AUTHOR'S NOTE: Alright, here we go into the last chapter. Shall we see how things turn out?

Chapter 15: Then and Now, Love is Forever.

Spring 10 (cont.)

"Jack."

It was him. Though it was late at night and by all means he should have been in his own home and in his own bed by this time, he had come by, up the same exact road that leads to the library and my home. He had come up this way for what reason? That reason was to see me and instead he was greeted by the image of myself in the arms of Gray.

My eyes had adjusted to the light at this point and I could see him clearly as a gentle breeze wafted though the once still air, caused the trees to blow their newly grown leaves. The look on his face was one that I would never forget. There were so many emotions that were mixed into one as a painter could mix colors on a pallet. I could see sadness and surprise, anger and jealousy, and a look that said that some part of him always knew that this would happy. And that part was in the middle of a long string of I-told-you-so's.

Out of the three of us, he was the first to speak. I found no surprise in that. I can not say what Gray was thinking at that point, actually I can't even remember what I was thinking of, if anything at all. Jack's mouth opened and at first all that came out was a sigh of air. Then he gathered himself and found his voice.

"I'm-I'm sorry. I came at a bad time."

He turned around so sharply that I saw something large fall from his hand, something that I didn't see before. In the matter of moments that it took my eyes to glance down to the object and back up to where Jack was standing, he was already gone. He hadn't just run away, he had sprinted, wanting to put as much distance between himself and us as possible, but I can only assume at that.

When Jack had disappeared from sight I walked to the item he discarded. I knelt down and lifted it up with both hands. The item was a bouquet of spring flowers all arranged just so. It was beautiful and from one of the stems hung a card and written on that card was my name.

I didn't think that I could feel any worse the I did, but the flowers proved me wrong. It was as if I could feel the guilt oozing from my hands and into the rest of my body. It was then my whole body started to tremble as I slowly stood back up on my feet.

Gray placed a firm had on my shoulder. At some point the had come up behind me, but I did not hear him. His hand squeezed slightly and I was grateful for the motion.

"I'm guessing those were for you."

"Yes." Even my voice was slightly shaking as I held back more tears.

I had cried more in the fast few months then I ever had in my entire life. My heart was being ripped apart by two people who wanted nothing more then me. It seemed impossible to believe that anyone, let alone two people, could actually care about someone like myself. I wanted to yell out 'Why me? Out of all the girls here, why me? Couldn't I just be left well off alone? Couldn't you just leave me with my fantasies and fairy tales? Why did you have to show me the truth about love and romance? Why did you have to show me how much it hurt? Why!"

I didn't yell. I didn't because that's not what I do; that's not who I am. No, instead I spoke very calmly, knowing that this was where it was going to end, that my time to speak had come and if I didn't take it then, well I don't know what would have happened. I suppose I'm wrong to think I still had the luxury of silence. This time, I had to talk.

"Gray, I'm sorry, but I can't-I can't be with you. I……I don't love you."

"Mary…………Somehow, I knew you would say that, but I thought that maybe if I still told you, I could make you change you're mind. I feel stupid for doing so. I knew how you felt about him. I saw you two together so many times."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you with him, though you mustn't have seen me. You were together at the New Year Festival, The Fireworks Festival, even at the Year End you were together. I would have to be blind not to notice the bond growing between you too."

"Gray."

"It isn't fair, Mary. It's just not fair. I've known you for years and I've loved you for so long now, but I just couldn't say it. I was afraid that, if I did, I would ruin the relationship we have now. But you've only known Jack for less then a year and you already……you already……It's just not fair."

"Gray, I'm sorry. I never knew that you felt so strongly, if I did…well I don't know what my reaction would have been. But you haven't ruined anything, I still like you."

"You just don't love me."

"No. I'm sorry Gray."

"I still care for you, Mary and because I do I want you to be happy, no matter what. Even………even If that means you won't be with me."

"What are you saying?"

Gray took both of my shoulders again, but much more gently then before.

"I'm saying go after him. Don't let him get away."

With that he gave me one last hug and whispered in my ear "Be happy". He broke the hold and looked at me in the eyes one last time and nodded, telling me to go. I slowly back away from, checking to see if I was doing the right thing. Another breeze came through the air and I saw just how noble he looked under the moon light. I spared him one last glance and then I followed in the direction Jack had run, flowers still in my hand.

