First winter

Alright, well today was a snow day and I got this sudden inspiration to start writing a long fic with a Chelsea and Vaughn pairing.

Anyways enjoy!

Chelsea's POV

I lay there in the cold, looking up at the glistening flakes descending from the black above. With each breath I took I could see the warmth coming out in puffs of fog. 'Winter' I thought to myself with a shiver as I stood up and trudge slowly back from my field to the warmness of my house. I had never been a fan of the cold wet snow, although there was something mesmerizing about it. Maybe the way it looked as it contrasted the night sky. The lights of my house illuminated the field as I thought back to the past for my other reason. Why else had I come to not like winter? Maybe it was because of 'that time'. In attempt to wash away the memories I shook myself and forced a smile across my lips.

"Okay Chels! Let's think positive! Tomorrow is-" I stopped myself before I could answer that and groaned inwardly. "Monday." The word slipped past my lips as I came to my door and fished in my pocket for my keys. Snow and Monday's were the top two on my list of dislikes. Well I didn't literally have a list…but if I did they'd be up there, first and second. Monday's were always the beginning of the week and any cheery person would be glad to have a new week. As for me, well my cheeriness was sometimes an act, though I didn't want to seem unreliable so I smiled and bore with it. There was always more work to do on Monday mornings. The third item on my list would be Vaughn. That 'emo cowboy' as some called him. Out of all the people in the village I only disliked him. He was the rudest person I knew and no matter what I did he would always frown at me. There was no way- I repeat- NO WAY, that we would EVER be friends. I never wanted to be around such a rude, arrogant person.

As I turned the door handle to open the door I thought about what I had just thought to myself about the Monday business. Tomorrow there would be less work. "Because it's winter!" I said with a smile. This meant that I didn't have to waste away half my morning watering endless amounts of crops, just to make enough so I could feed my animals and myself. At this I could smile. I would still have to cut wood though, for fires, but other than that my house was upgraded to the max. I loved the space; it made it homier I guess. Just then a muffled 'Woof!' Came from the bathroom. "Bella is that you?" I laughed as I ran over to the bathroom door and slid it open to find –as I predicted- my dog Bella tangled up in the shower curtain. A giggle escaped my lips again as my sapphire blue eyes took in the sight. "Bells you silly girl!" I said as I went over and untangled her then scoped her up in my arms. She licked my face as a 'thank you' gesture and I giggled again at the feeling.

"Okay, okay you're welcome!"

I walked over to the bed and set her down as I reached in my wooden dresser to grab out a pair of pajamas, glancing at the calendar hanging above it as I found what I was looking for.

"Hey Bells! Guess what?" I said smiling and changing.

"Woof!" She barked in response. I don't know what it was about dogs that could pick up a person's mood but I absolutely loved them for it. "The dog festival is in a little more than a week." As if understanding what I said she wagged her tail and jumped off the bed to run around my ankles excitedly. I laughed at her hyperness and scooped her up holding her out at arms length. She was smiling at me her small cute pink tongue sticking out. "That's right we are so going to win!" I smirked. "But now we have to go to bed."

I crawled into bed and flicked off the light on my dresser. Pulling the warm covers over myself I let out a tired yet happy sigh. Bella scooted up to me and curled up on the pillow, lying on the spot beside my head. "Night girl."

Sleep soon got the better of me, pulling me deep into my dream world taking me to a part of the past I didn't want to re-live.

"Mommy, Daddy, where are you?" I cried as tears poured down my cheeks uncontrollably. "Don't leave me alone!" I pleaded to no one as the white shrouded my vision until I could barely see my own hand.

"Mommy! Daddy!" I cried out again but they were nowhere to be found, for all I knew they HAD left me, left me alone in this cold, dark place. I shivered as the tears that were being drawn soon froze and remained on my soft ivory cheeks. Would they ever come back?

'Mommy…daddy…' I softly whimpered to myself as the black clouded my vision.

I sat up like a bullet, my chest heaving heavily as I panted and perspiration worked its way down my face. The cold struck me and it hurt like the feeling of bees stinging your skin over and over again. I couldn't help but shiver at the feeling as I felt another draft whisk past me, chilling me to the bone. Then I heard a whimper and looked down to see a concerned Bella. A weak smile worked its way across my lips as I pet her head and hushed the words, " It's okay girl, go back to sleep." She obeyed me and turned her head back to the pillow, her ears still alert. Another breeze blew passed me, sending more chills down my body. Deciding I couldn't bear it any longer I stood up and walked across my room to shut the window, but I paused as I got there.

