Hello Guys, another Chapter here :) Thanks for reading and for reviewing :D Love hearing what you think, anyways I hope you enjoy :P Disclaimer – I do not own Harvest Moon or any of its characters x
Chapter 34 – Vaughn's P.O.V
I looked in the window at all the colourful pieces of clothing and grumbled. What was I doing here? I should be at work, finishing off all the frickin' paperwork that had appeared on my desk but instead, I was staring through the window of Mothercare. I sighed before opening the doors and walking inside. There were a few mannequins wearing stretchy pants and funny shaped tops with plaques on describing the months of pregnancy stages. I was staring at a weird yellow shirt when a lady came up to me and smiled.
"Hello, are you shopping alone today?" She asked looking into my eyes. Her name tag read 'Laura' and she had dark blond, shoulder length hair.
"Err … yeah" I replied. It did sound a bit … odd. Either I was pregnant or I was a weird guy who likes to look at pregnant mannequins. Or maybe I just looked like a strange paedo lurking about a kiddy shop like it was a normal thing to do.
"Would you like some help?" She asked smiling at me. I looked back at the clothes piles before turning back and nodded. She smiled and walked over to a large pile of red clothes before turning to face me.
"How many weeks pregnant is your partner?" She asked. I counted in my head but looked at the sales woman blankly.
"Erm around three months?" I said, not really sure. She nodded and pulled out a top with a little bump think in the centre.
"This one is a popular shape. It's comfy and lets the baby have its own space." She smiled handing me a plain red top. I took it in my hands and raised an eyebrow. Nodding I took hold of it and followed the lady to another part of the store. She picked up three other tops on the way before reaching the pants isle.
"These also have the same shape and the colours go with these types of jeans" She smiled before picking up a pair of jeans that had a weird pouch attached to it. I shouldn't be here; this was way out of my comfort zone. I nodded and didn't say a word; I just placed them over my arm and followed her.
After just ten minutes I had five tee-shirts, three pairs of jeans, a pair of shorts, a long yellow dress and two vests. I'm managed to get a basket and they were now stuffed into it. As we came to beginning of the shop again Laura turned to me and grinned.
"Would you be needing maternity bras and underwear as well as baby clothes?" She asked looking at me. I looked around the shop and shrugged. I didn't know what the hell I was supposed to do; it wasn't like I'd ever done this before.
"I guess so" I muttered as I followed her once again. She placed three pregnancy bras in the basket before we headed to the baby clothes isle. I looked around at all the different baby grows and suddenly felt overwhelmed. Babies needed a shit load of stuff.
"I guess I can leave you with this part" She smiled before walking off to help another customer who looked as if she was about to burst. Yet she was only looking at the seven month clothes. Wonder how big Chelsea was going to be. I turned back to the wall full of baby grows, I didn't even know if it was going to be a girl or boy. I looked towards the blue side and then at the pink before knitting my eyebrows together. I grunted approvingly before reaching up for the yellow items. That was the mutual colour for baby's right? I picked up three little yellow baby grows and a pair of blue socks before turning around and grabbing a few white ones. Looking around I caught sight of a perfect baby grow. I picked it up and smiled. It read 'Daddy's little cowboy' and had a picture of boots on the front. I had to get that, even if it wasn't a boy. I knew Chelsea would love it.
Finally after placing everything in the basket I made my way to the checkout and dumped the whole contains onto the checkout. Standing at the bottom was a woman who began to pack the things into a large Mothercare bag. I paid off the cashier before heading out of the damned shop. Sighing, I lugged the bag all the way back to my black car before shoving it into the boot. Getting in at the driver's side I slammed my head against the wheel, a little too forceful than I'd planned. I was getting all this stuff for a baby who wouldn't even recognise me. They'd grow up calling Denny 'daddy' and I'd just be a guy that occasionally appears with animals.
I picked up my head off the wheel before turning the key in the ignition and stepped on the pedal hard. The car sped up the road, way over the speed limit as I headed home. As the lights streamed past I suddenly found myself thinking about a fucked up thought. I wished that the person who fell out of the tree would speak up, spill everything. And so Chelsea wouldn't have to get married. But of course that was me being selfish. Chelsea deserved that life. The one with the caring husband who was there for her and stood by her side. I wish I could have been that man. The one to hold her hand as she gave birth, to comfort her when she was crying. I loved Chelsea Edwards, and I'd given her away to another man. Bright Vaughn. Very fucking bright.