I started off walking, but as Jack's home came into view, I slowed down. I was nervous of what may come out. I had already lost Gray, there was go going back to him. If Jack had given up on me, then I was out of options.

I saw a light burning inside of his house and I knew that he was home. I approached the front door and hesitated. I managed to build up enough nerve to knock the door. No one answered. I knocked again and there was still nothing. I told myself to just leave now, but I wouldn't. I turned the handle on the door and pushed it open. I looked around the small, but warm and friendly home of his. I saw the bookshelf, crowded with literature over farming, crops, animals, tools, and the like. Next to that was a self with a glass door. A few minerals dug up from the mines glowed inside, shining off the light provided by the lamp overhead. There was also the TV. Jack was one of few people in this village lucky enough to own one. In the far corner of the room was a large wooden box and a small shelf with an empty vase. And at the other end of all of this was Jack, sitting on the foot of his bed, his dog Kit at his feet. Kit looked over to me and barked a friendly bark. He came running over and knelt down and petted him with my free hand.

"Hey." Jack said, his voice sounding a bit off, very sad and tired is the closest I can come to describing it.

"Jack I-"

"I'm sorry, Mary. I didn't know. If I had any idea about the relationship between you and Gray I never would have stepped in the middle of it. It's my own fault really. I was crazy not to think that someone else already held feelings for you. I mean, you're just so kind and caring, and not to mention beautiful."

I blushed at that. Not just because of the words, but because that this was Jack saying them to me. That's what ready made them special. Now this wouldn't mark the first time someone had ever said these things about me, mind you. Both of my parents have complemented me before, but there's a difference between hearing your family saying they love you, and hearing it from a friend. It means more, I think. A lot more.

I stopped petting Kit at this point and stood up, closing the distance between us. Though Kit was upset at the fact that he had lost the attention he was getting, I think he knew that something bigger then himself was going on between is master and myself. So he trotted over to the table and rested under one of the chairs, looking at us as we spoke.

"Jack, I don't care for Gray in the way you think I do. I like him, yes. He is a good friend of mine, but that's all he is, a friend. I don't love him though, not in the way that I love you."

He looked up at me for just a moment, completely silent. He dropped his head again and spoke.

"I can't."

Those words ripped right through me. I suddenly hurt all over, but my heart felt the pain most of all. It was like every dream I had was just ripped in two right in front of me. I couldn't believe what he had just said.

"I can't." He repeated. "It couldn't do this to you."

"What do you mean?"

Jack now stood from where he was resting and trained his vision back on me. Even though we were both so close to each other, I felt as if we were worlds away.

"I'm gone every day from early morning to late at night working on the farm and when I'm not there I'm deep inside the mines in Mineral Hill digging for ores, or I'm running errands in the village. But I'm never home. I also don't make much money at all. I never know what kind if income I'll have from day to day. It all lies in the fate of the animals I keep and the weather conditions. If anything were to ever happen I could be completely broke in an instant. Geez, I couldn't even afford to get you a real birthday gift. How sad it that? Mary you would be happier with Gray. He could be with you and he could give you all of those things that I never could. You could have a much better life with him."

I started to cry again so I lowered by head, so Jack wouldn't see my tears, so he wouldn't see how weak I really was.

"Do you really think I'm so shallow?"

I heard him gasp slightly at my words. Even thought I was still weeping, I looked I had to see his face. I had to.

"I'll get up early in the morning and stay up late so I can greet you as you awake and when you come home. I'll cook our meals and clean the house. And, if you'll show me how, I'll even help you around the farm as much as I can! I want to do these things, Jack. That's what love means. It mean's I'll do anything you want me to, anything at all, just as long as you love me too."

Jack took his finger and brushed away the tears from my cheeks and eyes. I dropped the flowers, just as he had and pressed my face and arms on his chest causing my glasses to go askew.

"I love you, Jack." I said.

I felt as his heart speed up and then came the warmth as he closed his strong arms around me and held me close. Everything felt right at that moment. I was doing what I wanted and it felt good, better then I could have ever dream it could feel.

"I-I love you too."

And with those simple words, I melted in his arms. I felt as though I were a character in one of the many romance novels that I have read in my time, but the love I felt in my hear put them all to shame.

I looked up at him and he looked down at me, at the same time both we started leaning toward one another, very slowly and then our lips touched and we kissed. A shiver went down my spine and my face became red and hot, but I didn't care. I was in heaven.

