Ch 1
Mabel's p.o.v.
It had been a long day, and I was looking forward to going home for a soak in the hot springs later when I ran into Julius. He's been trying to woo Candace and he was looking for some special gems for a gift.
So I decided to help, because Julius and Candace are great friends, but also I could sell the excess ores to expand my house. Having a little more room would be great so my bed's not in my kitchen.
Sadly most of my funds have gone to my fields, animals and this quest to ring all the bells. I've rang them all once, but now I'm trying to get the hero title so I can ring them all at once. Which means I need to go gangbusters on my farm.
Its close to lunch time so I stop in town to grab some mushroom rice, for Owen. I know the guys got to be hungry. Then I run up to the church and hop onto the mine cart. I love the mine cart, not only does it save time but its like an a mini coaster. Before I know it I'm at the Garmon mine district.
I pull out my hammer and begin my descend into the mines saying hi to Chloe on the way in, remembering to give her the cool shell I found. "Hey Chloe how far down is your cuz.", I yell.
"He's pretty deep Mabel but for some reason he forgot his lunch today.", she says, "No prob, I brought extra so if I see him I'll share.", I say smiling as I head down. I loved coming out to Garmon most for one main reason, my best friend Owen. When he smiles at me I feel like I can do anything. And with the weight of an island on my shoulders I need all the encouragement I can get even though me and Finn are in this on my own. Finn had decided to hang at the spring today since watching me mine gets boring.
I go down a few floors before I start hammering away since I need to work and haven't seen Owen yet.
After a few I see a figure come up a set of stairs and spot the spiky red hair of my crush and best friend.
I look up smiling as he comes closer. "Hey Owen, I was wondering when I'd run into you .", I say cocking my head as he gives me his sweet lopsided grin.
"Hey Mabel didn't expect to see you here today, thought you were fishing.", he says.
"I'm still going fishing later but Julius asked me to help him with a stone for a brooch he's making for his Candy.", I say grinning "You leaving early today?",
"Oh I forgot my lunch so I was headed up for a bite to eat.", he replies.
"Oh that reminds me,", I say as I pull my rucksack off and reach in. "I brought you some lunch.", I say handing him the container from Yolanda's.
"Wow, thanks Mabel, I can always count on ya. . why don't you have a sit with me while I eat this and keep me company.", he says smiling at me.
"Sure.", I say as we each pop a squat (for those who don't know it means to sit down.). And I lean onto the wall. "So what have you been up to today?". he says politely digging in while I smile and try to think what I did.
"Let's see, I guess the usual you know harvested, planted and watered some crops, harvested from the birds and cattle then let them out for the day. Then I got some lumber, and while I was that way I picked up the stuff so before I went to town I could impregnate one of my cows and did that and then I went to town hall to purchase the plot by the water wheel so I can fill it with trees.", I said chewing my lip while unconsciously counting on my fingers to see if I forgot to do something. Hmm come to think of it if I fix up that old mill on my property I can save myself some time.
As usual Owen has a genuine and thoughtful look of interest. "You've had a busy day today already then.", he says. "Yea I guess you get used to it, eventually.", I say.
"Well if you need any help I can come by Thursday on my day off.", he says and it makes me feel so warm at the thought.
"I can't ask that Owen, it's your only day off.", I say not wanting him to sacrifice his day off for me.
"Naw I don't mind Mabel, besides you do so much for others around here, you can accept a little help once in a while.", he says leaning forward a moment to push a strand of hair behind my ear and I feel myself blushing a little as I chew my top lip.
"Thanks Owen, I'll take your offer into consideration.", I say smiling as he gives me this look where his eyes are searching mine like he's trying to decide something.
"Hey Mabel, try not to overwork yourself , I don' t wanna see you getting sick or hurt.", he says leaning over putting a hand on mine.
"Thanks for worrying Owen, but I'll be ok.", I say smiling. "So how's your luck down here been today?" I ask. "It's been good so far", he says rubbing the back of his head. "mostly hitting iron and junk though.",
"Well I guess I better get back to work.", I say grabbing for my hammer only to be pulled into one of Owen's hugs. I swear he gives the best hugs. "Yea thanks for lunch Mabel, take care of yourself." he says "and if you need me I'm just a few floors down."
