- Harvest Moon, A Wonderful Life -

A Changed Life

- "Going Deeper" -

"So... you're fine with it?"

"Actually, yeah. I mean, it sucks, but sure..."

Celia and Seth were discussing what Seth had just discovered on the hillside that lead up to Seth's farm.

"Well, sorry to hear that..."

"It's really no problem."

Seth sighed, and looked down at the beach. Celia looked at him.

"Seth, anything wrong?"

He turned to her. "Huh?" He shook his head. "Oh, it's just... I was thinking about how kind you've been."

Celia laughed softly. "Yeah, I'm a softie, huh?"

"Eh? Oh, yeah, sure."

Celia laughed again, louder this time. "You're not even listening to me, are you?"

"Uh... kinda, sorta," he said nervously.

Celia stopped laughing, and gazed out at the ocean. "Man, living here has been wonderful. It's so peaceful, and nothing too bad ever goes wrong."

Seth nodded in agreement. "I agree... it's perfect. I'm glad I moved here."

Celia looked at him. He was still watching the waves roll back and forth on the beach shore. "It has some nice views too, huh?"

Seth turned his head to look back at her. "Yes... it does..."

Their faces inched closer towards each other...

But, suddenly, a loud barking erupted from behind them. They both jumped and turned around to see Jake.

Seth threw his hands in the air, then picked up Jake, shaking the dog. "Damn! Of all days to forget to feed ya..."

Celia laughed again.

Seth turned back to her, pretending to be hurt. "Stop laughing! It hurts my feelings!"

Celia calmed herself down. "Can I ask you something?"

Seth put Jake back down onto the ground. "Shoot."

Before Celia could say anything, Vesta's voice was heard.

"Celia! Harvesting time!"

Celia sighed. "I've gotta go... I'll ask you later, okay?"

"Ah... okay," Seth said.

Celia walked down the hill, but quickly rushed back out. Before Seth could say anything, she kissed him on the lips.

When they parted, Celia went back down the hill and headed for Vesta's ranch. She turned around and waved goodbye while walking back. Seth waved back, not sure what he was supposed to be feeling. He turned around and looked down. Jake was staring up at him in a fashionably cute way.

"Oh, that's right... happiness."

He smiled down at his dog.

"Come along, you..."

(((SFR)))

That afternoon, the usual crowd was at the Blue Bar after a hard day of work.

"Well, I broke the news to Seth," Hardy muttered through a sip of Red Punch.

"No way!" Gustafa exclaimed. "How'd he handle it?"

"Pretty well, actually," Hardy answered. "He seems better now, of course. Certainly not what he used to be."

"Without a doubt," Kassey agreed.

Seth entered the bar after he finished.

"Hey, guys," he greeted.

"Hello, Seth," Hardy greeted back. "Have you gotten better?"

"Much," Seth replied. He couldn't help smiling. "I feel like everything's fine and dandy now. I mean, I can't live in the past anymore. I've carried on."

"I can certainly see!" Gustafa said. "You seem really cheery now, Seth."

"It's just hard working here without Muffy," Griffin said sadly. "You had yourself a good gal, my man. But then she had to die..."

They were silent, until he continued.

"...but you've found yourself another lady. Be sure you don't lose her."

"I don't intend to," Seth muttered.

"Good," Griffin replied. "So, what'll it be?"

"Just a Blue Punch," Seth ordered.

"Comin' right up," Griffin said. He ducked underneath the counter.

"You know, I miss Galen's drinks," Gustafa said, pondering. "Not to say I hate yours, Griffin."

Griffin nodded. "No offense taken. I found a list of Galen's recipes, so maybe I could try making them myself."

Kassey looked up. "That would be good."

"Indeed," Seth agreed. He finished up his Blue Punch and jumped down from his stool. "Well, that's all I need, I'm gonna go back home now."

"That's it?" Gustafa inquired. "Come on, sit back down and have another drink!"

"Guys, it's his decision," Hardy told them. "Good night, Seth."

