It was mid morning by the time Anne, Gilbert, Diana and Wilson had hit the road.

They'd all been quiet over breakfast, only lifted from the silence with a light conversation driven by a cheery Diana focused on the how glad everyone would be to see them when they got home, especially Anne's family. Uncharacteristically, Anne and Gilbert were untalkative, only exchanging meaningful, bashful looks over the table. After a very hasty breakfast and an ask around for directions to Avonlea, they all got on their horses, Anne sharing with Gilbert and Diana sharing with Wilson and set off along the main road.

The weather was fresh and dry, the terrible storm having deserted the lands during the night. The sun had given it's rays all morning but the forest was still bearing the affects of the night's heavy rainfall. Anne looked all around them as they rode through the woods. The trees seemed worn and tired, blown out by the wind yet still clinging onto their new, green buds. Anne reflected that they mirrored how she felt - clinging onto hope after being in a terrible storm. She knew that all of the hope she still posessed was due to the efforts her friends had made to help her and her family's faith in her. She owed them.

Anne was thinking a lot about the future and she was excited now that she knew there was nobody trying to steal it from her.

Gilbert's thoughts were focused on the happiness he felt that Anne was letting him look after her and that she was on speaking terms with him, let alone the fact they'd kissed twice and she was accepting the affection he'd craved to give her for so long... For the longest time she'd fight him over everything, they'd always bicker and Anne would openly declare how much she despised him but now she had finally allowed and reciprocated his warmth and they were... Friends? Not exactly, they were much more than that... Gilbert didn't know the word for it exactly but he hoped it lasted.

The ride to Avonlea took all day. The group had to stop and get some food in a farm, Diana palming one of her rings in exchange for some bread, apples and water. They ate on the side of the main road on a grassy verge, with birds singing above them perching in the tall trees all around, which creaked pale and slender in the gentle wind. After their stomachs were full they moved on quickly, eager to get home. The sky stayed clear blue and the sun stayed bright. The air was warmer and Anne could see the beautiful flowers poking up out of every patch of long, waving grass along the road, splashes of green in every forest and hedgerow... Spring was in full force. Anne smiled as she rode, taking it all in, so full of joy to be alive and to witness this beautiful morning.

"What are you smiling about?" Gilbert murmured, seeing her bright face gazing all around in happiness.

Anne glanced over her shoulder at him, her blue eyes meeting his brown. She thought he looked very handsome, his curls falling down into his eyes - in need of a trim - and his tired eyes showing that soft look which he reserved only for her. She smiled, glad he was there to enjoy the day too. Anne was overcome by the feeling that dwelled in her heart as she looked at him. She felt that urge once again to hold his face and kiss it, to wrap her arms around his neck and close her eyes, to feel him hold her too. The feeling was beginning to be very familiar to Anne but it was still dehabilitating for her tongue, causing her trouble formulating sentences.

Anne thought that the butterflies would disperse eventually but with Gilbert, they never really did.

"I'm just so blissfully happy to be alive on such a splendid day as this, Gil. I'm full of wonder and joy at the world and it's beauty." Anne said dreamily. "Isn't it so wonderful to be alive?"

Anne was ever optimistic even after all her hardship, she never let it knock her down for long. Gilbert was inspired by her and felt his own heart lifted... If she could get through everything that life threw at her then so could he. They gazed at each other for a moment before turning back to the road and Gilbert felt that he looked upon the view with new eyes.

Gilbert was in awe as he looked, almost seeming to see it with Anne's perspective... Everything shone brighter, seemed fresher and more beautiful - colours were vivid and the sun was shining more brightly down on the hopeful trees as they grew up towards the sky. They heard the rushing of a stream, the calling of birds and dogs and the rustle of the breeze in the leaves. Spring was scattered all over like gold dust, animals scurried amongst the trees and hedges, excited about the coming warmth and all the promises summer held.

The world was wonderful and alive and it was a joy to be in it, Anne was right. Gilbert smiled.

...

