ok heres the next chapter :) only one more ...

Birds chirped all around. The sweet smell of flowers hung heavy in the air. Hazy violet eyes glared back at mine. My straight chocolate colored hair, nothing more than a plaything to the wind. Today was the anniversary. Flower petals floated down from nearby trees, landing in the water, distorting my image. I could hardly believe that a year had passed.

I stood motionless. There was so much on my mind, too much on my mind… I tried farming for my father. Did I like it? Did I want to remain here in the valley for another year? I didn't know…

Should I move back to Mineral Town? Start rebuilding my previous life? I didn't know…

What was keeping me here in this small secluded community? Marlin? What did I even feel about him? Was it just a friendship? Or something more? I didn't know…

Oh Goddess, please help me. Show me what to do, show me what's best…

Footsteps could be heard behind me. I cocked my head to see who it was. It was Marlin. He gave a warm smile for my dull eyes to see. "Oh, Jill. Here you are."

I managed to force a painful smile. "Marlin… did you come to push me in the goddess pond this time?"

The man walked to my side. He could tell something was wrong. "Jill, what's up?" His pond reflection modeled a concerned frown.

"It's been one year…" I sighed deeply. "Since my father died…"

His eyes appeared to dull. "I'm sorry."

I closed my eyes. "I came here in his memory…"

Marlin's voice was soft. "Jill, are you glad you came here?"

My eyes opened as I turned my face away. "Yes… but honestly, I'm not sure that this is where I really belong."

Silence.

I continued.

"Don't get me wrong, farm work is fun and it sure was an interesting change for me. But I'm not kidding anyone. I'm still not very good at the whole thing."

"Jill, you don't give yourself enough credit." A hint of distress filled his voice. "You have animals that you take fantastic care of… and the crops you grew turned out fine."

"Only because you helped me." I snapped, turning my back on my friend. "I don't know what I want with my life… I don't know if staying here is best, even if I were to do it another year… for my father… I don't know what to do, so that's why I came here…to pray to the goddess."

"Listen" Marlin sighed painfully. "I know that it's your life… and that I can't make you stay here if you don't want to… But it's been almost a year since you first came to the valley."

I slowly turned to face him as he continued. "So much has happened since then. And before I knew it, I…" It was obvious that he was having difficulty trying to vocalize his thoughts.

"I… fell in love with you."

It felt as if the breath had been sucked out of my body. My eyes widened. How was I to respond? Red began to tint his cheekbones as he swallowed nervously. "I don't know if you feel the same way I do, but if you choose to stay in the valley… I'd like to be by your side."

He pulled his hands from his pockets. One of them clutched a fluffy blue feather. "Jill, will you marry me?"

Proposal? I stood frozen. The feather seemed to radiate in his tanned hand. I forced for a voice… for anything… anything at all to respond.

"I…I don't know what to say." My eyes began to puddle tears. Marlin had always made me feel happy when I was with him. He was my friend. No… I knew now that he was more than that… I silently thanked the valley goddess. She had just answered my prayers and shown me what was best for my life. "Yes!" I threw my arms around his neck.

He looked relieved. Putting his arms around my back, he smiled. "Jill, I love you."

Our lips pressed against each other, locking for the first time. As I melted in his arms, I felt like I was dreaming. I pulled him closer, he hugged me tighter. It was a kiss I would never forget.

Our lips finally separated and Marlin stared into my eyes. "Does that mean you'll stay?"

Tears flowed from my eyes. I held him as closely as I could. "Of course."

sorry it was short but i hope you guys enjoyed it! last chapter will be up very very soon. as always, please review and let me know what you think