Chapter 10: Informing

I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling early the next morning silently pondering the end of the evening the night before.

Owen offered to walk me home… as we arrived at my house I turned to look at him with a happy smile on my face, despite the situation that occurred I was still having the best night of my life. "So… who are we going to tell?" I asked tilting my head at him feeling the butterflies in my stomach flutter gently.

"Well I know for sure I have to tell my family… I'm not sure if you'll tell yours." He responded tilting his head at me. I gently chewed on my lip… I wasn't sure how MY parents would react considering my mother's views on marriage.

"I'll let them know, although I don't know if it will make a difference or not."

"We'll have to tell the mayor too so that he can set a date for us… I'm not sure who else you want to tell. I will warn you in case you don't know… word spreads quick in this little town so you and I can both expect Kathy to find out one way or another… I don't think she's going to be too happy." He sighed glancing at the ground as I nodded my head.

"Yeah I kind of figured that one... I only hope I'm not forced to throw another punch. My temper is horrible just to warn you, when she came up and blindsided me… well I wasn't able to control what happened."

"That's why I was there, you seemed okay after I got a hold of you." He smiled slightly looking down at me as I gave a little chuckle and blushed slightly.

"I'm glad you were… I don't like my temper getting out of control like it did." I felt that bad feeling return as a little frown invaded my features before Owen tilted my head up to look at him before gently leaning forward and brushing his lips over mine sending my stomach butterflies into a tizzy.

"It happens to everyone… and Kathy wasn't exactly being mature about everything… go get some sleep Juliet… we have a busy day tomorrow." He smiled and me a turned on his heel heading back to the blacksmith's leaving me standing there smiling after him.

I sighed smiling slightly… I wasn't the kind of person to rub something into someone else's face but… it felt so good to know I would get Owen instead of Kathy getting him. I stretched and looked out my window knowing that it was time to get up and get ready. Owen and I… we had a busy day ahead of us.

As I took care of my animals I pondered silently how I was going to tell my parents. I wasn't sure if it was better if I sent a letter to both of them or simply just called. I figured that over the phone would be a little more personal and not make it seem like I hated them. "Alright I guess… I call them then…" I murmured as I watered the few crops that I had as the chilly air of winter brushed past me.

I walked inside and sat down staring at the phone… it had been some time since I had contacted my family… I think half a year. My mom probably wasn't going to be too thrilled to talk to me then again I knew where the conversation was going and that was going to be towards money… I knew she loved me but sometimes I thought her greed got the better of her.

"Hello this is Arletta speaking."

"Hi mom it's Juliet."

"Oh hello darling! It's been ages since we've talked! How are you doing?"

"Oh pretty good, I've been keeping busy with work… and… I've got some news for you."

"Oh really? What is it dear?"

"W-well… I'm getting… I'm getting… m-married mom."

"…"

"Mom… are you still there?"

"Y-yes sweetie. That's… that's wonderful news! Tell me, is he good looking? Rich?" why did that always have to come up…

"Well mom… he is good looking in my opinion yes. He's a blacksmith so not rich no, and honestly the only person I would consider rich on the island would be the mayor's son."

"Well why didn't you go for him instead?"

"Mom… Gill and I… don't really see eye to eye, we don't get along and I'm not going to chase after someone just for money. I need love too."

I listened as she sighed.

"You're just like your father, all romantic and little sense… well dear send me a picture of my future son in law, you know me, I'm always busy so I don't know if I'll make it to the wedding or not but I'll try."

"Thanks mom I'll send you a picture of Owen… Mom, I love you."

"Uh huh, good bye sweet heart, take care." *click*

I sighed softly and frowned at the phone, I couldn't help feeling just a little bit depressed as I sighed and stretched slightly before picking up the phone again to call my dad, at least I knew our conversation would go better. He and I usually got along well.

"Hello?"

"Hi dad it's Juliet."

"Hi sweetie how are you doing?"

"I'm doing alright. Farming's keeping me a lot busier than I thought."

"Heh yeah that's one job that's definitely very physical."

