Begin Again Season Two
Episode 11: We Gather Together
Scott grinned as Frank handed him his newly purchased gun. He could feel the revenge sinking from his fingertips all the way through his hands as he held the gun. He could hardly wait to make his move. He looked at Frank. "Can I have some extra bullets for this as well?"
"First you need to pay me the rest of what you owe me for the gun. It will also be another twenty for the bullets." Frank held his beefy hand out, moving his fingers inward and outward as the universal sign for Scott to fork it over.
"Oh, of course!" Scott said, digging into his wallet. He pulled out his money. He sighed. He had been saving this money up to help pay for his and Veronica's wedding. He handed the money over to Frank. He no longer needed that money. Now, he was putting it to good use by using it to make Travis and his father pay. He would make sure the reason that he and Veronica would no longer be getting married paid for what he had done. Then and only then could he even begin to start feeling peace.
Frank rang him up, then took Scott's gun and placed it in a wooden gun box with some bullets in the box already. He put the tiny box of extra bullets in the same bag he put the gun box in. "Do you even know how to use that thing?" Frank asked, nodding toward the bag which held Scott's beloved gun.
Scott shrugged. "How hard could it be?"
Frank nodded toward the gun again. "Just make sure you know how to use it first before you go shooting, all right? And don't go all crazy with that thing either. I don't need anything bad on my conscious. I believe in karma, and trust me, it's a bitch." He shuddered, as if remembering something unpleasant.
"Funny," Scott said with a smile. "I believe in karma too." He squeezed the bag handles tightly. "Thanks for everything." He then left the gun store, and headed back to Rufus and Lily's place. He had some planning to do.
~BA~
I was glad when no one was home to greet me. I quickly ran upstairs to my room before anyone could see the bag in my hand and ask questions.
I knew how to use a gun. During my waiting period, I had spent hours on the internet reading up on and watching videos on how to shoot a gun. I was pretty sure I knew what to do. Of course, I wouldn't be a hundred percent sure if I had it right until I had shot the gun. That was nothing a shooting range couldn't cure though.
I took out my gun from the box and turned it over in my hand, examining all the parts of it I needed to know about it. I looked at the safety latch and switched it on and off. I played around with the silencer. That could be a very useful tool, I knew. The key was to not get caught. As soon as I shot Travis and his father, I'd escape. I'd ditch the gun in the Hudson River, then leave town. I wouldn't go back to Boston of course. In fact, I had no idea where I was going to head. All I knew was that I couldn't be around my family—either one. I needed some time alone to find myself again. I needed to find peace. Veronica and I had always talked about going to Hawaii or Australia together one day. Maybe I'd go to one of those places. I've also heard the Cayman Islands were nice, so maybe I'd even choose there.
Still holding my gun, I grabbed the and the extra box of bullets in the other hand, then I slid everything else underneath my bed, and headed out to the shooting range. Tonight, I would strike. I had waited long enough, and I wasn't about to wait a single day or night more.
~BA~
Scott listened closely to his instructor, who was there to give him any tips he might need on how to shoot. He had been doing pretty well from what he had learned on the internet, but having a coach was still a big help. Johnny was the guy's name, and Johnny was showing him exactly how to aim and hold his gun to ensure that he hit the target in just the right spot.
"I can't believe you've never shot a gun before! You're really good at this!" Johnny said as Scott his the target right in the bullseye mark.
Scott shrugged, and squinted one eye as he aimed for the target again. "What can I say? I have good motivation." He shot the gun again, and it hit the sheet right where the heart would be if it were an actual person.
"For hunting you mean? You like to hunt?" Johnny asked.
"You could call it that," Scott said before shooting the gun once more, hitting almost the exact spot he had just shot.
"I'd hate to get on your bad side!" Johnny said.
Scott smirked. "I think I'm done here. Thanks for all your help. You've been really great." He pat Johnny's shoulder.
Johnny grinned. "You're welcome! Come back any time. Heck, from the looks of it, maybe you can teach me a few things."
Scott laughed. "Maybe." He then left to go back to Rufus and Lily's. He'd have a nice dinner with the family. Then, once it was dark enough to cloak him, and once everyone was up in their rooms for the night and not around to ask questions, he would head on over to Travis' and do what had to be done.
He wondered what Travis was doing right now. Whatever it was, he hoped it was worth Travis' while, for the clock was ticking, and he only had a few hours left of life. Tick tock, tick tock...
