A/N: Hello again, dear readers! Thanks so much for your patience yet again. I can't thank you all enough for reading my story, but please know that I am so thrilled you're with me.

These characters are all sprung from the remarkable imagination of L. M. Montgomery. I am just an enthusiastic fan of hers.

Chapter 17 - 'Another Bend in the Road'

"And as for the waiting, that doesn't matter. We'll just be happy, waiting and working for each other - and dreaming."

- Anne of the Island, Chapter XLI, 'Love Takes Up the Glass of Time'

That glorious week was, without doubt, the happiest week of Gilbert Blythe's life. He could barely wipe the joyful smile from his face even for a moment.

News of their engagement spread rapidly, and Gilbert couldn't contain his delight as he stood beside Anne, proudly receiving hearty congratulations from the Avonlea community.

Gilbert was certain that Diana Wright's ebullient squeals of gladness could be heard clear to White Sands when they had informed her after the sermon that Sunday outside the little Avonlea church.

"Oh!" Diana had exclaimed with a joyful smile lighting up her face. "It's such wonderful news. I'm so happy for you both!"

She had immediately thrust baby Fred into her husband's arms as she stepped over to throw her arms around first Anne and then Gilbert and then Anne again.

"You must both come for supper," Diana declared, smiling at Anne and Gilbert as she tried to hug them both together. "I've got so many questions to ask you, but I must go home to feed the baby. Will you come tonight?"

"Oh, thank you, Di," Anne replied. "But Mr and Mrs Blythe have invited me for supper tonight."

Gilbert loved to see the pleased smile on Anne's face as she glanced sideways at him while a delicious flush crept up her cheeks.

"Why don't you come for lunch this week then?" Diana insisted. "I'll invite Charlie, and the Pyes have been hinting that I should invite them over for ages. I never really like having them, but now this gives me an excellent excuse, and there's safety in numbers when it comes to Josie and Gertie. I'll need some time to prepare everything. Would you be free on Tuesday?"

Anne looked at Gilbert with her head tilted in question. He felt a thrill in his heart that they were already receiving invitations together and his pulse was pounding wildly at the look in Anne's eyes.

"I think we can find time for lunch on Tuesday," Gilbert said, grinning as he said "we" and squeezing the slender hand that had snuck into his grasp. "Thank you for inviting us, Diana."

Accordingly, the following Tuesday afternoon, Anne and Gilbert arrived at Lone Willow Farm, where they were greeted warmly by Diana and Fred. It was a most cheery affair, and even the presence of the Pyes couldn't dampen the joyful mood of the day.

Charlie Sloane swept in with Mabel Murphy on his arm. The snub nose on Mabel's round face was pointed towards Charlie as they entered the room, and she smiled happily up at him.

"I don't believe you've met my intended yet," Charlie said to Josie and Gertie with emphasis. "May I introduce you to Miss Mabel Murphy."

"How nice to meet you girls," Mabel simpered.

"And I believe you know Anne Shirley," Charlie said.

"And Gilbert Blythe!" Mabel exclaimed, smiling brightly as she shook Gilbert's hand enthusiastically. "It's very nice to see you again. Is Christine here with you?"

"Er, no," Gilbert said, with his eyes sliding towards Anne. "I'm here with Anne."

Gilbert's heart gave a tiny leap in his chest as he uttered those words, and he noticed that Anne's eyes were dancing. He was relieved that she wasn't upset at the mention of Christine, although Mabel seemed flustered by her blunder.

"Oh!" Mabel said, looking confused for a moment before understanding seemed to dawn on her. "Oh."

Charlie looked aghast and quickly placed his hand at Mabel's elbow, steering her away from Anne, towards where Josie and Gertie were smirking in the doorway.

"Please, won't you all take a seat?" Diana said. "Isn't this just like old times? How nice to have everyone all together again."

