A/N: I'm so very sorry for the even longer delay than usual! My dear old laptop died last week (RIP) but I'm happy to report I love my shiny new one. Yay!

As usual, I owe everything to LMM and her glorious characters.

Chapter Ten

The following week there is a wild autumn storm of wind and rain, lasting for three days. Gilbert and Anne happily spend all three delightful days together in the House of Dreams. The storm has passed by Thursday, and Gilbert returns to his work.

Early on Friday afternoon, Gilbert grins when he sees his wife running out through the little fir gate to meet him in the lane as he arrives home. Anne has a joyous smile on her face as she rushes towards him.

"Welcome home, darling," she says.

"Hello, Anne-girl," he smiles into her beautiful eyes.

Gilbert climbs out of the buggy, then he immediately pulls Anne's body against his to bestow a soft and lingering kiss on her lips. Anne's hands slide upwards and across his broad shoulders as she sighs into his mouth.

The clear sky over them is like a jewelled cup from which the sunshine is pouring, and the air is crisp with the compelling tang of the sea.

"Oh, Gilbert," Anne exclaims when Gilbert finally draws his lips away from hers. "Isn't it a perfectly gorgeous day?"

"Gorgeous," Gilbert agrees with his hazel eyes fixed on her smiling face.

"I love how the world seems all washed clean after the storm," Anne says. "Doesn't the smell of the sea make you feel like miracles can happen on days like today?"

Gilbert nods, reflecting that any world with Anne in it is miraculous to him.

"I've felt like that every day since I married you," he says. "Since the day we were engaged, in fact."

Gilbert's hands slide around Anne's waist as he leans down to kiss her smiling lips once more.

"That's curious," Anne whispers as her lips brush softly across his cheek. "I feel exactly the same way since I married you, darling."

Gilbert chuckles as he pulls Anne closer to him.

"It seems as though I could reach out and touch the sky," Anne sighs contentedly as she tilts her head backwards to gaze at the sky with her arms still flung about Gilbert's neck. "My soul feels like it could fly right up into the clouds today."

Behind the little house, sheltering its garden from the too keen breath of sea winds, is a cloudy fir-wood, in which the winds might make all kinds of weird and haunting music. Like all woods, it seems to be holding and enfolding secrets in its recesses – secrets whose charm is only to be won by entering in and patiently seeking. Despite the cooler weather turning the leaves of other trees to autumnal colours, the firs behind the little house are as green and staunch as ever. The rich emerald of the firs contrast magnificently against the vibrant shades of apricot-orange, fiery reds and the brilliant yellows of the poplar, birch, and beech trees around it. Gilbert knows Anne loves that enchanting wood.

"Why don't we take a walk in the fir-wood instead, sweetheart?" Gilbert says squeezing her body tighter to his. "Do you think that would satisfy your soul enough?"

"Oh, yes," Anne nods eagerly. "As much as I've loved being together in our House of Dreams these past few days, I've been longing to walk outdoors with you again, dearest."

He is picturing their long rambles along the shore, and the joy he derives from watching Anne's enchanting features light up as she takes in the beauty of Four Winds.

"We could gather some fir-cones for kindling," Gilbert suggests.

A few minutes later, they are strolling through the fragrant fir-wood, chatting happily about the day's events. Gilbert is carrying a basket in one hand to place kindling in and his other hand is clasping Anne's tightly. Behind them, the gulf is so softly blue and tender that the storm and the wild wind from earlier in the week seem like a long-past dream.

"I love the smell of fir trees," Anne smiles, tilting her beautiful nose upwards and sniffing the air rapturously. "Aren't they the sweetest things?"

Impulsively, Anne rushes over to one of the firs, dragging Gilbert with her until she lets go of his hand to throw her arms around the trunk, placing her soft cheek against it and hugging the tree in delight.

"They're so lovable and refreshing," Anne sighs, turning her face back to her husband. "There's something so magical about them, especially after a storm. It feels like everything is fresh and new again, don't you think?"

Anne's sparkling grey eyes are enchanting and she looks so beautiful that Gilbert's heart suddenly leaps in his chest. He drops the basket and grabs her around the waist, turning her towards him and pulling her body to his as he lowers his head to kiss her soft, pink lips.

When he feels Anne's tongue meet his and her muffled groan in his mouth, Gilbert takes a step forward until her back is flat against the trunk of the tree. The length of his body is pressed against Anne's as Gilbert's hands slide upwards along her ribs and then over her breasts until finally his fingers are tangled in her soft red hair.

Gilbert moans when he feels Anne's hands gliding across his back as she continues kissing a trail along his jaw and neck. Desperate to be inside her, he hears the delicious little moans and sighs which begin slipping from her lips.

