for she heard their married cousin Susan tell Diana about what to expect. They're very particular in the baby catalogue, Minnie May told me, for they send the baby like seeds to be planted and grown. A wife must ensure she orders the correct baby for their home that matches her husband in terms of sleeping habits, and temper. Then with the correct baby ordered her husband has to feed the baby seeds to her."

"Like watermelon seeds?" Davy stared wide eyed at his sister as the rest of the table stared in shock.

"I suppose, though I believe they're baby seeds and are best baked. For Minnie May says that a baby has to bake before it's ready. A husband must marry first for he must gain instruction from his wife on how to best please her in her kitchen and not make a mess so he might learn how to bake the seeds for her. I believe in a seed cake is best, yes. Minnie May had gone over with Diana last month and saw Fred trying, though he burnt most of the cakes he'd made. Naturally it wasn't the baby seeds, just poppy seeds for practice. Minnie May said she'd heard that the baby seed cake is eaten with fresh milk. For strong bones I presume for the baby. So I suppose one dresses in their best dresses for that tea, though it's fresh milk and not tea drunk for one wishes for the best health for the baby. Minnie May said that for a month before and after so that it takes, the wife must take cod liver oil."

Davy's eyes went wide. "That cake's a seed cake, and Diana had Gilbert bring the seeds! And Anne drank some milk to wash it down. Gilbert fed it to her and they're dressed in their Sunday best. Is she going to have a baby now? I want to know. Milty's mother got fat when she had Milty's baby sister. Will Anne get fat? I want to know. And we all ate the cake, will even Mrs. Lynde have a baby? I want to know."

Anne was certain she was as red as her hair. The room was silent for a minute before Mr. Blythe broke out into a deep belly laughter, followed by most of the others at the table.

"Davy and Dora Keith!" Mrs. Lynde roared. "There's no baby seeds or any other such nonsense at this table. The Good Lord himself gives a husband and wife a babe. Not a seed catalogue. That though is not fitting conversation for company or at the table."

"Why? I want to know…"

Eventually the time came for the Allens to depart, after Mrs. Lynde tried to correct the twins that the seed cakes she'd made would not be getting the table full of babies the next fall. All went up once more to say farewell to Marilla. With coats and other things gathered, Anne and Gilbert left to drive the Allens back to Bright River. Anne sat in back with Mrs. Allen merrily chatting. The sun set as they drove, such that Gilbert pulled over to light the two oil lamps hanging from the sides. They arrived on time but the 4pm train was thirty minutes late. Then with hugs and promises to write the Allens left. Gilbert then turned to his betrothed wife. Offered his arm suggesting a hot cocoa at the inn across from the station before returning.

Anne was silent as she drank.

"Why Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe!"

He turned, seeing the blonde head of their chum, he smiled. "Hello Ruby."

"Anne! I've been meaning to stop by again this week. Is Marilla better?"

"Yes. She's rallying." Anne nodded as Gilbert rose to grab a seat for Ruby to join them.

Ruby squealed then. "Oh Anne! Are you?"

"Gilbert proposed. We're betrothed." Anne smiled at him, forcing more cheer then she felt into her face.

"Oh you must tell me all about it. But I'm shopping with my mother, and she's coming now. There's a dance after Christmas. Why that very night. Did you hear of it? A.V.I.S. Is hosting it at the hall. And after Christmas I'll come over and you must tell me all. Just how did Gilbert propose and…"

"If Marilla's well enough that Anne's up for going we'll be there. Merry Christmas Ruby."