Fall 23

Autumn was closely coming to an end, and the arrival of my birthday was quickly approaching, as well as the arrival of my daughter. I felt Clara's powerful kicks as I smiled, imagining her arrival with Natalie placing her in my arms. I couldn't wait to meet her! Spring couldn't come soon enough!

I noticed a carriage passing by from my line of sight at Cherry Blossom Square as I smiled in delight. That could only mean one thing! I excitedly hurried as fast as my body would let me towards the Mayor's house.

My suspicions were correct, as Barrett helped Dorothy out of the carriage.

"Welcome back, you two!" I exclaimed, as they smiled at me in acknowledgment.

"Great to be back!" Barrett exclaimed.

"How was your honeymoon?" I asked, as I heard Dorothy squeal in delight.

"I-it was g-great!" Dorothy exclaimed.

"Well, up until the last day. Speaking of, you should probably go lay down, dear." Barrett said as I gave a look of concern.

"Ah, what happened?" I asked.

"The ship ride back to the mainland was kind of rough. Poor Dorothy ended up getting seasick. And motion sickness on the way back home." Barrett replied as Dorothy's cheeks flushed a pink color.

"I-I'm fine, honey." Dorothy replied as Barrett crossed his arms.

"Dorothy." He said sternly.

"Barrett's right, you know? If you're not feeling well you should get some rest." I said as Dorothy sighed.

"A-alright." She said in defeat as Barrett gave her a smile.

"And if you want, I can lay down with you."

"I-I would very much like that." She replied, a huge smile plastered on her face, as their faces pressed against each other. Barrett turned his attention towards me.

"Would you mind telling Jack and your brother that we're home? And that I'll stop by the farmhouse and manor later?" He asked.

"A-and could you t-tell Julia as well?" Dorothy asked as well, as I gave my head a nod.

"Of course! I'll see you two later!" I exclaimed as they went into the mayor's house. I turned, making my way back to the manor, I should probably tell Max first since it's on the way.

I made my way to the top of the stairs, I noticed Cecilia dusting the portraits that lined up the wall, she noticed me and smiled.

"Hello, Miss!" She exclaimed.

"Hello, Cecilia!" I greeted back, making my way towards Max's bedroom door, however before I could knock.

"Max actually went out a few moments ago." Ceci stated as I looked towards her.

"Ah, he did? Thank you, Ceci! Do you know where he went?" I asked.

"He said that he wanted to talk to Jack about something. He never specified where though. So, if they're not at the farmhouse, your guess is as good as mine." Ceci replied as I smiled.

"I'm sure I can find them. Thank you, Ceci!"

"Of course, Miss!"

I decided to check the farmhouse first as I walked into the park.

"UGH! You're an impossible jerk!" I overheard Julia exclaim as I looked over towards the port from the park seeing Julia and my brother. She seemed really flustered. It made me wonder…

I hid behind a nearby wall and bush, trying to listen to what made Julia so upset.

"An impossible jerk? I'm not the one who wasted someone's time with incoherent babbling! I have important business to attend to." Max replied back coolly, Julia's face became red in fury.

"What the hell is so damn important that you don't care about anyone's time but your own?" Julia asked as Max scoffed.

"I can't give you the full details…" Max began.

"See? No one's time is important but your own!" Julia exclaimed as something in Max snapped.

"You didn't let me finish! I'm doing something for Rosalind! I'm meeting Jack to discuss something, but I can't tell you more than that!" Max yelled before calming down.

"And if there's something you want to discuss with me…you better get it out quickly. Jack's probably waiting for me at the east end; and I don't want to keep him waiting for too long." Max said more calmly as Julia inhaled deeply.

"Max, I like you!" She exclaimed, her cheeks flushing a deep rosy color. "I mean, I really like you!"

Max's face changed from impatient to soft and gleeful. His eyes held something that I had seen once before.

"I know." Max replied as my eyes widened. He knew? But…he never made an effort!

"Wait, what do you mean you know?!" Julia exclaimed in shock.

"Let's just say I'm super observant and I notice a lot of things!" Max exclaimed gleefully.

"Wait, why didn't you…I mean, why were you…I mean." Julia began in frustration as Max smiled.

