Chapter Text
Anne would soon seen the effect her words had on Gilbert when, only a fortnight later, he was at the Wrights during Anne’s own visit, Diana meeting her in the yard.
“You’re late,” the raven haired woman chided, taking Anne’s arm in hers.
“Only a few minutes, and I’m sorry. There was a line at the post office. Someone said Judson Parker was getting a ‘mail order bride’ and now everyone is waiting to see her delivered.”
“I can’t imagine him ever finding anyone to marry,” Diana said with a laugh, “I still don’t know how you convinced him not to advertise on his fence.”
“Sometimes, it’s more in what you don’t say,” was Anne’s thoughtful reply as she entered the Wright’s parlour, where Fred and Gilbert sat, the son of the former in the latter’s inexperienced arms. Anne could feel her breathing hitch at the sight of him, his strong arms holding the delicate bundle, a warm smile on his handsome face. He was still pale and thin from his recent illness, but he looked older for it, fully grown up.
“What do you have there?” Fred asked, pulling her away from her thoughts and onto the basket she had brought with her.
She wisely set it as far away from him as possible as she took off her coat. “That entirely depends upon you. Not that this is a bribe, mind you, but Marilla was hoping I might ask a favour of you.”
The two men exchanged amused and curious expressions before Fred prompted her to continue.
“You see, Davy’s of an age, where he’s starting to ask particular questions that you, as a young married man and recent father, would be far better at answering than anyone at Green Gables.”
It took a moment for Fred to cotton onto what kind of questions to which Anne was referring to. “Me?”
“Consider it practice for young Fred here,” Gilbert cheered before standing, moving to hand his bundle to Anne, his eyes almost dancing with mischief.
Anne flushed under his eye, being reminded of the questions that young boy had already asked of Gilbert. “Gilbert explained to me what a jilt was, Anne. But he couldn’t tell me why people think it of you.”
“Why not,” Fred said after a moment, clapping Gilbert on the shoulder, “And I think that young doctors also need practice in these kinds of conversations, wouldn’t you agree, Gil?”
Gilbert faltered, the wind that had recently filled his sails quickly leaving.
“Yes,” Fred continued, “I think it is only right that Gil and I talk to Davy together, over fishing.”
Anne nodded her approval of the plan before letting Fred have access to the basket, where Marilla’s prized plum puffs were waiting as a reward. “After tea,” Diana chided, taking the basket into her possession. “Will you help me bring everything in, Fred, darling?”
Anne settled onto the sofa, trying to keep her attention on the baby and not the man who sat close beside her, his arm positioned on the back of the upholstery, ever so close to being around her as well; his finger securely held in place by the infant. She could almost imagine a hope of a future dream in that moment, them sitting together much like with, with a different infant, one that had grey eyes and brown, curly hair, his mother’s nose and his father’s smile.
“I think he’ll turn out alright,” Gilbert said in a low tone, a secret shared between them, “Even if he does take after the Wrights.”
~ASxGB~
“You don’t have to walk me home,” Anne told Gilbert when it was time to leave, “I wouldn’t want you to relapse because of me.”
“I’m fine, Anne, really. Besides, we won’t have many more chances to explore Avonlea like this before you’re off to parts unknown.”
“I thank you to not agitate that particular worry,” she almost pleaded even though she was laughing, no longer fighting against the notion of them walking together, nor commenting on the fact that he was leading them away from both their homes. “I had just tempered it into a steady unease.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, his hand grasping her shoulder, smiling when she leaned into him. Together, they walked that way through the woods, his arms lightly about her as he had longed to while they sat together on the Wright’s sofa not long before.
“Let us not think ahead, Gilbert,” she said, moving out of his reach, eyes on the sky that spoke soon of twilight, “Let us just enjoy now? The certainty of this moment, of this night, must be worth more than a thousand uncertain moments to come. Me to Summerside. You to Kingsport. Both of us to find our own ways.”
“Not our own ways,” He corrected, hopeful in his certainty of the future. With hands deep in his pockets, he continued towards his destination: their apple tree hidden in the woods. He sat down beside her on the moss covered log where they had shared their last evening before Redmond together. “I meant what I said that day, Anne, my promise. And I hope I wasn’t wrong in understanding what you said.” He took her hand in his, noting with a frown her tremble. “I cannot picture a life where I am happy that does not also have you. I wish I were rich and my future earned and I could take you wherever you’d like to spend your days.”
“I don’t need riches for that, Gilbert,” Anne found her voice enough to tell him, “Because this is where and how I imagine myself happy. With you.”
“Then, will you…”
“...Always.”
~ASxGB~
The evening was well upon Green Gables when Anne and Gilbert approached it, hand in hand. There was only a single light visible, from the kitchen, where Marilla and Rachel were sitting together, talking about anything other than the whereabouts of the girl they had expected back hours before.
The pair exchanged various looks of happiness and relief at seeing the couple enter, hand in hand and both with smiles and flushed cheeks. There were hugs and congratulations and from Marilla, even a shed tear.
As tended to happen in places as small and connected as Avonlea, news of their engagement spread quicker than either could have predicted. It was not the news that spread due to surprise as some other engagements may have, for no one could have been prepared for a union between a Pye and Sloane. But rather, it was news mixed with self satisfaction for having known how it would turn out, and relief that it had happened at long last.
And, also with happiness too.
~END~