Chapter 8: It Started With a Kiss

Two days since the fight, and Kai was still locked up in his room. I guess I couldn't blame him though; he had just had his heart ripped out, and trampled as a matter of fact. But why should it matter to me, he had broken my heart hadn't he. I tossed the idea out of my mind, and poured myself a small cup of coffee. It was the twenty-seventh of fall, nearing the end of the season, and winter was soon to be in full force. There had already been two light snowfalls, none stayed upon the warm ground though.

Jack had come over that morning, and we had just talked for a couple hours. It was nice, just being with him. We were now known as a couple around the town, which really didn't bug me. Actually, I found the fact quite comforting. It showed that I had gotten over Kai, right? I sat down on the couch next to Jack, slowly sipping my coffee. I giggled as he kissed my neck playfully. Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door. I gently pushed Jack away, and rose to answer the door. Outside was Ann, with a huge smile on her face.

"Karen… oh I have such wonderful news, do you have time?" she said, her excitement clearly escaping in the tone of her voice. She peered behind me and saw Jack seated on the couch. "Oh I see you have company," she said grinning at me. I could feel myself blush. I welcomed her inside and brought her a cup of coffee. She was so excited she couldn't even sit down. I smiled at my friend, it was nice to see her happy, especially after such a streak of bad luck.

"Okay well... here it goes," she said taking a deep breath. She reached inside her coat pocket and pulled out the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes upon. It was a blue feather. I set my cup down on the end table and just stared at it in awe. "Cliff proposed to me!" Ann exclaimed. A huge smile brushed over her face, and I jumped up from the couch giving her a huge hug.

"Oh Ann! I am so happy for you!" I exclaimed. Ann danced giddily around the room. And then finally came to rest in front of me again. I had not seen her this happy since before I left Flower Bud.

"When did he propose?" Jack asked, standing up and joining me and Ann.

"Last night. We went to the summit to watch the sunset, and right there, he just pulled out that feather and proposed. He was so nervous, it was so cute!" She giggled.

"Well, that Cliff sure is a lucky guy," Jack said, giving Ann a kiss on the cheek and a hug. I smiled at Jack. He was so sweet.

"Well Karen, that's not the only reason I came over," Ann said. Jack and I seated ourselves on the couch, and Ann right across on the chair. "You see, you are the only one I have told, other than my father, and well I was hoping that you would be my maid of honor," she said smiling. I was stunned. Ann and I had always been friends, but I never thought that I would be her maid of honor. I accepted graciously. "Also there is one more surprise. Well, Cliff and I have decided to have a party tomorrow night, to tell the rest of the town the news. It's going to be in the barn, and everyone is invited. I really hope that both of you can come."

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," I said to my friend, and Jack nodded in agreement. We continued to talk about future plans, and around dinner time, both Ann and Jack left. I was so happy for my friend. She deserved a great guy like Cliff. The day was set. Ann was to have a party tomorrow, to announce her engagement to Cliff. My date, Jack, would be accompanying me. Everything seemed to be perfect, and yet, as I heard the rumbling of a moving body in the room above me, I couldn't help but think about Kai. I really hoped that he would go to the party, to get his mind off things. But right now I didn't have to think about that. I had a party to get ready for.

It was the twenty-eighth. The day of the party. I was so excited. Jack would be here any moment to pick me up. I looked at myself in the mirror. For the first time in a while I was happy with what I saw. I had on a quite slimming little black dress. My hair hung gracefully on my back, and my green eyes matched perfectly with my emerald necklace. I smiled as I slipped on a pair of strappy sandals and walked down the stairs.

Soon enough Jack arrived looking quite handsome. I said goodbye to my mother and exited the house, stepping out into the cold nearly winter air. I didn't feel cold though. Just being next to Jack made me warm all over. We walked hand in hand to Green Ranch, and as soon as we got there, we saw the lights of the barn lighting up the whole field. Ann sure had done a great job of decorating the place. As we stepped inside the barn doors, we saw everyone from the town, excluding my mother… and Kai.

"Why did Ann have us come here?"

"What's going on?"

"Mmmmmmm food!"