It was late afternoon by the time they entered Avonlea. The sun was travelling down low in the sky, burning it orange and staining the curling clouds gold. The birds were still singing loud and happy, the travellers were weary yet relieved to be back to their hometown. Upon entering the border lands and recognising the houses, farms and forests they had all shared a smile and felt a weight lift off of their shoulders. That special feeling of familiarity and safety one recieved when arriving home was almost indescribable... It was particularly sweet after having been torn away unwillingly with so much doubt of ever returning.

Coming through the White Way of Delight Anne could barely blink for fear of missing a second of the moments she would treasure forever... She was coming home. They rode over the bridge which passed across the Lake of Shining Waters and Anne recalled the traumatic experience she'd put herself through out of fear in those waters...

Gilbert pressed his cheek against Anne's shoulder, breathing slowly as they trotted over the bridge he looked down into the dark water. He remembered the fear he'd felt upon hearing Anne's terrified screams and the desperation in her rescue. Neither of them would ever forget it, it had sealed them together in a way they hadn't expected.

The travelling party rode down the winding red track to Green Gables and stopped at the top of the hill looking down. Green Gables had never looked so sweet and welcoming to anyone in all of its history of being... The golden sun falling behind its large white frame, flanked by the barn and the animal huts, surrounded by familiar fields and hedgerows, lush trees and Anne's beloved Snow Queen blossom tree. Anne saw the swirling smoke coming out of the chimney and her heart ached at the thought of Marilla busy inside baking or Matthew tending the fire.

Anne looked at her companions and they all smiled at each other. They had done it. It was a poignant moment.

Diana had to cross the fields to get to her house and Wilson was going that way too. Diana dismounted and went to Anne, who leant down to embrace her best-friend tightly. They'd certainly see each other soon, but every parting was more tender since Anne's imprisonment. Diana held Anne's hand firmly and looked into her eyes.

"I'm so glad you're home safe, Anne." Diana said, her dark eyes shining. "I will be sure to call on you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Diana - for everything. You're truly the best friend anyone could ever dream of -- no, I'm certain nobody could ever dream up somebody as completely marvellous as you. I hope your parents are not too furious at your daring leave to rescue me from the prison. I'm sure they were quite worried about you being absent with no explanation - you've become ever so rash these past few weeks."

Diana smiled and she felt a little proud at the bravery she'd acquired since this ordeal began.

"I'll handle them, don't worry." Diana said stoicly. "Everything seems so simple now, doesn't it?"

"I know what you mean... We can surely handle anything, after handling all of that." Anne smiled. "Goodbye, Diana. I'll see you tomorrow." Anne gave her friend one last squeeze before their parting.

"Goodbye!" Diana mounted the horse and waved.

"Farewell, Anne." Wilson said, bowing his head sincerely. He was so serious, Anne thought. "I am honoured to have been part of your release. I hope you will not think ill of me or my actions."

Anne was confused. Why would she think ill of him? He had helped her, he was friends with Diana. There was no reason to think ill of him, or his actions... What a peculiar thing to say, she thought.

"I could never," Anne reassured him. "Goodbye Officer Wilson, thank you from my heart of hearts - you are truly a brave officer and I won't ever forget all that you've done!"

Gilbert waved too, clicked his teeth for the horse and they made their way down the road to the double gates.

Jerry Baynard was in the barn when he heard the horse... He peered out of the window warily and instantly dropped his rake, scrambled down the ladder and pelted up the yard to the gates. It was Anne and Gilbert Blythe! Jerry couldn't believe his eyes. He clutched his hat as he stared up at the pair. They looked a sight, windswept and tired from the journey, Anne sat on the horse in front in a blue dress and Gilbert behind, holding the reins and bearing the look of somebody who had seen so much and experienced such a number of strange things that nothing could surprise him.

"Anne-- you're back!" Jerry yelped.

"Don't just stare, Jerry," Anne rolled her eyes. "Open the gate!"

Jerry obliged, lifting the lock and swinging open the gate, grinning to see Anne again. He had missed her and it hadn't been nice to see the Cuthberts so distraught about their Anne gone. Anne was glad to see the boy too and she smiled at him as he grabbed the horses' reins and slowed them. Gilbert climbed down and offered Anne a hand which she surprisingly accepted, dismounting before being enveloped in a hug by Jerry. Stunned at first, Anne returned the gesture, not caring about the straw stuck to Jerry's jumper or the dirt on his hands from raking out the barn.

