Author's Note:

I stalled on this chapter for over a year due to not knowing how the encounter with Douglas should go and if it should become common knowledge that Anne & Gilbert are legally wed or not as they're trying to stay in this no mans land of not really married and not really engaged. With Anne dreading being fully married more than geometry and Gilbert longing for it more than Christmas, although Gilbert is being very responsible and practical. He's determined to ensure that there's zero chance that they'll be starting a nursery before he's Dr. Blythe.

WARNING: We have an awkward moment between Anne & Gilbert, a Gilbert who truly wants to kiss his wife, and a Charlie who doesn't have a filter. Oh and Douglas Cuthbert is rude.

Also, FYI I haven't had time to write, although I'm still fairly far ahead on chapter 20. Life happens and I will keep posting on Fridays.

Chapter 10: The Spring Term

The second term at Redmond sped as quickly as had the first—"actually whizzed away," Philippa said. Anne enjoyed it thoroughly in all its phases—the stimulating class rivalry, the making and deepening of new and helpful friendships, the gay little social stunts, the doings of the various societies of which she was a member, the widening of horizons and interests. She studied hard, for she had made up her mind to win the Thorburn Scholarship in English. This being won, meant that she could come back to Redmond the next year without trenching on Marilla's small savings—something Anne was determined she would not do. - Chapter IX, Anne of the Island

"Look, Marilla," she said sorrowfully, holding up the flowers before the eyes of a grim lady, with her hair coifed in a green gingham apron, who was going into the house with a plucked chicken, "these are the only buds the storm spared . . . and even they are imperfect. I'm so sorry . . . I wanted some for Matthew's grave. He was always so fond of June lilies." - XXV, Anne of Avonlea

"Sir?" The Minister spoke. "This is a funeral if you don't mind."

"Came to give my final respects to the tart." The man hissed. "Thought you could thwart me all those years Marilla Cuthbert. Well it's a real Cuthbert who owns Green Gables now. And your orphan riff raff can just pack their bags."

Nearly all of of Avonlea was there for the funeral stared at the stranger who was dressed as loudly as he shouted. "Who are you?" Gilbert asked motioning for Anne to stand behind him.

"Douglas Cuthbert." The man spoke with a thick New York accent. "Soon as the funeral's over I'll be taking claim to Green Gables."

"No." Gilbert crossed his arms. "We've already attended the will reading and you weren't named. David Keith inherited Green Gables."

"Well I know the strict settlement." The man snarled. "I'm likely his closest male relative so you can keep the girls. Don't have no use for girls except for…"

"Stay away from the folk of Green Gables or so help me…"

"Name me one closer male relative for that snippet of a whore I heard Matthew and Marilla were foolish enough to adopt."

Gilbert was now holding Anne back as he took a deep breath and looked the man in the eye. "I am, and as you so clearly remember that Matthew adopted my wife. That makes me David Keiths' guardian, not you."

"Married? I'll be watching. I have my own copies of the strict settlement." The man spit. "I'll get my hands on Green Gables you mark my words. That stupid settlement never should have been placed. My father was the elder and should have gotten the Green Gables land. Would have made a pretty penny off it too."

—

The funeral was able to continue eventually once a few of their neighbors escorted Mr. Douglas Cuthbert off the church grounds. Anne did her best to focus on the coffin as they lowered it, instead she felt smothered. By Gilbert who would not remove his arm around her. Or from the whispers about his statement. Wife, she thought. Oh why couldn't they just continue forever with betrothed. That was hard enough.

They'd returned to Green Gables afterwards, with several neighbors bringing over food. She'd held her head high and when folks tried too hard to ask questions about the strict settlement or Gilbert's claim to be her husband she'd just break down crying. It was the fifth time someone had been asking, this time Mrs Barry. Dora was curled up into her side as they sat on the couch that only was it a week before Marilla laid on watching her and Gilbert become man and wife.

