HOHO Merry Christmas, my lovely readers! I am so sad to inform you guys that this is the last chapter of the glorious story known as Beware of Lesbian Cows. We've cried, laughed and even had some genuine 'wtf' moments with this little weird piece of literature, but I want to thank you readers for sticking with this silly little story! BTW, I based Chelsea off of my entry in SI and IoH so she has my birthday which is Winter 5, my birthday is Feb 5… if anyone even cares about that lol.


Season 4- Year 2, Winter

OoOoOoOoO

Chelsea sat in her house feeling bored, dead and completely impatient. She was sitting down and sorting through the many choices of work that she could do that could occupy her time.

'Hmm… I can… fish, but I don't necessarily like to fish in the winter, much less by myself.' She mused to herself. 'Or I could mine, that always brings in the gold… However, Vaughn and Lily would kill me if I tried to do that alone.'

Chocó jumped on Chelsea's lap excitedly. He ran towards the front door, happily signaling his desire to go outside. Chelsea giggled at her dog's giddiness while walking over to the front door.

With a sudden burst of gusto, Chelsea pushed open the door; however, instead of hearing the loud bang from the door hitting the wall of the house, her ears picked up on a rather loud and angry cry of : "Ow, what the hell!"

"Oh my goodness; are you okay?" Chelsea asked frantically. She pulled the door back to see who she'd hit. Chocó ran out to the person and barked happily. It was Denny, who was rubbing his injured red nose tenderly.

Denny just laughed it off. "It's okay Chelsea, I was gonna ask if you wanted to fish with me."

"Hm, good timing, I was just saying how I wanted a fishing buddy, well now I won't be alone… And despite what Lanna tells me, I enjoy your company anyway Denny." Chelsea smiled.

"Why thank you Chelsea, it's nice to know-" He stopped, finally registering the last of Chelsea's sentence. "Wait! What did Lanna tell you?"

Chelsea however, already started walking with Chocó towards Verdure Island, leaving behind a distressed fisherman to chase after her.

OoOoOoOoO

It was the most pleasant winter Chelsea had ever experienced. The weather was cold but a gentle cold. The wind was chilling but lightly nipped at her slightly rosy nose and cheeks. The only downfall of her so- called pleasant winter was that she had nothing to do. Crops obviously couldn't be grown now, she only had about three cows and three chickens; and they weren't high maintenance. Fishing was only fun when she had someone to talk to and mining was forbidden by Lily.

Chelsea walked into Mirabelle's shop with an apathetic expression gracing her usually cheerful face. Mirabelle's eyes automatically locked on to Chelsea's entering form.

"Good Morning Chelsea!" Mirabelle smiled. "Here you go; Happy Birthday!"

Mirabelle shoved a box in Chelsea's arms with a smile. Chelsea looked over at Mirabelle with pure confusion. She opened the box to find a giant pudding shaped cake with the words 'Happy Birthday, Chelsea' in her most cherished colors of bright red, yellow and orange hues.

"Um thank you Mirabelle." Chelsea sheepishly rubbed the nape of her neck.

Julia entered the room full of giggles and smiles more than she usually had. When she spotted Chelsea, the girl could have sworn that Julia's smile became even wider; which should have been inhumanly possible by the way.

"Hello Chelsea!" She said with a rowdy loud sing song voice. "Why someone was just asking about you with quite the fervor!"

"Um, hi Julia, how are you?" Chelsea asked nervously.

"What are you being so bashful for? It's your birthday you silly little rancher."

Chelsea slightly winced. "Um yeah I'm aware, another year, another wrinkle for my face."

Before Julia could inquire on the brunette's peculiar mood, Vaughn chose that moment to walk in the room.

"Hello Chelsea… Uh do you want to go out with me for a walk?" Vaughn asked shyly.

"Of course, you never need to ask me!" Chelsea's mood brightened exponentially.

Vaughn smirked a tiny bit before tipping his Stetson. 'It's nice to know she holds me in high regards… makes this a lot easier.'

As Chelsea and Vaughn started to walk together and towards the door, Julia made a snide remark.

"Have fun you two cough lovebirds cough'!" Causing the two to become flustered as Mirabelle and Julia released raucous laughter.

Chelsea looked over at Vaughn, who looked displeased. "Those two truly are mother and daughter."

Soon after his face took on a more relaxed look; almost as if the loneliness and heartbreak he suffered from was completely gone. She felt slightly relieved to be away from any type of birthday celebration. She never felt particularly happy or inclined to celebrate it.

"So… are you happy to be…" Vaughn stopped and chuckled. "I just realized that I never asked you your age…" He smiled. "I guess I assumed you were a good way into adulthood."

She giggled. "Well I'm only 19 right now." Vaughn let out an audible gasp. 'Okay she's much younger than I expected.'

"As for my birthday… It was never really that happy for me." Chelsea sighed.