"I'm glad you're home, mon ami." Jerry said into her shoulder.

"Oh, so am I." Anne felt a lump in her throat. She was a little overwhelmed.

"Anne!" Marilla's voice rang out across the yard.

Anne broke from Jerry and looked up to see her beloved Marilla on the porch looking down the yard. Marilla looked exhausted and her hair bun wasn't as neat as usual. Marilla was shocked to see Anne and she ran down to the girl. The last time they'd seen each other Anne was in hiding from the police, Marilla had told her to leave and then the next thing she knew Anne had been taken away to prison. So much had happened in those few short days...

Marilla was a sight for sore eyes, Anne thought. She'd never have imagined that Marilla was thinking the exact same thing but she was.

Marilla reached Anne and before she hugged her she held the fragile girl at arms length and inspected her with a stern look. Once satisfied that she was in one piece, Marilla wrapped her arms tightly around the small redhead and held her tightly. Anne buried her face in Marilla's chest and hugged her waist, savouring the scent of her mother figure and the relief of being back with her.

"You're home. Oh - thank the Lord." Marilla breathed. "I promise you, child, if anyone dares to take you away again they'll have to come over my dead body."

Anne looked up at Marilla and beamed. She had never seen Marilla look so stern and serious and that was a pretty permanent look on her face. Anne had never heard Marilla talk so fiercely either and she felt a rush of pride to belong to such a formidable, fearless woman.

"I missed you." Anne said.

Anne saw Marilla's heart melt a bit in the soft look in her eyes. She knew Marilla had missed her too but it was hard for her to say those things, due to her upbringing. Marilla pushed Anne's long hair behind her ears and blinked, trying to hold back her smile as she spoke to the freckled girl whom she thought tenderly of as a daughter.

"Green Gables hasn't been the same without you, Anne."

Anne knew this was Marilla's way of saying, I missed you too. Then it was all brushed away with the brisk manner Anne was used to, Marilla's firm way of looking after her.

"Now, come along inside, child - there is much to discuss but first you and Gilbert here must eat a decent meal and rest. Well now, I won't hear a word of protest from either one of you. We owe you our deepest debt of thanks, Gilbert, for taking good care of our Anne. It will not be forgotten. In you both go, and I'll tell you something Anne - there's somebody who will be very glad to see you, that's for sure. Matthew, yes that's who. Thank you Jerry, put the horse away for a while will you and you can come in for a drink. Yes, don't give me that look - I said you can come in. Well, Anne's back now so I expect everybody will want to see her before she goes to bed! No, it's not too early Anne - you need the sleep. Don't think I can't see those awful bags under your eyes. Come, now."

...

Everything inside Green Gables was as Anne had left it.

Everything was cleaner though, and Anne knew from experience this was the result of a very worried Marilla. Her heart ached at the thought of Marilla and Matthew worrying over her and she wished she'd have been able to stop their worries somehow. She wondered where Matthew was as he was usually still in the yard or the barn at that time, sometimes in the kitchen tending the fire. Anne felt a slight pang of worry stab at her heart.

"Where's Matthew?" Anne asked quietly as they walked into the sparkling kitchen, unable to disguise the fear in her voice.

Gilbert followed the pair behind, feeling slightly out of place. He liked the Cuthberts a great deal and he liked Anne especially but he felt like he was intruding on the family reunion, even though Marilla had invited him in. He looked around the house and saw the old family photo on the wall of Marilla and Matthew as children with their brother. Gilbert was reminded of his own family and swallowed hard, feeling a rush of pain in his heart. Anne was so lucky to have a family still. Gilbert only had Anne now, that was why she was so precious to him.

"Matthew is upstairs in bed. I don't want you to get yourself in a tither about this when I tell you, so please child, keep a cool head -" Marilla was firm. "Matthew has been very ill, he's on strict bedrest but he's going to be alright--"

"Oh, Marilla. Is it because of me? Did I cause you both so much stress? Oh, how will I ever forgive myself for making Matthew ill--"

"Oh for heaven sake, it couldn't be helped not by you or me, or anyone." Marilla rolled her eyes at Anne's dramatics. "You didn't ask to be taken away, did you? It was a terrible thing, a fright. Matthew was very worried indeed, as we all were - as we had great cause to be! Matthew had an... an... an incident of the heart. But he is recovering. He needs plenty of rest, is all. Hounding yourself about it will do no good at all."

