Roy asked Anne to marry him in the little pavilion on the harbour shore where they had talked on the rainy day of their first meeting. Anne thought it very romantic that he should have chosen that spot. And his proposal was as beautifully worded as if he had copied it as one of Ruby Gillis' lovers had done, out of a Deportment of Courtship and Marriage. The whole effect was quite flawless, and it was also sincere. There was no doubt that Roy meant what he said. There was no false note to jar the symphony. When Roy paused for his answer, she opened to lips to say her fateful reply. She took a deep breath and said gazing into his deep dark eyes as if on the brink of a great precipice, for this was the defining act of her young life, "yes, oh, yes, sweet darling Roy. Yes."
Letting go the breath he had been holding in a long sigh, Roy asked, "really?"
"Yes," she said leaning into him. "Yes now and yes forever." Happiness breaking over her like a wave.
Roy escorted Anne back to Patty's Place and placed kisses on her sweet lips on the doorstep before releasing her to its depths. "Come in with me," Anne pleaded. "Let's break the news together. They'll be so excited."
Leaving Roy in the parlour for a moment she gathered her friends. "Come down, come down. I have the most tremendous news to share with you." Excitedly chattering the girls and Aunt Jamesina gathered in the parlour to hear what their friend had to say.
Taking Roy's hand in her own she shot him a quick look and then turned to them all announcing, "Roy has just asked for my hand in marriage, and I, I accepted." There was a pause as they took the news in. Then as one they surged forward with their congratulations.
Only Stella was a trifle hesitant. She had always hoped that Anne and Gil would finally reconcile but if Anne was delighted with this turn of events, who was she to question it. In any case this was hardly the time to mention her misgivings with Roy standing right there.
Aunt Jamesina left them momentarily, returning with the tea tray laden with cakes. "We need to celebrate my darling ones; this is such thrilling news."
The girls pressed them for details; how, when, where and the exact words spoken were repeated and rehashed and discussed over squeals and laughter. "Congratulations," said Priscilla. "I think you two will make the most gorgeous couple."
"This will be the wedding of the decade," declared Phil.
Later when Roy had departed to let his mother know his news; the girls sat down for a more serious wedding discussion. Not that anything could be decided without Roy present, but girls will be girls and weddings are serious business that must perforce be discussed in much detail.
"White of course," pronounced Stella.
Anne smirked, "yes, well that goes without saying."
"Now flowers? And what colour for the bridesmaids? Then there's the food, what will everyone eat?"
"Wait, wait," Anne held her hand up. "Stop I haven't even had a moment to think."
Later when all the tea had been drunk and the cakes consumed Anne took herself up to her little room, after such a whirlwind afternoon she needed a moment to herself. Funny, she thought. I always thought I'd be too excited to breath when the man of my dreams plighted his troth, but I'm not feeling that way. Shouldn't it be thrilling? Oh silly, I'm just too wound up. I suppose once I've had a moment to think about it, I'll feel different. She pulled out her writing paper and favourite pen, but she wasn't in the mood to write her thoughts just yet, not even, especially even, to Marilla. I'll do it tomorrow; I think I just need a good night's sleep.
One afternoon a few days later it was just her and Stella together in the parlour, the others holed up in their rooms studying. "Now don't take this the wrong way, Anne," Stella started, "but you're completely sure about this? I just hope you're making the right decision." Anne bridled next to her. "No, don't take it the wrong way. I've just never really warmed to Roy, he's a bit empty inside and I've always thought you're putting on a bit of an act when you're around him."
"Stella!"
"I probably shouldn't have said anything."
"No, you're right you shouldn't have. I love Roy, he's the man of my dreams. I still can't believe I'm truly marrying him. I can't believe my luck."
"That's sort of what I'm talking about," muttered Stella. "He's lucky to have you, not the other way around."
"We're equally lucky, can we agree on that?"
"I guess so."
"I hope we receive invitations," said Priscilla another day. "I'd be so upset if the wedding party was too full for your old chums."
