A few weeks had passed by and Christmas was approaching quickly. Your injuries had almost fully healed; the events of that day by the river resulted in you sustaining a concussion and a wound to your abdomen that luckily didn't harm any organs but did require a few stitches. You were back to doing your farm chores, as usual.

Marilla and Matthew had some trouble adjusting to the news at first, but after having a few long conversations with them and disclosing the full truth, soon came around and everything was almost back to normal. You now more a navy blue pintuck dress that Marilla had sewn for you around the house, but for doing the chores you still opted to wear high-waisted grey trousers and a white puff-sleeved blouse. You helped Marilla with the cooking now, too; domestic chores weren't really your forte, but Marilla needed the help. It also seemed like she enjoyed teaching you about baking and sewing, so it was a good bonding experience for the two of you.

After you and Matthew finished feeding the cows, he went out to plow and you walked back to the barn to brush the horses before letting them outside for the morning. As you were starting on the second horse, you heard the barn doors creak open slowly and then close. Assuming it was Matthew, you started to speak. "I think the white filly's got a bit of mud fever on her back hocks. We should probably go into town later and get some- oh," You paused, peering over the tall horse's back to see not Matthew, but Gilbert. "Hi," you murmured shyly, softly brushing the animal's neck in long strokes.

There was a silence, each of you unsure of what to say but happy to be in the company of the other. He cleared his throat, becoming aware that he was staring. "Um, so, how are you doing?"

"I'm better, thank you."

"Good..." he trailed, clearly hesitating to get to his point. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Of course, anything." You continued brushing the horse in an attempt to look distracted. Your cheeks felt hot.

"Has anyone told you about the winter dance?"

You shrugged. "Diana mentioned it I think." There was a fluttering feeling behind your ribs.

"Well, would you like to go? With me, I mean." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Of course I would," you replied softly, stepping out of the horse's pen. You took both of his hands in yours. "However, I don't think I can."

"Why not?"

"Just between you and I," you whispered, your (E/C) eyes fluttering up to meet his gaze. "Ruby was hoping you'd ask her. After what she's been through, I don't think I could bear to take that away from her."

Gilbert sighed with relief, chuckling softly. "Ruby is going with Billy. He asked her when she woke up at Doc Spencer's."

"Oh, I see." You nodded, a mischevious smile slowly sliding across your lips. "I suppose it's a date, then."

He nodded, grinning softly. "It's a date."

--

The day of the formal dance had finally arrived, after many butterflies and mostly sleepless nights. You would be lying if you said you weren't terribly nervous, but also very, very excited. Standing in front of the mirror in your bedroom, you smoothed the creases of your navy dress. You thought it was nice; probably not as extravagant as what the other girls would be wearing, but it was decent. There wasn't really much that could be done with your hair since it was still so short and choppy. You were distracted from your thoughts by voices downstairs, followed by footsteps coming up the hall. Opening your bedroom door, you saw none other than Diana, Ruby, and Josie. Ruby promptly sprung forward and tackled you a big hug, squealing. The three of them looked beautiful; silk and lace gloves, pearl necklaces, ribbons in their hair. Diana was wearing her signature color, baby blue, but the dress was floor-length and adorned with lace. Josie was wearing a pale green dress with white bows, and Ruby wore a frilly peach dress with puffed sleeves.

"Hey, you guys," You smiled giddily, hugging each of them. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, since this is your first official dance probably ever, we wanted to come by and help you get ready." Diana beamed.

"Speaking of... what is that?" Josie heckled, looking your dress up and down.

You rolled your eyes. "A dress, Josie. It's the only one I have, the rest of my clothes are boy clothes."

Diana looked at the other two and nodded. "We had a feeling you'd say that." Walking into your room, Diana pulled from behind her back a beautiful floor-length lilac gown. It had a ruffled sweetheart neckline, white lace all the way down the sleeves, and a lace applique that made for a high collar. Even more perfect than in your daydreams. "I wore it to my first cotillion. Now it's yours."

"Oh my god, Diana, it's beautiful." You gently touched the fabric, admiring it. "There's no way I can accept this."

"Yes, you can. My parents said it was fine. And besides, it doesn't fit me anymore." She shoved the dress into your arms. "Now, go change! We're losing daylight!"

You giggled and walked into the bathroom to change. When you came back out, the three of them were sitting on your bed, talking and laughing. They gasped in unison when they looked at you.

"Oh. My. God." Ruby gushed.

You walked over to the mirror and gave a twirl. "Does It look okay?"

"It's perfect!" Diana squealed.

"Really pretty." Josie nodded in agreement. Praise from Josie was rare.

"Come on," Diana stood up, taking your hand and pulling you over to the bed. Ruby dug through her canvas bag and pulled out a powderpuff, dabbing your cheeks to give them a slight rouge. After about a half an hour of primping and a lot of laughing, you were finally ready. Though your hair was short, Josie was able to french braid it across the crown of your head and pinned it with a crystal butterfly barrette. Ruby gave you her older sister's cameo to borrow. The four of you looked like royalty.

--

You and the other girls stepped down from the wagon, thanking Matthew for the ride to the town hall. It was a large, classic-looking white building. Probably the tallest building in little Avonlea, which of course wasn't saying much, but still.

"Are you ready?" Diana asked, linking arms with you.

