Sorry it took so long for this update my folks! You guys are fantastically wonderful as usual!

The thanks aren't in order this time but you are all there, so thanks goes to:

Hmszelda: Molly is just unlucky in these past few chapters. But I think you'll find her luck changing in this one! Thanks for always reviewing this story of mine! I always appreciate it! ;)

GreenLiLyz: That's okay! I was so late in updating that you could've waited a week and it wouldn't have mattered which makes me feel so bad that I'm unable to update faster! I love writing but school wants to keep me away from it T-T. It's heartbreaking! I hope chase does step up (what am I talking about hope? I'm writing the story LOL) I love getting feedback from you all because it feels like I'm experiencing the story with you guys and I can kinda feel how you guys feel when I go back to read. Thanks and I can't wait for your next review!

HorseGirl784: Yesh I love Finn and all his cuteness. He comes in handy for fluffy, sad, and cheerful moments of friendship. I try to leave him out when it gets really serious because I would hate to him to have to take a luminite bath again! Don't worry about reviewing late, I updated late so I think we can call it even ;). Thanks for reviewing as much as you do! It's "trippendicular"! (I've been reading a fanfic based on the 80s as of late XD).

Fanfiction Ninja: I updated as fast as I could! I can't wait to see if you Wizard will truly use is ninja skills to take out the next victim...if need be of course. You never know, people change...then again...MWUAHAHAHA I'm confusing you now! XD. You're review made me giggle loudly so thanks! Oh, and thanks for always reviewing on even the chapters you missed sometimes, I absolutely love seeing people review so many times! :)

Hidden By The Sun: A triple team on Dylan. For what he did back in Molly's Highschool days I'm pretty sure he deserves it! But let's see how much he deserves it now...must always leave that sense of mystery for you wonderful people! Thanks for reviewing!

falangel: Thanks for the praise on my character development! I was so prideful in how the characters turned out. And I'm happy that people are still able to identify the original plot of Harvest Moon Animal Parade in this story so I know I haven't gone too out of left field...or however that saying goes. Molly was a little mistreated last chapter wasn't she? And, yes, the president is very blunt. He might surprise you though!...Or not...who knows? Besides me? XD thanks for your awesome review!

NumberSixteen: I updated as soon as I could so you wouldn't jump off a cliff so please don't jump off a cliff! Cliffies don't even jump off cliffs! They just hang there! QAQ. I'm so flattered that you check so many times a day and I also feel really bad because It's been super hard to update as of late! I hope this tides you over for the next chap which I hope comes faster than this one! Thanks for loving my story so much! It makes me so happy!

Azn-Rinny: You definitely reviewed on time this time but probably because I'm so late in updating again! work always tends to pile up on me so it's so hard to think of what comes next after all that homework and then after all the agonizing club and sport things. Why must I be so active in my darned community! I just wanna stay home and write but that doesn't get me noticed by many people. Oh well...thanks for taking time to review again and don't get caught in class XD. I'm glad I can disrupt your study time because I know I love it when my studying is disrupted teehee ;)!

Tsubaki-San: You came back again! Yay! ^-^ I love how I have so many people willing to beat up Dylan all ready! You must prepare yourselves for anything though! I might just twist the plot *Dun Dun DUUUUUUN* Lol. Oh, and yes, Kasey is such a funny guy isn't he? :D Thanks for reviewing!

It makes me so happy to know that you guys just wait for this story to be updated. I try my absolute best to make it great for all and to update as soon as I'm able.

Without further stalling...I present to you...

Chapter Twenty...EIGHT!


~Molly's POV~

"So where was this "Top Farmer's Conference" thingy at again?" Kathy asked as she Angela, Luke, Calvin, Winry (Witch), Wizard, and Kasey all lounged around my house.

"And is it safe?" Angela added.

"It's on the mainland, the boat is taking me there so I don't really know the address. And for the last time Angela, they have security!" I flashed them the best hopeless and reassuring smile I could. Yes, I lied to them about where I was going to be going. I didn't want them to freak out and follow me.

"Awwww. Then you won't be here to help out with the wedding!" Winry whined.

At that, Angela broke out laughing and Wizard hid his face. They knew that the wedding was actually a horrible mistake on Kasey's part.

"Sh-Shut up!" Winry said and turned away with her arms crossed. She was doing a great job of playing the shy bride-to-be.

