I never kept anyone waiting too long :) Only 3 chapters until the end!

Please review, everyone :) It makes me feel more obligated to finish it up

I want to hear what everyone thinks is going to happen :3 :3 :3

btw, I own none of these chapters and stuff. And mostly everything in this chapter is made up anyway.

Vaughn

"Here," I kept my face down, but only because I find it fucking awkward giving people money. Especially when I know they are going to put up a damn fight over it. "Here is $2000 dollars."

Julia's mouth fell open, was she scanned me up and down. "What? Why?"

I shrugged, knowing she is going through a hard time with her kid, Taro. It's tough, and the only job bringing any real money in on this shit hole and my farm. "You need it, don't deny it."

She sighed, turning around and looking down at her baby in it's crib, "I do, but I'm not taking your money Vaughn." She was putting a barrier around her emotions, "You earned that, and I never. Go and buy more seeds or something."

"Hah," I snickered, "I don't want to see no more fucking seeds until Summer. I think I gave myself quite the work load this spring."

"Yeah, I know." Julia sighed, "You're ridiculous."

"Not ridiculous." I stated, "Realistic- It had to be done, to get this fuckin place back on its feet fast."

"Believe me, Vaughnie. That amount of money you brought in only 2 weeks is absolutely insane. Not realistic."

I tightened my fist, clutching the money. I want her to have it, I want to help her out. She and Mirabelle have done so fucking much for me in the past, it's really the very least that I can do for her.

"Listen to me." I pushed myself upon her opinions, "You got me back on this damn island. You put a stop to my wandering nonsense and got me to just come home. If it weren't for you, this fucking money wouldn't even be in my hands."

She quit making eye contact with me and looked down at her feet,

"Take it, Jules." I demanded, "I don't care what you do with it. But you deserve it for all the shit you have been doing here on your own." I looked down at my feet for a second, "You're like a fucking super mom."

I grabbed her hand and put the bills there, closing her fingers over it.

"No arguments." With that, I turned on my heels to walk out of the room

"Vaughn," She called back, "You're not half as terrible as you think you are. Don't be so hard on yourself."

I shrugged, and continued out the door.

Do I think I'm terrible?

Well, I used to think that. I thought I was the fucking spit of a devil, the way I didn't care about anything. The way I didn't want to notice things, or pick up on other people's damn emotions. I didn't care what the fuck happened to me or what I did, as long as I had money.

But, I'm not like that anymore. It all changed after Chelsea came along, she showed me how to become compassionate and take the time out of my goddess damn day to acknowledge something other than myself.

Money doesn't mean a fucking roll of beans to me now. Even though, I have now learned how important it truly is, and how it is critical to keep this island running. But at the same time, I have seen what it's like to not have money. I realized that not having money brings families together, Julia's and Elliot's bond is stronger than ever. It's because they have to work together and make it fucking happen.

That's why I'm determined to work myself to the goddess damn bones to get some money in for this place. Lanna, Denny, Pierre, Elliot, Chen, Gannon, Charlie, Natalie, Julia, Mirabelle, Felicia, Baby Taro, Nick- they all need someone to fucking, pick up the slack and get this place going again. And I'm their man, I can get it done.

The only way I think like that is because of Chelsea.

I don't know where she is, or what she is doing. I just genuinely hope that she is still as optimistic and full of life as she was when she lived here.

Chelsea

"Oh, god damn it, Ronnie" I complained, "What do you mean, we won't have our pay checks until Sunday?"

"There was just a little hold up at the banks. They had to change our daily limits, so it has stuff held up-"

"What kind of business do you run?" I spit at her, "What kind of employee let's their checks bounce?"

Ronnie shook her head, "Jesus Christ, Chelsea. Chill out." She said, "It never bounced. There is plently of money in the account. It's just on hold until they upgrade the limits. This is a good thing, it means the company is allowed to hold more money. It's only 2 more days."

I rolled my eyes, spinning around in my chair to gaze as myself in the mirror. "Whatever. I wanted it tonight."

"Why?" She asked, "What's so important?"

Honestly? I wanted to buy a damn I phone 5. I know I don't have much use for it, I don't have anyone to call or text. I just really want to play those games when I'm waiting around bored. I have nothing better to do with my time, I minds as well just waste it away with stupid things like fruit ninja.

"Forget about it." I mumbled, shoeing her off, "And send in my make up people, please."

"What?" She questioned, "You don't have make up people."

I looked in the mirror at the mess on my face. The eye makeup from last night was water proof, since I could not wash it off, it decided to just melt onto my eyes lids. "Well, send in someone. I'm not taking this junk off my face myself."

She sighed while she walked out of the room, "You, there! With the black pixie cut." She snapped at a young girl back stage, she is a dancer or something. "Go over and help Princess take off her make up."