~Begin Again~
Eric couldn't help but notice Scott's odd behavior over dinner. In fact, ever since Scott had gotten home, he had been acting peculiar.
Scott had gotten home and quickly run upstairs, muttering a quick hello and nothing else when Eric had said hello to him and asked him how his day had gone.
Eric had headed up the stairs and saw that Scott already had his door shut.
Eric had asked to come in, and tried the door, but it was locked.
"What do you want?" Scott had called from the other side of the door.
"Nothing, I just want to talk with my brother and see how your day was," Eric had replied. He had sensed something was off.
"It was fine. Look, I'm right in the middle of something right now, okay? We can talk at dinner," Scott had then called from behind the door. His had voice sounded distant.
"All right. It will be ready in a half hour, according to Rufus," Eric had told him before heading to his own room.
Now dinner had arrived, and Scott wasn't doing much talking. He was just shoveling food into his mouth like there was no tomorrow. It was either that, or he hadn't eaten in days, which wasn't the case.
"So, Scott, you never told me how your day was today. What did you do?" Eric tried. Somehow he knew that Scott's answer would be vague even before Scott gave it to him.
Sure enough, Scott just shrugged, and replied, "It was good. I didn't do much."
"You were out all day. Where did you go?" Eric pressed, trying to keep his tone light and airy so as not to put Scott on edge.
Scott looked at him coldly. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were my keeper and that I had to tell you everywhere I went."
Eric was taken aback. He hadn't expected Scott to be downright rude to him. "I didn't mean you had to tell me. I was only asking out of curiosity."
Scott narrowed his eyes at him. "You were asking out of nosiness."
"Scott, my Darling, I don't think Eric meant anything by it. He just wants to make sure you had a good day is all," Lily said between bites of her shepherd's pie.
"I already told him I had a good day, Mother. What more does he want?" Scott asked, looking at her.
Lily's mouth dropped open, and she was silent for a moment.
Despite Scott's acting like an ass, it was still kind of funny to Eric. After all, not many people could render his mother speechless!
"So, who's up for dessert?" Rufus asked, obviously trying to change the subject before a fight broke out.
"What do ya got?" Eric asked, eager to move on as well. He hadn't meant to start a fight. He was honestly just concerned for Scott's well being.
"I made cherry's jubilee!" Rufus said with a grin.
Scott smiled, and looked up at Rufus. "My favorite!"
Rufus grinned. "I know. Your parents told me before they left for their cruise. They wanted to make sure that Lily and I kept you happy, which of course we planned on doing anyway." He smiled and winked at Scott.
Scott smiled again. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
Rufus grinned. "You're very welcome!"
Lily smiled too, apparently happy her son was showing gratitude finally.
They had a nice dessert after, and Scott even helped Eric clear the table after dessert was over so that Rufus and Lily wouldn't be late for an event they were going to.
"So, what are you planning on doing tonight?" Scott asked Eric as they finished putting the dishes away and throwing the trash out.
Eric shrugged. "I don't know. I don't have any plans, really. Why? Did you want to see a movie together or something?"
Scott looked at his watch. "Um, I guess we could."
Eric raised an eyebrow and smirked at him. "Do you have a hot date tonight or something?" he joked. His face then paled as he realized what he had said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."
Surprisingly, Scott's face softened. "No, it's fine. I just want to head to bed a little early tonight. I've been so exhausted lately. I figured maybe getting a good, long sleep tonight might make me feel better."
"Well, if we watch a movie now, it will be over around nine or nine thirty. You'll still have a nice long night of sleep," Eric reasoned.
Scott smiled. "All right, sure. I'll even let you pick the movie this time."
Eric smiled. "Even if it's The Notebook?"
Scott winced. "Really?"
Eric laughed. "Dude, I'm kidding! I'm gay, but I'm not that gay!"
They both laughed together.
"How about Final Destination?" Eric asked.
Scott shrugged. "Sounds good to me! I love that movie. I haven't seen it in ages."
"I'll start the popcorn!" Eric said with a grin.
"You're still hungry after all that food we just ate?" Scott asked, sounding surprised.
Eric nodded, then raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you?"
Scott grinned. "You know it!"
They both laughed.
"I'll be right back. I'm just going to go to the bathroom, then I'll be right down," Scott said as he headed up the stairs.
Eric nodded. "All right. I'll be waiting." He then turned around, and grabbed the popcorn to shove into the microwave.
