Sorry for not updating in a while, i had mock exams... sighs. Anyway, this is probably the beginning of when this story gets tragic, i'll just warn you now. Okie dokie, let's start then, shall we?


8. Love's wings

Karen opened her window and breathed in the fresh summer air, she loved the first day of summer. Everyone was happy, everything was happy, the weather was warm and nothing could go wrong. She ambled out of bed and to the inn to wake up Ann and find Popuri. She dived onto Ann's bed and pushed her off and Ann made a small "oomph" as she fell off the bed. Popuri rushed into the room bursting with unlimited happiness.

"Oh my gosh, he's coming back today! Yay Kai. I know he was delayed but he's coming back and then we'll be married, we're marrying on the 4th remember!" Popuri squealed. Ann mumbled something about "no decency" and Karen jumped for joy with Popuri. Ann trudged out of the room to make breakfast for them all. During breakfast Kai arrived through the inn the overloaded with bags and Popuri dived into is arms. After a lot of greeting... they all headed down to the beach for beach day. Karen had decided to sit that swimming contest out on the grounds that she was too lazy. No other women could be bothered to compete which to Karen made the last years efforts seem in vain. Jack won, as usual but in Karen's opinion the sunbathers were the real winners, they came away with a gorgeous tan. The day went by quickly but not without its mishaps, Popuri dropped four ice-cream cones, Happy (the dog) lost his favourite ball and Rick got buried in the sand and left for four hours. But other than that it was a perfect day. Everyone went away sunburnt but happy.

On the 4th of Summer Popuri and Kai were to be married, the happiest day of Popuri's life. It was raining and the dripping on the rooftop could be heard inside the church, but it was beautiful nonetheless. An eerie mist settled upon the peaceful Mineral town, making everyone look like pale ghosts. Popuri looked beautiful in her long, silky, white wedding dress. She had her hair up in two pink buns and beautiful blue flowers braided into her shining pink hair. Her brown eyes shone with happiness and affection for Kai and her pink lips made the biggest smile in the world. Karen had managed to be a bridesmaid along with Ann and they were both dressed in bubblegum pink dresses. They knew how awful they looked but they would wear anything for Popuri on her special day. Kai looked "most fetching" as everyone said in his black suit and cute black bowtie. Karen had to admit that she was surprised that a free young man like Kai would commit himself to marriage, but then again who was she to question true love.

Popuri walked down the isle and giggled at her mother, Lilia had small tears of happiness in her gentle blue eyes but she looked overjoyed for her only daughter. Rick however looked like she had swallowed a lemon that had become lodged in his throat. His face was sour and his beady blue eyes reflected deep loathing. Karen gave him a warning glare, he spotted it and immediately looked away. Kai stood at the isle he looked nervous but just as happy as Popuri and Karen smiled. She hoped that would be her next, walking up to Jack ready to be married. She watched as Popuri reached the alter and gave Kai a cute smile, Carter cleared his throat and the music stopped.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of two young lovers. I can tell you that I can't see a couple more made for each other than these two, let us begin." Carter said. The ceremony was long but Karen sat transfixed watching everything. Finally it came down to the most important part, asking the couple whether they wanted to be stuck with each other for all eternity.

"Do you Popuri Iris take Kai Jones to be your lawful wedded husband?" Carter asked smiling. Popuri giggled happily and looked at Kai with loving eyes.

"I do, I really, really do!" She squealed happily. Carter smiled again and turned to Kai. Kai's face was blank, he was no longer smiling and he looked worried.

"Do you Kai Jones take Popuri Iris to be your lawful wedded wife?" Carter asked. Karen nervously watched as Kai gulped, awaiting the answer.

"I um... I um... I'm sorry I just can't." He said. Popuri's smile faded and she watched as Kai ran out of the church. Tears formed in Popuri's big brown eyes as she stood shakily on the stairs. Karen gaped at the door and then turned and watched as Popuri fell backwards. Ann ran and caught her, supporting her gently in her arms. Karen gulped and hurried over to help.

"Nothing to see here folks, can everyone just wait quietly and help yourselves to food, we'll sort this all out." Karen said. She gave Ann a I-have-no-idea-how look and then helped Popuri up. food, we'll sort this all out." Karen said. She gave Ann a I-have-no-idea-how look and then helped Popuri up. Karen knew she had to stall for a while so she ran over to Elli who was sitting impatiently on her pew, drumming her fingers on the glossy wood.

