The Apple and The Pear

It was early in the morning and dew drops still clung to all of the vegetation on the farm. As the sun slowly rose in the horizon, it's golden rays bathed everything in it's light. This made every dew drop glisten under it's gentle rays like thousands of tiny diamonds. Then as if the sun had whispered to the birds they began to awaken and greet the new day with their songs. At the sound of the singing bird's other animals also began to awaken to start their day. The rooster as if waiting for the perfect moment finally began to sound off waking up a sleepy Rachael. She sat up in bed and let out a big yawn while stretching. After rubbing the sleep from her eyes she pulled back her covers and placed her feet on the floor. The coldness of the floor was all it took to banish any traces of drowsiness that was left from her. Now fully awake Rachael stood up from her bed and walked over to the window. She gazed out of the window and smiled as she admired the beauty of the farm. It was the start of a wonderful day and Rachael couldn't wait to enjoy it. She had been looking forward to spending time with her grandparents on their farm for the summer. Today would be the first day that she would get to help out on the farm which meant that she would get to explore the farm. She loved exploring the farm because it meant that she could take in all of the sights, sounds and smells of farm life. Her parents who lived in the city hated it but Rachael absolutely loved it and she loved meeting the new foals and calves. Out of everything on the farm, spending time in the orchards was her favorite thing to do. She especially loved the pear trees and all of the different things her grandmother would make from the pears. From preserves to pies her grandmother could make almost anything with pears. Rachael's favorite was her grandmother' s maple glazed chicken with caramelized onions and pears. Just thinking about it was enough to make Rachael hungry. She happily sighed before she turned and walked out of her room to get ready for the day.

After eating a breakfast of bacon, and eggs with a stack of flapjacks Rachael was ready to go outside. Her grandmother was clearing the table so Rachael handed her plate so she could wash it. "Thanks for breakfast grandma, it was delicious as always!" She exclaimed. "I love you grandma." She said with a smile before giving her grandma a quick peck on the cheek.

"You're welcome sweetie and I love you too! " She said, beaming with joy.

Rachael walked over to her grandfather who was still sitting at the table finishing up his coffee and reading his newspaper. Then she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I love you too grandpa!" She said, still smiling.

He looked up from his paper and smiled. "I love you too Rachael." He says smiling.

Rachael walked over to the front door and opened it. "I'm going to go start feeding and taking care of the animals!" She exclaimed.

"Alright, I'll be out to help as soon as I finish drinking my coffee. Try not to spoil the animals this time. They know they can get extra food if they act cute with you." He chuckled.

Rachael laughed and grabbed her jacket. "You're right grandpa, I won't fall for it again."She joked. Her grandfather and grandmother laughed as she put on her jacket and went outside, closing the door behind her. First Rachael fed the chickens, and collected their eggs. Finally her grandfather showed up to check the chickens and give them the necessary shots they needed. After tending to the chickens she cleaned the chicken coop and put out fresh hay for the horses and cows. While her grandfather filled the horse's hooves and gave them new horse shoes. Once he was done, Rachael milked the dairy cows, brushed the horses and filled the pig's trough with slop. With her grandfather's help the task was completed quickly. Finally the animals had all been taken care of and once Rachael got cleaned up she could go spend time in the orchard.

"Thanks for your help Rachael! Now go get cleaned up and feel free to go enjoy nature. I know how much you love it."He said smiling.

Rachael smiles. "You're welcome Grandpa! Okay, thank you!"She happily exclaimed before running off.

She had gotten cleaned up and put on a pair of blue denim jeans with a white tee shirt that read Smart and Beautiful in pink bold letters. Her long hair that had been put up into a ponytail earlier, now rested upon her shoulders in a wavy cascade of auburn. As she walked through the orchard of various fruit trees her hair gently wafted in the wind. She passed by lemon trees, cherry trees, plum trees and apple trees. She walked until she finally reached her favorite trees. She stopped and gazed at the pear trees as joy filled her eyes. "Hello, did you miss me? I have so much to tell you about. Oh and I wrote a new song. Do you want to hear it?" She asked happily but there was only the sound of the summer breeze. She inhaled and exhaled before she started to sing. "Have you heard of the summer balls? They're a real sight to see. If you come out at night, just look for their lights. They dance so gracefully. They dance all around, above and below. Just watch them as they glow."She sang. Out of nowhere she hears the sound of clapping and turns to find a guy around her age leaning against another pear tree. He was a couple of inches taller than her so she guessed that he was five - eleven. He was lean but muscular and he was a totally mysterious stranger.