"Of course you'll be invited. Else my side of the aisle will be decidedly thin pickings." She kissed Priscilla on the cheek. "If you play your cards right, I might even ask you to be my bridesmaid."
"I thought you'd ask your old chum, Diana?"
"One can have more than one bridesmaid."
"Yes, I suppose that's true. Well, I shall be sure to behave, Anne darling. Though I pray you won't play us off against each other."
Anne looked shocked, "not at all, of course not."
Planning the wedding was a whirlwind. Having got his girl, Roy was determined to make everything perfect for their big day. Any ideas Anne had were swept to one side, Roy saying, "I love it, it's so you, Anne. I can just picture it, but," and somehow that made it all just dissolve into nothingness as if she had never spoken. Somehow too, thought she wasn't sure how, her choices of bridesmaid were swept away. While she had all but asked Priscilla, her bridesmaid was in fact Phil. Not that Anne was upset by that decision, for Phil was a great friend, but she felt a bit guilty about how she had treated Priscilla.
Of course it was all incredible, like the weddings she and Diana had pictured when they were young girls giggling together in their respective bedrooms. She'd mentioned to Marilla just before Di's wedding that Diana had settled for Fred, and she was happy that that was not the case with Royal. Roy with his inscrutable dark eyes was the epitome of her heart's desire.
Marilla arrived the day before the wedding and Anne had hugged her close. "Now you're sure?" Marilla had asked.
"Oh, I am Marilla. I know you can't truly understand. You always wanted me to be with Gilbert didn't you. But Roy," she sighed. "Roy is my everything, my one true love, Marilla. He'll make me the happiest woman in Canada, I'm sure of it." Marilla felt almost as if Anne were convincing herself, as though she wasn't entirely sure of it all, but what would she know. Marilla had famously never been in this position. Anne was entering new territory, unknown to her. It made Marilla a little sad to contemplate it. Fiddlesticks, she chastised herself. This is the right way to do it, better her way than yours.
The twins were with Mrs Rachel, allowing Anne to catch up with Marilla but they all met for dinner. Dora gazed at Roy with stars in her eyes. As far as she was concerned this was the most romantic thing to have ever happened to anyone she knew. She would never regard Avonlea in the same way again now that she knew what possibilities were available outside their little town. "What do you think little one?" Roy asked her. "Do you think I'm good enough for your sister?" Dora was too overcome to speak to this handsome stranger so she just nodded until Mrs Lynde, upset by her rudeness, gave her a nudge. "Yes," whispered Dora. "You're simply perfect." Everyone laughed making Dora feel foolish, but Roy put her at her ease. "Thank you," he said seriously. "I hope to make her happy."
Davy was not as polite, but even he was in awe of the older man. The sorts of jokes he might make with Gilbert were he felt, too provincial for Anne's sophisticated fiancé so he hardly spoke at all.
Finally, the big day arrived. Anne had not had a chance to see the church beforehand, that had all been organised by Roy's mother and sisters. When she asked what she could do, they pressed her back saying, "don't worry about a thing, we have it all in hand. You just take care of yourself."
Phil and Roy's sister Aline had dressed her in her wedding gown. Anne was pleased to have Phil there, Aline always seemed too haughty. Together the girls solemnly placed her veil over her hair and set small cream roses within. "I remember how I pined for pink roses," remarked Anne wistfully.
"They wouldn't have gone with your hair," remarked Aline bluntly.
"No, I know. That's why I pined; I knew I could never have them." Anne sighed. "I do love them though."
Secretly Aline couldn't see the point in pining for something you could never have, but she kept her thoughts to herself. In her experience brides could be a mite sentimental on their special day and there was little point in arguing.
Standing at the entrance to the church Anne could spy Roy at the far end of the aisle. Her heart gave a thump, but she shook her head. Pausing before setting off on the walk that would lead her into the rest of her life; she took a deep breath, this was the right thing, wasn't it? Wasn't it? Despite her trepidations, what sort of a hypocrite would she be if she backed out now. All her life she had dreamt of a wedding like this to a man like this, and now here she was, on its brink.
