Epilogue! I've actually finished something! DO YOU KNOW HOW UNBELIEVABLY ECSTATIC I AM?! ...No, I don't think you do. Oh, and I have a request for anyone who wants to write it: Can someone write a GrayxClaire oneshot, featuring a heated argument between the two of them? I just love it when they argue! It makes me squeal XD If you write it, I will be forever grateful. I will love you. LOVE. ...XD
Review replies! I told you I'd do them this time. And I think that this is the most reviews I've gotten for one chapter, lol.
SierralaineWalsh: It is, isn't it? lol. Here's the epilogue!
mandapanda84: Aw, thanks! I don't think it's the BEST story, and I'm pretty sure you don't either (if you've read some of the others out there, that is. lol), but thanks! XD Epilogue time!
xo-emma-ox: :D You made me, like, crack up when I read your review. I emailed it to my friend because I was talking to her when I read it, and she thought it was awesome, too. LAYTAH~ XD
Jean Cooper: Yes, Kairy is my fave crack pairing, thanks to MEMF. I was totally full on caffiene at midnight when I wrote that last chapter, so I think that might help to explain why there's so much fluff. I personally love fluff. All the sappy, cheesy, cliche stuff... Yep, that's what I love. Thank you! And I'm sure you'll finish something soon, don't worry, lol
AiOkami: Yay! Thanks for reviewing and reading~ Unfortunately, you can't find out what happened to Mary in the epilogue. I know what you're probably thinking: "What? But the epilogue is the VERY END. When will we find out?" ...You'll see in the bottom Author's Note. _
kittykyo5467: Thanks! You're so sweet! Unfortunately, I have to stop it somewhere, and this is it. Well, technically the ending of the epilogue is it, but... Yeah, whatever. I'm confusing myself. XD Enjoy!
I SOO LOVE COOKIES!: Update'd. Haha! Of course you may have one of my cookies. I can tell by your pen name, you SOO LOVE COOKIES, am I right? *Hands cookie* Merry Christmas! I was going to post the epilogue up on Christmas. I had that part planned since August, XD
HmGirly: You know what? Jjljflsjfnsps;lkj sljf;;so skjf. So ha. XD I squealed when I read your review! Thank you so much! Unfortunately, I had more dificulties with the epilogue's ending... But I hope it turned out bearable. I'm not so sure about fifteen kids, but... Wait, nevermind. Just go read the epilogue. And just so you know, I'm going right after I finish typing these review replies to draw a picture of Claire, Gray, and fiteen children wearing tiny UMA hats. :D
Nikokikai321: Yay, I made your day X3 I'm so excited! I finished it! I always feel sad when a fanfic ends, too, but then I find another and I feel better XD Thank you so much for reviewing! You rock! :D
BeautifulAuthor: D: I know, it's over, but that doesn't need to be bad, right? Because now I can start another one of my fics... _ Thanks for following the story! You're awesome! :D
starbear264300: Thank you! I tried to make it cute, and I'm glad it worked! :D
TalesxSymphonia: Thanks! The epilogue is HERE! :D
Wow. It seems as though, like, everyone was sad that the story's over. I'm sorry! ...I may have something-- no, wait, I can't tell you now. Just read the epilogue. _
I want to thank you all so much! Yay! I'm a little sad, too, but I'm more excited. And the fact it's like 11:58pm on Christmas Eve isn't helping with that, either. XD
Oh! Oh! MERRY CHRISTMAS! :D
Now... Just... READ IT! It's short, but it has PLENTY of info packed in there, so I guess that's good.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon or any of its characters.
Winter 12th
I exhaled deeply, attempting to soothe my raging nerves. My stomach was all in a knot and I couldn't stop tugging on my pinky finger. I glanced around anxiously as Elli tried to pull my hair up into a bun.
"Goodness, Claire, hold still," she pleaded, putting her hand on the top of my head, "I'm almost done."
"Maybe I should just wear it down," I suggested, standing up from my stool in the front of the Clinic's mirror.
"But you said you wanted it up," Elli sighed. I smiled weakly.
