I know I said there would be action in this chapter, but I realized that I had to put this in now because it wouldn't fit anywhere else. I've had this chapter in my head ever since I knew I was writing a LukexAkari fic and it means a lot to me. It's inspired by the song Lucy by Skillet.

I don't own Harvest Moon

Chapter 9

Akari's POV

I was in an especially good mood today for some reason. Fall was starting to approach and I wanted to savor these last few days of summer with Luke; it was his favorite season after all. But as I approached the carpenter's shop, Luke didn't bound out to come hug me. That was odd. Maybe he'd just slept in.

I walked into the shop expecting to see Luke running in with his big grin. Instead, I just saw Dale sitting behind the counter, his elbow on the wood and his head in his hand. When he heard the door open, he looked up and I saw that it looked like his eyes were red. Wait? Had Dale been crying?

"Oh, hello, sweetie," he said when he saw me, "You look pretty today. How can I help you?"

I could tell he was trying to cover up the sorrow, but I saw right through it. I walked over to him and placed a hand on his broad shoulder.

"Are you okay?" I asked in the most gentle and understanding voice I could manage.

"I'm fine, dear," he said weakly, "I know you're probably looking for Luke right now, but he's out visiting someone. He should be back soon though."

I furrowed my brows. Yeah, I was worried about Dale, but who was Luke visiting? He was always here for me, every morning. This was so unlike him.

"Who's he visiting?"

"…Lucy."

I felt my heart squeeze. Lucy? Who was Lucy? I'd never heard of her. Was that his ex-girlfriend or something?

"Who's Lucy?" I asked nervously.

Dale took a deep breath and I saw that his eyes were rimmed with tears.

"Luke's mom," he forced out, "He's at the graveyard."

Luke's POV

I held the tulips tightly in my hands, looking down at the tombstone sadly.

"Hi, Mom," I murmured, "I just came to talk for a while…"

I knelt down on the grass, brushing some of the leaves away as I did. Once I placed the tulips on the ground for her, I took a deep breath and looked at the tombstone.

"You know what today is?" I asked.

There was no answer.

"It's your birthday! I brought you a dozen tulips because I know how much you love them."

A gentle breeze blew against my face and I smiled to myself.

"I'm sorry I haven't visited you in a while," I murmured, "It's just… I don't know. You remember that girl? Selena? Well, she broke my heart and I just… I don't know… I felt like you were disappointed in me so I didn't come to see you… but there's someone else now. Her name's Akari. Mom, I know you'd love her, I just know it. She's smart and funny and pretty, no, beautiful and she's everything I've ever wanted…"

There was another breeze, this time strong enough so that it blew my hair wildly. I smiled and gently touched the tombstone. It was cold and rough, nothing like my mother.

"I… I think I love her, Mom," I whispered, "We haven't been together long, but that doesn't matter! You told me you and dad fell in love at first sight! It's kinda like that… but I don't know if I should tell her… I already know I don't deserve her, so what if I accidentally drive her away?"

I leaned against the tombstone, wishing it was my real mother so she could wrap her arms around me and comfort me.

"You'd love her, Mom. She's just… so… perfect! I've never been happier in my life except when you were here… I really miss you, Mom. Dad's trying but I think it's hard because you're gone… Why'd you have to go? We love you…"

The breeze returned, almost caressing the side of my face.

"I know, I know," I sighed, "It was your time… but I just wish your time could've been a little later…"

The breeze whirled around me, kicking up some of the leaves.

"I love you, too," I murmured, "I hope you're getting treated right up there. You deserve only the best, Mom, because you were the best."

A tear rolled over my cheek, but I didn't bother to wipe it away. I didn't care if I cried in front of her; she was my mom after all. After a while of just sitting there and feeling her presence, I realized that Akari was probably waiting for me.

"Oh, I forgot to tell Akari I was visiting you," I said, "I'm really sorry, Mom, but I gotta go see her… Maybe I'll bring her to meet you soon."

I felt the breeze again as I stood up and smiled again. She really was the best mom.

"I promise I'll come back to visit you soon. I'll tell Dad to come see you soon… it's just harder for him because you were married and everything… I love you, Mom!"

As I ran from the graveyard and back to my house to check on Akari, I could've sworn I heard a gentle voice whisper something in my ear.

"I love you, too… my precious Luke."

I feel like no one ever develops on Luke's mother, so I really wanted to make her important. I cried the first time I ever heard this song (which was introduced to me by my best friend, whose clever anonymous name is "me") and I cried writing this chapter. I really hope it brought out as much emotion in you as it did to me.

Please review. That's all I'm going to say.