Anne fell silent, solemn. She felt guilt seep into her heart. Gilbert bit his lip, watching from the door. Marilla lacked certain maternal patience and any calming energy, but she made up for it with her firm reason and the straight talk which Anne often needed to keep her imagination in check... It was certainly a wonderous thing but it tended to run away with her and it didn't always lead her to positive places.

"Now, go up and see Matthew if you're able. I will prepare you both food, you're in dire need of fortification." Marilla said briskly, putting an apron on. "Gilbert, do see to it that she makes it upstairs."

Gilbert was at Anne's side in a second. Anne rolled her eyes slightly at Marilla's fussing. Anne was still weak but she was annoyed Marilla didn't think she could do it by herself even if she truly couldn't. Anne took Gilbert's arm with a slightly resentful sigh. Gilbert tried not to laugh. She was endlessly stubborn.

"I could have done it by myself, you know." Anne felt the need to hiss under her breath at Gilbert as they climbed the stairs.

"I know, but if it puts Marilla's mind to rest... Surely it's better to let me help? If it doesn't hurt your ego too much, of course." Gilbert whispered, holding back a smile as he looked at her in the dark staircase.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, Mr Blythe." Anne rolled her eyes at him.

They reached the landing and Anne let go of his arm, walking slowly along the passage. It was dark as the lamp had not been lit and the sun had begun to set, leaving the space shadowed and poorly-lit through the small window. Anne reached Matthew's room and knocked thrice before entering, Gilbert hanging back at the door again. Anne blinked in at the darkness. She heard soft snores. Anne went to the bedside lamp and lit it with a match from the drawer. The lamp illuminated the shadowed room, the drawn curtains and the sleeping Matthew tucked in bed.

Anne couldn't help the smile which tugged at her lips as she gazed upon Matthew, her kindred spirit and treasured father-figure. He looked tired and older somehow, as though stress and pain had aged him. Anne was so glad to be home, to see them all and to know she would see them each day from then on. Hearing of Matthew's ill health had frightened Anne. She had assumed the worst, ever since that day when Matthew tried to end it after they lost the cargo on the ship and fell into debt. He had a weak heart and pushed himself too hard. He meant so much to Anne, more than he'd ever know. Anne was sure she'd never recover if he ever did truly leave them.

Anne suddenly felt tears in her eyes at the thought of losing him. She looked over to the door and saw Gil standing there still, handsome and pale, his tired eyes watching her fondly. Regret pained her heart as she remembered that dreadful day when they buried Gilbert's father and all those terribly ignorant things she'd said. Anne took a shaky breath before speaking quietly in the dark room. The lamp light lit her profile and shone through her blazing red hair.

"I'm so sorry about how I behaved that day when you lost... I could never understand how you felt, I was too young to remember my-- I never felt grief like you did. To lose somebody you love so much would be an intolerable weight to carry, an unbearably painful blow... I'm truly sorry and I hate to think I made you feel even worse than you already did on that awful day. I curse myself for my naevitiy and ignorance, I only hope I can be more supportive to people in the future on such occasions and that I have learnt my lesson. Oh I do hope you could forgive me." Anne's voice wobbled. "I think you are so very strong, for all that you endured."

A tear ran down Anne's cheek. Gilbert said nothing at first, he was shocked at her words. Any reminder of that bleak day hurt his heart, even to think of his father was painful... For Anne to say something so sweet, so vulnerable and empathetic was hard to hear, especially after such a struggle to reach the point of being that open with each other... To finally find somebody who understood what an enormous burden it was to lose a loved one was so refreshing, even if they didn't know how it felt exactly. Many people had given Gilbert their sympathy, best wishes and prayers but nobody thought to give him some basic understanding of the pain he felt and the crushing weight of grief.