"I assume the rumors are true that you and Gilbert eloped. For I didn't hear of any wedding." Mrs. Barry humpfed. "You're far too young. Same reason my husband's making Diana and Fred wait until she's twenty one."

"We…" Anne gulped. "We wanted Marilla there. We mean to wait otherwise, and will have another wedding when we're done with school. But I couldn't marry without either Matthew or Marilla… and the strict settlement.."

"What foolishness is this strict settlement? Green Gables? You mean like an entail you read in the novels?"

"Marilla and Matthew's grandfather set it up when he sold the land that became Orchard Slope. He… He tied their hands. I wouldn't qualify as the guardian of the heir per the strict settlement but as my husband Gilbert would. So, we're considering it a betrothal marriage. Like Mary and Joseph had in the Bible. When we're both done with school we'll have a second wedding then live as man and wife. Per my understanding a Strict Settlement and an Entail are similar, though I don't understand the particulars."

Mrs. Barry tapped her chin. "That's actually quite sensible. I quite agree it was wise of you two to ensure Marilla could leave this earth with the knowledge you and the twins would be looked after. Gilbert Blythe is a good young man. Leave it to me and Mrs. Lynde to explain things, no sense of you having to repeat that ten times over. None of us want that Mr. Douglas Cuthbert in Avonlea. It was quite good of you to ensure Marilla got to see you married. I assume that was when you two had your engagement luncheon."

Anne blushed and nodded.

"It was ever so pretty." Dora pipped up. "So we can tell people now? Anne was a pretty bride and Fred said he'd bring the pictures over soon. I want one for my room, the one of us with Marilla…"

"Naturally." Mrs. Barry nodded. "I've an old frame you may use Dora, and I'll help you and Minnie May frame it. Tomorrow you may come over and you two may help me set to a bridal gift for Anne."

"Oh, you can wait for the second wedding…"

"Nonsense." Mrs. Barry said. "For one you'll need some new dresses for mourning. Secondly I'm certain the sewing circle will want to help you where we can. You have no hope chest no doubt and I'll speak to my husband about making one to match Diana's. Don't doubt we'll have it full by the time you and Gilbert are ready to setup house keeping. For you may need it sooner then you think. No doubt you'll wish to stay here and tend the twins while Gilbert finishes school."

"Of course not, Mrs. Barry," Gilbert stepped up behind Anne. "Anne's education will be invaluable for our futures. Neither of us are dropping out."

The rest of the afternoon was a blur for Anne. Congratulations mixed with condolences. Finally they were able to see off the last of them, and turning to Gilbert leaning against the frame of the front door he nodded to her. "I… I've been thinking… I think I best teach all of you to shoot."

"Shoot!" Anne cried.

"I don't trust that Douglas fellow." Gilbert signed. "I'd feel safer knowing Davy and Mrs. Lynde can shoot and we might as well teach you and Dora too. Didn't like the way he looked at you girls. Maybe tomorrow Davy and I can set up some target practice behind the barn and we'll try."

"Absolutely not. Thomas didn't see any need for me to learn and I'm not learning now." Rachel Lynde huffed. "But teach Davy. You're right he should learn."

—

They had two weeks left in Avonlea. Gilbert slept in a cot in the kitchen every night, with a shot gun under the cot until they got word that his Aunt Mary Maria had seen the man Mr. Douglas Cuthbert leaving the island. Gilbert had never been so glad to get a letter from her. The rest of it though was full of complaints about not being invited to the wedding.

The sewing circle gathered three times, helping make new clothes for the twins and Anne. A wedding gift when Anne tried to refuse the fabric given to them from Mrs. Barry. Rather then address Anne by her married name even those who'd taken to calling her Miss Shirley started to call her Anne for she'd refused to answer to Mrs. Gilbert Blythe.

She'd walked to the post office on their third to last day in Avonlea when Josie Pye stopped her. "Why Mrs. Gilbert Blythe! I heard about your strange betrothal marriage. What a strange idea. I would think you'd just be truthful and call it a marriage. But then I heard that you're still a maiden."

