Author's Note:

Guest: I'm glad you enjoyed and enjoyed binge reading this :)

A Talking Cat: Thanks for the ideas! I incorporated it in- hope you enjoy. The idea of it continuing is interesting but I always planned for this ending.

Guest: Yes Roy was called to task.

L3Writing: You'll love this. Next chapter will be Davy's Celebration

TLWtlw: It was for a time going to be 80 chapters but it ended up getting shortened as the wedding went faster then originally planned.

Astrakelly: Again, enjoy the surprise :)

— Anne —

Wednesday, August 10th, 5:00pm

Redmond Medical Department, Kingsport, Nova Scotia

We entered back into the room where the hearing was. Though this time instead of letting Gilbert go and stand on the podium alone I clung to his arm and went with him. Despite the disapproval stares of the old men sitting as judge and jury for us in the classroom chairs. I saw Mr. Philips return, smirking over at Roy, the only man on the committee it seemed under thirty.

The leader spoke. "The vote was cast. As you know with twelve members and a 2/3rs majority require to vote for your retaining of he Cooper Prize, I am sorry to inform you that the vote was 7 in favor of you remaining as the Cooper Prize recipient. And 5 apposing. I thank you for your time. OF course we will be reviewing if any reprimands are needed for your placement in the medical program, and all monetary rewards, and accademnet acclaims from being the Cooper Prize…"

I felt my heart drop to my feet. No! Gilbert had worked so hard.

"I change my vote." I startled at the voice, looking up to see Roy standing. "He's right you know. I'd rather a man who knows his mistakes and owns it operating on me, then a man of pride not seeing the log in his own eye operating to take the spec out of mine."

The leader nodded. "Then let the records state that the final vote was 8 to 4. Gilbert Blythe will remain as the recipient of the Cooper Prize in the year of our Lord 1886. He will though be reprimanded and will complete community service." He glanced over at one of the other men. "At the clinic serving the prostitutes and sailors by the warf."

I glanced at Gilbert, joy sparkling in both our eyes.

"Of course!" Gilbert responded. "I'd be glad to."

"You and your wife of course will be beyond reproach and any other infractions on the morals and ethics agreements will result not only in the immediate pulling of your scholarship but also your place at Redmond's Medical department."

"Of course."

"NO!" Mr. Philips rushed forward, his face red. "They're immoral."

"Mr. Philips." Gilbert stood tall beside me as he spoke. "We're all sinners. We all make mistakes. But the key is forgiveness."

"That's right young man." The eldest man in the room stood, he'd not spoken before now. "Who does deserve forgiveness more? The one who admits their faults or the one who denies it. I'll look forward to you in my class this fall. You're a fine young man." He turned to me then. "Your husband is a man of honor. He could have run, he could have tried to hide his sins. He could have been as this man." He waved to Mr. Philips. "Congratulations Mrs. Blythe."

We'd walked out then, and as we stepped into the late afternoon sunlight I smiled, glanced over at Mr. Philips and grinned. "I guess I best thank you Mr. Philips, for your matchmaking. You were after all the one who sat me with Gilbert all those years ago."

He just glared us, but we ignored him, instead with laughter and handshakes we bid farewell to Dr. Bernard, my husband promised to report to the clinic the following morning, and hand in hand we ran together down the hill. Laughing like children.

I knew we'd celebrate, with the Carrolls, with the Blakes, and then on our own. Quite glad to not have an audience, and quite glad that my husband has learned I'm not a cow.

—*—*—*—*—

Author's Note: Lovely readers. I've loved being on this journey with you! This story will have 3 more chapters, but I may do a full edit and finally actually read the story myself beginning to end. Several of the chapters are first drafts with just re-reading the previous chapter. IT's been a big learning curve writing it, especially as I changed the plot direction part way through and rather than outlining in detail as I've done in the past the whole story, I just tried to keep an eye on key plot points and focused on writing as I go. I'm already working on the next story in my spare time, though I plan to finish the first draft before I start posting. I write for my own enjoyment first, and yours second so I pray and hope you've enjoyed this story, and will the next one. The next one will include more of Davy & Dora and I'm giving Davy a dog, a big Bernese Mountain Dog (Why because I found a drawing from that time period that looks just like Anne and the twins a the shore with that dog). So if you want to reply in the comments what you think Davy would name that dog I'd love your thoughts!