Chelsea suggested that I should spread the word that I was alive, but I refused. I wanted to spend time with her first, and I wanted to tell her something.

We went back to the farm and were sitting on her bed together. Her dog Rosie was curled up at the end of the bed. When we had come in the house she had barked excitedly and licked both of us to death.

Chelsea gazed up at me happily.

"I'm so happy you're back, Vaughn. I was so worried about you."

"I know," I said softly. "What happened when I was in hospital?"

She smiled "Elliot and Julia got together and…I broke up with Mark," she said, but her face fell.

"You broke up with Mark?" I asked, trying to keep the satisfaction off my face.

Chelsea nodded. "Vaughn, do you remember…before you…were hurt," her voice shook when she said that. "Do you remember I said I had to tell you something?"

I swallowed. "Yes."

She took a deep breath. "Just listen first, ok? Please don't think badly of me."

What was she talking about? I took her hand. "What happened?"

She swallowed. "Well, when I got my brothers email and I told you and everyone else about it. I went to tell Mark and he shrugged it off like it wasn't important. And then he kissed me and then…we slept together." She hung her head like she was ashamed.

"You slept with Mark?" I whispered. She nodded.

"Then the day before you came to the island, I found out I was pregnant," she said softly.

I froze. "You're…pregnant?"

She shook her head. "I was. But then after you…were hurt…" her eyes filled up with tears. I wondered how much it must have hurt her if she was stumbling on her words whenever she talked about it.

"After that, I went to tell Mark what happened and he had been drinking. I told him about you and then he took it the wrong way. He brought me outside and seemed determined that I had been cheating on him with you. Then…he beat me up."

Tears began falling down her face. I was shocked. I put my arm round her and gave her a hug and she cried on my shoulder. I could hardly believe that Chelsea had been pregnant and Mark beating her up made me angry. How could he do that to her?

Chelsea looked up at me and whispered, "He kicked me in the stomach and I lost the baby."

My anger doubled. OK, I didn't like the idea of Chelsea carrying Mark's child and was glad that she wasn't pregnant anymore but I hated Mark for hurting her so much.

"That arse-hole!" I muttered. I wanted to kill him. I didn't care if it would get me arrested, I wanted him to die. Speaking of which…

"Chelsea? What happened to your father?" I asked quietly.

Chelsea sniffed and wiped her eyes. "Mirabelle called the police and Gannon held on to him until they arrived. He was arrested. One of the policemen told me they would take care of him when I told him what had happened."

Well at least he would get what he deserved. Chelsea wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.

"I can't believe Mark did that to you," I said, gazing at her face. She was so beautiful, my heart thudded unevenly. How could anyone damage such a perfect face? "I could kill him for that."

Chelsea shook her head. "Don't. Don't worry about him, he's not worth it."

"Ok then," I said. If it would upset Chelsea, I wouldn't do it. No way.

Chelsea suddenly blushed. "The thing is Vaughn…I've never really thought about it when I was with Mark but…you…well…you've always been much more nice and caring than Mark has. I mean when I told you about my father you immediately said you would protect me and you did. But Mark just shrugged it off like it was nothing."

"I know," I said softly. I stared into her beautiful eyes and knew I wanted her more than anything else in the world.

"Chelsea," I sighed, loving the sound of her name. She blushed and smiled a little.

"I have to tell you something," I said.

Chelsea looked anxious. "Yes?" she asked, shyly.

I took a deep breath. Come on, cowboy, you can do this.

"Chelsea, I…I…" I stared at her face again and decided to see if actions really did speak louder than words.

I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips to hers. "I love you Chelsea," I whispered.

Chelsea gasped, softly. "Really?" she whispered.

I felt like I wanted to die. I nodded.

She smiled hugely and my heart began to beat wildly. "I love you too, cowboy," she said.

I took her face in my hands and kissed her again. This time she kissed me back. Her fingers gently caressed my face and my hands ran through her long soft hair. I could hardly believe it! The one I loved more than anybody else was here, in my arms, kissing me like she could never stop. And I didn't want her to stop.

But of course we had to eventually. We broke off, both slightly out of breath. We gazed into each other's eyes and laughed softly. I replayed that beautiful moment in my head. Rosie walked across the bed over to us and sat with her front paws in Chelsea's lap. Chelsea smiled as she stroked her ears.

"If she could talk she would probably say 'can't you two get a room?'" I smirked, putting my arm around Chelsea's shoulders. Chelsea laughed.

"And she sat in my lap so we can't kiss like that again," she sighed, resting her head against my shoulder. But then she looked sad. "Are you leaving on Thursday again?"

I shook my head. "Not this time. My boss gave me a week off to recover."

Chelsea smiled and put her arms around my neck. "Suppose you had better spread the word that you're alive?" she said. Did I imagine the hint of reluctance in her voice?

"Maybe. But I can do that later," I said. I kissed her lips, softly and sweetly.

I know I will love her until the day I die.