Vaughn hadn't said a word, giving Chelsea the chance she needed to reply to him on her own.

"Birthdays aren't so happy for me specifically because I never had people who wanted to celebrate it. Old friends, relatives, ex- boyfriends or even my own Mother; one time I asked her if we could celebrate it and she told me I should be lucky that she decided to even keep me."

Vaughn looked over at Chelsea with longing displayed on his face. He hated everyone in Chelsea's past, all of those who wanted to hurt her out of selfish agendas and jealousy. He knew she rarely showed herself being so vulnerable, which made her strong, but when she did, it was the saddest sight anyone could ever see. She helped him deal with so much; and now it was his turn to show her his appreciation.

"I guess I'll have to get used to the birthday celebrations on this Island." She smiled. "I know for a fact that Lanna, Lily, Denny and the others are gonna do something for me."

Vaughn impulsively grabbed Chelsea's hand and intertwined his fingers with hers, blushing intensely during his action.

Chelsea's facial expressions changed frequently, settling on a bashful smile, but that didn't stop her from reciprocating the feelings and squeezing his hand back gently while intertwining her own fingers as well.

"Where are you taking me to anyway?"

Vaughn pointed ahead, towards the docks where a large ship happened to be situated. Reaching the ship, Vaughn told Chelsea to wait right outside the boat, while he went inside for a bit. When he finally returned, he brought baby calf with him. It looked like an extremely young newborn.

"Happy Birthday Chelsea, hope you have space for a baby girl." Vaughn smiled.

"You… mean you trust me to actually have such a young cow?"

"Of course, you've proved yourself to me as an overly capable rancher… Besides I can't think of anything that would make you happier than having such a cute addition to your farm." He said unabashedly.

Chelsea overcome with joy threw herself on to Vaughn with passion and kissed him on the cheek. She let go of Vaughn who rubbed his cheek tenderly and frantically covered the lower half of his face to hide the increasingly large blush spreading from his nose to his ears.

Chelsea was too busy gushing over the calf to notice. "Aw, you adorable thing you; I have the cutest name for you. You look so pure without any spots, like a snow white lily… Yuri!"

The cow's eyes shined happily as she stared at Chelsea with adoration. Mooing with extreme excitement, the cow ran into Chelsea gently, nuzzling against the girl's soft body.

OoOoOoOoO

Vaughn sighed irritably in his room. He looked over at his picture of him and Chelsea that Julia unceremoniously took one day when they were at the beach. He smiled tenderly at the picture and stroked the features of her gorgeous face. Today was the most important day of his life for him; the anniversary of Chelsea and him getting together.

"Chelsea, I love you so much. You don't know how much you've affected me." He spoke to the picture with an unusual affection.

Julia walked into Vaughn's room to ask him something; until she caught him speaking to the picture.

"You never once insulted me, approached me openly with no ulterior motives… You were the first person to ever say you truly loved me… You're the only person whom I can say it back to." Vaughn smiled at the picture.

His devotion to Chelsea was astounding enough to make him act out of his usual character.

Julia smiled gently at Vaughn's little monologue. "You really do love Chelsea don't you Vaughn?"

Vaughn automatically straightened up regaining some of his usual posture. "How much of that did you hear?"

"Oh I walked in about the part of Chelsea never insulting you." She smiled. "Honestly, since that first day of spring when Chelsea was shipwrecked… The day before you came, Chelsea really looked fragile." Julia ruefully recalled.

"She looked as if she hated nature for keeping her alive and not allowing her to drown in that ridiculous storm. But I think it was nature's way of bringing you two together."

Vaughn looked over at Julia with a curious look in his eyes. "She always told me that day she looked in your eyes; she felt a pull, as if she had to be with you… But she refused me when I told her it was 'love at first sight.'"

Vaughn blushed at the thought of Chelsea falling in love with him so quickly. "I'm glad it worked out this way. I don't believe in Mother Nature or that Harvest Goddess stuff, but I'll surely thank whoever it was that brought such a wonderful woman into my life."

Julia nearly swooned at the radiant vibe Vaughn was giving off. "Dude, I think I like Chelsea dating you; she put some emotion in that cold face of yours."

Vaughn ignored Julia. "Well thank you for the unwanted compliment fish girl."

Julia scowled. "Ugh, too bad she couldn't really change your smart-assed sense of humor."

Vaughn laughed. "If anything, I could say she's the one that gave it to me."

OoOoOoOoO

It was the most stressful day of the year for anyone born of the female sex. Chelsea was frantically running around preparing the highest ranked ingredients she could get her hands on. If it wasn't rank- S, she didn't want it going anywhere near her cooking. She put away her little cute packages filled to the brim with heart shaped chocolate cookies in her rucksack.

Not a female soul was outside to smile, wink or respond to anybody. Today was the day of the most insane battle ever; Winter Harmony Day.

