Saturday, Fall 13
Abigail wakes the next morning and instantly notices the bed is empty. She gets up and dresses into her now dry clothes. She turns and tidies the bed, and then sees a note written on the bedside table with her name on it. Smiling, she picks it up and reads Kyron's handwriting;
Abigail
I'll be tending the farm all morning and then going into town. I'll drop by your father's shop and let him know where you are. Stay at the farm as long as you like and raid the fridge for whatever food you want. I'll be back by the afternoon.
Love, Kyron
P.S. - Happy Birthday! There's a wrapped gift for you in the chest next to the bed. Hope you enjoy it.
Abigail smiles and clutches the note to her chest. She looks in the correct chest and takes out a wrapped gift. It is larger than her two fists combined and fairly heavy. She unwraps it and gasps as a gigantic amethyst is revealed. She stares at it and notices a carving of an 'A' surrounded by a heart. Abigail's own heart pounds at the thoughtfulness of the gift and wraps it carefully back up.
She gets some breakfast from the fridge, delighted to find another favourite dish of hers, Spiced Eel. She debates eating it, but decides Kyron may have cooked it for himself or someone else and leaves it. Instead, she cooks an omelette and enjoys it at the table. She glances at the clock and blinks in surprise at the time; 11am. Kyron will probably be nearly finished on the farm by now.
After breakfast, she glances out of the window and sees the farm all tended, with the animals eating the grass. She jumps at the crashing sound of a tree coming down and notices Kyron levelling out some of the small forest threatening to take over his farm. She leaves the house and walks over to him, marvelling at his strength as he hacks through another tree with only three strikes using a Steel Axe.
"Kyron!" Abigail shouts, getting his attention whilst she sprints over to him. The farmer ceases his lumbering and heads over to her, a smile lighting up his face.
"Hey you, feeling better?" he asks. Abigail laughs happily and crashes into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Miles better, all thanks to you." she chirps. They break from the hug.
"I was about to head into town, if you want to join." Kyron says. Abigail thinks a moment, and then nods.
"It's time I faced my father again." she sighs.
"I'll be behind you the whole way. Let's do that first, shall we?"
The new couple head off together, but Abigail stops and rushes back quickly. She reappears carrying the carved amethyst and the bouquet, looking like the happiest girl in the world.
The walk to town seems to rush by as the two chatter about anything and everything. True to his word, Kyron heads for Pierre's shop first, entering to see Pierre at the till. Caroline, Leah and Gus are all in the store as well. Pierre calls out Abigail's name as she enters with Kyron, drawing attention to her.
Caroline and Pierre rush to her, asking if she's okay and apologising for last night. Pierre turns to Kyron while Abigail talks to her mother.
"You found her then?" the shopkeeper asks the farmer. Kyron smiles.
"Obviously. She stayed at my house last night. And she told me about the argument she had with you two." he replies. Pierre winces and says,
"Yes, I was a little harsh on her. But my point remains valid; she doesn't really help out around the shop." Kyron sees Abigail's features flash with anger from behind Pierre.
"Well it is a small shop, Pierre. There probably isn't that much she can do to help. Anyway, I thought she was working and trying to earn money by other means? I thought she was trying to sell some of her artwork to try and pay her keep?"
"Well it's not selling." Pierre replies somewhat impatiently, "And she's old enough to get a job now."
"I know she is. It's something I wish to speak with you about." Pierre blinks, and behind him, Caroline and Abigail look over in interest. Kyron sees both women flash a smile at him, which he returns and then addresses Pierre.
"Why doesn't Abigail help me around the farm? She'll be up early, and getting plenty of exercise and she'll be with me. You'll have one less mouth to feed." Kyron suggests. Abigail's face lights up and beams at Kyron and Caroline smiles in amusement at her daughter's reaction. Pierre, however, narrows his eyes. Kyron senses Gus and Leah paying attention to the conversation.