"Sorry."
She shrugged and walked over to her desk, picking up a white rhinestone clip and fastening part of my hair back with it. She glanced behind her and smiled.
"Popuri! It's time for makeup!" She called, and the pinkheaded girl shot in from around one of the blue dividers. She was wearing a cerulean silk sleeveless dress than came down to the middle of her thigh. It was identical to the one Elli was wearing.
"Okay, Claire, let's try and do this without any fuss," She beamed, coming at my face, and armed with a small makeup brush.
I grimaced as she applied a light amount of blush to my cheeks, and some shade of eyeshadow to my eyelids. She rolled a light colored lipstick over my lips and stepped back, studying her work.
"Perfect!" She announced, putting the lid on the lipstick. I inhaled shakily; trying desperately to ward off the sudden feeling of nausea I was experiencing. Ann came down the Clinic's stairs, clad exactly like the other two girls, carrying a somewhat large box. She made her way over as quickly as she could in her silver high-heels and set the container on Elli's desk.
"Here, Claire," she grinned, "check it out."
I lifted the lid off the box, but was unable to search for its contents. Elli, Ann, and Popuri had all reached into the cardboard package and pulled out various small objects. Ann grabbed my wrist and slid on a worn-looking metal bangle.
"Something old," she shrugged. Elli tucked a white Lily into my hair and smiled so widely, her eyes had shut.
"Something new," she explained. Popuri handed me a pair of pearl-stud earrings, which I secured in their rightful spots.
"Something borrowed," she started, "My mom wanted you to wear those. She lends them to all the girls at some point,"
Then Ann set a small box in my hand, which I promptly opened. I saw a lovely light blue pearl necklace and smiled down at it admiringly. I secured it around my neck and pulled my hair out from under it.
"Something blue?" I asked them, and they all nodded cheerfully. I laughed lightly, "Thank you so much, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."
We all hugged and I took another calming breath. Elli grabbed a long, white veil from the nearby counter and motioned for me to turn around. I did, and she began fastening it to the barrette in my hair.
"Are you excited?" Elli asked breathlessly, straightening the veil and making sure it fell down perfectly to the floor and covered my bare back.
I hadn't wanted such a revealing dress, what with the fact it was literally freezing outside, but Ann had talked me into a sleeveless gown with a crisscrossed back that showed plenty of my pale skin. It puffed out a little in the skirt and went all the way to the floor. It was pure white—not cream or eggshell or something—and it had clear beading done in very random small patches every here and there.
"Yes," I breathed, "but I'm really, really nervous,"
"That's okay. I was nervous before Doctor—I mean Tim," she blushed, "and my wedding, too,"
"I can understand that, Elli," I sighed, "you two had only been dating a season before he proposed to you over the summer. But we've been going out for a year now. Shouldn't I feel, I don't know, less nauseous about this?"
Ann laughed, stepping over to me, "Chill Claire," she advised, "you're just a little jittery because you're about to pledge your life to someone for all eternity. It'll probably be the most important and difficult promise you'll ever make."
"Thanks, Ann, for pointing that out," I rolled my eyes, "hey, what time is it?"
Popuri looked up at the Clinic's clock up on the wall above the door, "It's…" she squinted her eyes, "Um, hold on,"
"Goddess, Popuri," Ann rolled her eyes, "it's two fifty, Claire. There's still ten more minutes before the ceremony starts. Relax."
I nodded and smiled tensely before walking over to the window in the front of the building. I had high heels on, but luckily some of the other women in the village had taught me how to walk in them, because I definitely didn't plan on falling flat on my face at my own wedding. I peered out the clear window, smiling approvingly at the soft snow falling outside. It wasn't dark out, however; somehow there were hardly any clouds in the sky.
I exhaled yet again, leaving a foggy patch on the glass. Ann came up from behind me and held out my bouquet. It was just a collection of blue violets mixed in with a few wonderful white roses, with a pale blue ribbon wrapped tightly around the stems. I took it and thanked her. The rest of the bridesmaids all had one white rose to hold onto, with a blue ribbon tied in a bow on its thorny stem.