The pixie girl jumped up and scurried over, beginning to drench cotton balls in make up remover and began dabbing it over my face.

"Do you see that on your shoulder?" the pixie asked, pointing to a red rash like sore that I have seemed to have gotten.

I nodded, not surprised by it. Ever since I started volunteering at the animal shelter, it seems as if I have an allergy to something. I don't think it's the cats, I have a feeling that maybe it's the flea powder or the kitty litter.

"It's a rash; I'm allergic to something but can't figure it out."

She took a closer look, "It looks pretty bad, I have some cream here that you could use."

I rose my eyebrow, "I don't want to put anything on it that would make it worst."

"It's fine, Cherry." She assured me, "I have 1 semester of school left until I am a nurse. I know what to put on things like that. Just a little bit of Benadryl and you should be fine."

I watched her in the mirror, as she continued to scrub the shitty foundation off of my face. It's pretty cool that she is in school studying to make something of herself. It's also so bad that she is stuck at this shit hole.

It goes to show that nothing comes easy.

"Do you like school?" I asked her, not really in the mood to make conversation. But I guess I'm interested in the topic, I've never had the opportunity in a lifestyle like that.

"Yes, I do." She gleamed, "It gives me hope for the future. Although it's difficult now, at least I know someday it will all pay off."

"I wish I could go to school." I said, not even knowing that it was a fantasy of mine. It never occurred to me until now, education is key. If you don't have money, you don't have anything.

"Why aren't you, then?" The girl asked me

I snickered, "I dropped out in 10th grade. I can't do much."

"Don't be ridiculous." She argued, "You're what, 22? You can apply as a mature student at almost all the community colleges in this area."

I thought about it for a second. What if I were to go back to school, what would I do? I probably wouldn't be a nurse. Frankly, I'm finding it too difficult to give a shit about others lately. I wouldn't be a veterinarian, because I'm obviously allergic to something. I wouldn't have the smarts to be a business lady, or the patience to sit in an office all day.

"I can't really see myself doing anything." I sighed, knowing that there is always something holding me back.

"You seem like a tough person." She stated, "I bet you would do well as like, an undercover cop or something."

I smirked, "Honey, the stuff I've done in the past would never get me into the police force."

"Well," she sighed sweetly as she started to re-apply my makeup, "You could be like, an interpreter. You could learn French, Korean, Spanish, anything really."

I thought about it for a second, and I kind of liked the idea behind it. "How much money would I make?"

She shrugged, "Who cares? Just do it anyway, and figure it out when you get there."

I looked in the mirror at my red hair, and my dark black eyes. Maybe I'll stop by a language school tomorrow morning; I need to do something with my life eventually.

Vaughn

I watched Felicia walk up the path and drop something in my mail box. Great, something to distract me from my work.

I wasn't bein sarcastic either, I was thankful that I could leave my station in the field for one second. Before I walked down of course, I waited for her to walk away- to avoid any stupid and unnecessary conversation.

I reached my hand into the mail box and pulled out a little envelope.

"Vaughn. Why don't you ever call us back? We call your house every single fucking day. We would love to know if you were still alive, or not. – Love: Gray, Claire, Shalyn, and Savannah"

I snickered, trying to remember the last time I thought about trying to make the slightest form of communication with them. Ever since they had those kids, I just tried to keep my damn distance. I met them once, for a bare second of course. They were just after popping out of her, I took off again. I had other things to do at the time- like find Chelsea.

I shook my head with disgust at myself. It somewhat turns my stomach over how selfish I was after she left. I pushed out anyone else who had the slightest spot in my life, It's not something I should get the fucking habit of doing- seeing I can only count them on one hand.

Besides, was Chelsea really that fucking special? Was she worth traveling around and looking for? Afterall, she just left without even looking for an explanation. If she was the person I thought she was, she probably would have socked Sabrina right in the nose.

But she didn't; because her farm was a blaze.

I wonder what she would have done if the farm was not harmed. I wonder how she would have handled everything.

I closed my house door behind me, walking over to the coffee table and dialing Gray's number into the telephone.

*Ring ring ring ring* "Hello?" sighed a very distressed, low voice.

"Hey, it's me." I informed him, knowing Gray probably already knows that. Who else would fucking call him?

"Figured," He grunted, "How are things with you?" He really didn't sound himself. His voice sounds like he is being forced to speak with a thousand pounds weighing down his chest.

"Don't worry about me, I'm perfect," I lied, but very concerned for Gray's health right now "How about you? You're the one that sounds like you were dragged thorough a knot hole."

He sighed, "It's just hard, you know?" he began, "We have no body here to help us out. I go to work, and Claire has her work commitments. Everyone on the islands has their own thing to do. No one can babysit for us. We just leave the girls in bed all day long."

