This is the last chapter. I hope you enjoyed this little thing.
Late evening sun gently streamed through the window. Allen and Rachel lay in the bed under the covers, breathing heavily, looking up at the ceiling. Their bodies weren't touching.
"That wasn't as good as the last time," Rachel said.
"That must be what they call anger-sex. We were fuelled by anger rather than romance," Allen said, reaching over the side of the bed for his glasses. When they were on he turned to face her. "Unless I'm really not that good in bed."
Rachel smirked. She couldn't help it. "No, definitely anger-sex. You're still good in bed. Too bad compliments just inflate your head even more."
"Deflate it then. You're the only person who has been able to do that in my life, and I haven't known you nearly as long as some people."
Rachel turned to face him properly. "Everyone says you've changed. I must admit, I think today was the only time you've actually appeared genuinely interested in how I am."
"I think you're right," Allen sighed. "I don't really have an explanation. I was interested, I just didn't think to ask. Guess I assumed you'd just tell me."
Rachel pondered that. "Guess I assumed you not asking meant you didn't care so I didn't bother."
"Guess we should stop making assumptions?"
"Guess we should."
They both laughed and for a minute didn't appear to be able to stop. They were both excited for the chance to talk things out, and Allen was happy to see Rachel back in town. It gave him hope.
Rachel was still unsure. There were questions on her mind.
"So...how come you were always so formal? Like, when we were in public and you only wanted me to hold on to your arm. It just felt kind of stiff, especially compared to Rod and Tina who were always so relaxed."
"I'm not a fan of PDA," Allen explained. "Never have been. It just makes me uncomfortable seeing people kiss in public. I don't want to be a part of the problem. But when you pointed it out, I realised that having you literally on my arm was old-fashioned. Hand-holding I can tolerate."
"So...we can hold hands when we walk together?" Rachel asked, sliding her hand into Allen's as she did so. He smiled and squeezed.
"Yes. I'll relax for you."
Rachel smiled a little. "What about when we're alone?"
"Oh, when we're alone we'll cuddle all you want. Maybe more than cuddle if you really want."
Rachel laughed again, more relaxed than before. Allen decided to try sliding an arm around her shoulders. Rachel shuffled closer to him and cuddled up to his chest, her legs intertwining with his. The sensation of skin-on-skin was a wonderful one and they had both forgotten how much they enjoyed it. Allen held Rachel close to him, running his fingers through her hair. Rachel looked up at him.
"Time for a haircut?"
"Maybe," Allen smiled. "I miss playing with your hair."
"I miss you playing with it too actually."
Allen gently caressed her face, watching as Rachel closed her eyes and a small smile played on her face. She really does love me he thought.
"Rachel, listen. I know I have my flaws. I might pretend to ignore them and prefer to talk about my strengths, but I do know I've done you wrong. It's true that you don't know what you have until you've lost it, and when you left it was the hardest slap round the face I've ever had. I've been trying to be less arrogant, more considerate. Maybe I've got a long way to go. But I do love you Rachel and if you could find it in your heart to forgive me and give me a second chance, I would be eternally grateful."
Rachel's heart was racing and Allen's emotional conviction had left her choked up but she retained a calm exterior.
"I would be lying if I said I didn't miss you as soon as I walked out your salon that night. But I would be lying if I said I fully believed that you have completely changed."
She regarded him for a minute. Allen kept a nervous silence.
"But I've always believed in second chances, and maybe this is something I will see over time. And..." Rachel sighed. "And I love you too much to turn you away."
Allen broke into a big smile, but Rachel's voice went sharp. "But if you make me regret this, you will be a very unhappy man!"
"Oh, I know," Allen said, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Losing you was the worst pain I've felt in possibly my entire life." Rachel finally allowed herself to return his smile and snuggled back into his arms.
"I'm not just talking about that. My father doesn't like you very much, to put it lightly. If you came up in conversation his eyes narrowed. It was scary to see."
