Should Be
By the Almighty Spork Goddess
"E...E...Erik...?" She managed to ask, her voice choking.
"Yeah." He was silent for a few minutes, then spoke: "You knew I was here, didn't you?"
"...Yes...I had to try something..." Karen looked down at the ground, her eyes misting over. He didn't sound like he was very remorseful. If he wanted her back, wouldn't he take her in his arms and kiss her until they ran out of air?
"Karen, look at me." Karen reluctantly looked up until their eyes met. Didn't he realize how much this was hurting her?
"That song...was it for me?"
Well, duh, Karen wanted to say. But she decided against it, given the situation.
"Yes." This didn't seem to be a very productive conversation. Why didn't he just give her the divorce papers and be done with it?
They were silent for a few minutes, until Erik spoke again.
"You're crying," he noted.
This innocent little remark made Karen snap.
"Ok, just tell me what you're doing here...and what you've been doing watching me for the last few nights?? You're the one who told me to go fulfill my dreams and kicked me out to prove it! I don't know how painful this is for you, but it is a hell of a lot of pain for me! So please, just tell me what you're doing here..." She broke down at the end as tears welled up in her eyes again as she realized the potential danger of what she had just said.
"I'm sorr-" she started to say, but Erik cut her off.
"Because...because I missed you."
Karen felt her eyes misting over again, and had to force her gaze away.
"...Then why..." Again, she didn't get a chance to finish her question, since Erik asnwered it for her.
"Karen...you're too good to be a farmer's wife. You shouldn't be slaving over a hot stove and gathering chicken eggs...you wanted to be a dancer until I came along. I just can't let you forget your dream for me..."
Karen sighed. "Erik...I'm a dancer now. And I miss my old life. I miss the town gossip...the cow contest...the festivals...James...and especially.... you. I know you think that you're doing the right thing, but I'm more unhappy now than I ever was with you."
This time it was Erik's turn to look down at the ground.
"I've missed you so much, Karen...but..."
Karen gave another exasperated sigh. "Erik, I'm telling you my dream was idealistic and being a farmer's wife is tons better than being a dancer. What more do you want?"
"I just don't want you to throw your life away because of m"
"Erik, I'm telling this to you nicely: You talk too much." With that, Karen put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him.
He stood there, stunned for a moment, then shook his head. "Thanks, I needed that!" He entwined his arms around her waist and this time it was he who kissed her, only this time it was because of love and passion, not because Erik wouldn't shut up.
Author's Note: Whew, finished! This was fun to write...even if it was short and a little clich‚ with corny humor. I might do an epilogue, what do you guys think? I'm sorry if that sap got you puking, I can do that to people. It seems that every romance I write turns into a sapfest. It's a curse, I tell ya! Anyway, please r/r...sorry about these being up so fast that you guys' reviews can't catch up, but like I said, this thing practically wrote itself. Anyway, what should I write next? More Karen/Farmer? Or another girl + farmer? Or...another guy + farmer? O.O;;; Whatever floats your boat...just tell me in your review! I'll write an epilogue if I get enough requests/reviews, so it's up to *YOU*, the reader! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)
Disclaimer: Natsume (SERIOUS FUN!) owns Harvest Moon 64, Kai, Karen, Popurri,
Mint, and the default little guy who is Erik in my story and game. I do, however, own the personality of Erik and the baby's name, James. (I named him that in my game, too). Thanks to Silver Yume for giving me the title of this story!