Anne raised her right eyebrow. "Well that would be the definition of a betrothal marriage."

"And Redmond will allow a married co-ed back at school?" She tusked. "No doubt you'll be here this spring while Gilbert escorts all the girls around in Kingsport…"

"I'll be returning with Gilbert and will be graduating. The exact nature of our betrothal marriage has no impact on my being able to work hard and study hard and…"

"Naturally." Josie tilted her nose up. "Married but not married. Gertie and I have a bet that you won't last that long. I think he won't. Men have needs, I've been told. I do have married sisters you know. Which is why they prefer to marry quickly. That's why my father said that when I find a husband I'll not be waiting, unlike you or Diana…"

"Well, Gilbert is a gentleman and means to wait." Anne stood straighter. "Now if you excuse me."

She though couldn't let that go. Not when Dora fell asleep beside her in the little east gable room, or as she tried to focus instead on the dreams of the prince of her dreams that she'd never have now, she'd named him Prince Royal for of course he'd be royal and dangerous and poetic… She'd been daydreaming a speech he'd give her while kissing her hand before leaving to slay a dragon the past few nights when Josie's words kept interrupting. Needs. She'd remembered Mr. Hammond's needs and how he'd demand them to be dealt with as soon as he'd come home. Sometimes in the kitchen if Mrs. Hammond hadn't finished cooking for he liked to eat right after he was done. Anne would have to set the table and keep the babies quiet while he'd grunt, into Mrs. Hammond with her skirts raised as she'd finish supper. He'd… No she couldn't think of it. It was ugly and ugly had no place in her dreams.

But would Gilbert…

She had to know, slipping out of bed, she grabbed a shawl that had been Marilla's and wrapped it over her shoulders. Where were her slippers? Oh, she'd just hurry down ask him and come back. The sooner she had an answer the sooner she could go back to Prince Royal. She'd find the slippers in the morning. If she kept banging then Dora would wake up…

Her bare toes were freezing by the time she reached the kitchen. Bouncing to try to keep warm she slipped into the kitchen. There was just enough moonlight to see him, he was moaning in his sleep. "Anne…" Perhaps she should wake him? She stepped closer then seeing evidence of Gilbert having urges, needs just like Mr. Hammond had. She'd remembered when he'd be like that and demand she keep the babies quiet while he'd… and then after she'd see Mrs. Hammond walk stiffly as she'd serve supper. Those were the good days. She gulped. No, she was certainly not waking him. Scrambling back upstairs she climbed into bed thinking of what she saw. Oh dear he did have urges. Dora grumbled as Anne's cold legs climbed into the bed.

Prince Royal would not have urges. To say sweet nothings yes, but not to do that! Far better to think of Prince Royal then the physical evidence that Gilbert wanted that. No, clearly the only man ever in her life free of urges was sweet Matthew. She'd thought Gilbert might be free of such, but now? She unfortunately had seen evidence he had them.

—

The day finally came when Mr. Blythe picked up Anne and Gilbert to drive them to the station to begin their trek back to Kingsport for the Spring term. There was tearful goodbyes from Diana, Rachel and the twins with promises from Fred and Mr. Blythe to look in on the Green Gables folks while they were at school. Gilbert wrapped his arm around Anne's shoulder as they drove towards the station as she softly cried. "Things wouldn't be the same again." He heard her whisper.

Charlie Sloan joined them at the station taking a seat with them. They'd seen little of him during the holidays due to their preoccupation with the passing of Marilla, new responsibilities and the change in their relationship. Sitting down next to Anne with his arm over the seat back behind her, Gilbert grinned at Charlie. "Ready for another term?"

"I assume I'll be needing to find a new roommate?" Charlie said. "I will not countenance you bringing your wife into our room when it's your time for having the room to yourself. As I stated at the beginning of the term your evenings are Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday…"

"I never agreed and you know to alternate nights having the room to oneself. It's my room to I'm not going…"

"It's a Betrothal Marriage." Anne spoke primly. "That means nothing changes about our housing arrangements. Think of it as an engagement but legally binding as a regular marriage."

