Doug and Ann

Mama's Song

The dress was really itchy. This was the only thought currently going through Ann's mind, as everyone is quickly scurrying around her. It was the girlish thing she had ever seen, let alone worn. And considering the occasion, Ann should probably have other things on her mind.

"Why isn't your hair done!" One of Ann's friends, Popuri, had screamed.

"It is done." Ann replied. "This is all I wanted to do with it." Popuri huffed.

"Ann there are so many more possibilities. You could let it down, or put in it two braids or
.." Popuri went on and on about the different things she could do with her hair.

" I think her hair is just fine the way it is." A voice replied. Ann gave a sigh of relief.

"Thanks Karen." Ann said, smiling at her best friend. Popuri huffed again.

"Well, don't blame me when you look back and regret your decision!" Popuri said before storming off. Ann and Karen laughed.

"Remind me again why I decided to let her help." Ann said giggling.

" Don't look at me. I told you that was a terrible idea from the beginning." Karen replied, smirking. " So, are you ready for this?" Ann sighed.

"Ready as I'll ever be. Knowing that after a few hours ill be married to him is the only thing that's keeping me sane." Karen laughed.

" Tell me about it! The people around here get way to excited over everything." Karen paused. "How's your dad taking all of this?"

" To be honest, he's more hesitant than I thought he'd be. After all, he basically threw me at every guy that walked through our door."

"He probably just never thought he'd see the day. To be honest, I don't think anyone did." Coming from anyone else, those words might have bothered Ann. But, they were from Karen and Ann knew that she always had her best interest at heart.

" Yeah.. I guess things really have changed." Both girls sat in comfortable silence and thought about this.

"I hope he'll be okay without me." Ann whispered. Karen had just opened her mouth to reply when someone tapped on the door.

" Are you guys ready?" Jack, the town's farmer, asked.

" Of course we are!" Karen said, snaking an arm around her husband. Jack smiled down at her.

" Then let's get a move on." He said, before exciting the room.

"I'll be down in a second." Ann called out to the couple. When she was finally alone, she sighed. 'Just a little bit longer." Ann thought to herself. 'Might as well see what I look like in this thing.' Ann walked to the full length mirror in her room. Taking in her full reflection, Ann couldn't help to think how much she looked like her mother. "I don't know what I wouldn't give for you to be here today mama." Ann whispered to herself. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of all the things her mom had missed in her life. None of them seemed as important as her missing this. Ann didn't know how long she had been standing there when she suddenly heard a voice.

" You look just like her you know." The voice all to familiar to Ann said.

"That's just what I was thinking." She replied, voice shaking. There was no use in hiding her tears, her father knew her better than anyone. Doug looked around, embarrassed.

"Ann.." he said, not knowing what to say.

"Dad." Ann replied, the tears slowly falling. It didn't take long for Doug to take Ann in his arms.

" Its okay." He said. "Its okay." Ann just cried, harder than she had in a while. All the pressure and anxiety had finally gotten to her, and it was moments like this when she missed her mother more than anything.

" I just..miss her so much. I can't believe I'm getting married without her here." Ann said, voice muffled by her father's shirt.

"Neither can I. Of course, I never thought I would see you here in the first place." Ann quickly looked up at him.

"Way to Ruin the mood dad." she said, wiping the tears off her face." Of course, Karen said the same thing.." Doug smiled fondly at his daughter.

"What? I was just stating the obvious. Deep down though, I knew if I threw enough guys at you, at least one of them would look past your tomboy exterior." Ann rolled her eyes, the tears finally subsiding.

" Whatever dad." She mumbled.

" Well it doesn't matter how many guys it took. If they couldn't see how amazing you are, its a good thing they kept on walking." Ann smiled up at her dad.

"You'll be okay without me right?" She asked.

"Ann your still going to work here. Plus, we both know I can cook for myself. As I recall, I whipped your butt the past two years at the cooking festival." Ann playfully hit her father.

" That was a total mistake! My corn was waay better than yours!" The two of them laughed,as they bickered at each other.

" I'll be just fine Ann, you'll see. You just work on being a good wife, and I'll get ready to be a grandfather."

" Oh dad." Ann said, rolling her eyes again. " I love you."

"I love you too." Doug took his daughters hand and lead her down the stairs. He knew that they both would be just fine. They had survived tragedy, heartbreak, and loneliness together. He trusted that she had chosen someone who could take of the rest. So as he watched her friends redo her makeup and touch up her hair, Doug smiled at the fact the he was able to take care of his baby girl, maybe for the last time.

A.N. Hey guys! Thanks for reading! I know this chapter was a little on the sad side, but I tired to add some happiness. My next chapter will be a request, and it will have fluff, so make sure to read it! To my reviewers, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Your reviews keep me motivated so please don't stop.

If you liked it, tell me! If you hated it, Tell me why! Please review

EDIT. SORRY GUYS I HAD TO EDIT SOMETHING! Thanks to ZeroRei00 for pointing it out. New chapter up later today!

-Goldengirl