Author's Note: Nothing new at the moment.
Disclaimer: I do not own BatB or "One Litre of Tears"
(Yet! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!)
One Litre of Tears
by: Keiko Fujiwara
Chapter Twenty-Four:And My Tears Start to Fall Down My Face
Beauty and the Beast
August 5, 2012
Vincent's POV
"I'll be out for a little while, Catherine." I say to my wife before kissing her on the forehead. "Nurse Erin is going to stay in here while I'm out. So she'll be here if you need anything. Okay?"
She nods so I ask one more question, "Is there anything you need while I'm out?"
"Newwww…dyyy-ahhh-reee."
"You want a new diary?"
"Yehhhs." Catherine nods.
"All right, love. I'll go and pick one up on my way home."
"Thehhhhhnk…yuuuuu."
"You're welcome." I smile and give her a goodbye kiss before leaving to run my errands. First stop: Aunt Vivian's.
Beauty and the Beast
When I arrive in Astoria, every reason I made for NOT returning floods back into my mind. This neighborhood gives me the chills, so many memories I want to forget.
I knock on Aunt Vivian's front door when I hear her shout, "Coming!" She opens the door and steps back, surprised. "Why Vincent, what a wonderful surprise!"
"Quit the theatrics, Aunt Vivian. You and I both know you were never fond of me so stop trying to act all loving." I state firmly. "I've got a bone to pick with you."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Two years ago, you ambushed my ex-girlfriend and filled her mind with horrible lies! You also played with her obvious insecurities so you could have your way with her!"
"What on EARTH are you talking about, Vincent!? I would do no such thing!" she fires back.
"BULLSHIT!" I curse. "Why would Catherine lie about something like that?! Why would she tell my best friend, JT, that YOU were the one who poisoned her mind when I've never even told her about you before?! If you have those answers, I would LOVE to hear about them!"
"Vincent, mind your tongue and control your temper!" Aunt Vivian stands her ground.
"Don't tell me what to do, BITCH!" I state. "Because of your unwanted meddling, Catherine and I faced two full years of separation! Catherine and I are too damn stubborn for our own good and once our minds are made up, it takes a full-blown MIRACLE in order to change them. Luckily, JT finally stepped in and took matters into his own hands. If it weren't for him, Catherine and I would still be separated."
"Vincent, you can't possibly consider reconnecting with that…that…dehumanized tramp!" Aunt Vivian says.
I slam my fist against her wall and shout, "DON'T TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT!"
"I'll say what I want! Mind you, Vincent, this is MY house!"
"Oh, don't worry; I'm not planning on stepping a single foot into this Godforsaken house even if my life depended on it. You can cross me off of your damn will because I have no freakin' desire of inheriting ANYTHING from you! You stay away from Catherine, hear me?" I start to walk away but she screams my name.
"VINCENT KELLER! IF YOU WALK OUT OF THAT DOOR, YOU'LL BE DISOWNED!"
"Newsflash, Aunt Vivian, I never belonged to you in the first place. You were just the hag that took care of me after my father passed away. Not ONCE did you treat me like a son! All you cared about was the bonus you would get for taking in a charity case! That's all I was to you! A charity case! Well you know what!? I don't give an effing care about how you feel about me! Want to know why?!" She stares at me in astonishment as I continue, "I'm married to the most wonderful woman in the world and you can't even come between us!"
Without another word, I stormed out of her house with hopes of never having to deal with that motherf***er ever again.
Beauty and the Beast
DATE: August 30th, 2012
Catherine's POV
A month has passed since I married the love of my life and if things were different, I would say my life is perfect. However, because of my condition, I am still living in the hospital. Vincent is having a hard time finding a home that fits our needs so life has been a little stressful. Regardless, he still makes it an effort to see me every day and stay with me every night. He and I thought it would be best for him to take a semester off from school in order to buy him more time to look for a home.
Heather has been a big help too. When she has time, she goes with Vincent to help him look but so far, both have come up empty-handed. I'm sure they'll find a place eventually.
Since Vincent spends more time looking for a home, he doesn't have time to find a job. Luckily, my parents have been so generous to provide us the money we need so we don't end up being homeless if Vincent cannot find us a home. I wish I could help him but I barely have enough energy to stand on my own two feet.
Suddenly, my husband rushes into my hospital room and unexpectedly gives me a huge kiss. I give him a strange look and as he takes my hands into his, he says, "As of today, Mrs. Keller, we now have a home!"
I smile really big and hug him as best as I can. He kisses me again before pulling out the deed. "I can start moving our things into the house in a week. The realtor needs to finalize some paperwork but I practically told her to do whatever she needs to do to get things done."