"Really?" I gasped, sort of blown away that the "parents of the year" would just leave two infants alone in bed. That's sort of really fucking bizarre

"It was great at first," He backed himself up; "Claire worked outside with a baby monitor strapped to her side, listening to them. She would pop in every 10 minutes or so to check on them." He sighed, "But now they are crawling. And Savannah is even learning how to walk. It's impossible to keep a look out for them when they are all over the place. Claire came in yesterday to see that they were after knocking over the tool box. Luckily, she had the dangerous tools- but talk about a mess of damn seeds."

I took my cue to speak, "Have you considered taking them to work with ya?"

"Me?" He snickered, "You're kidding. You seen yourself how dangerous my job is- it's the last place I want those girls to be."

"Well, What's yer grandfathers room being used for?" I pointed out, "Surely, you haven't moved your work into there. Why don't you monkey-proof that area with toys and shit. Put a large gate across so they can't escape, and there ya go. Work away."

He pondered for a little bit, but then settled on the idea. "That's not too bad, you know. We could just pack their lunches, I could eat in the room with them instead of going home every day. Claire could even meet us there."

"Well," I sighed, not caring for the subject anymore "My job as god father is finished"

"Some godfather you are." He poked at me, "You haven't even seen the girls. Idiot, You don't even know what they look like."

"How can I?" I pointed out, "I have been busy fucking, saving the poverty. I wouldn't have time for a vacation until hell freezes over." I snickered, "And even then, I would have to find someone to fill in for me while I'm gone."

"I know, man." He agreed in understanding. Of course he fucking understands, Claire has the same burden on her shoulders. Chelsea had that too. "Well, hopefully hell fucking freezing over next month. And hopefully your community will pitch in enough for you to come over here for the girls' 1st birthday party."

One year old? Your fucking shitting me. Already? "My Christ, Gray." I gasped, "That's fucking insane. One year since I last seen yas, and I only seen the girls once."

"That's what I'm getting at, idiot."

"Fuck off" I muttered, "And yeah, I'll be there. I'm sure this crowd can hold the fort while I'm gone."

"I'd hope so."

I picked up my calendar, so I can mark off the day of the 'birthday' "When is it?"

"It's planned for Summer 8th, the day the girls were born."

My heart dropped suddenly. Remembering that was also the date that my whole world came shattering down in pieces.

Gray interrupted my thoughts, "I know it's a hard time you for. But just come, get away from the island for the day. It might do you some good."

"Oh I know." I said, "It wouldn't hold me back. It just-" I stopped, lost for fucking words "I don't know. I'm just not good with words and I feel like a fucking whimp talking like this."

Gray chuckled nervously, "It's funny, ya know? How one week could change your whole ideas and outcome of your damn life."

"Why do ya mean by that?" I probed,

"Well, Spring 31st, last year, you have zero intentions of even considering the idea of marriage and full out commitment. Summer 1st, your dead set on getting married. You worked yourself up for it, with all the pros. Then on Summer 8th, you're stuck in the same rut as before- but only cause you have no choice."

"Gee," I muttered sarcastically, "Thanks for reminding my how fucking wonderful my life is."

"I don't mean to be blunt," He defended himself, "But maybe it just wasn't meant to be that way. Maybe something else was supposed to happen for ya."

"Whatever, man." I groaned, getting sick of hearing this Chelsea shit. Honestly, too much of it makes me fucking sick to my goddess damn stomach. "I got to go, I have lots to do before the sun sets. I'll talk to you later, and good luck with the monkeys."

"See ya, thanks for calling." Click.

"Ha," I snickered at Gray slamming the phone so suddenly; of course he was dying to get the hell off as much as I was. Sometimes we try to be deep and dig through each other's emotions, but it's fucking stupid- so we avoid it.

I sighed, leaving my house to tackle watering once again. Maybe I will make a sprinkler system like Chelsea had. It would make everything so much more efficient for me.

Chelsea

"That's an awful lot of money for a semester" I pointed out to the business administrator from the bilingual school. "How can anyone afford that?"

"You have plenty of methods." He started pulling brochures from the file folder, "You can get a bank loan, or apply for academic scholarships and burseys."

I scanned through the brochures, wanting to avoid a loan at all costs. But it seemed like all the Scholarships being offered were for people with athletic talents or academic achievements.

"None of these apply to me. " I flicked through them once again, looking back up at the man with a look of indifference. Of course it don't surprise me that money would be an issue, I expected it. I always let myself get excited over these stupid ideas that pop into my head. I have to stop dreaming, and start living the reality.

Nothing ever goes my way.