"Two reasons actually. The first reason being because I wanted you to tell me personally without me saying something first! I know you lack self confidence, but you shouldn't! You're a beautiful woman, Julia. And the second reason is that I'm still kind of ashamed at myself for making you cry that one time after you put that spider in Rosalind's tea." Max replied sheepishly as I gave a small grin. I remember that!

"Well, in your defense, that was a mean thing I did to my best friend!" Julia responded with a smile.

"So, can I ask, why did you put a spider in Rosalind's tea?" Max asked as Julia blushed, looking down in shame.

"Because, she told me the color of the pants I was wearing didn't look good on me. I became hurt that I took it out on her in pity. I shouldn't have though, because I remember she had bought me a new pair that became my favorite pair when we were kids!" Julia said in disgrace before sighing.

"I've always been jealous of your sister. My older siblings were very attractive when they were kids as well, and then me…well, I was an ugly duckling. But even so, Rosalind never judged me like I judged myself; like Bethany and Hugo judged me. She was always sweet to me! Rosalind was and still is beautiful, both inside and out!" I saw Julia shaking slightly, indicating that she was crying. Max cupped her chin to meet his gaze.

"You were never ugly, Julia! Awkward, yes; but not ugly! Do you remember how you hated your freckles when you were younger?" Max asked as Julia became embarrassed.

"I do. I'm really glad they've faded though." She replied as Max chuckled.

"Well, I have no idea why you hated them! I thought they were really cute!" Max exclaimed as Julia pulled her scarf up to hide her burning face. Max began to laugh.

"So, since you admitted your feelings for me and I do feel the same, we have two options." Max began as Julia's eyes lit up.

"We can be in a public relationship or we can do like Jack and Rosalind did with a secret relationship for almost two seasons." He said the last part in a joking manner as I rolled my eyes.

"You…also feel the same?" Julia asked as Max looked at her softly.

"Of course I do. So, would you be my girlfriend? You don't have to answer right this…"

"Yes!" Julia exclaimed in both bliss and embarrassment. "And you better not be pulling a prank!"

"I would never pull a prank like that. Plus, pranks aren't my thing." Max admitted in sincerity. I had to refrain myself from squealing in excitement as I quickly left my position towards East End where Jack was meeting Max.

Jack was waiting for Max at the dock next to the blacksmith as I walked towards him.

"Hello, darling!" I exclaimed as Jack's eyes widened.

"Ah, hey, Angel face. I really hope your brother didn't send you in his place." Jack replied nervously before becoming more nervous.

"Oh! N-not that I don't want to see you! Because I love seeing you! It's just…"

"Ah, Jack? I had no idea you and Max were meeting up. I was…on my way to the farmhouse, but I saw you here! I was just going to tell you that Dorothy and Barrett are back home!" I said in a partial lie. I didn't want Jack to know that I was listening to Julia and Max's confession.

"Oh? They are? Do you know how their honeymoon went?" Jack asked as I gave a small smile.

"Fine, for the most part. Poor Dorothy got seasick on the ship ride back to the mainlands. So, they're resting now. However, Barrett said he'd stop by the farmhouse later." I replied as Jack gave a smile.

"Oh! Alright!" Jack exclaimed, as footsteps came from behind me.

"I swear, you two can't stay apart from each other, can you?" Max's voice asked in a joking manner as I turned to look at him.

"Ah, Max!" I exclaimed nervously as he looked at me in concern.

"What are you nervous about?" He asked me before setting his attention on Jack. "Did you tell her anything?"

"No. Rosalind was telling me that Barrett and Dorothy are home." Jack replied as Max smiled.

"Oh? They are? I wonder how their honeymoon went!" Max exclaimed.

"According to Rosalind, Dorothy got seasick on the way back to the mainlands." Jack replied.

"Oh? That's too bad. Other than that Rosalind's still clueless?" Max asked as Jack nodded.

"Rosalind's still clueless." He replied as my eyes widened.

"I'm still right here, you know?" I stated as they looked at me.

"What are you two going to discuss?" I asked curiously as Max smiled.

"Let's just say some very important plans. Now, off you go, Rosalind! And no eavesdropping!" Max stated sternly as I blushed, hoping he didn't notice me listening in on his and Julia's conversation as I made my way hurriedly back to the manor.