O.o to all the people who thought that was the end of the story.

You will know when the end of the story happens. Because there will be in nice big bold letters "THE END" at it. I'm saying that because I think I will have another false ending before the story is up. That wasn't the end. I'm getting close to the end. My current projection is 42 chapters total. You should know by now, whenever things seem to look good, everything goes crashing down. Did I just gives spoilers? Not really. Just keep reading. I hope I didn't lose anyone with that... I supposed I'll try to E-Mail all my readers who thought that was the end of the story. Kinda odd... Nobody else anywhere else thought that was the end of the story. Whatever. This has been the longest Author's Note you will ever see flow forth from my mouth... or maybe my fingers.

In fact... Maybe I should give you guys and gals two chapters tonight... naw. You'll just have to wait til tomorrow for another chapter.

Chapter 30: Dark Shadow on the Horizon

Jack and Mary spent the whole morning together in Rose Square, doing nothing in particular. They would have spent the whole day there had Mary not reminded Jack that they should tell Carter about their new marriage plans. While they could have the mayor wed them, they wanted more than anything for Carter to do it, to have Carter sanctify their marriage under the Harvest Goddess. Even more so, how could they refusing being married by one of their best friends? And, what could possibly heal him more than a wedding? It would break the dismal mood from the many funerals he'd have to perform. They hurried over to the hospital to go see Carter.

Jack held the door open for Mary and entered after her. Elli was sitting in her usual place behind the front desk, filling out paperwork. Mary walked up to her, "So, Elli?" She ran her hand through her hair, right along the blue feather, "Anything new?"

Elli continued working without looking up, "I'm sorry Elli, I'm really busy right now. You wouldn't believe the amount of paperwork that goes into ordering a wheelchair. Saibara and Gotz should have the makeshift wheelchair ready this afternoon, but we really don't want Carter to have to use that thing forever. We want our Carter to have a top of the line electric power wheelchair. Thing is, those are really expensive. That's what these forms are for, trying to get some money to help cover some of the cost from either the government or from charities."

Mary turned away, slightly disappointed. She had wanted to see Elli's reaction. Jack placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile. He looked back over at Elli, "Hey, that's okay. We really just want to talk to Carter. We have something important to tell him."

Elli sat down her pen and shook her head slowly. This paperwork was giving her a splitting headache. Guess she would take a break to talk after all, "I'm sorry, but he's sleeping right now. It's really best that you don't wake him up." She looked up at the two of them. Jack and Mary were holding hands, trying their best to keep a serious face. Suddenly, a huge grin broke out across their faces and they stifled laughter at a private joke. Elli noticed a flash of blue in Mary's hair. Could it be?

Elli leapt up and ran around the desk. She hugged Mary tight, "Is it really true Mary? Are you two getting married Mary?"

Mary took the precious feather out from her hair and showed it to Elli, "It really is true."

Elli looked over a Jack, "I just can't believe it. My precious little Jack is going to marry Mary."

"I can hardly believe it myself." Jack tucked the feather back into Mary's hair.

It suddenly dawned upon Elli, "And that, that is why you wanted to talk to Carter?"

"Would you tell him for us when he wakes up? Jack and I want to be wed by him, and no one else will do."

"Of course I will. It would be my honor. It will be so wonderful! I haven't gone to a wedding in ages."

Jack took Mary's hand again, "Well, we really must be going. There is so much we are going to have to do. Thank you very much."

Outside, Jack looked up at the sky. The sun was directly overhead. A chill ran down his spine. The day was only half way done. It may have been a perfect day so far, but knowing his luck, something was going to have to go wrong. With a quick glance down the road, he saw just what was in store for him.

Anna was heading straight for them. It suddenly had dawned upon Mary that her mother would never tolerate this marriage. Mary squeezed his arm tight, "Please, let's go the other way."

"No Mary. You have to face her sometime. Stand up to her. Mary, you are worth everything to me. Am I worth enough to you that you would stand up to your mother for me? Stand up to Anna. You are strong enough to do it. I know you can." Jack stood with Mary strong in the middle of the road holding her hand tight, facing the one thing which could possibly tear them apart. Bad luck must have a crush on him or something.