Currently Lily, Lanna and Julia were in Chelsea's kitchen struggling to make something… Well Julia was struggling.

"Okay once more someone explain to me the function of this peculiar ceremony?" Lily asked.

Chelsea, Julia and Lanna groaned. "Lily, when you like a man you show it to him through the delicious chocolates that you have spent your all baking for him." Lanna said with a dreamy expression.

"Can you not just consummate with him after revealing your love?"

Chelsea wholeheartedly ignored Lily's painfully blunt question, returning to her baking. Lanna and Julia were speechless, deciding to ignore the urge to smack their crude friend.

Chelsea wanted this chocolate cake to turn out perfect. She had promised to teach the girls how to bake the best dessert but the only one that truly needed help was Julia; who was beyond help.

Lily decided to make something native to her homeland. Chelsea couldn't pronounce it but she'd tried it once before and it was delicious. Lanna decided to make a batch of fish shaped chocolate cookies.

"Chelsea… how am I supposed to make something for Elliot if my kitchen skills are this terrible?" Julia whined.

"I'm sure Elliot would appreciate the fact that you just love him unconditionally… After all nothing says 'I love you' like keeping your boyfriend out of the emergency room for a stomach pump."

The girls laughed at Chelsea's remark, causing Julia to fume. "Well I'm so sorry I wasn't born with gourmet skills."

Chelsea finished the final touches on the heart shaped chocolate cake, fruit and whip cream on top. "Done; I sure hope it tastes as great as it looks."

Lanna looked over at the cake. "Wow Chelsea; you sure went all out for… Wait I didn't know you liked anyone… Who's the lucky man?"

"Why Lanna don't be so silly; Chelsea is going after that rude anti-social animal dealer." Lily shrugged.

"Of course you should see how Chelsea swoons and fawns over him when Monday and Tuesday finally arrives." Julia teased. "Like a little school girl in love."

"Oh really, is that why you're so protective of Vaughnie?" Lanna smirked. "I should have known you thought he was dreamy… You just wanted to look good in front of him."

"Shut up Lanna, it was obvious you were bothering him; I just needed to step in a help a friend."

"Riiigght, Chelsea; and I suppose that 1000 watt smile when he thanked you was to support this 'friend'?"

Chelsea chose not to acknowledge the statement as she carefully packed the cake in the delicately crafted box. She smiled tenderly and gently as she handled the cake with precision.

Lanna, Lily and Julia giggled as they watched Chelsea packed the box. They could practically see the words 'deeply in love' over the girl's head in powder pink letters. However, they were all glad that Chelsea had found someone that seemed to truly make her happy.

"Well guys are you ready?" Chelsea asked with a giant smile plastered on her face.

"Yeah!" They all cheered.

"Wait a minute Chelsea! I still suck at baking!" Julia screamed while she ran after the energetic girls.

By the end of the day, Chelsea handed out all of her obligatory cookies; but in her hands was the precious chocolate cake that she wanted to hand to her special someone. She had protected that cake from Charlie and Eliza's charades, Pierre's gourmet curiosity, eager bachelors, Shea and wild animals. But it was Tuesday 10 pm, and Vaughn was nowhere in sight, almost as if he was hiding on purpose, which wouldn't surprise her if he was hidden.

Her last resort was Meadow Island, in that little corner by the water where Vaughn liked to sulk.

With a small burst of determination, Chelsea rode Kirk's boat to the isolated island. Once they arrived Chelsea made out a silhouette which was unmistakably Vaughn's. She ran excitedly towards the edge of the island, calling out Vaughn's name. However luck would have it that Chelsea slid and the box flew out of her hands and over the edge of the island.

Vaughn hadn't spared a second and dived straight into the frigid water for the box before it sunk to the bottom. When he resurfaced, box in hand, Chelsea was sobbing heavily.

Vaughn was terrified; he hadn't the slightest clue of why Chelsea was suddenly sobbing. He walked over to the brunette who had her face buried in her hands.

"V-Vaughn, y-your c-cake!" Was all he could make out from her constant blubbering.

"What cake Chelsea?" He stared at her. "You mean this box?"

She only cried harder in response. Vaughn sighed unhappily and opened the box. His face turned 10 shades of red. The cake became saturated with salt water, the whip cream was decimated into little streaks and the fruit arrangement was disheveled. Amazingly, the writing, as smeared as it was, was still legible.

'For you Vaughn, from the bottom of my heart!'

Now he understood why she was sobbing. He couldn't let her obvious hard work go to waste like that. She made this exquisite cake for him when she damn well didn't have to. Without any hesitation, he munched on the cake. It was good, but the only thing that destroyed the taste was the accident. But he was sure that her cake would have been heavenly in its original state.

"Chelsea, stop crying, it was delicious." He said as he licked his fingers.

She looked up from her hands and stared at Vaughn with bloodshot eyes. "Vaughn! Why would you still eat it, you'll get a tummy-ache!"

