disclaimer: for the final time in this fic, harvest moon doesn't belong to me c:

The Princess and the Cowboy

~Happiness~

My white wedding dress fell just shy of the floor, the skirt slightly billowing out around me, soft and fluffy…

Soft and fluffy, just like the pillows on my bed.

Of course, it figured I'd be thinking about how soft and fluffy they were now, how warm my bed was. Oh, couldn't I just crawl back under the sheets for a few more hours?

I shifted a little and stifled a yawn, taking care not to smudge the rosy lipstick someone had painted my lips with whilst I'd been in a daze.

I hadn't been sleeping properly this last week or so. I was worn out, obviously, as so much had happened at once, but once the lights were off and the curtains were drawn and it was dark outside, I found my eyes wouldn't shut. My heart raced and my head filled with possible scenarios. So much could go wrong…And that wasn't even factoring on how clumsy I was.

"Goddess…" I let out a whispered moan, so my giggling bridesmaids wouldn't hear me.

I'd scrubbed up relatively well, considering. The hard part was long over now - I'd talked and talked and talked, and finally an agreement was reached - or so I thought, because when it got to the easy part, that's when I'd really started stressing.

However, underneath the fatigue, my heart still raced, and as I let my eyes roam slowly up and down my reflection, I couldn't help the bubble of excitement that was building up in my stomach.

Here I was, for the second time in my white dress, and this time I was going to do things right.

"You okay Chels honey?" Julia came up behind me, placing a warm, comforting hand on my bare shoulder. She looked stunning, as ever, in an ice blue dress a tad shorter than mine to welcome the new Spring sunshine, accessorised with a darker shawl to chase off the chill of the ending Winter, her curls pulled back into her trademark high pony tail.

"I think so."

"You think so?" Natalie's voice floated towards me; the pinkette was glowering at the back of Julia's room while Felicia finished tying a neat ribbon bow into her hair. Her dress was the same style as Julia's except in a deep cranberry colour.

"Yeah…I mean, I'm tired, but I'm also looking forward to it." I smiled. "Doesn't help that I reckon I'm gonna be stood up by my three beautiful bridesmaids…"

Julia shook her head as Felicia made a noise of protest at my words. "Shush silly, you look beautiful. Vaughn won't know how to respond!"

"Yeah…Besides, there's only two of us here right now," Natalie added with a grin, just as Lanna rushed through the door. "Oh, speak of the devil."

"Devil? Me? Natalie how could you?" My green clad friend shot a wounded expression Nat's way then came over to the mirror. She pushed the tiny decorative flowers securely into my curly up-do, checked the matching corsage on my dress strap and stepped back, satisfied. "You're perfect!"

I nodded. "I guess your coming up here means it's time to go?"

"You're ready, yeah?"

"Uh huh…" Suddenly I felt sick, butterflies messing with my stomach.

Lanna was quick to respond, taking one of my hands and staring right into my eyes. "Chelsea, it's understandable to be nervous, I mean, it isn't everyday you get married…Although in your case lately it seems like it is!"

"Ha ha."

The blonde carried on, smiling at my expense. "We'll be right behind you every step of the way, promise. And think about it: the man you love is waiting at that alter. You've kept him waiting before…You gonna let this opportunity slide?"

That chased the nerves away. "No." I was definitely not going to let him stand around for longer than he needed to whilst I freaked out at the back of the pews because this was actually happening. "I'm ready…Let's go."

My ride to the church was a slightly rickety wooden cart, with a beautiful chestnut coloured horse pulling it, all borrowed from Taro's farm.

"Aww how adorable!" I cooed, rushing to pat the horse. He blew air into my face and I giggled. "You're so cute!"

"Hey Chels, remember when you and Vaughn were practically sucking face against his stable?" The ever-elegant Natalie butted into my gushing.

I went bright red and couldn't get into the cart quick enough.

Before I knew it, I was stood there, ready to be summoned by the famous tune. I'd come so far to get to this moment. Persuading my dad hadn't been easy; it had taken three and a half days to convince him that I wasn't the right heir, I never had been and I never would be. I had to pour through lists of family members and those who had a claim to the throne and discuss it with my parents.

