Another Year In Avonlea

My End

Billy was reading in his room, as he had been doing for a long time. He heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

"Hey Billy," Jane said walking in with a sneaky grin on her face.

"What do you need Jane?"

She pulled Billy's baseball bat and ball out from behind her. "Some of the boys were wondering if you wanted to play. They said you told them no last time because you didn't have your stuff, so I stole it back."

Billy got off of his bed, grabbing the bat and ball laughing. "Thanks Jane!"

"And Prissy sent a letter!"

"What does it say?" He asked, putting his stuff on the bed.

"I don't know. Mother wouldn't let me read it because it's addressed to you."

Billy opened it up and began reading to himself.

"Dear Billy,
I am so proud of you for learning and challenging yourself to be the best you. Make me proud when I come home. I love and support you, keep up the work. Keep that vow to me. I can still hold it to you from here.
Don't tell anyone, but by the time you get this letter, I'll be coming home. I unfortunately couldn't make it to the Mary and Sebastian's celebration, but I will be saying my congratulations.
Your sister, Prissy"

"What does it say?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Billy smiled, pulling the letter away from Jane's peering eyes.

"Come on Billy! Tell me!"

"Jane, no."

"Fine," she pouted.

Billy took his bat and ball running out the door. "I'll be playing ball if anyone needs me!"

———

"Ruby come downstairs!"

"Yes mother?"

"Moody is at the door," she winked.

Ruby let out a gasp and hurried to their door. "Hello Moody! What brings your here?"

"I'd like to talk to you."

"Okay!"

Moody walked outside to the porch and Ruby followed, closing the door behind her. "Can I help you Moody?"

"Ruby, I like you. I felt like we have really been getting to know each other the past year, and I really like you. I'm afraid you might still have a crush on Gilbert, but I still wanted to say it."

"I don't have a crush on Gilbert, Moody."

"You don't?" Ruby shook her head giggling. "Who do you have a crush on?"

"You."

"Really," he said ecstatically.

Ruby giggled a little bit more before going on her toes and pecking his cheek with her lips. "Will you be at Diana's tonight? Her mother just went around inviting everyone over."

"Of course!"

"I would like to maybe, stand by you?"

"Yes," he almost yelled. "I mean-yes that would be nice."

Ruby let out a big laugh. "Okay. See you there. Goodbye Moody."

"Goodbye Ruby."

Ruby walked back into her house with a major grin.

———

The Barry house was filled with Avonlea's finest friends this night. Diana played piano for all to hear, new tunes that had come to her very quickly, and that she could write immediately. The energy was joyful and invigorating, everyone feeling happier and happier as the night continued for what felt like forever.

Prissy was there, talking with her family. Billy, of course knew she would be there. She went on to talk to everyone in the house, all happy to see her, especially the girls who looked up to her.

Ruby and Moody smile at each other, as they stand by each other, their parents talking behind them. A better, new spark was ignited into them.

Jerry leaned against the wall smiling on one side of the piano, looking at Diana, who smiled back. She is happy now. Josephine and Cècile stand on the other side with her family, cheering Diana as she plays.

Though if you ask anyone, it never happened, but Cole was there too. He made his way around, saying hello to everyone he knew, and talking for a while.

-

As Diana finished one of her songs, her favorite at the time in fact, Cècile spoke. "You did that all by yourself?"

"Indeed," Diana laughed, starting to play another song.

"That's quite impressive for such a young girl still!"

"I've worked so hard. There are many more I've written, although they don't fit the atmosphere." Her sad ones would be put in a box for a rainy day.

"I'd love the hear them!"

"Perhaps I'll play them later."

"Oh, my sweet Diana," Mrs.Barry melted, "it truly is lovely. I think you would do wonderful in life playing these songs."

Diana slowly stopped playing and smiled at her mother. The biggest smile a girl could have.

"Continue," her mother said, "continue! I want to hear more."

-

"So what now Gilbert? I haven't the faintest clue," Anne said looking at him.

"Well, Anne. Have you ever seen the ocean at sunrise? Maybe we go to the beach."

"Oh, what about the white way if delights at sun set? I'm sure the avenue is a whole new world. We could stay up all night and watch how it changes!"

"How about both?"

"I'd like that very much!"

"Me too," Gilbert smiled.

-

So, it's not the end of the story, of course their lives will go on, on this small island, but it's my ending. I take my leave.

The End