4 Chapter 4: His eyes full of promise

There was nobody left at the ruins, Anne had not dared to leave the place before Gilbert, unconsciously she had hoped to be able to talk to the young man one last time. Unfortunately, he never came to her, several times in the evening she had felt his gaze on her, he had even shyly smiled at her from afar.

The redhead felt troubled every time she crossed the dark-haired boy's eyes, and of course the kiss they had shared earlier was totally the cause of this new trouble. Actually she had only been thinking about that all evening, how could she have been thinking about anything else? Gilbert had kissed her, whereas just a few days ago he was arm in arm with an elegant blonde. She still couldn't believe it. But to make it real, she had to have a talk with him. And as he was not deciding to come to her, and he was about to leave, she gathered her courage, and then she exclaimed unsure of herself, "Gilbert!"

The latter turned round and saw the young redhead holding her stuff in her hand and her lamp, she was also on her way out, but she seemed to be waiting for something.

She asked, hesitantly, "I... I wondered if we could walk a bit together?"

The dark-haired boy really wasn't expecting that, so he walked over to her and said surprised, "Uh, yes... of course."

Anne seemed relieved at his answer, but as she began to walk a little path, she thought about what she might say to him. Yet before, she had never had any problem talking about everything and nothing with Gilbert, each one understood the other's ambitions, and they could talk about it for hours if they wanted to. They could also discuss lighter topics and joking about them. Thus an idea crossed her mind, what if she talked about the exams? That would be the best way to start talking softly, wouldn't it?

Suddenly she was cut off in her thoughts by the young man when they reached a crossroads, "Do you want me to take you home?", he asked with a touch of apprehension.

The girl, obviously surprised by this question, also knew that according to her answer it could mean something, but she did not know what the right answer was at that moment.

"Yes. I-I mean, no. We can split up halfway if you want, I-I don't want you to make a long detour for me."

Anne was visibly embarrassed, and by the time she finished her sentence she was exasperated by her own response. An irrational fear that he understood her intentions too much, as if she was afraid he would make fun of her for no reason. Yet he had first kissed her earlier in the evening and his intentions were clear. But she always feared something, that it was all just a dream, or even that it was just a figment of her overly fertile imagination. Love was nothing like the love written in books after all, how she could understand this situation? An even worse thought crossed her mind, and if he regretted his act, after all a kiss doesn't necessarily mean that one feels? Jerry and Diana were examples of this. Or worse still Billy kissing poor Josie, there was certainly nothing romantic about the latter situation, it certainly wasn't about...love.

"I don't mind escorting you home.", said the young man with a small smirk on his face.

She nodded shyly, "Well..."

The two teenagers continued on their way and arrived in front of the Lake of Shining Waters, Anne had still not managed to start a discussion, and it was exactly the same for the young man who was apparently also in many internal conflicts.

She had asked him to walk with him, which was already a miracle in itself, but he thought she was about to say something, maybe argue with him about his behaviour, only none of that, she was incredibly quiet. Yet she was there so close to him that he could almost have touched her hand. Was this what she wanted? Would she like to get closer to him? Maybe she couldn't take the first step after all. Or was it something else? He thought back to the way he had kissed her, it was so sudden, he was surprised by his own move. It was not for this reason that he had come to the ruins, but... How could he have predicted that when he saw the young redhead in the moonlight she would be so lovely? Perhaps he was looking for excuses, the young man did not want to admit that this idea had crossed his mind many times since he knew Anne.

Suddenly, Gilbert decided to speak up, "I... I'm really sorry about earlier-", but Anne decided to break her silence and spoke at the same time as the young man, "It's...it's all right. I owe you an apology-"

"No. You don't have to. It was so improper, and you probably thought that-"

The young redheaded girl couldn't help but at last say everything that was on her mind, the best way she had found to do this was to speak at the same time as the dark-haired boy, this way he would perhaps be less aware of what she was telling him, "I should have let you speak, but as often I-".

The young man interrupted her, giggling, "You mean, like now?"

Suddenly Anne felt stupid, she was still reproducing the same pattern, why couldn't she stop herself from contradicting Gilbert Blythe as soon as he had the audacity to open his mouth?

The young girl smiled embarrassed, "I guess some things will never change... I suppose I should apologize again, but I'll probably do it again in a few minutes.", she laughed.

Gilbert chuckled, laughing gently at her because she was absolutely right.

Suddenly the young man's expression became serious, he stopped in the middle of the path, reached out his arm and pulled slightly on the girl's sleeve so that she, in turn, would stop. She turned around and was immediately surprised by this act. Then she stopped, and stood in front of him again.

