Disclaimer can be found in the first chapter.
Chapter 19
The next morning Claire woke up early, before anyone else. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She prepared the coffeemaker and proceeded to make breakfast. A few minutes later she jumped when she felt a strong pair of arms slip around her waist.
"You're supposed to be taking it easy." Vince said into her ear, and then began to nibble on it.
"I am. I'm taking off from work for the next two weeks," she said.
Vince rolled his eyes for the first time in a long time. "You only work three days a week anyway," he replied.
Claire sighed. "I don't need a father Vince. I can take care of myself." She said softly.
"You call ending up in the hospital taking care of yourself? Do you know what would have happened if we hadn't been here?" He growled, getting angry.
Claire turned in his arms and shoved him back. "Yeah I do! I wouldn't have you yelling at me all the damn time!" She snapped.
"What the hell are you yellin for?" Vince shouted back.
"Enough!" Dom yelled as he rushed into the kitchen, pushing his large form in between them. Dom looked at Vince. "Outside! Now!"
"But she--"
"Now Vince!" Dom cut him off.
Vince stomped out of the kitchen.
Dom looked down at Claire. She looked like she was angry and gonna cry at the same time. "Okay, we can go about this one of two ways." He said speaking calmly.
"You can yell and fight with me too, or... You can tell me what's up with you and Vince. Because we both know somethin's up. He never argues with a woman." Dom stated.
Claire's smile was bittersweet. "Truth. He can't handle it when it's thrown his way."
Dom sighed. "I like you Claire. I really do. Honestly I'd take you over Brian any day. You take things at face value, no bullshit. But I'm gonna give you some advice. Take it or leave it. It's up to you." He told her sincerely.
Claire's eyes widened slightly.
"Fuck him. Don't take his shit." Dom told her firmly.
Claire's jaw dropped. "What?" She asked confused.
Dom smiled. "I know. He's my friend, but you've become one too. Like I said. You accept people at face value. If he can't accept you the way you are, then fuck him. He wants someone that's honest. If he can't see that in you then he ain't worth it."
Claire's eyes welled up with tears. "I know. I keep trying to get him to see." She said as her voice cracked.
Dom embraced her in a tight hug. "I'm sorry kiddo." After he let her go, Claire excused herself and went up to her room. He watched her leave and then went outside to go talk to Vince.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince stood on the front lawn, waiting to hear Dom go off. Vince deserved it, he knew he did. He shouldn't be arguing with Claire. Especially since she just came home from the hospital yesterday.
What the fuck is the matter with me? He thought to himself.
Vince saw Dom and immediately tensed up, but started talking instead of staying quiet. He knew Dom was angry with him. "Dom before you say anything, I know. I know she just got out of the hospital. I know I shouldn't be fighting with her. She just makes me...Arghh." Vince growled in frustration. "She's supposed to be taking it easy and she's down here making breakfast for everyone." Vince said fuming.
Once again Dom surprised Vince by not yelling at him. Instead Dom spoke calmly. "So instead of taking over for her, like you could have done, you berated her and yelled at her for something she's doing just to be nice." Dom stated.
Vince opened his mouth, but then shut it. He slumped his shoulders, staring at the floor. Before he met Claire, Vince never used to be ashamed of his behavior. But now it was like that's all he's done since he met her. "Fuck! I keep fucking shit up don't I." Vince stated angry with himself.
He felt Dom's hand on his shoulder. Vince looked up.
"Stop treating Claire like she's Jaime. Claire doesn't give a shit about the all the hype the 'team' gets. She doesn't give a shit about what kind of car you drive and sure doesn't give a shit about how much money you have. You keep treating Claire like shit and she's gonna give up on you. I don't think you want that. Do you?" With that said Dom left Vince alone to think.
Vince watched Dom leave. I know she's not Jaime. I'm not stupid. I can't help that she's stubborn. She should be taking it easy like the doctor told her, damn it! I don't know what I would do if something like that happens again. Vince's eyes widened. He didn't know why he got so upset with Claire. He should have done like Dom said and just taken over for her.
Vince sat on the front porch brooding. He was angry with a lot of things, but he was mostly angry with himself. He hadn't meant to yell at Claire. He was just worried about her. He almost lost her. He wouldn't have been able to bear it if she had died too.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Claire started at her bedroom ceiling. Maybe I should finally get around to painting a picture up there. She mused. Maybe a night sky scene? With planets and constellations. She thought, but then quickly changed her mind. No, doesn't fit. Ooo what about the sky? With some birds? That could be good. Claire rolled her eyes. "I really need to get out of this house." She muttered to herself. She picked up her cell phone and dialed a number she knew by heart.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince stood up with a scowl on his face when he saw a car pull up in front of the house. He growled deep in his throat. It was the same guy who brought Claire home that night after he got drunk. What the fuck is he doing here?