He heads back down as I get back to hammering. After 4 hours all I've got to show for my efforts today is a lot of junk ore and some salt. But I did find lots of yummy mushrooms while mining.
As I hit the next rock gas shoots out and by the color it's a bad gas so I jump back and look for cover only to hit a section of brittle floor dodging the poison gas and the ground under me gives and I can't help but scream as I fall and catch my arm on a jagged edge cutting it yelling "Owen!" before hitting my head as I land a few floors down I see a blurred out line running for me yelling my name worriedly as I try to push myself up before things go dark.
Owen's p.o.v.
It's been 4 hours since I've seen Mabel and as usual she stays on my mind as I work. She's always had uncanny timing and I was so grateful she brought me a lunch. I was about to swing my hammer down when I heard some rocks falling a floor above me as I hear a loud scream from Mabel as I hear her yell my name. I drop my hammer running up the stairs "Mabel!", I shout repeatedly as I spot a spot where a lot of rocks have fallen and I spot Mabel trying to get up.
She has blood trickling from her head and she's struggling to get up as I run to her "Mabel!", I shout again as she faints forward but this time I'm to her side and drop to grab her as she falls forward.
I then notice her arm is also hurt and bleeding pretty bad as I pick her up bridal style and hold her close to me. "Come on Mabel wake up let me know your ok.", I say standing with her in my arms. She's so light despite how strong she is. I carry the passed out farmer out of the farm where my uncle spots me and runs up to us.
"Mabel!, Owen, What happened to her.", he asks. "I think she hit a bad floor section and fell through. I heard her scream, and went running.", I say heading for the mine car knowing it's the fastest way to the clinic from here. "Gramps can you ask Chloe and Luke to go put Mabel's animals in for her.", I say as he takes her a moment while I hop in the car taking her back in my arms as my Uncle nods going to look for Chloe and Luke while I hit the lever for the car. Before I know it were on the way.
"Hang in there Mabel I got you.", I say to her during the ride while I hold her unconscious form. It seems like hours even though it's only been minutes by the time I reach the church grounds. I gather the farmer and hop out of the cart. I carry her carefully to the clinic adjusting her to the one arm so I can open the door.
As I enter I hear Irene and Anissa gasp.. "Owen what happened to Mabel?", says Anissa as Irene leads me quickly to a bed which I gently lay Mabel down on as she runs to get Jin.
He gets in and starts asking me questions while he checks her vitals and I answer to the best of my ability as he examines her open wounds and bruises while Irene stitches and cleans the wound on her arm.
"Well Owen looks like she has a little bit of a concussion to go with the laceration on her arm.", states Jin. "She should be ok though, I'll have to keep her after she wakes up for 24 hours to monitor her.", he says "But she's gonna have to take it easy when she's out she's not gonna be able to do most of her chores because she can't get her stitches dirty or wet and she's going to be out of it for a few days but that's not the hard part.", he says raising an eyebrow.
"What's the hard part?", I ask "Getting her to comply she's a farmer after all, she's got a lot of farm work to do and taking time off is hard." he answers.
"I'll make sure she takes it easy.", I say as I grab my phone and call my uncle to tell him what's happening and he tells me that until Mabel's back on her feet its my job to keep her out of trouble.
While a now patched and cleaned up Mabel rests I sit by her bed watching her as I stroke her head.
I watch as she slowly stirs. She looks at me confused as she puts a hand to her head when she opens her eyes. "Owen?", she says looking at me. "I'm so glad you woke up, you scared us.", says Jin sternly " what happened to you ."
"I was trying to dodge the mine gas and fell on the floor and it caved.", she says weakly. I swear her eyes give away that she's got a million things going through her mind as she looks like she's thinking hard.
"Well Mabel, you've got a laceration on your arm and a bad hit to the head giving you a concussion so I'm gonna have to keep you hear for 24 hours to observe you and you'll have to take it easy after you go home, no exerting yourself.", Jin says to her firmly.
She slowly sits up and I put a arm behind her and try to help her as her eyes begin to form another billion unspoken questions and thoughts.
"Don't worry Mabel, I talked to my uncle and he's ordered me to help you on the farm until your better.", I say smiling as she nods. "Thank you.", she says looking at me as Irene hands her some pain killers which she pops quickly.