"May I?", he asked, staring at the things the young woman was holding. She didn't answer, but nodded slightly, speechlessly. He then took her belongings and laid them at her feet. Anne watched him, still confused.

All around them, everything was quiet, you could see the moonlight reflecting on the lake surface. The Lake of Shining Waters had never been so well named, the crickets were still singing, and even louder since they had stopped near the water.

Now standing in front of her, he looked into her eyes, while his own gaze was almost pleading, "I owed you an apology for earlier, but in the end you were right, it was useless...", He took one of the young redhead's hands very gently and directed it to his mouth, he kissed her delicately on her knuckles, "...because I'll do it again."

This made the girl shudder, but when she saw the young man's expression when he raised his head, she couldn't help smiling. Only, the latter was not satisfied, he directed his lips once more to the back of her hand, this kiss was even more insistent than the previous one, and this time he looked her in the eye while doing so.

Anne could see the slight insolence of the dark-haired boy, before it would have annoyed her greatly, but this time he annoyed her in a very different way.

As soon as he stood up, he began to say with a smile, "Anne, you-"

But this one was suddenly interrupted by the young redheaded woman who in less than a few seconds approached the young man to put her lips on his, she put her hand around his neck. Gilbert was surprised by this move, but immediately took the opportunity to hold her tightly, taking her waist in his hands.

These two had been waiting for this for so long that they didn't even bother to breathe properly, their breath was so panting, each breathing in the other's air.

This time they knew what they were doing, they were aware of what each other desired. And then it was sure that no one here would interrupt them.

The two teenagers were really experiencing kissing for the first time, it wasn't like their first kiss, this time they were taking their time, it wasn't a simple confession, now they just wanted to enjoy the moment.

From time to time, their lips would separate, so they could recover their breath a moment, looking into each other's eyes, they could see each other's hunger, it made them smile. Then as soon as they saw their eyes filled with a certain desire, they started another kiss.

So they stayed by the lake for long minutes, kissing again and again, without either of them wanting to stop these passionate exchanges.

Anne would never have imagined that this evening could end like this, she would never have thought that she would have her first kiss that night. Even less to taste Gilbert's lips, it was something she would never have been able to describe before, never would she have thought his lips were so sweet. Perhaps it was her imagination? But for her, his lips had nothing to envy to the most delicious of delicacies. Feeling his hands caressing her waist and being so close to him was the most delightful of sensations.

The young man was far from denying his pleasure too, the young redhead had the softest lips possible, it was so pleasant to kiss her, to feel her waist in his hands, to caress her cheek from time to time. With each new kiss he experimented with something else. For the next one, he would run his hand through her red hair, she was so cute and lovely, he couldn't help but look at her with such lust, that he could probably spend most of the night reproducing this.

A few minutes later, after languidly exchanging kisses, Gilbert pointed Anne towards the high grass along the lake, signifying that he wanted to settle there with her. The young girl nodded with a smile, he then guided her by the hand and they both sat down by the lake.

They were now sitting side by side, their shoulders touched one another, then they turned towards the other, looking into each other's eyes with ever greater desire, the dark-haired boy put a hand on the redhead's cheek, caressed her delicately with his thumb and kissed her again.

When Gilbert removed his mouth from the young redhead's lips, she finally uttered a sentence with a smile on her face, "Sometimes it's much better when we don't talk."

This made the young man sneer, "So...You were tired of hearing me?", he asked with a mischievous smile.

"Maybe...", she laughed back.

"So that's what it was all about?", he replied, with a falsely scowling expression.

With a teasing smile she asked instead of answering, "And you?"

"Probably..."

They smiled at each other with eyes filled with certain tenderness. Then suddenly Anne finally became aware of the situation after the euphoria had passed.

"I...I should go home now, if I don't come back at night, Marilla will find out eventually. And I don't know what I could tell her.", She said embarrassed, she stood up and smoothed her dress.

Gilbert in turn became aware of the situation by looking at it, he cleared his throat, embarrassed too, "Uh... I... You're right, I'll take you home. We have enough...and I don't want to...", he got up off the floor in turn.

A few moments later, they were now on their way to Green Gables, walking hand in hand. All along the way they were again as relaxed as ever, Anne started to talk about various subjects including exams, until now they hadn't even taken the time to do so.

When they arrived in front of Green Gables, they were standing by the white fences, the young brown was talking about his lack of enthusiasm to continue his studies in Queens.

"I'd like to ask Miss Stacy about her friend who works at the U of T, I think I'll write to her. I don't think I could study what I'm looking for in Queens."