My field was completely covered in snow. It looked like a white blanket had just fallen down from the pitch-black sky. "Well…no work tomorrow" I reminded myself with a soft smile as I closed the window and jumped back into my bed tucking the covers up around my ears attempting to keep me as warm as possible. "I wonder what tomorrow will bring…"

The next morning I awoke with Bella running around my room like crazy. "Woof!!" She yipped jumping on top of the cocoon of blankets I had enclosed myself in. It's to early for this. I thought with a groan as I grabbed my pillow to burry my head under. Bella wouldn't settle for it anymore, she wanted me up and now! She ripped at my pillow and tugged it away from me. "FINE!" I shouted sitting up before she could do damage to anymore of my precious pillows. "I'm up! I'm up!" She stopped and ran over to me; her brown furry tail wagging and her cute pink tongue hanging out. "You…." I began with a murderous sound to my voice. Bella ceased any further action and her blue eyes turned into big watery saucers. "Don't give me that look!" I warned waving a finger at her. Then she began to whine and lower her head. I hated it when she did that. Not being able to stay strict I let a sigh escape my lips then bent down to pet her head. "I'm sorry, it's just mommy is still tired." She licked my hand then ran over to the door and I followed her, groggily might I add. My hand reached the knob and I let the door open as a sort of breakfast smell wafted through.

It was the smell of fresh made pancakes smothered in warm sweet maple syrup topped off with a few pieces of juicy bacon and a nice fresh cup of milk. What on earth was that smell? Was that what Bella was going insane about? I walked into my kitchen, Bella hot on my heels. As I grew closer I swear I could make out the sound of someone humming a happy tune, and was that the sound of something sizzling on the frying pan? This was so odd. What was going on?

I walked into the kitchen and stood there rendered speechless for a moment. I had to let my eyes take everything in. What I saw before me was my kitchen- completely clean- my table with two sets of cutlery and two stacks of pancakes followed by some bacon on one plate, complimenting them and two cups to either side of the plates. Then my sapphire orbs found the source of all this. The blonde with his back to me, an apron tied around him. "M-Mark?" I stuttered shocked. Just then he stopped humming and turned around, a grin across his face.

"Morning Chelsea! Sorry I couldn't finish sooner."

My jaw must of fell at least 12 inches. "Wh-Wha?" I began. He let out a soft chuckle and held up the frying pan. "I came to make some breakfast." That's kind of obvious I thought to myself still unsure of how to answer him. It sure was nice that he came by to make me breakfast…but why? There was an awkward silence as I stood there, waiting for him to explain himself. "Oh um" Mark began a slight blush coming across his cheeks as he cleared his throat. "Well I'm just repaying you for all the gifts you've given me and for uh being such a good friend?"

I smiled and giggled. It was funny seeing mark at a loss for works, looking embarrassed too. How cute I thought as I walked over to the table. He really didn't know how to explain his reasoning's sometimes. "Then thank you." I said graciously pulling out my seat and taking it. "I do hope you'll join me." The smile was still across my lips as I turned to look at him.

"Oh uh ya! Just a sec!" The blonde said as he un-did his apron, turned off the element, put the bacon on his plate then sat down opposite from me.

"So what are we having today?" I asked as I reached for the maple syrup in the middle of the table.

"Pancakes and Bacon as you can see." A small giggle escaped my lips again at his oh so obvious answer. "I don't see what you find so humorous Chels." Mark replied as he began to eat.

"I don't know either." I said as I copied him.

"Hey do you have any work today?" The blonde asked continuing to devour his pancakes in a world record amount of time.

"Huh, other than looking after my animals no I don't."

"Well then…." He said looking me straight in the eye, his emeralds catching my sapphires. I waited for his response, fork mid way to my mouth. "Let's play in the snow!!" Mark finished as he put his utensils on his plate and moved over the sink. After not hearing a response from me he turned around with pleading eyes. "Come on Chels!! It'll be so much fun! We can get Denny and Lanna and Sabrina and Elliot and Julia and maybe even Charlie and Eliza will play too!" He gave me the same dang look that Bella had given me earlier. "Fine…' I sighed out in slight annoyance. Snow…ugg…well it shouldn't be too bad…As I stood up to put my dishes away I felt Mark fling his arms around my middle and hug me from behind nuzzling his face in the crook of my shoulder. "You're the best!! I can't wait! So I'll come back at 10:00 with everyone okay?" Before I could respond he dashed out of my house, leaving me to clean the dishes. "Oh well. At least he made me breakfast and maybe Monday's aren't so bad after all." I smiled to myself and set to work on tidying up before I took care of my animals.