"I'm so tired." she says leaning her head against the wall. "That's the other thin Mabel I can't let you sleep again for the time we're monitoring you. It's just a safety precaution." Dr. Jin says.
I watch her sigh like she's trying to figure things out as my cousin Chloe comes rushing in.
"Ms. Mabel are you ok.", she says hugging Mabel as Mabel they whisper something back and forth. When Mabel pulls away Chloe nods as if understanding something.
Mabel leans back against the wall again. "Now how am I gonna stay awake 24 hours.", she says tiredly.
"Let me take care of that Mabel.", I tell her "I'll be back in a little bit." I say hugging her as I exit the shop. I run home for a few movies and board games and run by the general store and get a ton of junk food.
As I head back to the mine car with my bag Julius stops me. "Hey Owen have you seen Mabel, she said she'd get me some gems today but I'm tired of waiting she's taking to long.", he says as I raise an eyebrow at him.
"She's being kept at the clinic, she got hurt in the mines today so they won't release her for 24 hours and then she's got to take things easy. ", I say looking at him.
"Oh, is she ok. She didn't mutilate her face did she, oh do you know if she got the stones.", he says.
"Frankly Julius I don't care if she got your rocks right now, she's pretty dazed still and I'm just glad she's gonna be ok. Finding her like that in the mine after hearing her scream almost made my heart stop. ", I say as I jump over the side of the car getting in it.
Julius looks at me shocked before hopping in behind me as I pull the lever. Before I know it the car is zooming for the third time I've been in it today. He walks with me babbling about a jewelry piece he's designing and it's hard to stay interested when he talks.
When I asked Mabel earlier I was genuinely interested in how she was doing when we chatted and what she had to say. I love seeing when she gets into talking about her farm in depth as the passion lights up in her eyes, and when she listens to me I can see the genuine interest in her eyes.
But Julius its art this, jewelry that, and I hope Mabel got it. I wish he sounded more concerned about her health though than his broach. He follows me into the clinic and the bell jingles as Irene looks at me relieved. "Oh good, Jin's been making her critic health videos for the school children and I think she's ready to scream.", Irene says smiling and I nod my head. And walk to her room where Mabel is covering her eyes as a person shows a smoking damaged lung while Jin and Anissa look on fascinated.
"Mabel just the woman I wanted to talk to.", shouts Julius from behind me startling the farmer and making her wince. Her head must still hurt. Jin glares at him but he ignores it walking up to her.
"You look a mess, why can't you find a way to keep the dirt of your clothes.", he says looking over her as Jin turns the movie off and I set my bag on the floor by an empty chair as I take a seat close to her while she watches Julius. "What I wanted to know is if you got the stones I asked you for.", he asks Mabel "I really need them."
"No Julius I was looking for them when I fell, I've been here since Owen carried me in unconscious.", she says is a sorry tone.
"Well can you get them tomorrow I need them before the end of the week?", he asks.
"I'm under doctors orders Julius, I'm stuck here for 24 hours and then when I do go home I'm not aloud to even tend my farm this week, let alone lift a hammer mining.", she says looking at him.
"But Mabel", he says whiney and I can see Jin getting annoyed with him. "Julius if your gonna badger my patient I'll have to make you leave Julius.", Jin says glaring at him.
"But she's my friend and I need her help.", he says. "Julius I think Mabel's help is more important than a few rocks.", I say crossing my arms adding my glare to Jin's as I place myself between him and Mabel.
"Julius I can look for the gems again when I'm cleared to go back to work but until then I've got to behave.", she says with her hands now in her lap.
"But Mabel I need to make the broach for Candace's valentine's gift. I need them fast.", he says. "Then pick up a hammer and go get them.", I say starting to lose my cool. He's got to be kidding Mabel's way more important than a stupid broach.
He looks up at me startled by my change in tone. "Julius until you can behave I want you out of my clinic and away from my patient.", Jin says grabbing Julius's collar dragging him out sputtering.
"Don't worry about him Mabel he'll get over it.", I say looking back at her seeing her sad expression.
Mabel's p.o.v.
I felt bad about not getting the stones for Julius, but my head felt sensitive and I knew from talking to Chloe after Owen left he was put in charge of keeping me out of trouble until I'm cleared to go back to work and helping me out. And to top it off he was sweet enough to come back and take the time to keep me from going to sleep. We spent most of the time playing cards and or board games.
