THIS IS OUR EPILOGUE

Vaughn did the gentlemanly thing and returned to her home after the festivities, but not before she managed to twist his arm into agreeing to a cup of coffee. Her clock was showing clearly the hours that marked the start of spring, and he wondered if she'd have trouble getting up in the morning, especially with the addition of caffeine into her system now.

He further realized what a careless thing he'd done in agreeing when she turned her back to him, kicking off her traditional sandals while stepping further into the house, and pulling the sticks from her hair in one unhurried movement. Her locks tumbled down her back loosely as she shook them free, seeming to sigh with the release. His insides became tightly coiled.

She walked into the kitchen without noticing his reaction and began to make the coffee. She hummed quietly to herself, completely at ease in his presence. He had to shake himself, looking instead to the walls for photographs; but there were none. Then at the floor for dust: but it was kept discretely clean. And finally he put himself at the table and watched his fingers lace in front of him. She was suddenly behind him, lightly holding her hands over his eyes playfully. Apparently he was lost further in his own thoughts than he realized.

"I'm just going to change, okay? This isn't really comfortable, and I'd hate to mess it up." Her hands fell away and before he knew what he was doing he had grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her back toward him. A little too forcibly however, as she collided with his chest and surprised them both, the chair he'd been sitting on clattered against the table legs and they were falling together. The mess of furniture clipped the back of Vaughn's head as they went, resulting in a sharp curse from him and a yelp from her before they dropped into an unforgiving heap on the floor.

"Are you alright?" She fretted; she was combing his hair searching for a lump. He was more or less sat, supported by his elbows with a grip on her waist. She was kneeling in between his legs, leaning lightly on his torso as she checked his injuries. He hardly felt the throb of pain in his skull. She was so close he could feel the heat of her breath. The collar of her dress had loosened during their fall and the strap of her undergarment was visible on her shoulder. She seemed to become gradually more aware of him as well; her fingers had ceased their insistent probing, their eyes caught, and her cheeks flushed. There was a brief flash of panic before her expression became steely and her eyelids drooped shut. Her lips pursed.

He gawked at her until the situation became far too ridiculous for him to maintain. What should have come out sensitively as a low chuckle actually burst out in a deep belly laugh. Chelsea immediately snapped out of the spell and her cheeks were brighter than ever. She looked horrified and his laughing was making the place where he smacked his head throb again, but he had trouble stopping. It was like the dam of his sanity had broken.

Eventually he had to breathe, "Sorry..." She crossed her arms, still in his lap. "You just...looked like you'd signed your life away."

"-I didn't!" if her cheeks could get any hotter they most certainly did. She was fumbling for words. "I was...prepared!"

"Chelsea." He was firm. "I'm not that kind of man." He ran a hand through her hair near her ear and she leaned into his touch. "...as tempting as you are right now." He tacked on for good measure. No point in saving his pride just to hurt her feelings.

"Then..?"

"Just the coffee." He wouldn't allow himself to think it was a mistake. Their time together might be limited but he treasured her. She had a look that was a mixture of disappointment and relief, but ultimately she smiled.

"I should tell you: my coffee isn't very good."

He was straightening and replacing his hat as he sighed. "Doesn't matter. Just make it strong."

"I have a great idea." The breaking sunshine was bouncing off Chelsea's smiling face. "You should stay." Even though she knew the answer before it came, she still stood in front of him like she'd just discovered oil; proud and successful.

His voice was husky, "You know I can't."

She winked, "Yeah, but if I didn't say anything you'd get home and sulk, right?"

"I'm not sure we understand each other." A hand scratched at his freshly shaven cheek happy with his retort; it wouldn't do to wordlessly accept her claim.

She carried on smiling, "Ooohh I see. Well I guess I'll see you next week, maybe. If I get around to it, lots of other boys on the island that appreciate my affections." Her smile was slowly becoming more wicked as she used a hand like a visor over her eyes and made a show of scanning the beach.

"..." there was the silent conformity she had been waiting for.

She relaxed her teasing and became serious. "But why do you have to leave before tomorrow? I could make a cake."

He imagined her cake would be messy and delicious. He'd like to try it in the crisp early-spring breeze sat on her porch. They'd eat it with their hands. "I'm not much for parties." He answered simply.

"But it seems so lonely." He could see what hear the true meaning under that sentence which was I'll be lonely and in observing it he brushed a knuckle across her cheek.

"This is the least lonely birthday yet." She blushed and held his hand against her face like a schoolgirl might when approached by her secret love. He eyes were swimming.

"Stay next year."