He lifted her chin gently. "Because it was from you and that's all I need."

He swiftly closed the distance and kissed Chelsea on the lips. Chelsea was overcome with shock, pure surprise. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the contact that she awaited for so long. It was a chaste kiss free of lust or any carnal desire, full of innocent feelings reaching the surface.

Vaughn abruptly pulled away; Chelsea stared back at him with confused eyes. She thought everything went correctly but he pulled away.

"I'm sorry Chelsea; I didn't mean to do that!" He shouted.

Without another word he ran to Kirk's boat and left Chelsea alone, confused, cold and most importantly… hurt.

OoOoOoOoO

Chelsea was finished fishing with Denny. She sat on her bed moaning out of boredom. She went to Mirabelle's shop to ask about Vaughn, but all she got was giggles and odd looks from mother and daughter. She knew they were up to something odd again, but she trusted them. Julia and Mirabelle were like the mother and sister she always wished for each Starry Night Festival. Mirabelle was so warm and caring and Julia was mischievous and funny. She always trusted them because she knew they had good intentions for her.

She closed her eyes slightly, drifting off into a peaceful daydream. Vaughn's profile entered her mind; memories of him napping under a tree during a summer day; him inspecting each animal for sickness; and his cold, angry face snapping at someone when they've insulted him; they all blow through her mind like a fresh breeze. She ignored everything outside of her happy place, so much that she hadn't heard the door open and a shift in the bed's weight.

"Chelsea, are you awake?" No response.

Chelsea got a rude awakening as the visitor quickly pushed Chelsea off of the warm bed and assumed her previous spot.

"What the hell! Who did that?"

Lily looked over at Chelsea with a smile on her porcelain face. "I have to say, in all my dealings with people, you certainly are the heaviest of sleepers."

"Lily, if you walk into a person's house uninvited, may I add, you don't just kung- fu flip them off their bed, even if the person is your friend."

"Oh my, the ancestors must be shocked at my poor show of courtesy!" Lily paled. "I'm rather sorry Chelsea, I just wanted company!"

Chelsea smiled at Lily's reaction, she was glad she had such an unorthodox group of people for best friends. "Well you cured me of my boredom, so I shall forgive you!"

"Perfect, the ancestors rejoice at such a happy display of friendship, now I shall make a dish to celebrate."

"What are you going to make Lily?" Chelsea asked.

Chelsea regretted asking as the name of the dish was as long as the Witch Princesses collection of teddy bears combined with Witchkins' collection of frogs. One of these days, Chelsea is going to have Lily teach her the language that she speaks.

"Lily shouldn't you be getting ready for your night with Will?"

"Hm, I suppose you'd be correct if I actually wanted to go with him."

"You're going to stand him up?"

"No I'm just going to not inform him that I will not show for this 'date' that we have arranged." She said plainly.

Chelsea deadpanned. "Wow Lily, I always thought that's what 'standing someone up' meant, but you've truly opened my eyes." She quipped.

"The usage of sarcasm is rather unneeded for the conversation we are currently having." She said as she set plates of food on the tables.

"Okay fine, but don't you think you're being sort of cruel to Will? You guys have been… on and off dating for a year now…" Chelsea faltered. "… I think you like Will a lot but you're too stubborn to admit it."

Lily ate her meal quietly as Chelsea continued to speak. "After all, you've made him Winter Harmony chocolates, accompanied him to every festival possible and spend your free time with him whenever and wherever."

"Hmm, I never expected him to become so attached… Chelsea I'm a treasure hunter, eventually I will have to leave this island to search for more treasure."

"I'm positive that Will is going to follow you wherever you choose to go, so stop trying to avoid him so much." Chelsea smiled. "Besides, if you're afraid of Will breaking your heart, you don't have to worry about that."

Lily looked over at Chelsea. "So you really think I should confront him? You really think something special will occur between us?"

Chelsea nodded at Lily's questions. Lily sighed out of exasperation.

"Okay Chelsea, I pray to the ancestors you are correct."

Chelsea walked Lily to the outside of the house and she decided to walk out to her barn. She looked at each of her cows until her eyes landed on Yuri. She sighed unhappily, wondering if Yuri needed to be sold.

The once vibrant and energetic cow apathetically rose to walk over to Chelsea. Her bright pure white fur was lackluster and scruffy. Her 'moo' was quiet and pathetic; not to mention dreadful to listen to. Whenever Chelsea tried to look at her, she would avert her head so she couldn't look in her eyes.

"Don't worry Yuri, you won't have to suffer longer, I'll be sending you away to a more fitting owner."

Yuri looked over at Chelsea. What does that mean? You don't want me anymore?

Chelsea patted Yuri on her head. "You've obviously displayed outrageous behavior towards Vaughn… And if you can't accept him… well then, I guess you'll have to go." She started to tear up. "Because I don't think I can handle it if I had to choose between you and Vaughn unfairly, so I'll send you away before it gets to that."