He pulls out his phone and presses a few buttons on his screen before presenting a beautiful one-story house with a white picket fence. "I realized finding a place that meets our expectations in New York City would be almost impossible so I started looking in other areas. It turns out; this home was waiting for us in Inwood. So, after getting your sister's opinion, she and I both agree that this home is perfect for us."
"Byuuu….tihhh…fuhlll [Beautiful]." I smile.
He places the photos on my desk and kisses my forehead. "Once everything is moved in, I'll give Carl a call so we can start making arrangements for you to start staying at our new home. Would you like that?"
I nod with a smile and we share a kiss one more time before a nurse walks in to take some tests. Despite my disease, everything seems to slowly be working in my favor.
Beauty and the Beast
DATE: December 01, 2012
It's been almost four months since Vincent and I started living in a new house where I am given the care I need 24/7 free of charge. When my husband called Carl, he of course was very sympathetic towards us and arranged everything within a week. He even pops by every once and a while to check and make sure everything is up to par.
Dr. Marks is always on call so if I need any professional medical assistance, he's a call away and, luckily, Vincent and I live close to a public service building just in case I need an ambulance. Carl has been a great help these past four months. He suggested we use one room as a care facility and the other room as Vincent and my bedroom. When I don't need to be hooked up to monitors, my husband and I sleep in our bedroom. Our care facility has everything I need in case of an emergency. I have an aspirator and everything else I need to accommodate my disease. The only times I would ever need to go to the hospital is if Dr. Marks isn't able to make it out here for a trip.
I have been incredibly happy being away from the city with the love of my life but…even long-term happiness…has its end.
"Good morning, Sunshine." Vincent whispers to me as he stretches his arms. "How did you sleep?"
"Ohhhh…kehhhhh [Okay]."
"I know the feeling." He replies before kissing my forehead. "I'll go and brew us some coffee. Sound good?"
I nod in response before he slips out of our bed and disappears out of our bedroom. Stupidly, I decide to try and get into my wheelchair by myself. I hold onto the bed as I try putting pressure on my feet. The instant my feet touch the ground; I lose my balance and sink to the floor.
"The coffee is in the pot." I hear Vincent say as he makes his way back into our room. When he sees me on the floor, he rushes to me. "What happened?"
"I…cehhh…nahhh…wahhh…ehh…eee…mohhh [I cannot walk anymore]."
"We'll get through this, love!" he states as he picks me up and places me in my wheelchair. "Just because you can't walk anymore doesn't mean you have to stay in bed. I'll carry you to your wheelchair every day, okay? Just like every other problem we've faced, we can get through this one too." He kisses my forehead before pushing me out of our room and into the family room.
"How is Mrs. Catherine?" Nurse Alicia asks Vincent as she walks in to check up on me.
"She's fine right now. She just needs to relax." He replies.
"All right. Let me know if she needs anything." She says before heading to her bedroom. When we bought the house, we decided it would be easier if we made the third room into a nurse quarters for two nurses to be at the house at all times. Vincent's doctor instincts wanted to make sure I received the care I needed all day every day.
"I think your sister is planning on making an appearance today, Catherine, around one. Is there anything you want to do until then?" Vincent asks and I nod.
"Behhh…wihhhh…yuuuu [Be with you]." I say as I touch his arm. He smiles and nods before leaning in to kiss me. Afterwards, he picks me up into his arms and brings me over to the couch. He holds me against him and kisses my temple.
"I love you, Catherine. So much." He whispers to me. "I am proud to be your husband, my love." I lean into him as much as I can as I try to hide my tears. Vincent has been so loving to me even after everything I've put him through. I'm afraid of the day I will have to give him up. I don't pray that much but…if God really exists out there, I only ask that He lets me live long enough to live a happy and fulfilled life.
One finally came and not only does Heather make an appearance but so do Mom and Dad. Dad shakes Vincent's hand while Mom and Heather approach me.
"Sis, I've got some big news!" Heather exclaims.
I give her a look of curiosity so she claps her hands together and says, "Remember that family photo we took shortly before you left for college?"
I barely remember. Heck, I can't even remember who I was five years ago. It's been so long and so many changes have happened.
"Well, I got some inspiration and decided to paint a family portrait identical to that photograph! But that's not the best part! As of this very moment, it is hanging on the wall of the Arts Building at Hudson University!"
I smile. "Cahhh…grahhhh…ulll…ehhh…shuhhhh…sssss [Congratulations]."
"Thank you, Big Sis!" she hugs me.
I look at my younger sister and then to my mom. "Tayyy…khhh…meeee…bahhhh….tooooo…Huhhh…sohh…Yuuuu [Take me back to Hudson U]."
Everyone stops what they're doing and looks at me.
"Peeeees…I…wahhh…toooo…seeee…ihhhh [Please, I want to see it]."