"I know. But Hamilton wanted me to attend this so I couldn't just say no."

"True. You're farm has truly shaped this island into something great." Calvin nodded with understanding.

"Yeah Molls! You're farm is, like, EXTREME!"

"And, yet again, Luke has managed to slip his favorite word into the conversation." Kasey said and high-fived Luke.

"The people I know...I swear..." Angela murmured and slumped near Wizard whose facial expression slipped into a serene smirk.

"Well...I'm helping you pack!" Kathy exclaimed.

"Oh no!" I laughed as she hopped up and rummaged through my drawers. The one drawer that I proclaimed as "the drawer that shall not be touched" is the one she went for immediately.

"Kathy! Noo!" I whined as she pulled out various lace lingerie outfits. One of which that I really didn't like was a playful violet. It was really too revealing to all the...uh...personal places.

"You haven't worn any of these yet! I'm offended!" Kathy scoffed.

"Kathy! Put it back!" I exclaimed as she held it up for all to see.

Luke and Kasey whistled with wolfish grins as everyone else looked at it with shock.

"Kathy...What have you been buying for her!" Calvin gawked.

"She needs variety!" Kathy argued.

"She'll look like she sleeps with a variety if she wears that!" Angela laughed.

"Exactly! She'll be the sexiest farmer there!" Kathy winked.

I was so happy that Finn wasn't here to have his innocent ears tainted.

"Hey, Winry...why don't you wear something like that for our honeymoon...or all the time?" Kasey said with a serious face. Angela broke down laughing once again and Wizard got this disturbed look on his face.

I waited for Winry to blow up with anger...instead she started to smile.

"Well, Kasey...how about you wear something like that for me?" She said wickedly.

"Dude...you're fiance is a freak!" Luke said and gave Kasey a punch in the arm which he didn't react to as his face blanked.

Really...the people I know...

"I really wish you could stay for at least one more day though, we could have at least thrown a "See ya soon" party for you at the bar." Kathy said.

"Uh...even if I could stay for tomorrow...the bar would be the last place I'd want to go at the moment." I admitted.

"The Inn?"

"Not there either."

"Why?"

I gave Kathy a serious look along with Angela. I all ready explained to her that I'd rather not have Chase know I was going somewhere.

"Oh...right...that guy is such a jerk I swear." Kathy grumbled.

"And don't let Maya know either. Or anyone relating to the two." I pleaded with my friends.

"Why...? Is there something wrong...with them knowing...?" Wizard asked.

"I just don't want them to know. It's...uh...none of their business?" I questioned my explanation a little. Wizard and Winry would probably find out later so might as well make it a surprise for them.

"I get it. What Chase doesn't know won't hurt him right? Don't even bother with that guy." Winry said and Angela nodded in agreement.

"Sure Molly." Kathy said with a smirk.

"Hey, Angela, Winry...help me pack the rest of Molly's stuff!" Kathy exclaimed and the other two girls in the room smiled wickedly and hopped up.

"NOOOOO!" I squealed with laughter.

It was nice to have friends to cheer you up before the disaster came.

~Chase's POV~

"She just had this...look." I sighed as I sat with Jin in his kitchen. Irene slept in a completely different wing of the clinic so we didn't have to worry about rousing the old women from her sleep.

"You think it had something to do with the letter she had?" I asked him and looked up from the juice he had handed me.

Jin was being quiet and sipping his tea a little stiffly.

"What's wrong with you today?" I asked him.

"Don't you think you should be more concerned about something Maya does than what Molly does?" Jin asked and I gave him a look.

"Uh...no? Wait. I never told you I went out with Maya!"

"I find things out on my own," Jin shrugged and stared at his tea.

"I'm serious Jin."

"That's a first."

"Why are you not cracking any perverted jokes yet? It's been...10 minutes and I haven't heard not even one. Something's wrong."

I expected Jin to give me an irritated stare but instead he looked at me with some curiosity.

"You won't get mad if I tell you something...right?"

"Please tell me you didn't molest Anissa..." I sighed.

"Yeah, no. It's not molesting if they-"

I stared at him.

"Nevermind. But, that's not what I wanted to say. I mean...well just promise you won't get mad."

"Promise? I don't promise anything. And the fact that you're asking for me to promise kind of creeps me out. What's this about?"