Even when that was done, I had to request that I be left alone, and that the villagers be treated fairly.

And then I went in with my final desire: my father's blessing on my marriage to Vaughn. I would have gotten married anyway, but I wanted one last chance with the King. Maybe it touched him that I'd tried so hard with finding alternatives, or maybe it's because I'm just so damn stubborn. Either way, despite protests, he had a small change of heart, and I was completely, officially allowed to go ahead and get hitched.

Julia nudged me when the first note of the bridal march sounded. The huge doors opened, I blinked at the light and made my way down the short aisle.

I didn't want to see him straight away, so I focused on smiling at my friends and new acquaintances (whom I intended to get to know better) in the congregation: at Mirabelle, at Felicia, at Taro, at Elliot, at Denny, at Luke who ran the diner, at the two men who ran the fireworks display and their children Elisa and Charlie…

I couldn't put it off any longer, and my waiting was rewarded.

I'd never seen Vaughn so happy or dashing. It reminded me of the time he stood on the bridge before the fireworks festival, only ten times better. His hat was not there again, his silver hair brushed neat but with a few flicks here and there. His suit was dark, with a crisp white shirt, blue tie and flower that matched my own. On his face he had the most joyful expression imaginable, his smile wider than I'd ever seen it, his purple eyes alight with cheer.

I mirrored his grin and whispered, "I made it."

"I'm sure glad you did Chels, I would've looked mighty stupid if you didn't," he replied quietly, then we both turned to Alisa and Nathan, who would be conducting the ceremony as the noise died down.

"We are gathered here on this most joyous of days to witness the marriage of Vaughn and Chelsea." Alisa smiled serenely at us and the congregation, steeping slightly to the side to allow the priest to talk.

"Truly, we are blessed to bear witness such a wonderful occasion.

"Vaughn…" He faced him. "Do you take Chelsea as your wife? To love, honour and cherish? To be with her through both sunshine and storms? To give her the affection, attention and care she so deserves?"

"I surely do."

I heard somebody blow their nose, an excited yet muffled squeak from where my bridesmaids were stood and felt the eyes that had been so closely watching Vaughn's back shift onto mine.

"Chelsea…" Nathan looked at me now. "Do you take Vaughn to be your husband? To love, honour and cherish? To be with him through both sunshine and storms? To give him the affection, attention and care he so deserves?"

I am not making the same mistake ever again. "Y-yes…I do," I said, tears of joy slipping down my cheeks.

Nathan smiled encouragingly at me, then gestured for us to hold both of each other's hands and face the other. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the water from my eyes and dimpled up at Vaughn, who gave me his adorable smirk back.

"Then I now pronounce you man and wife! May the Harvest Goddess bless this happy couple."

"You may kiss the bride," added Alisa, and Vaughn leaned down, wiped the tears from my cheeks and kissed me sweetly to the sound of applause and cheers.

"I love you."

My husband grinned. "I'm pretty darned fond of you too Chels."

I giggled and we left the church first, hand in hand, nodding at everyone as we passed them.

The sun shined brightly outside, winking down upon us all as people spilled out of the great doors, hugging us and congratulating us over and over.

"Vaughn, I wish you and Chelsea all the very best." Mirabelle cuddled her nephew and patted him fondly.

"Of course," he answered, blushing a little. "We'll always be together."

I leant against his shoulder contentedly, and with a jolt of happiness realised I could do this as many times as I wanted every single day. I almost danced.

"Dum-Da-Da-DAA! Congrats on your marriage Chelsea!" The Goddess' voice carried over to me through a small breeze and I smiled over at the pond. "You both have my blessing! May your marriage be a happy one! Here is my present to you."

"Hey Goddess, we agreed to do this together!" Of course the Witch Princess would be around too, bickering with the Goddess as always.

I coughed as naturally as I could but with the intention of making them notice it was not a time for mystical fights.

"We'll do it together then if it makes you happy."