Vince looked like a watchdog, blocking the front steps to the door. "You better take your ass back in your car and drive away." Vince said in a deadly voice.
"Hey back off. I'm here because Claire called me. Now move out of my way." Carlos replied on a snap.
"She don't fucking need you, so leave." Vince insisted, speaking louder.
Carlos glared at Vince. "I'll leave after I see her." Carlos said, raising his voice to match Vince.
"I said leave!" Vince shouted, shoving Carlos back.
"I don't give a fuck what you said. I ain't leavin until I see Claire." Carlos shouted back.
Vince raised his fist and punched Carlos in the face. Carlos took a step back, but then came forward with his own fist.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Claire had rushed outside when she heard shouting coming form Vince. She opened the door to see Carlos hit Vince in the face with a fist. Then Vince rushed at him, like a football player.
"Fuck, Vince stop!" She shouted as she ran over to stop the two fighting men. "Carlos, stop!" His back was to her and he didn't see her. He didn't know it was her he had knocked her to the ground, by hitting her on the side of the head. Claire screamed more in surprise then pain as she flew back on the ground.
Carlos froze when he heard Claire scream.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince saw Claire go flying as the guy knocked her back. His temper flared. "You fucking bastard! Don't ever touch her again! I'll kill you!" He screamed as he knocked Carlos back with several more punches.
Claire stood up, but wobbled a little bit. She made her way over to Vince. "V, stop! He's just a friend. He's Daisy's brother." She yelled trying to get through his enraged state, to make him stop.
Vince couldn't stop. He was seething with anger. I'll fucking kill him! He better not lay another hand on her!
Carlos was fighting back, but stopped when Claire came over and tried to hold Vince's arms still.
Claire couldn't hold him. She wasn't strong enough. She slipped underneath his swinging arms and wrapped her arms around his middle, holding him tight. "V, stop! Stop fighting. It was an accident. He didn't mean to hit me. Come on Vince, calm down. Please baby for me, stop." She begged into his chest, close to tears.
Vince stopped fighting when he realized Claire was clinging to his middle. He dropped his arms to the side, dragging in gulps of air. Trying to calm down from his enraged state.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The 'team' had rushed outside when they heard Claire shouting. Brian and Leon started to rush forward when they saw Claire get knocked down. Dominic held them back.
Brian glares at him. "What are you doing? We have to stop them." Brian demanded.
Dom shook his head. "No Let her. She's got it, watch." Dom insisted.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. Hugging her closer to his body. "Oh god, I love you so much. I couldn't let you get hurt again. It was all my fault before. I promise no one will hurt you. I swear to god Claire, never again." He said, squeezing her even closer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There was a collective gasp from the 'team.'
"What did he just say?" Letty asked, shocked.
"About damn time V!" Len shouted.
Dom just smiled, along with Mia.
Brian walked over and helped Carlos up, pulling him away from the would be couple.
"Hey Bri' long time no see." Carlos said, smiling.
Brian looked at him like he had three heads. "He just beat your ass. What the hell you got to be happy about?"
Carlos pointed at the two still embraced. "That... It's what she wants."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Claire pulled back and looked Vince in the eyes. "What did you say?" She asked, shocked.
Vince looked scared for a moment. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the rejection in her eyes. He wouldn't be able to handle it. "I love you." He whispered. He didn't know until just then that it was true. She meant more to him than Jaime or Mia ever could.
Claire smiled. She pushed up on her toes to reach his lips and kissed him.
Vince opened his eyes in shock. She wasn't rejecting him. She wanted him. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, revealing in her kiss. When she opened her mouth he slipped his tongue inside. Vince groaned softly at her warm softness, inhaling her scent.
They broke apart when the 'team' started whooping and cheering. Claire hid her face in his chest, embarrassed that the 'team' saw the two of them kissing.
Vince chuckled. "Better take this inside," he said into her ear. He swept her up in his arms, before Claire could move and carried her into the house.
Inside her bedroom, Vince locked the door behind them. He didn't want to be interrupted.
