| The first meeting As a young girl with cotton candy hair woke up early that morning, she wondered if anything exciting was happening that day. She goes around everywhere and bugs everyone about everything, much to the chargin of her mother and older brother. Brushing her teeth, washing up, and putting on some new clothes, she was set to explore Mineral Town again. Trying to act cool, she tried to sneak around corners to spy on people. Today though, she noticed everyone gathered around the church. Pushing through the crowd, she noticed a man she's never seen before at the entrance to the church in Pastor clothing and a few suitcases next to him. Carter was nervous. From a very young age in his life, he had been training to become a Pastor for the church. After quite a few years of training, the 19 year old man was declared the Pastor of the church in Mineral Town. Arriving, he had gathered quite a crowd. Apparently the church had been around a long time, and the old Pastor left this world from old age. So having a very young one come to this small town was a godsend for them. He noticed a ten year old girl with cotton candy hair looking right at him and he smiled at her. "People of Mineral Town, you have asked for a new Pastor, and your prayers have been answered. I, Carter, will take over as Pastor of this fine chruch, and will try to help all those who seek the guidance of the Goddess, along with confessionals and other events. Thank you." he said. Popuri was inturiged by this man. He looked very kind, with his brown hair flattened down all over and brown eyes wearing strange clothes she'd never seen before. She would have to investigate him often to see if he was really serious about helping everyone. She promised herself that even if she had to come to church everyday, she'd do it just to find out more about him. 8 years later The First Kiss Carter sighed as he looked at the empty church from his podium. At first, people came everyday to pray and ask guidance about this or that. Now, it was mostly empty, and only four people really visited anymore. Elli, the doctor's assisstant, who's been seeing Gray. Mary, the mayor's daughter, she's amazing when playing the organ, and she's also dating the new guy in town. Jack, the new guy, very nice, and prays everyday for a bountiful harvest. Then Popuri, probably the only single girl left in the village. Carter didn't know why she thought he was so mysterious. She came everyday, prayed a little, helped around with chores, and asked Carter for pretty much his whole life's story. When he saw her bound in crying, he was already waiting with open arms to comfort her, just like all the other times. Popuri was having a very bad day. First, she lost a chicken during her watch of the chicken coop. Then she got into an arguement with her brother over their dad again. Then the arguement turned to Kai. He always came in during the summer, which was now, and Popuri had a massive crush on him. That's exactly what her brother didn't want. As she walked to the beach, she gathered up the courage to ask Kai out. As she walked into his shack, she started off with a sweet, "Hello Kai." However, when she looked in Kai's direction, he was making out with Karen. Karen, who her brother loved on a borderline obsession. Kai, who Popuri had an almost borderline obsession with. It was too much for her as she ran away from all of it, to the one place she knew she'd always feel good in, the church. From the moment she stepped inside, Carter was waiting for her with open arms and she flung herself right to them, crying on his chest. "What is wrong, Popuri?" Carter asked kindly as he patted the crying girl on her back. She would always come to him to tell him about the sadder events in her life, along with the happier ones. Though he knew he was in for the former and not the latter. "To-to-today's been horrible! First, one of the chickens ran away! Then I get into an arguement with my brother over two people! Finally, the guy I loved.....I saw him kissing another girl!" Popuri told him while crying her heart out. Carter led her to a seat, which she gratefully took. "My child, do not be sad. Everyone has a bad day. The chicken you lost, it will come back if you had treated it right. Your brother, he cares about you dearly, and just wants to protect you and do what's best for you. As for the boy part....if he was kissing another girl, then do you really love him? Or did you like him for his looks and charm?" Carter asked, giving her valid points of sorts so she would stop crying. It worked like a charm, and she did. She thanked Carter, who replied with a "It's nothing at all." Her next move though, threw him for a loop. Popuri sat and listen to Carter telling her to not be sad, and gave her reasons to not be sad. She sadly listed everything he said under 'true'. He always did that. No matter how sad she was, he gave her a reason to not be sad, and she would stop crying and thank him. "Thanks Carter." she told him. When Carter told her it was no problem, she put her hands on his cheeks, then leaned up and kissed him. After that she left, leaving a dumbfounded Carter behind, wondering if that really just happened. (1 season later, Autumn) First date Carter felt happy for the couple in front of him as he grabbed his bible and read the sacred wedding vows. Although he was a tad suprised. Jack worked quick, and Mary had agreed to marry him. He had only been in Mineral town for three seasons. Almost everyone was dating, save Rick and Popuri, who he thought was trying to win him over by giving him mushrooms and truffles. Although he hated to admit it, it was working, he had a terrible weakness for the stuff. After the kiss, she still came by everyday, but this time she always left with a hug or a kiss to the cheek. Carter smiled at the shows of affection. She used to be a nosy kid, and he saw her blossom into a mature young woman.....well, mostly mature. Popuri watched near the entrance of the church her friend Mary get hitched to the new guy, Jack. She had to admit that Jack was quite the catch, kind and thoughtful to boot. They were a perfect match for each other, and she felt happy for them. When they finished reciting their vows and took that kiss, she clapped and smiled. When then the church started to empty, and she was left alone with Carter. She ran up to him and gave him a