An extra long chapter for an extra good audience! :T This...*cry* scene...*cry*...is so*cry*beautiful...! *wails* There's too much sweetness to bear! *blows nose* Rated T for some suggestive themes, and a few words of language.

Chapter 4: Through Marbles

It's been a month since Ann and I have been going steady. It still seems a bit surreal. I left my past in hopes of a future somewhere. And to think after what I did...I might actually get my dream? I didn't quite deserve it. Ann didn't deserve me. She needed so much more than what I could give her. I'm not exactly a strong guy, slim and tall maybe, but that's all. How could I protect her? And we started going steady on April Fools. I thought it was a trick for a while. But I think Ann is actually serious. Everyone else was going steady and eloping already. In fact Rick and Karen already married and just had a son. Rick was still not too crazy about Popuri and Kai being engaged. Gray flirted with Mary everyday. Even Claire and Jack took a liking to each other.

Me..? Well, we were the last ones. But it didn't really matter. I was happy though, don't get me wrong. It just seemed too good to be true, is all. I wasn't going to run anymore. That's for sure. I can't...I can't leave Ann like I did my family back home. It's time to forget my past and move on. That's what I intend to do, no matter how hard it'll be. My life has been like a clear marble. It's invisible. Empty. Worthless. Different from the others who are full of things and color. Now, I've discovered love. Now, I'm going to break through marbles and into reality...

Ann's POV

Today was our one month anniversary. I made Cliff a nice little box he could put his keepsakes in. Yes, he collected things like that. A bit girly, huh? But he was cute all the same. The box was dark red (his favorite color) with brown accents. I made it kind of manly for him as well. I wrapped it in silver, shiny paper and I planned to give it to him today.

Just my luck; as I was walking to give it to him, he came barging in the Inn. Manna and Duke allowed breaks now after he got his job.

I held the box out to him. "Hey Cliff, I got you a..."

But then you know what happened? Claire just walked right in with him. I felt jealousy first, then sadness, then I was angry at her.

Cliff realised the look on my face. I felt flushed. "Uh...Ann, no it's n-not what you think..."

I started to cry and threw the box on the ground. "I know exactly what's going on! Happy anniversary you *******!" With that I sped outside to the lake--my escape.

I-I couldn't believe it...Cliff was with Claire? CLAIRE! I cried my eyes out.

I heard running footsteps on the road behind me not soon after I got at the lake.

"Ann," I heard Cliff's wispy voice. I inwardly scowled at the sound of him. I briefly saw my gift for him clutched in his hands.

"Ann!" Cliff said again, more forcefully with a hand on my shoulder. I looked away in disgust at him.

"L-listen to m-me!"

I gave the nastiest glare. "What?" I hissed.

Cliff jerked back at my look I had given him. "L-let me explain, Ann! I was just helping Claire..."

"Oh, yeah 'helping'..." I frowned. "What exactly were you two doing!"

Cliff sighed. "Ann, really, she needed to tell Doug something. It was really important because she was in a hurry when she asked me. Y-you've got to believe me...well, Claire is new. She doesn't know much of the town. W-what should I have done? Just i-ignored her? I didn't wanna be rude..."

I flinched and shivered at the unusually cold May air. "You're birthday is on the 6th..." I mumbled.

"Yeah," Cliff agreed, a bit dumbfounded. "So, d-do you forgive me? Because I really am sorry if you thought that me and Claire were--"

I interrupted. "I know, okay? I was wrong. I was stupid. I sometimes can be like that. At times I get the wrong ideas and tend to ruin everyone's day. I don't mean to though! I'm just curious about things. And if someone doesn't like who I just am, then they can go and eat cold turkey!"

"I like who you are," Cliff whispered. My heart nearly jumped inside.

"Um...i-in fact..." he pulled a blue something out of his pockets. WHAT THE HECK? W-was that a BLUE FEATHER...! "I-l-I love you so much, Ann. Will...you be my w-wife...?"

He had an unbearable-looking blush spread across his face. He couldn't stop smiling, I could tell. I just stared speechless. Did he really, really, really, really, really,REALLY mean it?

"Reeaaalllyy?" I said in disbelief, my tone changing from down to up. I stared at this bearskin-wearing, ponytail, brunette in front of me. He drooped his head and had his sad-looking eyes again.

But, he nodded vigorously and grinned widely. "You still didn't answer my q-question," he stated shyly, still looking down.

I chuckled lightly. Then, I gave him a huge bear hug and a sweet kiss. My Cliff was mine! OMG! We're engaged!

"Of course I will, Cliffy!" I squeezed him tighter. Only when he started to cough then I realised I was choking him again. Heh, oops.

The pure look of joy on his face when I said "yes" was amazing. I'll never forget it.

"...o-okay. Um, thanks for the gift. I love it," Cliff was still practically glowing. "I'll...uh...see you around, then?"

I nodded and giddily waved. "See you, darling!"

AAH! We're engaged. I'll be married to the only guy I'd ever love! We'll be a family! YES! My mom must be so proud of me in heaven.