"Oh, Gilbert," she whispers, her throaty tone making him even harder. "How I've missed you today."

"I've missed you, too," Gilbert says, his fingers already unbuttoning her collar. His mouth is on the tender skin below her ear and his hips are pinning her to the tree.

"I can feel that," she smiles, pushing her hips against him.

"Anne," he groans.

"I think I love you even more madly when we're in the woods together," Anne says in a low voice as her fingers start unbuttoning his trousers. Suddenly, her hands are on him, and Gilbert moans in pleasure as her fingers squeeze his length firmly.

"Oh, sweetheart," he says. "I love you more madly with each passing day."

Gilbert lifts Anne up and he feels her legs wrapping around his waist. Her arms are around his neck as he kisses her hard.

With one arm still holding her up, he helps Anne as she hastily pulls her skirts out of the way.

Then he grasps her waist and they both moan long and low when Gilbert slowly eases inside. His hips begin to move almost immediately.

"Oh, Gilbert," Anne sighs with her arms around his neck. "I love you."

"I've been dreaming of loving you all day," he mutters hoarsely.

As his hips continue to drive into her, Gilbert moves one hand to unbutton her bodice, seeking to touch more of her skin. His hazel eyes are watching his fingers as they hastily unfasten her blouse. Finally, his fingertips are cupping Anne's soft breast and she moans and arches against him.

"Yes," Anne whispers, her hot breath in his ear inflaming Gilbert's lust. "More…"

Gilbert begins to drive into her harder, each thrust is moving Anne's body up and down. Her breasts are bouncing in rhythm with Gilbert's hips and he is mesmerised by the movement, unable to drag his gaze away. Anne isn't wearing a corset so his fingers caress her breast through the fabric of her chemise. She arches her back again, pushing her chest towards him and moaning when he rolls the peak between his thumb and forefinger.

Suddenly Anne gasps, her eyes widening and her fingers gripping his shoulders hard. Her legs are still wrapped around his body, but her hips have stopped their frantic rocking.

"Ow, wait, Gilbert," Anne laughs a little. "The bark - it's sticking into my back. We'll have to stop…"

Gilbert's eyes fly up to Anne's face and his hips stop moving immediately.

"Did I hurt you, Anne?" his voice is filled with concern as his hands push her soft hair out of her eyes. "Darling, I-"

"No, you didn't," she chuckles. "I think it was me. You know it makes me a little wild when you're loving me hard, and it seems firs aren't as accommodating as birch trees-"

"Tell me where you're hurt," his eyes are scrutinising her as his hands move along her back, checking for signs of discomfort. "I'm sorry-"

"I'm fine, really," Anne reassures him, caressing his face with her hands.

Nevertheless, Gilbert slides himself out of her and places her on the ground gently.

"Are you sure?"

Anne nods and Gilbert cups her face between his hands as he lowers his head to kiss her lips.

"But I think we'll have to move away from this tree," Anne sighs, gazing longingly at him. "I'm sorry about that, dearest. It's so pretty…"

Her eyes are sparkling with want, her cheeks are flushed and her mouth is begging for his kisses. A few loose tendrils of her hair are curling across her forehead.

Gilbert still has her face cupped in his palms. He grins and his hazel eyes are gleaming as a new thought strikes him.

"Well, perhaps I have a few ideas about that," he says, leaning down to kiss her softly once more.

"Do you?" Anne smiles against his lips.

"Mmhmm," Gilbert hums and nods, still kissing her.

"What kind of ideas?" Anne asks, pressing light kisses against the corner of his mouth.

Gilbert runs his hands downwards along Anne's arms until their fingers are entwined. Then he slowly turns Anne around so that her back is pressed against his hard chest. He stretches her arms out before he gently places the palms of her hands on the trunk of the tree in front of her.

"For example," he murmurs with his lips against her throat. "What if you brace your hands like this?"

"But I won't be able to see you," Anne protests as Gilbert's hands glide back to her waist and he presses his mouth to the curve of her shoulder.

"Can you feel me?" Gilbert murmurs in her ear, with his fingertips sliding up her torso until he is cupping her breasts and his thumbs are teasing the peaks.

"Yes," Anne's voice is so low it sends a shiver down Gilbert's spine.

"What about this?" he whispers as he lifts her skirts to slide her undergarment down her silky thighs.

"Yes," Anne gasps.

He moves her hands lower still on the tree until Anne is bending forward from the hips as she grips the trunk of the fir. Gilbert is so hard he can barely restrain himself.

"And now?" Gilbert asks, his voice a low rumble. His chest is pressed to her back and he is aching to bury himself inside her.