"I guess I deserved that..." Allen muttered. "I told my mother about the break-up and she said you were smart."
Rachel hadn't expected that and spluttered with laughter. "What?"
"She said you were smart for walking out on me instead of taking my crap. She's been trying to tell me to stop being so arrogant all my life and I never took heed. You opened my eyes with one argument."
"What will she say when she hears we're back together?"
"I don't think she'll judge you. She'll tell me not to fuck it up again," Allen said calmly. "Sounds like I have to work hard for the father's approval though."
"Yeah, but he's always trusted my judgement. I'll put in a good word for you."
Rachel looked up at him, with big eyes. She hadn't made them big for a particular reason, she just wanted to look at him.
A big smile grew on Allen's face and he pulled her in tight. "You're so adorable." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "My princess."
"You've never called me that before."
"If you don't like it I-"
"No, no, I like it," Rachel giggled. "It's cute."
"Cute like you."
One week later, Allen and Rachel were walking through the forest area together. They were holding hands. Allen hadn't realised that such a simple gesture could be so pleasant. The air was chilly but Rachel was finally filled with the same warmth from last winter.
"I haven't seen the rabbits around lately," Rachel sighed. She loved watching them hop about, they were so cute.
"They're probably in their burrows hiding from the cold," Allen replied. He chuckled. "If you like rabbits so much, why don't you have some on your farm?"
"I would but Rod doesn't sell them," Rachel pouted.
"Allen? Rachel?"
They turned around to see Hina. She and Camellia had been looking better since Rachel had got back. Hina seemed to have a hopefulness about her, and she was sleeping better so the dark circles under her eyes had started to go. Rachel had spent a lot of time with her in the past week, partly because Rachel could empathise with Hina, and partly so Camellia could have time to herself to grieve properly. It seemed to be helping; Camellia had finally started to look healthy again.
"Hi Hina. You OK?" Rachel greeted her cheerfully.
Hina looked at Rachel and Allen suspiciously. "Are you two together again?"
"We are," Allen confirmed, squeezing Rachel's hand.
Hina bit her lip and said nothing. Rachel let go of Allen's hand to walk towards Hina, kneeling down in front of her. "What's wrong?"
Hina glared directly at Allen. "If you make Rachel leave town again, I'll never forgive you!"
Allen laughed. He couldn't help it. The indignation of a seven year old was too amusing. Even Rachel struggled to keep a straight face.
"Hina, listen," she said calmly. "I'm not going to leave town again, even if Allen and I break up again. Leaving was a snap decision, the wrong kind of snap decision. I promise you that I'll stay on my farm with my friends." She gave Hina a hug as Allen walked over and knelt beside Rachel.
"I'm lucky to have a second chance with Rachel. I'm going to do everything I can to make her happy."
"You'd better," Hina said, sternly.
"How's your mum?" Allen asked, controlling his laughter this time.
Hina shrugged. "Mama's still sad, but I think she's starting to get better. She said she was really glad that Rachel had come back. And I noticed that she didn't eat very much before, but now she's eating the normal amount. And she looks less tired."
That's good to hear," Allen said, meaning it. Camellia still didn't go into town very often, though he knew people had been visiting her. "It sounds like you'll be alright."
"Will we? I still miss Papa," Hina sniffed.
"You'll be alright eventually," Allen amended, rubbing Hina's back.
"You'll always miss him," Rachel continued. "And that's perfectly OK. I still miss my mum. It's just that we can miss them without being sad."
Allen and Rachel walked with Hina back to the travel agency, greeting Hana and Emma as they passed. The two women were chatting outside Hana's shop, but the conversation paused as they watched the three younger citizens walk away.
"They almost look like a family," Emma smiled. "I know they're not, but someone who didn't know them might think they were."
"I know exactly what you mean," Hana agreed.
"It wasn't nice to see him so upset, but Rachel leaving and coming back did Allen a world of good."
"Allen, Camellia, Hina, it did good for all of us," Hana smiled. "I think we're going to be alright."