So... the disclaimer is on the last 3 chapters... read it there if you care. This chapter is called intermission because there isn't a lot of substance in it... but necessary crap to get to the nex tpart of the story. Yup that's about it, R&R plz, sorry about the long wait for the update. -Lauren

Celia and Nami parted ways when they left the farm. Celia saw Nami head in the direction of the beach, then she sped off towards the garden where Vesta was already hard at work. "I'm here! Sorry about not being here this morning! I'll work extra hard!" she exclaimed, bending down to snatch up a weed and using her other hand to push back a sweaty strand of hair.

Vesta straightened and walked over to Celia. "Get up. I'm giving you the day off. It was Marlin's idea… you should go thank him."

"Wha…? Are you sure?" Celia's signature look --- the confused one --- fell over her face.

"Get up before I change my mind." Vesta pulled the young woman to her feet. "Get out of here… and make sure you give Marlin a proper thank you." With that said, Vesta gave a sly wink and turn back to her work before Celia could respond.

Dazed, Celia slowly walked towards the house, replaying the last few minutes in her mind. 'What is going on? This has been a really weird day…' Just as she reached the door, it burst open and scared her. She screamed and jumped back as a giant basket of tomatoes exited the house.

"Sorry Celia, didn't mean to scare you. I gotta deliver these tomatoes to Zack before noon. See you later!"

'Oh, that was just Marlin. Oh! I was supposed to thank him for something… I'll do it later' Celia climbed the ladder to her loft bedroom. The first sight she saw when she reached the top shocked her. It was her own reflection. 'I'm a mess! I can't believe I've been out in public looking like this! I better get fixed up before I enjoy my day off.'

'Finally I got out of there!' Nami said her goodbyes to Celia then headed back to the inn. 'I'll go change into my swim suit then head to the beach… a swim would help me clear my head.' She broke into a jog, the idea of a swim enticing her to hurry. She grabbed the first bathing suit she saw, a brown and white polka-dot bikini. It's not my favorite one… but who cares? The ocean is calling to me. I'll just change down there in that little cove. I'm the only one who knows about it, I think.' The red-head headed back outside, then south toward the beach. Gradually, her steps slowed as she began to let herself contemplate the morning's events.
'A whole day to myself… well half a day… but what am I going to do with it? I guess I could head up to the spring. I don't get a chance to do that very often.' Celia started walking slowly, enjoying the fragrance of moondrops in the air. She reached the path that would take her to the spring, and glanced over at the now occupied farm. The three siblings were just leaving, probably to explore. Chrissy glanced over and a look of recognition washed over her face. Celia waved then continued on her way. 'Now I want to go spend time with him…them, I mean. I should probably just give them some alone time before Chrissy leaves.'
"Oh look, there's your girlfriend," Chrissy told her brother in a teasing voice.

"Where? I mean, she's not my girlfriend… but she is really cute. You can be so immature sometimes Chrissy." Shane looked around as he spoke but didn't see any sign of the brown-haired beauty.

"Yeah yeah whatever… you can flirt later. Let's go see the town!" The blonde grabbed both of her brother's hands and pulled as hard as she could. They just stood there, bored looks on their faces until she gave up.

"Why don't we go the way Celia was going? She said she was going to work, so we can see what kind of work she does and meet who she-"

"We could head to the beach. Find out how nice it is since I'm sure we'll be-"

Chrissy glared at the twins. "No, we're going to town. You guys can chase the girls later, when I'm gone. Spend some time with your sister for heaven's sake."

Jordan gave her an innocent look. "Shane is the one chasing girls. I figured you would enjoy the beach, maybe collect some shells."

"Oh no you don't. Don't think I didn't see a red head headed that way. Please just stay with me… I'm not gonna see you for a while after this…" tears sprung into the young girl's eyes. "Please?"

"Okay…" the twins said in unison. "Where do you want to go?"

"You know you guys freak me out when you do that… how about… over to the inn? We can meet whoever runs it."

"All right, let's go."

"It's up to you." Again twins spoke in unison, though the creepy effect wasn't there. Chrissy gave them a grateful look then headed towards the neon flashing sign. "I hope they're open…" she muttered.