"'night," Seth said.

(((SFR)))

Seth returned to his farmhouse and went straight to his bed. But after about thirty minutes, he discovered he couldn't sleep. So, he got back up, turned a light on, and began watching TV.

"...tomorrow's weather might be a bit of a rainstorm, folks. Despite Winter coming up on our heels..."

Following the reporter's words came a knock on the door. Seth jumped. He wasn't expecting visitors at this hour.

"Um... yes?" he called. "Who is it?"

Celia's voice responded. "It's me, Seth."

Seth gulped. "Celia?"

"Uh... yeah! If it isn't a bad time..."

"No, not at all!"

Seth got up and opened the door.

"Uh, if you want, you can come in," he offered.

"That would be nice," Celia said, walking past Seth. "Man, it's getting cold already."

"Well, it is almost Winter..."

Seth closed the door and watched Celia observe his small house.

"This is where you live?" she asked.

"Well, basically," Seth muttered. "I was gonna have a kitchen added, until Muffy died..."

Celia fell silent and looked at the TV.

"...to repeat tomorrow's weather report, a rainstorm is heading towards Forget Valley. It shouldn't be too bad, just a bit of thunder."

"Rain?" she questioned. "Sounds bad for cold weather."

"Yeah, and it'll be colder tomorrow," Seth shivered. "I'm gonna need to get my coat out from the bin."

"Me too," Celia said. "I have this cute scarf and everything..."

Seth watched the TV for several more seconds, until he grew the courage to ask Celia something.

Celia turned from the TV to Seth. "Hmmm?"

"Uh, about earlier today..."

"Oh, that. Is this about the question I was supposedly going to ask you?"

"Bingo."

Celia walked over and sat on the bed. "I suppose you want to hear it, then?"

"If it doesn't trouble you..." Seth said uncertainly.

Celia disregarded it with a wave of her hand. "Nevermind, here it is – do you think you could grow some winter strawberries for me?"

"Huh?"

"I just need them for something... can you do it?"

"Well, sure!"

"Yes! Thank you."

"Do I need to-"

"No, I have the seeds right here. Hold onto them!"

Celia poured about four to five seeds onto Seth's outstretched hand. He put them in his pockets, then sat down next to Celia on the bed.

"Well, that's out of my system," he muttered.

"I'd really appreciate it," Celia said encouragingly.

"I'm gonna do it," Seth assured her. "Don't worry."

They remained silent for a few tense moments for Seth.

"Celia...?"

"Yeah?"

"Uh... about our relationship..."

Celia looked ready for something. "Uh... ask away."

"I was thinking we could go... you know... deeper into it."

Celia understood what Seth was saying. "You mean...?"

Seth looked embarrassed. "Yeeaaah..."

Celia admitted, "Well, I wasn't expecting that."

"Well, if you don't-"

"Don't start with that, of course I have no problem."

Seth looked puzzled. "You don't?"

"Ah... well, you see, the thing is... I used to have a crush on you. Before Muffy died."

"You serious?"

Celia blushed. "Yeah..."

"Well... I wasn't expecting that," Seth laughed.

Celia put on a mock hurt expression. "Don't laugh!"

"Hey! You're mocking me!" Seth said. "Only I can do that!"

They both laughed, then fell silent and watched the TV as a show started.

"You know, it's always been great knowing you," Seth said.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah..."

Celia tapped Seth's shoulder. When he turned around, she kissed him.

"Whoa! What was that about?"

"You wanted to go deeper, right?"

"Well, yeah, but-"

He couldn't say anymore, as Celia kissed him again. They both kissed gradually faster, until Seth pulled himself away again.

"I can't do this..."

"Don't be afraid," Celia said softly. "I'm not. Look where it brought me."

As Seth was realizing she was right, she pulled him back in for another kiss. Then they laid down on the bed, Celia atop Seth.

"No, really, I'm af- I can't- I won't-"

"Seth, shut up."

"Okay..."