Sequel to the award-nominated Home to Avonlea, consistently placed at #1 in shirbert and #annewithane
"I love you so much, more than I've ever loved anything."
After the traumatic events of the winter just passed, Anne and Gilbert must return to the...
'Isn't it wonderful that every day is new with no mistakes in it yet?'
Upon seeing the familiar, beloved scenery and locations of Avonlea, Anne had found her dread and concerns fade away slowly. Anne instead felt the same sweet relief as she had returning to Avonlea after being rescued from Wolfsden Prison. It was that familiar sensation of safety as she passed through the White Way of Delight and went over the Barry Lake bridge. These well-known and comforting places were so special to Anne, despite any bad memories which Joseph had tainted them with. They were bearable somehow and Anne focused on recalling the good memories... She thought of the first time she came to Avonlea with Matthew, riding through the blossom tree avenue and the pure joy she had experienced.
Anne was relieved to be temporarily free of the dread she'd had hanging over her for a long time. Perhaps her trip had provided perspective. She could travel far away from home and safety without bad things happening, without catastrophe and without incident. Her fears and worries still rested skin deep but she could handle them, face them as they came. Anne was excited to go home to her friends, her family, to Gilbert.
It had been good to get away but it was better to return. Distance had blown the dispirited cobwebs from Anne's heart and cleared her mind for happiness to come out. The sun shining and the promise of happy Summer days with her loved ones ahead uplifted Anne's spirits.
The Barry family dropped Anne off at the white double gates of Green Gables. Anne hugged Diana tightly and they arranged to walk to school together next week. Anne waved to them, a small smile on her face. She watched the carriage go, disappearing up the red roads towards Barry Manor across the fields behind the woods. Anne turned and gazed up at her treasured home. She took a deep, slow breath in, her heart beating soft and content. The fresh breeze blew her long red hair over her shoulders, her grey eyes gazing wide up at the blue sky. Birds sung and the lush beauty of nature in full-force Spring surrounded her.
"Home." Anne whispered to herself and smiled.
Anne passed through the gate and set off up the yard to her front door.
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Marilla hadn't been sure about telling Matthew the news Rachel had brought, as he was painfully shy about such topics and had been known to be biased when it came to Anne's shortcomings, but she had nobody else to turn to. She had to air her thoughts with somebody. That was how Matthew ended up sat at the kitchen table, face red and words trapped in his throat.
"Oh, come now Matthew. Give me a piece of your mind on this. I know we said raising her was my department but I'm out of my depth, I need somebody to speak with. If I wanted to speak to a brick wall I would have gone out back." Marilla sighed impatiently.
"Well, uh... It doesn't seem right, no it doesn't at all." Matthew said slowly. "I believe that when folks talk about Anne we shouldn't listen, we should ask our girl the truth."
