Here is my final chapter! Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read and/or comment on it. I had to laugh at the comment about me being a fan of Emma. I am indeed, and of all things Jane Austen. When I read the scene after I wrote it I even said to myself wow that sounds familiar, lol. It just goes to show that we can be inspired in so many different ways. I took inspiration not only from LMM, but also from the many talented fan-fiction writers on this forum who have shared their imaginations on all things Anne. So thanks! I hope you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it. But mostly, I hope I did justice to the characters that LMM created.

Now let's head back to Avonlea and wrap this all up in a nice little bow:)

The next day Anne and Gilbert, along with Charlie, and Moody, all headed back to Avonlea. True to form, Charlie got seasick the minute the ferry left port. Moody lingered with Anne and Gilbert for a while, until he decided he would rather read his book. Anne and Gilbert said nothing of their engagement to either of them. They had both agreed their families would be the first to know. They also agreed that they wanted to tell them together.

Upon arriving in Avonlea, Anne was picked up by Davy, while Gilbert's father brought the carriage for him. They parted with nothing more than a friendly wave. Although Gilbert made a promise to call first thing in the morning.

"I sure am glad you're back, Anne. I have so much to tell you…" said Davy as he drove Anne home. And Anne listened delightedly for the next hour as Davy regaled her with stories of Avonlea. Arriving home, Marilla was waiting for Anne on the porch, as was Rachel Lynde. The reunion was a happy one. Rachel caught Anne up on all the Avonlea news, everything from Simon Fletcher's broken leg to Jane Andrews' engagement. Anne settled into her room and determined to keep her secret until Gilbert came tomorrow. But she was finding it difficult. She could understand why Gilbert had wanted to shout it from the rooftops. It was becoming difficult to even speak to Marilla and Rachel without mentioning Gilbert.

"Well Anne, you're a B.A. now. How does it feel?" Marilla asked.

"Exhausting! We all studied so hard for finals. I took high honors in English, you know."

"Of course you did!" exclaimed Rachel.

"I shall miss Kingsport and my dear Patty's Place. But I am very glad to home with you dear folk again."

"Have you made a decision about Summerside?" asked Marilla in an unusually inquisitive tone. Anne saw right through the question. Marilla wanted to know if Anne was engaged to Roy Gardner.

"I have made a decision. I accepted the position. I wrote to the trustees last week. It will be another grand adventure for me." Marilla felt an odd wave of relief wash over her. If Anne had agreed to the position it was unlikely she was engaged to Roy. She was relieved further when Anne added, "I know you must be wondering about Roy. We ended up only being good friends." Anne had not meant to offer so much information that wasn't asked for. But she couldn't bear the thought of them thinking she loved Roy.

Rachel reacted first, "Well Anne, I can't say I am surprised. Roy was nice enough and rich to be sure, but I am glad to hear you say that."

Marilla, always the more sensible and diplomatic of the two replied, "I think what Rachel means is that we are happy as long as you are. Roy seemed like a nice young man."

"He is. And I have no doubt he will do well for himself in all things." Anne did not give any more details as far as Roy was concerned.

Marilla looked across the table at Anne and saw how much of a beautiful young woman she had become. The scrawny orphan from Bolingbroke had blossomed into a fine lady. But Marilla also noticed something different about Anne. She had a glow about her that made her eyes sparkle. Even when Anne wasn't it always looked as though she was smiling. Marilla could not account for Anne's new found sparkle but thought it suited her well.

"How did Gilbert Blythe get along in the final term?" asked Rachel innocently. Anne's face colored at the mention of his name and it did not go unnoticed by Marilla, although she said nothing.

"He got along very well. He took a prestigious honor that hadn't been taken in five years. I believe he studied himself very tired."

"Well the Blythe's have always been hard workers. It's no surprise to me. That boy always had brains. Just like you Anne," said Rachel with a sigh. It was sigh that said nothing and everything. Rachel had still not gotten over her disappointment about Anne refusing Gilbert.

Marilla, who inwardly was even more disappointed than Rachel, only said, "He will be a fine doctor one day."

Anne could say nothing more on the subject of Gilbert without saying something she agreed not to. It was much harder than it sounded on the ferry. She felt like she was being deceitful. But she also thought about how wonderful it would be to tell Marilla and Rachel with Gilbert standing beside her.

Anne went to sleep in her own bed that night and longed for morning. She longed to see Gilbert and tell those she loved of her wonderful news.

It was early at Green Gables when Anne woke up. How wonderful it was to be in her own bed. As much as she missed Patty's Place, nothing could ever stack up to home. She heard sounds coming from the kitchen. Marilla was up, baking already.

"Oh you're up early. I thought you would be sleeping in your first day home," said Marilla as Anne stood in the kitchen doorway.

"I am too excited to sleep," said Anne dreamily.

"Oh? What has you so excited at seven in the morning?"