There were questions and comments buzzing all over. Everyone was still unaware of the engagement. I smiled at the confused looks on everyone's faces. Soon after we arrived, Ann and Cliff stood up on a small stage set in the front of the room. The whole mood of the thing felt like a high school dance, music blasting and everyone having a good time. Ann took a microphone in her hand, taking Cliff's hand in the other.

"Excuse me everyone," she said quietly. Everyone continued talking. "EXCUSE ME!" she yelled. Everyone stopped and quickly directed there attention to the cute red-headed girl. She smiled, a little embarrassed, and continued with her speech. "Well everyone, the reason I asked you all to come, is because I… we… have a big announcement to make. Cliff and I… well… we are engaged!" Everyone seemed to be stunned at first, but then smiles came upon everyone's faces, and a huge cheer filled the room. There had not been a wedding in Flowerbud since Elli and Jeff's wedding nearly two years ago. I smiled at all the excitement in the room, and Jack gave me a soft kiss on the lips.

"The wedding is going to be in the spring, and all of you are invited!" Cliff added. Everyone cheered once again. Many people went up to the two love birds, giving their congratulations. I was so happy for my friend. Cliff kissed his bride to be, as Ann left his side to come talk to me.

"Karen… I have something very important to tell you," she whispered in me ear. I looked at her wide eyed. What else could there be going on in my friend's life. I told Jack I would be right back, and followed my friend outside. She looked at me nervously, fiddling with the edges of her dress.

"Ann… what's going on?" I asked her. I had never really seen her act like this. She looked like she was going to sing and cry at the same time. I took my friend by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Karen… I'm… I'm… pregnant…" she said, and broke down crying, kneeling on the damp grass. I knelt down next to me friend. The second surprise in two days.

"Ann… you're crying…" I said. I didn't know how to comfort my friend. She looked up at me and wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled.

"I'm not sad… they are tears of joy. I just never imagined me… being a mother. I haven't even told Cliff yet. You are the only one who knows," she said, wrapping her arms around me. I returned the embrace. This was wonderful.

"Ann… I am so happy for you," I choked back some tears. I was so happy for my friend. We stood up and looked at each other, laughing as we saw each other crying. We wiped the tears from our eyes, and went back into the barn, linked arms, smiling the biggest smiles. Cliff and Jack stood in the middle of the room as we approached them.

"What are you two so happy about?" Cliff asked with a grin on his face. I looked at my friend, and we both laughed. I nudged my friend a little with my elbow. She knew what she had to do. She took Cliff by the hand and led him outside. I wanted to tell Jack so bad about the good news, but I was going to wait. After all, it was Ann's business, not mine. The party continued, and a little later Ann and Cliff returned to the barn, latched onto each other, with huge grins on their faces. I couldn't help but laugh. The party went on, late into the night and into the early morning. Soon the barn stated to clear as people returned to their houses. Jack and I were the last to leave. I said goodbye to Ann and Cliff, and said congratulations one last time before exiting the barn with Jack.

"What a great party," I sighed. Jack wrapped his jacket around me to keep me warm.

"What did Ann tell you when she took you outside?" He asked. I just smiled. Ann told me she wanted to keep it a secret for a little while, and when the time was right, she would announce it publicly. For now, Jack would just have to wait. It was still night, and the sun had not yet risen in the sky, although I knew it was somewhere around four a.m. Jack and I walked hand in hand down the dirt road. We came to a fork in the road, to the right was Jack's farm, and straight ahead was the vineyard.

"Karen… I had such a wonderful night with you... you look so beautiful," he said to me. He leaned in, his lips gently touching mine, and we kissed. Right there under the full moon.

"It is a beautiful night… and I don't want it to end…" I sighed, and he kissed me again, this time more passionately. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in closer, the kisses becoming longer. I didn't want it to end, but it did, and Jack pulled away.

"Karen… will you come back to my place with me?" he asked, his hand gently stroking my cheek. The words got caught in my throat. I knew what this meant, and I nodded in answer. Jack took my hand and led me to the farm. He led me into the dark farmhouse, gently closing the door, leaving the cold night air behind us.