Anne's face is turned to the side as she glances over her shoulder at him. He watches as she licks her lips.

"Please, Gilbert," she whimpers. Her hips are pushing hard against him now.

"Oh, Anne," he mutters hoarsely as his hand moves to touch her.

Anne cries out when his fingers find her and she wriggles against him.

"Please," she begs, her voice a throaty moan.

Her cheek is now resting on the back of Gilbert's hand which is grasping the tree with hers. She turns her head to gently graze her teeth along his knuckles before her tongue licks at his skin.

Gilbert has one arm around Anne's waist as she leans against the tree. She is panting loudly when he pushes into her hot, wet flesh with a loud groan.

"Oh, darling, you feel so good," he rasps.

The angle is intense and Gilbert feels like he's never been this deep inside her.

"Mmm, Gilbert," the sound of her voice makes his hips drive even harder. "Darling..."

He knows he can't last long and Gilbert moans when he feels Anne's hips pushing against him eagerly. Gilbert moves his hand from the tree and slowly slides his fingertips along Anne's arm and down the side of her body until he is grasping her hip as he continues to pound into her. His other hand is moving under her skirt to touch her.

"Yes," Gilbert moans when his fingers find their target. "Oh, yes."

He hears Anne cry out and she begins to move her hips more frantically against his.

"Please, Gilbert…"

He can tell from her tone that it will only take a few moments more. Gilbert closes his eyes and moans again.

Just as he moves his hand to cup Anne's breast, a squirrel begins to start chattering from a branch above them. The noise grows louder and soon it seems there is a whole chorus of squirrel voices barking indignantly.

"Gilbert," she says. Then after another moment, more insistently this time. "Gilbert - oh! Gilbert, darling."

Gilbert's eyes fly open when he recognises the change in Anne's voice.

"What is it, sweetheart? Am I hurting you again?" Gilbert has stopped moving as he looks at her.

"No, but - well, it's the squirrels…"

"Pardon?"

"I think we're upsetting them," Anne gasps. "Perhaps we should stop again…"

Despite his urgent need, Gilbert guffaws as he resumes his movements in her.

"Only you would be concerned about offending a squirrel," he chuckles.

"I'm serious, Gilbert," Anne says breathlessly. "It's their home and we're intruding. We're not behaving like very polite guests are we?"

"I think we should forget about the squirrels," Gilbert mutters, still driving his hips into her. He knows she's close and he absolutely doesn't want to stop. "I'm sure they won't mind. Besides, we won't be long…"

"Please, dearest," Anne continues.

"Anne," he moans. "Please, just a little longer and we'll be…"

Anne's head is tilted upwards now to look at the three red squirrels perched on the branch above them. They're watching intently and apparently quite outraged by Anne and Gilbert's activity at the base of the tree. The boisterous squeaks have now escalated into increasingly high-pitched sounds.

"Gilbert, they're becoming quite abusive," Anne says, starting to laugh. "I don't think I can continue with them shouting at us like that."

Although Gilbert is hovering on the edge, he knows he's fighting a losing battle now and begins laughing with Anne as he watches the disgruntled squirrels with her.

"They do seem rather angry," he agrees. Then he addresses the bushy tailed little creatures on the branch above their heads, saluting the assembled squirrel family with a smile. "I do beg your pardon. Please accept my sincere apologies for having insulted you so terribly. Sometimes a fellow is simply overcome with the urge to love his wife out in the woods…"

Gilbert hears Anne laugh and then gasp when he reluctantly and oh, so very slowly slides himself out of her. He shivers and moans softly when he feels the crisp October air touch his swollen length.

"I'm sorry, darling," Anne says, as she rearranges her skirts and stands up. "I promise to make it up to you."

The lascivious look in Anne's eyes when she glances at him makes Gilbert's body throb a little more. He is trying to adjust his clothing around his almost painful arousal, and Anne is licking her lips as she watches him.

"I will be taking you up on that," he grins, tucking his shirt into his trousers cautiously. "In fact, I intend to take you home and have you make good on that promise forthwith, wife. I don't think my body can tolerate being interrupted again."

"It will be my pleasure, husband," she smiles, grasping his hand and blowing a kiss in farewell to the red squirrels. "Let's hurry."

Gilbert stoops to collect the empty basket on the way and begins walking as briskly as he can manage towards the House of Dreams.

"That's the last time I try to take you against a fir tree," he mutters with his hazel eyes twinkling as he hears Anne giggle beside him. "Come along, wife. You've got a promise to keep."

Several minutes later, Anne does make good on her promise and Gilbert's loud cries of satisfaction confirm his gratitude at that fact.

One chilly evening a few days later, Gilbert arrives home late from a trip over harbour to see a patient. The little house is quiet, but Anne has left a lamp burning by the front door for him.