He turned and saw the doubt on her face. He gathered her in his arms again. "I love you. I'm sorry for everything I've put us through. I swear if I have to spend the rest of my life to make it up to you, I will." He promised.
"I don't think I can live like that V." She said.
Vince pulled back, searching her face. "What? What do you mean? You don't want that other guy do you?" He asked, afraid she was rejecting him after all.
"I don't want you to be with me just because you feel you have too. I want you to want to be with me because it's what you want to do."
Vince let out a breath in relief. "Of course I want you. I want to be with you for as long as you want me." He said, pulling her close again. He buried his lips in her hair.
"You're gonna have to learn how to control your temper. You can't beat up Carlos every time he comes over to visit." She said, lifting her head to meet his lips with her own.
"Anything you want baby." He mumbled before kissing her more deeply. Vince picked her up and deposited her on the bed. Claire pulled him close. Vince rolled to his side so he wouldn't squash her.
Claire froze suddenly. Vince felt it and stilled his movements. "What's the matter baby?"
"What if we don't work? We're always fighting. What will happen if we fight again?" She asked, worried.
Vince relaxed his body and smiled softly. "I don't think we'll be fighting too much anymore. Besides we have Dom to straighten us out when we need it." He said.
Claire nodded. She relaxed into his touch, craving it.
Vince leaned forward and kissed her, urging her to open her mouth. He felt Claire freeze again. Vince stiffened as well. "What is it?" He asked, searching her face.
Claire looked at him wide-eyed. "I.I.I've never.I don't." She couldn't bring her self to tell him she's never been with a man.
Vince smiled at her gently. He knew what she was trying to say. He reached up and caressed her cheek. Giving her a light kiss. "It's okay, Claire. I know. Remember Sam yelled it out. I knew it was true. You wouldn't lie about something like that."
Claire blushed. She had forgotten about that.
"Don't worry baby. We have a long time. When you're ready let me know. I'm willing to wait until then." He promised, giving her another gentle kiss.
Tears welled up in Claire's eyes. He was the only man who has ever said that to her. She knew right then he was the man for her. Claire always knew there was more beneath the surface. His eyes gave him away. They reveal everything.
Claire pulled her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "I love you too." She whispered.
Vince closed his eyes. He would never get enough of hearing that for the rest of his life.
The end.
Chapter 19
The next morning Claire woke up early, before anyone else. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She prepared the coffeemaker and proceeded to make breakfast. A few minutes later she jumped when she felt a strong pair of arms slip around her waist.
"You're supposed to be taking it easy." Vince said into her ear, and then began to nibble on it.
"I am. I'm taking off from work for the next two weeks," she said.
Vince rolled his eyes for the first time in a long time. "You only work three days a week anyway," he replied.
Claire sighed. "I don't need a father Vince. I can take care of myself." She said softly.
"You call ending up in the hospital taking care of yourself? Do you know what would have happened if we hadn't been here?" He growled, getting angry.
Claire turned in his arms and shoved him back. "Yeah I do! I wouldn't have you yelling at me all the damn time!" She snapped.
"What the hell are you yellin for?" Vince shouted back.
"Enough!" Dom yelled as he rushed into the kitchen, pushing his large form in between them. Dom looked at Vince. "Outside! Now!"
"But she--"
"Now Vince!" Dom cut him off.
Vince stomped out of the kitchen.
Dom looked down at Claire. She looked like she was angry and gonna cry at the same time. "Okay, we can go about this one of two ways." He said speaking calmly.
"You can yell and fight with me too, or... You can tell me what's up with you and Vince. Because we both know somethin's up. He never argues with a woman." Dom stated.
Claire's smile was bittersweet. "Truth. He can't handle it when it's thrown his way."
Dom sighed. "I like you Claire. I really do. Honestly I'd take you over Brian any day. You take things at face value, no bullshit. But I'm gonna give you some advice. Take it or leave it. It's up to you." He told her sincerely.
Claire's eyes widened slightly.
"Fuck him. Don't take his shit." Dom told her firmly.
Claire's jaw dropped. "What?" She asked confused.
Dom smiled. "I know. He's my friend, but you've become one too. Like I said. You accept people at face value. If he can't accept you the way you are, then fuck him. He wants someone that's honest. If he can't see that in you then he ain't worth it."
Claire's eyes welled up with tears. "I know. I keep trying to get him to see." She said as her voice cracked.