"Hey Elli, could you stall for a while, make sure the guest don't riot." Karen said quickly while glancing anxiously at Popuri.

"Why should I, it's not my wedding, jeez you know I'm tired enough as it is!" Elli snapped angrily and Karen shrank back against the wall.

"Okay jeez..." She replied edging away from the hormonal, pregnant woman. Elli's eyes then filled with tears as she looked around.

"Oh god sorry Karen, I didn't mean to cry... I just... you mean so much to me... I love you." Elli cried. Karen stared at her and quickly backed away, going back to deal with the Popuri situation.

Popuri stood up suddenly and ran outside quickly into the pouring rain, Karen and Ann followed quickly. Popuri was knelt on the ground outside, tiny water droplets mixed with the tears on her face as she cried. It was one of the saddest things Karen had ever seen, her heart was breaking for her best friend. Popuri sat in a dirty puddle on the ground, she looked bedraggled and she was shaking slightly. Her once beautifully done up hair fell in straggled beside her pale face, her eyes were huge in worry and sadness and her once white dress was a muddy brown. She looked like a poor kitten abandoned in the rain, lost and alone.

"Oh Poe." Karen said gently as she knelt down and put her arms around her. Popuri leaned into Karen's arms and cried. Ann knelt down next to them and wrapped her arms around Popuri too and they hugged her as she cried.

"I'm so sorry Poe." Ann said, her big blue eyes showed sorrow and worry.

"He does love me. He does want to marry me, he's just scared." Popuri said weakly, Karen could tell from her voice that she truly believed it, Popuri was the most loyal person she knew. She and Ann exchanged worried glances as they hugged Popuri tighter.

"That dirty rotten... Popuri how can you forgive him?" Ann spat and Popuri looked up at her with puppy-dog eyes.

"Because I believe in him, and I love him." Popuri said, she then smiled weakly. "And when you love someone, nothing else seems to matter." Karen nodded and remembered how Jack had forgiven her, that was true love. Karen stood up with determination and looked into the rain, she felt her saturated dress cling to her thin frame and she shivered.

"I'm going to go and remind him how much he loves you. Don't worry Popuri, I'll get him back. This wedding's not over yet, we'll have a wonderful wet wedding!" Karen told her and Popuri beamed. Karen rushed off through the rain and looked all over town for Kai. The water splashed around her, as she rushed through the clear puddles of icy water. She finally found him at the very top of the mountain looking down over the trees.

"Kai!" Karen shouted through the heavy rain. Kai turned around and looked at her with what seemed to Karen like sympathy.

"Karen, go back. It's not worth you finding me, Popuri deserves better than me!" Kai shouted. Karen walked over to him and stood staring at him for a few moments. She then gave him a hard slap around the face leaving a bright red hand mark. Kai put his hand to his face and looked at Karen.

"I guess I deserved that." He said rubbing his cheek.

"That was for leaving my friend at the alter. Kai, you have to go back." Karen shouted through the rain. Kai looked at her, his deep brown eyes shone with sadness and regret.

"No Karen, I can't do it. Popuri deserves someone better than me. Besides, I can't go back now." Kai yelled. The rain fell hard around them and Karen shivered in the cold.

"It's not too late Kai. Popuri will forgive you, you just say I do and it's all forgotten in a moment. Popuri loves you Kai, you, no one else. You may not think you're right for Popuri but she knows you are. I know you love her too, you can stay here and ruin your life and hers or you can go back and save the marriage." Karen said deeply. Kai nodded slowly and looked through the fog and out over the trees. The rain was beginning to pour harder, big heavy drops descending upon them like silver bullets.

"I can't do it Karen, I just..." Kai said slowly, Karen glared at him and slapped him again. His face moved to the side with the impact and he gazed at her sadly.

"Kai there's only one question you've got to ask yourself, and if the answer's yes then nothing else matters. Do you love her?" Karen asked. Kai looked at her and he looked like a lost child.

"Yes I do." Kai said honestly.

"Then that's all you have to say." Karen said and she pulled Kai into a hug. Together they walked back to the church to salvage the wedding.

They arrived back in the hall, by which time the people had become rowdy and the food was gone. Popuri grinned, she looked wet and cold, but happy.

"Let's get married." Kai said grinning broadly. Popuri nodded and they took their place back at the alter.

"Everyone's tired so let's just go to where we were before. Kai Jones do you take Popuri Iris to be your lawful wedded wife?" Carter said, smiling once again. Karen saw the people hold their breath.

