Chapter Twenty-Three:
"What? No, I'm Not!"
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Mabel sat across from Sebastian on the train, her eyes focusing on the lush green as the train sped over the tracks. Anne's movement in her peripheral vision caused her to turn her head.

She smiled to herself when she saw Anne grab Sebastian's hand for comfort. She had always been so kind.  Sebastian looked down at her hand, a brief moment of confusion flashing in his eyes as he moved his other hand to rest on top of hers. "Thank you, but not a good idea."

Anne furrowed her eyebrows, turning her head to look at the couple gossiping in the other aisle.

Mabel frowned, stretching her legs. "Why must people be so.. discriminatory?"

"That will certainly always be a mystery to me." Gilbert agreed, nodding his head towards Mabel.

~~

"Cole!" Mabel shouted, jumping from the carriage and rushing towards him. "Cole!"

Cole turned, just in time to see Mabel for a split second before she tossed her arms around his neck, letting her legs fall freely as he picked her up. Anne smiled, passing them and entering the house to greet Aunt Jo.

"Woah!" Cole laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist and spinning her around. "Mabel.."

She buried her head in his neck as she closed her eyes, relishing in the happiness she felt.

Mabel smiled up at him, her arms slipping from his shoulders to his upper arms. "Oh, my, have I missed you!"

Cole nodded, taking her hand in his own as he led her up the stairs. "The art lessons are spectacular!"

Mabel grinned as Cole led her to where Anne and Aunt Jo had disappeared to. "Cole, I'm simply so happy for you!"

Cole thanked her as he shut the door behind the two. Mabel furrowed her eyebrows, stifling a laugh as she saw Anne's struggle.

Anne huffed, jumping and trying to pull up the skirt.

"Would you like any help?" Mabel offered, folding her hands in her lap as Cole rested his hand on the back of the chair behind her.

"No, thank you!" Anne huffed, jumping again. "It's kind of hard to explain, other than to say that it feels right that I finish the search on my own."

Mabel nodded to herself, forgetting that she wouldn't be joining Anne on this journey. She was quite alright with that, as long as it meant she got to spend time with Cole. She hadn't seen him in months. The last time she had seen him was at the time of her near death experience.

"Mabel, dear, how ever did you get your parents to agree to let you come see us?" Aunt Jo asked, sipping her tea.

The corner of her lips turned up, "They think I'm at the Barry's. Which, technically, I am. I certainly hope they don't run into Mr. or Mrs. Barry.. that would be a tragedy for me.." Mabel explained, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I would never be allowed out of the house again."

"Thank you all, a million times over for believing me mature enough, unlike Marilla." Mabel stifled a laugh, gently setting her tea on the table. Seconds later, Anne stepped out from behind the divider.

Mabel felt a smile lift onto her face, "You look beautiful already, Anne." Mabel complimented, unable to stop her mind from wandering to kissing her.

Anne swallowed thickly, grinning at her. "Well, do I pass for someone old enough to not need a chaperone?"

Cole walked over to her, picking up the braids she had tied her hair into. "Not with these braids, you don't. Jo, you must work your magic."

"I am setting my overpowering nostalgia aside." Aunt Jo pushed herself up, walking over to Anne with the help of her cane. "To continue to aid and abet this folly."

"I'm sorry, Aunt Jo, but one day or another, my maturation was inevitable."

"Hm.. Well, I can still wish that youth wasn't always in such a hurry. Brush please." Aunt Jo continued, taking the brush from Anne's hands.

"Although, I can't imagine why I was in such a rush to wear a corset." Anne shifted uncomfortably, causing Mabel to grimace at the thought of having to wear one. "How do you stand it?"

"At my age, it's the only thing keeping me upright." Aunt Jo said, leaning closer to Anne with a laugh.

Mabel let out a giggle, walking over with Cole, pushing the oversized hat up her head and out of her eyes.

"Either of these would do, which do you prefer?" Cole held up to hat options to Anne.

"Um.." Anne hummed, examining each of them carefully. "This one!" She pointed at the hat Mabel wore on her head.

Mabel giggled, slipping it off. "Are you sure?"

Anne nodded, taking the hat from Mabel's hands, her heart skipping a beat when their fingers brushed. "I'm sure."

Mabel nodded to herself, watching as Anne gently placed the hat on her head once Aunt Jo had finished her hair.

"Okay," Anne stood, smoothing out her dress. "How do I look?"

Her eyes focused on Mabel, waiting for a reaction from the girl.

"Mesmerizing.." Mabel breathed out, a dreamy smile brightening her face. Cole and Aunt Jo shared a knowing look before Aunt Jo led her out of the room.

Mabel's eyes remained focused on where Anne previously stood, a glossy look in her eyes. Cole pursed his lips, trailing his eyes over her face. "You're in love with Anne."

"What? No, I'm not!" Mabel whipped her head towards him, frantically shaking her head no.

Cole rose his eyebrows, crossing his arms. "It's obvious to anyone who cares to look close enough."

Mabel's look of horror remained on her face, until she realized that Cole wasn't mad. "I'm more than in love with her.."

Cole nodded his head, "She loves you too, doesn't she?"

Mabel shook her head sadly, sitting down at the vanity and staring at herself in the mirror. "No, I don't think so."

~~

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pasture: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He resorteth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." The pastor spoke, his eyes reading over every word as he read from the Bible. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

Mabel blinked away the tears as she watched relatives and friends place flowers on Mary's grave.

Mabel sniffed, turning to Anne and throwing her arms around her, tears beginning to flow freely down her face.  "It hurts, Anne."

"I know," Anne whispered hoarsly, rubbing her hand up and down Mabel's back, "I know."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

{ Word Count: 1176 }

{ A/n: chapter 30 is the final chapter,,, we're so close,,, I might cry.. }

{ Edited: No }