Although his attention was mostly on Anne during the meal, and Charlie never spoke to him directly, Gilbert noticed Charlie casting many significant glances his way from across the table. Gilbert didn't give it any further thought as his attention was diverted away from Charlie by Anne's hand brushing against his elbow.

He turned his head to smile at Anne. Gilbert was so thrilled to be out with her that his heart was racing. As he passed one of the dishes to her, Gilbert smiled again when her soft fingers brushed against his.

Later, Anne and Gilbert were saying their farewells to Diana and Fred at the end of the lane. Charlie and Mabel were still talking with Josie and Gertie on the front porch. Diana placed little Fred into her husband's arms so she could admire Anne's circlet of pearls once more, and Fred grinned over the baby's head at Gilbert.

Fred was far more circumspect than his wife, but Gilbert knew that his friend was no less joyful about their engagement.

"Congratulations again, Gil," Fred said, awkwardly holding his hand out around the chubby infant gurgling contentedly in his arms. "I always knew you must win Anne in the end."

"You had more faith in me than I did myself then," Gilbert replied, shaking his friend's hand warmly and grinning."Mrs Lynde says it was Divine Providence at work, but I think it was our friend Phil Blake."

"You always get everything you set your mind to," Fred smiled. "It's all that philosophy you read, I suppose."

Little Fred began fussing and wriggling. Immediately, Diana turned to lift the baby from his father's arms and cuddled the infant to her as she clucked her tongue and kissed his downy curls.

Gilbert noticed the way Anne's eyes watched her friend with a mixture of pleasure and longing lighting their sparkling grey depths. Anne tickled little Fred under his chin and cooed to the boy as he rubbed dimpled fists over his eyes, before he looked up at her and smiled. She continued to talk softly to the baby and he reached out to grasp one of her fingers in his chubby hand. As little Fred continued to clutch her finger, Anne slowly raised her gaze to meet Gilbert's, and the look within her eyes then fairly took his breath away.

Anne smiled softly in warm communication and Gilbert could only stare back at her with such a craving in the pit of his stomach he thought he might ravish her on the spot.

An image of that unknown red haired baby he'd imagined holding in his arms the last time he visited the Wrights immediately flashed into Gilbert's mind once more. Gilbert's heart skipped a beat and he was overwhelmed at the thought of that darling baby now as he stared at Anne.

"Charlie's coming over," said Diana with a knowing smile at Anne. "I'm sure that will be a very interesting conversation."

"Oh?" Gilbert glanced curiously at Anne, with his eyebrows raised. "How so?"

"I'll tell you later," Anne whispered out of the corner of her mouth. She slipped her hand through the crook of Gilbert's elbow and turned with him to smile brightly at Charlie. "Or perhaps you're about to find out for yourself. Just stay with me, Gilbert. Please."

His heart leapt in delight once more. Anne was asking him to stay with her! Gilbert was charmed by the way Anne gripped his forearm tightly as they watched Charlie approaching with Mabel close beside him.

"Of course," Gilbert grinned. "I'm right here with you, Anne."

"I think we're about to be on the receiving end of some extreme Sloanishness," Anne said through her fixed smile as Charlie drew closer. "Only, please don't laugh, no matter what Charlie says, Gilbert."

"When have I ever done that, Anne?" Gilbert asked, with feigned indignation.

"I wish I could stay and watch but I'm afraid we'll have to go and speak to Josie and Gertie," said Diana. "I won't have them accusing me of being a neglectful hostess. Why don't you both come over again for tea tomorrow afternoon?"

Anne nodded as Diana and Fred turned to go back inside.

"Goodbye, Anne. Goodbye, Gilbert."

"Bye, Di," Anne said, kissing her friend's cheek. "Thank you for a delightful meal."

"See you tomorrow then," Gilbert said, shaking Fred's hand.