The two mothers sat upright on either side of the aisle their thoughts at opposite ends of the spectrum, though in some ways they were similar. Mrs Gardner thinking, I mean it's not as though she's a suitable match for my Roy. She's too simple. She glanced over at Marilla, and look at that woman who claims to be her mother. I mean really, have you ever seen such a hat. Roy said they lived in a hovel, a hovel. It's amazing Anne has done as well as she has, but still, she's no match for my darling boy. Typical man to fall in love with the first woman he meets. She shifted in her seat as the Minister welcomed the congregation. If I had had my way, he'd be marrying a lovely young girl far more suited to our situation, but Roy has always been simple minded in matters of love. I suppose she'll do. Good child-bearing hips, for all she's so slim. At least she'll give us an heir, I mean that's the least she can do, and I suppose we'll be able to mould her into the sort of woman we need. The sort that can hold her own at the very least. Roy says she enjoys writing, well that won't do, that's hardly a suitable pastime. She'll be far too busy running her household to write. Naïve, that's what they are; they need me to sort them out. She set her jaw, yes that's what I'll need to do.
Marilla felt wildly out of place surrounded by all these fine well-dressed folk. Anne had poo pooed her hesitation. "You'll be fine Marilla. Those are just clothes after all. How could I get married without you to witness it. You've been at my side all these years, don't desert me now." It was times like these Marilla wished she still had her brother by her side. Not that he would have coped much better, but at least they would have had each other. I'm still not sure about this Roy fellow. I wish she'd chosen a local boy. Even in the privacy of her own mind Marilla dared not mention Gilbert's name. But she always had romantic notions and Roy certainly meets those ideals. But I fear he's too much for her; at heart we're simple folk. All these flowers and folderol, and finery, I'm just not sure. I hope she doesn't change too much, that's all. I hope she stays my Anne. She glanced at the twins dressed up to the nines beside her, and smiled inwardly when she remembered how Davy had wriggled when they'd scrubbed behind his ears. Catching Rachel's eye, she raised her eyebrows. Rachel beamed back tears in her eyes; she always cried at weddings.
Walking down the aisle on Roy's arm Anne felt her heart full to bursting. She smiled at her husband. Such a delectable word – husband. Meeting Marilla's eyes she was nearly undone, but she grinned brightly and fairly danced out of the church with him laughing at her side.
Finally, after everything they were together, the perfect couple. Their wedding reception had been simply wonderful. He had declared his love for her in front of all their peers. If her side was considerably smaller than his, what did it matter. After all he came from a large family. They had bucked tradition and paid, much to Marilla's relief, "I know I should be upset, Anne. But I just couldn't do you justice or match them in matters of money."
The wedding passed in somewhat of a blur. Anne was so overcome she barely remembered a moment of it. People she knew and ones she did not greeted them and in the end her face ached in a rictus of smiling. There was no one suitable to give a speech on her side, but Roy's best man; whom Anne had never met spoke warmly about them both and the congregation drank their health. When she had a chance Anne caught Marilla's steadying glance and taking strength from it would turn to smile brightly at her husband.
They danced as new couples will and Anne thrilled at the feeling of all the eyes being on them. Roy murmured in her ear, but Anne could only feel his breath, his words lost in the background noise. It was one of the few moments they had together, as people came up to talk to him all night long, clapping him on his back and telling him how lucky he was.
Finally, it was time to take their leave. Anne threw her bouquet and everyone, except Marilla, laughed when Dora was the one to catch it. "She's far too young," Marilla whispered to Rachel who raised her eyebrows in response and whispered back, "remember I was courting Thomas when I was sixteen." But her comment was lost in the hubbub as everyone followed the happy couple out to the waiting carriage.
Anne turned in her seat to wave them all goodbye, and with her husband by her side drove off into the rest of her life.