"So, you'll just take her in? Where will she sleep? You only have one bed, do you not? Have you enough food to feed yourself and her? Do you know what she likes, where she goes during the day, her routine? Do you know her birthday?"
Kyron frowns at the questions and answers in amusement, "Her birthday is today, I'd like to say, and she's already had two gifts from me." Kyron sees Leah approach Abigail and Caroline. Abigail flashes the bouquet and amethyst so Leah can see, and the red-haired girl's face lights up. She hugs Abigail in congratulations, both of them giggling.
"What are you two giggling at?" Pierre asks, turning to see them.
"Oh, show him, Abi!" Leah says, a joyous expression on her face. Abigail looks nervous, and then produces the carved amethyst, and then the bouquet for her parents to see.
"Kyron gave you those?" Pierre questions his daughter, who nods happily, nearly crying with joy again. Pierre whirls back to Kyron.
"I don't see why you'd be angry Pierre." the farmer says calmly, "You know I've been interested in her for a while. As for your earlier questions, she will sleep in the bed, and I live on a farm, so I'm sure I have plenty of food for her. She can carry on her routine as she usually does or change it to suit her needs and wants. It's up to her."
"I'm not angry, but I wish you'd told me first. You bought the bouquet a while ago, I remember you buying it. You could have told me it was intended for my daughter."
"When did you buy it?" Leah asks Kyron.
"A few weeks ago. I've been waiting for the right time to give it to her, but alas, I was always too busy. Summer is a busy time for a farmer."
"Did I hear correctly?" Gus joins the conversation, "Are Abigail and Kyron together?"
Abigail bounces happily, flourishing the bouquet for Gus to see and the bartender cheers.
"Well, she can move in with you if it's okay with you, and her of course." Pierre says. He glances at his daughter who is already nodding vigorously. Kyron chuckles.
"Alright, well, move out whenever you're ready." Pierre says with a smile. He hugs his daughter briefly and then returns to the till so Gus can pay for his shopping. Caroline steps up to Kyron while Abigail chats with Leah excitedly.
"She's liked you for such a long time." Caroline says to Kyron, who smiles and nods, watching his new girlfriend in her bubbly state.
"I'll look after her, Caroline." he responds and Caroline nods.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you. She told me how nice you were to her last night, how you made her feel safe and warm and welcome and loved, and she really appreciates it. You keep it up and she'll be the happiest girl in the village."
"I plan to. I love seeing her smile." Kyron says.
A few more pleasantries are exchanged, and then Kyron goes to leave the shop. Leah notices. She asks Abigail if she can talk to him, and Abigail nods. Abigail runs to Kyron before Leah can reach him however.
"Where you going?" she asks. Kyron smiles.
"Everything seems okay with your family. Gather your things and I'll help you move into my place at any time. I've a few errands to run. I'll be back to see you later." The farmer smiles at Abigail, and pulls her into a hug. Abigail responds with an affectionate kiss that causes her father to splutter and cough with embarrassment. Leah smiles at the affection.
Abigail releases Kyron with an adoring smile and watches him leave the shop. Leah places a hand on the purple haired girl's shoulder and follows Kyron out.
"Kyron." Leah calls out. The farmer turns around and smiles, waiting for Leah to catch up. She does so a moment later and they walk towards the beach.
"You recovered from last night pretty fast." Kyron says, "You were completely unconscious when I found you and Abigail in the rain." Leah blushes with embarrassment.
"I don't think wine agrees with me." she says, "But I thanked Abigail for helping me out of the inn. And thank you for helping Abigail and carrying me home. She said you carried both of us at once. Surely that's not true?" she laughs at the last sentence.
"No, it's true." Kyron replies, "You were passed out and Abigail had stubbed her toe on something. Couldn't take one of you and leave the other in the rain. So yes, I carried both of you. But we weren't far from your cottage so it wasn't too bad."
"You must be very strong." Leah comments.
"It's what comes of working a farm."
A moment of silence.
