Let Me In ( Anne with an E fanfic)

Chapter 62

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It was dusk, the late autumn afternoon cold and slightly windy. There was still enough light out that there was no need for any kind of lamp or artificial light, but the sun had warm, golden hues that seemed to accent the few leaves that were still on the trees, on the floor. There was the chatter of the gang catching up over the video call, and then Roy gently telling them he was going to mute them once the ceremony would start.

Meeting the judge, getting ready, seeing how Cole had organized everything beyond what they could have expected seemed to have happened at a slow pace. But, all of a sudden, Anne was there, turning around the corner of the building, and he was trying to remember how to breathe. Ella slapped his hand and he realized that he was so absorbed in Anne he hadn't even realized he had moved it, and that seemed to take him out of his stupor.

He was no longer shocked, but he managed to appreciate what Cole had organized for her. He had been skeptical of the deep wine red of his own suit when he had taken it out of the bag his friend had handed him, but he could see how it made all the sense as Anne walked to him. She was wearing a long, tulle skirt that just brushed the ground. It wasn't see-through, though, the layers of fabric giving it dimension. Clearly there was some other fabric under. It was a pale, dusty rose that he knew for a fact Anne insisted wasn't for her, but that he absolutely adored ever since she had gotten that night gown back for their trip to Montreal.

On top, she had a knitted sweater with a very intricate design, at least for his eyes, and he could see something of a light colour in between the gaps of the wool. He trusted Cole had considered the weather into account. She was holding a bouquet that held some of the same flowers as his boutonnière as well as several others that complimented the look, and her hair was gathered on the back. He could just make some braids and something like a flower peeking on the side.

She looked so little like a traditional bride, yet so much like the best version of her. Her smile was contagious even under the mask, and while he was pretty sure he had tears in his eyes because seeing this blurry wasn't normal, he couldn't help but smile back at her.

He almost didn't notice Jerry, who was walking arm in arm next to her, saying something to her with that teasing smile of his. They weren't far, and reached where they were all gathered (all five of them, plus the judge) in a matter of seconds, Anne letting go of Jerry's arm to give him a bone crushing hug, the bouquet digging into his back. He held her tightly, close to him.

"You look amazing, Anne-girl," he muttered into her ear. "Ready for this?"

" So ready," she replied, letting go of him and looking into his eyes, her eyes glassy. She suddenly remembered they weren't alone and turned to look at their closest friends, both in person and on the screen of Roy's phone. "Hey guys! Hi, Mr. Laghari."

"Good afternoon, Miss Shirley-Cuthbert," the judge replied warmly. The gang greeted in a cacophony of voices, the LaCroix as well from their little square in the screen and her present friends as well. Gilbert was greeting Jerry, who then went to stand with Fred and Ella. "We can get started whenever you're ready."

"Oh, let's do this," Anne said. She knew both of them had been waiting for this moment for way longer than they were willing to tell their friends, and she was so ready to just get the ball rolling. And to be Gilbert's wife. And have him as her husband. But for real, this time. She looked at his left hand and held it gently, looking up at him as she noticed the lone finger, a paler skin the only signal a ring had ever been there.

"It's gone," he whispered. He knew she couldn't see his sad smile behind the mask, but he blinked a couple of times and sighed, smiling more broadly. He looked at the judge. "So, how does this work?" He had never been in such a small (or informal) wedding ceremony, if it could even be called that, but he wouldn't have it any other way. It felt so intimate. So much like them.