December Sorrow

Chapter: 7 Promises

Author's note: I'm really sorry for not updating for so long… Christmas and my birthday was kind of busy so… here ya' go! ^_^ p.s. happy new year!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with Harvest Moon!

Taro…. Is dead... How? Why?

I sat next to Chelsea and kissed her on the forehead, "Everything is going to be ok… how DID he die, Chelsea?"

Chelsea hugged me tightly, and sniffled.

"We don't know yet… Natalie went to wake him up… but he just w-wouldn't…"

Chelsea started to sob again and I think Natalie began to cry as well. For the first time since I met her, the tough tomboy was crying. Elliot walked over and for once, probably since Natalie was born, Elliot was the big brother. I couldn't watch anymore… it was much too sad.

Julia came over with some cookies… I wanted to yell 'It's no time to eat cookies!'

My eye began to twitch when Chelsea grabbed four cookies and began to munch sadly on them.

Natalie wiped the remaining tears away then gently smiled.

"Gramps was old... I guess it was his time to go. I believe he's in a better place right now… I-I just wish I could have said goodbye. I wish I could take back what I said to him last night! Goddess, if I knew he was going to die I would have never-"

Natalie started shaking then fell to the floor. And the pink haired, feisty girl began to sob. Elliot stepped back and cried too. Chelsea sat down on the floor, hugged Natalie and began to rock her. Then she began to sing the Dango song.

Julia held Elliot. And I was on the couch watching this terribly sad scene. Something you see in the movies. Something you would read about, not what happens in real life!

How could this happen to her? How could the Harvest Goddess do this to their family? How could this be reality? Reality is; people die. A lesson I had learned that day, the harsh truth I can never forget.

The following week was Taro's funeral.

The church was brimming with islanders; all I could see was black and it was making me sick.

Sad songs played, people cried, prayed and put their flowers on his casket. But the most depressing, moving, and sad part of the funeral was Natalie's speech… a letter to Taro.

Natalie slowly made her way up to the podium. Her long, black dress trailed up along with her.

"Regret: a simple word with a huge impact on my life now. Gramps, I know our relationship wasn't perfect, but I always loved you. I regret every fight. Every hurtful word I ever said to you. I know you're gone now, but I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I wish I could go back and tell you this before you died. I didn't mean it. Goddess! I hate how I'm so damn stubborn! I got that from you! Gramps, the really screwed up thing is I don't even remember what caused the fight in the first place. I really hate how the last three words I said to you was, I hate you… Gramps please forgive me! I never meant it. I love you! So please listen where ever you are… please forgive my cruel words. Please know I love, and always will love you Gramps. People of Sunshine Islands please let your loved ones know you love them. Forget those fights and tell whoever means something to you how much you care for them before it's too late. Don't be like me and wait until then."

When Natalie sat down, the whole town was speechless. I couldn't believe what Natalie said… I thought of everyone I loved and cared for. Then I thought of my father. I shivered at the thought of being in Natalie's shoes. What if my dad died tomorrow? Does he know I still love him? Do I still love him?

I looked over at Chelsea and smiled. She was holding my hand tightly, and being the cry baby she was; Chelsea's eyes were flooded with tears. I leaned over and whispered softly in her ear, "I love you more than anything in the entire world."

Chelsea smiled, "I love you even more than that."

And Chelsea rested her head on my shoulders.

I don't know what I'd do with out Chelsea sometimes…

Soon they buried Taro under a giant willow tree next to his wife. Taro was 93. A father, friend, grandfather and we will never forget him.

…December Sorrow….

The next couple of weeks, I had that dream again.

I never see the woman's or child's face or why they left. All I know is they're leaving certain emptiness in my heart that I couldn't possibly fill. The house continues to crumble around me and I can't do anything about it. Eventually, I die all alone…..

I can't help but think that woman is Chelsea.

I can't escape the feeling that to continue this relationship will bring only sadness.

"Vaughn? Are you all right?"

I looked over at my concerned girlfriend from across the table. We were supposed to be on a date.

"Y-Yeah; I'm fine, why?"

Chelsea shrugged, "I don't know. It seems like you're thinking about something."

I chuckled softly, "It's nothing. So how's the ranch?"

Chelsea smiled brightly and began to ramble on about her cow, Bessie. I tried my best to listen but I kept having the same thought; I have to break up with her. I have to stop this before we both get hurt. But I love her. How can I let her go…? I don't know but I think it's something I have to do. I want to end this before we both get hurt.

That night we walked slowly down to the beach. A spot we often come to talk.

Chelsea held my hand as we trudged through the cool sand. My heart dropped at the thought of loosing the warmth of her hand in mine. But I reminded myself that she'll hurt me in the end. Taking chances is just too risky.

"Vaughn?"

"Yeah?"

"D-Do you want to go back to my place?"

