A/N: Have no fear, Ann and Cliff action is here .;; Welcome back, Sheep. I'd like to thank you for faithfully reviewing every chapter. Your feedback is much appreciated. Sorry it took so long to get this out. I've been working on my novel, as well as two other stories, Harvest Moon: A Different Story, and Children of the Harvest. If anyone has time, go check em' out please! ^_^

…And leave a review ;.;…I'm afraid I've been spoiled, and the amount of reviews I've received for each [8 for both at the time of writing this] isn't satisfying me u.u;

I won't keep you from enjoying the epilogue anymore. I'll have another brief word at the bottom. Til then, happy reading, I sincerely hope you all enjoy this!

Shocked. Stunned. Amazed. Wow…

I mean, I knew Karen and Jack had this serious thing going on and everything…But…Yah, I guess I am kind of naïve. Now that I think about it, it's not really that strange.

No stranger than what I'm going to do, at least. Jack may think I'm trying to one-up him, but I don't give a flying fuck. I'm going to propose to Ann today, and I'll be damned if anyone tries to stop me.

I look back on the past with an ironic sort of chagrin. Three months ago I had been wondering where my next meal would be coming from. Now, the biggest worry I had was what ring to buy Ann. Err, that and the fact that she might say no…I don't think she will; I'm trying to remain positive here!

My attitude is totally different from a few months ago too. A while back I was trying to shun relationships of any kind; now I was looking for opportunities to start new ones.

Friendship…A wonderful word that is…It just brings a smile to my face, and fills me with this warm tingly feel. To know that there is hope for this sorry little world of ours.

Anyhow, enough of that. Time for serious business…

I hurried into town, my gold pieces pressed so tightly in my hot little hands I thought I was going to have a permanent indent. My ass was on fire, fueled by excitement, and I just couldn't get to Rick's shop fast enough.

I fumbled with the door handle. Multiple profanities exploded from my lips, my tone fiery and passionate. Of all the days for that little…"Graw! Open up! I know you're in there!" I bellowed.

After persistent screeching in which I'm sure I must have roused the whole town from their beds, and the dead from their graves, the door finally gave in, and creaked open.

I could see Rick's icy glare through his foggy goggles. "What is so important that you have to pull me away from my research?"

I snorted. His hair hadn't been combed, hinting that he had been sleeping, not researching. Not bothering to respond to his question, I simply spouted, "SorryboutthatbutIreallyreallyneedtobuyaringfromyourightnowsocanyougetmeoneplease?"

"What?" he scratched the back of his head, obviously confused.

With a deep breath, I repeated, as slow as I could for his sake, "Sorry about that, but I really, really need to buy a ring from you now, so can you get me one please?"

He scratched his head once more, still looking confused. "A ring?" he began, but then his expression changed to that of the startled nature. "Oh…Oh! Right, away, Cliff!"

He hurried to his back room. Some of my impatience had died, since I knew I was going to get the object of my desire, but I was still a little bit in a hurry.

"Who's the lucky little lady?" Rick slyly inquired, arching a brow.

"Ann," I tapped my foot and held out my hand for him to deposit the gold band in. "How much?"

"1,000 G," he responded, letting the trinket drop into my open palm.

"Done," I responded and practically slammed the money into his hand. With a thank you and slightly crazed smile, I rushed off to go find Ann.

She was still sleeping, as I found out from her father. "Please, can I go wake her?" I begged.

"You were with her all day yesterday! Let the girl get her sleep!" he roared.

"Sir! This is of the utmost importance! I beg of you!"

"…What is so important that it can't wait another few hours?"

"…Doug…sir…I came here to day…To ask your daughter's hand in marriage…" my eyes darted around, then landed on his, silently pleading.

"…" He was quite clearly shocked.

"So please…"

"Go…Go get here then…"

"Thank you," I whispered as I brushed by him. I swore I heard him sniffle.

I silently slipped into her room. My whole face came aglow as my blessed oculars lighted on her beautiful face. Sharply breathing in, I walked over to the curtains, and threw them open, letting the sunshine bask her in warmth.

Her eyelids slowly fluttered open, and she looked around, startled. "Cliff!" her eyes widened as she finally spotted me.

"Hello, my sweet," I teased her, as I swept across the room, and knelt by her bedside.

"How? How'd you get in here?"

"I walked in, silly,"

"I mean, how did you convince my father to let you in?"

"Oh, it wasn't that hard," I chuckled. Reaching a stray and callused hand upwards, I let my fingers sift through her silky orange locks, tucking them behind her ears.

She smiled sweetly. "So what do I owe this pleasure to?"

Smirking, I silenced any further questions of hers by gently pressing my lips to hers.

Breaking it, I held her hands in mine, and smiled up into her dazed and sun-bathed face. "Ann-chan," I softly began, "I came here for a very important reason,"

She cocked her head to the side, but remained silent as I continued, "…If you love me, let me know; if you don't let me go. With those words, I present you with a rather interesting ultimatum. Ann, my love, will you marry me?"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…What'll it be?"

"Yes!" she screamed much to my delight. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her into a tight hug.

Ecstasy. That's' what I felt. Pure adrenaline. My hands ran up and down her back, as my lips engulfed hers in a warm, salty, and passionate kiss.

Deeply she returned it, sending surges of new emotions flying through my body. In frenzy, she slipped out of the bed onto my lap, where the kissing ceased. She snuggled into me with a soft sigh.

"…So glad we're not interrupting anything," came a sarcastic, yet friendly voice.

Ann and I simultaneously looked up to see Karen leaning on the doorframe, and Jack beside her, arm wrapped possessively around her waist. I leveled a smile. "Howdy," I greeted them.

"Hey," Jack warmly nodded.

"Well, guess we better tell them," Ann looked at me and squealed happily.

Jack and Karen each raised a brow. "Hm?"

"Ann and I are engaged," I grinned.

"That's great!" Karen gushed, and slipped from Jack's arms over to us. Plopping on the floor, she all but smothered Ann in hugs.

Jack sauntered over and patted me on the back, returning my earlier grin. "That's great!"

"Yup!" I most definitely agreed.

"When's the wedding?"

"Well, we havn't really had a chance to work that out yet," Ann blushed.

"Hnn…Oh yes, you two seemed rather busy," Jack winked at Ann, getting a bunch of stutters and an even redder face in reply.

Laughter. Joy. Happiness. These, and many other wonderful emotions followed the two couples all throughout their days. With regret, I must close this book and bid my fond farewells. With a bittersweet smile, I open a brand new book and leave its filling up to you.

A/N: Whew! I'm a bit sad at this story's closure, but I can't hide the fact that I'm greatly relieved. For months now, I have toiled and labored away, pouring my heart and soul into Vagabond. I hope it wasn't in vain, and that you guys got some enjoyment out if it. I'm moving up and out, expanding my horizons. After I finish all the HM stories in my queue, I plan on branching out into other categories. Don't worry, there will most definitely be more Harvest Moon stories in the future. I couldn't keep myself away! The reason I love HM stories' so much is the fact that you have so much to work with, and that so much ground is left uncovered.

So with that, I say adieu, and happy reading!

'Deeply she returned it, sending surges of new emotions flying through my body.' - It's called hormones, Cliff. ^~^