"It's alright Anne, I forgave you a long time ago... I would never hold it against you." Gilbert said, his voice cracking.

Anne wiped away her tears and sat beside Matthew, holding his hand and laying down to rest with her head on his chest. She closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat, slow and steady as his chest rose up and down. It was so reassuring and Anne hoped she'd always hear it for as long as she lived. After a few minutes of almost-silence, Matthew stirred and became aware of Anne's presence.

"Is that you, Anne?" He squinted at the girl.

"Yes, I'm here." Anne smiled tearfully and gave Matthew a big hug. "I'm here, Matthew. I won't leave you again."

Matthew wrapped Anne up in his arms and held her gently, his heart lifted at her presence. He felt better already. She was the light of his life.

"You're home." Matthew whispered happily.

...

As the sun finished setting across the sky, burning like a flame and flooding Avonlea in a golden dusk many things came to a peak...

Anne explained thoroughly to Matthew and Marilla about Joseph and that night in the woods and everything that had happened since then, all of the lies which tore her up inside and the fear for their lives which had driven her to lie. She told them everything and it felt so good to finally be free of the weight which had burdened her for a very long time. Anne became free in many ways that day.

Diana had arrived home to a desperately worried Mr and Mrs Barry. They were angry with her at first but soon their anger fell away to their vulnerable worry which had worn away at them that past day and they admitted that they were glad she was home and sorry for all that had come to pass and how they hadn't truly believed her and what she'd said about Joseph. Diana told them everything about her time with Gilbert trying to help Anne and how they'd gone all the way to Wolfsden Prison to get her out. Diana didn't stop until all of the truth was out and for once her parents listened... When the truth about Joseph, their rescue mission and Anne's wrongful imprisonment was out it was Diana's turn to listen.

Anne and Diana were then told by their guardians the events of that day and all of the testimonies for Anne...

They were presented to prove Anne's good character and give more reason for her release. The testimonies had come in overwhelmingly positive. All of her school friends, all of their neighbours, even people she'd never met before provided testimony of her being a good, kind and sweet girl. They all loved or thought well of her and they believed she was innocent. Even the families who had suffered robberies and blamed Anne had changed their minds after the appalling truth of Joseph had came out... It was a shock to everyone how many people's hearts Anne had touched since her arrival several years before in Avonlea. Even Rachel Lynde spoke of Anne, saying she was passionate and kind and had brought her good friend Marilla and her brother unprecedented joy since she'd joined their lives... It had been decided that Anne was an innocent victim just like everyone else, and that she should be released and sent home and even given compensation for her unfair treatment. There was a release team organised for Anne's retrieval the following day but Anne had come home. Marilla said they'd all go up to the town hall where the team were going to leave in the morning and they'd let everybody know that Anne was already out.

The only thing which hadn't been tied up in Marilla's eyes was the recovery of Joseph Bines' body... He'd been killed apparently in self-defence by a young man named James Riley, who Gilbert said was his friend. James Riley had told them of the death and collapsed from an injury sustained in the fight. He'd been tended to by the doctor, who'd confessed afterwards that the man was in shock, rambling on about a girl and trying to do the right thing. Marilla told them that the doctor offered for Mr Riley to stay with him for a few days and that he was there now. The whereabouts of Joseph's body was unknown by all except James and he wouldn't be convinced to purvey the information to anyone. The search parties had proved unfruitful but they'd keep it up the rest of the week and they were determined to close this whole case as quickly as possible. The arrival of Anne back in Avonlea would surely come as a boost to moral that things worked out and it would go back to normal.

The news of the townspeople rallying to her aid, even if it were only her reputation's aid was a great thrill to Anne, despite the somber news of Joseph's death and James' emotional distress. Anne had never dreamed of being so thought of, so cared about. She hadn't suspected she'd had such a lasting effect on so many people during her time in Avonlea... Anne felt very lucky, very blessed and she was positively radiating gratitude. In fact she was overcome.

Anne was so overcome by gratitude that she cried a lot that evening. She would last periods where she was just smiling and chatting lightly about how happy she was to be home and then she'd start crying again as the feelings grew in her chest. She was even tearful through dinner and cried into her soup much to Marilla's scolding.

