Author: Sparkling-Diva
Rating: PG-13 (possibly more later)
Genre: Drama/Romance
Feedback: Yes! Please! But be nice!
Summary: Vincent Gray, now 33, is at a depressing stage of his life. When he meets a young girl, his life will change forever.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the show Judging Amy whatsoever and in no way am I affiliated with it.
Author's Note: Yeahy! Romantic chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 21"And that's your graduating class of 2006," the principal of the college exclaimed as the crowd cheered.
Laura looked down from the stage and saw Vincent, Maxine, Donna, Adriane, and Sean all rooting for her. She smiled at them as she walked off the stage that had been set and made her way towards them.
"Congratulations," Maxine said giving Laura a hug.
"Thanks," Laura said. Then she noticed Sean beside her exchanging a strange glance with Vincent, "Hey, Sean. Glad that you could make it."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Hey," Vincent said
hugging her, "It's great that you made it through okay."
"Hi,"
Adriane said coming to her.
"Hey, did you like the ceremony?" Laura asked as she came down to her level.
"Yup. They gave me a cookie."
Laura laughed and said, "C'mon, I'll take you where you can find some more free cookies."
"Congrats," Donna said carrying a camera, "I wasn't sure if anyone else would be filming it so I brought in a tape and recorded it to keep the memory alive."
"Thanks, Donna."
"I'm just going to bring this to the car. Maxine, Sean, wanna help?"
"Umm…" Sean started.
"We will," Maxine said giving him a knowing look.
"Can I get my cookie now?" Adriane asked.
"Sure."
"Stay with your Uncle Vincent and Laura okay, Adri-," Donna said handing some equipment to Maxine and Sean.
"Yup, mommy."
"Okay, see ya!"
"Uncle Vincey!" Adriane said gesturing that she wanted to be picked up.
"Fine," he said taking her and raising her up, "You're getting heavy. One day I won't be able to carry you."
"I like your red gown." Adriane told Laura.
"Thank you. I like it too."
"So are you just going to work at DCF now that you're done with school?" Vincent asked following Laura to the gym where there were tables of food all around.
"Yeah. Pretty much. My mom was a humanitarian. I guess that lately that kind of has passed onto me and now I want to help put in as much help to the community that I can."
"What's a humanaity-thingy?" Adriane asked.
"A humanitarian is someone who helps people for good causes."
"You're pretty and smart," Adriane said taking a bite of her cookie. "Right Uncle Vincey?"
Vincent smirked and blushed, "Adri-."
"It's true. Mommy said you thought so."
Vincent looked at Laura pretending that he had no clue about anything that was going on and Laura just shook her head understanding and looked away to see what other food was on the table.
"Well, we're back," Maxine said with Sean and Donna behind her.
"Donna, why would you carry so much in the first place?"
"Excuse me, but this is a very important and special occasion."
"Yes it is," Maxine commented, "That's why I'm taking you all to mine and Jared's restaurant."
"Maxine…" Laura started.
"Nonsense. We are going. And that's final. My treat."
"Words of wisdom," Sean began, "If Maxine has something to say, Listen."
Everyone laughed as they made their way back to the car.
Once they had gotten to the diner, they met with the rest of Vincent's family who had already set up a congratulations in Laura's honor.
Later that night, after everyone said their goodbyes and all, Vincent dropped Laura off to her apartment.
"Thanks, Vincent for showing up and the whole deal your family made over it. I don't really think that I've had a family actually treat me like I was that special before," she said unlocking her door.
"C'mon. And what about your family?"
Laura just smiled.
"Anyways, I had fun tonight."
"Did you want to come in and talk?"
"No. I mean I would, it's just that it's near Adriane's bedtime and she gets a little cranky if I'm not there."
"She seems to look up to you a lot," Laura said, "Almost like a father-figure."
"I guess."
"She's lucky to have you."
"Laura, I'm sorry if she might've said something."
"Don't even start Vincent. I've seen my share of kids and I know that kids are kids and that they'll say anything or do anything they feel. They're little geniuses with some mighty creative minds."
"She really likes you a lot. Ever since you've baby-sitted her you suddenly have become like her brand new friend."
"She's special little girl. I consider her my little friend too."
"Well, I gotta go."
"Okay," Laura said nodding her head in understanding. "See ya." She was about to turn away when Vincent asked, "Laura?"
"Yeah?" she said turning to face him and realizing that he was so close.
"I-I…"
Suddenly, Vincent leaned closer, closed his eyes, and finally their lips met. He slowly and softly kissed her and then backed away.
"Goodnight," he said.
"Goodnight…"she whispered.
He then smiled and turned around walking down towards the elevator on that floor.
Laura closer her door and took a deep breath.
Vincent had kissed her.
And he didn't even know that he was her first kiss.
Laura just smiled and sat down on her couch.
This definitely was an occasion to remember.
Meanwhile, Vincent was entering his apartment, Donna said, "Vincent, what's with that smirk on your face?"
"What smirk?"
"Oh my gosh."
"What?"
"You kissed her!"
"Donna…" he warned.
"Vincent and Laura! It sounds so perfect!"
"Donna, I'm warning you. Don't ruin my moment. I'm going to go say goodnight to Adriane and then I'm going to sleep. I want no more talk about this. Understand?"
"Aye ye, Captain!" Donna proudly proclaimed.
"Good. Now if you don't mind…" he said proceeding to the little girl's room.
"I knew it was too good to be true," Donna said to herself.
"I heard that!" Vincent yelled startling her.
"Well, it's true," she whispered with a grin to herself.