No wait you sly golden haired vixen! It's not you, it's me! I CAN CHANGE! GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE!

"I'm so sorry Yuri, it's not you, it's me…" Chelsea said while walking out the barn. "That sounded like a bad break- up line, ugh!" She said as she smacked her forehead.

Yuri sadly stalked back to her pen. She broke up with me; for that silver haired barbarian… Oh my god, she really loves him…

All the other cows cried in unison. We've been trying to tell you that you stupid moo- cow!

No need for name- calling you dumb broads! Yuri mooed angrily.

OoOoOoOoO

It had been some time since Vaughn last seen Chelsea; ever since that kiss fiasco on Winter Harmony Day. He hadn't the slightest idea of what came over him or what entered his mind. After he ate Chelsea's cake all he could think about was how hard she tried to make that cake, the look of pure happiness delivering the cake and how much he… liked her, enough to want to make her happy.

Vaughn slightly gagged at the sappiness of his thoughts, but reminded himself it was about Chelsea. Of course, being the coward he was, he had avoided Chelsea every time he came to the island. But today was the special day, the day he would finally ask Chelsea properly to be his girlfriend before the other guys hustled in on her. After all today was the Starry Night festival.

Vaughn walked slowly in the snow, going towards Chelsea's house, praying that she didn't have any plans.

"So Chelsea… I was wondering, since you aren't doing anything…"

Vaughn hid underneath some bushes nearby her house. 'That sounds like Mark, what the hell is he doing here?'

"Would you like to spend Starry Night with me…? I have no one to hang out with."

Chelsea aloofly answered. "Sure, whatever, what time?"

Vaughn couldn't believe she actually said yes to him… Well Chelsea wasn't his girlfriend… He just thought maybe she pursued his friendship because… She felt more for him, but that was a selfish thought on his part… Since no one else really cared about him that much.

He waited until Chelsea returned to the inside of her house and Mark to walk back towards Verdure. Once the coast was clear, he stepped out from the uncomfortable bushes and walked back to Mirabelle's Shop.

"Hey Vaughn, did' ya ask Chelsea out for the festival?" Julia asked sitting next to Elliot with a cup of tea.

Vaughn grunted angrily.

"Hm… I thought Chelsea was going with Mark, since he was walking around boasting about it earlier." Elliot wondered.

Vaughn sent him an icy glare, which shut him up. "He just asked her, which meant he was lying until now."

Julia paled. "Well she rejected him right? She's going with you… right?" Her voice faltered and tapered off once she saw the split- second appearance of sadness on his face.

"She… She said yes?" Julia said. "Wait Vaughn, Chelsea probably didn't mean to say yes… she doesn't like Mark… She likes you!"

However Julia's words were left unheard as she hadn't noticed Vaughn had left the store a while before her statement.

"Heh, it's kind of odd someone as warm as Chelsea would be so attracted to him. They seem completely different." Elliot said as he sipped his tea.

"You're wrong Elliot… You don't know how similar they truly are." Julia sighed.

Vaughn was sitting inside of the café unhappily. He really wanted to be on the next ship out of the Sunshine Islands but luck would have it that no ships were to return after that big announcement of there being a snowstorm.

So he sat down unhappily drinking hot chocolate. The door opened and a little chime that was attached to the door tinkled signaling the arrival of newcomers. It was none other than Chelsea's best friends, Lily and Lanna. It was rare to see the two of them together without Chelsea since they usually didn't have much to talk about together. Vaughn slightly shifted his body and bent his head to blend in to the background.

"Chelsea sure seemed pretty depressed. I wonder if it has to do with Vaughnie." She pondered. "I knew she liked him a lot but she seems more like she's in love with him."

"Well of course she is Lanna… She has all the signs of a maiden who is lovesick…"

"Well I think Vaughnie is a jerk for leading Chelsea on like that and then running away." Lanna said angrily. "She's already been through a lot; that must have been devastating to her."

"Yes, but from what Chelsea has told us, it seems as if Vaughn is in the same boat as her… Maybe he's having a hard time trying to put his heart out there for fear that he might get hurt?"

"You seem like you want Chelsea and Vaughn to start dating…" Lanna stated suspiciously.

"If he makes Chelsea happy for whatever reason then by all means she should confess to him… Besides those two are good for each other… It was the ancestors who guided them together." Lily said. "They shouldn't ruin this chance."

"Hmmm… Lily if you say so then it must be true! But Chelsea told Mark she would go out with him for Starry Night…" Lanna sighed. "What if Vaughnie wants to ask Chelsea out for tonight?"

"Well rather than sitting down sulking about what happened with Chelsea… I propose he shall do something to win her wavering heart, before it is too late." Lily tossed a sly glance over at the hidden cowboy before walking out of the café with Lanna.

