SweetDreamer92: Thanks to my first guest reviewer! Miss Lady Otaku you know what's funny I was unable to get this game when it was super popular so I haven't had it that long and I was so going to marry Amir first too but then I found that I really like Ivan and had to marry him first instead :D Also I like Freya but with HM stories twisting things around makes for a more interesting story at least that's what I think glad you liked it :D

Five...

Normal POV still

Gretel let herself in and looked around, she found Ivan sitting at the table reading, she walked over and set a gift wrapped bottle of herb perfume down. He dropped the book as soon as he looked at her. He didn't even know what to say to her she spoke first.

"I'm glad to see you're doing alright, don't get up you should relax, I brought some lavender tea."

She moved away from him and stood in front of the counter, he got up and walked over to wrap his arms around her he buried his face in her hair and held her tight to his chest.

...

Ivan's POV

I had been agonizing over what to say to her since I got back home from the hospital, I hadn't seen Freya and Dirk said she had moved away and would probably visit. Good riddens, now I had no idea what to say to Gretel I just wanted to hold her and have her never leave. I could still see the look she gave me when she thought I was messing with her feelings that day and I never wanted to see it again.

"...Ivan?"

"Please don't tell me to let go..."

"Actually...I can't breathe."

I loosened my grip and she twirled around to slide her arms around my waist.

"I missed you."

I took a breath.

"I missed you too...do you hate me?"

"How could I? Do you hate me?"

I held her further away from me and stared at her with wide eyes.

"How could you ask me that? I have no reason to hate you."

"But I should have listened to you."

"I wouldn't have listened to you if your childhood friend told me you were just playing with me and preferred the same sex."

She giggled a little I cupped her face with my hands.

"But since you're listening now, I only play for one team and I want you to be my team mate for it."

She blushed and her eyes got a little big reminding me of a chick that just realized you were her friend. Anyone who thought like I did would think she looked adorable just then too.

"Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"

I nodded, I may not be an expert on women but that would be one of the questions you don't hesitate on.

"If you don't mind taking it one day at a time with this damaged bastard..."

She blinked then smiled.

"You're not a damaged bastard you're perfect just the way you are."

I swallowed, if she didn't give me an answer now I would kiss her without her permission and probably hold her hostage until she did.

"But since you're giving me the choice I certainly won't let anyone else have you."

I felt my self smiling but not for long because I had to claim her lips, and research will tell you it's quite hard to smile and properly kiss at the same time.

...

The tea kettle going off was what made us separate I held her close but reached behind her to turn off the stove and move the water on the back burner. I kissed her again and moved her on the countertop as if I could get any closer to her if I tried. I did feel her legs wrapping around my waist. Those were strong and firm...must be all of the jumping she does around town. As lost in the passion as we were, there was no groping, no attempts to remove clothes no one was forcing themselves on the other. It was just overwhelming passion and desire coming together. I couldn't dwell on the past, but it was still so recent in my mind and I knew I would be kicking myself for years for thinking for even a second that I belonged with Freya. Oh Gretel I'll never give you up again I swear to you.

"OH!"

We pulled apart so fast I fell back and she was able to unwrap her legs from around me just as she came down on top of me. We were both red faced as our gazes turned to Dirk and Daisy. Daisy kissed Dirk's cheek then giggled.

"I'm going to tell everyone!"

She ran out of the front door before words could form in my throat, Dirk I'm sorry for all the times I walked in your room without knocking while you were alone with Daisy, but I still think you could have picked a better time to get your revenge. Gretel got up carefully, I was thankful for the medicine otherwise I would have been in serious pain when she connected with my battered body. I blushed again when we were standing but not because of what just happened but because I was hoping by the time we did move further my body was worth looking at.

The stitches weren't very attractive, I took a breath remembering that she wasn't like Freya she would accept me for who I am, to her I was good enough...or did she say perfect? I put an arm around her and told Dirk to stop staring at us like he'd never seen a couple kiss before. When Daisy came back they both cheered, Gretel blushed and hid her face in my chest I threatened to kick both of them out...dinner was fun.

...

At the bazaar on Saturday I helped Dirk at Joan's café I wasn't sure if I was distracting to Gretel but she was definitely a distraction to me. We'd only been a couple for a few days and even though it wasn't her fault I was feeling even more insecure around her than when I thought I was with Freya. I coated some walnut cookies with chocolate and Dirk nudged me.

"Yes?"

"Bro you're being particular again, these cookies are going to kids they won't appreciate the frosting art on a free cookie."

I glanced down and stared at the rose I'd made, I sighed.

"Right..."

Dirk grinned.

"Thinking about a friend of ours?"

I felt my face heat up.

"I just...is it that obvious?"

Dirk glanced at Joan who raised an eyebrow.

"Couldn't be more obvious if you led a one man band through the bazaar while riding on a large yellow elephant."

I sighed as they laughed at me Marian nudged me.

"It's almost five now looks like she is done, why don't you go be with her? Dirk is leaving soon too."

I smiled at her, the crowd was dying down so they didn't really need my help anymore, I left only to be snatched out of the crowd at the last minute. I stared at Kevin's mother who smiled excitedly.

