This chapter is… I dunno. It has lots of emotion. It is spring after all (In the story)! Spring fever babies!

Spring had come, and with it, a sense of being clean. It was a new year, and everyone was excited. The snow had finally melted, and lush, green grass had sprouted. The cherry trees where a sweet pink, and littered the many rain puddles with their soft blossoms.

The cherry blossoms were actually the theme for Lillian's wedding. Laney had been busy all week long, making all the food for the wedding. Normally her father, Howard, would help, but he was caught up with planning the wedding. But Laney was alright working by herself, she knew her father got a little overzealous when it came to events such as these.

Laney was putting the finishing touches on the cake. It was a three tier vanilla cake with pink frosting. Laney was strategically placing cherry blossoms and pink rose petals on the cake, concentrating hard not to mess up. Today was a big day after all. There was no margin for errors.

"Nice cake Laney." A voice said to her. Laney turned to see who it was and smiled, it was Dirk.

"Hello Dirk! And I hope Lillian and Ash like the cake." Laney said, as Dirk looked over the detailed frosting Laney had done. He reached his finger out to it, but Laney slapped his hand away.

"Oh no you don't! You'll get some cake at the reception party. But can you help me get this to the town hall?" Laney aked.

"Sure! But I thought you would be at the church with Lillian." Dirk said, helping Laney lift the heavy cake.

"I would be –grunt- but Alisa wants to "bless the church" before anyone but the bride comes in. I think she just wants the place to herself so she can scrub the floor or something." Laney said with a giggle, making Dirk chuckle.

They met Howard at the Town Hall, looking over all the bows and streamers that covered the room. "Ah! Laney! Such a bea-UTIFUL cake! You never fail to impress, does she Dirk?" Howard asked, tilting his head to the side expectantly.

Dirk nodded and smiled. "Oh course sir." That seemed to make Howard happy, so he left the Laney and Dirk to put the cake in the back of the room.

"So, um, Dirk," Laney said, fiddling with her apron. "I was wondering if you'd like to, uh, you know, go out tomorrow…? Since it's your day off and all…" Laney's face started to redden slightly. What are you doing? Where the heck did that come from! You're not the type of person to spontaneously say things! She thought.

Dirk's eyes widened, and then he frowned. "Actually Laney, I was going to tell you earlier but I couldn't find you, I'm leaving. Not for a day, or a week. I'm not coming back at all."

Utter betrayal slapped Laney across the face, and her eyes were brimming with tears. Dirk couldn't leave! He meant a lot to her.

"Why…?" She whispered, loud enough for him to hear, but Dirk didn't answer. So she said, in a louder, more panicked voice, "Tell me why Dirk." A tear spilling from her eye.

He couldn't tell her why. Not the real reason anyway, so he told her the secondary reason.

"I miss my home Laney. The people here are nice, but I just feel as though moving here was a mistake."

But it was a futile attempt. Laney and Dirk were kindred spirits, and she knew when he wasn't telling the whole truth. Laney's expression just became more pained.

"Dirk, this is your home! Why won't you just tell me? What's making you want to leave? Or is it someone? You don't have to make such a sudden decision Dirk."

"I-Laney. I just…" Dirk stuttered. His chest felt tight, and it felt like his heart was trying to force itself up Dirk's throat. His emotions were bubbling inside of him, and he did what felt right.

Laney, on the other hand, was completely flabbergasted. Why would he keep this from her?

But before she could say anything, Dirk's lips were upon hers. And even though Laney couldn't explain why Dirk was kissing her, and frankly neither could he, it just felt right.

Laney could feel Dirk's breath on her face, and they were both red-faced up to their ears.

Dirk looked her in the eye and whispered to her, "Don't say yes if you don't mean it Laney." And with that, he zipped out the door in a dead sprint.

Laney slumped to the floor, and wrapped her arms around her chest like she was trying to keep her own heart in. She didn't dare start to cry here though, too public. She instead headed off to the church.

"Who cares about Dirk? If he wants to leave then fine. Fine!" She said out loud to herself, but yelled the last part so that a bunch of frightened birds flew out of a nearby tree. Laney sighed, and got ready to help her friend get married.

Dirk ran. He knew he shouldn't have left Laney, but he could'nt explain the sudden kiss. "You knew you were gonna leave anyway, you're an outsider Dirk. You'll never truly be accepted here. You should have just stayed where you belonged." Dirk muttered to himself.

Dirk had made the decision to leave just a couple days ago. He had decided to that he would leave after his friend's wedding. He wasn't originally going to tell Laney, not face to face anyway. He was going to write her a note, there was really no point now though.

What made Dirk what to leave you ask? It all happened two days ago…

-FLASHBACK TWO DAYS-

Dirk was lounging around in his home after a long day delivering mail. He was idly sipping tea and reading, when someone knocked at the door.