May 14, 2007

Cliff's POV

"Ann," I was saying to her one day in my room at the Inn. She didn't hear me because she was listening to her MP3. Her and her Coldplay...heh.

"..."

"Ann?"

"...?"

"Ann!"

"...!"

"ANN!"

"Yes, my darling?" I loved her nickname for me. It made me feel...special. Although I felt anywhere than special most of the time.

"We should have the wedding as soon as possible," I suggested. I was just so eager. I couldn't help myself. I needed every little detail to be perfect. That's Ann's job, though. Maybe I'm being too meticulous.

Ann blinked, turning off the MP3. "Me too. But, what about a house? I mean...where are we going to live? Dad will flip if we live at the Inn forever."

I grinned reassuringly. "Don't worry. I already arranged for that with Thomas. We'll have our very own house..."

Ann brightened up and squealed. She jumped on the bed and gave me one of her signature bear hugs. I love her...but if she keeps this up she just might give me a broken rib or something.

"ANNALIESE CECILY MCCOY! GET DOWN HERE!" I heard Doug yell. I stifled. Cecily?

Ann immediately frowned and got angry with me. I kind of figured she was offended when my arm starting throbbing...because she hit me.

"What are you laughing at!"

I tried not to burst. "N-nothing..."

Ann sighed deeply. "Yes, that's my full name okay? It's Annaliese Cecily McCoy. But don't evercall me Annaliese...or Cecily!"

Somehow, a figure appeared in our doorway. Ann gasped and involuntarily threw a pillow at the door. Hehehe, I guess she was startled...because it was Kai.

"Kai Smythe! What the hell?" Ann yelled.

Kai laughed. "Your dad is practically screaming down there. He just cut his hand a little and needed a bandage. I walked in for some grub just as he was screeching, so I took care of it."

"D-dude! You're always popping up everywhere..." I said.

"Well, gee, sorry if I'm trying to help peoples' lives, You know, me and Rick made a bet."

"Really?" Ann tilted her head. "What kind of bet?"

"Chicken boy betted everyone hates me. That's not true, right? You guys are my friends. So, for the people that aren't too crazy about me, I'll befriend. I'm winning so far," Kai grinned.

"Uh, okay." Ann shook it off like she didn't really care. Which she probably didn't. I wouldn't blame her either. She probably has a lot on her mind, what with the wedding and all.

"I better go before Popuri goes ballistic 'cause I'm gone. Bye dude and dudette."

And after Kai left, Ann just stared at me with that confused look of hers.

"Uh...okay." She put the headphones back on her ears.

"Wait," I said, grabbing her wrist gently.

Ann took the headphones off. "Hm?"

"D-did you ask Carter...?" I said unspecifically.

"What?" Ann said. "Did I ask him what? When the wedding should be?"

I nodded. Ann sighed and rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Weeelll...." she trailed on.

"I uh, might've already set the wedding for this Sunday...the 20th..." Ann spat out.

"W-what! Ann, you didn't!" I firmly gripped her shoulders, staring into her icy blue eyes. "You acted like you were playing along with me earlier."

"Uh, funny story," Ann giggled sheepishly.

"We don't have enough time to prepare for that!"

Ann looked at me like I was crazy. "You think waaay too much. Don't give me your ultimatum right now, Cliff. Don't. Dad already has it planned just the way I want it!"

I didn't say anything.

"You haven't been to the church in a while," Ann pointed out.

"Well...Carter said he doesn't need me at the moment."

"Right! And that's because we're planning it secretly! To surprise you!"

"...I'm not the biggest fan of surprises, Ann..."

"Cliff," Ann looked me straight in the eye. "Look at me. I'm sorry, but I thought it would amuse you."

I shook a little and tried to change the subject. "T-thank you. I..I d-do appreciate it, sweetie. I just thought it would be better if you told me."

"Hehee," Ann giggled. "I love it when you get all mad..."

Then, we kissed. I'll leave you out on the details of what we did that night.

Ann's POV

The next morning I woke up in a great mood. Cliff cuddled around me as I tightly held onto the warm sheets. It was freezing! Well, I didn't have my shirt on...heh heh. Just my undergarments.

"Ann..." I felt Cliff twitch a little behind me as he sweetly cooed my name.

"Mhm?" Was all I got out.

"Your dad will kill us..." Cliff whispered.

I rolled my eyes. "He doesn't have to know. Besides, we're both 18 now. Well, I'll be 18 in June. But, we're almost married. We're not kids anymore."

I didn't hear him answer.

"...go back to sleep, Cliff." I playfully hit him with a pillow and put it back. I heard him chuckling and we fell back to sleep.

UNDENIABLE cuteness and sweetness! The next chapter is pretty much the last sappy, buttery chapter. After that it gets pretty intense! But still cute though. Don't worry, everyone.

GOSH! This is sooo sweet. :3 *cries*

STARRING:

KAI as KAI SMYTHE

ANN as ANNALIESE "ANN" CECILY MCCOY

CLIFF as CLIFF LARUE

CLAIRE as HERSELF (silent, recurring role)