Charlie's goggling eyes were fixed on them intently and he was blinking vigorously as he stalked towards them. In contrast, Mabel was smiling happily at Anne and Gilbert, clinging on to Charlie's arm in a proprietorial fashion. Behind them, Gilbert could see Josie and Gertie Pye whispering and smirking together on the front porch as they watched Charlie's progress.

Gilbert leaned down to whisper in Anne's ear.

"I thought Charlie forgave you in our sophomore year for whatever wrong he thought you did to him?" Gilbert said. "He looks positively agog today."

By this time, Charlie and Mabel were quite close and Charlie eyed Gilbert and Anne loftily as he marched towards them. Gilbert smiled warmly.

"Anne and I plan to walk home by the Birch Path," Gilbert said. "Would you care to walk with us?"

Although he was looking forward to a long walk home alone with Anne, Gilbert also knew that Charlie didn't care much for walking long distances, so he would likely elect to take a shorter route back to the Sloane homestead.

"No, thank you," Charlie replied. "Mother's waiting for us at home, so we must hurry back after this."

"Well then, perhaps we'll see you both again before I leave for medical school on Monday?" Gilbert said politely.

"Josie and Gertie told me the most shocking piece of news earlier today," Charlie ignored Gilbert's question.

"Really?" Gilbert replied, not particularly interested in anything the Pyes might have had to say. "And what might that be?"

"I was just about to announce my betrothal to Mabel," Charlie intoned ominously. "Since she is in Avonlea especially to make our formal announcement. So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that you two have spoiled my plans by announcing your own engagement. Really, Gilbert, I should think you would have told me before you went and did such a thing."

"My apologies, Charlie," Gilbert's eyebrows shot up his forehead and he blinked several times in astonishment. "I wasn't aware I ought to discuss it with you first."

"Yes," Charlie said authoritatively. "If I had known you were planning to make such a rash decision, then I likely would have asked Mabel last week, so that we could make our announcement first. After all, we've been stepping out together since our Sophomore year, so it seems only fair. And I might have warned you, Gilbert."

"Warned me?"

Gilbert felt Anne's hand gripping his forearm even more tightly.

"But it's too late, you've done it now," Charlie went on, in a tone which suggested he pitied Gilbert greatly. "Of course, you may recall how infatuated Anne was with me during our first year at Redmond. But that was before I came to my senses and realised that she was merely flirting shamelessly with me."

"Hmm," Gilbert hummed noncommittally, unable to look at Anne and striving to keep his expression bland.

"Charlie, please," Anne said pleasantly. "Surely, there's no need to go into that. It's so long ago and we're all friends now, aren't we? I'm sure you've made a much better choice in dear Mabel."

A much better choice? What did Anne mean by that?

"I think so, too, Anne," Mabel tittered. "Charlie's told me all about it, but everything has turned out for the best, don't you agree? I ought to thank you for refusing him."

Refusing him? Gilbert's eyes grew wide and he felt Anne's fingers digging into his forearm.

"Yes," Charlie agreed. "Mabel and I are so well suited to each other and appreciate each other's talents so very much, you know. And Mabel's family are very well connected. As you say, Anne, a much better choice."

"Oh, I'm very glad," Anne said cordially.

From the corner of his eye, Gilbert could see Anne struggling to keep a straight face at Charlie's condescension.

"Of course, I wish you both happiness," Charlie went on coolly. "Although I know you can't possibly be as blissfully happy together as Mabel and I. Nevertheless, I wish you better success in taming Anne's temper than I had, Gilbert."

Charlie's tone and the expression on his face clearly conveyed that he considered this possibility to be quite doubtful.

Anne squeezed Gilbert's arm again. Was this why Charlie had refused to speak to Anne for so long? Had Charlie actually proposed to Anne? No wonder she hadn't wanted to discuss it with him.

"I see," Gilbert said, his voice pitched strangely with suppressed humour. "Thank you, Charlie."

"Yes, thank you, Charlie," Anne said. "I certainly wish you and Mabel all the happiness in the world."