I snickered, "Too bad there is no scholarship for raped women who resorts to a strip club for cash"

His eye brows rose to his hairline in surprise, completely caught off guard by my words. But he then quickly regained himself while opening his lap top, "Actually, if the sexual assault part applies to you" he stated, not wanting to make assumptions but he clearly did, "You are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Battered Women organization. It's a non-profit cause that will send 5 women to school out of donations." He started to print off some papers he retrieved from the internet. "It's purpose is to give women a second chance at life, to get them out of any rut she is in. And since you're young, you have a good chance of receiving it."

Hope regained into my spirit again, as I could feel my cold heart begin to warm with the idea that maybe something will go as I wish. But I can't get too excited, because it could come crashing down any secon-

"Hey," I mumbled, reading over the paper and catching glimpse of the due date, "This is form is due tomorrow."

"Hah," The man chuckled nervously, "It seems that way, huh. Looks like you can here not a second too soon."

I sighed, "2 page essays. One essay on why I deserve the scholarship, the other why I decided to have a change of life. All due tomorrow?" I rolled my eyes, "Like I said, it was too good to be true."

"Don't feel like that!" He exclaimed, "I'm sure a little whipper snipper like you will get that finished in a jiffy."

"Well, I never finished high school." I stated, "I don't exactly have literature potential here."

"Look at it this way," he pointed out, "If you weren't capable of writing a measly essay about why you want and education, you wouldn't have though to use the words Literature and Potential in the same sentence." He chuckled, "Believe me; I see a lot of people come in through these doors. And I can pinpoint the ones who will leave with a diploma, and I can pick out the ones who will give up." He gave me a look of certainty, "As long as you can leave that negative aurora at the door, you will do just great."

I have been called a lot of things by a lot of different people- slut, witty, funny, silly, awkward, strange, beautiful, bitch, cute, determined, energetic; but I have never been referred to as a negative person.

I have always thought I was the opposite.

"You think I'm negative?" I asked,

"Don't take it to heart." He replied, "I haven't heard a positive thing come from your mouth since you walked in. But, I mean, I don't know you."

I frowned, picking up the papers. "Thanks anyway. I'll bring this back tomorrow- essays and all."

"Good! See you then." He called as I walked out the door.

I made my way right the animal center. I go there 10 am – 3 pm, then I go home for supper, and I go to work for 7 pm. I mean, my day is pretty busy. But I play with dogs and cats for fun, how much harder can it get?

xxxXXXxxx

"Chelsea?" Dan asked, "Why exactly are you sitting to the bar, holding a pencil and eraser?"

"Because," I hissed through my teeth irritably, "I'm trying to write a stupid essay before I have to go and make some money."

He was taken a back for a moment, "I don't understand. Why are you writing an essay?"

I exhaled deeply, knowing that getting agitated with him would be pointless. He is the only support I have these days. "I want to get into a language school. I want to become bilingual, so I can get a job as an interpreter or something"

He nodded, leaning over to read my essay so far

"The only hopes I have to get in is if I can get a full paid scholar ship."

"Wow," he exclaimed, "Good for you. I'm very proud that you're finally finding some sort of direction in life; that don't involve glitter and dirt."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. You know I would prefer the dirt over this job any day."

I looked up at me, with a smile plastered across his face.

"What?"

"Nothing," I grinned greasily, "It's just that, you haven't admitted that you would rather work on the farm than here- until just then. You're getting happier and blunter again, not so secretive."

I shrugged, "I guess so." Not really putting much thought into it, because frankly I don't care.

Of course I liked the farm more than this place. I had my own home, I had an important job, I had Vaughn coming around every now and again.

But none of that is there anymore. All of that is burned to ashes, and I'm back here as if nothing even happened.

I actually wish is never happened at all. It was just a giant tease for how my life could have been.

"It's crazy how you can want something back so bad," I mumbled, "But wish you could take back time to even prevent it from even happening."

Danny shook his head in pity, "If you want it back so bad, Why are you still here? Nothing's holding you back, ya know."

"Never," I stated, making a pledge to myself, "Never in a million years will I ever go back to that island. I won't swoop so low as to walk from the damn dock and up that brick road. I have too much dignity to run back and try to get the farm back. I would rather stay here, go to school, and start over somewhere else." I exhaled deeply, "I don't care if there is a billion dollars in that damn shit hole. I will never be caught dead there."

"As I recall you saying before, You said the exact same thing when you left the city." He pointed out snidely.

"Yeah, well." I mumbled, "Unless all of New York burns down, I won't be going anywhere. And I swear to it."

"Suits yourself." He joked, "Now take all that dignity you have and start stripping down for show time."

I want to hear what everyone thinks is going to happen :3 :3 :3 The more excited you sound, the more excited I will be to write it! Review your thoughts, please