"I do." Kai said and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Popuri smiled happily and Karen laughed as she looked at the puddle of water beneath bother their feet.

"Then you may kiss the bride." Carter said happily and Kai pulled Popuri into a deep kiss.

After the wedding Karen and Ann helped clear away the plates while Kai and Popuri disappeared. Karen decided it was none of her business what they did after the wedding and decided not to ask. But she and Ann were both content not knowing, they just knew that Popuri was now Mrs. Jones and that was all that mattered. Over the next few weeks Popuri and Kai built a house above Kai's summer restaurant and they spent most of the summer doing couple things.

Karen spent most of the summer just hanging out with her friends, as far as she could see things just had to keep getting better. After many days spent simply sunbathing on the beach her skin had turned a gorgeous golden tan and of that she was proud. Karen and Ann had spent most of the summer arguing over who would get married first, after that Karen knew that she had to get Jack to propose. But she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to get married, she wanted to travel the world and meet new people and marriage she knew would hold her back. She wasn't like Popuri, with family values top of her list, she still wanted adventure. But one thing she knew was that she didn't want to be the last single girl. So she had begun to drop heavy hints for Jack to propose. Such as, "look at that beautiful feather, did you know guys use it to propose" and "wow Popuri and Kai sure are lucky to be married" but her personal favourite was to make a scene and shout "I don't wanna die alone". Jack seemed to be picking up on the hints but whenever Karen made a scene he just looked oblivious.

Ann was taking less drastic measures to become a bride, instead she was saving up for a blue feather of her own to propose to Cliff. Popuri had laughed at this idea, a women proposing! But Ann insisted it was the modern age and they should get with the programme. Karen was becoming desperate herself and that blue feather at the store looked very tempting. After yet another discussion with Ann and Popuri about marriage she made up her mind and headed to the store. There sat the blue feather her dad had ordered in, he had ordered quite a few since he knew that the girls were of a marriageable age. The blue feather glistened gently and Karen licked her lips, all she had to do was reach out and grab it. She wrapped her hand gently around it and picked it up to admire it, from nowhere her dad appeared behind her.

"Karen, what are ya doing? That blue feather's for guys to propose to girls with, not a toy for you." Jeff said in the most annoying voice he had. Karen glared red faced at him and put the feather down quickly.

"I was just looking Dad. Besides I don't want it for a toy, I want it to propose to Jack with." She whined. Jeff sighed and straightened the feathers, he then ruffled Karen's hair awkwardly. She quickly flattened it and stepped away from the feather.

"I know you want to get married sweetie but wait until Jack proposes to you okay. I'm sure he will someday and there's no point spoiling it by buying a feather of your own. Now do me a favour and deliver this bag of corn to Lillia. That's my girl." Jeff said. Karen growled and mumbled something about Jeff not knowing anything. She delivered the seeds quickly and was greeted by a happy Popuri.

"Hi Karen, I'm just checking up on Mom. Did you get the feather?" Popuri said amiably. Karen shook her head and then spotted Rick snorting with laughter by the hen coop. Popuri puffed out her cheeks and pouted and Rick snorted again.

"What's so funny Rick?" Popuri demanded, with her hands on her hips. Rick stopped laughing abruptly and gave Popuri one of his lecture looks.

"I can't believe Jack hasn't proposed yet... what a loser. Had we still been together I would have proposed ages ago. I can't believe Karen has to resort to buying her own feather!" Rick said bursting out laughing again. Karen gave him an icy glare and Rick stopped laughing.

"At least I have someone to propose to, what are you going to marry Rick... a chicken?" Karen asked coolly. Rick snarled at her and turned to walk inside. Popuri giggled and waved goodbye to Karen, heading back home with a basket of eggs.

A week before the firework festival Karen was sitting at the bar of the inn drinking a milkshake and reading a magazine. Suddenly Jack walked in with a worried look on his face. Karen looked up at him with questioning eyes and he looked at her, his chocolate brown eyes so warm they almost made her melt.

"Karen, I have bad news." He said glumly. Karen cocked her head and looked worried. Jack took a seat next to her and ordered himself a large chocolate milkshake.

"A large? This must be bad." Karen said, trying to find something to cheer him up. He gave her a small smile and swivelled in his chair to face her.

"Karen, my Dad's sick, really sick. My Mom talked to me on the phone and told me it's bad, real bad. They're not sure... they're not sure if he's going to make it..." Jack said with obvious fear in his eyes. Karen looked at him with sympathy and nodded for him to continue.