…. What? Is she implying what I think she's is?

"I-I don't want you to do something you don't want to do."

"I-I w-want t-too. I trust you Vaughn. I love you."

Before I knew it, we were at her house. The door was locked. And clothes ended up on the floor; soon I was falling asleep on Chelsea's small bed.

I woke up to find Chelsea snuggled up next to me, softly snoring.

I was at a loss, what am I going to do? I looked over at the clock… 2:30 am. Slowly, I got out of bed and grabbed my clothes, I was at the door and I placed my hand on the door knob; that's when I looked back. Chelsea was sleeping, her arm resting in the spot where I was sleeping. The thought of her waking up, wondering where I was made me stop and realize what I was doing… I'm not going to hurt her. She promised me forever, she loves me and I love her. I have to take a chance… and stay. I walked back to the bed and laid down next to her.

"V-Vaughn? What's wrong?'

I smiled and brushed a piece of hair behind her ear, "Nothing. I'm just fine Chelsea. Go back to sleep."

Chelsea smiled and buried her head into my chest and soon she was snoring softly.

Please Harvest Goddess, don't take her away. Please make this nightmare go away. Please let things remain the same; happy…

Spring brought many changes; this small town is slowly becoming a city… buildings are getting bigger and bigger, tree's are cut down to make room for new roads and businesses. But the one of the biggest changes at the time was finding out about the Café. The owner retired and their going to demolish it by the end of the month to make a grocery store. The islanders were changing as well. I moved in with Chelsea… Natalie is going out with Mark, Julia is married to Elliot and they're expecting a kid, Denny and Lanna are dating while Lanna is starting up her singing career up again. I guess everything changes with time.

Today was the last Saturday we would be able to go to the Café… the demolition is starting tomorrow.

Everyone was there that warm spring afternoon. We all sat around the table we've been sitting at for the past year and ordered the same exact meal. The thing I can't stand now is I'm forgetting the taste of that porridge I always bought...

Natalie held Mark's hand and looked down sadly at the floor.

"It's been a while huh? Well, there's something I need to tell everyone."

We all looked up at Mark and Natalie with curious eyes and waited patiently.

"Mark and I are leaving."

Chelsea choked on the milk she was slowly sipping, "Why?"

"We're getting married soon, and Mark wants to start up a ranch of his own… we don't have much ties here and we just wanted to make a new start in a new town. I mean, look! This place is slowly being destroyed! It's not just this crappy café; it's everything. Come on Chelsea you can't tell me you don't want to leave this dump!"

Chelsea put her glass of milk down and turned away, "I love this town."

Julia looked down at her swollen stomach and looked over at Elliot.

"We're leaving too, hun'. I want my baby to grow up in a humble town, not a city and this island is becoming one. Elliot and I want to make it out on our own too."

"You're leaving too Julia? What's Aunt Mirabelle going to say?"

"I already told her Vaughn! I'm a grown woman now; I can make my own decisions!"

No one said a word for a long time. Soon we all left the Café for the last time; the day of the demolition, Chelsea cried.

Next week we said goodbye to Mark, Natalie, Julia and Elliot…

"I'll visit as much as I can Vaughn. Please understand why I'm going."

"Call me when you get there little cousin…"

I hugged Julia and shook Elliot's hand while Chelsea said her goodbyes to Mark and Natalie.

Little did we know they weren't the only ones we would be saying goodbye to.

Lanna and Denny eloped to the city and wrote a farewell letter to everyone. Lanna became a new hit sensation again and Denny became her manager. Sabrina and her father left town in search for a new mine. Alisa ran away from the church and got married to a guy she met in the city. Everyone was leaving…

One night Chelsea and I were at the new park the new mayor built. We sat down on the swing set and stared at the stars for hours…

"Chelsea? Can I tell you something?"

"Sure… what is it Vaughn?"

"I left my job at the animal trading company… I got a job in the city. I might not be home as much as you would like me to."

Chelsea was quiet and she held my hand, then gently pushed herself on the swing.

"That's ok Vaughn."

I looked over at her and smiled. "Are you sure Chelsea? I'll only be here twice a week ya' know?"

"Vaughn I'll be here waiting for you to come back. I promise I'm perfectly fine with that."

"I love you Chelsea"

Chelsea leaned over and kissed me softly, "I love you too Vaughn."

I started my new job in the city and I couldn't be more miserable. The five days of smog, speeding cars, and skyscrapers were torture. All I did was sit at my desk, do paperwork, and answer phone calls.

After a month of working at the company, me and Chelsea hadn't gone out the whole time. By the time I got home I was exhausted and ready to sleep.

This weekend was the Fireworks Festival, and I promised Chelsea I would take her.

