(Untitled)

[kindred_spirit]

They've been home again for almost twenty-four hours now, long enough for it to sink in that nothing has changed, that Avonlea is just as they left it, blue hall and all, but not so long that there's not a wonder moment at seeing places that are both terribly familiar and new again all at once

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[avonlea_girl]

Anne is standing at the gate, as she had one day the year before, coming back from Matthew's grave. and feeling as though she would fly apart and burst from happiness. No sooner had they stepped back into Green Gables than she had flown into the kitchen where Marilla was arranging the rest of the plum puffs, and thrown herself into the woman's arms.

Marilla had been bewildered, and a little amused, but she'd hugged Anne for a brief moment before pushing her away. "Anne Shirley, you almost gave me a heart attack, flying in here and attacking me like that! Where on earth has your sense gone? And where's Gilbert?"

"Oh, Marilla," Anne had said, rapturously, "I'm just so happy to be here." And she'd placed a kiss on each of Marilla's cheeks before spinning around and laughing.

She'd spent all of today just "soaking in home," as she put it, helping Marilla with chores, and spending a truly wonderful afternoon with Diana before taking the last of the summer mayflowers to place at Matthew's grave.

And now here was Gilbert again, and she meets him at the gate with a radiant smile, one of the mayflowers stuck shining in her hair.

[kindred_spirit]

"Hello, Anne," he says, reaching the gate.

And because there's no one else he can say it to and because he has to say it, he adds, "We're home."

[avonlea_girl]

"I know," she says, amazed, and seems to glow.

She'd probably hug him, but he's a bit too tall for her right now.

[kindred_spirit]

That can easily be fixed. Gil swings down out of the saddle, and offers her his arm.

"I thought we might go for a ramble, Anne. See all the old places. After all," and he grins, "we're hardly behind in our studies."

[avonlea_girl]

"That's a lovely thought," she says, and takes his arm, cheerfully.

"I've stayed mostly around Green Gables today, although I did go to see Diana. It's amazing how little has changed, here, Gil. Doesn't it seem as though everything should be different, now?"

[kindred_spirit]

"It does," he agrees. "And yet, it doesn't. This feels right, doesn't it, Anne?"

They start down the lane. "And how are all the Green Gables folks? And Diana?"

[avonlea_girl]

"It feels deliciously right," she says, happily. "I feel myself again. Marilla thinks I've gone stark raving mad, and Diana is as lovely and happy and dear as ever. I missed her so. You know I've never liked being apart from her after Mrs. Barry allowed us to be friends again."

[kindred_spirit]

"Are there days Marilla doesn't think you've gone stark raving mad?" Gil asks, amused. "And things never seem quite right when you and Diana are separated."

At the end of the lane he gestures expansively with his free arm. "Pick a direction, Anne."

[avonlea_girl]

She looks, considering.

"What about down towards the lake, and we can come back by way of Lover's Lane? The woods are so lovely with all the leaves turning, and we can just saturate ourselves with gorgeousness. How are your parents? And have you seen any of the other old school-fellows?"

[kindred_spirit]

He turns them toward the lake, smiling.

"My parents are well," he says. "I think they were a bit surprised when I turned up for supper last night, but I had to see them. And I saw Charlie Sloan, briefly, coming through town. But there's Ruby's AVIS party next week, and we can get caught up on everyone's news."

[avonlea_girl]

Anne laughs.

"Ruby Gillis may have gotten increasingly obsessed with young men, but she certainly is good at giving parties. The dear old AVIS--I'm not sure I truly want to change anything about Avonlea anymore, though, Gil."

[kindred_spirit]

"Not even the hall?" he asks, laughing.

And then, more seriously, "But I think I understand. Perhaps we can focus on maintaining it, then. At any rate, Ruby's party should be fun. And it gives us an excuse to see everyone without the whole town deciding we're stark raving mad."

[avonlea_girl]

"But as you've pointed out," she says, laughing back at him, "the whole town already thinks I'm stark raving mad, whereas you have always been known to be very sensible indeed."

[kindred_spirit]

"Well, one of us has to be sensible," he says, sensibly.

"Or at least give the appearance of it."

[avonlea_girl]

"It does help when I find myself clinging to bridge pillars," she says, mournfully. "Although I fear I may become sensible in the end after all, after years of teaching and being lectured by Mrs. Rachel Lynde."

[kindred_spirit]

"You may become more sensible, Anne, but I don't think you could ever be totally sensible. It just wouldn't suit you. And I'd miss having to rescue you from under bridges."

Honestly, you'd think he'd made a habit of it.