Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon

A/N: The chapter you were waiting for! (I think)

And everyone, I'm writing a NEW Harvest Moon story, called A Handful of Carrot Seeds. I recommend that you all check it out (but I'm not forcing you to read it though) and tell me what you think. It's my newest HM fic and I may or may not tie it into this one in a way.

To Win a Woman's Heart

10th day of winter

This is it…my last day here in the valley. I love it here and everything…but really, I can't stay here if there's nothing. I can't stay in the inn without money and my father, my good for nothing father is cutting me off. There's nothing except Hatori's love…I think, and the love of all the people here, but unless Hatori proposes marriage to me, I can't stay. I won't stay, my pride and stubbornness won't let me…I still have that. It just won't let me be and now I have to deal with it. I have to do what I said I'd do or else loose face with people. That's something I don't want to do.

"Good Morning Nami!" Ruby greeted me as I came downstairs. "It's New Year's Eve day, do you realize that?"

"Unfortunately yes," I said and leaned against the wall. My head hurt a little and it wasn't fading away. "I realize it and I hate it."

"Why don't you just forget your promise then to leave at the end of the year?" she asked knowingly and I glared at her.

"I can't do that. I don't break promises! I gave my word," I exclaimed. "I just…I just never…"

"Never expected to fall in love, right?" she asked. "If that's the case, then don't leave. I'm sure he's just nervous about it as well. Besides, if all else fails, you just should ask him. I'm sure he's wondering if you really like him too you know. I don't know for sure what you two have said to one another but he does love you and it's obvious you love him." She smiled at me. "All you need to do is do what I did, just in your own way. You can't wait forever for him and no one in this valley, especially him, and me as well, wants you to leave. Do you really want to live in this inn forever? It's business for us of course, but Tim and I really just want you to be happy."

"Thanks Ruby, but I don't know," I said. "I don't know if I'd be able to do it right. I'm not the kind of person someone would want to marry either. I'm not exactly polite a lot; I'm rude, insistent and downright stupid."

"Don't ever call yourself stupid in front of me again," Ruby said. "If its one thing you're not, it's stupid."

"I know," I replied. "I just feel that way. I don't know anything about this. I don't understand what I'm feeling and I doubt I ever will."

"I'm sure it will all work out in the end," Ruby said and for once I think she had a point.

…

Night was falling quickly and I made an effort to enjoy it. I visited everyone and did everything I could. I walked up and down the pathways and ran a little bit up the mountain a little before coming back down. I seemed to have more energy than I knew what to do with and nothing was helping me get rid of it. I was anxious and worried and nervous and angry and…and…in love. I sat down on the bench again and let out a long sigh. I was in love, I couldn't fight it.

"Hey Nami," a soft voice said and Hatori joined me on the bench, sitting down beside me. "Penny for your thoughts?" I held out my hand. "What is it?" I grinned evilly.

"You owe me a penny if you want to hear my thoughts you know," I said. He smiled and pressed a penny into my palm.

"So, what are you thinking about?" he asked again.

"Leaving," I whispered. "I'm going to be leaving soon you know…"

"Yeah, you said you'd leave tomorrow if there wasn't anything keeping you here," he said. "I heard about it from a few people Nami, don't worry. Hey, I have one final gift for you, but it'll cost you something."
"Cost me what?" I asked with a little curiosity. I raised an eyebrow at him and he grinned. What was he getting at? He'd never charged me anything for a gift before, why in the world was he going to try to do that now?

"I want that penny back," he said and smiled at me. I shrugged. I might as well give him back the penny, not like I really wanted it in the first place. I held out my hand with the penny in it towards him and into my hand he placed a blue feather. My eyes widened. "I lied about the price. You can keep the penny Nami, I just want you." Tears rushed to my eyes. "Will you marry me?" I stood up and stared at the feather he had placed into my hand. Wha…What should I say? I know…I know I should say yes, I should shout the words and tell him I love him…the feather fell from my hand and I dashed back to the inn.

…

I walked into my room and started to really cry.

"Nami, I'm not giving up until I get an answer at least," he said and I turned around. Hatori was there, smiling as always, holding the feather in his hands, extending them towards me. "I won't let you get away; you don't have to go back to whatever life you had before. I want you to stay here with me. I know the life of a farmer probably isn't the most interesting or exciting…" He looked at me with his wide eyes. "Please Nami, will you marry me?" He…He was actually asking me. I wanted to, I wanted to say yes, I waited and waited and waited for this moment and now it was here!