He knows Anne will also have left him something to eat in the pantry, but Gilbert doesn't hesitate even for a moment as he eagerly gazes up the stairs with a smile playing about his lips. Of all the many things he loves about his life now, one of his favourites is returning to his dear little red-haired wife at the end of the day. So, after doffing his coat, Gilbert immediately rushes upstairs, taking the stairs three at a time in his haste to get to Anne.

Gilbert turns the handle to open the door to their bedroom quietly and slips into the room. He pauses in the doorway for a moment to stare at his wife.

Anne has fallen asleep reading, so there is a tiny book of poetry which has slipped from her hands and is lying open on the bed next to her. She is propped up on the pillows with her eyes closed, and long, coppery lashes fanned out over her cheeks. A hint of a smile is curving her pink lips.

She is wearing a white embroidered nightgown with enticing lace frills at the collar. The sleeves are loose and flow softly all the way down Anne's slender arms until more frills gather the fabric at her wrists. The bedcovers on Gilbert's side of the bed are turned down, and the little oil lamp next to the bed is bathing Anne's beautiful features in a soft, warm glow. Her hair is loose and flowing about her shoulders.

Gilbert stares at his wife for another long moment, awe-struck. Anne is luscious in sleep and Gilbert can't help but consider that this really is a house of dreams. He grins broadly as he begins loosening his tie, toeing his shoes off and contemplating how his life with Anne has truly turned out to be so far beyond even his wildest dreams.

His warm hazel eyes continue to drink in the vision of Anne before him as he shrugs off his vest and ponders every miraculous event that's happened in the weeks since they first arrived at Four Winds.

Gilbert can scarcely believe how many of his dreams have come true in such rapid succession. He smiles as he recalls watching Anne's joyful face on their wedding day, when he stood next to her listening to that bird singing so ecstatically in the Green Gables orchard. Then he thinks about their wedding night, and the grin on his face grows wider as he remembers his amazement when he'd first seen Anne's features arranged into that gorgeous expression of bliss.

Although that look is so familiar to him now, Gilbert knows he'll never grow tired of seeing it. He's already discovered so many different ways to create that blissful look on her beloved face. How long has it been now? Six weeks? Seven weeks?

Gilbert's eyes grow wide and he gasps aloud with his heart pounding in his chest exultantly. Almost seven weeks!

Could it really be? Already?

Anne stirs when she hears his sharp intake of breath. She smiles softly and reaches for him, her eyes still clouded with sleep. Gilbert loves seeing her sleep-softened face, with her beautiful hair tousled, cheeks flushed and lips parted invitingly.

"Hello, darling," she murmurs drowsily. "I must have fallen asleep for a moment. I was so tired today…"

Gilbert loves the sound of her voice roughened by sleep, and he can't wait to tell her.

"Anne-girl," he says excitedly, grinning jubilantly as he sits on the bed beside her, leaning forward to place his hands on either side of her body. "I just realised something. Do you know how long we've been married now?"

"Mmm," Anne hums, shaking her head as her hands pull his face towards hers. "Not long enough. Kiss me now, please."

Gilbert bends his head to eagerly comply with her demand. Anne's tongue is immediately searching for his.

"I missed you today, husband," Anne whispers against his lips. "Show me how much you missed me, too."

"But, Anne-"

"Didn't you miss me?" Anne's insistent fingers are tangled in the curls at the back of Gilbert's head.

"You know I did," he grins. "I love you."

As he bends his head to taste her sweet lips, Gilbert decides he'll talk to Anne later about his new, poignantly sweet dreams and the joyful hope which has just sprung to life in his heart.

For now, Gilbert's world is filled with delicious moans and breathless whispers, soft lips and warm tongue and silky skin.

"I'll never stop loving you, Anne," he whispers as he sinks into her joyfully.

Well, dear readers, that's the final chapter of The Honeymoon. My warmest thanks and sunniest smiles go to each and every one of you who has read, faved, followed or reviewed this story. Your enthusiasm for our passionate honeymooners has truly meant so much to me, and I would never have made it this far without your encouragement. :)

I must also extend my endless gratitude to katherine-with-a-k, who has helped me so much with this and all my stories here. Without her, this story would never have seen the light of day ~ I doubt I would ever have been brave enough to post it on my own! So, if you enjoyed reading this, you have kwak to thank for it. Please go read her stories if you haven't already – they're incredible.

Also, I'm taking a break from FanFiction for a while, dear readers. I'll be back as soon as I can with The Blue Suit, but after that I want to spend more time working on some original story ideas.

Thanks again for all your love and support.

~Much love from Formerly known as J x