"Well anyway, I want to go over there... you know to help around the house and look after my dad until he gets better... or... or..." Jack said gulping down tears. Karen pulled him close to her and stroked his back gently.

"How long do you think you'd be gone?" Karen asked. She knew how selfish it sounded, but she had to know. Although she wanted to be the perfect girlfriend and say "of course honey, no matter what I'll support you" but she didn't want to let him go.

"I'm not sure, it could be weeks, months or maybe even years. I don't want to leave you, but I have to be with my dad." Jack said. Karen gulped, the selfish part of her brain was screaming "no don't let him leave you, he can't" but her heart and conscience told her "let him go, he had to be with his dad now. You can have a lifetime together, he may only have a few months left with his dad". She couldn't say anything however and simply sat staring into space. Jack looked at her, his brown eyes seemed to tell her that everything would be okay and so she nodded.

"You've gotta do what you've gotta do and I'll... support you, no matter what." She said and gave him a smile. He beamed at her and held her tightly in his arms and whispered in her ear that everything would be alright. After hours of hugging Ann walked down the stairs and laughed at the gloomy atmosphere.

"Whoa, who died?" She exclaimed and both Karen and Jack glared at her.

After Jack had explained all his plans to them Karen sat staring blankly at the ceiling. He was to leave on the 26th of summer, the day after the fireworks festival and was going to stay until he felt he could leave. He was leaving his animals with Barley and he was going to leave the farm completely to overgrow. Karen had sat listening to his plans glumly, she felt like a boulder had fallen into her stomach and was digging sharply into her. She didn't want Jack to leave her, he was such a huge part of her life. She headed over to church to talk to Carter about her feeling on the matter. Carter was always prepared to listen and he seemed to have infinite wisdom. He greeted Karen with a smiling face that only faded when he watched Karen burst into tears.

"Hush child what's wrong?" Carter said in a kind voice. Karen explained tearfully and Carter listened.

"Father Carter, I don't want him to go away. I want him to stay, I can't live without him. But I can't make him stay just for me, I know he won't." Karen moaned. Carter nodded and handed Karen his handkerchief to wipe her eyes, she took it and blew her nose violently. She offered it back to Carter and he refused it with a disgusted look.

"My dear, I know you want him to stay with you. But have you ever heard the expression love has wings?" He asked. Karen shook her head and blew her nose again.

"If you love something or someone you have to let it go. Because if you truly love him, it doesn't matter about your own happiness, you should only want him to be happy. So let him go and if he truly loves you then trust that he'll come back. Have you heard my sermon about the two mothers and the baby?" Carter asked. Karen shook her head again and looked at Carter expectantly.

"Very well, I'll tell you. A long time ago there were two mothers and one baby. They went to a wise king and both claimed that the baby belonged to them. They asked the king to judge who the baby belonged to. The king could not decide so he told someone to cut the baby in half and give each woman half the baby." Carter said. Karen grimaced and looked at him with big green eyes.

"That's awful how could they kill the baby?" Karen asked. Carter put his finger to his lips and signalled for Karen to be quiet.

"The first woman agreed that this was the fair thing to do but the second woman screamed and begged the king not to harm the baby. She told him that the first woman could have the baby as long as it was not harmed. The king declared that the baby belonged to the second woman, because she would rather give the baby up than see it harmed." Carter said. Karen stared at him blankly and Carter coughed.

"So what's that to do with me? I don't have a baby." Karen asked indignantly. Carter chuckled and patted her on the head.

"Rather than let Jack come to any harm emotional or physical, let him go. If you really love him, let him go my dear." Carter said. Karen nodded and thanked Carter. She then headed out of the church and to her house to think.

She sat on her bed and looked at the pictures of her and Jack together, each time smiling and happy. She turned over and cried into her pillow, she knew what she had to do but it hurt. It hurt to let him go when he was such a big part of her life and what if he met someone else? It wasn't like they were engaged and he pretty much had to be faithful to her, he could pretty much do as he pleased.

"But he wouldn't leave me would he? He loves me, doesn't he? Why is this so hard?" Karen whined. Suddenly she heard a familiar knock on the door and she waited as Jack walked into the room.

"Karen... I won't go... it's fine." Jack said softly. Karen sniffed and looked up into his warm eyes, it was those eyes that she had first fallen in love with. Every time she looked into her eyes her troubles seemed to melt, but not this time.