"It is a regular marriage." Charlie huffed. "I heard you even have a signed marriage license."

"Yes." Gilbert nodded turning red. "But as we said, nothing changes. And Anne would prefer to still use Anne Shirley at school until graduation. When we have the second wedding she'll use my name and we'll you know. She'll be a maiden until then."

"I will need two nights, no I think you might spare 3 nights of privacy in our room Gilbert. And I will not have you risk our reputations by sneaking your wife into your bed."

"Absolutely not!" Anne growled.

"For my silence for not spreading such news as I'm sure it'll spread to hear of a freshman marrying over winter break and wanting to keep it quiet. I want the room to myself Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until 10pm to start with, and…"

"I'll not tell anyone that you're still wetting the bed at night." Gilbert grinned. "Mention our marriage and I'll tell the whole football team first then whomever else asks… You did bring back the rubber mat for the bed because it stinks otherwise."

"That's rare…" Charlie glared. "To start with, I have the room to tend to my regulations Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 10pm. And you're not mentioning the bed thing, the regulations are helping. Oh and I want Anne to help me secure, I think Philippa Gordon, as my date for the valentines day dance."

"I'll ask… But it will be her decision."

"Good then I'll conveniently forget that you're Mrs. Gilbert Blythe in Avonlea. You will though tell the school…"

"Yes." Anne spoke quickly. "But it's we just don't want everyone gossiping about us like in Avonlea."

—

They spent the night with the Allans, with Gilbert on the floor of the spare room, Charlie with the bed to himself and Anne on a cot in the nursery with the Allan's children. Whispering to Anne the next day on the boat Gilbert laughed. "I'll take sharing a bed with Davy any day over Charlie. As the Allans know we're married, next time let's let Charlie take the cot and we'll take the bed."

"No." Anne shook her head. "Betrothal marriage means that we're not to you know until the second wedding."

"Of course, but… I'd rather share a bed with you and do nothing then with Charlie. Trust me, the bed wetting isn't the worse for he kicks. We'll have to find another housing situation next fall anyways. Per the guardianship rules Davy's got to come out for the fall and I can't afford a private room."

"Oh Gil…" She sighed leaning her head on his shoulder. "We'll think of something."

"Together."

It was in Pictau that they joined Pricilla on the train who'd spent the winter break with cousins in Nova Scotia. "Anne!" She cried seeing them on the platform. "Oh I was heartbroken to hear that Marilla died. But your other news! Congratulations Anne and Gilbert! The first of our set engaged!"

"Betrothal Marriage." Charlie murmured. "Maybe you should visit Avonlea some time."

"Gilbert picked out the ring." Anne glared at Charlie before putting her hand in Pricilla's face. "He'd been carrying it around for the last two years already. He wanted to ask before Marilla went…"

"It's romantic." Pricilla declared. "Now lets find our seats. I want a forward seat this time, you fella's can face us."

—

The news that Gilbert Blythe had proposed to Anne Shirley before her guardian's death spread like wildfire around Redmond on the first day of term. Thankfully the awkward status of their betrothal marriage wasn't discussed like in Avonlea and beyond questions of seeing the ring, asking how he'd propose, and condolences of the loss of Marilla the news died down and within days moved onto the next scandal. That a Junior had dropped out with no explanation as to why though it was rumored due to a girl back home.

Anne packed away most of her things, wearing just a few black dresses, ever so thankful to the gift of them from the ladies at home. That Gilbert wore a black arm band for her was thought romantic as the two would walk about campus arm in arm. He was his typical chummy self though having taken up a few odd jobs around campus except for walking from class to class they were rarely in each others company.

The valentines day dance was announced two weeks after the start of term and quickly most of the co-eds were asked to the dance, though for once not even Gilbert asked her. Two days went by and he'd still not asked. He'd been walking her between classes when they shared classes or had them near each other. He was in her history class and had walked her home the week before.