"I've longed for this moment all semester. Just to be here with you making muffins in the morning. It's so nice to be home." Anne's statement was half true. She was excited to be home.

"Well if you're so excited, why don't you crack me a few eggs in here." Anne smiled. Being ordered about in Marilla's kitchen was a perfect start to the morning.

As Marilla was mixing dough she kept a watchful eye on Anne. There was something different about her, that was certain. But what it was she could not place. Perhaps it was just that Anne had put childhood behind her forever. Whatever it was Marilla couldn't help but thinking that this Anne was not the same Anne who had left for Redmond four long years ago.

The morning passed off splendidly. Dora and Davy had several more days of school and were off soon after breakfast. Anne was sad to see them leave but happy to be able to look forward to an entire summer with the twins.

It was midmorning when Marilla went out onto the porch to beat the rugs. She was halfway finished when she looked up and saw a man walking down the lane towards the house. Marilla earnestly hoped it wasn't one of those peddlers who had been showing up with more frequency these days. But as she looked longer, she saw it was no peddler at all. If her eyes weren't deceiving her it was Gilbert Blythe walking up the lane. He looked a little thinner that when she last saw him, but there was no doubt it was Gilbert. Marilla was shocked. Gilbert hadn't been to Green Gables in ages. Not since… Marilla sighed. Perhaps he and Anne had mended their friendship.

As Gilbert made his way closer to the house he could tell he had surprised Marilla. "Good morning, Miss Cuthbert! It's a fine morning," said Gilbert gaily.

"It is indeed a fine morning. I have to say, you're about the last person I expected to be calling at this time of the morning, Gilbert Blythe. Welcome back to Avonlea."

"Thank you. Something about being back home just made me want to go visit all my old Avonlea haunts. I thought perhaps Anne would like to come with me so I stopped here." Marilla was further astonished but she hid it well. "Oh well, that's fine. Why don't you come sit up on the porch and I will see where Anne wandered off to."

"Thank you."

"Anne tells us that you took a really prestigious award at college, Gilbert. I bet your parents are pleased and proud."

"They are. Although if you listen to my mother you would think I was risking my health by studying so hard." Gilbert said with a smile. "But it was all worth it. It will really help me through my medical courses."

Just then Rachel Lynde appeared in the doorway. "Gilbert Blythe, is that you? You're looking so thin, I almost didn't recognize you."

"I assure you it's me Mrs. Lynde." Gilbert replied with a shrug.

"It's nice to see you around Green Gables."

"He's here to see Anne, Rachel," said Marilla with a sly look at Rachel.

"Well of course he is, Marilla. I don't suppose he came to spend the morning with two old ladies, now did he?" Gilbert smiled and Marilla rolled her eyes.

"I will go see what's keeping Anne." Marilla turned to go back inside when Anne appeared in the doorway.

"No need Marilla, here I am." Gilbert saw her and had to catch his breath. He was always astonished at just how beautiful she was.

"Good morning, Gil!" Anne was radiant. Marilla thought she saw a look between the two of them but dismissed it. But there was no denying something was very different.

"Good morning, Anne. I have come ask you go for one of our old time rambles in the woods. What do you say?" Anne could think of nothing better than a day with Gilbert visiting all their Avonlea haunts.

"I would love to go."

Marilla and Rachel looked from Anne to Gilbert and back again in earnest, although Marilla did so with more reserve. Both women could not help but feeling they were missing something. Gilbert Blythe, who had not shown his face around Green Gables in over two years, was here to call on Anne. It was clear they had mended fences and Marilla was grateful, but part of her wondered if Gilbert had anything to do with Anne and Roy being nothing more than friends. The way they were looking at each other could only be explained by one thing. But it couldn't be! Marilla cursed herself inwardly for engaging in nonsense. She was being as silly as Rachel.

"How about we pack lunch to take with us? We can visit Hester Gray's garden," offered Anne.

"Sounds great!" replied Gilbert. He looked at Marilla and Rachel and could see the confusion on both of their faces, although they both attempted to hide it. "Although, before we go Anne, I think it's probably a good idea to relieve these women of their curiosity don't you think?"

Anne laughed. "Yes I suppose it is."

Marilla attempted to sound her usual cool and aloof self and merely said, "I see nothing curious about two old friends going on a picnic. For heaven's sake you young people are dramatic."

"Oh Marilla, there's reason for a little drama," said Anne with a laugh. She walked off the porch and stood beside Gilbert. Marilla's heart jumped a little when Gilbert took Anne's hand in his and held it. "Something wonderful happened our last week at Redmond-" Anne paused for effect. Rachel, who could not take the suspense another minute, said earnestly, "Oh for heaven sakes, Anne! Out with it!"

