Before we continue, I would like to personally thank andIJDC for reviewing in every chapter. Hehehe. And hey, I appreciate constructive criticism as well. I don't mind learning from other writers and readers.

Enjoy~

CHAPTER 4

Willow Wood Farm

Year 4, Fall

Claire grasped at a small parcel of paper with shaking hands. After taking a few deep breaths, she reread the scribbled words, trying to register the content of the entire note.

Doctor Trent had recently met a girl who could possibly be Cliff's sister.

She gently rested the note on her knees, under the dining table where she was sitting. Could it be? she thought skeptically. For four years of staying in Mineral Town, she had never doubted the young doctor's intuition-well, sometimes on the "medication" he always introduced a long time ago-but this seemed questionable.

How did he know? As far as I'm concerned, only Cliff and I knew.

She vividly remembered that Winter day he told his sad tale and his search for his sister, on the day he was-wait, it happened at the Clinic, so it could only mean...

"Doc eavesdropped?!" she exclaimed to herself. Until now, Claire thought he didn't seem to be the always-intrigued type.

That aside, she should tell Cliff about this.

She glanced at the grandfather clock. Seven fifty-five. What's taking him so long at the Winery? He said he would visit Duke and Manna for a few minutes.

Claire felt movement at her abdomen. Smiling, she stroked it softly. "Baby, don't worry. Your dad will be home by now." Of course, she was referring to her husband.

The townspeople had joked that this year's Spring was "the season the boys had actually stood at the end of the aisle". When Cliff proposed to her, almost everybody else followed the trend. Trent, Gray, even Rick—who finally revealed his feelings to his childhood friend, Karen.

She stared at the wedding ring on her finger while still smiling. She admitted a lot had changed after that incident at the Clinic three years ago, including Cliff's treatment towards her and her growing affection for him. Knowing that he reciprocated her feelings the same way had brought great joy to her.

The baby now on the way is one product of those reciprocated feelings.

The door opened, breaking Claire's spell of thoughts. Cliff stepped inside, carrying a small box.

He kissed Claire's forehead. "How is my wife-" then kissed her swollen belly-"and our baby today?"

She suddenly realized she hadn't eaten yet. "A little hungry."

Chuckling, he placed the box at the table. "Manna baked something for you, knowing you prefer sweets now." He opened it, revealing a freshly-baked piece of apple pie.

She suddenly realized as well she hadn't made dinner, too. Had the note distracted her that badly? "Cliff, I didn't cook today. I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's OK." Cliff went to the refrigerator and rummaged through its contents. "It's my turn to make dinner. Just give me a few minutes." He then took some ingredients and started to work.

Claire glanced at the note still under the table. The flurry of ideas she had earlier returned. She folded it and kept it in her pocket. She should tell him now, at the right moment.

When Cliff was finished, he even took the time to set the table and serve his wife's plate. But as she stared at it, she was slowly losing her appetite. She took a few more deep breaths to calm herself.

Claire, no overreacting, she mentally chided. Besides, Cliff and I are still gonna make sure it's her. Especially Cliff.

Was that what's she fearing of at the moment?

"Cliff."

He turned to her. "Yes, Claire?"

She gently jabbed the Happy Eggplant piece with her fork. "I was thinking...let's go on vacation."

It seemed safe to start with that, she thought.

She continued, remembering the place where Trent went last season as described by his note. "I want to go to a group of islands by the vast sea. I heard there's a ranch there, and I'm curious who's managing it."

"Do you want to go there next season?"

"That's silly, dear. I won't get to see the ranch with crops. And I might give birth this Winter, as what Elli told us."

With that, Cliff had the look of an expectant father. "Oh, sorry, I forgot."

She smiled. "I'm not really in a hurry to go there, dear. So, let's go Spring next year. Even just for a week or two. With the farm, I'll ask the Sprites to take care of things."

He nodded in approval. "OK, dear."

"Also..." She stopped.

"Yes?"

After a minute of hesitation, she finally asked, "Cliff, remember what you told me three years ago? About your sister?"

Surprise was evident on Cliff's face. Claire knew they only brought this up now. "W-what about it, Claire?"

"I promised you I'd tell you if I found her, right?" She slowly took the paper that held every single detail Trent saw. "It's another reason why I'm planning a vacation."

I think I'm getting to the end of the story. I would want to keep it longer, but I can't think of any additions. :'|

I propose two more chapters after this. And now, we wait. Update's soon!