"There you are, can you help me with something?"

Before I could protest Claire yanked me to her stand where I remained until the bazaar was closed. Curse my partially good nature, I admit I only stayed because I would hate it if it got back to Gretel that I had ignored one of our friends who was in need. I helped clean up and while I wiped down the grill I felt arms go around my waist. The smell of herbs made me relax and I covered Gretel's hands with one of mine.

"Busy day?" she asked.

I nodded as I gave the grill once last wipe down before covering it I wrapped my arms around her and walked with her out of the bazaar grounds.

"What about you?"

"It was pretty busy actually, we thought we had a lot of stuff but we got so many customers that we sold out faster than we thought we would. I saved you a bottle of wine."

I tensed a little the doctor warned me not to start binge drinking again, but I couldn't say no to her, could I? I kissed her forehead.

"We'll have it with dinner one of these nights."

She smiled.

"Okay sounds good."

I smiled it seemed so easy to make her smile but every single one of them was just as precious as the first one, I pulled her closer as we walked down the path to the farmhouse.

"Ivan, Gretel!"

We looked up and saw Antoinette and Angelo coming toward us.

"Hi you guys." Gretel said.

"Gretel look!"

Antoinette showed her a blue feather, I bit my lip thinking about the remains of the one I had once owned. Gretel squealed and bounced up and down with Antoinette, I always thought she was nice but she opened up so much more when Gretel and her brother came around they tried hard to befriend everyone. I congratulated them.

"Thanks so much, I'm sure you two want to get back to your date but I had to ask if you would make some food and wine for the wedding when the time comes? I just know Joan and Marian will kill me if I don't let them make the cake but..." Antoinette asked softly.

Gretel smiled.

"Of course I can!"

"Ohh great, thanks Gretel, the ceremony should be in a week or so OK?"

"OK don't worry about a thing."

Antoinette hugged her and then pulled Angelo down the path and over the bridge to break the news to her father. We continued walking I couldn't help but place us in that situation would she go running to the first friend she sees and tell them that we're getting married? Would she be proud to be my wife? Did I deserve that enough to think about it? I felt Gretel tugging on my jacket I looked at her.

"I'm sorry did you say something?"

She laughed.

"I did, but if you're too tired we can talk tomorrow."

"No I'm not I'm just off in a little world, it's so easy to relax around you."

She blushed and smiled wider we stopped near the bridge by the waterfall and I cupped her cheek to make her look at me.

"Please repeat what you said."

"I was just...I was asking if you would help me, I really like your cooking and I think it would also be nice to have at the ceremony."

I blushed, either I was still too sensitive or I'd never felt what it was like to receive a compliment.

"...Do you really?"

She nodded.

"Well I can help..."

She laughed and cheered as she started suggesting what we could make for our friend's special day.

...

The wedding day...

Normal POV

Gretel glanced at Ivan who was standing next to her and holding her hand, she squeezed his hand. He looked up and smiled at her, she squeaked as Antoinette, who looked beautiful in the silky designer wedding dress her mother made for her, hugged them both.

"Oh thanks for helping out you guys, everything is delicious!"

They smiled.

"Oh you're welcome, anything for a friend of ours." Gretel said sweetly.

Antoinette beamed as Angelo walked over to kiss her cheek.

"You guys the food is awesome, you really outdid yourselves I'm stuffed!"

They chatted with the bride and groom for a while before Claude grabbed everyone's attention with a toast to the happy couple.

When the excitement died down a bit Gretel felt Ivan tense, she glanced up and saw why, Freya and Andrew had come to give best wishes to the bride and groom. She gave them their gift and caught up with them before joining them by the buffet table.

"Oh Ivan, Gretel I'm so happy for our friends aren't you?"

Ivan pulled Gretel closer.

"Of course." Ivan mumbled.

"Oh I see I have to congratulate you as well, when did you get married?"

Ivan frowned and Gretel looked at him then at Freya.

"We aren't married, but you know Ivan would invite you if we were getting married."

Freya made a face.

"So you're making plans then?"

"Not yet we've only been dating for a week."

"Well yes but you could have a long engagement, unless you're not as close as we were?"

Ivan pulled Gretel closer feeling her tense.

"Of course we are, we get closer everyday." he said.

She smiled but it seemed fake.

"If you say so, we're going to go mingle, nice talking to you."

She walked off with her beau on the side.

...

Ivan's POV

I waited until she was out of sight then focused on Gretel I was feeling like I was about to lose her Freya's words had to have bothered her.

"Baby please, you know you don't need to question my feelings for you."

She shushed me.

"Ivan I don't now and I never will."

"But..."

"Sweetie you were gripping my arm really hard that's what I was reacting to."

I must have gone pale because she smiled.

"Hey it's OK, you know...you just might be related to a crab or something with your pinch of death."

I swallowed, but I couldn't fight the laugh that came she hugged me and I relaxed a little, still I wondered if Freya couldn't pester her with little comments like that what would she do when she found out she had been ignored?

End Chapter

SweetDreamer92: I bet you thought the drama and angst was over with but come on it doesn't work like that. Feelings like that don't just go away and crazy self centered exes don't just disappear and it's just not time for the story to end yet :D