December Sorrow

Chapter 14:

The next morning, snow continued to fall silently on the frozen ground, and I was left terrified by a nightmare I was sure would come true.

I slowly rose out of bed, shivering from the cold air running through the house. I opened the curtains to see snow covering the entire farm, it was actually quite beautiful. The white powder glistened in the sun, making everything seem new, and clean. I sighed.

"You have to forget that silly dream, Vaughn. It doesn't mean anything," I whispered to myself.

I ran my fingers through my hair, left the room, and started to make a pot of coffee. I looked over at a picture of Chelsea. It was a couple months after we started dating when I took this picture. I smiled. I was so lucky to have her…

I sipped the steaming hot coffee as I made my way to Ushio's room. For some reason, when I put my hand on the door knob, I couldn't move. Something wasn't right. It was a feeling I couldn't ignore. A chill ran down my spine. I wanted to throw up. I began to shake, and I didn't know why; I shut my eyes tightly and I flung the door open. Ushio was hugging her favorite stuffed Dango from that silly song. It was Chelsea's before she died, and I gave it to Ushio. She slept with it every night since then. I noticed Ushio was awfully pale, and her breaths were short and raspy. I clenched my fists' tightly and made my way towards her. I placed my hand gently on her cheek; she was burning up. That was when I knew. The dream had come true; this horrible sickness is back.

Ushio coughed, opened her eyes and smiled weakly.

"G-Good…. Morning."
I tucked her light brown hair behind her ear and knelt down. I kissed her softly on the cheek, not knowing whether I was trying to reassure Ushio, or myself.

"Good morning, Ushio. It looks like we won't be going to school today."

Ushio looked up at me questioningly. "W-Why?"

"You're sick baby girl."

Ushio buried her face in her stuffed dango, and nodded her head. She understood. She can never be a normal little girl with this, this horrible thing consuming her life.

"C-Can… I be a-alone Dadd-y?"

"OK. I'll go. I'm going to make some porridge and tea, alright?"

I left the room, with a feeling so familiar. I felt this on the day Ushio was born; the day Chelsea died. I fell to the floor and pulled my knees close to my chest, and buried my head in my arms. I know. Ushio isn't going to make it. The question is how much longer does she have?

I probably stayed like that for an hour, before I picked myself up and made that porridge and tea…

I went back in Ushio's room, to see her praying, and the little music box that belonged to her mother gently playing.

"Harvest Goddess, hear my prayer. I'm d-dying. I'm coming to see Mommy… but I'm leaving Daddy behind. C-Can… you watch over him? Let him be happy? I don't want to see him cry when I'm in heaven with Mommy. So please look over him."

I ran towards Ushio, dropped to my knees, and pulled her towards me, holding her tightly, as I stroked her hair.

"Ushio, why would you say such things? You're not going to die! I promise you, I will protect you!"

I felt Ushio's tears drop onto my shirt, leaving it slightly damp. She continued to cry, and I continued to hold her, telling her I will always protect her.

…decembersorrow.

The next few weeks, I took care of Ushio. I stayed by her side, fed her, read her stories, and stayed up all night with her when she couldn't sleep. Mirabelle came over everyday when she wasn't working to help me out. She knew as well as I did, Ushio didn't have long. The only difference was I felt I could stop it from happening. I could save her. Mirabelle didn't. She thought there was nothing we could do for her, except make her feel more comfortable. We called Dr. Trent when the weather let up. He told us himself she was dying, and they're was nothing we, or the hospital could do at this point. They both had given up hope. But not me. I was still fighting for that chance.

It had been three weeks since things had gotten bad. The dream I had continued to haunt my mind, and snow continued to fall. But the most troubling thing was Ushio begged me to take her on another trip, like we did when we first got to know each other. But if I did that, it would make her more ill; maybe even push her to her limits. I couldn't do that. Soon, Ushio's condition worsened. Her fever shot up, and she was now throwing up everything. She got paler and paler with each passing day, and continued to ask for that trip.

It had been an extremely cold day that morning. I remember waking up to the news saying it had been the coldest day in record here on Sunshine Islands, yet it wasn't snowing. I waddled over to Ushio's bedroom to make sure she was alright. She was cuddled up underneath three blankets, but she was still shivering. The only color on her face was her pink cheeks due to the high fever. I wrapped her up in a blanket and held her while I gently rocked back and forth.

"D-Daddy…. c-c-can we please… go to the place with the flowers?"

She has been begging me for the past two weeks now, and I didn't know what to say anymore. Perhaps I had lost hope like Mirabelle and Dr. Trent. I blinked back the tears and I finally nodded yes.

"Alright Ushio. We can go. To the places with flowers, I promise."

I set her back down on the bed, making my way towards the closet. I got out Ushio's clothes, and her biggest jacket. Ushio climbed out of bed, and I got her dressed and packed her bag. I threw it over my shoulder, and offered to pick Ushio up.