"How…how can I say no to a face like that?" I asked, wiping my eyes. He placed the blue feather into my hand. "You…You idiot, all this time you made it seem like…like you were just playing with me…toying with my emotions and you really didn't…didn't…" He grinned knowingly and let out a small laugh. He seemed so amused and relieved at the same time that I was worried he would never ask me to marry him at all!
"Love you? Of course I love you Nami. I've been in love with you since I first met you," he said. "I've always been in love with you."

"Yes…Yes Hatori, I will marry you!" I said and took the blue feather, clutching it to my breast, just above my heart. "I would have left if…"

"If you didn't believe you had a reason to stay?" he asked and I nodded. "Well then, it looks like we do have a reason for you to stay now. Sure you won't mind being a farmer's bride?"

"I won't, I won't ever get tired of it at all!" I exclaimed and hugged him tightly. "Hatori…" I began to sob again and he held me gently in his arms, waiting out the storm of my tears, a mixture of joy and frustration and sadness all that the same time.

"Just look at this…I ask you to marry me and you break down!" Hatori said with a laugh but I felt him hug me back. "Hey Nami, I promise to cook amazing things for you from now on."

"I look forward to tasting amazing things from now on," I whispered.

"Well, we have no time to waste! It's time to get married!" he said with a chuckle. "I love you."
"I love you."

THE NEXT DAY

We said goodbye to everyone as we headed off to where a priest was so we could get married. Everyone was so happy for us, although Lumina was upset that Hatori didn't love her instead. We shared a smile and he took my hand into his. We had our whole lives ahead of us and I looked forward to it. He had won my heart long ago.

THREE YEARS LATER

3rd PERSON

The years passed by quickly and the house was expanded. They got a bigger kitchen and Nami resolved to learn how to cook herself, something Hatori was only too happy to teach her. They had a son as well and he looked a lot like his father although he had his mother's eyes and his hair color was a mix of Nami's red and Hatori's brown. Hatori named his son Mark. Every night they would spend time as a family together. Whenever it came time for Mark to go to bed, Hatori would pick him up and Mark would hold onto Hatori, not wanting to go to sleep.

"All right," Nami would often say. "But if the monsters come after you…"

"Night, night Daddy," Mark would say and Nami would put him to bed with a smile on her lips. She was a wonderful wife in Hatori's opinion, as beautiful as anyone and as independent and stubborn as he hoped for. She was a wonderful mother as well and Hatori found himself more in love with her as each day passed. After all they had done together and the life they now had, Hatori and Nami couldn't be happier. They had each other, and in Nami's opinion, the life of a farmer's wife wasn't half bad. Hatori's cooking got better too.

"Hey Nami," Hatori said one night after they had put Mark to bed. "Is something on your mind?" Nami sighed and went into his embrace.

"Nothing's wrong Hari," Nami said quietly. "Shhh…we don't want to wake Mark."

"Oh, right, let's go outside for a moment," Hatori said and led her out the door, holding her hand gently in his. They went out and sat under the tree, Nami going into his embrace once more. "So nothing is the matter then?"

"Everything is perfect Hari," Nami whispered. "I can't believe we've been like this for three years now."

"Well, three down with still a lifetime to go," Hatori replied with a smile and Nami snuggled against him.

"I look forward to it," she said and then wriggled out of his embrace and stood up. Hatori stood up as well and she kissed him softly on the lips. "Let's get to bed now, all right? Tomorrow is another day." Hatori smiled and nodded at her, his eyes shining with lots of love.

"Right," Hatori agreed. "I was thinking of a new recipe as well to give a try, and I know you can't wait to taste it…"

"Yeah, I can't wait," Nami agreed with a smile. "My Hari." She was just a little possessive but Hatori didn't mind. "I wonder what Mark will grow up to be?"

"Just like his mother I bet," Hatori said.

"Nah, I was thinking he'd want to be a farmer, or possibly an artist. I do see him drawing a lot." Nami looked thoughtful for a moment. "Being an artist isn't bad. Cody is one and he's a good artist at that."

"Don't we know it," Hatori said with a smile. "Come on love, let's get to bed. It's getting late and I don't want to sleep in too much. Those cows won't milk themselves!"

"They can stand to learn," Nami joked. His laughter joined hers as they walked back towards the house.

…

After all, Hatori had learned one thing that was important above all else. He learned how difficult and wonderful it was to win a woman's heart.

EL FIN

THE END

A/N: YAY! I finished writing it! Took me long enough, eh? There won't be an epilogue but check out the Friends of MineralTown story I'm now writing, called A Handful of Carrot Seeds, which I may or may not tie into this story a little.

So no epilogue, but I already have a new HM story out for those that are interested. Thanks to all my reviewers for sticking with me as I took my time writing this! Wish me luck in college and I'll see you all around!

OWARI!