Long Distance Love Letters

An Overdue Date

Gilbert, Anne had decided, was not of this world. Ever since his fever broke, he had been recovering at the quickest rate that Dr. Bannon had ever seen. He would be ready to go back to school in just a week.

Bash had come just hours after the fever broke and they all had a small celebration before he, Marilla, and Matthew had to leave. Anne, however, had decided to stay until he was fully better.

Considering he was no longer contagious, he and Anne were attached at the hip. She was planning on heading back the night before he started school again, and they wanted to spend some time together that wasn't full of worry.

She was sitting next to him on his bed working on the story she had been writing for a while when Gilbert spoke.

"We should go on a date," he proposed.

Anne looked over at him in surprise. "A date?"

"Yeah," he confirmed, smiling. He grabbed her hand, interlocking her fingers with his. "I realized I never gave you the grand tour of Toronto like I promised you. No time like the present."

She gave him a pointed stare. "Honey, you need to study. Do you remember how many exams you have to make up?"

He affectionately touched his nose to hers. "Do you remember how smart I am? I'll be fine."

His playfully intense gaze forced a smile on her face. "You are so infuriating."

He smiled, scrunching his nose. "Love you, too." He gave her a quick kiss before jumping to his feet, clapping his hands. "Come on, let's go! We're wasting daylight!"

Anne rolled her eyes and laughed before following him, unable to mask her slight excitement.

•••

Gilbert and Anne walked all over Toronto arm in arm, Gilbert showing her all the places he loved. They ate at his favorite café where they knew him by name and order, they people watched at the local park, and they were even able to catch a concert at the theater.

Anne smiled, leaning her head on Gilbert's shoulder as they watched the show. She slowly began to imagine this event taking place years later, the two of them older with a couple of kids sitting next to them.

A beautiful day in the midst of their blissful forever.

•••

"Gil, where are we going?" Anne laughed, allowing herself to be pulled along by the hand by Gilbert.

He turned back to her with a bright smile. "It's a surprise. It's my favorite place in all of Toronto."

She looked around. "But we're back on campus."

He nodded. "I know."

The two of them stopped as a voice called, "Gilbert!"

They turned to see a boy around Gilbert's age running up to them, a big smile on his face. "You're okay!"

Gilbert smiled. "Hey, Adam."

The two of them hugged before turning to Anne.

"Adam, this is my fiancée Anne," Gilbert introduced.

Adam's eyes took on a knowing gleam. "So you're the famous Anne."

She laughed, blushing. "So I am."

He held out his hand. "I'm Adam. I'm Gilbert's roommate."

She happily shook his hand. "Nice to meet you. You're keeping him in check, right?"

He laughed heartily. "You know it."

Gilbert cut in, probably a little embarrassed.

"Alright, Adam, we have to go." He took Anne's hand in his. "I'm taking her to my spot."

"Ohhhhh," he breathed. "Got it. I'll see you two later." He winked before heading off.

Anne and Gilbert looked at each other and laughed before heading off again.

•••

Gilbert stopped as he realized they were getting close to the location.

He turned to Anne. "Okay, I need you to close your eyes."

She immediately became suspicious. "Gilbert-"

"Just do it," he laughed. "Please?"

She stared at him for a moment before sighing and obliging.

He put his hands over her eyes to make sure and led her to the building. He opened the door and guided them both inside.

Once they were in a satisfactory spot, Gilbert said, "Okay. Ready?"

She laughed. "Yes, I'm ready."

He took his hands off her eyes and she gasped, looking around at the beautiful greenhouse they were standing in the middle of.

She put her hands on his chest. "Gilbert, this is beautiful!"

He laughed. "I'm just glad there isn't an agriculture class happening right now."

She took his hand and looked around again. "Do you ever have classes in here?"

He nodded. "My plant-based medicine classes. I always look forward to them. Come on, I'll give you a tour."

The two walked around admiring the life around him. Gilbert glanced down at Anne, whose head was resting against his arm. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"I know everyone wants the wedding to be this summer," he began. "But I don't know if I could handle having to be away from my wife for 3 years."

He felt her smile. "Yeah...about that. While you were resting, I was talking to the admissions office about maybe transferring here next year."

His shock stopped him in his tracks. He turned to her. "What?"

She faced him, a nervous expression consuming her face.

"What do you think about that?" she asked.

He exhaled. "Anne, that sounds wonderful, but I don't want you to think you have to follow me just so we can be together."

She laughed, gripping his arms with reassuring hands. "Gilbert, I wouldn't just be coming for you." Excitement replaced nerves on her face. "I love Toronto! It's beautiful and bustling. There's always something happening. U of T has an incredible English program, better than Queens." She sighed. "I don't know. It just feels like this is where I'm supposed to be. For now, anyway. You being here is just an added bonus."

Gilbert couldn't help the smile that came on his face, but he forced himself to contain himself slightly.

"What about Diana?" he asked. "And Matthew and Marilla? You wouldn't get to see them nearly as often as you do now."

She smiled. "I've already talked to them about it. They support my decision. I could go home over a weekend if I ever wanted to and I can write letters to all three of them. I've thought all of it through, Gil."

He sighed and raised his hands to hold her face. "You're sure?"

She smiled and nodded. "I'm sure. As long as I wouldn't be, you know...cramping your style."

He laughed. "Cramping my style? Anne, you created my style." She giggled.

"But promise me that we'll move back to Avonlea to raise our family," she said with sudden urgency.

"I promise," he assured.

He stared at her for a moment more before saying, "I guess everyone will be getting that summer wedding they wanted, then."

Anne laughed joyously and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a sweet kiss.

As they kissed in the middle of Gilbert's favorite place in all of Toronto, he realized that a wedding wasn't even necessary.

To him, Anne was already his wife and so much more.

———
AN: when you have one of the worst days of your life and you need to write a fluffy shirbert chapter to make yourself feel better ☺️

i can't wait to write shirbert's wedding