"Yes," Gilbert agreed, smiling broadly and extending his hand towards Charlie. "Let me be the first to congratulate you."

"Oh, you're not the first," Charlie replied, shaking Gilbert's hand. "Josie and Gertie have already conveyed their felicitations earlier. But thank you for the sentiment, Gilbert."

"Well, goodbye then, Charlie," said Gilbert genially. "Congratulations, Mabel. That's a fine man you have there. Thank you once again for your kind wishes."

"Thank you, Gilbert," Mabel smiled delightedly.

"Goodbye, Gilbert," Charlie nodded. "Anne."

With that, Charlie spun on his heel and strode away from them.

Gilbert turned to Anne, his hazel eyes dancing with stifled laughter.

"Charlie proposed to you?" he whispered gleefully, unable to hide his grin.

"Yes," Anne affirmed. "And it's lucky for you that I wasn't shocked into accepting him on the spot. I may never in my life be more surprised than I was that day. I'm afraid Charlie's right, though. I did lose my temper with him quite shamefully."

"Oh, I think you must tell me much more about that particular incident, Anne," said Gilbert, already imagining the scene. "Should I be concerned that your true affections still lie with him?"

Anne turned her head to look at Gilbert.

"I'd prefer not to speak of it just now if you don't mind," she said in a low tone. "I have much more important matters to discuss with you."

Anne's fingers were gently caressing Gilbert's arm now and her eyes had lowered to stare intently at his mouth.

"Oh?" Gilbert asked, his heart suddenly starting up a trip-hammer beat. "What would you like to discuss, Anne?"

"I'd much rather discuss the person I did accept," Anne whispered.

"Would you?" Gilbert's mouth went dry as Anne nodded slowly, still gazing at his lips.

"And how very happy he has made me by asking," Anne went on. She raised her shining grey eyes until they were gazing directly into his. "And how very much I'd like him to kiss me now."

"They sound like excellent topics," Gilbert replied. "Perhaps we should discuss this further…"

Anne nodded again.

"I thought you were walking me home, Gilbert?" she said. "When were you planning on taking me to the Birch Path?"

"As soon as possible," Gilbert averred, his hazel eyes flashing.

The rest of that magical week seemed to fly by.

Despite accepting several congratulatory invitations to tea, Gilbert also contrived to spend a great deal of time alone with Anne. Many blissful hours were spent strolling through their old haunts together. Sometimes talking excitedly of their future together, sometimes content to be silent together and sometimes exchanging glances so sweet, yet so profound that Gilbert felt his heart swell to such a degree that he feared it would not remain confined within his chest.

One such day they were sitting together by the Dryad's Bubble. Gilbert's back was propped against the birch tree, Anne was sitting close beside him, and her fingers were playing with his as he read aloud to her.

Suddenly, Anne was studying Gilbert's face closely, then she began caressing his cheek and jawline with her fingers as she placed deliciously light kisses on his lips.

Gilbert immediately dropped the book on the grass beside him to wrap his arms tightly around Anne's waist and eagerly returned her kisses.

"Anne," he breathed into her mouth.

"Oh, Gilbert," Anne whispered against his lips, with his cheek cupped in her soft hand.

She climbed onto his lap and Gilbert's breath left him in a rush as Anne began to kiss him even more passionately. Her hand was still cupping his chin and the fingers of her other hand were slowly caressing his chest. As her fingers wandered lower, Gilbert felt the familiar curling sensation deep within his belly and his skin tingled at her touch even through the fabric of his shirt.

"I love you so much, Gilbert," said Anne. "When I think about how ill you were only a few weeks ago. It hardly seems possible..."

"I feel very much alive now," Gilbert said, shivering as he felt Anne's breath on his skin and her fingers lingering at his waist.

The warm fluttering in his belly was growing stronger, and the soft curve of Anne's body pushing against his thighs was filling Gilbert's body with desire.