"I don't see the harm in it." Mom smiles as she places her hands on my shoulders. "If Catherine wants to go and see her sister's painting, I think we should take her. I know taking her out of the house has risks but we will have basically two doctors with her if anything goes wrong."
"If it's what Catherine wants, then we will go over there right now." Vincent says and he smiles at me.
He picks me up into his arms as my father pushes my chair outside to put it into his car. My husband places me in the back seat, buckles me in and sits right next to me. I lean against him as everyone else files into the car before we finally hit the road.
On the way to Hudson University, everyone is quiet. I wonder if the reason we hardly have car ride conversations is because of me. Does everybody find it awkward to talk since I can barely make a sound? Maybe I'm just overreacting. Maybe…maybe I blame everything on my disease because it seems like the obvious answer.
Who knows.
After we park in the guest parking lot, the five of us make our way to the school's gate when someone calls out my sister's name. "Heather!"
"Hi Jessica!" Heather smiles as she walks up to her friend.
"I thought you had to visit family today." Jessica states as she looks at my sister with confusion.
"I did! I went over to my parents' place today to tell them of my painting. Then the three of us went to my sister's place to tell her too!" Heather exclaims. "I know you've met my parents already but you have yet to meet my sister."
Jessica looks at all of us but gives Heather a doubtful look. "Where? I don't see her."
"She's right here, silly goose." Heather says as she points at me. She walks over to me, places her hand on my shoulder and smiles. "This is Catherine, the best oldest sister in the world." She then points to Vincent and continues, "Last but not least, this is Vincent. He's Catherine's husband."
"Oh. I see." Jessica fakes a smile. "Well, it looks like it's almost time for my morning Pilates Class. See you around!" Before Heather could summon a single response or even a thought, Jessica zooms away as if a lion is chasing her.
"People can be so rude sometimes." Heather rolls her eyes and turns to look at me. "I'm sorry sis."
I smile, showing her that it's all right. I'm used to the scrutiny by now. Maybe everything IS my disease's fault.
We finally arrive in front of my sister's painting. She seems so proud of her work, as she should be, while she presents it to me. "See, Cat!? The school actually recognizes my talent!"
"Ihhh…ihhhsss…beee…yuuuu…tihhhh…fuhhh [It is beautiful]." I smile.
"Thanks." Heather says as she gives me a light hug from behind. "You're the best, Cat."
As I stare at the painting, I cannot help but be grateful for my sister's hard work. Suddenly, memories of my time at Hudson U begin flooding back into my mind as if it were only yesterday. I'm glad I came back, if only for a little while, because looking at my sister's painting reminded me of the person I used to be—the 19-year-old me who was healthy and happy. It also reminded me that, at one time, Catherine Chandler was indeed alive at this school.
Beauty and the Beast
Although I wanted to stay at the campus for a little while longer, Vincent and I needed to return home because I had an appointment with Dr. Marks. Instead of me going to the hospital, he's arranged my check-up to be at my home so I can be somewhere comfortable. When he finally arrives, Vincent leads him to our medical room where I'm sitting and waiting.
"Hello Catherine. How are you adjusting to living in this home?" Dr. Marks asks me.
"Gooooooh [Good]." I say with a smile.
"Have there been any changes since the last check-up?"
I nod in response.
"Like what?"
"She can't seem to put any weight on her feet anymore." Vincent replies.
Dr. Marks nods his head and sighs, "Just as I expected…" He then takes a seat in the chair next to Vincent and says, "Catherine, I'm sure you and your husband are fully aware of this but as your doctor I must warn you of the current dangers you'll be facing. Since there is little to no strength within your legs, you'll be more susceptible to falling if you try to do anything on your own. You're going to need someone with you at all times because, now, you won't even be able to use the toilet without falling down. Do you understand?"
I nod so he continues, "I will make an effort to check on you weekly and you'll have nurses here in case anything goes wrong. This may be hard to process but…you need to be aware that, at this stage of your disease, anything can happen."
He doesn't have to sugarcoat it…I know what he's trying to say…
In his own way of words, he's hinting that I don't have that much longer to live…
"Even though this is the case," he adds as he places his hand on my shoulder, "Even though this is the case, Catherine, I promise you I will not give up on finding a cure for you. Okay?"
"Ohhhh…kehhhhh [Okay]." I say before he commences the rest of the examination.
Beauty and the Beast
Date: March 13, 2013
Vincent's POV
Last January, Catherine told me she wanted me to resume my studies at Columbia University. At first, I wanted to object her request but because I knew I needed to go back eventually, I decided it was best for me to resume classes. Near the beginning of the school year, I thought school would help me keep my mind off of things at home but in all actuality, being away from Catherine made me worry even more.
