Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon or any of its characters. I only own Dasha and Annie (and the baby in development)

(Short Chapter)

Chapter 24

Sunshine after Rain

It has been a week since Annie was kidnapped. Once in a while, she'll complain about the bruises, but we gave her some slack – something I wished Dasha gave me when I conceived Annie.

In that week, I had to keep convincing Skye that Annie wasn't hurt in ways that I was hurt in. It was the night before Annie's birthday when he finally believed me.

Annie's birthday was wonderful. Hugh, Kate, and their families came over. We had Chinese food, had some cake, played some games, and then the kids were chasing fireflies while us grown ups talked. Annie told me later, with her sunburned face as red as her scar, that it was the best birthday ever!

"I'm glad to hear that!" I replied before kissing her.

Skye's birthday was more private. It was just Annie, Skye, the unborn baby, and me. I made dinner that night – Finest curry. But after Skye took a bite of it, he laughed and went to the kitchen to cook something better.

"Momma, why do you even try?" Annie asked. in response, I shrugged my shoulders.

It was the Sunshine after the Rain