Hi, my name is Liz, and I decided to write this story out of complete boredom, insomnia, and love for both Harvest Moon and writing.

I would like to say a few things before I start:

1. I don't own Harvest Moon, none of the characters, places, or anything are mine. Don't sue me, Natsume creates the characters, I create the story.

2. Please, Please, Please write reviews for this story. I enjoy constructive critisism and positive comments both, but please do not flame my work.

3. I will take several weeks, possibly even months to update this story, so don't complain! I'm a busy gal, and I can't afford many sleepless nights. I'll do my best for my fans, though!

4. Enjoy it and please don't hate me if I can't spell character's names correctly.

Now, on with the show!

Chapter One: It All Started With A Letter

It was an ordinary day in ForgetMeNot Valley. The sun made its way into the colorless sky, while several inhabitants of the small town began to rise out of their straw beds to begin a long day of difficult farm work. One of these citizens, a widower named Takkura rose just as he did every day; with a small grunt, a glance at the picture of his deceased wife, and a quick check of his humble abode. Everything was just as dusty and bland as it was the day before, and the troubled man sighed as he opened his wooden door. A red card that had been carefully placed on top of the door fluttered like a beautiful butterfly into his wrinkled hands. Takkura glanced around the old farm to find a possible writer of the brightly-colored letter, but the plantation was empty, as usual. His shaking, withered hands frailly opened the letter to reveal its contents.

Dear Tak,

I don't know if you remember me, but I know you knew my father, Joseph. As you are well-aware, my father considered you one of his best friends and he was honored to have a loyal friend like yourself in his life. Unfortunately, his cancer spread to his brain, and he passed away this Saturday. I am at a loss for words now, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would allow me to stay at my father's farm, until I can sort things out. I plan on arriving in ForgetMeNot Valley at the start of the growing season in Spring. I will do my best to help you on the farm in return for your hospitality.

Thank you,

Leah

Takkura dropped the crimson note immediately after reading it; he was in disbelief, shock, and every possible negative emotion at the same time. His friend, Joseph was a great, ambitious man that was successful as a stock-trader in New York City. Despite all of his wealth and earnings, Joseph was not happy unless he was in ForgetMeNot Valley, the place he had met Leah's mother and his only true love. The rich man's daughter, from what Takkura remembered of her, was a spoiled teenager that despised dirt and refused to leave the house her father built on the plantation. The old farmer could not help but wonder why the girl who claimed she would never plant a crop had decided to visit ForgetMeNot Valley, instead of the many mansions her deceased father had bought. Befuddled, Takkura decided to deviate from his regular schedule and visit Vesta's farm. He hoped that the younger Marlin or Celia would remember more about Leah than his aged brain could, and he rushed towards the prosperous farm, preparing questions for the workers.

"Marlin, Celia!" Takkura's raspy voice called the two middle-aged farmers, and they swiftly appeared in front of him.

"What can we do for you today, Sir?" asked Celia with a cheerful, yet respectful smile. Takkura had always admired Celia's child-like optimism and cheerfulness from the day she moved into ForgetMeNot Valley to assist at Vesta's farm, and he graciously returned her soft smile.

"I was wondering if either of you remembered a girl named Leah," the elder farmer responded. Celia simply stared at him blankly, but Takkura noticed a change in Marlin's posture. His usually hunched back stood up straight and his inexpressive face changed into a soft shade of pink. The female farmer noticed these changes in her close friend, and decided to leave the conversation to let the two men talk alone.

"No, I don't remember a girl named Leah," began the younger of the two workers. He shifted positions, awkwardly and nervously focusing his beady eyes at the sky. "I do, however remember a woman named Leah," he said still staring aimlessly at the cumulus clouds in the sky. "I had a sort-of romance going on with her, but I was, erm, I was a bit too..." Marlin's eyes changed again, beginning to tear. It was obvious to Takkura that the pain of whatever happened between the two lovers was still fresh, and he decided not to inquire the damaged man again. The elder plantation keeper gently patted Marlin's shoulder, and left to find Vesta, Marlin's talkative older sister. Takkura found the burly woman planting tomato seeds for the spring, showing the smaller Celia that it was necessary to be gentle with the future plants. The wrinkled, bitter farmer snickered at the irony.

"Vesta, I need to speak with you alone." His tone was grave, and serious. The strong redhead rose, and motioned him to follow her into the tool shed, where her best work was done. Once they were alone, Joseph's friend spoke again, "Do you remember what happened between Marlin and Leah?" he inquired the chatty woman, knowing the story he was about to hear could quite possibly take hours.

"Ah, my old friend! Marlin and Leah, they had a little romance goin' on. My brother really loved her, first time in his life that he was ever happy, last time too. They were always together, she even lied to Joe, sayin' she hated goin' outside, y'see? She snuck o'er here before Joe even woke up! They would spend they day just talkin' and talkin', but he was 19 and she was only 15. He didn't want to hurt her, but he couldn't help but fallin' in love anyway. After a while, ol' Joe caught on and found out the whole thing, and they moved back to the city before Marlin could even say goodbye. It hurt him real bad, and I think he still loves the girl." Vesta finished her anecdote with a small, disapproving frown as she looked at the male farmer. "I say they were just dumb teenagers," the woman grunted as she sauntered out of the tool shed, ending the conversation.