Chelsea's P.O.V –
I smiled to myself as I saw the ferry pull up at the dock. Quickly slamming the cookie batter in the oven I licked my fingers before opening the window to let the heat out. Yep that's right, I was baking cookies. And the reason I had to reduce myself to cooking was because Chen had run out of fucking McVities Hobnobs. Rolling my eyes I walked back to the centre of the room and rearranged the freshly picked flowers that Denny had dropped off just ten minutes ago. He was sweet; maybe I could have a life with him after all. I may not love him but having someone who would do anything for you because he was so deeply fallen for you is nice. Maybe I could even grow to love him?
Vaughn's P.O.V –
I lugged the two heavy suitcases over the sand and up to the animal shop where Mirabelle was waving at me. I nodded my head to acknowledge her before handing over my actual suitcase where she took it into her hands. Fortunately for her that was the light one. The one I had to carry all the way up to Chelsea's farm weighed at least as much as ten frickin' bowling balls. Who thought clothes for such a little person could be so heavy?
"Vaughnie!" Julia squealed through the window closest to the door, her face pressed up against the glass. I glared at her, not at this time. I just want to move this fucking bag. But soon enough she was bouncing out of the door and over to me where she flung her arms over me. I growled under my breath before shrugging her off and taking a step back. Mirabelle chuckled before taking my suitcase inside as I firmly kept my grasp on the other.
"God Vaughn, you're not staying a week are you?" She asked eyeing the large suitcase in my hands. I was gripping it so tightly that my hands had started to go white. I loosened my grip slightly.
"No" I mumbled before turning around and dragging it along the path. But she just bounded right up next to me again.
"Then what's in in?" She asked as she playfully smiled at me. I scowled again before stopping and turning to her.
"It's full of illegal drugs. I forgot to mention last time I was here that I joined a large drug gang." I said staring into her eyes. Being totally serious, it felt as secretive as dealing drugs anyway. Her face screwed up into a ball before she folded her arms.
"Fine don't tell me then, you know I'll find out anyway" She threatened before flicking her pony tail and strutting off back to the house. I turned around and snickered to myself. I didn't think she'd leave that easily.
I finally managed to lug the heavy bag up to the bridge of Chelsea's farm. I placed the suitcase on the ground and turned back to look at Chelsea's house. As soon as I laid eyes on the grey smoke streaming out of the window my heart ran into my throat. Leaping over the suitcase I sprinted towards the front door, rapidly slamming my fist on it.
"Chelsea?" I yelled at the wooden door. But she didn't reply. Damn, I couldn't leave this girl alone for a minute. I threw my hat to the ground before slamming my shoulder into the door. Luckily it buckled under my weight and swung open. The oven was bellowing out dark smoke as Chelsea lay on the sofa. Quickly running over to her I scooped her up into my arms and ran outside where I put her on the grass. She was still breathing and seemed to be unharmed. I looked back at the house and dashed back inside. The kittens rushed out just as I opened the oven door. Another cloud of smoke hit me in the face as I chocked. I looked around for something to put the fire out with and grabbed the fire-extinguisher off the wall before spaying the oven with the foam. It took just a few minutes till the smoke had halted and Chelsea's kitchen was covered in foam. Throwing the red fire-extinguisher to the ground I ran a hand through my hair and rushed back outside to Chelsea. She was still lay on the ground. I didn't know if she was just sleeping or unconscious. I grabbed her in my arms and ran towards Taro's place.
I didn't bother knocking; I just kicked the door open with a spare foot and walked in on a shocked looking Natalie and Felicia. They both dropped what they were doing as soon as they saw Chelsea flopped in my arms and rushed over towards me.
"Vaughn what happened?" Felicia asked pulling me into the sitting room to lay Chelsea on the sofa.
"I don't know, there was a fire in her kitchen and she was lay on the sofa not moving." I said, feeling completely helpless. Natalie rushed over to her mum and grabbed her arm.