"Okay, girls," she turned around and clapped her hands, "it's time to head to the church!"
I smiled at Ann. She was the perfect choice for my Maid of Honor, and I knew it. She may not be the best at fixing you hair or doing your makeup, but she was always there for you, no matter what kinds of pranks she'd pull. Elli pushed open the doors and we all shuffled out into the beautiful, cold winter day. I inhaled, allowing the air to expand my lungs. I exhaled and swore that some of my nerves had left in the white cloud of swishing breath I created.
We hurried down the path towards the church, being careful to avoid slipping on any ice along the way. In front of those two huge wooden doors, I suddenly felt all my stress and more flood back into my gut. Just that very second, I heard the wedding march begin to boom out of the old organ from inside. The doors opened up and I turned frantically to protest to Ann, but she was already walking inside with the others.
Crap!
I shut my eyes tightly and pursed my lips together, willing myself to move forward.
Come on, Claire. Just move. Take one step, then another, then another; just like you practiced. It's too late to turn back, anyways.
I opened my eyes and swallowed hard, inching forward. I watched the floor as my heels hit the red carpet, which was sprinkled in white rose petals by May, that led up the center aisle. I heard a rather loud rustling noise and looked up, suddenly aware that the entire town was packed into the small church and that they had all just turned to look at me walk up to the alter. My legs almost gave out right then and there, but I managed to stay strong.
I turned my attention up at my destination: the alter. At that exact moment, all the tension and uneasiness left me, and I felt more secure than ever before. I smiled blissfully as I made my way up to a blue hat-clad, black suit-wearing, normally ill-tempered blacksmith, who was watching me with pride and adoration. I finally reached him and held onto his outstretched hand, stepping up right by his side.
Carter smiled gently at both of us and opened up his book, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman together in holy matrimony,"
I squeezed Gray's hand, just to make sure he was still with me here. He pressed my hand back, and I smiled, unable to do much else at that moment. He leaned into me just a tiny bit.
"You okay?" He whispered, "You're shaking a little,"
"I'm just wonderful," I whispered back, smiling and looking up at him out of the corner of my eye.
He grinned, and I could feel my face heat up a degree or two.
"Do you, Gray Smith, take Claire Carthrage to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, as long as you both shall live?" Carter asked, his eyes looking up from his paper to Gray.
"I do," he nodded firmly. Carter then turned to me.
"Do you, Claire Carthrage, take Gray Smith to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do!" I said breathlessly. Carter nodded and turned to Stu. He was standing beside Cliff, Gray's best Man, holding a small pillow with Gray and my wedding rings on it. After a moment, Cliff nudged him, and he remembered it was his turn to come up. I smiled down at Elli's little brother, taking the silver band off the cushion and sliding it onto Gray's left hand. He took my hand and did the same. I gazed down fondly at the beautiful small diamond, set on a thin ring of white gold. Carter then looked up at the crowd.
"If anyone has reason these two should not be wed, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."
I held my breath. There was such complete and total silence inside the building, I nearly fainted when someone coughed. Carter smiled and turned his attention back to Gray and me.
"Then I now pronounce you man and wife," he then faced Gray, "You may kiss your bride."
I turned to my new husband and looked up at him joyously. He turned to me and grinned larger than I'd ever seen before. He bent down to close the large height gap between us and kissed me tenderly, for quite a few seconds. I closed my eyes and heard the villagers all break out into applause, and I even heard a few quiet sniffles from one of the front pews. We broke apart and started back down the aisle, our arms hooked together.
The rest of the church showered us in grains of rice. I was caught completely off guard when the little hard pellets rained down. I thought they only did this outside the church!
"This wasn't in the rehearsal," Gray muttered, shielding his face with his free hand, rather annoyed, as the food bounced off his hat.
"Yeah," I giggled, quickening our pace, "let's just hurry!"
Winter Seventh, One Year Later
"Dammit Gray! Why?! Why did you do this to me?!" I screamed, the immense pain overwhelming me, "I thought you loved me!"