"Well, if I told you it was concerning Molly would you get mad?"

You have to understand. If you had a more than perverted friend and a girl you *ahem* liked that had boy trusting issues that just flinched from you after you got them to trust you...you would be a little more than skeptical if your friend had something to tell you about said girl, right? Well, I was...and this is how I responded.

"DID YOU TOUCH HER?" I jumped up and yelled.

"What? NO!" Jin seemed appalled.

"Well...I mean I touched her but not touched her. I was looking at her wound. The one she had from that bridge incident you told me about. And I just brought something up."

"Like what?" I glared at him from my seat.

"Stop looking at me like that and I might tell you." He said and readjusted his glasses. I toned down my glare and he finally spoke.

"I asked her what happened between you two." He said and stared at me warily. I really was considering which way I should kill him but I thought better of it.

"What did she say?" I asked.

"She wouldn't tell me anything. Well, she told me about you dating Maya."

"Oh..." Is all I could say as I slumped back in my chair.

"Yeah...she didn't look too happy about that herself."

"What else happened? She was a little too freaked out for just to have been asked what happened between us."

"...Well I kinda made her cry..."

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right now where you sit?" I said.

"Because I only kinda made her cry because I asked her what she said to you to make you less...you...she started crying after that because I told her whatever she said had hurt you. I mean, it's not like I really care about your love problems since they really aren't my problem but if my friend is acting strange it is my duty not only as a friend but as a doctor to get to the bottom of it-"

"Get to the point Jin..." I sighed.

"She said, and I quote "All I did was try to protect him by keeping him away!" after she got angry at me and then she started to cry and said "If you cared to look closer you could that I've hurt myself too..." and she ran out. I'm not sure what she meant by protecting you but I just hope it's nothing health hazardous...mentally or physically."

"Dammit...just...dammit...I'm a freaking jerk...!" I yelled exasperated.

"Just realized it was your fault?"

"How could you tell?" I said sarcastically.

"So...what are you going to do?" He asked me with a smirk playing on his lips.

Leave it to Jin to screw up and actually still help me at the same time.

"Isn't it all ready obvious to you?I'm going to go talk to her about this whole incident, we'll make up, and then things we'll be completely normal again." I said, and I really did mean normal since the whole Rogue Sprite ark was over as of 5 chapters ago. There couldn't possibly be anymore surprises!

"What about-"

"Chase!" Maya's voice came from the entry way of the clinic kitchen and I turned towards my "girlfriend" with a questionable look that quickly turned to a "forgot one thing" expression.

"That?" Jin muttered to complete his thought and I sighed.

"Maya, the clinic is closed. What are you doing just barging in?" I asked her and she gave nervous chuckle.

"Sorry about that Jin." She said and Jin waved it off as nothing. I glared at him since he didn't back me up on my scolding of her.

"Moving on." I grunted.

"Oh, yeah. Well, Grandma got a big job for an event and she wants you and me to go!" Maya jumped happily. "Well, I'm going to observe, you're going to help." She added. I perked up at this.

"Really? We're catering an event?" I asked intrigued.

"Is it a sudden festival? Maybe a banquet?" Jin thought aloud.

Maya shook her head with glee.

"No, we're catering a huge event for a city on the mainland!" She exclaimed and I felt my face bright up.

"Really? You're not joking with me, Maya? Please tell me you aren't joking!"

"I'm not joking! It's going to be big!"

"This is great! Where are we catering at? When?"

"Well, it's for a high school reunion in Portland! I brought the message for you to read!"

Maya handed me an envelope that I immediately took and opened the already broken seal.

Letter's Contents

Dear Yolanda Sousffer and apprentices,

We would like to hire your catering services for our high school reunion here at Portland High School. It will be held on Wednesday and last for 10 days. You won't have to come on Wednesday since that would only be the time in which the SGA will be discussing matters and making sure everyone is attending such as the Valedictorian who was quite hard to find. We await your arrival as I hope you will be willing to come.

Sincerly,

Dylan Sarrant, SGA president

END

My mood fell quickly as I thought about how far the mainland was from the island.

"Maya, when are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning. Why?"

"Will I have time to do something before we leave? Like pack, say good bye to a few people?"

