The End to a Sad Story

A/N: Okay, so this is officially the LAST chapter in this story. I was going to make chapter 9 the last one, but I felt that it needed this one for closure. Enjoy!

As Cliff and I walked, hand-in-hand through Main Square, Popuri came running up to us.

"Look! Look!" she yelled as she ran waving something in the air. It was a crumpled piece of paper.

"What is it?" Cliff asked as Popuri caught her breath.

"It's a letter," she shrieked, "from Rick!" She shoved the paper to me so that I could read it aloud. It read:

'Dearest Ma, Pa, and Popuri (& Kai),

I miss you all dearly. The place here is horrible and filled with nothing but violence, drunks, gambling, and so many other disgusting things. I wish I could be at home with (almost) all of you. How is everyone doing? And how are all the chickens doing? I miss waking up to them every morning.

Ma, how have you been feeling lately? I hope that you are feeling better now that Pa has brought you the cure.

Pa, I hope that you are feeling better from your journey. I wish I could be there to help you out with the work on the farm.

Popuri, I hope that you are happy and Kai isn't doing anything wrong to you. I wish you congratulations on your engagement and hope to be there for the ceremony.

Kai, please be nice to my sister. I am trying to be nicer to you now that we will be brother-in-laws. Please keep her happy (and be ready for bridezilla on the wedding day!)

And a special note for Karen,'

I stopped reading. I couldn't believe that he had mentioned me in a note to his family. I decided to read on to find out what he had to say.

'I am sorry for having hurt you. I never wanted to. I give you my best wishes with Cliff and hope that you two are very happy together. Will see you when I come back home.

I love you all.

Sincerely yours,

Rick.'

I couldn't speak. I didn't know what to say. We were all at a loss of words.

"Well," I started to say, but I couldn't find anything to say after that. "I really don't know what to say!"

"Us either," said Cliff and Popuri. Popuri giggled. "Well, I have to go and show this letter to my parents now." Popuri took the letter and ran off.

Cliff turned to me and said, "Let's go for a walk. I have something I want to talk to you about."

He grabbed my hand and we headed off towards Mother's Peak.

…

We sat on Mother's Peak, looking out at the view.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked Cliff.

"Well, it's more of a question, actually," he replied, with a very wide grin. "I've been thinking…I love you very much."

"I love you, too!" I replied quickly and kissed him on the lips.

"So I wanted to ask you…" And all of a sudden, Cliff got up from where we were sitting, came in front of me, knelt down on one knee, and said: "Karen, will you marry me?" while showing me a box with a gorgeous ring in it.

"YES!" I shouted and jumped into his arms, after he slid the ring onto my finger, and we kissed.

2 months later

"I can't believe that we are getting married soon!" I gushed to Cliff as we talked over the phone.

"Only 2 more weeks," he said. "You're going to make a gorgeous bride, an amazing wife, and a wonderful mother."

"Aw! Thank you!" I smiled. "You are so sweet! I feel the same about you! Except that you will make a handsome groom, an amazing husband, and a wonderful father."

He laughed, "Well thank you! I can't wait to marry you!" There was a faint call in the background of his line and then he said, "Oh! I have to go and help out in the vineyard. I will see you tonight at the Inn for dinner, right?"

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it!" I was so excited. "I love you!"

"Love you, too, honey!" He replied. "Buh-bye!"

We both hung up.

"KAREN! Karen come quick!" my mother yelled. "Popuri is here to see you!"

"Alright, I'll be down in a minute." I wanted to make myself stop smiling from the phone conversation I had just had. I quickly put on some make-up, fixed my hair, and admired my ring before going downstairs.

"Oh, Karen! It's horrible!" Popuri cried as she rushed over and gathered me into a hug.

"What's horrible?" I asked, as I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Here! I can't tell you! It's too awful! Just read this telegram!" My mother comforted her as I unfolded the small piece of paper.

As soon as I read it, the room started to spin and everything went dark. I fell to the ground as Popuri, my mother, and my father rushed to my side.

I could still hear my father reading the letter to my mother as Cliff came in the door and rushed to my side:

'Dear Sir or Maam:

We are sorry to tell you that dear Rick has died in the war. He died exactly three days ago when a bomb went off near his troop's camp. There were no survivors.'

My mother and Popuri cried as my father tried to comfort them, while Cliff tried to help me up, after I had fainted.

For the next week and a half, I cried.

A/N: Oh my gosh! I am so sorry for the horrible ending, but I had to do it. My hands just kept on typing what my mind was thinking. At least Karen and Cliff have a happy ending together! Not all of it was horrible. I do feel bad for Rick though. Anyways! Hope it wasn't too long and you enjoyed the entire story!

Disclaimer: The characters of Karen, Lilia, Rick, Popuri, Kai, Cliff and Carter do not belong to me. Neither do Mineral Beach, Mother's Peak, or Mineral Town. They all belong to Natsume.