She'd waited for him at the entrance of the lecture hall only slipping in when he came running up at the last minute. They'd had to take two seats in the rear. "Gil," She whispered. "The dance?"

"Dance?"

"Valentines day dance." She hissed. "You will escort me…"

"I'd told Marcus I'd take his shift so he could take his date. Assumed you wouldn't want to go with mourning Marilla…"

She gulped. "I guess you're right. Marcus?"

"Oh he's in the Lambs. Got me a job at the drug store Saturday afternoons with him." He grinned. "Stop by on my shift so I can give my girl a treat for valentines day?"

"I… Yes." She nodded. "I'll tell the girls I'll be staying home from the dance then."

"I'm taking you to the rest of the dances until we're watching our grandchildren leave for…"

"Mr. Blythe! Would you care to share with the rest of the class." The professor called out.

"Sorry, Professor." Gilbert straightened and looked forward.

"Then go ahead and tell me your thoughts on Henry VIII…"

—

While Pricilla and Philippa chatted gayly that weekend about their dates for the dance and whom they hoped to dance with. Anne smiled dreamily wishing that Marilla hadn't gone. That she'd be as carefree as them. Gilbert had come by Monday evening but hadn't any of the other evenings. He'd smirked when Miss Ada said it was time for him to go… that he best walk the streets for twenty minutes more because he didn't dare return to his room at his boarding house until Charlie was asleep. She didn't want to know just what Charlie was up to.

Saturday afternoon, hearing that Gilbert was working at the drug store, and Philippa busy with her father visiting, Priscilla bundled Anne up, and dragged her over to the drug store for Sodas. "Gilbert!" Pricilla laughed when the three entered arm in arm. "We're in need of Soda's!"

He'd grinned. "Five cents a piece, though Anne's on me for a kiss."

"I'll pay." Anne primly held out a coin. "I'll have a Cream Soda please."

He'd had the gall to lean over and kiss her cheek before handing her soda after the other girls. "Gilbert!"

"Any news from home?" Gilbert asked.

"Dora wrote a sweet letter. She and Minnie May are sewing a quilt together, for my hope chest. She wrote to ask your favorite color…"

"Red." Gilbert grinned. "What ever color your hair is."

"Gilbert." Anne rolled her eyes. "We're not having a quilt made that's the color of my hair. I told her pink would look quite nice."

"Oh I forgot Anne," Pricilla started to quickly dig through her bag. "Miss Hannah gave me the mail as we were leaving. There's a letter to the two of us from Stella." She pulled it out and quickly opened it. "Here we are… Oh! She's coming next fall. And what a brilliant idea!"

She quickly handed over the letter to Anne. "Set up our own housekeeping?" Anne asked. "I would prefer that over boarding houses."

"If we budgeted the same as the boarding house…" Anne nodded. "It could work."

"What does Gilbert think?" Pricilla asked.

"Gilbert?"

"Your betrothed."

"Anne," Gilbert said as he came back to them. "Betrothed here. What do I think of what?"

"Us girls finding a house to rent, and Stella's aunt coming to chaperone and keep house for us."

"Don't forget Anne," Gilbert sat the glass down he was cleaning. "We've got to have Davy here in Kingsport with me in the fall per the strict settlement."

"What?" Pricilla asked.

"As my betrothed, Gilbert was allowed to be guardian for the twins." Anne sighed. "There's so many rules we've got to abide by including Davy has to live with Gilbert over half the year. That's why every holiday Gilbert's sleeping in the Green Gables Kitchen with Mrs. Lynde chaperoning us and as we're here at school for 207 days a year per Gilbert's calculation. We've got to have Davy here with Gilbert for at least a month."

"Under the same roof?" Pris spoke slowly. "Aren't they worried about him sneaking into your bed?"

"They trust us." Gilbert grinned. "Anyways with Dora sharing with Anne it's easier for her to sneak into mine."

