December Sorrow chapter 8

Author's note: I'm not going to give anything away right now but these are the few chapters where it gets good. ^_^

Ever since my childhood was screwed up, all I wanted was to have a family of my own.

It seems that dream is finally becoming a reality…. All I can hope is that nightmare never comes true as well.

The wedding was on a warm summer day, and everyone showed up. Julia brought her daughter, Lanna and Denny took a week off to come, Natalie was now pregnant with a baby boy… even Sabrina and Alisa showed up. Things almost seemed normal again…

I stood at the end of the alter and listened to the loud wedding melody; I swear my heart stopped when I saw Chelsea in a strapless, elegant, white gown.

"Do you, Chelsea Furokawa, Take Vaughn Vaults to be your husband? For better or for worst? In sickness and health?"

Chelsea blushed as she looked into my eyes, "I do."

"And do you, Vaughn Vaults, take Chelsea Furokawa to be your wife? For better or for worst?

In sickness and health?"

I looked over to Chelsea, then my friends and family… they all looked so happy. Sometimes I still find myself breaking down when I think back on that day… how happy I was… how happy we all were.

I smiled, "I do."

"I know pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride."

I wrapped my arms around Chelsea's small waist and kissed her gently then everyone cheered.

As we walked outside, Chelsea and I were swarmed with congrats, and pats on the back. Chelsea looked over at the Harvest Goddess's pond happily and a loud bell sounded off.

"Vaughn! The Harvest Goddess says we're going to have a happy life together!"

I just chuckled and held my new wife's hand.

"I already knew that Chelsea."

"She told you too?"

I shook my head and just laughed.

That night I went back to Chelsea's- our house- and we fell asleep for the first time as husband and wife.

"Curry bread!"

I woke up to the smell of something burning and Chelsea banging pots around the kitchen.

"C-Chelsea? Is everything ok over there?"
Chelsea laughed nervously, "Yeah! Everything is fine!"

I got up out of bed to see some kind of food cooking… if cooking is setting that food on fire.

"Do you need any help?"

"No! I'm just fine…."

Chelsea threw away the burnt mystery food away and started again. As she got the food out she sniffled and quickly wiped away something from her eyes.

"Are you crying?"

"I wanted to cook you breakfast before you woke up… I'm not a very good wife am I?"

My eyes grew wide then I walked over to Chelsea.

"You're not a bad wife. I don't care about something like breakfast. We're just learning… We'll figure this whole marriage thing out in time."

Chelsea smiled and kissed me on the cheek, "Thanks Vaughn! I promise I'll try my best to learn how to cook!"

That day I helped Chelsea with her cooking skills. I loved those days when we just had fun and didn't have a care in the world.

It was after 6:00 pm when Chelsea took my hand and brought me outside.

"What are you doing Chelsea? It's dark out now…"

"I want to take you some where special," she said as she kissed me on the lips.

I followed her to the mountain as she brought me to the place where we met.

"Remember that day Vaughn? It was spring… and you told me something… do you remember?"

"How could I forget? This is where we first met," I said quietly as I gently squeezed her hand.

"I know this island is no longer the same… but here, you can still see the stars."

I looked up at the sky and saw the stars as clearly as I used to. I smiled at the thought of at least one part of the island remaining the same.

"I'm glad…"

Chelsea sat down on a nearby bench, sighed and looked up to the sky.

"Me too… Vaughn? Do you think this part of the town will stay the way it is? I really hope it does."

I sat down next to her and wrapped my arm around her.

"I don't know what the future holds… but I promise I will never let them have this place."

I couldn't see her, but I believe she was smiling.

"Thank you, Vaughn."

…december sorrow….

When we got home, Chelsea made some tea and sat down on the couch.

"Can I ask you something Vaughn?"

"Sure," I shrugged while I slowly sipped my tea.

Chelsea began to blush and she started to fiddle with her fingers.

"Ummm… I-I r-really want to h-have a- oh never mind this is stupid."

"No no, it's ok. You can tell me."

Chelsea sighed as her cheeks grew pinker and pinker, "I w-want to have a b-baby. Please Vaughn? I think I can be a good mother and you would be a great daddy!"

A BABY? This was a little sudden!

"Chelsea, we've only been married a couple of days. Do you think we're really ready?"

"I-I do. I've always wanted to have a family of my own…"

"Ok. If it will make you happy… I will do anything."

Chelsea hugged me tightly and kissed me. "You will love being a parent, I know you will!"

I went to bed and for the first time… I didn't have that nightmare.

It was raining… but it wasn't the rain that woke me that morning. It was a phone call.

"Hello?"

"May I speak to Mr. Vaults?"

"This is him, who is this?"

"I'm Dr. Trent; I'm your aunt's doctor. Mirabelle is in the hospital right now, but it's nothing serious. She's not been feeling well lately and she'll be here for one more night for observation."

"Mirabelle? Can I talk to her?"

"You may come visit her today in the city if you like."

"Alright… I'll be there."

The visit at the hospital didn't take very long, and Mirabelle reassured me that she was fine now. I was sure she was ok… Mirabelle is strong.

Chelsea went to visit her parents, but before she left she told me I should go see my father.