She shook her head no, then grabbed my hand. We walked out the door, heading for the train station down the road.

We walked, listening to our feet crunch on the fallen snow, leaving foot prints behind us. Our breaths clouding up around our mouths. Soon, Ushio's steps became slower and slower, her head dropping in exhaustion every once in a while.

"D-Daddy… tell me another story about M-Mommy?"

"Mommy and I had just gotten married. I woke up to the smell of-"I stopped. I looked up at sky to see snowflakes fluttering down, one had landed on my coat and immediately melted.

"I-It's snowing. Do y-you like snow Daddy?"

To think about it, Chelsea had died due to that blizzard. Maybe if we got her to the hospital, maybe she would still be here. I hated snow.

"Yes, Ushio."

Ushio nodded. "I like snow too."

Suddenly, Ushio's eyes grew wide, and she fell.

"Ushio," I said panicked, as I caught her just before she hit the cold snowy, ground.

I held her in my arms, like I did when she was born. Her eyes were half closed and she was hardly breathing.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Ushio?"

"Are we on the train?"

I paused. "Yes, were on the train now."

"It's dark. Is it night time now?"

This time, my eyes grew wide with sadness. I closed them and smiled. "Yes Ushio. It's almost midnight- its pitch black outside."

We were both quiet for a long time it seemed. Then Ushio shut her eyes. "I love you Daddy."

I didn't know it at the moment, but tears were streaming down my cold face. "Daddy loves you too Ushio."

Ushio's face grew lifeless, as well as her body. Her hand dropped by her side limply. She was gone.

My eyes shot open, I began to shake Ushio. "Ushio! Ushio! Wake up!"

I screamed this over and over again, finally just burying my face on her coat.

"Please. Please not Ushio! Chelsea… please save our daughter… please save her!"

"Someone save Ushio!"

I had failed. I failed at being a father and a husband. I couldn't protect them. I let them slip away. I failed. They're gone, forever.

I don't think my heart could take it. I no longer felt alive, and I collapsed onto the cold, harsh street with Ushio still in my arms.

Suddenly, a warm light surrounded us, and I was back on that mountain. It was spring and the cherry blossoms were in bloom. I looked around, confused and scared. This is where I met Chelsea. But where was she?

Chelsea was sadly walking away. I had this vision when she died, and I thought it would be best if I never met her. So I didn't say a word to her. I let her walk away, so I didn't have to go through this horrible pain. I desperately looked over at her to make sure she was still there.

"CHELSEA!"

She didn't turn around, so I ran. I ran as fast as I could and when she saw me, Chelsea turned around, surprised to see me. I picked her up, hugging her tightly as if I didn't, she would disappear.

"I'm here. I'm here, Chelsea."

Chelsea smiled, and began to hug me back. "I'm glad you stopped me. I was beginning to think you regretted meeting me, Vaughn."

I shook my head and held her closer and tighter. "I'm sorry. I'm not going anywhere anymore Chelsea. I promise."

I set her down. And tried to let it all sink in; she looked exactly the same as I remembered.

"I'm glad we met, Vaughn."

I laughed, as tears rolled down my face, it was the first time in a while I cried because I was happy.

"I had a wonderful life," she whispered.

I once again held her close, burying my face in her neck, trying to remember that beautiful scent.

"Chelsea…"
"So please, don't loose yourself. No matter what may await, please don't regret meeting me."

"Is that too much to ask?"

I let go, placed both my hands on the side of her face; rubbing my thumb across her soft cheeks she smiled brightly. "You're right," I said.

I then picked up her hands and kissed them softly. "Thank you," I whispered before hugging her again.

Once more, a warm, bright light filled the surrounding area, and I was watching images of my life with Chelsea; meeting at the Café Saturdays, helping her with the farm, messing around with friends, and just having fun. Just having fun, and I was watching it all over again.

I was back in the house after that. It was cold and Chelsea was lying in the bed, sweating; face contorted in pain. It was the day she died, and Ushio was born. It was as if I had waken up, and I was watching this for the first time, yet knowing what the outcome was. I heard the piercing cries of our daughter; Ushio and Chelsea had her eyes closed. I just kept thinking, "Please, not again."

I held Chelsea's hand, readying myself for years of grief. But, something amazing happened... Chelsea opened her eyes. She was smiling.

"V-Vaughn, I-I'm a mom…"

I laughed, overwhelmed with emotions, not knowing whether to start bawling or dancing. Mirabelle then handed me Ushio. Her skin still pink and her eyes were shut tight. She was so small. I laid Ushio down next to Chelsea so she could see our new born daughter as well.

Chelsea began to sing the Dango song, and I joined her. Soon, Ushio stopped crying and seemed to listen carefully to the lullaby. It was something I could never forget.