'How'd she known I was in here…? Damn, she's scary; I better watch my back around that treasure hunter.' He thought.

Vaughn knew that eccentric girl was correct and rather than mope about Chelsea, he should at least confront her before kicking himself like that. With one last tentative gulp of his hot chocolate, he decided to walk out of the diner and tell Chelsea what he really feels.

Vaughn had reached the front of Chelsea's door and knocked lightly. The door opened revealing Chelsea's delicate body. Her eyes were red and puffy as if she'd been crying, her nose was slightly pink and she wore a pair of baggy denim jeans and a red and green striped turtleneck.

"Oh Vaughn… what do you want?" She asked sadly.

"Chelsea, you're coming out with me for Starry Night." He said while reaching for her hand.

"Vaughn I'm already going with Mark somewhere today." She said.

"I don't give a rat's ass about the plans you made with some man that ain't me!" He said successfully grabbing her hands. "So you ready or what?"

"… I'll just get my coat." Chelsea was slightly turned on by Vaughn's passion. It was like something out of those cheesy fan-fictions and romance novels that she secretly read during her down time.

By the time Vaughn and her reached the Mystic Islands, it was already evening. Way past the time Mark and Chelsea were to meet up. Chelsea knew she would have some serious apologizing to do by the end of tonight.

"Well Vaughn, here we are in front of the Harvest Goddess' Pond, so you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well… Chelsea, I want you to hear me out… This is all I can do to explain myself…"

She looked on at him. "Well, for as long as I can remember, I've been alone my entire life…"

Chelsea remembered Vaughn talking to Denny about something like this, until he realized she'd heard bits and pieces of the conversation and angrily told her off.

"I don't even remember what my parents' face looks like; never seen my ma or pa in any of pictures." Vaughn sighed unhappily. "Had no family to protect me from anyone… I had to fend for myself."

Chelsea looked at him. "Kids and teenagers were ruthless when I went to school, made fun of my looks… So then I started getting defensive, built up a wall so no one could get through to the real me. I spoke everything on my mind and ignored everyone. With no one to keep me in school, it was natural that I dropped out."

"I moved from shit jobs to doing what I wanted to do… Work with animals, they were the only ones who accepted me without pre- conceived notions and later on I became skillful enough to understand an animal by looking in their eyes, but no one believed me." He said. "I had plenty of girlfriends and I did have sexual relationships frequently." At that confession, Chelsea frowned deeply.

"But they weren't the ones for me; I never wanted to get close to any person so I naturally pushed them away." He said. "Some of them stated that they only dated me because I was unusual or trying to get back at either their family or boyfriends."

"But… When I met you… I knew… I knew that you would be a whole heap of trouble for me."

Chelsea looked homicidal at this point. Vaughn chuckled at her reaction. "But you're the best pile of trouble I ever ran into. After all Chelsea, you are the only girl who forced their way into my shell and pulled me out, not to mention completely, hopelessly and pathetically in love with you."

"… What did you say?" Chelsea asked incredulously.

"I said I'm in love with you, I love you, and I want you to be my girlfriend." Vaughn said.

"Well duh… Of course I'll be your girlfriend you big silly." She giggled. "Patience is a virtue after all."

"Wow… how unexpected… I thought you'd start crying and getting all sappy and stuff."

"Uh- huh, right… I've done enough crying and tissue pulling thank you." She said.

"Why were you crying earlier anyway?" He asked while pulling her into his arms.

"Crying…? You mean my puffy red eyes and stuff?" She asked.

Vaughn nodded. "Oh silly, I have a cold. When I answered the door for you, I had finished blowing my nose."

Vaughn stared at Chelsea before bursting out into a loud laughter. "Chelsea you're so… amazing." He smiled. "I think this is the first time I can say I'm so happy that you were shipwrecked."

Chelsea fumed. "Hey I could have died! Then you wouldn't even be able to have this conversation with me jackass." She smacked him on the shoulder.

Vaughn smiled at Chelsea. He leaned in to kiss her, but she stopped him.

"I don't want you to catch my cold."

"I don't care, we're dating now, what's yours is mine and what's mine is yours." He grunted.

He leaned in successfully capturing Chelsea's lips. They stayed like that for minutes, relieved to finally have each other in their arms. When they finally pulled away, Chelsea suddenly sniffled and her cold disappeared.

"Whoa, my cold is gone!" Chelsea exclaimed. "Vaughn you're amazing!"

Vaughn was a little shocked as well. Chelsea sounded and looked a lot better. "Maybe I needed a kiss from my prince charming." She smiled as she leaned in to reconnect their lips.

Unknown to them was a pair of eyes watching. "Ta- da! I love happy endings! Chelsea amused me on tonight's Starry Night Festival, the least I, the Harvest Goddess, could do was cure her of that nasty cold." She smiled before disappearing back into her shimmering pond.