Dom embraced her in a tight hug. "I'm sorry kiddo." After he let her go, Claire excused herself and went up to her room. He watched her leave and then went outside to go talk to Vince.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince stood on the front lawn, waiting to hear Dom go off. Vince deserved it, he knew he did. He shouldn't be arguing with Claire. Especially since she just came home from the hospital yesterday.
What the fuck is the matter with me? He thought to himself.
Vince saw Dom and immediately tensed up, but started talking instead of staying quiet. He knew Dom was angry with him. "Dom before you say anything, I know. I know she just got out of the hospital. I know I shouldn't be fighting with her. She just makes me...Arghh." Vince growled in frustration. "She's supposed to be taking it easy and she's down here making breakfast for everyone." Vince said fuming.
Once again Dom surprised Vince by not yelling at him. Instead Dom spoke calmly. "So instead of taking over for her, like you could have done, you berated her and yelled at her for something she's doing just to be nice." Dom stated.
Vince opened his mouth, but then shut it. He slumped his shoulders, staring at the floor. Before he met Claire, Vince never used to be ashamed of his behavior. But now it was like that's all he's done since he met her. "Fuck! I keep fucking shit up don't I." Vince stated angry with himself.
He felt Dom's hand on his shoulder. Vince looked up.
"Stop treating Claire like she's Jaime. Claire doesn't give a shit about the all the hype the 'team' gets. She doesn't give a shit about what kind of car you drive and sure doesn't give a shit about how much money you have. You keep treating Claire like shit and she's gonna give up on you. I don't think you want that. Do you?" With that said Dom left Vince alone to think.
Vince watched Dom leave. I know she's not Jaime. I'm not stupid. I can't help that she's stubborn. She should be taking it easy like the doctor told her, damn it! I don't know what I would do if something like that happens again. Vince's eyes widened. He didn't know why he got so upset with Claire. He should have done like Dom said and just taken over for her.
Vince sat on the front porch brooding. He was angry with a lot of things, but he was mostly angry with himself. He hadn't meant to yell at Claire. He was just worried about her. He almost lost her. He wouldn't have been able to bear it if she had died too.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Claire started at her bedroom ceiling. Maybe I should finally get around to painting a picture up there. She mused. Maybe a night sky scene? With planets and constellations. She thought, but then quickly changed her mind. No, doesn't fit. Ooo what about the sky? With some birds? That could be good. Claire rolled her eyes. "I really need to get out of this house." She muttered to herself. She picked up her cell phone and dialed a number she knew by heart.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince stood up with a scowl on his face when he saw a car pull up in front of the house. He growled deep in his throat. It was the same guy who brought Claire home that night after he got drunk. What the fuck is he doing here?
Vince looked like a watchdog, blocking the front steps to the door. "You better take your ass back in your car and drive away." Vince said in a deadly voice.
"Hey back off. I'm here because Claire called me. Now move out of my way." Carlos replied on a snap.
"She don't fucking need you, so leave." Vince insisted, speaking louder.
Carlos glared at Vince. "I'll leave after I see her." Carlos said, raising his voice to match Vince.
"I said leave!" Vince shouted, shoving Carlos back.
"I don't give a fuck what you said. I ain't leavin until I see Claire." Carlos shouted back.
Vince raised his fist and punched Carlos in the face. Carlos took a step back, but then came forward with his own fist.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Claire had rushed outside when she heard shouting coming form Vince. She opened the door to see Carlos hit Vince in the face with a fist. Then Vince rushed at him, like a football player.
"Fuck, Vince stop!" She shouted as she ran over to stop the two fighting men. "Carlos, stop!" His back was to her and he didn't see her. He didn't know it was her he had knocked her to the ground, by hitting her on the side of the head. Claire screamed more in surprise then pain as she flew back on the ground.
Carlos froze when he heard Claire scream.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince saw Claire go flying as the guy knocked her back. His temper flared. "You fucking bastard! Don't ever touch her again! I'll kill you!" He screamed as he knocked Carlos back with several more punches.
Claire stood up, but wobbled a little bit. She made her way over to Vince. "V, stop! He's just a friend. He's Daisy's brother." She yelled trying to get through his enraged state, to make him stop.
Vince couldn't stop. He was seething with anger. I'll fucking kill him! He better not lay another hand on her!
Carlos was fighting back, but stopped when Claire came over and tried to hold Vince's arms still.
Claire couldn't hold him. She wasn't strong enough. She slipped underneath his swinging arms and wrapped her arms around his middle, holding him tight. "V, stop! Stop fighting. It was an accident. He didn't mean to hit me. Come on Vince, calm down. Please baby for me, stop." She begged into his chest, close to tears.