"Oh yeah, that's why I'm here! Grandma wanted you to come start working on the menu with me and her tonight. Dad already packed your things for you so you were able to focus on the menu. We're going to be busy until our ship arrives because apparently Pascal has some passengers for tonight so we can't go tonight." Maya explained.

"That's...great..." I sighed. I guesses Molly would have to wait for me to come back from this trip.

~Angela's POV~

As we waved bye to Molly as she headed on down the path (because she insisted that we all stay in the warmth of the house hold after Kathy, Calvin, and Luke said good bye and left) Winry and Kasey started to pace around Molly's floor like crazy.

"What are you two doing?" I asked them and they stopped and looked at me.

"Well...we were thinking that if we have to go through with this wedding then we might as well do it right...right?" Kasey said and Winry looked at him incredulously.

"Of course we want it to be done right!"

"So what were you two crazy love birds thinking of?" I asked.

"Well neither of us really know what we do in these type of rituals...so what is the usual way to do things?" Winry asked with a serious look.

"Bachelor and bachelorette parties...dress shopping...vow writing...invites...-" Wizard started listing off.

"Wh-what's he saying...? Is he broken?" Kasey said worriedly.

"No. He's listing off things that you would do for a traditionally modern wedding. He's so knowledgeable!" I said happily and Wizard raised a brow at me inquisitively.

"Save your gooey mush junk for someone else Angela, he wouldn't understand your admiration." Winry said and rolled her eyes.

"Aw..." I pouted and Winry nudged me with a disgusted face.

"Anyway..." Kasey continued. "I think that we should go to the one place on the mainland that Renee had showed me in a magazine. She said it would be a treat to take Winry there for wedding shopping. She said that is should be a surprise trip but since I really don't care...hey Winry let's go to Portland to shop for the wedding."

"How romantic Kasey..." Winry rolled her eyes irritably.

"I guess we leave tomorrow then." She said and grabbed my arm.

"Me too? Isn't this a couple thing for the couple to be wedded?" I asked.

"We aren't really a couple per say. I'll even let you bring Wizard along!" She said excitedly.

"I'm not stupid...you want us to come because we know what you two need to shop for, right?" I said.

"Oh, Angela. You know me just like Molly does!" Winry gushed happily.

I rolled my eyes and smirked.

"Let me just pack my things..." I sighed.

~Molly's POV~

"Good to go?" Gill asked me as he saw me arriving at the docks with my bags.

"Yeah...I think I have everything." I murmured loudly while going over my luggage's contents in my head.

"I have to say...I never expected a valedictorian to come all the way out to an island to become a farmer. You should be sure to put down more information in your files when you get back. Though I guess it is a little expected since you're so successful in your field of work here."

I flashed him a smile.

"Thank you Gill. I'll be sure to look over any errors in my files when I get back."

"Good. Oh, and please be sure not to forget that if anything happens while you're gone to contact Town Hall here. You're one of our villagers, thus, your safety, health, and well-being is our concern. And not just for legal reasons. This land and the people care for you, no matter if we don't *ahem* say it that much." Gill said and turned his head away out of embarrassment.

I felt myself get flushed too. Gill was usually cold, I guess all those tomatoes really softened him up to me.

"I appreciate it. I'm glad I have friends to rely on." I said as I climbed aboard the ship. Gill turned to walk away but I took a chance and called out to him.

"Tell Luna hi for me when you meet her for that date!" Gill immediately turned with a flushed face that was redder than a Shining Tomato. News of couples on the island gets around fast.

"Geez...I-I'll be sure to let her know..." He sighed with a humorous grimace on his face and I laughed softly before heading to the cabin that Pascal had prepared for me below the deck.

It wasn't long until we set sail for Portland. I'd get there by Tuesday (tomorrow) morning...plenty of time to get settled in and not on time so the SGA won't know which hotel I'm staying at.

X

X

X

The trip was long and tiring and I was actually glad that we reached Portland. I made sure to dress in something warm and city-styled so I could fit in a little easier. After so many years away from the place I loathed so much, it was a little bit of a struggle to think about how I used to dress. So I simply put on one of the many outfits I had from Luna. This outfit was composed of a white-hoodie jacket that looked skin tight but was really quite warm with a Sky blue, long-sleeved shirt. I had on dark denim flare jeans and round-toed, black, 2-inch heels. I was reaching into the pocket of one of my bags to get out my wallet which held 25% of my income for the season (which was really high believe it or not) and I felt two metal things play between my fingers. I pulled them out to reveal two hair clips.