"Chelsea, you know how much I hate that man. I can't go see him."

"Vaughn, he's your father. You love each other no matter what. I know things seem bad right now… but I think it would be best to let him know you still care."

"I don't care about him."

"Please Vaughn?"

I crossed my arms and sighed, "For you not him."

So I left for the prison my father now stayed.

When the officer sat my father in front of me, he gave me a worried look.

"Will you be ok this time Sir?"

"I'll be fine."

The officer left, leaving an awkward silence.

"Hello father."

"Hello Vaughn. I didn't think you'd come back"

"It's not for you. It's for Chelsea. I'm married to her now. We're planning on having a child."

"I'm very happy for you son. I'm so proud."

Tears slowly rolled down my face and onto the ground. For years, I believed my father was never proud of me; I thought he resented me. When Mom died our relationship was shattered. We began to fight, he started drinking and we hated each other. The last time he told me he was proud of me was when I was seven years old after winning my first baseball game.

"Your mother would be proud of you to."

I looked up at my father; he was crying as well. "Do you really think so Dad?"

"I know she would be, son. I know you can't remember but she adored you. She loved you more than anything."

I clenched my fists tightly as I began to break down. I hated that I can't remember my own mother. I've heard so many stories… which makes me wish I could remember even more.

"Father… I'm sorry for everything. I'm so sorry."

My father was quiet for a long time and for the first time since Mom died, he smiled genuinely.

"No son. I'm sorry, I love you Vaughn… I'm glad you are my son."

And now for the first time for a long time, I didn't hate my father.

"I love you too Dad."

"Time's up you two!"

I left the building shortly feeling like the world has been lifted off of my shoulders.

"So how'd it go?"

"Good. I think everything is going to be ok from now on, Chelsea."

"I'm glad," Chelsea whispered as she smiled softly.

….decembersorrow

The next morning, Chelsea wasn't feeling very well and she started throwing up.

After throwing up a few times, I decided to call Dr. Trent.

"Chelsea's perfectly fine! Congratulations you two, Chelsea's pregnant!"

Both me and Chelsea blushed a deep red while Dr. Trent laughed at us….

I'm going to be a father…..

The next few weeks were spent reading parenting books, buying baby stuff, holding Chelsea's hair back as she throws up and calling friends and family; telling them the good news.

Julia stayed over for awhile, teaching us how to change diapers, rock a baby to sleep, and how to feed them…. it was a little embarrassing to watch my younger cousin instruct my wife on proper ways of breast feeding. Chelsea couldn't be happier….

As the months went by, Chelsea became sick. We believed it would pass in time but it never really did.

I was so scared…. Chelsea's heart was set on having the baby at home too. I know if we go through with this, I might end up loosing her.

Fall was approaching, and Chelsea was already showing. I brought her down to the beach and we sat in the same spot like always.

"Chelsea I have to talk to you about this baby…..The doctor has been worried since you're not the healthiest person, there could be life threatening risks if we have this baby."

"Vaughn, I'm not giving up this baby. I know of the risks, and I'll go to a hospital if it's that risky… please Vaughn, I know I can do this… I can be brave."

What was I supposed to say to her? She wants this child as much as I do…. I can't make her give it up. Her words almost made me believe we could do this…. Almost.

"So what should we name the baby?"

"Ushio."

"Ushio? That's an odd name."

"I've always loved that name… ever since I was a little girl; I wanted a baby girl named Ushio."

I placed my hand on Chelsea's slightly swollen stomach, "Ushio it is then."

I then grabbed a stick and wrote three names in the sand; Vaughn, Chelsea and Ushio.

"We're family now… Ushio."

Chelsea smiled slightly and gently kissed me on the cheek. "You'll be a wonderful father Vaughn."

As time went by, things got worse. The farther along in the pregnancy Chelsea was, the sicker she got. Eventually, she was put on bed rest… and I couldn't help but feel this was entirely my fault.

One Saturday, Julia stayed with Chelsea and I went to lunch with Mirabelle.

As we sat down at the newly built Diner and ordered some food.

"It's been a while since we've talked Vaughn. I'm glad you could come today."

"Yeah… I've just been caught up in my own little world lately… so what was it you needed to talk to me about?"

Mirabelle gazed out of the window and smiled sympathetically.

"So how's Chelsea doing?"

I sighed sadly, "Not to good. The doctor told me the chances of her dying in labor have gone up."

"I'm so sorry Vaughn… if you ever need any help, please let me know."

I wish there was something she could do…. But if Chelsea dies, I don't think I can go on. I wish there was something I could do to make everything alright again.

We silently ate our meal and soon I was heading home.

Suddenly, I realized how cold it was… I looked up at the gray sky to see snow flakes falling gently to the ground.

"Snow already?"

Author's note: Ok so chapter 8 is finally finished! I'm really determined to finish the story; I have so many good ideas! I just want to clear this up real quick, this harvest moon fanfic, is kind of a mix… not enough to be a crossover though. I mix between Harvest Moon and Clannad (best anime in the world by the way) p.s. I just want to thank all of you for reading and adding my story to favorites/ adding me as favorite author… not to mention the comments! Thanks a bunch! = D

-forevergone123