"Yes, you do," Anne murmured in a voice so low that Gilbert groaned, and pulled her body closer to his.

As his lips covered hers once more, Anne wrapped her arms around Gilbert's neck and he gasped when he felt Anne's soft breasts pressed against his chest. Then Anne's tongue was touching his and Gilbert groaned again.

Anne's hands slid down Gilbert's back and she lowered her head to press her lips on his broad shoulder. Gilbert could feel her warm panting breath tickling the skin beneath his shirt.

"Anne," he whispered as her lips brushed his throat. Then Anne was tracing his Adam's apple with the tip of her tongue. "Oh, Anne..."

Gilbert's mind was suddenly flooded with images from his fevered dreams, of Anne curled against him, removing his shirt and kissing his bare skin. His breath quickened and his fingers tightened on her waist.

"I was dreaming about you during the fever, you know," he said huskily.

"You were?" Anne pulled away from Gilbert's embrace to look into his hazel eyes.

Gilbert nodded as he bent his head to place a lingering kiss on the delightful curve at Anne's nape before raising his head to gaze into her eyes once more.

"Quite improper dreams, too," he said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

"Gilbert Blythe!" Anne said in a shocked tone. After a beat, she asked, "How improper?"

"So improper I was begging the nurse to let me out of bed so I could see you as soon as possible," Gilbert chuckled.

"I see," Anne smiled. "You might have to tell me more about these dreams in that case."

"Perhaps I will one day," Gilbert said, leaning forward to brush another kiss on her soft lips. "But you should know that of all the many, many dreams I've had about you, Anne Shirley, none of them come close to the astonishing reality of having you here in my arms now. You are the best dream of all…"

Gilbert was going to say more but Anne wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with such fervour that he could only slide his arms around her waist and kiss her in return.

The following Monday, Gilbert was driving the buggy to Bright River station with Anne sitting close beside him.

One brown hand held onto the reins firmly, and Gilbert's other arm was wrapped around Anne. Gilbert had a broad grin on his face as he savoured holding her warm body close to his side while he could. He leaned down to kiss Anne's soft cheek or her pink lips at frequent intervals on the trip to the station, delighting in the gentle sighs that slipped from her lips when he did so.

"I know we promised we wouldn't say so, but -" Gilbert began.

"Don't you dare say it, Gilbert Blythe," Anne admonished him. "I'm so proud of you going to medical school. As the Cooper Prize winner no less!"

"Can't a fellow wish he had just a little more time with his sweetheart?" Gilbert asked, smiling into her eyes and gently squeezing the slim hand wearing his ring.

"Well, I suppose you could wish for a little more time," Anne smiled, leaning over to kiss the corner of his jaw lightly.

Later, as they waited together for the train on the platform at Bright River station, the sizzling look in Anne's grey eyes was making Gilbert's skin feel extremely hot, and he was fervently wishing that they were in a much more private location. His lips were tingling with the urge to kiss her and his arms were aching to pull her slender form close to him.

Anne and Gilbert were standing on the platform facing each other, their bodies only inches apart and their eyes locked together.

Gilbert was smiling as he lowered his eyes to stare at Anne's lips. He was remembering the previous evening as he walked with her along the Birch Path.

His smile grew wider as he remembered the delightful hour they had spent together in the fern-scented grove with the music of bird calls filling the air. Gilbert had pulled her towards their favourite spot under the birch tree and Anne had eagerly pressed her lips to his throat as they sat down together. Then Anne had slowly moved her hands along his broad shoulders until her fingers were interlaced behind his head as she leaned in to brush her lips lingeringly against his…

"You're going to have to stop looking at me like that, Gilbert," Anne said.

"Like what?" Gilbert murmured huskily, his bright hazel eyes still fixed on her soft mouth.

Anne was gazing up at him with her eyes sparkling like stars. Gilbert noticed her breath was coming in short gasps. She was wearing his favourite green dress again and he ached to kiss her.