"I-I do!" He assured, eyes wide. Poor Gray; I was making him feel stressed with all my yelling.
I cried out in agony, clenching my grip on my husband's hand tighter. He flinched, and if I weren't preoccupied, I would've marveled at the fact I'd been able to hurt him so effortlessly. However, I was busy delivering a baby. That baby… It was supposed to be tiny, wasn't it? It didn't feel tiny, I'll have you know, when I was trying to get it out.
"Almost there!" Elli piped up, sweating slightly. I managed a little, tiny, ghost of a smile at that comforting news.
Almost there. Come on Claire, you're almost there!
Elli was so sweet. She'd come all the way from the Clinic in less than five minutes, and at four in the morning, too. She really was my best friend. No, Ann was. No… Elli was. Actually, they both were.
I gasped for air, turning my head to Gray. He was sitting there, in such a state of panic, he couldn't move. Poor, poor man; being subjected to my violent tendencies through the whole seven hours I was in labor. I was probably scaring him half to death with either my awful screaming in pain or my awful screaming in anger. If there was one thing he'd remember if-slash-when we had another child, it was that he should wait in the kitchen while I was giving birth.
"Ah!" Elli exclaimed in delight, "I see a head!"
I shut my eyes and exhaled. Those seven hours were the worst moments of my life, I had decided. That is, until I heard the soon-to-be-familiar sound of a baby's loud wails. I looked up and saw Elli walking over to me, a large grin plastered on her tired face.
"Congratulations, you two," she handed me a small, warm, pink bundle, "it's a girl!"
I looked down at the blankets, one tiny arm moving its way out into the open. I uncovered the little face and beamed. This little baby was what caused all that fuss? I couldn't believe it. She was too sweet; too… perfect. She only had a tiny wisp of coppery brown hair atop her head, and her tiny button nose wrinkled slightly when I touched her cheek. Her tiny little eyelids fluttered open, revealing soft blue eyes.
"She has your eyes," Gray and I whispered to each other at the exact same moment, not taking our eyes off the small angelic package. I laughed lightly, reluctantly handing the baby over to her father. He scooped her up hesitantly, his hands shaking slightly.
"She's so little," he commented, studying her face. After a moment, he asked, "What should we name her?"
I closed my eyes, browsing through my memory for the perfect name. I had thought about this so many times over all the years of my life, and yet nothing seemed to come to me. Suddenly, I had it. It was perfect for her, with her sweet blue eyes and light brown hair.
"How about Chelsea?" I suggested joyfully. Gray grinned down at the girl and handed her back to me again.
"Chelsea it is."
I stared down at our tiny Chelsea thoughtfully, when a lone thought entered my mind.
"Hey, Gray," I said quietly, as Chelsea had just began to fall asleep, "happy birthday!"
He smirked, "You too."
I knew that I had everything I'd ever want, right there in that very moment. I had great friends, a nice home, a loving husband, and a beautiful baby girl, all to myself. I also realized, though only as an afterthought, that I had obtained all these things through the winter season. I shrugged it off as merely a coincidence, just thankful that everything had happened the way it did. If it were any other season, things probably wouldn't have worked out at all. Too many changes in circumstance. In the end, it just made winter even more important to me.
"I love winter," I breathed, gaining a loving look of approval from the under the hat of the man next to me.
I had my husband, and I had the snow. I had my wish. I had it all, and I couldn't even begin to express my happiness.
:D
Heehee! How awful was that ending? I know: HORRIBLE! :D
Now, one last thing before I send you all off. There's a sequel. *Gasp* Stay tuned for "Another Winter", One Winter told from Gray's POV. It'll explain important things like what happened to Mary, why Gray acted awfully OOC in a few of the chapters, and it'll explain some of the more vague conversations Claire had with Gray in this story. Don't expect it too soon, since I only work on two longfics at a time and the next one won't be "Another Winter," but it'll come soon enough.
Thanks to you all one last time, and don't forget to review. You can PM me, too, if you want. ...And vote in the *important* poll in my profile. :D
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Bye!