"One…two…three!"

I expected a flash of light or bright colours or maybe even for all our guests to turn into frogs. Instead, the old bell next to the church began to ring loudly. The villagers all looked at it in awe.

"Legend has it that if the bell chimes after a marriage ceremony has taken place, it means the couple are destined to stay happy together," Nathan informed us. "It seems as though the beings of this village will make certain you two will never be troubled in your partnership."

I think both the Harvest Goddess and the Witch Princess were impressed by how red they'd made Vaughn and I go.

The wedding reception brought with it a few surprises.

Lanna came out of retirement to sing a few songs, including the one Vaughn and I danced to for our first dance as a married couple. Up there on the makeshift stage in the firework field, she appeared so comfortable, it was a little funny to think about her fishing. Then again, I guess going from a princess to a commoner is a little weird too, so I'm not at all judging!

When our pile of wedding gifts were presented, I noticed a brown envelope with my name on it. Inside was a small fortune, which nobody from the village could have possibly had lying around. I stared in the general direction of the castle and shook my head. Maybe my family would end up on my Christmas card list after all…

The final surprise came later on, when people were either sitting around borrowed tables eating the yummy food - prepared by the diner and the café owners, mixed in with a few of Mirabelle and Felicia's own additions - chatting to old and new friends, or dancing around both gracefully and clumsily (poor Elliot was trying so hard to match Julia's feather-light steps).

"I'm so glad today went so well," I murmured to Vaughn, watching Lanna being spun slowly by Charlie as Denny laughed on the side line, clapping them both. Pierre and Natalie were absorbed in what seemed like a relatively serious conversation - another marriage perhaps?

"Me too Chels."

"Hey, Vaughnie, where will we be tonight?"

"Hmm?"

"I realised that we hadn't made arrangements about where to stay or anything. We don't have a house yet…Unless that's where you've been all week!" Of course I hadn't caught much time with Vaughn between the planning but even when that was done for the day, my now-husband had only made an appearance at meal times and when he was going to bed. "Are you staying at the Inn by the beach? Or Mirabelle's? You know something don't you? Tell me Vaughn, please," I whined, twisting to see his face and widening my eyes. "Please?" I repeatedly kissed his jaw. "Pleeeeaaassseee!"

"G-Goddess dang-it, don't do that!" He turned his head, and I was pleased to see a blush gracing his cheeks. "Aunt Mirabelle, Felicia…I think she's ready for her gift now."

"Gift?" I strained to see a box of some sort. "I thought we'd opened everything already…Oh I feel so bad-"

"Shh, it's not any trouble." Felicia patted my arm. "It's not here Chelsea; we're going to take you to it."

"Vaughn, put your hand over her eyes so she can't see anything," Mirabelle instructed, and on cue the cowboy's palms were obstructing my vision. "Sorry honey but we want to make sure it's a surprise until the last second!"

"We're leaving right now? What about saying bye bye to everyone?" I asked, not sure if I was talking to anyone or if I was talking to midair.

"Say a general goodbye sweetie, I think everyone is eager for you to see your present!" Felicia's voice told me.

"Um, okay. Bye everyone, thank you so much, everything was beautiful!"

"Yeah thank you," my husband echoed, his hands still on my face.

There was a mix of 'goodbye's' and 'you're welcome's' and cheers and clapping, just like when we left the church, and I felt the soft arms of my three best friends around my waist, and then we were walking. On grass, over the bridge. A horrible thought struck me.

I pouted. "Are we going to the castle?"

Vaughn's chest moved; he had chuckled. "Nah, a bit closer to home; don't worry, not far."

Smoother ground…A path way. So we were walking through the village, not to the castle, to somewhere nearby…But where? I wracked my brains attempting to come up with a solution.

"Chelsea, darling, we're turning right now okay?" Mirabelle and Felicia each had one of my hands and Vaughn leant on me to help steer.

Honestly, I didn't know what was going on…Though knowing me, I suppose it was better to have someone else move me and whatnot.

"She can look now."

