Always and Forever: Anne with an E

Season 4 Episode 5: Anne in Avonlea

Dinner had been roast dinner, and Marilla had also extended the invitation to Jerry who was too happy to eat Mrs Cuthbert's delicious food, as he now lived at Green Gables he was enjoying his time there.

"Jerry, what do you think of this?" Anne asked looking at herself in the mirror. She had been trying hairstyles that she had seen in Charlottetown but they were not coming out as she hoped.

"I think I liked the one before" he pointed before looking back at his book and continued reading. He had become such a reader that Anne started enjoying gifting old books that she had needed for classes. Anne huffed and undid her hair, feeling defeated she tied a blue ribbon around it creating a low ponytail since her curls had formed it ended up looking quite nice.

"Let's go help Marilla set up then" Anne nodded dragging a reluctant Jerry with her, they had spent the whole day cooking up a tasty feast and were ready for the large party, Marilla even brought out her last bottle of the raspberry punch which excited Anne. Mrs Lacroxis, Sebastian, Delphine and Gilbert arrived soon and Anne was too happy to give him a welcome hug. Now that they were courting such acts seemed more acceptable. "Hey Mr Doctor" Anne whispered.

"Ah, not yet but it has a nice right to it" he smiled before thanking the Cuthberts for the invitation.

"Soon doctor Blythe" Anne winked before going to pick up her favourite baby, she was slowly looking more like Mary as she grew. "Hello, my dear" Anne ticked the baby's socked foot. "Please come into the living room, can I bring out the cordial Marilla?" Anne asked putting down the baby on Mathew's knee. Marilla nodded and smiled chatting to Mrs Lacroix.

"Please let me help you" Gilbert followed her out, pulling her behind the wall before pressing his lips on hers. He realised on their way to the house that they hadn't properly kissed since he had gotten back, and that was a problem. "You look beautiful Anne" he breathed catching Anne ofguard.

"Anne? Are you coming?" Marilla yelled form the other room causing the pair to laugh silently.

"Yes of course, I will be right in" Anne announced reluctantly pulling away from Gilbert. She couldn't help but beam as she poured the drinks and brought them back into the room. She joined Gilbert back in the kitchen and sat there with him. "What have you been up to?" she asked handing him a glass.

"Other than thinking about you?" he stated seriously "I was helping Bash put up a new fence" he added.

"Hey, where is Mary's son? I thought he was living with you?" Anne asked taking a sip.

"Ahh, he didn't want to come." Gilbert shrugged "Cheers carrots" he lifted his glass, Anne met his, but not before giving him a glare.

"I hate that name" she pouted.

"I love it, it was the moment I fell in love with you" Gilbert whispered before taking Anne's hand and leading them back into the room, dinner was tasty and it ended with Marilla and Mrs Lacroix exchanging recipes. Jerry explained to Gilbert what he would have missed in France, at the mention of eating rabbits and snails, Anne was very happy he decided on Toronto.

Mathew pulled out his marbles for the kids to play around, but Delphine insisted on trying to pick them up that Anne had to keep a tight grip on her. Gilbert couldn't help but admire how good Anne was with the baby form the corner of his eye. "Ahh, I won! Look Delli" Anne giggled clapping, making Delphine want to join in too.

"So what are you doing after school Anne?" Jerry asked absentmindedly as he waited for his turn.

"I don't know" Anne looked up at met Gilberts eye, they of course even talked about futures yet, and his question made her realise that in fact, they hadn't even thought about that yet.

The dinner ended and Anne joined Gilbert for a short walk towards her house "Jerry was right, what am I going to do after school Gilbert?" Anne asked.

"I knew you would ask that. But is up to you, I have an extra two years than you have. You can join me in Toronto or find a teaching vocation?" Gilbert asked.

"Would you like me in Toronto?" Anne asked worriedly. She knew that he didn't have to much extra time so she did not want to be a distraction, and what would she do with her time, she knew she could never be a lady of leisure.

"So that I could see you every day, of course" he smiled kissing her knuckles. "But Anne I want you to be happy, we have forever for us to be together so I want you to do what you want to do today" he added. Anne couldn't think of a better combination of words to hear at that moment. Forever is such a whimsical word. And to that Anne found herself speechless, so pulled him down for a kiss.

"A forever with you Mr Blythe, a beautiful forever" Anne giggled, she had hated the girls at school for giggling so much but found herself giggling around Gilbert. "But let's talk about this?" Anne asked "we have so much to talk about and not possibly enough time to cover it" she stressed.

"Okay then, let's talk about it now" Gilbert pushed. She was getting stressed so he stopped walking and found a fallen tree to sit on.

"Well where are you planning on becoming a doctor? In Charlottown, Toronto? Somewhere else?" Anne asked first, holding her tounge from asking any more questions. They were all swarming around her ming and all eager to be said out in the frigid air.

"Well, I would like to find something as close to Avonlea, so I can help Bash with the farm" Gilbert replied tentitivly.

"Okay, so I will also look for teaching positions around Avonlea. And so then where would we live?" Anne asked again.

"Anywhere, we have my house? We can find our own place closer to the station, in town? The possibilities are endless. Don't stress about this now Anne, why don't we find out when we want to get married?" he asked leaving Anne speechless. He hadn't asked her about marriage, dispite that slip up the day before.

"You still have to ask me Mr Blythe" Anne stated matter-of-factly. "But if we were talking about this hypothetically, then I would say after I finish at Queens." She added.

"Well then let me ask you then" Gilbert smiled, standing up and holding out his hand for her. Anne was no confusion as he pulled her towards the path that she used to take to school. He looked around then stopped in a spot.

"Anne, my Anne. I have seen you grow into a phenomenal person. You inspire me, open my eyes and touch my heart. Something, that... well, no one has ever done before. As soon as I could remember my heart has been yours, so Anne. Will you do me the honour of being my Anne, my wife" he breathed. Holding her hand to his chest, Gilbert was struggling to describe Anne. "You are the miracle of Avonlea, you bring light and laughter and beauty wherever you go. You see the world as such a magical place." He continued quickly "So what do you say?" he laughed nervously.

"Of course, Gilbert Blythe, I mean that seems like such an insignificant word to explain to this boy, no man her feelings. "I never thought I would be a bride, Mr Blythe, I always dreamed of belonging to somebody, I never imaged that it would ever happen to me" Anne breathed. She didn't need Princess Cordilia to imagine what such happiness felt like anymore, she felt it, her heartfelt it all.

Gilbert pulled out a ring, and it was glorious "this, my Anne..." he hesitated analysing the band and small diamond stone "this was my mothers ring" he looked down "my father got it for her on his travels to Scotland" Anne's heart melted, it was as if the universe had fated this to happen. This ring had such a tragical story, but it was from Scotland, her Scotland. Anne didn't even realise she was crying until she felt Gilbert wipe away her tears.

"My parents came from Scotland" she looked up tearily "I shall treasure this ring, always" she hugged him. Gilbert was shocked and standing there in that moment he was so happy to have met Anne to not go to Paris and to run into Diana on the train. They were meant to be. And that was it. 

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