Here and Now
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: Vincent is off to talk to Laura. What will happen? Read on to find out…
Chapter 31
"Vincent," Laura said surprised as she opened her door and stared in shock at who was there.
"We need to talk," Vincent replied.
"I agree. Come in."
Only a few days before she had aid the same thing before her heart had been crushed.
"I haven't heard from you lately," he started.
"I've been busy."
"You still keep in contact with Donna and Adriane and my mom."
"Vincent…"
"I know you might hate me right now or possibly worse."
"Vincent, I don't hate you."
"I dumped you. How can you not hate me?"
"It could've been worse. I mean you came here to talk, right? We still have some form of communication. You didn't break connections over something like-."
"Like what?"
Realizing what she nearly was about to explain, Laura said, "Never mind,"
"Laura…"
"Vincent. I'm not mad at you. In fact, I'm glad. I mean it's not like we were overly serious or anything. We prevented damage and umm…"
"Laura…"
"Just, let me tell you that it's okay if you don't want to be with me because…"
"Laura."
"What?"
"I didn't break up with you for any of the reasons you're saying. I did it for me. I'm going through some stuff and I think that in this point in my life…"
"You don't want to get involved.'
Vincent nodded.
Taking a deep breath, Laura said, "I know about Carole."
Vincent shocked, "What?"
"Why didn't you tell me you had a wife?" she asked calmly.
Vincent was silent.
Softly, Laura said, "Vincent, I'm okay. Really. I just wanted to know."
"We've been separated. She had cancer and her doctor…"
"Vincent…"
Vincent nearly broke down and said, " I never really talked to anyone about this directly but somehow, I don't know why, but I'm telling you. I tried to be there for her in ways that I never had before and she ignored it all and nothing worked. I'm afraid that I won't be able to this for anyone else…"
"Vincent…" she came over and gave him a hug.
"Why?" he asked somewhat angry though sad, "Why couldn't I listen to everyone? Why couldn't she love me like I loved her?"
"I don't know," Laura said softly stroking his hair.
"Why…"
"Shh…" she said as tears rolled down her eyes.
He probably still loved her but didn't want to say it.
"Why, Laura? Why?"
The next morning, Vincent woke up and found himself on Laura's couch.
He looked up to see Laura, just staring out of a window in silence drinking a cappuccino.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," Laura turned around him and said, "How did you sleep?"
"Good."
"I called Donna so she knows that you were here and wouldn't go off putting out a family emergency warning."
Vincent smiled and said, "Thanks."
"No problem."
"I'm sorry that I took your couch and fell asleep," he said getting up, "I can't believe I slept so much," he said staring at his watch.
"It's fine. Would you like some breakfast? I can fix up something really quick."
"That's okay. I really should go," Vincent said.
"Okay," Laura said getting his coat sounding a little hurt.
She handed it to him, adjusted her glasses a bit, and put a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Vincent, I know that things have been awkward between the two of us but I just wanted to let you know how much I care about you and I would really like it if maybe despite all this we could be friends and also despite how somewhat corny that sounds."
"I'd like that too and it doesn't sound corny at all," Vincent assured.
"Great," she said opening the door for him.
"If you ever need anyone to talk to or need a shoulder to cry, and don't say that boys don't cry, because anything that doesn't have emotions then is not human…"
Vincent laughed.
"…come over. My door will always be open for you," she finished.
Vincent thought to himself and said, "Thanks."
Laura reached over to hug him and told him, "I know that this sounds really childish too but at the end of every storm is a rainbow. I promise you that after all this sadness that you'll find your happiness Vincent. You're such a good guy. You deserve it."
Vincent smiled.
"Now, go to work and think of 10 things throughout your day that made you happy. Trust me when I say that it will make you feel better. After, we can talk and you can tell me alright?"
"You're giving me an assignment."
"Yup."
"Can one of the things on my list be you?"
Laura smiled, "If you'll like. But you still needs another nine."
"I will. Thanks."
"No problem."
"Bye, Laura."
"Bye, Vincent."
Laura closed the door and sobbed.
They could never be.
She had let their friendship become a shield to prevent anything else from ever happening between the two of them.
She just hoped it was for the better.