December Sorrow Chapter 6:

Author's note: Ok…. This chapter is comin' off the top of my head but I hope you still like it… Please review! ^_^

That night, I stayed by Chelsea's side the entire time.

We held each other's hand and talked about nothing in particular. That's probably one of the things I really loved about her, she knew how to make me feel comfortable and feel interested in a conversation about something other than money… I also loved her smile, her innocence, her optimism, her sensitivity…. Everything…

We talked about our futures, her farm, animals, our friends… for hours we talked about our lives until Chelsea finally fell asleep. I kissed her forehead, pulled up her covers and went home, leaving as an entire different person.

"Vaughn! You've been gone for hours! What happened? Is Chelsea ok?"

I just smiled at the sound of her name…

"She's fine Mirabelle..."

"How are you feeling? You look … different…"

I just laughed and nodded my head, "I'm fine Mirabelle… I'm going to sleep now... I've had a long day…"

"Goodnight sweetheart…"

I went upstairs and fell asleep wondering if this is where my life is just beginning… wondering what is coming for me… wondering if I will ever have that family I have been dreaming about for weeks…

"Vaughn… Vaughn... Time to wake up!"

I looked up to see my cousin with a cup of coffee and I groaned then pulled the covers over my head.

"Go away, Julia!"

"Oh come on lazy… time to get up! We're going to help Chelsea with the ranch. She's still sick in bed the poor thing..."

"Fine…"

I took the coffee and sipped it slowly and smiled to myself… Chelsea… only for Chelsea.

When we got there, the crops were watered and the animals already token care of. Jeez, Chelsea does not know how to take it easy… She was re-filling her water can by the river, then smiled and waved at us.

"She's so strong! How cute!"

"No Julia... She's dumb! She could get sick again!"

"Hi Vaughn! Hi Julia!"

Julia waved at Chelsea and ran up to her. They began giggling about something while I pouted.

"You really should be resting. It was only yesterday you were passed out on the ground you know?"

Chelsea just smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you for your concern Vaughn, but I'm fine now…"

Julia squealed and jumped up and down (Something I really didn't need to see), "Oh my goddess, you and Vaughn are going out? No friggen' way!"

I blushed and shoved my hands in my pocket.

"So Chelsea… do you want to go to the Café with me and Julia?"

Chelsea nodded enthusiastically, and ran down the path into town. Soon I caught up with her and held her hind in mine tightly. Chelsea was now the one blushing, but nonetheless, she held my hind tightly as well. It's funny to think only a few months ago I met Chelsea, brought her to the Café for the first time, and not to long ago, I confessed to her. It's funny only a few months ago I couldn't stand my life and just yesterday I learned to love it.

As we walked into the Café hand in hand, people stared; our friends smiled, laughed, and even sighed in relief…

Denny chuckled, "Well it's about time dude!"

"Yaaay, Vaughnie has a girl," Lanna clapped… everyone laughed while I turned three different shades of red.

Alisa then pulled out her cards, and began to shuffle them.

She picked out four cards, turned them over and smiled.

"You two are going to live a happy life together."

Chelsea beamed, "Did you hear that Vaughn?"

I nodded my head and smiled, "I sure did Chelsea…"

I thought to myself, maybe this is where everything begins to get better… maybe that dreamed meant nothing. I wrapped my arm around Chelsea and kissed her gently on the cheek. I love this girl.

I'm in love with Chelsea Furokawa.

We left the Café together, again holding hands.

That night… I can remember it clearly, and sometimes I wish I could just forget it.

It was cold and Chelsea shivered, then I gave her my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. Then I remember her smiling.

Soon we ended up at the beach and we sat down at the dock. We then put our feet into the icy cold water…

"Vaughn can I ask you something," Chelsea said looking up at the sky, letting the cool, and gentle breeze blow her hair back.

"Go ahead."

"Do you look at the stars often?"

I laughed and shrugged my shoulders.

"Not really… do you?"

Chelsea was silent for the longest time…

"No. But I wish I could more often. May I ask you another question?"

"Sure."

"Do you like this town?"

For the first time in a long time, I was at a loss for words.

"….. Well at first, I hated it. But now I realize I'd never been to a place like this, and I love it here. I do like this town. It's where everyone I love is. It's my home."

Chelsea placed her head on my shoulder and sighed.

"I love it too…"

For the next ten minutes things were quiet. Peaceful. And I wish it would have lasted forever.

"Chelsea, can you promise me something?"

"Anything, Vaughn."

"Stay by my side forever. I love you. Please stay with me always."

"I promise."

That night was just another one of those memories I look back at now and wish I could just forget it and never be reminded again of that moment.

Sometimes, I wake up in the morning, thinking that night was just a dream I can't rid my mind of. Goddess how I wish I could forget.

…December Sorrow….

The next morning, I woke up and heard sobbing….

I carefully walked downstairs to see Chelsea and Julia crying... Elliot was cleaning his glasses slowly and his hands were shaking… but the scariest thing was seeing the tough, tomboy, Natalie fighting back tears as she stared out the Animal Shop's window…

I was a little afraid to ask…

"What's going on?" I asked quietly.

Chelsea looked up at me with puffy, red eyes. She sniffled and shook her head, "its Taro… h-he's d-dead."