Vince stopped fighting when he realized Claire was clinging to his middle. He dropped his arms to the side, dragging in gulps of air. Trying to calm down from his enraged state.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The 'team' had rushed outside when they heard Claire shouting. Brian and Leon started to rush forward when they saw Claire get knocked down. Dominic held them back.
Brian glares at him. "What are you doing? We have to stop them." Brian demanded.
Dom shook his head. "No Let her. She's got it, watch." Dom insisted.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vince closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. Hugging her closer to his body. "Oh god, I love you so much. I couldn't let you get hurt again. It was all my fault before. I promise no one will hurt you. I swear to god Claire, never again." He said, squeezing her even closer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There was a collective gasp from the 'team.'
"What did he just say?" Letty asked, shocked.
"About damn time V!" Len shouted.
Dom just smiled, along with Mia.
Brian walked over and helped Carlos up, pulling him away from the would be couple.
"Hey Bri' long time no see." Carlos said, smiling.
Brian looked at him like he had three heads. "He just beat your ass. What the hell you got to be happy about?"
Carlos pointed at the two still embraced. "That... It's what she wants."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Claire pulled back and looked Vince in the eyes. "What did you say?" She asked, shocked.
Vince looked scared for a moment. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the rejection in her eyes. He wouldn't be able to handle it. "I love you." He whispered. He didn't know until just then that it was true. She meant more to him than Jaime or Mia ever could.
Claire smiled. She pushed up on her toes to reach his lips and kissed him.
Vince opened his eyes in shock. She wasn't rejecting him. She wanted him. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, revealing in her kiss. When she opened her mouth he slipped his tongue inside. Vince groaned softly at her warm softness, inhaling her scent.
They broke apart when the 'team' started whooping and cheering. Claire hid her face in his chest, embarrassed that the 'team' saw the two of them kissing.
Vince chuckled. "Better take this inside," he said into her ear. He swept her up in his arms, before Claire could move and carried her into the house.
Inside her bedroom, Vince locked the door behind them. He didn't want to be interrupted.
He turned and saw the doubt on her face. He gathered her in his arms again. "I love you. I'm sorry for everything I've put us through. I swear if I have to spend the rest of my life to make it up to you, I will." He promised.
"I don't think I can live like that V." She said.
Vince pulled back, searching her face. "What? What do you mean? You don't want that other guy do you?" He asked, afraid she was rejecting him after all.
"I don't want you to be with me just because you feel you have too. I want you to want to be with me because it's what you want to do."
Vince let out a breath in relief. "Of course I want you. I want to be with you for as long as you want me." He said, pulling her close again. He buried his lips in her hair.
"You're gonna have to learn how to control your temper. You can't beat up Carlos every time he comes over to visit." She said, lifting her head to meet his lips with her own.
"Anything you want baby." He mumbled before kissing her more deeply. Vince picked her up and deposited her on the bed. Claire pulled him close. Vince rolled to his side so he wouldn't squash her.
Claire froze suddenly. Vince felt it and stilled his movements. "What's the matter baby?"
"What if we don't work? We're always fighting. What will happen if we fight again?" She asked, worried.
Vince relaxed his body and smiled softly. "I don't think we'll be fighting too much anymore. Besides we have Dom to straighten us out when we need it." He said.
Claire nodded. She relaxed into his touch, craving it.
Vince leaned forward and kissed her, urging her to open her mouth. He felt Claire freeze again. Vince stiffened as well. "What is it?" He asked, searching her face.
Claire looked at him wide-eyed. "I.I.I've never.I don't." She couldn't bring her self to tell him she's never been with a man.
Vince smiled at her gently. He knew what she was trying to say. He reached up and caressed her cheek. Giving her a light kiss. "It's okay, Claire. I know. Remember Sam yelled it out. I knew it was true. You wouldn't lie about something like that."
Claire blushed. She had forgotten about that.
"Don't worry baby. We have a long time. When you're ready let me know. I'm willing to wait until then." He promised, giving her another gentle kiss.
Tears welled up in Claire's eyes. He was the only man who has ever said that to her. She knew right then he was the man for her. Claire always knew there was more beneath the surface. His eyes gave him away. They reveal everything.
Claire pulled her arms around his neck, pulling him close. "I love you too." She whispered.
Vince closed his eyes. He would never get enough of hearing that for the rest of his life.
The end.