"These are..."

I remembered when I helped Jin to dress Chase's wound after he went into the woods looking for the Rogue Sprite.

"That reckless guy..." I mumbled. I must have forgotten to give his hair pins back. He had different pairs so I guess it wasn't a big deal to him.

I smiled at the metal incarnations of my recent memories.

"It feels just like yesterday, huh?"

Without skipping a beat, I put the clips in my hair and examined myself in the small vanity that Pascal had put in the room. What can I say, I just...wanted to keep them...

I stepped off the boat and waved good-bye to Pascal. He told me which boat would be best to take home before he set sail for Castanet, he would probably arrive there a little after morning since it was 4' o clock on mainland. There was a time difference between Portland and Castanet, though Pascal couldn't exactly tell me how much. I knew it was Tuesday so I was in the clear.

I made my way down the quiet dock, if Pascal knew about the things that went on in this city then he would probably have offered to ride in the taxi with me to the hotel that I would be deciding to stay at.

"I should probably stay at maybe a 4 star hotel...they might have one of the 5 stars booked for the others so a down grade wouldn't be horrible." I said as I carefully tugged my luggage along. When I made it the the city sidewalks I started waiting for a taxi to drive by. In a city, it's pretty lively no matter where you're at so there was bound to be a taxi coming from somewhere. Luckily for me, a taxi came right away and the plus was this it was a woman. She helped me get my luggage into the back.

"Where are we off to so late?" She asked friendly.

"Do you know the hotel that the Portland high graduation class of 2008 is staying at?" I asked.

"Yes that's the uh...Hullmack Hotel I believe. The 5 star one. Is that where you're going?"

"No, no, no. I just needed to be sure because I didn't want to stay at a noisy place, I'm on vacation and just want a quiet, 4-star hotel that is far away from that hotel for me to feel at ease that I won't run into any of the residents there but close enough for a nice way to walk to Portland park and the multiple shopping centers. I hope I don't seem too conceited."

"No, I hear you loud and clear. We could use some seclusion every once in a while. The hotel that you're looking for is the Melerm Hotel. It's just as good as the Hullmack and the staff will be able to focus on you much better than guests at the Hullmack because of the reunion."

"Perfect! Then could you take me there?"

"Sure thing!"

X

X

X

"Thank you Reena! Keep the change!" I said happily to the woman. She turned out to be only a few years older than me, she was only working her father's job at the moment.

"No problem Molly! Hope you have a nice vacation!" Reena said before driving off. I waved goodbye and went on into the hotel. It was very spacious yet homey on the inside with a dash of elegance. A nice waterfall fountain stood in the middle, giving off a serene atmosphere. I went up to the front desk and a handsome man a slight bit older than me (probably Luke and Calvin's age) greeted me. He wore a formal button up shirt with dress pants and dress shoes. His hair was light brown and his eyes were a caramel color. His name tag read 'Kevin' and 'Manager'.

"Hello miss. How may I help you this evening?"

"Yes, I was hoping you had a room available."

"Let me check really quick." He said and flashed a devilish smile.

I stood there awkwardly and waited for him to respond.

"Mmmhmmm...well the only regular suites that were available were booked yesterday night by a catering crew...buuuuut...the honeymoon suite isn't being used."

"Uh...I suppose I could use it instead..." I mumbled a little shyly.

"How long are you staying?"

"For about 2 weeks. 11 or 12 days probably...I'm not very sure..." I hummed in thought and got flustered as he flashed me another smile.

"12 days huh? Since this is such an inconvenience and you happen to be such a pretty girl, I'll reduce the price from 12,000 G to 6000 G for your whole stay. Food and fridge service included."

I gawked at him.

"Oh...no I couldn't! I mean...I'm not even married so it's not like I actually deserve the room."

"It's fine miss...?"

"Withard. Molly Withard."

"Nice name. I'm Kevin McKell. As you can see I'm the manager. Well, Molly, it's fine. The fact that you have to take that suite and you're not married only makes it even more necessary to reduce the price. Besides, this city is pretty crazy. You may just find someone to share the room with." He chuckled and I blushed profusely.