"You should ask her, who knows where it will take you, I hope you will manage to do what you want, even if I have no doubts about it."

When the two young people realized what this implied, they will certainly be separated by the start of the school year, if Gilbert manages to get in touch with Miss Stacy's friend.

Despite everything, it was not the time to think about that, they had to experience the present moment. Anne prepared to leave by waving to the young man, but this one was upset by this move, he didn't seem satisfied.

Then, smiling, he went towards her, captured her lips at once, and kissed her three times, to the great pleasure of the young redhead, who couldn't help smiling, seeing his appetite.

Once their passionate exchanges were over, she left him with already a touch of regret, she certainly didn't sleep much that night, since it was very late and above all, this day had been full of emotion.

"Don't forget tomorrow I'll pick you up.", he says with a smile.

She was confused, "Tomorrow? Pick me up? But-"

"So, be ready.", he said firmly, interrupting her with a mischievous smile.

Then the two teenagers finally went their separate ways.

The next morning, Anne was still lying in bed, the day had long since dawned, she still seemed to be asleep and in her dreams, a radiant smile appeared on her face.

Then suddenly she opened her eyes, she had a panicked expression. Was all this real or had she finally dreamed it? Gilbert had kissed her? Even more improbable, they had spent most of the night kissing at the edge of the lake of shining waters? She had a date with him today?!

When she went downstairs, she came across Marilla who seemed to be preparing the meal in the kitchen.

"Well... you're finally awake. I let you sleep because I knew you would be celebrating exams late at night."

"But-"

"You really think I wasn't your age...", Then she proudly added, "Well, I'm sure you and Gilbert will be the first in class."

"Gilbert and I...", she repeated like a whisper.

"What's wrong?", Marilla asked worriedly.

Suddenly Matthew came into the house, presumably from outside.

Anne answered the woman with bright eyes and a smile on her face, "Gilbert kissed me."

The old man who didn't fully understand the situation felt embarrassed, he didn't know where to look after hearing this, so he immediately left the kitchen without saying a word as if nothing had happened.

Marilla wasn't expecting to hear that today, so she didn't know what to say, "I'm... I'm happy for you, Anne, I'm happy for both of you." she finally said with a sincere smile, and then she added, raising her eyebrows, "I mean, you love Gilbert Blythe, right?"

Following this question, the young redhead realized, if she loved him, what would happen now?

Meanwhile, Gilbert had also been awake lately, and a smile had been on his face ever since he opened his eyes.

He went to the kitchen for lunch and saw Bash sitting with little Delphine on his knees, the young father had a rather cheeky smile on his face despite the fact that earlier he had had another argument with his mother, "So... I hope Mrs. Blythe got home safely last night, because it was very late when I heard you come in."

But this teasing didn't change the young man's mood, "You can say whatever you want today, I don't care.", he said, still beaming with happiness.

"Thank you very much, it sincerely does get right to my heart. ", Sebastian said proudly.

Then all of a sudden Hazel entered the kitchen, she seemed to have heard everything about the conversation, "Mrs. Blythe? Did you get married, Mr. Gilbert?!"

Sebastian couldn't help but giggle when he heard his mother call the young man Mr. Gilbert, and at the same time she was unknowingly taking part in the teasing about Anne.

"Uh... No.", He replied embarrassed. Then he looked at Bash, smiling and disapproving with his head.

In the mid afternoon when Anne was pacing around her room, she was more nervous than ever. What if Gilbert finally didn't come? There was no rational reason to think so. Then suddenly she was alerted by a noise, she turned around, and saw a sealed envelope that had just been slipped under her door.

She ran to the envelope to pick it up, opened the letter and read it:

"I swear you are the only bosom friend I will ever have."

At that moment she understood who was behind those words, so she was relieved, took a deep breath, opened the door, and saw Diana holding a dandelion in her two joined hands, her gaze imploring forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry, Anne.", She declared moved.

"I'm sorry too.", her friend replied, equally upset.

"I want to be braver...than I've been. I don't want to lie anymore. I want to be the person that I am in all ways. And that person, more than anything, is your best friend.", She says with sobs in her voice.

The two friends laughed nervously, they were so happy to be reconciled, so Anne took her friend by the hand and led her to the window. They crossed their little finger and declared in unison, "I solemnly swear to be faithful to my bosom friend Anne/Diana for as long as the sun and moon shall endure."

"And now let's send our oath out into the world.", said the young redhead with a smile on her face, they both put their heads out the window and blew on the dandelion, and then laughed out loud.

A few moments later, Anne was sitting with Diana on her bed, styling her friend's hair, and discussing the evening before, especially one event.