"Hey dad… I've got something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Well… I'm getting married to a guy from Waffle Island."

"Oh! Congratulations honey! Have you told your mother yet?"

"Uh, yeah I just got off the phone with her. You know how mom is."

"In other words you aren't marrying for money but for love right?"

"Yeah, she sounded a little disappointed but I know Owen will take good care of me, he's a good guy."

"I'm happy for you Juliet."

"Dad… would you be willing to walk me down the aisle?" I felt my face blush brightly, it was the only thing I would ask of him.

"Juliet…Let me know when it is and I'll try to make it out there just for you alright?"

"Thanks daddy… I love you."

"I love you too kiddo, take care and keep me updated." *click*

Well the hardest part for me was done and over with, now it came to Owen's family… I wasn't sure how Ramsey was going to react, I already knew that Chloe would be over excited about it. As I walked back out the door I turned just in time to see Owen making his way over to me at a quick jog, as soon as he reached me I felt his strong hands grab my waist and lift me up spinning me around before setting me back on the ground and giving me a gentle hug. I giggled slightly, having not been this happy in months.

"Well… I'm glad to see you too Owen." I smiled stretching up to give him a kiss as I felt his warm lips press against mine.

"That's good because I almost thought I had been dreaming last night." He gave a slight laugh as his hands were placed on the small of my back before he released me to look for something in his coat. "I have something for you… I'm hoping that you'll still accept it." He said grinning as he found what he was looking for and pulled it out. In his hand he held the ruby necklace from my birthday, I blinked at the little gem feeling my eyes water slightly. However looking closely at it I blinked my eyes in surprise. It wasn't exactly the same necklace, the gem in this one, crafted with such great care, was in the shape of a beautiful rose. "I redid the gem, Mira and Julius helped me craft it, but the design was done by me. I knew I'd give this to you some day, even if I wasn't sure if we were together." My hands were clasped over my mouth as I looked at it while Owen spoke to me. Turning around in my daze I lifted my hair so that he could place the chain around my neck.

I turned to look at him and watched as his face turned red as he glanced away with a soft grunt as if pushing something down. Tilting my head at him I frowned. "Owen?"

"How is it that you get more and more beautiful? You make it so hard for me to keep my hands off you Jewels. I hope you know that." He looked at me with as a smile lifted the corner of his lips.

I covered my mouth to suppress a small giggle as he spoke. There wasn't anything wrong with touching, it's just what it lead to that I wanted to avoid… for now. "Well let's go tell your family, I already spoke to mine, I'll have to wait and see where it goes." I smiled holding out my small hand for his as we began walking.

"OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!" I winced slightly rubbing my ear that was now ringing. Thanks to Chloe I didn't think we'd have too many people left to tell after that. She was sitting there practically bouncing up and down as she ran over and put a death grip on my waist giving me a tight hug. Looking to Owen I chuckled slightly as his face held an embarrassed look as he rubbed the back of his head. Ramsey gave a laugh as he smiled to Owen.

"Well just as Chloe said, congratulations you two, I'm glad you finally figured things out Owen." Ramsey smiled warmly at the two of us.

"Oh yes congratulations! This means that this is done just in time. It took all my skill and knowledge of fabric and Candace's help of course but your dress is perfect once more." Julius spoke in a sign song voice as he held up the shimmering silver gown in its perfect state again. I smiled happily almost to tears as I saw it, and unable to resist as I broke free of Chloe I walked over and hugged the odd guy tightly.

"Thank you soooo much for getting rid of that stain, I was worried I'd never be able to wear this again!"

"Oh no no no sweetie there's no way I'd let that happen, it's such a beautiful design I couldn't bare it if it couldn't be seen again." Julius giggled as he patted my head lightly and placed the dress in my arms. Well at least that was taken care of. I had my wedding dress, well with a few modifications of course it would be perfect. I looked to Owen as a small smile bloomed across my face into a full out grin, I hadn't been this happy in so long it almost hurt. Now we had just one more person to talk to before everything was set up. Our next visit was the Town Hall.