The kiss broke up and I could see that he was just as red as I was. It was cute seeing that even Jack was a little shy himself. I suddenly burst out into a smile and I didn't know why. Jack was smiling too now.

"There's something I want to give you." He said.

Jack let go of me and walked over to the wooden box at the other end of the room. He opened up the top and the old hinges squeaked as he did so. He brought something out that was wrapped carefully in paper. He closed the lid again and walked back over to me, holding his gift in both hands.

"I found it a few weeks ago at the market. I had to ask Jeff about it first. He told me what it was and what it was for. He said that he only had the one, it came accidentally in his last shipping order and if I wanted it, it was mine. I took him up on the offer. I wanted to give this to you for some time, but I was too afraid too, but now……now seems like the right time."

I took the gift from his hand looking at him strangely, wondering what he was possibly speaking about, thinking about what was sold in the market that wasn't self explanatory. The item was light and I wondered why he would be so gentle with something so easy to carry. I started peeling away the layers of tissue paper that was wrapped around the object. When I lifted the last piece, my eyes went wide surprise. The item underneath the paper, the one he acquired by complete accident was a blue feather. In Mineral Village and several other villages, a blue feather stood for everlasting love and trust and because of it's meaning, some people used it to propose marriage, instead of rings.

I looked from the feather to his face and back again. It all happened so fast and I felt a bit dizzy. I wondered if he really knew what the item was for, if he really knew what he was doing.

"A blue feather? Jack I………I……I don't know what to say. Do you know what this means? Are you really asking me if-"

"Mary, I love you with every bit of my heart and I have from the moment I met you. The first day I walked into the library over a year ago, I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, that's why I want to ask you for your hand in marriage, so will you marry me?"

A knock came from the door so suddenly that Leo almost dropped the book. He fumbled with it in mid air and finally managed to get a solid grip on it. He sighed and held his chest waiting for the beating of his heart to slow.

"Yea, come in."

The door opened and there was Arisa again, she had changed from the sunny clothing that she was wearing early today. She was now wearing a solid black dress. That outfit didn't work for her. Her choice in clothing was always so bring at colorful that Leo was surprised that she even owned anything black. Her eyes were sad and slightly teary was she stood in the doorway. A pit had formed in his stomach before she even spoke.

"I'm sorry, Leo. It's only a few minutes until….."

She didn't finish herself, but instead she just looked away. I stood up from the bed, placing the book down on the sheets.

"I'll need to change." I said.

"Yea. I'll be waiting outside. Come how when you're ready."

She closed the door with that. Leo sighed. He hadn't managed to finish after all. He picked up the book to put it back on the shelf, but decided a against it. He put it back down on the bed and opened up the small suitcase he had brought with him, and took out the black shoes, plants, and jacket that was inside. He dawned the clothing slowly, not looking forward to what's ahead, but knowing the time had come to face the music.

Leo stepped outside and Arisa was still there waiting for him. At least he was lucky enough to have a friend like her. He looked at each other for a minute and Leo managed a weak smile. With a nod of his head, the set off for the church.

The entire village had gathered there inside by the time the services started. Leo was sitting in the front row next to Arisa. Next to her was Mayor Harris. On the other end was Kano, the photographer (he had made a nice name for himself with his work in the past few years). Next to him was Karen and her husband Rick. Behind all of us were Lillia and her husband who had finally returned with a cure for her sickness that threaded to take her life years back, May and Stu (engaged), Manna, Ann and Cliff and their children: Derek and Timmy, as well as Eilli and her little girl, Wendy. There were others of course, some from his parents day and some who were new to the village, born or moved.

Despite the change in time and the passing years, Carter was still pastor of the church, though he had grown old now and his one so-blond hair had faded to white. He was still a bit of an odd-ball, but he was as kind as the days Leo used to be taught by him when he was just a small boy.

The funeral passed as a life time and Leo had to rub the tears from his eyes several times, but as soon as the services began Arisa griped his hand tightly in hers and didn't let go, not even when everyone rose into a line and paid their last respects. His mother and father were laid to rest beside each other in the cemetery and as the group of people left one by one, each saying their regrets to him, Karen approached. She was no longer the young girl she used to be, the type that his mother had described, but she still held a kind of beauty.

"Your mother and father were both wonderful people, Leo. We were all lucky to have known them."

"I know. Mom spoke very highly of you, Karen. You were her best friend."

