True to his promise, Gilbert Blythe was soon escorting Anne Shirley back to Patty's Place. Though the rain had stopped, neither Gil nor Anne felt particularly inclined to leave the cozy comfort of Gil's apartment; his forest green couch felt awfully inviting, and the lamplight dulled Anne's alertness. But despite the attraction of staying entwined on Gil's couch, the pair managed to exit the building and wander down the street outside the ancient building. The musty smell of damp concrete filled the spring air as Gil and Anne meandered along the sidewalk of Redmond's residential quarter. The world was calm and silent in the late evening, but the pair—so absorbed in each other—would've hardly noticed if it had been rush hour on Black Friday.

As the elated, new couple ducked behind trees and corners for lingering embraces, Anne couldn't help but compare this walk with Gil to the one they'd shared earlier in the day. Such a great divide stood between the Anne of a few hours ago and the Anne of the present.

She had been so conflicted and distressed and exhausted and melancholic, and now, her heart almost burst with peaceful happiness—especially when Gil pulled her behind a cluster of birches and pressed kisses along her throat.

Anne had never felt so content in Roy's arms, and the way Gil's hands grasped her waist and shoulders made her feel secure in the best way. He felt as warm and familiar as a summer afternoon in Avonlea, and Anne cursed her stubborn blindness for the hundredth time that hour.

She couldn't help but imagine how much simpler and better her life would've been if she had just accepted Gil's offer the first time.

If she had just opened her eyes to Gil's longing glances during their second year at Redmond.

If she had just realized what that lingering feeling in her heart had been when she thought of Gil.

"Queen Anne," Gil's voice rumbled from the juncture of her neck and collarbone. "Where has that lovely mind of yours gone?"

"Oh, Gil," Anne began quietly. "I was just thinking how long it took for us to get here."

"Well, we've only been walking for about ten minutes," Gil said, pulling away from her neck but still holding her tightly. "And I doubt Phil is tracking us at the moment."

"You know what I meant," Anne laughed, her fingers combing out the curls at the nape of Gil's neck. "How long it took us to get to this point."

"Anne," Gil said, his voice drawing in near-exasperation. "I don't want you to think about that. I don't want you to blame yourself for anything! Because now that I'm here with you, I know I wouldn't have had our journey go any other way. We needed that time."

"Are you sure?" Anne whispered.

"Of course," Gil said, his hands cradling Anne's face reassuringly. "I just want you to believe that too."

"I will," Anne began. "I just can't believe how incredibly lucky I am to have you. You're so selfless and kind and loving and forgiving, and you've waited so long! What if I'm not all you've imagined me to be all these years?"

"Anne Shirley, I knew I'd lost my heart the moment you smashed that board over my head," Gil answered. "And if that doesn't explain everything about my expectations of being with you, I don't know what will!"

"I love you, Gilbert Blythe," Anne whispered in the calm night.

"I love you, too, Anne Shirley," Gil smiled, grasping her hand and pulling her back onto the sidewalk. "Come on now, we've got a long walk yet, and I suspect all your housemates be still be awake for some reason!"

And so the pair continued on toward their destination—with periodic stops for an occasional embrace—and Anne had never been so thankful for a broken-down car, a lost umbrella, and very long drive.

And that's officially a wrap! I thought this story needed a touch more finality, and though I'm sad to see it finished, I'm so excited to be able to share this with you all. This story has been a pleasure to write, and I'm so thankful for everyone who took the time to read it, review it, follow it, and favorite it. You all mean so much to me! Thank you very much!

Hope to see/hear from you all again soon enough (I have some new ideas in the works that I'm awfully excited to share)!