Anne and Gilbert both laughed again as Anne said, "We want you two to be the first congratulate us! Gil and I are engaged!" The jubilant reaction from Rachel was immediate, "Oh thank the Good Lord! I was hoping you two would come to your senses! Providence had you two matched since you were kids." Rachel gave a hugs to both of them. "I can't say I have ever seen a finer pair!"

Marilla said nothing during Rachel's effusions. It took her a moment to say anything. The joy she felt in her heart was unlike anything she had felt before. She felt a tear from in her eye. Determined not to cry, she fought it back. But she could not fight back the smile that had spread across her face. Anne was looking at her earnestly waiting for her reaction.

"Well you're a great one for secrets aren't you, Anne?" said Marilla with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Congratulations to both of you. You'll be very happy together." Anne, knowing Marilla was not one to get overly sentimental, was overjoyed. She had hoped Marilla would be happy and proud.

"Marilla, do you really mean it?" She did. Marilla would have died the death before she could or would put into words how happy this moment had made her.

"Oh of course, Anne. Do you think me insincere? I am sure you always knew it was my wish you and Gilbert would make a match of it someday. I am glad you both finally came to your senses," she said. Anne ran up the porch steps and hugged Marilla with such force and feeling that Marilla could no longer hold back that tear. It rolled down her cheek. "Thank you, Marilla! It means the world to me," said Anne as she held her tightly. Marilla looked over and Anne's shoulder to Gilbert Blythe. She couldn't help but look at him and see her own past. There was that part of her that always thought that had she not been a fool so long ago, he might have been her son. And now he would be. She may have made mistakes but those mistakes paved the way for Anne's happiness, and she could not regret that. Gilbert was standing contentedly watching Anne and Marilla embrace. It was a joyful moment.

Marilla let Anne go and said to Gilbert with a smile, "Gilbert, we will be very happy to welcome you to the family. I know you will take good care of my Anne. She might give you a little trouble here and there, but if she gives you half the amount of joy she has given me over the last eleven years I think you will be a very lucky man indeed!" It was the most emotional speech Anne had ever heard from Marilla and Anne was moved to tears.

It was a happy moment all around. Rachel wanted to set off immediately and spread the good word around Avonlea. She was only stopped by pleadings from Anne and Gilbert who wanted to make sure his parents knew before it became general knowledge. Rachel reluctantly agreed, but only with the understanding that as soon as Anne and Gilbert set out for the Blythe's house, Rachel would be free do her civic duty.

The news of their engagement brought the same happiness and surprise to the Blythe home that it had brought to Green Gables.

It was not long before it became general knowledge in Avonlea. It brought myriad reactions from almost everyone in town. Charlie Sloane was genuinely happy for his friend Gilbert, and somewhat relieved when he managed to convince himself that he now had a reason for Anne rejecting his own proposal. Josie Pye and Mrs. Harmon Andrews both insisted Anne Shirley had always given herself heirs and were sure that Gilbert Blythe never had the chance to get out form under whatever art she employed to snare him.

But most everyone in Avonlea heard the news and was genuinely happy, if not terribly surprised. Many professed to have known it all along. Of course these were the same people who had also once insisted Anne was to marry a Kingsport millionaire and Gilbert was chasing after a pretty co-ed at Redmond. Such is the way of rumors. Anne did make one important visit to Diana Wright to visit baby Fred and to tell her in person about their engagement. Luckily, Anne was able to reach Diana before the gossip did. Apparently new mothers were sacred territory in Avonlea. Diana was so surprised and elated by Anne's news that she almost scared poor baby Fred half to death with her hysterics. She was at last brought to be reasonable when Anne promised, and did, relay every detail.

But mostly, Gilbert and Anne were happily ignorant of how Avonlea folks were reacting to their news. They spent a good deal of their time with each other in those first few weeks, making up for two years of nonsense and ignorance. Gilbert had never been happier in his entire life. Every time he held Anne's hand or kissed her or she rested her head on his chest was like it was happening for the first time. The feelings Anne brought out in him were things he had never known. When he looked back on the last eleven years he saw the fulfillment of dream. It was a hard fought battle won to win Anne Shirley's heart, but he had succeeded. He intended to spend the rest of his life making her as happy as it was in his power to do. If love was any measure of happiness, Gilbert was sure Anne would be rich in it always.

As Anne looked back on the last eleven years she finally saw the beautiful love story that had unfolded between her and Gilbert. It wasn't just a romance, but a story of growing up. Anne came to Avonlea an unwanted orphan who finally found the family she had always dreamed of in Marilla and Matthew. She had found her best friend in Diana. And even though she hadn't been willing to admit it until it would be denied no longer, she found the love of her life in Gilbert Blythe. True, it wasn't exactly the way Anne had always pictured her love to be. But by every measure, the reality of the love that existed between them was far better than anything even Anne Shirley's imagination could dream up. And if Anne's imagination could think of no way to improve it, then it must be said that their love was truly a destiny fulfilled.