"Ah-n-no! I mean...I don't..." I bit my lip in embarrassment.

"Relax, I'm only teasing. Guys will pick on you if you keep that up you know. Especially if you bite your lip like that." He said with a "no-duh" smile this time.

"I-I've been told that before..." I murmured.

"Is that a blush I see? I may not know you that well but if I didn't know any better I'd say you were thinking of someone you like just now." He said and I brought a hand to my cheek.

"Uh...I..."

"He probably doesn't like it when you make cute faces like that at other guys if he likes you too."

"Uh...right...we actually got into a fight recently. I-it wasn't a lovers spat. Though I really do...well...it's complicated between us." I said. Kevin eyed me and flashed me a smile.

"Hey Ian! Take the counter for me real quick!" Kevin called into a back room before grabbing my bags.

"C'mon. You can tell me on the way up." He said and gave me a wink. I was reluctant at first but I eventually followed him to the elevator since he only let me carry my purse.

The whole way up I told him bits and pieces of mine and Chase's predicament and he listened carefully. When we reached my floor (which was the 40th) I was done and he was thinking of his response.

"Well, I think that you need to take more into account of what he wants."

My eyes snapped up to him.

"Chances are, this guy is the seriously protective type. I'm that type myself so I can speak for him when I say I wouldn't want the girl I care for to try and protect me from something that's bigger than her too. It sounds sexist, but the type of guy I am, I automatically have this instinct that tells me to protect that girl. I'm pretty sure the guy you're having troubles with is the same way. That doesn't mean not to worry, it's pretty impressive that you want to protect him and it might be part of the reason why he likes you too. But don't always try to take on your troubles yourself and try to protect him from knowing something dark or getting hurt. When you need to cry or unload your feelings, let him be your shoulder, someone you love is there for you for the sole purpose of comfort and protection." Kevin gave me a serious look as he said that before he opened my room door.

"Wow...you think that will make him less mad?" I asked hopefully.

"Positive. In fact, he's probably mad at himself right now if he knows that you were trying to protect him." He smiled at me before patting my head.

"You're probably only two years younger than me but you're so damn cute! Get some sleep and enjoy your stay!" Kevin said as he handed me my room key and headed back downstairs. I said goodbye and closed my room door after flipping on the light switch. The room left me in awe, it was a light blue color and the furniture was black leather. There was a kitchen with ceramic tiling and there was a huge fridge in the kitchen.I didn't feel so hungry so I just decided to unpack for my long stay. I put my sleepwear (which were all unfortunately sexy lingerie) in a top drawer and Kathy, Angela, and Winry made it so all of my out and about clothes were too uncomfortable to lay down in so I would only be able to sleep in the lingerie.

"I'd consider buying more pajamas...but that would be a waste of money..." I sighed and took out a bright pink, lacy...thing that barely covered my midriff and had very short-shorts...oh wait...those were panties. They packed the really tiny, barely able to be seen, sleep bras so it looked like I didn't have a bra on underneath the material.

I sighed at the horrible excuse for clothing and went and took my shower in the gorgeous bathroom. After I was done, I slipped the lace on and went over to the humongous bed that was a dark, royal blue. The sheets were Egyptian Cotton and felt so good on my skin.

I flipped a switch by the bed that turned off the light out in the living room part of the suite and the only lights left were the lights of the city filtering in from the large viewing window in the living room part and the lamp at my bedside. I had no idea I had turned it on so I flipped another switch by the bed and slo music started to play along with a pole dropping down from the ceiling.

"EHHH?" I squeaked and flipped it back down immediately.

Scary...

I then spotted a tiny, insignificant switch on the lamp along with a printed note that read:

The new wife usually makes the mistake of turning on the sensual settings in the room because of the lamp that is always on before an occupant arrives.

~New husbands enjoy ;)

"That's a dirty trick!" I exclaimed indignantly. I shook my head with displeasure before turning the lamp off and snuggling down deeper in the covers. I yawned tiredly and looked forward to sleeping past 5 o' clock for the next two weeks.

Which would probably be the only thing I'd have to cherish.


Finally updated! It's a long one so I hope you like it. I hope the constant switches in Point Of View didn't confuse you guys too much! I'm trying my best to update as fast as I can so please bear with me!

Thanks for all your support! :)

You're all beautiful!