Mirabelle announced Ushio was a healthy baby, and congratulated us both. I could tell Mirabelle was happy for the both of us.

After a few hours of laughter, and joy-filled tears, Ushio and Chelsea fell asleep.

I smiled at the two people I love the most and looked out the window. The snow had stopped falling, and the moon was shining brightly. Just then, I saw something I almost couldn't believe. It was the Harvest Goddess smiling and waving at me, and just as suddenly as she appeared, she was gone.

After that, I made sure to make an offering to the Harvest Goddess Spring everyday.

…..december sorrow…

I used to hate this city; it was filled with memories I'd rather know there isn't a place I'd rather be. I love this town. This is where my family is….

Summer has just come, but it's already warm and the sun flowers are already in bloom. Chelsea and I are sitting on top of a grassy hill with our picnic basket, watching Ushio play in the yellow field with her toy robot. I told her she could have a doll, but she said she'd rather have that robot for some reason.

"Should we tell Ushio to come back up and eat lunch with us?"

Chelsea's hair was pulled back in a loose pony tail, and she wore a plain sky blue sundress; she couldn't be more beautiful.

"Nah. It's her birthday after all."
Chelsea giggled. "You spoil her Vaughn."

I wrap my arm around her waist and pull Chelsea in for a kiss. I sigh happily. "I can't believe she's already five years old."

"I know. It seems just like yesterday we taught her how to walk."

We didn't say another word, and just watched our daughter play happily in the field of flowers. We come here every year to celebrate her birthday, and visit her great-grandma and grandfather. Dad has gotten sober, and moved back to our home town with my grandmother. I couldn't be more proud of him. Chelsea and I kept the farm, and Felicia moved back to town to become mayor, so the town is pretty much the same as it was years ago.

"Mommy! Daddy! Watch what I can do!"

Chelsea and I watched carefully as Ushio cart-wheeled. We both clapped, making Ushio smile sweetly. Soon, Ushio ran up and we ate lunch together… as a family. Dad and my grandmother call us back to the house for dinner at sunset. Ushio is covered in dirt, and plays around like any other normal five year old does. Ushio didn't seem to contract the illness Chelsea has, which Chelsea has finally over come. She still gets a little weak in the winter, but nothing to serious. Dr. Trent says it's some kind of miracle.

After dinner, we sit around and play board games, and after a few hours, Ushio is sleeping soundly in Chelsea's arms. We take her up to the bedroom my grandmother made just for her.

We both kiss her on the cheek and go to bed ourselves. That night, Chelsea fell asleep in my arms, and I felt like the luckiest guy in the world. It seemed I didn't have this at one point, and I have to be very grateful.

"I love you Chelsea," I whisper softly in her ear, not caring if she heard me or not.

I feel her softly kiss my cheek, and quietly muffled, "I love you too, Vaughn, with all my heart."

That morning, we all went to the beach. I loved the salty smell of the ocean filling the air, and listening to the waves crash onto the rocks ever since I was a small child. Chelsea held and I held Ushio's hand, and we all walked into the shallow water, letting the cool water splash our legs.

After hours of swimming, we came up onto the sand to eat some ice cream. While I was wiping some chocolate off of Ushio's nose, my father looked at me and smiled.

"I'm really proud of you, Vaughn. You seem very happy."

I felt a million things all at once; I just didn't know what to say...

"T-Thanks Dad. I truly am happy. I have a family now…"

"You're mother would be very proud of you too. She would have loved Chelsea and Ushio just as much as me."

I smiled at my father. He never really talked about my mom. We both watched the never ending sea, sitting in silence because there was nothing to say. We both knew; our relationship isn't broken anymore.

My grandmother calls my dad over to help her with the camera, so he looks over at me one last time and nods his head in approval.

"I love you, son."

"I love you too Dad."

Chelsea comes over with Ushio and sits down next to me.

"Mind if we join ya?"

I smile, "Of course. There's always room for my two favorite girls."

Chelsea rests her head on my shoulder, and sighs. Ushio is sitting on her lap, staring curiously at the two of us.

"Mommy, Daddy, can we sing that song again?"
Me and Chelsea laugh. Ushio has always loved that song…

"Ok baby girl."

Ushio claps happily and holds both of our hands.

"Dango, Dango, Dango, Dango, Dango Daikazoku…"

We sing, and soon my father and grandmother join in too. We all sing the song over and over again. The song about family will always play in our hearts.

Every night I go to sleep knowing I will always have Ushio and Chelsea by my side. I dream of that house, standing tall and proud. Never again will it fall.

….december sorrow...

Author's note: Well I hope you liked the last chapter! I just want to thank everyone who helped me write this story. All of your reviews really helped me continue to write. I had so much fun writing this, and I hope everyone who read it, had fun too. I was so nervous about putting this story up, and I'm so happy I did. Thank you everyone!

-forevergone123