OoOoOoOoO

Vaughn was walking with an unusual pep in his step. He held a box that was beautifully wrapped and a bouquet of flowers in his hands. He was walking towards the bridge that leads to Ranch Island where Chelsea was awaiting him. Tonight was the Starry Night Festival, exactly a year since Vaughn and Chelsea had been dating. Vaughn had no idea how to celebrate an anniversary, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to try.

The closer he got to the bridge, the easier it was to see Chelsea's silhouette in the inky darkness of the winter evening. Chelsea spotted Vaughn and without hesitation, ran directly towards him.

She wore her hair out and curled nicely, a red turtleneck and a black skirt. She looked stunning; until she slipped on snow and fell in a silly little mess. Chelsea picked herself up and rubbed her now pinkish face.

Vaughn dropped the stuff to help Chelsea stand on her feet. With a slight smirk and a snicker Vaughn looked at Chelsea.

"Hey Chelsea, fall was last season, a bit too late ain't ya?" He smiled.

"Oh hardy har Vaughn, you're such a riot." She spoke sarcastically. "Any more clichés you have piled underneath that little black hat?"

"Nah… Too much work; let's head over to Mirabelle's… Oh here you go." He said handing her the flowers and the box. "Happy Anniversary… sweetheart." He blushed intensely at that last word.

Chelsea stared at him with wide blue eyes. "Oh, Vaughn… I forgot… I didn't think we'd celebrate it…" She stared unhappily at the floor.

Vaughn tipped Chelsea's chin up and planted a sweet little kiss on her lips. "Don't worry about it, as long as I have you by my side, you don't need to remember a thing. I love you so much Chelsea."

She gasped. "Vaughn…'' He shook his head and gestured her to open the flat box placed in her hands.

She opened the box happily and in it was a necklace with a gorgeous sapphire ring on it as a charm. When she looked closer, the ring had Vaughn's name engraved on it. When she looked over at Vaughn, he had a similar necklace with the name 'Chelsea' engraved on it.

"Matching rings! Whoa! It's amazing… I can't even explain how happy I am right now!" She exclaimed.

Vaughn grabbed Chelsea's hand and pulled her along in front of Mirabelle's door. His hand pointed up above them. Mistletoe was hanging over the couple; Vaughn put his hands around Chelsea's neck and clasped the necklace successfully while leaning in to kiss her passionately. Chelsea held the flowers to her chest, while her heart was pounding against her chest out of excitement and love.

"Ma! I'll go see if… WELL WELL WELL! Oh my! What do have we here?" Julia's voice loudly chimed in.

The door to Mirabelle's shop was suddenly opened by Julia who was currently standing there with a shit- eating grin plastered all over her face.

"Ma, never mind, Chelsea and Vaughn were here all along!" She smiled. "Lovely couple they make; mom you should come and greet them." She said in a sing- song voice.

"Julia, cut it out!" Chelsea screamed with a beet red face. "Gosh, would you like it if I reveal to people about what happened that night when Elliot and you were on my farm-mrmph." Chelsea was cut off by Julia's hand smacking her mouth.

"Shhh! Gosh Chelsea I was just teasing! No need for that kind of blackmail." Julia said while pulling the flustered farmer inside.

Vaughn raised an eyebrow displaying obvious curiosity at what could have happened, but left it alone.

The small dinner party went swimmingly. Mirabelle made many dishes, from porridge to pudding, making sure to get everyone's favorite in the mix. Chelsea smiled and mingled like she usually did and Vaughn, albeit silent, smiled with a genuine content look on his face. It would have been a stretch for him to say that he liked parties and socials, especially since Taro's entire family was invited this year to spend the festival together, but as long as Chelsea was with him that was all he needed to be comfortable.

"Hey Chelsea, would you like to go somewhere?" Vaughn asked her quietly.

"Sure, can we go to one of the islands?" Chelsea asked.

"Of course."

The couple excused themselves from the festivities and left for Kirk's boat. Within a couple of minutes, they arrived at the Mystic Island. They strolled along, hand in hand, towards the Harvest Goddess' Pond. It was as clear and pristine as it was the day Vaughn confessed to Chelsea.

There was a sort of tension in the air. Chelsea knew that Vaughn's silence was a strange one. She could feel it but didn't know how to respond exactly.

"… Chelsea, I love you." Vaughn said while looking at the starlit sky.

"I love you too, Vaughn." She said looking at him.

"I really think you're the best thing to come into my life… It was so lonely." Vaughn admitted. "I never really saw myself getting that one true love that I always read in storybooks or in sappy movies and all of that other crap."

"Honestly, I never did either. I always thought if I went someplace far away and started anew, I wouldn't have to focus on that stuff… Who would have thought a near- death experience would have changed so much." Chelsea said wistfully. "It kind of taught me to appreciate everything about life… the good and the bad."

