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Everyday, John Blythe would walk her home from school. It was a long walk, but it had always felt short. They would walk and talk for minutes, and they never seemed to have a problem with what to talk about next. There was endless conversation that Marilla thought could continue up until his death had they lived together, had she been a bit more forgiving and accepting.
"Marilla." John Blythe called her as he took the woven basket carrying her left-over lunch.
"Oh, thank you." She smiled.
"Since it would be a year of our courtship on Saturday, I was hoping you might want to oblige to go on a picnic with me. Lunch time?"
Marilla blushed. "I… That is…"
"You know you do not have to say yes, Marilla. I would never force you to do something you are not comfortable doing."
"No, no. That would be lovely. Of course, I will come." She stopped walking and faced him, "My attempt to process your thoughtfulness took my ability to speak." She chuckled trying to assure him she loved the idea.
"For a moment I thought you have had enough of me." He chuckled.
When she came home, she immediately tried to think of something to offer John Blythe to compensate for the picnic he prepared. She was just the plain Marilla, hence, the only thing she thought of at first was a letter. After a while, she thought of adding another gift which is a charm made of string with her locks of hair on it. She smiled, hoping John Blythe would love it.
Saturday came, and Marilla awakened with a certain glow in her eyes. She was humming a love song when she realized it would be the first time she and John will be alone, as Matthew always chaperoned them whenever John walks her home. Only that the former would always be meters away behind, so they managed to have some privacy. This time, however, Marilla did not tell anyone where she was off to. She did not know what had gotten into her, but she wanted to revel in this day without anyone knowing and to just be her entire full self with John.
She arrived at their rendezvous, and John was carrying a huge woven basket covered with a blue fabric. She smiled at him.
"Good afternoon, Miss Marilla." John Blythe teased as he bowed at her.
"Oh do not act fool, John."
"Today, I am your servant. However, as much as I do not want you exhausted from walking, we still need to walk for about ten minutes."
"Do not be silly, that is short. And I am warning you, I do not want surprises, John. I am clinging onto your words that this is just going to be a picnic."
"Yes, ma'am. Of course." He smiled at her. John Blythe knew Marilla better than she knew herself. He knew that she did not like to be blindsided or clueless, even for romance's sake. She shall always have to know what is coming her way. Otherwise, she would walk away. This was something John Blythe learned the hard way when he confessed his feelings for her in front of other students at school. Marilla has always loved her own space, away from public fuss. And if there is something she did entirely consciously, it is to make sure she would not draw any attention into herself.
"We are here. As told, picnic it is." John Blythe said as he set up the cloth to the grass. "Come, sit with me." He patted the space beside him.
As promised to herself, Marilla would be unguarded and unrestrained. She removed her shoes and socks. John was surprised to see her leg, so he immediately gazed away. "Must you really remove your socks?"
"Why not? I want to feel the fabric."
"Very well." John Blythe said as he tried to relax himself. He was a bit disgruntled by this act he never knew Marilla could ever do. To distract himself, he instead put out the fruits, cheese, and apple juice from the basket.
"My, my. These all look delicious."
"It certainly is. Mother helped me prepare."
Marilla coughed, "She is aware we are together alone?"
"No. I told her we are chaperoned, but I also asked her to not make so much fuss about it or tell a word to the elders. Well, she agreed."
Marilla turned quiet and worried. John noticed it and said, "Marilla, you have nothing to worry about. You know my mother, she is never a deliverer of gossips. She would just take in everything, and that's it."
Marilla nodded and smiled, "Yes, of course. Silly me."
After eating, John rested his head on her lap. "I hope this is really fine by you. You tell me if I am starting to get heavy on your thighs, okay?"
"Yes, do not mind me. I am fine and comfortable." She said. John closed his eyes, inhaled the fresh afternoon breeze.
"I love you, Marilla." He said with his eyes closed.
"I am very much aware of that." She chuckled. Her hand was near his hair, she was second-guessing whether to brush his hair with her hands or not. She was hesistant as she was unsure of how would John take such a gesture. Nevertheless, she took a leap and slowly brush her hands through his black hair. He smiled, opened his eyes, and immediately sat up to face her. "Marilla, do you think it possible we share a kiss?"
She gulped the lump on her throat, thinking how was she supposed to respond to that. She was startled and confused, so she stood up and carried her shoes and socks to get away.
"Marilla." John called.
"Marilla, I did not mean to upset you. We do not have to..." He yelled as he attempted to run after her, but knowing her, he knew it was best to let her go. John felt guilty and frustrated of how stupid he had been to ruin such an already delightful afternoon. He breathed out and reclined on the cloth as he crossed his arm on his head. "Such an imbecile, John." He said.
After a few moments, he heard footsteps on the grass, so he stood up. It was Marilla, she came back with shoes and stocks still on her hands. "I am so sorry, Marilla. I did not mean to ruin this for us. Please, you know that was just me, being stupid and being so caught up in the moment that I no longer think. Please, forgive me."
"No, John. I overreacted. It is me who should be apologizing." She came closer, and he wrapped him in an embrace.
"I have a gift for you." She said as she parted from the hug to take the letter and the charm out of her pocket and gave him.
"Oh, Marilla, you did not have to. You and your presence alone is already a gift."
They sat and she demanded, "The letter is for later, when you are alone. Otherwise, you will embarass me."
John immediately kept it in his shirt, and that made her laugh. "I hope you love the charm."
"I do. I hope you love today." He answered.
" I do." She smiled and touched his face, "And I do think I would love if you kissed me."
John smiled, caressed her cheek to make her comfortable as he felt her shaking. He held her hand as he touched his lips on hers. Her eyes were still closed when he parted from the kiss, and he watched her as he touched her lower lip. She opened her eyes. As they look at each other, a sly smile appeared their faces. Marilla tucked strands of her hair behind her ears, while John scratched his nape, and they laughed.
"Mr. Blythe." John smiled and looked at her eyes as he knew that was her term of endearment for him. "Hmm?" He asked.
Marilla softly caressed his cheeks, "If you do not mind, the next time you want to kiss me, you just kiss me."
"I do not mind at all, Miss Cuthbert" John answered as he leaned over her and kissed her more passionately than they shared moments ago.
After walking Marilla near Green Gables, John Blythe made a stop on the woods to delight himself with the charm and the letter that reads:
"Dearest John,
I have written this letter two days ago, but I am certain in my assumptions that the day we just had was the loveliest of all the times we had together.
You have been nothing but loving and caring to me, and I wish that this magic and joy you have been making me feel is the same emotions you revel with whenever we are together, and whenever I cross your mind.
I do hope you love my gift. It symbolizes not only my devotion and love for you, but also the period for which they shall last – forever.
Yours,
Marilla."