"You have to go. You can't stay for me, sometimes family is more important..." Karen said trying to sound brave. Jack sat down on the bed and looked at her unsurely, as though waiting for her to break down and cry.

"Nothing's more important than you." He said after a while. It was just like him to say that, always thinking about her.

"No, your Dad needs you. I can't make you stay, I love you too much." Karen said quietly. Jack laughed and she furrowed her brow.

"Have you been talking to Carter?" He asked smiling. Karen forced a smile and nodded, she had to be brave for him.

"I don't want to leave Karen but..." Jack said slowly. Karen swallowed hard, trying to force a lump out of her throat.

"I know, its fine." She said. She saw Jack's eyes water, he looked like he was about to cry.

"I love you." He said softly, which made Karen burst into tears.

"I love you too." She cried. Jack wrapped his arms around her and they embraced for a long time. Karen listened to his heart beating, clinging to every second she was with him. She felt like something inside her was breaking, but she knew she had made the right decision. She wondered if Jack felt the same as she did, she couldn't tell that his heart was snapping in two.

Too soon the fireworks festival came, it was Jack and Karen's last evening together. They had sat and watched the fireworks together and were going back to Jack's for the last time. They kissed passionately on Jack's bed and Karen finally felt she was ready. She began slowly unbuttoning the purple shirt she was wearing and she smiled as Jack's eyes widened. She felt slightly worried when she noticed a conflict going on within Jack.

"No Karen, we can't." He said standing up. Karen's gaped at him in a mixture of surprise, horror and anger.

"What?" She asked, her jaw dropping. Jack took a deep breath and repeated what he had just said.

"Why exactly, it's our last night together Jack!" Karen said angrily. Jack took another deep breath and began pacing.

"That's exactly it. I can't just sleep with you and then leave, it's just wrong. It would be like taking advantage." He said quickly. Karen glared at him in fury and quickly buttoned up her shirt again.

"You and your stupid morals, I don't care! Do you think...? I'm fat!" Karen spat, tears emerging in her eyes. Jack was completely taken aback and had absolutely no idea what to say, if anything at all.

"I... um... no you're not fat... it's just... erm... I love you..." Jack said hopefully, hoping that the mention of "love" would get him off the hook. Karen's face softened slightly for a second, but then tears began to drip quickly running down her perfectly shaped nose. She turned and strode quickly towards the door.

"This is not how I wanted to say goodbye." She said quietly and stormed out of the door. Jack flinched as he heard the door click shut, then the silence crept in. In a way the silence was worse than the shouting. Jack sighed deeply, cursing himself he then collapsed onto the perfectly made bed. Only a crease remained where Karen had sat. Karen stormed through the dark night, cold and alone many thoughts buzzing through her head like flies. She turned into her house and stormed up to her bedroom. She then collapsed onto her bed and screamed into her pillow.

The next morning Jack's boat was due to leave, he only had ten minutes left and Karen still hadn't arrived. He wondered if she would come at all, he couldn't blame her if she didn't. He looked over the horizon waiting for the Zack's boat to come to carry him home. Popuri stood next to him, chewing her hair, a sign that she was nervous. He knew she had the same wonder whether Karen would come. Karen had obviously told them both everything and Jack was glad he wouldn't have to explain. Ann stood next to Popuri looking determined that Karen would come, her faith in her friend was touching to Jack.

"Don't worry Jack, she'll come... she always comes at the last minute no matter what, she may not want to but I know that she will." Ann said, her bright blue eyes showed great determination. Jack gave her a grateful smile and she gave him a reassuring one back. Soon though the boat arrived and still no Karen. Popuri was munching on her hair like crazy, but Ann still stood looking determined.

"The boat's here guys. Never mind... goodbye and thanks for everything." Jack said glumly picking up his bags. Popuri gave him a big hug and a small peck on the cheek before blushing furiously.

"There she is..." Ann said calmly and sure enough there was Karen running towards them from the edge of the beach. She dived into Jack's arms and gave him a huge kiss.

"Don't worry about anything okay. It's all in the past... and when you come back...well. We'll start again from there, good luck. I'll miss you, and I love you." Karen said slightly out of breath. Jack grinned broadly and gave Karen one last kiss goodbye.

"Goodbye Karen, I love you too." He said and handed her a bunch of the most beautiful forget-me-nots, he winked and then stepped onto the boat. Karen waved and wiped a few tears from her eyes, watching as her love, her soul mate, her greatest treasure sailed out of her reach.


There Jack goes, what will Karen do until he comes back, let's find out shall we...