"Honestly, child. Compose yourself at the dinner table!"

Matthew chuckled fondly at Anne and while Anne fetched a hankie he shared a meaningful look with the incredulous Marilla. She rolled her eyes slightly but smiled too. When Anne came back, dabbing at her eyes with the soft cloth she looked pink with happiness, her cheeks shining. She laughed under her breath, shaking her head at her behaviour. All the while, Gilbert watched her with quiet amusement.

Gilbert left to go home after dinner when Marilla told Anne it was time to go to bed. He had stayed for a while on Marilla's insistence that it was the least they could do but Gilbert needed to go home and get some sleep. He always held a dread in going back to the house where so many painful memories had happened... His family passing and his father's death had been painful enough attachments to the building without Anne being taken away from there too. Gilbert hung onto the good memories though, like his first kiss... That memory blew the bad memories out of the water.

Gilbert sincerely thanked Marilla for the food and wished Matthew a hasty recovery, before bidding them all goodnight and promising to see the family in the morning bright and early at the town hall.

Anne followed him to the door and caught his hand, slipping out onto the porch with him. Gilbert turned, a little jumpy. He softened at the sight of her.

"Here," Anne held up Gilbert's jacket which he'd leant her. "Thank you for letting me borrow it."

Gilbert smiled slightly, his eyes showing warmth. "Oh that's alright, Anne." He slipped it on.

The moon was bright that night and the breeze was still warm. They stayed there in the velvet soft darkness, Anne still holding Gilbert's hand, her small fingers curled into his palm. Anne felt the wind in her loose hair, dancing gently around her shoulders and upon her aching bare feet on the wooden porch.

Gilbert looked up at her properly and saw she still had a glistening tear on her cheek from earlier. His hand ghosted her soft skin and wiped away the tear, before he fixed her with a gentle but firm look. Anne looked up at him with a poorly-disguised fondness as he spoke.

"No more crying, okay?"

Anne half-smiled. "They're happy tears, Gil. Only shed from pure relief and gratitude... I promise I'm not sad anymore."

"Well, that's good."

Gilbert's eyes were squinting slightly as he smiled, gazing at Anne in that special way he often did. Anne felt a thrill in her chest when he did that look. It made her feel warm inside, like a flame was burning right down to her fingertips and inside her heart, in the deepest part which she'd never felt before.

"I don't like it when you're sad." Gilbert admitted quietly.

There was a pause.

"Are you worried about James?" Anne asked.

Gilbert was thoughtful, his brow furrowed. He nodded. "I need to check on him. He helped with your case, he wanted to help me. I owe him a lot and I can't think of what he's going through after he... Well, I'm intending to go and see him tomorrow, after the meeting in the morning of course."

"Oh, you really don't have to come to that I'm sure it'll just be a formality - letting everyone know I'm back and that there's no need for them to release me. You should go straight to James--"

"No, I want to be at the meeting. I need to, in fact. I decided that I'm going to join the search party for Joseph's body. I need some type of closure that it's all finished and he's not going to come back in the dead of night and--and hurt you." Gilbert's dark hazel eyes flashed in the moonlight. His breath came out quickly. "I can't shake that feeling, not until I know he's really gone... Until I -- see it."

They stood in quiet in the dark porch, linked only by Anne's loose grasp of Gilbert's hand.

"Does that sound strange?" Gilbert frowned.

Anne shook her head and looked down at her feet. "I don't want him to hurt you, either." She murmured. "Even though he's gone, it doesn't feel that way yet. No matter what anyone says."

"You can come with me, if you want?" Gilbert suggested. "On the search, I mean..."

"Oh, I'm sure they'll say no girls are allowed to attend the search-- they'll say it'll be much gruesome or something like that--"

"Oh, bother them. Since when did you mind what folks said about you? Let them say what they like. If anyone has a right to be there, to see it and to-- to know... it's you!" Gilbert spoke with a hushed, fierce passion. "Besides, you're hardly a girl anymore."

Anne glanced up at him. He didn't mean it in a scornful way, he meant that she was more a woman now. She flushed and thanked the stars it was night and her blush was concealed in the shadows.