"So... that's why Gilbert ran away with you behind the ruins.", said the young brunette with a mischievous smile.

"It wasn't planned! I mean... I think."

"Of course not...", she retorted with a smile, unconvinced.

"But it happened... And now... I don't know what's happening, at the end of the summer he probably won't go to Queens to study. We won't see each other any more... Well, I shouldn't think about it.", she concludes with a bitter smile.

Diana turned around and took her friend's hand, "Gilbert Blythe has had a crush on you since your first days at school, do you really think studying somewhere else will make a difference?

"Do you think...?", she asked her anxiously.

The young brunette looked her in the eye, as if to say that it was the obvious thing. Then she got up from bed, "I should go home now. Oh...?", She looked out of the window with a little smile on her face, "I think a young man will ask to see you very soon."

This made the young redhead react immediately, "So-so early?! What time is it?!", She rushed to her mirror to see what she looked like.

Diana laughed, "You look great... But I have the feeling that Gilbert has a certain preference when you let your hair down. Considering what happened yesterday..."

"My hair... down?!", she repeated reluctantly.

"I don't know, maybe not like yesterday, but like that day at the fair. I'm sure he found you particularly pretty. But do as you like, it will be all right anyway.", The young brunette smiled at her and left the room, leaving her friend confused.

Gilbert was standing in front of Green Gables, he was a bit anxious, wondering how Anne would be today, would she regret what had happened the night before? No, it couldn't be possible?

On the lovers' lane on his way to Green Gables, he had been picking some wild flowers for Anne.

When he arrived in front of the Cuthbert's house, he saw Matthew and Jerry sitting in the barn, apparently on a break, so he greeted them with his hand.

Matthew was surprised to see the young man with flowers in his hand, but he in turn greeted him. Gilbert walked towards them to exchange a few courtesies.

Simultaneously, Jerry smiled and said, "Maybe we should scare him and tell him that we don't approve of him picking up Anne at all.", the old man chuckled when he heard this.

The dark-haired boy was now in front of them, a little nervous, he began to speak to them, he cleared his throat, "hm. Good day, M. Cuthbert, Jerry. Is Anne here?"

"Hello Gilbert.", Matthew replied, "Well, I think so.", the man seemed a little embarrassed, and then shyly added with a smile, "These flowers are pretty. You'll find her in the house, she was still around with Diana earlier."

The young man smiled at this answer, and he replied with some embarrassment as he was unmasked, "Thank you, Mr. Cuthbert.", He then turned around and walked to the porch.

At the same moment he met Diana who had just left Anne, she greeted him with a smirk, "Hello Gilbert, Anne should be here soon."

"Thank you, have a good day.", he replied with a smile.

Marilla, who was in the kitchen, saw him, "Gilbert, it's good to see you."

"Hello, Miss Cuthbert.", he retorted with an embarrassed smile.

Then she glanced at the flowers he was holding, "I... I'll tell Anne."

"Thank you..."

The elderly woman smiled at the young man and immediately walked to the stairs leading to the first floor and shouted, "Anne! You could go downstairs! Gilbert is here!"

Anne was still in her room in front of the mirror when she heard Marilla's voice calling out to her. She already knew before that, that Gilbert was there, but now he was in the house and waiting for her.

When her friend Diana had left, she had stayed several minutes in front of her mirror, Gilbert really had a preference for her hairstyle? She didn't know what to do, if she came downstairs with her hair free, he would probably guess why. But if she came downstairs with her braids he would be disappointed? All this was ridiculous, she would join him as she was now, and then her red hair would fall out... No it wasn't possible, who would like to see them free? At the fair it was different, Diana had lent her a pretty ribbon, and then she also helped her to curl her hair. But there she didn't have any artifice to make it prettier. No, Gilbert wouldn't like that.

The girl took a deep breath and came out of her room. When she went downstairs and arrived in the kitchen, Marilla was no longer there, but Gilbert was standing there with a radiant smile on his face. She saw immediately that he was holding some wild flowers in his hands.

She walked over to him and he handed her the flowers, "When I saw them on the path, I thought you'd like them."

"I love them... beautiful. Thank you.", She replied with a big smile, and then quickly took a jar and poured some water into it.

"What...what do you want to do?", she asked nervously.

The dark-haired boy scratched his head, and unsure of himself he raised his eyebrows, "I had thought of walking a little with you to the lake or somewhere else?"

"Walking to the Lake of Shining Waters is always a lovely idea.", She replied with a smile and a little embarrassed, remembering the night by the lake.

