((ok so i owe a big apology for not having uploaded this. i could have sworn that i put this up here a while ago but i guess i didnt. sorry to everyone who i kept waiting. ive been really really busy but im going to try and spend some more time being creative on here :) thanks to all who have read and reviewed this story. it really means a lot! 3 ))

"Congratulations!" Vesta cried, pulling Marlin and me into one of her crushing hugs, both of us blushing.

"Wow, I'm so happy for you guys!" Celia was radiating excitement.

Vesta directed her attention to me. "You better take good care of him!" I nodded.

She turned to her brother. "You'd better be good to her! If I hear about you doing anything bad, I'll come beat some sense into you!"

Celia's mouth dropped. Marlin's eyes grew large after hearing his sisters unsettling words. Both of my delicate hands grabbed his closest hand. He returned the action with a loving smile.

Looking to his sister, Marlin spoke. "Don't worry Vesta. I'll protect Jill. Nothing bad will happen." My heart jumped.

Celia turned to me. "When is the wedding going to be?"

Marlin and I looked at each other before answering. "It's going to be in a week." I said. "Can you make it?"

Both women nodded. "Of course we'll be there" Vesta laughed.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world" Celia squealed.

My face flushed. I glanced to Marlin; he was so happy. I loved to see him smile. His gaze met mine, causing his face to redden. He leaned over and tenderly kissed my forehead.

"You two are just too damn cute!" Vesta clasped her giant hands together.

"Marlin," Excitement building inside of me. "We still have to tell Tak!"

My fiancé nodded, and with that, we left for my farm.

My small hand bashed on Takakura's cabin door. Marlin stood behind me as we waited for the door to open. The older man greeted us with a friendly smile. "Jill, what's going on?"

"Tak, Marlin and I wanted to tell you something."

Takakura stepped away from the doorway, motioning for us to enter. "Come on it."

Takakura led us to the small table in his cabin. There were only two seats. Tak sat down in one of them. I sat in the other. Marlin stood behind me, his hands resting warmly on my shoulders. I took a deep breath. "Tak, Marlin and I are getting married."

My father's old friend shot up in the chair. His blank face turned into a state of surprise. "Really?"

The hands on my shoulders steadily increased their grip. I looked up to Marlin's face. His eyes were staring diagonally down. Was he nervous over what Takakura would say?

Takakura continued. "Jill… that's great! I bet your father will be glad you found a good man!"

I heard a quiet sigh behind me. The tight grips on my shoulders relaxed. I sat beaming. "The wedding is in a week."

The old man nodded. "I will be there. Congratulations!"

The sun was setting over the western mountains; golden rays drenched the valley. Rows of valley residents sat facing the ocean, waiting. Marlin stood dressed in a black tuxedo; a warm smile on his face, his hands quivering nervously.

As I approached, one by one, the villagers turned around to see. A snow white gown hung from my slender body. My long brown hair was pinned back into a bun. The wedding veil fell just beyond my shoulder blades. The sweet fragrance of roses ascended from the bouquet that I clutched so closely to my chest. I walked slowly until I stood next to my loved one. He placed his hands on my forearms. I had never seen him look happier. The priest standing before us began the ceremony.

The sunlight was fading. The priest looked to Marlin. "Do you, Marlin, take Jill to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

It was my turn now. "Do you, Jill, take Marlin to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Marlin and I gazed into each other's eyes. My arms looped around his neck; his arms hugged around my waist. We both leaned in, our lips locking; our first kiss as a married couple. The crowd of villagers cheered behind us. I pulled my new husband even closer.

A new chapter was about to begin for us. I didn't know what to expect in the coming years, but I didn't care… because I knew that being in a place I grew to love, with people I grew to love would help me overcome anything fate would send my way from now on.

The End ~

*thanks again to everyone! hope to have more stories out soon ;)