hug, which he returned before giving him some truffles she found. "Thank you dear. You look like you have something on your mind. Care to share?" Carter asked as he put the treats in his room. He always knew she wanted to ask him something after that kiss, but she could never bring herself to say it. "Carter, will....will...." Popuri tried to say, but she was very nervous at trying to say it. "Just say it, or you'll lose him!" a chibi Popuri shouted in her head, and she plain out shouted it, glad that no one was nearby. "Will you go out with me on a date?!" Of all the things Carter thought she would say, this was the least expected. She wanted to date a man 9 years older than her. He was flattered that she would ask him of all people, sure, but he didn't know wheter or not he should accept. "It can't hurt. After all, she's helped me out for so many years. It's the least I should do for her." he thought. "Alright. I'll go out on a date with you." he told her. At 8:00 PM sharp, Popuri sat on mother's hill, sitting on a cloth with a picnic basket next to her. Carter agreed to meet her here, and she felt so happy. She hoped this first date would lead into something much more. She heard someone walking up behind her and sees Carter with a covered bowl of soup in his hands. She smiles and offers him a place next to her. Carter knew he was gonna be a bit late. He was always a bit late to everything when he made truffle soup. However, when he saw Popuri waiting for him with a picnic basket and a smile, he knew she didn't mind his tardiness. (1 hour later) Popuri sighed as she leaned against Carter. The date went great, and she couldn't be happier. The mushroom soup Carter made was great, and he treated her like a woman instead of a little kid like everyone else. The moon shone down on them, as Popuri said, "Carter....I love you." In the end-all move to finish the date, she kissed him again, which Carter gladly returned. (2 seasons later) The Marriage By the time Carter and Popuri decided to let everyone know they were dating, everybody knew. Apparently her brother Rick decided to follow them and saw them on one of their dates and spread the word. Everyone approved of the happy couple, and Rick was proud that a mature, responsible adult like Carter was going out with Popuri. Her brother's biggest fear was her falling for Kai, but now he was sound of mind. Mineral Town changed a lot in the year Jack had come. Thanks to what everyone calls his 'miracle hands', the farm was back in running order and putting off more than enough income to keep everyone happy, all the girls(save Popuri) were married. Cliff proposed to Ann, Gray to Elli, and Kai to Karen. Jack and Mary had a child and named him Lee. It seems that Mineral town was now something out of a fairytale book. All that was left, was for the last princess to find her prince and live happily ever after. Carter went to Jeff's supermarket, where Kai was busy helping unload a new shipment of goods. "Hello Carter, your order came in. Let me ring it up for you." he offered. He handed Carter a small box and rang it up on the register. Carter paid the 1,200 g for it and left. Then he went back to the church and waited for Popuri to come. The hyperactive cotton candy haired girl was currently talking to Elli. They were gossip buddies and often shared advice with each other. In fact, it was Elli that suggested Popuri make the first moves on Carter, knowing the priest wouldn't have done anything. "Oh Elli, I wish Carter would propose to me." Popuri said with a pout at the end. Elli laughed at her pout. "A little birdy told me Carter's been nervous all week waiting for a special package to come in. Maybe if you go to the church, it might have come in and Carter will let you know what it is." She told Popuri with a smile at the end. "Thanks Elli! You're the best!" With a big hug, Popuri ran off to the church. When she got there, she saw Carter and Jack in the church, talking about how he and Mary were doing. "The baby sure is growing up fast. Walking on his own two feet without help." Jack said proudly. "That's wonderful Jack. May the Goddess bless your family for this wonderful event." Carter told him. When they saw Popuri, Jack said goodbye and waved to Popuri as he left, leaving them alone. "Popuri. I....I have something to tell you." Carter said, but Popuri put a finger to his lips. "Carter, I have something to confess. I'm head over heels in love with you. I have been since I was 12. You were my first everything with a guy. First kiss, first date. I want all my firsts to be with you. I wanna be with you, no matter what anyone says." Popuri told him, tears starting to build up in her eyes. Carter smiled at her confession, and he felt tears starting to grow in his eyes as well. "I love you too Popuri. I really don't deserve all the kindness you give me. However, I do have to ask you this," he said as he got down on one knee. Opening his package, he pulled out a blue feather and presented it to her. "Popuri, will you marry me?" he asked. "YES! YES!!! I WILL MARRY YOU!" Popuri shouted as he hugged Carter tightly. Both of them were crying tears of joy as they kissed and held each other, knowing that they would be together forever. (1 week later) The whole wedding was quite an affair, and all of Mineral Town pitched in to help the couple. Jack gave Carter his tuxedo that he wore for his wedding, and it fit him perfectly. The girls got together and made a pink wedding dress for Popuri,, and it fit her perfectly along with matching her hair. Carter and Popuri were at the altar, and Jack was the one saying the vows this time. "Do you, Carter, take Popuri to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in richer or poorer, till death do you part?" he asked. "I do." Carter said. "Do you, Popuri, take Carter to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, in richer or poorer, till death do you part?" "I do." Popuri said. "Then by the power vested in me by the Harvest Goddess, I now pronouce you as husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." Jack told the happy couple. As they newly married couple kissed, all of Mineral Town cheered on. The fairy tale like cloak covering the village was now complete. The couple themselves would be happy for the rest of their days, and take pride in their love, no matter what others might say. The End |