Mark's POV

Happily, I skipped across the rest of HER property to the exit of HER farm. This morning I had made Chelsea breakfast. She was after all one of my friends and if you asked me if I liked her as more I sure wouldn't deny it. I mean she is a hard working girl, she's dedicated to what she likes, she is good with animals and kids, she can cook, she sure is persistent and she's cute to top it all off. Who couldn't like someone like that?

My breath could be seen in puffs of fog as I stopped at her exit and turned too look at her upgraded house. I couldn't help but let a smile work its way across my lips at that moment. She would be with me all day today and we could have fun together in the snow. Not often did we spend a lot of time together, though recently she's been stopping by the Inn to give me some gifts. Crops, to be exact, some that she grew herself so I cherished them even more.

Before I seemed like a stalker by staring at her house I left the farm in search of people who would join us in the snowball fight today. Then I spotted my good ol' red haired glasses friend Elliot. "Hey!" I waved as I approached him with a smile. He turned to look at me and smiled back.

"Hello Mark. How're you doing today?" Courteous as always I thought to myself for a moment.

"Are you busy today?" Elliot paused and scratched his chin as he thought about the question I had just asked. "Well I hate to disappoint you but I am. My grandfather has me chopping wood today, you know so we can have a nice fire and all?" I nodded not knowing what else to say. The downside of staying at the Inn was that I easily got bored, I didn't have enough to do, except maybe socialize with people who always seemed to be busy and I hated to come off as a nuisance. "What about Natalie?" I asked a tad of hope in my voice. The more the merrier!

"Well," My red head friend began in a sort of sheepish tone. "She has to help out me and gramps today too, sorry Mark." He said looking sincerely disappointed. I smiled nonetheless. Being down was no fun, and there were always others!

"No problem! I'll catch you latter Elliot." And with that I left their property to head over the east side of town. Maybe Sabrina would be home? She didn't seem like the sort of person who liked outdoorsy things, but hey, one could always try right? As I skipped up to her front door I began thinking of the negatives 'what ifs'. Like 'what if no one could play in the snow with us?' 'What if Chelsea and I were left with nothing to do?' I shrugged it off and knocked on the wood of their front door. Hearing footsteps approach the front door I put on my best smile, it was good to come off as friendly.

"Oh? Mark? Why hello, do come in." It was Regis who spoke. To me he kind of looked like a vampire. His thin bony fingers and sharp pointed nose, followed by his sharp dark eyes and slick hair really made me believe that he was part vamp.

I did as ordered and stepped inside, knocking my feet on the mat to kick the snow off before I entered. Their house was always nice. Neat, tidy, spacious. The list was endless. "How can I assist you today Mark?" Regis spoke in his creepy stuck up voice.

"Is Sabrina home today?" I questioned looking behind his shoulder to see if she was hiding somewhere.

"Sabrina? Why yes she is." He turned around to call out his daughter's name. Right on que I saw her turn around the corner, her mousy face being the first thing I saw. Don't get me wrong, she's cute and all, just not my type.

"Why hello Mark." She said quietly.

"Hey Rina! You wanna come play in the snow?" I asked getting straight to the point. She paused for a moment. "I suppose…Father?" She asked turning to her vampire of a father.

"Very well…." He replied seeming somewhat distant. "Be back by dinner." Regis added as Sabrina reached for her coat and hat.

"I'll make sure of that!" I said jokingly.

We walked out the front door and headed over to Lanna's. "Play in the snow?" The pop star questioned as we stood on her doorstep. She let out a haughty laugh, which turned into a giggle. "You know that actually sounds good today!"

And with that we headed over to pick up Shea who gladly joined us. To be honest I think he may have had a thing for Chelsea as well.

As we were walking we made some jokes, randomly, I guess and then Lanna went on with how her fame life used to be. It was kind of interesting and I didn't mind having her talk. To my surprise her and Sabrina got along really well, though I guess they are like neighbors. 'Shoot! I forgot to invite Pierre' I thought to myself as we made our way down to the beach to pick up Denny.

"Mark, why didn't we stop at Pierre's house when we were going to pick up Lanna?" Sabrina asked as we stepped foot on the beach.

