Preparing for the Big Day - Round 1

Hilda and Patrick spotted Hilda's strange cousin and his shed on the way to Jayme's Delights. He never seemed to go out unless it was to go to the health and research center, and his "plants" all had a weird glow to them...

Jayme's Delights was a well-known bakery owned by Jayme Ross, a desserts master and one of Hilda's many aunts. The cashier seemed to be missing when they walked inside, so they just grabbed some coffee and laid out the wedding plans for Wednesday.

"So, I was kind of thinking of buying some wedding bells...haha, get it? Wedding bells?"

"Yeah, I get it. But we really need to focus on the decorations."

"Oh, like flowers? The community garden already has a ton of them, I'm not worried. And Aunt Jay said she'll give me one of her cakes for only $30!"

"Wow, that's a pretty good deal. Usually it's $120."

"I know, right? So let's go shopping for our outfits!"

Hilda tends to be pretty childish, so naturally she thought blue cowboy boots and a short white dress would be suitable wedding attire. It's no wonder Patrick is focusing so intently on his book.

Patrick decided it was time to change up his look, and he let Hilda help him with it. He liked his regular clothes, but his tux?

"Honey, is the white and pink really necessary?"

"Yes, we need to match! Now hurry! I want to stop by the farmer's market."

The Cypress Market had some pretty good deals that day in preparation for the fall Farmer's Festival. It tends to be pretty slow in the early morning, but it quickly picks up by noon.

Hilda and Patrick dined on some hot wings and celery sticks; one of the many specialties of the market. Patrick tried to suggest picking up some flowers for the wedding, but her mind was too focused on food. And nectar.

Patrick decided to introduce himself to a new Green Valley resident while Hilda was drowning herself in nectar. Erin Davis was very nice, very stylish, and also very pretty. Being the naturally flirty guy he was, Patrick jokingly asked her sign.

Hilda was none too impressed with that, but thankfully she didn't kick up too much of a fuss about it. The nectar probably calmed the rage.

Patrick grabbed a drink with his fiancee until he was interrupted by his mother, asking him if he's had a bachelor party yet. He sighed and said he wasn't the type to have a bachelor party before hanging up. Sometimes, he wondered why his mother disliked Hilda so much.

Keeping Monte's Nectary up and running was hard work. Every day, after spending hours and hours of harvesting, weeding, and watering, Patrick would have to walk to the nectary and churn more bottles out. His productivity is limited to about 12 bottles a day.

He casually glanced out the window and saw Erin, the same girl from the market. "Huh, that's odd." he thought to himself.

Julia Frontelmau, another one of Hilda's aunts, was a very frequent customer at the nectary. Sometimes, she'd even bring her daughter Brandie.

Lonnie visited his mother in the retirement home to check and see about the living conditions. It was nothing like the home she used to have, but it was still safe, cheery, and clean.

Lonnie complained to his mother about the marriage between Hilda and Patrick, and what it would mean for him. Yelise suggested that he do his part and garden for them to make their jobs at the nectary a little easier.

Lonnie agreed, and played a quick game of chess with his mother before going back home.

After a long day of hard work, Patrick went downstairs to drink a few glasses of nectar. For some reason, the nectary clerk decided to join him. He always knew that she had a crush on him, but would she really try that when he's about to get married? And shouldn't she be working?

It didn't matter, because it was the girl in the soldier's uniform that caught his eye.

It was Colette, his ex. He didn't know why she was at the nectary when she knew he owned it. She knew he was getting married. She knew he wanted to see his son more.

He tried to resist, but he finally convinced himself that going out on an innocent dinner with her couldn't hurt. He'll attempt to get in her good graces and nothing more.

They waltzed into Jayme's Delights hoping to get a casual meal. A cashier was present, finally, but he seemed a little bit tearful. Maybe Jayme gave him a good talking to for being absentee this morning.

Patrick sat down with Colette and began discussing the issue of custody.

"So, I really want to start seeing Terrance more. And now that my mother is out of the house, you don't have to worry about any 'negative' influences."

"Oh please, it was never about your mother. I just don't believe you're a good match for him. Or my sister."

"Well he can decide for himself, just like your sister can."

As they argued back and forth, Colette finally relented and allowed him to have weekends. Patrick was very glad he took this opportunity, as he felt nothing for Colette at all. Usually, when they fought, it would lead to angry woohoo; but not this time. This time, it only lead to frustration and disgust.

He was definitely ready to devote his life to Hilda.

And once again, Erin was in the same building as Patrick. She spoke to her boyfriend loudly on the phone, casually glancing towards him now and then. Maybe it's just a small town?