"Which never has and never will happen. Mrs. Lynde who chaperones us keeps a good watch. Our families agreed it was best with the threats that came after the funeral from Marilla's cousin. But truly, Gilbert will need another solution next fall. I doubt the boarding house will let Davy stay in Gilbert and Charlie's room next fall."

"Charlie won't let it happen anyways."

"And from the little you've told me Gilbert Blythe, I won't let you have Davy stay in your room with you and Charlie."

"Why?" Pricilla asked.

"You don't want to know." Gilbert shook his head. "Lets just say his future wife will be in for a bit of a surprise. He's got routines. Even passes gas on schedule."

"Well, let's start looking. I doubt Stella's Aunt will be alright with Gilbert under the same roof. I'm surprised your Mrs. Lynde is."

Anne gripped her left hand, turning the ring on her finger. "She trusts us. She's had ten children and knows every trick in the book she says. Nothing happens that shouldn't under her watch."

—

Anne helped Philippa and Pricilla prepare for the Valentines day dance before putting on her winter coat and hat to hurry across town to the drug store. "Anne." Gilbert greeted her as she came in.

"As promised I came."

"Glad you did." He grinned, "Got your cream soda coming up."

There were two young men at the counter. "Got a date miss?"

"Date?"

"Still looking for a date for Valentines…"

"She's my date. Wearing my ring." Gilbert growled to the two men. "Find your own date."

She sat down at the other end of the bar. "You didn't tell me you were looking for extra work Gilbert."

He shrugged. "I figure we'll have extra expenses with Davy here in the fall. At least for a month and getting him back to Avonlea especially if it's only a month. Don't trust him to travel home alone."

"Me either… Maybe we bring both Davy and Dora and she can stay with me for a month. He might be fine with Dora with him on the way home. We'll have to figure out their schooling…"

"No." Gilbert shook his head. "We'll find another solution."

"Maybe we can save up to send Mrs. Lynde to see one of her daughters out west and she can collect the twins on her way back?" Anne asked. "She's doing us a lot helping with them while we're at school."

"Maybe." Gilbert sighed. "No matter what it's more funds and I won't be able to work this summer besides odd jobs at home. Not like I could if I stayed here over the summer…"

"Oh…"

"We'll find some solution Anne. Now tell me about your day then I've got to go and clean the back up. If you can wait I'll walk you home when it's time to clean up. I've got a card for you but you've got to wait until we close up."

Anne laughed. "I… I didn't think of a card for you…"

"Then a kiss?" Gilbert grinned.

"Gilbert…" Anne rolled her eyes. "I'll get your card to you tomorrow."

She waited for him to close up shop, then bowing as he handed her a card before holding her coat for her. She opened it once she was buttoned up. Romantic no, but silly of a couple kissing but not noticing the tide coming in as they sat on the shore. "Come along Gilbert." She took his arm as he locked up and escorted her onto the street.

"I've come up with a poem for this evening, I was thinking of it when you were wrapping up. For the sunset I saw as I was helping Pricilla and Philippa prepare for their dance."

"Tell me?"

She sighed as she began to describe the sun setting over the cemetery. "Oh to think of the forgotten loves there, Gilbert."

They were standing now near the corner of the cemetery and he pulled her with him into it. "Then tell me it again… For our love will not be forgotten."

He'd pulled her flush across him and one arm under her head and the other around her waist as he bent down to kiss her. He'd moved so suddenly that she'd not reacted as he pressed his lips to her and somehow she'd gotten lost in that kiss. His words reverberated in her mind, 'Our love will not be forgotten… What love? She thought. They were friends yes and he clearly lusted after her. But Love?' She tried to open her mouth to protest only for his attack of his lips to increase as his tongue began a battle with her own. She felt like she was melting or…

She pulled him back suddenly Where was the promise of nothing changing? That was the kiss of lovers. She glared at him trying to catch her breath then slapped him. "Don't take liberties Gilbert Blythe!"