That weekend I had work… I didn't tell Chelsea because I would try my best to be there. If I just work harder and take the earlier ferry, I would be able to make it.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

The day of the fireworks festival, I was swamped with work and by the time I got back to the islands it was already dawn…

I ran home but Chelsea wasn't there… I then I ran to the meadow and saw Chelsea standing at the bridge in a sun dress, waiting for me.

"Chelsea! What are you doing? Why are you still out here?"

Chelsea looked up at me and smiled sadly at me. "You're here…"

I grabbed Chelsea's shoulders and shook my head. "Have you been out here all night waiting for me?"

Chelsea nodded and wrapped her arms around my waist, "I'm glad you're here."

"Chelsea, I'm so sorry. I know I promised but work was-"

"I know Vaughn… I understand. Can we still go to the festival?"

I looked at Chelsea with a confused look, "It's over isn't it?"

Chelsea smiled and picked up a bag next to her full of fireworks… weird how I didn't notice that before.

"We can have our own fireworks festival."

We made our way to the field and made our own festival.

Chelsea soon fell asleep in my arms but before she did she told me something...

"I love you Vaughn, and I promise I'll always be by your side."

And that's when she fell asleep.

And that was the night I know I made the right decision to stay. I took a chance and that was a chance I'd take over and over.

…..december sorrow…..

That day at work, my boss mentioned a promotion that I should take. It has better pay, and less work days. I'd be able to stay at home with Chelsea more often, so I worked my ass off for that promotion. I couldn't wait to come home and tell Chelsea I'll be home more.

But that never happened.

"Vaughn, can I talk to you for a second?"

I looked up at my boss… he looked upset about something...

"Sure Mr. Gunderson, what's up?"

Then he put a piece of paper on my desk. It was a police report…. for my father.

"You're father was caught for driving under the influence and he had warrant out for his arrest. He's been booked at New Port County Prison yesterday. I'm sorry to say I've reconsidered giving you that promotion, I just want to be sure… the apple never falls far from the tree you know…"

I was stunned…I couldn't believe this! My father screws up everything! There is no escaping this crap!

My boss let me go home early that night. I remember how mad I was when I came home that night.

When I explained everything to Chelsea, she brought me to the beach, which was now filled with boats and trash.

We sat down at the dock like we always do and Chelsea dipped her feet in the cool water.

"We should just leave like everyone else. Go some place where no one knows about my father!"

"Vaughn you know I can't do that. I have the farm, you have a job. And besides I love this town… I can't just leave."

"Chelsea, please… won't you come with me if I did go?"

Chelsea rested her head on my shoulder and sighed, "I'd go where ever you go. But you know you're just running away from this problem. It won't solve anything… I think you should go see your father. Tell him how you feel."

We stayed quiet for the rest of the night. I knew she was right… so I did.

Chelsea and I got on the ferry the next day and got to New Port around noon and I couldn't be more nervous. The last time I saw my father it didn't really end on a happy note. Now he was in prison, made me loose that promotion and brought me nothing but problems.

Soon we had reached the county prison and by now I was shaking… Then Chelsea held my hand and for one moment everything was fine.

Chelsea and I sat down on the chairs in front of the glass window with my father on the other side. I couldn't even look him in the eyes; I was so disappointed in him… this was a new low even for him.

"Hello father."

"Dad, this is my girlfriend, Chelsea… she really wanted to meet you."

Chelsea waved and smiled politely, but my father remained silent and just smiled.

"Why did you do this to me Father? Do you know what you did to me? You ruined everything!"

I threw the plastic chair across the room and glared at my father. He just kept quiet and smiled.

"Say something! Stop mocking me and say something for goddess' sake! I didn't come all this way to see you smile!"

But he just kept smiling… I had to get out of there. And that's what I did; I stormed out, Chelsea calling after me.

I walked until I couldn't breathe; soon I Chelsea caught up with and she tried to calm me down…

"Please Vaughn! Vaughn!"

I pushed her away and slammed my fist into a building wall. Chelsea then held me tightly and slowly we fell to the ground.

"Does that hurt?"

"…..Yes."

"It's going to sting when you wash it…"

"I know…."

I looked at Chelsea and I nearly broke down, "Let's get married, Chelsea."

"Ok…"

I looked down at Chelsea, confusion plastered on my face. "Are you sure you want to marry someone like me? I'm no good and I'm far from being the perfect person..."

"Vaughn, I don't care about that stuff! I'm far from perfect too! I'm weak, I'm a cry baby, and I'm always unsure about everything! But I believe if we're together we're strong and nothing can bring us down… together we can conquer the world! Together we can do anything!"

I stared into her sapphire blue eyes and I began to tear up… and I held her tightly.

"Thank you Chelsea…. Thank you… please don't ever leave my side."

"Never."

Yaaay chapter seven is here! I just want to thank all my reviewers and for all of your support! I'm dedicating this whole story to you guys! :)

Tell me what you think of the chapter!

-forevergone123