"Mum go and call Doctor Trent, I'll stay with Chelsea" She said before Felicia ran off into a different room. Natalie quickly bent down and started taking off her large jacket. My skin crawled as she ran her hand over her stomach and placed her head close to it. It was as if she was checking if the baby was alright, but how could she know? I walked over to her and crouched near her head where I stroked her forehead.
"Chelsea, can you open your eyes for me please?" Natalie spoke clearly before opening one of her eyes. Chelsea didn't respond, just lay there. I ran my hand through her hair as I smiled down at her.
"Chelsea, its Vaughn." I said looking down at her. Natalie looked over at me for a second before turning to Chelsea again.
"Chelsea can you wiggle your toes for me?" She spoke again, a little louder than before. I glared at Natalie.
"How is this going to help…?" I trailed off, slowly Chelsea's toes wiggled. Natalie gave me a snotty look, one where she didn't even need to say 'ha' because it was far too damn fucking obvious she was yelling it in her head. I looked back at Chelsea and smiled, she was alright.
She mumbled something under her breath, too low for me to hear.
"What was that Chels?" Natalie asked. Chelsea opened her eyes slowly and looked at her.
"Cookies" She repeated a little louder. I let out a sigh of relief as Natalie rolled her eyes. Chelsea then grabbed her stomach in panic.
"The baby's fine" She reassured her and Chelsea relaxed. My head snapped up as I stared at her. What? She rolled her eyes as she turned to look at me, her brown eyes searching mine.
"Come on, dress shopping with me. I was bound to find out" She said before smiling at Chelsea who giggled.
"Vaughn?" She asked, her voice returning. I moved around to look at her, her sparkling blue eyes clearer than they ever had been. Damn I loved this girl.
"I'm here" I smiled at her. She grinned back at me and stroked my neck gently. Why did she have to be so careless? Suddenly Felicia rushed in with the phone held to her ear.
"Natalie I've got Doctor Trent h…" She trailed off and looked at Chelsea on the sofa before walking over and smiling.
"How are you feeling hun?" She asked looking down at Chelsea who smiled at her weakly.
"I'm fine, I don't need the doctor" She smiled before pushing herself up and moving her t-shirt to cover her stomach. Natalie nodded before returning to the room she was in before while chatting on the phone to Trent.
I turned around just as Chelsea stood up and wobbled a bit. I wrapped my arm around her delicate waist to help keep her steady. She smirked slightly before pushing me away and walking to the other side of the room.
"See, I'm fine. Now can I get back home – I'm tired." She asked before placing her arms on her waist and raising an eyebrow. I rolled my eyes before following her towards the door. Natalie coughed harshly as Chelsea turned around. They exchanged some weird glance before Chelsea nodded and walked out of the door. I frowned slightly before following her. As we got outside she turned to face me and rolled her eyes. I patted the top of her head before smiling down at her.
"I can't leave you alone with anything" I laughed as we began to walk up to her farm. As soon as the bridge came into view I walked ahead to grab the suitcase that I'd dropped, but it wasn't there. I frowned and looked all around; I swear I'd dropped it around here. Chelsea caught up with me and looked around.
"What you looking for cowboy?" She asked knitting her eyebrows together. I turned around to face her and rolled my eyes.
"You're bloody maternity clothes" I laughed at her; she joined in before freezing on the spot. I followed her gaze to her house where the case stood with a hooded figure standing over it. My heart rushed into my throat and made me choke slightly. Shit. I began to head towards them with Chelsea by my side; gently I pushed her behind me to protect her from whoever had found the suitcase.
We came to a stop about two meters away from them. They wore a light beige hoody and dark brown boots. Falling just under their knee was a pair of baggy black shorts which gently ruffled in the breeze.
"I see it's all official then?" They asked. Their voice so familiar, it would have been foolish to mix them up with anyone else. Their voice was harsh and spiteful, full of hate and resentment. I grabbed Chelsea's hand behind me as she began to quiver and shake.
Slowly the person stood in front of us turned around and stared into my eyes. Throwing daggers into my sockets. I stood my ground and growled. We. Were. Fucked.
Ooh mysteries :P Hehe, hoped you like yet another chapter and thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate it. Please review and stay tuned to find out more :D 'Till next time.