"I wanted to talk to you about Abigail, Kyron." Leah begins. Kyron nods thoughtfully.
"She's liked you for such a long time." Leah echoes Caroline's earlier words, "You can't imagine how happy you made her when you gave her that bouquet last night. That was the happiest, most memorable night of her life and it's because of you she's so happy."
"I've liked her a long time too." Kyron admits, "And I'm glad she's so happy. When she's happy, I'm happy."
"That's good." Leah says, "She's looking forward to living with you on the farm as well." her smile fades, "What do you think of the argument last night between Abigail and Pierre? I wasn't drunk when Abigail came into the Saloon last night, and even though she was smiling I could instantly tell something was wrong. I heard about the argument this morning from Abigail."
Kyron nods again. They'd stopped on the beach, looking out towards the vast ocean.
"I think Pierre was a little too harsh for her in the moment. But, in a sense, I'm glad they argued - I'd have never found her in the rain if she'd been having a good time at the Saloon. That sounds kind of selfish, but do you know what I mean?"
Leah nods, "It's okay, I once wished my ex would just leave me alone for a while just so I could surprise him for his birthday." she laughs, "I yelled at him to get out and had to pretend to be angry before he left.
"Well, thanks for talking to me Kyron." Leah says, "I won't keep you. Abigail may well move in with you today you know." she smiles, "She really loves you, you know?"
"I know." Kyron smiles back, "And I will do everything to keep her happy. I'll see you round Leah."
The farmer hugs Leah briefly, and then walks out of the beach.
For once, Kyron has nothing urgent that needs doing. He collects his Steel Pickaxe from Clint and then just walks across town, smiling to himself. Last night with Abigail had been magical to him, and now she is moving in. Every night could be like last night and Kyron will happily spoil his beloved. He walks on, unafraid to show everyone his happy mood.
Meanwhile, Abigail is bouncing around her bedroom, packing her belongings. Sebastian enters her room to say hello and gasps at the whirlwind of purple he sees as she flies around the room throwing things in boxes.
"Hi Sebastian!" Abigail cries happily, briefly rushing up and hugging him before turning back and packing her belongings.
"What're you in such a good mood for?" Sebastian laughs, "and what's with the packing? You're not leaving Stardew are you?"
"Of course not, silly, I'm moving in with Kyron!" she replies, flinging an arm towards the bouquet on her bed as she tries to rearrange one of her boxes.
"Kyron?" Sebastian asks. Abigail nods, beaming, taping the box up.
Sebastian sighs happily, "I'm so happy for you, Abigail." he smiles, "Don't think you could ask for a better guy."
Abigail stops and looks at him strangely.
"Don't tell me you have a crush on him too?" she teases.
"Oh no, nothing of the sort!" Sebastian laughs, "All I'm saying is he's a great partner for you. He has his own place, a job for life, he's smart, strong and kind. And has had very strong feelings for you for a long time now. I'm happy he gave you that bouquet. It seems you'll both be a lot happier."
"You knew about his crush on me?" Abigail asks, returning to packing, but listening intently all the same.
"He and I spoke a lot about you. He liked you the moment he set eyes on you. He says he learned a lot about you from hanging out with you, and Sam, Caroline and I helped him fill in a few blanks about you. So that's how he knows all your favourite things." the teenager smiles, "It's fantastic that you're finally together."
Abigail tapes up the last box and sighs, slightly out of breath from the speed of her packing. She wouldn't need her bed - she'd be sharing Kyron's since it's big enough.
"I heard you stayed at his last night." Sebastian remarks. Abigail nods.
"It was the most magical night of my life." she admits, tears of joy welling in her eyes. Sebastian chuckles.
"I think he's just arrived actually." Sebastian says, looking out of her bedroom door. Sure enough, the farmer has entered the shop and is heading towards Sebastian.
"He said he'd help me move my things." Abigail explains, and stands up, ready to meet Kyron.
Kyron enters a moment later, nodding a greeting to Sebastian, who replies in kind.