"That was beautiful. I'm glad I decided to follow the sound of such an enchanting voice because it led me to an even more enchanting beauty."He said smiling.

Rachael stared at the black haired male for a moment contemplating if she should run or not. "Uh, thank you. Who are you though and why are you here in my grandparents orchard?" She asked cautiously.

The male pushed away from the tree still smiling. "I'm Jacob and I'm sorry I didn't mean to trespass. This was the first time I've ever been here. I live with my father near here. What's your name?" He nervously asked.

"It's nice to meet you Jacob. I'm Rachael. Would you like a pear?" She asked.

He smiled and nodded. "Sure, although I'm more of an apple kind of guy. So did you write that song?" He asked.

Rachael picked a pear. " Okay, catch. And yes I wrote that song. I'm still writing it actually and I'm more of a pear kind of girl." She said playful before she tossed a pear to Jacob.

Jacob caught the pear and took a bite. "That's cool. I hope to hear the whole song once you finish it. Also this pear is the sweetest pear I've ever eaten. It must be because it was blessed by your touch." He said smiling.

Rachael smiles while slightly blushing. "Okay I'll remember to sing the whole song for you but you have to meet me here at the same time everyday." She said softly.

Jacob nodded with a smile. "Okay, you've got a deal and maybe you can make a pear man out of me." He said playfully.

Day after day Jacob kept coming back to the orchard to spend time with Rachael. He had even been introduced to her grandparents, and had started showing up every morning to help out on the farm. One summer day Jacob had worked up the nerves to tell Rachael that he liked her and to his delight she liked him too. After hearing that she liked him too, he decided to ask if he could kiss her. She blushed and nodded so Jacob nervously leaned in and kissed Rachael. It was her first kiss and his as well and they had shared it under a pear tree. "So does this mean that we're dating now?"He asked curiously.

"If that's your way of asking me to be your girlfriend, then yes we're dating now." She said smiling. Jacob smiled back at her in disbelief of how lucky he was to have such a beautiful girl as his girlfriend.

Year after year Jacob always waited for when Rachael would visit again in the summer and he was always waiting when she arrived. When she had to return to the city he always waved goodbye and he counted the days until he could see her again. Finally after dating for three years Jacob got down on one knee and asked. "Rachael, will you marry me?"He asked nervously. They had dated since they were seventeen and now they were engaged to one another.

Rachael smiled from ear to ear. "Yes Jacob! Yes I'll marry you!"She exclaimed. He stood up and slid the ring onto her ring finger then they kissed before Rachael excitedly hugged him.

Who would have ever thought that she would meet the man that she would one day marry under a pear tree. She had even had her first kiss with him, gotten proposed to by him and now she was getting married to him under that old pear tree. There was no doubt about it. The pear tree was her favorite out of all trees, and it would remain her favorite tree for the rest of her life. She only hoped that she would pass down her love of pears to her baby girl, who she had decided to name Summer. She felt that the name was appropriate because summer was her favorite season. It was also when she met Jacob, the man she loved with all of her heart and when her baby was due. Rachael smiled as she gently rubbed her stomach and thought about all of the things that she would introduce her daughter to. As soon as Summer was old enough, the first place she would bring her to was the orchard where she had met her father. She wanted her to see the old pear tree where they both fell in love and where they got married. She would share with her daughter all of the things that had made summer such a magical time for her. She gazed up at the pear tree as she imagined running through the pear orchard and playing tag with Summer. The thought had Rachael smiling from ear to ear as she waited for the music to start playing. When she heard the music start she held her bouquet with both hands, then slowly started to walk toward Jacob and the minister. Once she finally reached them she stood beside Jacob smiling. "Who gives away this bride?" The minister asked.

"My father, because he's with me today in spirit." Rachael proclaimed. She was getting slightly misty eyed underneath her white veil, but she knew her father would be proud.

"I understand, let's begin"The minister said with a nod. The minister performed their marriage ceremony beautifully and now it was time to complete it. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!" He joyfully proclaims. Jacob smiles at Rachael while she smiles back at him, then he leans in and kisses her. Everyone clapped and cheered in celebration as pear tree blossoms gracefully fell all around Jacob and Rachael. This was not the end of their story, but instead it was the beginning of their beautiful life together.