Vaughn stared at Chelsea and leaned in to kiss her. "Chelsea, I know I'm anti- social, grumpy, kind of rough and at times stupid."

Chelsea barked out in laughter. "Tell me about it."

She stopped once she saw that scary glare coming from intense amethyst eyes. "Okay I'll stop. Continue…"

"But when I'm with you I always feel like a brand new person… Like a breath of fresh air." He looked at her with a genuine smile on his face. "When I asked you out last year and you said yes, I thought I was the happiest man alive… But I realized only one more thing can truly make me happier."

Chelsea stared at him. "I'd love your beautiful hand in mine walking down a wedding aisle."

Chelsea stared at Vaughn intensely. "Are you really asking me to… marry you? It's not a dream right…" Her eyes started watering. "You won't get my hopes up and then take it all away…"

"Of course not, Chelsea you've changed me for the better… Now I want you to feel happy." Vaughn said while hugging here. "I won't ever hurt you, I want us to experience everything we never had and I want us to do it together as a happy family."

Chelsea wiped her eyes and smiled. "I guess this is where I should answer the question." Vaughn wiped away Chelsea's tears. "Of course I'll marry you silly!" She lunged forward toppling Vaughn over and showering him with kisses.

Vaughn returned each and every kiss Chelsea gave him. When they finally pulled away from each other, Chelsea lay on top of Vaughn and stared deeply in his eyes and he returned the sentiment, slipping a blue feather in her slim hand.

"Hey Chelsea it's a shooting star." He smiled. "Let's make a wish."

Chelsea and Vaughn closed their eyes, silently making their personal wish. They opened their eyes wondering together where the star came from but decided to just enjoy the occasion nevertheless.

However the couple was unaware of the mischievous pair of eyes looking at them. "Ta- da! Oh ho ho, I'm starting to enjoy this festival more and more, how cute! Of course Chelsea keeps entertaining me on such a lovely night, I felt a Harvest Goddess miracle was in order."

OoOoOoOoO

"Okay Chelsea, which animal are you selling?" Vaughn asked grumpily.

"… Yuri…" Chelsea avoided Vaughn's eyes.

"Chelsea stop looking away from my eyes, it's disrespectful."

"No… I already know you're upset with me for wanting to do this." Chelsea said. "But I can't keep Yuri after what she did you… I just can't treat her same as before."

"Chelsea, we're getting married, whether you like it or not we will have to deal with disagreements like this." He said tersely. "I won't let you give up on the cow I entrusted to you."

"But Vaughn…" Chelsea stopped when Vaughn glared at her.

She had known Vaughn wouldn't like the fact that she's selling an animal… But she knew he'd be extremely unhappy with her once he found out it was Yuri of all animals. After all, he gave her that cow out of trust; and selling her would be a complete betrayal of his trust.

"Hey Yuri, look at me."

What do you want Cowboy? Here to rub it in my face? Yuri seethed. You won my chestnut haired siren, the most beautiful creature to grace this earth!

Vaughn rolled his eyes at the bovine melodramatics. "I'm not here to 'rub it in' as much as I would love to… It was pretty obvious I would win this 'battle.'"

Yuri looked over at Vaughn. So what could you possibly want?

"I want to protect you." Vaughn stared at Yuri. "As stupid as you may be, you are an innocent animal with odd thoughts. If Chelsea was to sell you, I couldn't live with myself knowing I failed you and Chelsea." Vaughn walked over to Yuri and patted her head. "You don't have to like me, but refrain from such violence next time."

Yuri stared into Vaughn's eyes. You've got yourself a deal cowboy… But if you ever hurt Chelsea, that deal is off and I will show you what a mad cow really looks like.

Vaughn smirked. Maybe things were looking up after all. He got the girl of his dreams and he was able to make a deal with that psychotic cow of hers.

"Well Chelsea, Yuri seems well behaved, I'm sure it was just a little tantrum she threw. So don't take it out on her for following her instincts.

"Okay." Chelsea ran towards Yuri. "I'm so sorry for the way I was treating you. I hope you can forgive my foolishness." She said while cuddling the now ecstatic cow.

Of course my brunette bombshell, I shall follow and forgive you 'til the ends of the earth, you sly vixen you.

"Now I can use this!" Chelsea said while digging in her rucksack. "I'm gonna get you a brand new baby girl." She said while waving around a miracle potion bottle.

Yuri's eyes sparkled brightly. Oh Chelsea is that a miracle potion… This means, you want me to become pregnant with your child… Oh you naughty little temptress.

Vaughn smacked his head. "Maybe I should have just bought her a puppy." He mumbled to himself before walking out of the barn. "Beware of those damn lesbian cows…"


OHOHO! It is completed! I want to thank all of you lovely and charming readers once again for sticking to this delightfully silly little story. I must say, this story has made me question my sick little mind for the umpteenth time. But at least it was fun to write! Bye- bye and enjoy the rest of these glorious holidays!