He sees Abigail beaming at him and cannot help but smile back.
"Hey you. All packed?" he asks. Abigail nods and throws herself at him, wrapping her arms around his chest. Kyron chuckles and returns the embrace. They break apart after an uncomfortable cough from Sebastian.
"Hey, you wouldn't mind helping out would you Sebastian?" Kyron asks, "I can pay you if you like."
"Thanks, some extra money would be nice." Sebastian agrees and lifts up a box. Abigail picks up another, with Kyron taking another two.
"We're not walking all the way to the farm, are we?" Sebastian asks, bringing out a giggle from Abigail.
"No, I've borrowed your mum's truck." Kyron replies, "Or hired I should say. She's driving everything down for us."
"Ah, good." Sebastian says with relief.
Outside the shop, Robin is waiting in her truck. She smiles at the three of them.
"Ah, Sebastian, good to see you out in the fresh air." she says teasingly.
"Thanks Mum." he shakes his head, rolling his eyes and loads the box he is carrying. Kyron lifts his two on, and then takes Abigail's for her.
"Kyron, a quick word?" Robin calls to him as he's about to head inside.
"Yes Robin? I'll pay you when we're at the farm don't worry." the farmer smiles at her.
"Oh, it's not that. Don't worry, I trust you. I'd just like to say well done. You wouldn't know it, but Abigail's been unhappy for a long time now. She's never particularly gotten on with either of her parents" Robin is staring vacantly at her steering wheel as she says this. She seems far away.
"Sebastian always tells me how unhappy she is, and how nothing seems to go right for her. Her parents just..." she pauses. She looks at Kyron.
"Don't understand." Kyron finishes. Robin nods.
"Go get some more boxes. We'll talk more later." Robin says. The farmer nods and runs back inside.
The truck is loaded before long. It only has three seats, so Abigail and Sebastian sit with Robin. Kyron insists on staying in the back, a courtesy not lost to Robin's keen senses of observation. They drive down the road to Kyron's farm in the fading light, Robin's headlamps illuminating the way. The truck bumps and rocks around on the rough track and they pull up at the farm.
Everyone gets out of the truck and unloads Abigail's possessions and the four pile them up in Kyron's living room. By this time, it is getting late and Robin and Sebastian have to head home.
"Before you both go." Kyron calls out to them and passes them both a bag of gold. While Sebastian's is smaller than Robin's, his is still a sizable chunk of money. Sebastian smiles at Kyron.
"Thank you." he says. Kyron nods.
"Pleasure doing business." Robin smiles at Kyron, "You take care of her." she looks at Abigail, then back to Kyron, "You'll be in trouble with me if I find out you've hurt her."
"Trust me Robin, I wouldn't want you mad at me." Kyron laughs, "I'll look after her, I promise."
"Good. In that case, have a nice night you two. And Abigail? Enjoy your new home."
With a smile and a wave, Robin and Sebastian climb into the truck and drive home. Kyron and Abigail wave as they leave, and then turn to each other.
"Let's get your things unpacked tomorrow." Kyron says, "It's late and we should be in bed."
Abigail nods happily and bounces into her new home. She sees the well-kept house in a new light now, knowing this is where she is now living. She giggles happily, then stops and blushes in embarrassment as her belly growls in complaint. Kyron laughs.
"Let's get some food." he says, "We can relax before we go to bed."
With Abigail nodding in agreement, she collapses onto the sofa and makes herself comfortable. Kyron's cat, Billy, instantly leaps into her lap and curls up, purring with comfort. Abigail giggles and sighs, stroking the cat.
"He likes me." Abigail comments, drawing a look from Kyron. The farmer is in the kitchen area. An amused smile touches his lips.
"Indeed. That's good. You'll be around a whole lot more than he's used to."
Abigail catches a sharp spicy scent from Kyron's fridge and sees him getting out the Spiced Eel she'd seen only this morning.