I blinked a couple of times. "We're at Taro's ranch…Is the gift here?" I wondered out-loud as Taro appeared from around the back of the farm house with yet another brown envelope. I hadn't noticed him slip away from the reception earlier…

"In a way." Vaughn, Mirabelle and Felicia smiled at me, but I still couldn't grasp it.

"The gift isn't here…"

Taro frowned. "Don't you understand? The ranch is the gift."

"Eh?" It took me a minute to process that. "You're giving me the ranch?!" The place was huge! A house, animal barns, plots of land, even its own section of the river…And it was all going to me?

"Vaughn and yourself but yes." Taro shook his head and offered me the envelope. "I'm getting too old to maintain it and I had to admit, the day you came here you didn't do bad with the chores. I can train you and bring you up to scratch but I think you've got the makings of a rancher."

I squealed and hugged the old man as gently as I could in my excitement. "Oh Taro thank you so much! This is the best thing ever! I'm so grateful!"

"Hmph yes well…I don't suppose you know where everything is-"

"Come on now dad," Felicia interrupted, a hand on his shoulder. "We should really go and find Natalie and Elliot. Chelsea, Vaughn…Congratulations once again. You make a lovely couple! Enjoy the ranch - the house key is in that envelope." With one last squeeze she and Taro were gone.

"I suppose I should make tracks also you two-"

"Aunt Mirabelle, wait." Vaughn stepped closer to her. "I know I've always been a bit…difficult…but you've looked after me over the years and you didn't have to do that…So I wanted to say thanks. It means a bunch to me."

Mirabelle opened her mouth to say something before closing it again, apparently being unable to find the words. "Vaughn, I…"

He shrugged and smiled bashfully. "I know."

"You've turned into a handsome, intelligent young man. I'm so proud of you." My aunt-in-law (I think that's the right expression? Aw who cares, I can make it official!) reached up and pinched my husband's cheek. "Now you Miss Chelsea…You take care of my nephew here!" She winked. "And I'll expect to see you over for dinner often!"

"So long as Julia doesn't cook…"

"Now now," I chided, hitting his arm lightly.

Mirabelle surveyed us for a second, then scoped us both in for a huge hug. "I wish you both the very best. I should go and see where my daughter has gotten to…There with Elliot no doubt. See you two soon, love to both of you." With a wave Mirabelle also left, and Vaughn and I were alone once more.

"So princess, what'da ya think?"

I laughed, glancing out at the land we now owned. "It's amazing…Crazy even. I'm not a princess anymore though silly." I looped my arms around his neck and pulled myself closer to him, the envelope still firmly in my grasp.

"That'll take some getting used to," he smirked.

"Maybe it can be my nickname…I'll accept that." I stood on my tiptoes to touch my forehead to his. "Y'know, I've always fought the princess clichés, either on purpose or on accident but there's one from the stories I'm glad to say I've got."

"Oh really, what's that?"

"A happy ending with my prince," I whispered against his lips.

THE END

it has taken me 23 months and 17 days to complete this fanfic. i started aged 15, 20 days before my 16th birthday, and i finish aged 17, 37 days before my 18th birthday. it has been an utter rollercoaster for me - honestly, i hadn't realised that amount of time had gone by - with highs and lows, one of them being i certainly haven't been as consistent with updates as i should have been. even so, it has been amazing to write this: my first multi-chaptered story that isn't a parody or a crack! fic, and arguably the one i am most proud of.

thanks to: PinkSweets14 (on summer break now…woot!), Pokka, XxStarZephunaSakuraxX, 13, Random Person 3 and Guest. i am so thankful you've seen this story through, from the messy first few chapters of a 15 year old to probably just as messy chapters of me, the 17 year old. you've made it worthwhile, even when i haven't been as loyal to you guys as i could have been. thanks a crud tonne and a half you guys, couldn't have done it without you :3

don't be too sad though! i do have ideas, though i don't think I'll be up for a new multi-chapter for a while…but you never know! i am loving witchkins x charlie right now…

haha ;P stay awesome everybody and happy harvesting!

~love TT/soph x