Knock knock knock

"Come in." Dirk called, and looked up. It was Ash. Dirk was surprised by the lack of Cheryl or Lillian at his side.

"Ash? What are you doing in Konohana so late?" Dirk said, setting the book down.

"Aw, just wanted to check up on my buddy…" Ash said, scratching the back of his head.

"Um, as nice as that sounds, shouldn't you be working on the wedding preparations?" Dirk said, sounding pretty skeptical of Ash. "Aha, well, we're done for today with that. The real reason I'm here is I have to tell you something important. Lillian and I have been going around the mountain all day telling people."

"Well don't keep me in suspense! What is it?"Dirk exclaimed.

"Okay so, after the wedding, as people are going to the town hall, Cam is going to stand up in front of everyone and propose to Laney."

It was strangely quiet. The silence making everything more distinct. Even the crickets outside were silent, to see what would happen next.

Dirk frowned, and said, "I didn't think Cam had it in im'. I mean, it seems really bold."

Ash's eyes widened, as if he didn't expect that kind of reaction from Dirk.

"Uh, well, he told me he wanted to propose in a public place, so naturally we told Laney's father. But Howard slipped up and told Lillian. When Lillian found out she got really excited, and Cam decided that he wanted the whole mountain to know, just to make it more memorable." Ash told him.

"So, now everyone on the mountain knows, except Laney". Dirk said, more to himself.

"Yeah, um, Dirk, we're really sorry about Laney. Everyone knows how much you liked her… but the villagers are going to turn a blind eye to that…"

"I don't get it. If all the villagers know I like Laney, why would they be cheering Cam on so much? Do they know how much pressure that puts on Laney? What if she says no?"

"Dirk, it's just that… You know the villagers here would pick you over a stranger any day right? Well, comparing you to Cam, you are the stranger. Don't take it the wrong way Dirk."

"Oh no, I don't take it the wrong way. The people here would pick Cam over me, that's understandable. I mean, I'm not from here. And if the villagers would pick Cam over me, then so would Laney…I think I need to leave Ash."

"What, like, the room?" Ash asked, watching Dirk carefully like he was a rabid animal.

"No, I'm leaving town. I'm going back to my home village. It seems I'm not wanted here…"

"Dirk! C'mon man, just because the village is doing this does'nt mean they don't want you here." Ash said, frantically waving his arms.

Dirk shook his head. "No Ash, my mind is made. You've been a good friend. I'm going to leave after your wedding, but before… well you know." Ash nodded, and left Dirk.

Dirk collapsed at the top of the mountain, and he realized he was sitting in the same spot he found Laney on that cold winter day.

When he came to Konohana, he didn't think he was going to fall in love, not again. Dirk knew what he was doing by leaving. He was just running away from his problems. That's exactly what he did when he lost Gretel.

But he didn't even care, this time was different. Laney cared about him, when Gretel didn't even know he existed. But the outcome was the same yet again. Maybe he would'nt go back to his home village, maybe he would just wander into the next village he found. No, he had to make what he had right now work. But what if Laney loved Cam more than him? What if she didn't love Dirk at all?

He had to do something, and quick.

Lillian was absolutely ravishing, she wore a white, ball gown type dress with frills and lace. But most of all, her face was glowing with happiness. Every young woman from the two villages were with Lillian. Alisa was arranging Lillian's hair, and Nori was putting the young bride's veil on her head. Reina was giving Lillian her sweet smelling, pink bouquet, while Georgia held back Cheryl, who was trying to make the whole thing about herself. And through the chaos around them, Laney held Lillian's hand and gave her a pep-talk.

"Alright Lillian, this is your day. No one is here except you and Ash. The others are here only for ceremony's sake. Now, who's getting married today?" Laney said.

"I am!" Lillian said.

"I didn't hear you! Who's getting married?" Laney yelled.

"I AM!" Lillian yelled, getting looks from everyone in the room.

"That's right! But I would've also accepted Ash, he's getting married today too you know." Laney told her.

Lillian giggled "I know! How insensitive can you be to get married the same day as another person?" She said dramatically. They both laughed, and got a few giggles from the other girls.

"Hey, ya'll ready yet? Cheryl's getting' real fussy." Georgia said, handing Cheryl her flower basket.

"What say you Lillian?" Laney asked her friend.

"Alright." Lillian said, a determined look in the eyes, yet she was smiling all the same. "I'm ready."

…..

Cheryl skipped down the aisle, her twin ponytails bouncing with her steps as she threw cherry blossom petals about her.

Lillian trailed Cheryl, beaming brightly. The audience were sitting in the pews all around her, the ones on the left held Bluebell folk, and the ones on the right had the Konohana folk. Laney was standing next to Lillian at the altar. She wore a strapless, light pink, pleated dress that went below her knees.