"Is that mine?" she coos after him. Kyron chuckles.
"Indeed. Partially surprised you didn't have it for breakfast. If you had, I'd have cooked you something different. But this is your birthday dinner in any case."
Abigail purrs happily in response, sounding so much like Billy that Kyron glances at her with a raised eyebrow, causing a giggle from the purple haired girl. While the farmer prepares dinner, Abigail looks at the TV and notices, for the first time, the games system connected to it.
"You never told me you had games!" Abigail squeals in delight. She goes to fling herself at the TV, and then remembers the cat curled up on her, now almost asleep. She laughs in mock despair and calls to Kyron,
"Ah no, how will I ever play games with you with this warm cuddly kitten sleeping on my lap?"
"He'd best not sleep just yet it's his dinner time as well." Kyron replies, promptly setting a cat bowl of meat down onto the floor. With a whistle and a call of his name from Kyron, Billy stirs, and then stretches. He pads on Abigail's lap momentarily, pressing one paw after another into her legs, purring appreciatively. Abigail winces as his claws dig into her skin, but Kyron laughs and explains he's only doing that because he's happy. The cat then dismounts from Abigail's lap and potters over to his bowl and starts devouring the wet chunks of meat.
Kyron calls Abigail over to the table and she too rises and joins the farmer. The Spiced Eel is in front of her, steaming hot and looking delicious.
"Did you catch this yourself?" Abigail asks, indicating the Eel. Kyron nods, setting his own plate of Salmon Dinner down.
"I catch all my fish for my meals." he replies, "As well as gathering or growing any vegetables to go with it. Between working hard on the farm every day and eating freshly caught or grown ingredients, it's given me this level of fitness and strength. So, it does you good." the farmer smiles.
"Dig in Abigail. Your first meal as a permanent member of this household."
Abigail smiles warmly back and tucks into her eel. It's delicious and she savours every bite. It is a rare treat for her, as none of her family enjoy spicy foods and Eels are somewhat hard to come by. They say little during the meal, focusing on enjoying the company and the warm food. Abigail regretfully polishes off her plate shortly before Kyron and waits politely for him to finish his food.
"That was delicious." Abigail sighs and stretches happily. Kyron smiles.
"It's not often I get to cook something like that, so it was my pleasure." the farmer collects the plates and washes everything up quickly. Leaving the clean dishes and pans to drain, Kyron dries his hands and sits down on his sofa. Abigail joins him.
"Do you want to play something?" Kyron asks Abigail, "Let our stomachs settle before bed?" Abigail nods in agreement and Kyron turns on the games system. Abigail half groans as Journey of the Prairie King appears onscreen. Offering Abigail a controller, Kyron smiles and joins her on the sofa.
"Come on, we did so well when we played in your room." Kyron encourages. With a sheepish smile, Abigail nods and the two start the game.
They die on the third level, but even so, it is the furthest either of them have ever gotten. They chuckle at their loss, proud at their progress. Abigail then yawns.
"Time for bed." Kyron says, smiling. Abigail nods in agreement and sighs happily, flopping into Kyron's chest and hugging him warmly. Kyron returns the embrace and the two cuddle in silence a moment.
Abigail is soon asleep, and Kyron chuckles to himself. Gently lifting the girl off of his lap, he carries her into his bed and rests her there. He is tempted to wake her a moment, so she may undress and get into her bedclothes. As it is, Kyron has no desire to wake Abigail when she looks so adorable, sleeping peacefully, face lit up by the happiest smile Kyron has ever seen. Kyron gently removes only her jacket and shoes, which he hangs and sets by the fire respectively, and then gets ready for bed himself. Kyron usually only sleeps in loose boxers, to better feel the comfort of his duvet.
Kyron showers as he does every night; there is no escaping filth when you work on a farm. Clean, fed and happy, Kyron gently climbs into bed with Abigail. Wrapping his arms around her, the farmer soon falls asleep in the warmth and comfort of his new partner's loving embrace.