"Like you're about to devour me," Anne breathed, as a charming blush flamed on her cheeks.

"Well, if I didn't know you were so delicious, that might be possible," he replied with his eyes wandering along the creamy column of her neck. "And I happen to be engaged to the most beautiful BA on PEI. In all Canada, in fact. Is it any wonder I'd like to kiss her right now?"

Anne smiled dreamily with her eyes lingering on his lips.

"I'm so lucky," she said with such a look of pride sparkling in her grey eyes. "Engaged to the most handsome Cooper Prize winner Redmond has ever known."

Anne licked her lips before she spoke again.

"And I'd very much like him to kiss me now," she said in a low tone. "Very much."

"Anne -" Gilbert's voice was a low rasp. He wanted to kiss her so desperately it almost hurt.

"Please remember to find time to write me when you're at medical school," Anne interrupted him, her eyes were on his lips as she spoke, and her hand was caressing his forearm.

Gilbert swallowed hard as the tone in her voice sent a frisson shivering down his spine.

"As often as you can, Gilbert," she breathed. "Will you, please?"

Gilbert nodded, staring into her sparkling grey eyes.

"You know I will, Anne," he replied in a husky voice.

"I'm so proud of you…"

Behind him, Gilbert heard the train whistling as it prepared to depart. The crowd of people gathered on the platform began to move about and say their farewells to each other.

"I love you," he smiled. The words seemed inadequate to describe his feelings for her at that moment.

"I love you, Gilbert," said Anne, intense grey eyes never leaving his.

Gilbert thought his heart might burst at the look of promise in her eyes and the tenderness in her voice.

She loves me.

Gilbert grinned in delight, his heart singing with joy as he reflected on how much his life had changed in such a short time.

"Only three years now, Anne," he said, grasping her slender hand in his before he slowly lifted it to his lips.

Gilbert lovingly kissed the circlet of pearls and then each of her fingers in turn. His warm hazel eyes never left Anne's as he continued to imagine their future together.

"Only three years, dearest," Anne murmured, with her grey eyes shining.

"I still like the sound of that word," he grinned, clasping her hand more tightly in his.

"I'll be sure to include it in all my letters, darling," Anne replied.

"That one, too, if you please," Gilbert said, his eyes on Anne's mouth once more.

Anne nodded.

The train whistled loudly again, and Gilbert bent to pick up his suitcase.

Gilbert squeezed Anne's hand before he turned and strode briskly to board. When he reached his seat, Gilbert opened the window and looked for Anne on the platform.

He waved his hand to catch her attention.

"See you at Christmas," he called, smiling.

He watched as she waved back, nodding eagerly. He could see tears glistening in her eyes, but she was smiling when she mouthed "I love you."

The look deep within Anne's beautiful eyes as she blew him a kiss left Gilbert breathless once more.

Anne Shirley loves me!

Even after a week of being engaged to her, Gilbert still could scarcely believe it. His heart was pounding in his chest at the knowledge.

Gilbert kept waving to her as the train pulled away from the platform and finally he sat down with a broad grin spread across his face.

He sighed and leaned back in his seat as he closed his eyes, still picturing the loving warmth illuminating Anne's face.

The elderly gentleman sitting next to Gilbert smiled and nodded in approval.

"She's a very pretty lass," the old man declared. "You'll do well to hang on to that one, lad."

"Yes, sir," Gilbert agreed, still unable to wipe the smile from his face. "I intend to."

A/N #2: Thank you so much for reading, following and reviewing this story. This time that's really the end of Blythe View, dear, dear readers. However...

Part of the reason for the delay with posting this final chapter was that I kept getting distracted with scenes far, far into Gilbert and Anne's future. Hot scenes. My mind skipped right over the engagement and straight to their honeymoon. So, if you fancy reading about that, watch for the next story I plan to post here. The first chapter is T rated, but I think it's going to turn decidedly M quite rapidly after that...

With love from FKAJ