"Hey Keller! You coming to the game this weekend?! I hear there are some hot chicks waiting to be laid!" Chris exclaims as he runs up to me.
"Sorry, but in case you haven't noticed the RING on my finger, I'm MARRIED!" I say in annoyance.
"So?" he gives me a strange look before stopping me from leaving him. "Look, dude, we all know you're married to some sick chick who can't take in your dick so you're obviously sex deprived."
I grab his collar and tug him closer to me. "Don't you EVER talk about my wife like that again! She may not be able to walk, talk perfectly or move properly, but she's ten times the person you'll ever be! If I ever hear you or anyone else talk poorly about the love of my life, college exams will be the LAST thing you will need to worry about. Got that?!"
He nods so I put him down. "Jeez, Keller! I was only kidding! You need to chill out, man!" Chris says before racing off. People like him shouldn't have a reason to exist on the planet. Honestly, what do people have against the disabled!
When I get home, the nurses politely greet me as I make my way into my bedroom. When I open the door, I see Catherine struggling as she writes in her diary. "Catherine, love, you don't need to force yourself. If you don't feel like writing, you don't need to write."
She shakes her head and keeps on writing. "Catherine? Take a break okay?"
She stops for a moment and slowly tries to voice her thought. "I…em…scehhhrd…. Ryyyyt…nowww…, ihhhf…I…d-dohhh…ryyyyy…dowwww…th-the…worrrrs…ahhhn …m-myyy…hahhhrt…, toooo-maaah-rohhh…myyyy…feeeeh-lihhhsss…wihhhl…dih hh-sahhh-peeeer…ryyyyt [I am scared. Right now, if I don't write down the words on my heart, tomorrow, my feelings will disappear, right]?"
"Catherine…" I say but nothing that comes to mind can respond to her statement.
"Vihhh-cehhh…th-thihhhs…dyyy-ehhh-reee…ihhhhs…ehhh -vihhh-dehhhnse…thaaaat…I…ehhhm…ahhh-lyyyyv...ryyy yt…nahhhw [Vincent, this diary is evidence that I am alive, right now]." She takes a moment to catch her breath before she continues to speak. "Yuuuu…haaaav…sohhh…muhhhsh…toooo….ryyyyt…dowwww…s tihhhl…. Yuuuu…sehhhd…thaaa…ryhhht [You have so much to write down still. You said that, right]?"
"I did." I reply with a smile.
"Ihhht-sss…yuuuu…hooo…hehhhhlpd…meeee…fyyyn…reeee- sahhhhn…toooo…lihhhv…ahhhn [It's you who helped me find reason to live on]." She looks at me pathetically. How can I ask her to stop the one thing that helps her through the day when I'm gone? If writing is her anchor to live, then what else can I do?
"All right, love. Continue writing for as long as you want." I say before kissing her forehead. "I'll be in taking a nap if you need me."
She nods in response so I walk over to our bed and collapse onto the covers. Who knew senior year of grad school could be so exhausting?!
About an hour later, I wake up and find Catherine sleeping with her head on top of her desk. I walk over to her, pick her up and place her on the bed. Then I put the cap on the marker when her most recent entry catches my attention.
D,
3/13/2013
I woke up this morning and found myself crying. I told my husband I wanted him to go back to school but in all actuality, I miss him. He's never here when I wake up and when he comes home, I'm exhausted and want to sleep. I fear that one day, I might need him and he won't be here. What should I do? Tell him to stop going to school? Never! He's almost a doctor and there's no way I can take that dream away from him! NO WAY!
Sometimes I feel like only one of us can truly be happy at a time. Right now; it's Vincent.
~C
I look towards my sleeping bride and cannot seem to stop the tears falling down my face. I hate how she has to always feel conflicted when she's thinking of others. Doesn't she know it's okay to be selfish?!
I return to our bed and wrap my arms around her to pull her close to me. "I love you," I whisper before I join her in a long and much needed nap.
Beauty and the Beast
Is it only a matter of me being patient? One year ago, I could stand, I could talk and I could laugh. Now, I can't walk, however much I try, however much I grit my teeth and try to hold on with a frown.
'Mom, I can't walk anymore,' I wrote on a piece of paper, restraining my tears. 'I can't stand even if I hold on to something.'
I opened the door slightly and gave it to her. I closed the door again quickly because I didn't want her to see my face, and I knew it would be painful to see Mom's face.
(Aya Kitou-Ch. 6: Mom, I Can't Walk Anymore)
Beauty and the Beast
Keiko Fujiwara: Okay so I lied. There won't be two more chapters left. I realized I still have room for AT LEAST four to five more chapters. So hang in there! Let me know what you thunk! :)