He'd also brought Junk food so we'd be to sugared to sleep easy. Chloe said she'd find Finn and tell him what happened since being a child she'd be able to see him and let him know I'm here with Owen.
I was glad Owen was here with me, if he hadn't found me I might still be stuck in the mines.
I looked up at him from my cards as he concentrated on his.
After a few more hours we were playing UNO and we'd taken turns winning. I was so relieved when the 24 hours was up, but I was tired. My friend Kathy had been kind enough to bring us more food while we were here and updated us on the latest with her boyfriend Luke. (Sorry Luke and Selena fans just can't see it.)
Owen had decided to walk me back to my house and he watched me intently as we walked. It was kind of sweet the way he hovered over me protectively as we walked. When we finally got to my place he waited for me to get my door opened.
I turn to face him before I go in. "Thank you for everything Owen, I don't know what I'd do without you.", I say hugging him as he hugs back.
"Your very welcome Mabel, I'm just glad your ok.", he says by my ear. "I'll see you in the morning so you won't have to worry about the farm." I smile he's always around when I need him. I wave good bye as he leaves and go into my little house shutting the door where I'm greeted by a very hyper Finn.
"Oh my gosh Mabel, Chloe told me what happened I'm so glad your ok.", he shouts hugging me. "Thanks Finn, I'm gonna go sleep now, can you keep the TV low when you watch Sprite Rangers?", I ask crawling into my bed.
"I'm so glad Owen was able to help you Molly, and is still going too, but it's gonna be weird having him here during the day time.", Finn says. "Ya it will, but it's kind of nice to have someone to lean on when I need it. I wonder how many people already have that and take it for granted. I didn't have that till I moved here and this is something tangible I can get help with. " I say "It's not like anyone can help me with reviving the tree.", I say flopping on my bed snuggling under the sheets letting sleep claim me.
In the morning I wake up dragging my but out of the bed. I flip on the radio and make a mug of tea before I pour my cheerios. I grab a note pad and out of habit I start my to do list even though I won't be able to have someone else do all of it. Finn sits across from me eating his Trix, while we discuss the list.
"Ok I have the strawberrys to harvest and turn into jam today, Finn can you get the wild berries and herbs today?", I ask looking up. "Sure Mabel.", he says smiling "anything for you." and I smile back
"Ok then I have to have the weeds pulled and there tomatoes to harvest, and everything needs a quick watering. Hmm do you think the flowers could use a little more fertilizer I could call in an order.", I look up at Finn as he looks thoughtful a moment.
"Yea that would be a good idea and then maybe we can get some honey again.", he says smiling and I smile back.
"Ok then I'll call an order on that, hmm I filled the fodder and feed yesterday, sheep is sheared, so the got to milk the cows and brush them, and make and send out the cheese, then got to get and make mayo with the eggs." I say
"What about expanding the coup so we can get silk worms.", he asks. "That would be a good idea but I wanna hold off on that till I can handle it on my own fully again, but I'd also thought I should start planning to fix the mill.", I say pulling out my long term list.
"Yea I can see that, your not gonna know what to do with yourself with Owen coming to do your chores for you today and not being clear to do anything else.", he says as I add the mill and house expansion to the long term.
"Hey Finn can you peek in the tool box and see how much gold ore I have is it enough for a few upgrades yet.", I say as he flies over popping it open.
"Well we got 5 ore but you know the odds of them all being bars so we should get some more ore before we get it refined.", he says and I nod.
"You know with all these expansions it'd be nice to get the house fixed up, but with all this work to get ready to ring all the bells at once my house keeps getting shoved off. Shoot look at our porch the boards are rotting out.", I say as he nods. "Oh well it's not like we have any family to worry over getting hurt it's just us here, and saving the island comes first. Ugg the bell ringing Finn, this being injured business is putting me behind shedule, I was hoping to climb to the top of the mountain on the first. If I'm gonna do that I have to bust my but." I say putting my head in my hands.
"Relax Mabel you can only do so much, and you got hurt so you need to look after your health so you can do what's asked of you.", he says coming around and hugging me. "Thanks Finn, well I better call in the order before Owen gets here." I say getting up and cleaning our dishes before going to make my call to Taylor's.