[Harvest Moon: A New Beginning] Rio to the Rescue

Weekend Getaway

Neil was looking forward to sleeping in on the morning of their anniversary, but Rio had other plans. After waking him up with some less than appropriate kissing, she dragged him into the shower and told him to hurry up. When he asked her why she was rushing, she simply smiled mischievously and replied that it was a surprise. After stepping out of the shower, she grabbed two duffel bags, handed one to Neil, and gestured for him to follow her.

Neil figured she was taking him away for the weekend and felt relieved that he had thought to put the ring box in his pocket before leaving the house. He knew she would get suspicious if he were to have gone back to the house, and the last thing he wanted was for her to start answering questions. Now all he had to figure out was when he was going to ask her, he figured it all depended on what plans Rio had for them at their mystery destination.

When they reached the Travel Agency she made Neil stand outside while she talked to Charles. When she called him back in, they were promptly led on to Charles' small plane. Once seated he looked over to Rio to see her bouncing happily in her seat, "So, do I have to wait until we land to find out where we're going?" She nodded and leaned back in her seat, "Figured."

As they took off into the sky he put an arm around her and pulled her close, he had a feeling they'd be in the air for a while and he wanted to catch up on sleep. She nestled herself in his arms and fell asleep quickly, obviously needing the rest too. He joined her shortly after, his need for sleep winning out over his excitement to see where they were going.

Neil felt something poking him in the ribs and he wanted it to stop, "Just five more minutes Ri..."

Rio giggled and poked harder, "But Neeeeil.... We're here! Don't you wanna see where we are?!"

In his dreamy haze he suddenly remembered that Rio had taken him somewhere unknown. He woke up quickly, pulling on her hand to help her stand up. "I forgot! Let's go, I want to see!"

They stepped off the plane and Neil could feel that the location they were in was much warmer than Echo Village. It was a nice change, and he hoped there would be time to swim while they were in such a tropical climate. He heard Rio squeal and saw her take off toward a brunette in a cowboy hat standing just a few feet away from the plane.

"Chelseaaaa! I haven't seen you in forever!! Thanks for helping me, I always knew you were my favorite cousin."

Chelsea rolled her sky-blue eyes, "Don't tell Mark that, he's been fighting for that position for years."

Rio waved Neil over, "Well you tell MArk that maybe if he didn't leave me stuck in that tree as a kid, he would be my favorite!" Gesturing between the two she said, "Chelsea, this is my boyfriend Neil, Neil this is my cousin Chelsea! She helped me set up this whole weekend."

He stuck out his hand, "Nice to meet you Chelsea."

She shook his hand, "Nice to meet you too! I've heard quite a bit about you. I'm glad my cousin finally found someone who will treat her right. Now why don't we get out of this heat and have some brunch?"

The two followed Chelsea to her farm which was about the same size as Rio's. Chelsea herself focused more on plants, but explained that her husband's specialty was animals, which is why her barns are so full. Rio raised a brow at that, "Husband? Did grumpy-pants finally pop the question then?"

Chelsea shook her head, "Yes, finally. I thought for sure I'd have to ask him, but apparently Julia didn't like that idea, so she went and talked some sense into that stubborn cousin of hers."

"Stubborn is right," Rio replied. She looked and Neil and smirked, "He's even more stubborn than you Neil, if you can believe that."

Chelsea opened the door to her house and invited them in, "This nice man was stubborn? I find that hard to believe."

"He was only a little stubborn... his glare, however, could give your hubby a run for his money. He was a real ice prince when I first met him."

Suddenly a tall cowboy with striking silver hair stepped into the room, "What about me?"

Chelsea made her way to his side and put an arm around his waist, "Just that apparently both my cousin and I like cold, stubborn men. But apparently you're worse."

When Neil finally got a good look at Chelsea's husband he grinned, "Aww Vaughn found a girl! Who would've guessed?"

Vaughn glared and Chelsea laughed, "You two know each other?"

Vaughn smirked down at her, "Yeah, we went to school together. Never thought I'd see him again, let alone that we'd be practically family."

Rio clapped and grinned happily, "Yay! Now point me to the food because I'm about to get hangry."

After brunch the two women made their way to the beach, telling the men to catch up with them later. Without hesitating, Vaughn walked right up to Neil and asked, "So, when are you going to ask her? To marry you that is?"

Neil looked shocked, "Wait, how did you know I was going to ask?"

Vaughn pointed to his pants, "The little square box in your pocket. I carried mine around for two months, I know exactly what it looks like now," He chuckled a little, tipping his hat down to hide his smile, "So, going to ask her while you're here?"

"Tonight, actually. It's our anniversary."

Vaughn nodded, "Good choice. Need help?"

Neil shook his head in the affirmative, "Actually, I do. I need you to keep the women occupied while I set up the hotel room for Rio and I."

"Done."

After the details were settled the two men joined the women on the beach. Neil was having fun, but he couldn't help the butterflies that erupted in his stomach every time he looked at Rio- his future fiance, if she said yes. Tonight couldn't come soon enough.