At Lillian's other side was Ash, who was holding her hand. And next to Ash was his best man, Cam. Nathan was standing at the altar while Alisa played the organ beautifully.

Laney felt something odd in the air. She looked around, not finding anything strange. Unbeknownst to the people in the church, but the Harvest Goddess herself was sitting in an empty pew on the Konohana side of the church.

Well, not everyone. Lillian could she her, and she gave the Goddess a smile, which she returned. The Harvest Goddess rarely got to go to weddings, so she enjoyed herself.

"We've gathered here today to witness these two young adults being bonded in marriage." Nathan started, talking in his sermon voice.

"Ash, do you take Lillian, to have and to hold, to love and be faithful for as long as you live?"

"I do." Ash said, smiling at Lillian like she was life itself.

"And Lillian, do you take Ash, to have and to hold, to love and be faithful for as long as you live?"

"I do." She whispered, trying to contain her tears of joy. Laney herself was getting emptional, and Cam was just standing with a cool expression on his face. And Dirk… wait where was Dirk? Laney looked around the Konohana side of the church, and even the Bluebell side in vain. Why would he miss his own friend's wedding? She was starled from her panic thoughts as Nathan 's voice boomed across the room.

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss your lovely bride sir."

Ash hugged Lillian tight, they were both crying. Then Ash suddenly swung Lillian around in a circle and kissed her.

The crowd erupted with applause, and Laney clapped until her friend left the church. Weirdly enough, a lot of people who had stopped cheering were pushing Laney along, telling her to get a move on to the Town Hall.

Why are they so eager to leave? Laney wondered. As she left the church, Cam found her among the crowd and held her hand.

"Oh, hello Cam. I'm happy for them. They make such a cute couple, I hope my wedding might be as nice someday…" Laney said, thinking out loud. She looked over to Cam, he looked a little sick…

She walked a little closer to Cam, why was everyone staring at them? It was more than a little strange. The procession of wedding goers came to the big statue in Bluebell. The one that looked almost like a totem pole. It had a chicken an top of a sheep on top of a cow. It symbolized Bluebell's love for livestock.

Suddenly, everyone started to walk really, really slowly. Like they were waiting for something. Cam squeezed her hand and moved to the head of the crowd.

"I've got a bad feeling about this…" Laney muttered under her breath.

Cam stood on top of one of the benches that surrounded the statue, and as if on cue, the entire crowd of people separated so that the only person who was directly in front of Cam was Laney.

"Excuse me everyone, I have an important question to ask someone near and dear to my heart."

"Cam…?" Laney said in a small voice.

"Laney, I love you. I love you more than anything, or anyone. It took you almost dying to realize it, but now that I have, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you let me have the incredible honor of calling you my wife?"

Cam reached out his hand to her, a smile hanging on his face. He was looking her right in the eye, he was dead serious. It felt like the entire world was holding its breath, waiting to see what events would unfold. And everyone was looking at her so expectantly… wait. They knew this was going to happen didn't they? She saw her father in the crowd, who meet her eyes and merely nodded.

Laney's hands went to her mouth, to closing her gaping mouth. They wanted her to say yes! That's why they ambushed her with the question in front of everyone!

Dirk's words rang like bells in her skull. "Don't say yes if you don't mean it Laney."

Oh no, did Dirk know too? Is that what his words meant? He must have known, that's why he's leaving…

Calm down Laney, calm down. She told herself. The important question is: do you really love Cam? Her life would change dramatically if she said yes. But she didn't want to risk breaking Cam's ever-fragile heart.

She realized she hadn't spoken, or even breathed for a long time. She needed more time to think! Laney felt that strange presence again, and this time Nathan and Alisa noticed it too. Nathan looked over too Alisa, who looked worried. Servants of the Goddess could feel her presence and power.

Lillian, who was standing with her new husband in the back of the crowd, was starting to worry about Laney. She looked over at the Goddess, who was watching Laney freeze up in front of everyone on the mountain.

The Harvest Goddess was fuming. These villagers should not have put such a sweet girl like Laney up to the base so suddenly. She had been closely watching the young girl since last fall, and knew what was right for her.

"This… this is not right!" She yelled, although only Lillian heard. And Nathan and Alisa knew something was wrong.

Suddenly, the crystal clear sky turned dark, and rain started to pour. The villagers, thinking it was just a freak spring shower, took out their umbrellas and continued to watch Laney.

"The Goddess has been angered." Alisa said softly.

But Cam and Laney were in their own world, they didn't even notice the pouring rain.

"Laney…?" Cam said, his voice sounding a little hysteric and his face drooping slightly.

Laney took in a gulp of air. "Cam… I…"

Ahaha! Cliffhanger!

Will Laney say yes to Cam? I'll give you a hint… I haven't decided yet.

The next chapter will probably be the last one in the story, if I don't add an epilogue… Anyway please review!