You nodded, though you were extremely nervous. Taking a deep breath, you proceeded behind Ruby and Josie. The ceilings inside the building were exceptionally tall, lined with crystal chandeliers. The floors were a glossy off-white marble. It was quite a beautiful court building.

"Ah, girls!" From the long hallway, you heard the familiar voice of Mr. Barry, Diana's father. "You all look lovely. Right this way." he guided you to a set of ornate white doors that opened into a large room that was similar in appearance to the rest of the building but the walls were lined with tall oil paintings. You felt dozens of eyes on you and swallowed nervously. This was really the first time everyone was seeing you as a girl. Luckily, in such a small town, word travels incredibly fast; everyone already knew, but there was definitely some gawking and gossiping. Diana lightly squeezed your arm, offering her support. Looking around, you spotted many familiar faces from school; Charlie Sloane, oddly not with his date, Prissy Andrews, who instead looked to be chatting up your teacher, Mr. Phillips. Ruby had already found Billy and the two appeared to be flirting very vivaciously. You saw Miranda Sloane, the Lynde kids, all of the Barry and Gillis siblings; just about everyone you knew in Avonlea was here. Except one. The only one you really wanted to see.

As if he'd read your thoughts, you heard a throat clearing behind you.

"Well hi there," You smiled, spinning around to Gilbert. Diana glanced at each of you, in turn, grinning before excusing herself to join her other friends.

"Evening, madam," he teased, gently kissing your hand. "You look absolutely breathtaking."

You blushed. "As do you, kind sir," you chuckled. The two of you locked eyes and were quiet for a moment.

"Gilbert, I-" You were interrupted by the roar of symphony music. He extended his hand to you, and you accepted it gracefully. The first dance was a cotillion Viennese waltz, which you'd never danced before, but Gilbert kindly guided you through the steps- after a while, you got the hang of it. 1-2-3, 1-2-3, then he'd spin you around, and lift you by your waist. It was pretty simple, though you were trying hard not to step on his foot or start giggling every time you slipped up. He continued to guide you through each dance, from Schottische to Gavotte to Polonaise. Though you hardly exchanged words, just being there with him was enough; your fingers intertwined with his, his hand resting on the small of your back.

After a few more songs, the music picked up the pace, and everyone lined up for the Virginia Reel. It was really amazing what this formal had accomplished- for one night, all bickering and arguments were put aside, and classmates became friends. Dancing with each other, spinning around, laughing and clapping with the rhythm. Your turn came to dance, and Gilbert stepped to you and took your hands in his, spinning you around and guiding you down the line. Next came Diana, who to your surprise was dancing with Charlie Sloane. Then Ruby and Billy, Miranda and Andrew, and so on and so forth. This was one of those moments that you look back on when you're an old person; glints of warm happiness in your brief epoch of youth that still seem to radiate their warm, nostalgic glow in your mind.

The music lulled now, and you and Gilbert decided to take a breather. "You're a fast learner," he laughed, taking a sip of water.

You sat down next to him at one of the many tables that were set up around the perimeter of the ballroom. You grinned shyly, nudging him with your elbow. "I have a good teacher."

He exhaled with a smile, looking over at you. There was something soft in his gaze that you'd never seen before; something vulnerable. You leaned your head on his shoulder as you sat next to him. Everyone seemed to be having a great time; Diana had found the company of Charlie, and they looked to be quite enjoying each other. Billy and Ruby were still dancing and seemed to be doing quite well despite their dramatic height difference. It was pretty cute, actually. And you, holding Gilbert's hand in yours, his warmth next to you, everything about that moment was beautiful. It was perfect.

The symphony began again for one last waltz. Gilbert gently pulled you to your feet but you accidentally stumbled forward, falling into him. You were suddenly very aware of your closeness, along with how many other people were in the room with you, but it almost didn't matter; you felt the same spark that you did that evening in the hayloft at Green Gables when you first confessed your secret to Gilbert. When you had first gone from friends to possibly something more. You felt that maybe Gilbert wanted to kiss you, but couldn't- it would surely scandalize any parents or adults that might be watching, and would definitely give your classmates something to tease the two of you about for, like, the rest of eternity. Instead, he gently began to guide you into the dance, leading you out into the center of the floor and spinning you around gently. You laughed and placed your hand on his shoulder. That last dance seemed to last forever, until it was over, at which time it seemed much more fleeting. Though the music had lulled now, the two of you still stood there, your head on his shoulder, fingers intertwined, softly swaying.

There was a soft, feminine throat clearing from behind you, but you were far too enraptured in the moment to notice. It was Gilbert who brought it to your attention that Diana was standing behind you, tapping her foot. "I'm sorry to break this up, (Y/N), but we have to go! My father's waiting outside, and he's not a patient man."

You nodded slowly, still sort of in a trance. "Oh, yes, of course." Before Diana could yank you away, Gilbert gently lifted your hand to his lips once again and kissed your knuckles.

"See you at school, Cinderella," he smiled charmingly as he bid you adieu.

"Goodnight Gil," You sighed dreamily. Diana was practically dragging you away by your wrist, and you sort of just let it happen. Your mind was still on that glossy dance floor, waltzing and spinning in the candlelight.

This had been much, much better than even your most elaborate daydreams.