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 has offered Laura to stay with him but how will they be able to cope?
Chapter 47
"In here," Vincent said as he walked with Laura in the apartment and helped support her as she stood.
She had remained in the hospital for an entire two weeks in some of the most crucial pain. Even the doctors were surprised when they found out that since it wasn't fully normal in a case like her's. She only talked to a few people but tried her best to hide.
What worried her was not exactly what happened to her but what would happen with her child? She had grown up around people who had gotten pregnant at a young age and supported them thinking that at least it would never happen to her. She was wrong. Completely wrong. Now she was carrying an innocent child. And she was all alone as a single mother.
What would become of the father? She wanted to grant him no rights to see the child.
In a case like his, he could be given the death sentence.
There were just some things that Laura knew she rather not to find out.
Then there was Vincent. She had heard how him and other author's that were now being taken under the same agent might have troubles or problems with their writings in relations to the sales. She wasn't one hundred percent sure, but either this could help or possibly even break his career.
Laura followed Vincent to a room where a bed and some other furniture was.
"Welcome to your new home," he tried to see cheerfully but yet failing to do so.
"Thanks," Laura said as she slowly looked around with dried up tears and saw that most of her belongings were there.
She was surprised how much bigger her room was compared to her old one.
"Ariadne is at Amy's. She'll be back soon. I think she'll be pleased that you've come to live here."
"If you want I can go back to my apartment."
"Relax. Most of your stuff is already here and Peter's helping to put it on sale." He helped her take off her coat and said, "My room is right next door. Besides that is Donna and mine's office. And off course at the other side is the kitchen and Donna's and Ariadne's room. There's a bathroom at the end of this hall and one at the other side."
Laura nodded and sat down on the bed in silence.
"Are you okay like this or would you like something else like probably an extra blanket or something? Just let me know." Vincent sat right next to her and wiped some of the hair that had fallen down on her face. "It'll be alright, Laura. I promise."
"I want to help pay the rent."
"Laura…"
"If this apartment is going to partly be mine then I shouldn't get special privilege when it comes to that. Even if that's all that I can be capable of providing."
"We'll talk about that some other time," he said holding her hand. "Umm…Donna still has Ariadne's crib. She wants you to have it."
"That's so kind of her."
"Yes. There is a little mini-room in there," Vincent said, "It can be like a small nursery of something. Also, you can be close to your son or daughter."
"This room certainly is big," Laura said sarcastically.
"Yeah," he said.
"How did it come to this?"
"I don't know."
Suddenly they heard the door and Ariadne rushed in right with Donna following her, "Laura!"
"Ariadne!" Laura said giving the little girl a hug.
"You going to stay with us?"
Laura gave Donna and Vincent a look and said, "Yeah. I think I will."
"Good. You look sad."
"I kinda am."
"Mom says your going to be a mommy."
"Yes, I am."
"Then be happy for your baby."
Laura smiled knowing what Ariadne had said was true. She should be happy for the child. After all, it was innocent.
Later that night, Laura had tried to adjust to her new living environment but had troubles trying to sleep. She also felt hungry. She didn't hardly eat anything at dinner but now the nerve was getting to her. Slowly, she crept out of her room and walked towards the main area to find Vincent there with a drink in his hands.
"Vincent," Laura said surprised when she saw him.
"Hey. Can't sleep?" he asked concerned.
"Too much on my mind," she said rubbing her eyes which had become dry after all the times she had cried lately.
"Take a seat," he said.
"What's your excuse?" she asked softly.
"Same as yours."
Laura just gave him a weak little smile.
"Hungry?" he asked getting up.
"Not really," she lied.
"Don't lie. I was raised with Amy and Maxine Gray and lived with Donna. I have first-hand girl experience. I'll get you some ice cream right from the bucket," he said getting up.
"Thanks," she mentioned with a smile as she snugly wrapped her sweater around her.
"Here," he said setting down a container and handing her a spoon while he had one himself. "Do you mind sharing?"
"No."
While they ate in silence, he then began to notice how depressed she was and how to herself she was acting.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Laura just sat silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know anymore. I mean. I'm only 22, almost 23 though, and pregnant. I never saw it coming, you know."
She took another scoop while Vincent stared at her. If she had only known that a long time ago he had been suffering so much pain after everything he had gone through.
"You're not alone," he assured.
She just didn't listen.
"I know that what has happened is awful but I promise to help you get through this."
With watery eyes, Laura looked up to him and said, "I know you mean good Vincent but right now I'm not so sure I can be helped…" her voice wandered off.
Vincent removed a loose strand of hair off her face and gently looked in her eyes.
"I know that a few weeks ago you saw me and how bad I was. To tell you the truth, that wasn't the only time I fell," he whispered.
"What do you mean?" she asked softly meeting his gaze.
Staring deep into her eyes, he whispered, "The real reason why I left college was because of a brake down I had. During that time, I suffered some of the nworst depression the world has known. I kept it all inside and to this day my family still can't quite understand what I went through."
Laura continued to listen somewhat shocked at all that he was confessing.
"About 5 years back, I got shot."
Laura's eyes widened with attention.
"There was a girl I was trying to help at the grocery store who was being robbed…sometimes I still get nightmares about that incident. Not only that but another time I was helping a friend of mine trying to commit suicide to not do so but I failed. He bombed himself up and I was injured. There are nightmares about that too."
He looked away and Laura just placed a hand on his, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. That's my past. I've gotten stronger because of that. I learned." He then noticed her face fell, "You'll get through this."
"I'm so scared, Vincent," she said. "What's going to happen to me? What am I going to do?"
Vincent got out from his chair and wrapped his arms around her, "I'll take care of you."
"Vincent…" she said with tears. "I'm old enough to take care of myself."
"Sometimes you need help through it all. I'll be there for you and your child whenever you may need me."
"Vincent…"
"Shhh…I promise."
Laura smiled and wrapped her arms back around him.
Vincent really was a true friend.