"Well, that's all very decent of you to say but I'm not so sure I want to." Anne muttered.

"What do you mean? You don't want to come on the search?"

"Perhaps I will, although I'm not sure what type of peace of mind it will bring - if any... to see a dead body, even somebody who tormented me in so many ways for so long." Anne's eyes were haunted. "Perhaps it would be too frightful to see such a darkness, a purely sad shadow of an action done in the depths of human pain and fear -- it may leave a lasting scar deeper than any I currently possess... what if I am more traumatised by that than any of the torturous things I endured by Joseph's hand? What if the dark shadow clouds out my life and eclipses any joy I may feel in the future? Oh, that would be just awful..."

"Well... I believe that there is a light inside you which is always bright. I belive that no matter what happens, Anne, what we see, there will always be that inconquerable light in your life that shines so brightly it eclipses out any darkness. Maybe not all at once, maybe never entirely... but it will certainly outshine the shadow and make the shadow less frightful, perhaps even tolerable. The light in your life will make all the shadows worth braving." Gilbert smiled. "I think after all, you have enough bravery to see through any shadows which dare to even attempt at eclipsing your life."

Anne played with Gilbert's fingers gently, at a loss as what to say. She felt that she had so much to say to him, that they had bonded so much and their feelings had bloomed in the heat of all the chaos and pain of late and she was afraid it would all change when things went back to normal in the morning. Even after their conversation at the inn about things staying the same, she still feared it was said only in the heat of the moment. As soon as he saw the other girls he'd forget her. Anne was both afraid and excited by the enormity of her feelings for the boy standing before her.

Silence had fallen upon them again and Gilbert watched Anne, only guessing at the deliberation which clearly churned away in her mind. He spoke first.

"Are we still... alright? I know you said earlier that you didn't want things to-- uh... that things wouldn't go back to how they were before. You sometimes say things and I don't know if you only say it in the heat of -- so that we... well you're quite passionate t-- I mean, I know you like me at least, that is I think so -- I know you don't hate me. I care a lot about you -- I hope you f... I just-- Of all the times to lose my words, oh geeze--"

Gilbert stammered, scratching the back of his neck in nervousness as he always ended up doing when it came to Anne. He looked so sweet, so kind and good in that moment that Anne felt a rush from her heart, up her throat and she had the desperate urge to finally let it out.

"Anne this is really hard for me to say, but I think--"

"I think I love you." Anne blurted out suddenly.

Gilbert blinked, shocked. Had he heard her right?

They sunk into a thick silence for a few painful moments, neither of them able to speak. Their hearts beat a mile a minute, their breath coming short and quick. Anne felt panic rise up in her chest -- had she spoken too soon? Did he not feel the same way? Had she made a mistake saying that and frightened him off? Was she too young to feel these things? Was she crazy for feeling this way?

Panicking, Anne let go of his hand and turned away, fleeing back into the house. Gilbert caught her arm, his hand hooked under her elbow and he gently pulled her back. She looked up at him in surprise, the handsome boy who had stolen her heart without her even noticing. He bore a strange expression, his eyes shining down at her. They stood so close, Anne could almost hear his heart skipping beats inside his chest.

"I love you Anne," Gilbert said. "I think I always have."

Suddenly nothing else mattered, the only thought in their heads was their feelings for each other and the bursting, blazing love in their hearts which beat the same. Anne reached up, her cold, grazed fingers cupping Gilbert's face as she gazed into his eyes. Gilbert wrapped his arms around her back and his hands snaked into her hair. The two youths felt sparks surging in their veins, crackling like fireworks in their skin. Anne thought that this wasn't quite how things went in books, it was even better. Gilbert shone like the sun with a halo of dark curls and Anne was even brighter, finally having found her love where it had lay dormant for so long in the sea of oblivion. How had it taken this long to see what was right in front of them?

They kissed then, sweet and slow and it felt like the kiss lasted forever like a long, deep breath of the freshest air after being under water for too long. The large silver moon was watching and the stars lit up like the pure, bright-burning love which had knotted them together, tied firmly in the dip beneath their ribs where their hearts dwelled.

Anne and Gilbert were finally happy, they had each other and nothing could come between them.