"Uh, well I didn't think he would come, because Natalie isn't coming…unless you guys are good friends with him?" I tried. It was true too; I knew he had had a thing for Natalie, though sometimes he didn't show it. I let out a laugh at the thought and the other three just looked at me funny as we spotted our purple bandanna- tan man.

"Denny!" Lanna squealed running over to him and throwing her arms around him in a hug. He looked taken back for a moment and Sabrina and I just laughed as we approached the two. Shea on the other hand looked completely clueless. "What that called?" He asked pointing to the couple that was in a friendly embrace. I could feel a smile work its way across my lips. The poor guy had rarely been outside of his little 'jungle'. "It's called a hug.' I explained. He tilted his head to the side, his hazel eyes flashing with curiosity and I took it as my que to continue the explanation further. "It's something that's used to show emotion. Either between friends or someone you have great affection for. Like Chelsea." I added the last part in as I winked and nudged his arm.

"…Chelsea…AH!" He blushed understanding what I meant and furrowed his brow. "Don't make fun!" Just then I heard the sound of footsteps approaching and turned my head to see Denny, Lanna and Sabrina walking back over to us. All right! The gang was here! Now it was just time to pick up the kids. "Let's go get Eliza and Charlie now." I said as we left the beach, a smile across my lips. Chelsea should be done her chores by now right? And even if she wasn't we could always help her.

"What are you grinning about Blondie?" Denny questioned slinging an arm around my shoulder as he came up beside me. "Come on, share share." He said with a devious grin across his tan face.

"Nothing." I replied rolling my eyes. But he wouldn't give up that easily.

"Come one man! Who you thinking about?" Oh, he hit the nail right on the head. At least he didn't guess who it was yet. "It's Chelsea isn't it?" He asked winking. Spoke too soon.

"Of course not!" I chortled as we came up to Chen's shop. He stood up straight and followed me in the shop. "Whatever man, just admit it! You liiiikkeee her!" He sing sang the last part. I rolled my eyes and walked up the counter, attempting to ignore his comments.

"Why hello!" Chen said as he spotted me. I looked over the counter to find his little assistant standing beside him. "What can I do for you today?"

"Mark!!" Charlie said behind the counter before I could answer Chen. In a swift moment the little bundle of energy had run out from behind the counter and threw his arms around my legs. He let go quickly and dusted himself off, obviously somewhat embarrassed by his actions. "What's up man?' He tried again and I couldn't help but laugh at the cute little kid.

"Nothing much! You wanna come play in the snow?" Instantly his cool act dropped and his eyes lit up with glee. Charlie turned around to look at Chen. "Can I can I? Pllleeeaaassseeee!!!" Chen laughed at his grandson, his wrinkles pulling tighter around his eyes.

"Yes, okay, be back for supper though." He added with a warning.

"Roger!" Charlie said grabbing his coat and bounding out the door ahead of me. Before I could leave Chen called me over. "Ya?" I questioned wondering what he wanted to ask. Chen and I didn't normally talk, I mean not everyday, but as much as we could. He was a nice friendly man and let Charlie hang around with me a lot. "Here." He said fishing something out from behind the counter. I looked at it for a moment…the item in the palm of his hands. It was gorgeous and shimmered under the light. "Wha, what's this for?!" I asked as he dropped the pure diamond necklace in my hands. It lay there for a moment, radiating its light off the wall. The necklace was so gorgeous I was at a loss of words.

"I, Uh, wha?" Were about the only sounds that came out of my mouth. Chen on the other hand just chuckled and pressed a finger to his lips.

"Her birthday is on the twenty sixth, keep it in good shape until then." At that moment I knew he was talking about Chelsea. How did he know that I liked her though? I admired the necklace one more time and realized that in the middle there was a small blue sapphire that complimented the thin chain of diamonds. 'It would compliment her eyes even more…' I thought as my emerald eyes became shrouded. Then I remembered where I was and turned to Chen. "I, I can't possibly accept this!!"

"Oh but she'll love it! No go! Away with you!" And with that I was kicked out. Before anyone could ask about the necklace I tucked it safely into the pocket of my rucksack. He was right…. she would love it.

A/N: Okay everyone! Well how do you like it? I hope none of you will get to attached to Mark because lest you forget this is a ChelseaxVaughn one. We'll see who Mark ends up with. ;) Anyways I hope you all enjoy this and I plan to make the next chapter longer for sure! Just I have no clue when I will post it. Exams start this week. Hehe.

R&R!! They always inspire me!