Gilbert chuckled at this remark, then offered his arm, so that she could slip hers, which Anne finally did, she couldn't hide her joy.

Anne found it so strange not to see anyone around, maybe they did it on purpose?

When the two teenagers left the house, the dark-haired boy glanced over to the barn to see if Matthew and Jerry were still there. But apparently they had finished their break, and now they were somewhere unknown, probably with Marilla as well.

Anne thought it was so strange not to see anyone around, maybe they did it on purpose?

Then they arrived on the lovers' lane, still arm in arm, after glances and shy little smiles exchanged.

The young redhead had been plagued by a few dilemmas since yesterday, but these were not the same dilemmas anymore. She always wondered what the other days would be like now, and if Gilbert went to study on the other side of Canada, could they even have a future together? Would she then have to spend years away from the young man, out of sight, out of mind?

As for the young man, he had barely slept the night before, a certain redhead had occupied his mind, he was plunged into such a state of ecstasy that he hadn't even thought of a detail. After the end of the summer, he won't go to the Queens College, he had decided that he would do his utmost to continue his studies in the most suitable establishment for his vocation. This very morning he had written his letter, the next step was to visit Miss Stacy and ask her for her friend's address.

He wasn't expecting to think about another subject today either, but this happened when Bash teased him this morning about the evening before, and especially about the progress of his relationship with a certain redhead. Sebastian had named the girl, Mrs. Blythe, at the time it made him laugh, because he was always trying to tease him on sensitive issues. But finally Gilbert was half laughing that morning, being engaged with Anne was not a joke, it was even inevitable, he knew he would marry her one day. Unfortunately, their next long separation would upset everything.

When the two young people arrived at the Lake of Shining Waters, they both settled in the same place as the night before.

Once they were both settled on the grass, Gilbert took Anne's hand delicately and looked into her eyes with a certain apprehension, "I wrote my letter this morning to Miss Stacy's friend, I will send it as soon as I get her address from her."

"Oh. I see...", she replied, trying as much as she could to hide her emotion, "I'm really glad you did it, she'll probably be able to help you enter U of T. Imagine all the fantastic things you'll be able to learn there!", She was really doing her best to seem cheerful about this idea.

The latter seemed to share her enthusiasm, "I also think it's a very exciting idea! But...", suddenly his expression changed, "Medical studies are really very long, you will probably have finished your studies long before me. That's why I thought..."

He took a small velvet pouch out of his waistcoat pocket. Anne watched this object with curiosity, she wondered what could it be? But she remained silent, letting him finish.

He opened the pouch and shook it in his hand, the young redhead looked at him attentively, and so she saw a ring in his hand. A lovely little golden ring, with an emerald green stone. The young girl's mouth opened slightly, it was as if she had stopped breathing, her eyes went from the palm of Gilbert's hand to his eyes.

When she looked him in the eye she instantly understood what it was all about, he started to say, "This ring... it was my mother's ring. It's very modest."

"It's magnificent...", The young redhead was ecstatic.

When he saw her amazed eyes, he couldn't help but smile and take her hand, "Anne, I think I always knew that you had to be a part of my life, you always made things more beautiful than they are. My life can't be complete without you by my side."

The young redhead had bright eyes, these words that she had never hoped to hear one day were released, she remained completely mute, it was impossible for her to find the slightest word that could answer that.

Seeing the young girl's expression, suddenly the voice of the dark-haired boy wavered, the emotion overwhelming him, "I love you...in all ways that it is possible to love, and I wish... one day... you agree to marry me."

Gilbert now felt relieved to have finally been able to put into words all that he had felt since he knew Anne. But now there was a slight apprehension, how would she react to this declaration? He frowned, still dreading her answer.

The young redhead was speechless for a moment, one could only hear her breathing, which was visibly disturbed, little breaths concealing all the surprise she felt at this instant.

Not being able to say a single word, she put one of her hands on the young man's face, she could perceive in his eyes a certain fear but above all love.

When she realised this, a slight smile appeared on her face, and she put her lips on his, for her this kiss meant everything she couldn't say out loud. So she kissed him with such passion, he must have understood that she felt the same as he did. She wanted to spend her whole life with Gilbert Blythe.

While they were still kissing, Gilbert took the opportunity to slip the ring on the teenager's ring finger. When the girl noticed it, she couldn't help but smile at him, he smiled proudly. Because he was now convinced he would marry Anne Shirley-Cuthbert one day.

The two lovers sat by the Lake of Shining Waters until the evening, making promises to each other and just savouring the moment like real teenagers.

No Matter how many storms they would probably still have to go through, they knew that they would never stop being in love with each other.

THE END.