She smiled that smile people do when they're trying to hold back tears.

"She was my best friend too. I'm going to miss her."

"We all are."

Karen and I hugged and she said her goodbyes and left with Rick who took her in his arms as they left. Arisa was the last to stay with Leo. She had been with him the entire time and had cried with him too. He was so lucky to have her.

"Want to walk me home?" He asked and Arisa nodded.

Back at the farm, Leo stopped just short of the mail box and peered out upon the land. The fields were still as overgrown as they were this morning when he arrived. The building needed a fresh coat of paint and all the animals were gone, taken to other farms where they could be cared for. It was depressing, almost as if the farm had passed on with his parents.

"So what are you going to do now?" Arisa asked, breaking his train of thoughts.

The land didn't have to stay this way, did it? Wasn't it in the same condition when dad took it over from his great grandpa? The farm could be resurrected and brought back to glory. And he could do it, he knew it.

"I'm going to stay." He told Arisa. "It's a family business and It's going to stay that way."

Arisa's face light up at that. She was happy that he would be staying, that he would be around forever. Well first he would probably have to go back home and get his things, but still, this was the best news she had heard all day.

Leo glanced over at Arisa's face. He smiled at her.

"I'm going to bring this land back to the way it's meant to be, and-"Leo suddenly took Arisa in his arms and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Someday I'm going to marry you and make you my wife."

Arisa was shocked dumb. She was suddenly overwhelmed with what had happened, but not unhappy with it.

"D-d-do you really mean that. All of that!" She asked.

"You bet."

"But why the sudden change in personality, Leo?"

"Because I realized that nothing is forever and if you don't take what you want it may be gone faster then you may think. So what do you say, Arisa? Ya wanna fall in love, get married, and have kids someday?"

"S-sounds good. I'll try to find an opening for you." She joked.

"Great."

There was another small kiss between them and then Arisa excused herself. She had chores that still needed to be done around the house and it was almost evening, but she promised to come back tomorrow and Leo agreed.

After she left, he went back into the house and looked at the book on the bed. Something caught his eye inside. A corner of something white was peeking out from the book. Leo pulled it out. It was a photograph. The picture was of his mother and father at their wedding. The church was right behind them and the newlywed could held hands and looked into each other's eyes.

His mother was wearing a plain white dress and cape held on by a golden pin at the breast line, white gloves that when up her arms, and a golden crown. It was just like Mary to wear something like that, she never really took to the spotlight and singled herself out, she liked to blend in a bit, and never overdid anything. Still, she looked beautiful none the less. Leo could see how easy it was for his father to fall in love with her.

Speaking of his father he was wearing a fine suit. It was dark, but not black. His shoes were black with white spats which matched a white undershirt. He looked nice in his suit, but when Leo saw the he was still wearing that hat of his, he couldn't help but laugh. Even on his wedding he wore that hat. He was lucky, though. That hat really worked for him. Jack would have looked stranger without it.

Leo picked up the diary and opened it to where left off and slipped the picture back inside. He closed it again and felt the weight of the novel in his hands. Other then the farm, this was all that was left of his mother and father, this was a looking glass into a world in which Leo could only view, but never interact. However, it wasn't over yet. Leo was their child and he grew up with love and kindness and he would give the same to his kid, just as his parents gave to him.

One last tear rolled down his cheek, but he made no move to stop it. He just let it move down his face and break off to fall to the floor. Leo placed his mother's diary back on the shelf and walked out into the last of the warmth of the day. From somewhere in the distance came the sound of a dong barking.

"The story doesn't have to end yet, mother."

As he said so, as small dog, a puppy it must have been, with tan fur and white face and feet came running down the path that lead to Mother's Hill and up to Leo's shoe. The puppy planted his feet firmly onto Leo's leg and barked happily. He bent down and lifted the dog up in his arm and scratched it's head with he's free hand. The puppy's tail wagged back and forth and panted.

"It doesn't have to end yet."

And as the form of Leo slowly fatted onto a shadow amongst the on coming night, he thoughts went out to his mother, Mary, a shy librarian with raven black hair, dark eyes, and a skill for the written that could never be matched and his father, Jack, an outgoing farmer who cared for everyone and everything around him, Leo could only thank his mother for taken the time to write her thoughts and feels down so that Leo may embrace what life he had. He was a very luck man for was one of the few that was allowed to read a very special story, one that let look right into the heart of the lost days.

THE END.