He wanted to keep her at this distance, studying her like a doll, and pull her close he so tightly she might break at the same mistaken vacation on the islands had been anything but. He was exhausted and in desperate need of some down time. Some part of him would still prefer to return to the stoic, untouchable person he used to be, but the rewards were already too great to give up. This small girl who'd proved to be both dedicated and strong stood before him, keeping their physical link whole by pressing his palm to her cheek, and watching him with eyes he knew didn't look at anyone the same way. He wasn't sure when or why they started look at him like that, but now he'd come to realize that he'd do whatever necessary to keep it that way. He wasn't just under her spell; he well and truly reciprocated her affections. Whatever changes it might bring, he wanted to stand next to her.

Chelsea seemed to guess he was having some sort of epiphany as he gazed at her and glanced shyly at her feet.

Vaughn's hand pulled away and he instead used it to adjust his hat as he took in a final view of the islands. The snow had disappeared so rapidly, the trees were already budding, and the townspeople were going about their daily lives as if the winter had never happened; a truly seasonal people. He felt a deep inhalation tugging at his lungs. In time with the waves crashing.

"Something about these islands relaxes me..." He looked back at Chelsea's questioning eyes and said quite confidently, "or maybe it's you."

ONE YEAR LATER

Starry Night Festival 6:20pm

She announced her arrival casually with the clatter of the door and the soft "Ahn" that was elicited from the welcoming warmth and smells of the kitchen. The table had been laid with care, displaying thick white ceramic bowls and shiny cutlery yet to be used. She couldn't help but stifle a little snigger; it was so unlike him to be this particular. Said person was actually still in the kitchen, stirring something in their big soup pot slowly, while checking an open recipe book help in the opposite hand. His hat was missing. He was wearing her apron, which was still pristinely white.

Seeing that she couldn't contain herself. "Vaughn!" she yipped happily, throwing her arms around his middle and nuzzling her face against his back. He gave a start but was vigilant not to drop the tome or the spoon.

"Hey! Careful... unless you want to eat your dinner off the floor." He turned in her arms and glowered half-heartedly. She tried to look apologetic but was interrupted by his book tapping once against the side of her head. "Sit down. I hope you're hungry."

"So long as it's better than last time." She teased, sticking her tongue out disdainfully. Those striking violet eyes checked her expression from the side as he went back to his cooking.

"You're lucky I still cook at all with that attitude."

She smiled back innocently, "It's not me who dislikes your cooking, you know." He set down his spoon and instead grabbed the ladle from a crock-pot of utensils on the counter. Chelsea in turn brought their bowls to him to be filled.

"I'm hated before he's even born." The lament was said quietly, his usual twang inaudible.

"You don't know it's a he." The full bowls were placed back on the table before she returned to her husband as he removed the still-clean apron from around his neck. She ran a hand over the bump of her belly and he watched with gentle eyes.

"I have a hunch." His hand overlapped hers where it rubbed.

"Might be a girl." She imagined the little thing, becoming grown and beautiful; hair like spun starlight and eyes like amethyst pools. "Either way I hope it takes after you."

He looked a little embarrassed. His eyes squinted a little as he tried to imagine it with her. Eventually he shook his head, "Either way it's going to be a determined and noisy nuisance just like its mother." He gave her a slanted smile. "Now sit down before your dinner goes cold." He gave her forehead a firm kiss through the bandana and nudged her to her seat. She plopped down and he sat opposite, raising his glass and waiting for her to do the same.

She pouted as he made a toast, "To my wife, who makes everyday a pleasure. And to my son who'd best stop fussing over the menu or be cursed to eat carrots the rest of his days."

Chelsea laughed, "Oh, now I crave carrots!" Vaughn's curse was lost to her snickering and they both began to eat. Outside the snow was falling soundlessly, once again hiding the stars from view.

Thank you for reading, favouriting, and most of all thank you to my reviewers. I'm not a chapter-writer; this is blatantly transparent as I feel like somewhere along the way I lost my grip on this, but you stuck with me anyway and kindly provided me with encouragement. At least it has a few pretty words, some nice feelings, and hopefully you enjoyed it to the end. (in all it's cheesy glory)

As with any finish I wasn't sure where I wanted it to stop, so there's a bit of many things. I wanted to incorporate my observations on the physicality of a romantic relationship before marriage in the game...which means traditionally: no hankiepankie before vows! When I started writing this I'd obviously read too much shoujo manga prior and was picturing this big sparkly moment before passions ran rampant...However since I put this chapter in Vaughn's head it just didn't seem to match. So I ruined it, and I quite like the outcome. Ties in with the title...I was hoping there would be more moments to push Vaughn to the edge, but since it was my first time writing for the couple I was happily carried away with soppiness.

The second part ends with something like the first really heartfelt line of script Vaughn gives you in the game. He says this somewhere during orange and red heart while he's really smitten with you. The stark honesty gave my butterflies, and I hope this has done his character justice. I look forward to writing them both again some time. Until then; Adieu!