He smiled to himself. Maybe he was just being paranoid about Scott seeming off. After all, he seemed fine now. He guessed he'd just have to wait and see how the rest of the night went. Time would surely tell.
~BA~
The movie had gone fine. Scott had watched it like a normal person this time instead of turning all weird on me like he had when watching The Godfather. However, after the movie, he stretched, yawned, then wished me goodnight.
I wished him goodnight as well, and looked at the clock. It was only nine-thirty. I knew he had been tired lately, but going to bed at nine-thirty just didn't seem like him. Even so, I brushed it aside. I headed to my room, and got ready for bed. I then got into bed, and started watching TV. My mother and Rufus were still out at some event, I forget what they called it. Nowadays, I didn't pay any attention to those things. I had lived the high class life for a bit, but quickly got tired of it. I just wasn't into hanging with prim and proper rich snobs. Not that everyone who's rich is a snob, but the kind that go to those events are. Wit the exception of my mother and Rufus of course. Though, let's face it, my mother has her snobby moments. I don't think anyone would object to that!
Anyway, I watched a TV movie, and fell asleep during it. I woke up a little after eleven. I turned the television off, and rubbed my eyes. I headed to the bathroom, then when I was done in there, I headed back to my room. I suddenly heard the elevator doors open and close, and I wondered if Mom and Rufus were home now.
I headed to the elevator, but no one was around. So, I headed to mom and Rufus' room to see how their event was. The odd thing was, their door was closed, and judging from the dark space underneath the door, the lights were off. They were in for the night. I knew they couldn't possibly have been ready for bed and in bed with the lights off already. Not if they had just arrived minutes ago when I heard the elevator doors open and close. So, I headed over to Scott's room. I had a sinking suspicion that he had left.
Sure enough, when I got to his room, I saw that Scott was nowhere to be found.
"Scott?" I called out quietly. There was no answer. I then proceeded to look all around the house except for in Mom and Rufus' bedroom, which I knew he wouldn't be. I highly doubted he was still at the age where he wanted to sleep in between his parents. If he was, then well, he was even more messed up then I thought he might be.
When I was sure that he was no longer in the house, I went searching through his room. I know it was wrong to search through someone's private things—especially my brother's private things—but I felt it was justifiable since it was for his own good.
I searched his closet, but found nothing but shoes and clothes. I searched through his dresser and found nothing other than some socks and underwear. I then looked under his bed and saw a wooden box. I pulled it out, and opened it up. Boy was I surprised to see that it was a gun box—an empty gun box at that.
I swallowed hard. I had a really, really bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I suddenly felt sick with dread. My brother wasn't suicidal was he?
I frantically searched around for a suicide note, but found none. Then, my eyes fell upon his laptop that set on his desk.
I quickly ran over to the desk, sat down, and opened his laptop up. I searched through his files and found nothing, so I looked at his history. I saw several YouTube videos on how to shoot a gun. I also saw sites that he had visited that gave written instructions and manuals on how to shoot a gun. Then there was the shooting galley address page. Of course that would be closed by now, so I knew he couldn't be there.
I went back further, then felt my heart practically dropping into my stomach as I came across the search for Travis Freeman's address. I clicked on it, feeling sicker by the moment. I saw that his address was only about five blocks from here.
I suddenly knew what Scott planned to do with that gun. I acted fast. I quickly typed the address into my phone, then I called Chuck and told him what was going on. He agreed to meet me at Travis' apartment right away. I also called Dan, who was none too pleased to be woken up at that hour, but quickly forgave me when I told him why I was calling. Then, once I was done with my phone calls, I quickly headed downstairs to put my shoes on and grab my coat. I was in my flannel pajamas, but I had no time to change. I needed to get to Scott before he made a mistake that he could never erase.
~BA~
Eric was grateful that he was able to get a taxi so quickly this time of night. He quickly told the cab driver Travis' address, and he was on his way. Another thing Eric was grateful for was that traffic wasn't that bad, so he was able to get to Travis' within ten minutes.
"Thank you!" Eric said absentmindedly to the cab driver as he handed him the cab fare and a very generous tip.
"Thank you!" the cab driver said, then speeding off before Eric could change his mind and take some of the tip back.
Eric took a deep breath and let it out. He looked up at the tall building, then headed inside. He didn't know what he was going to say to Scott, or even do when he got up there. He just hoped that Chuck and Dan would be there soon, or were already there so that they could help him stop Scott from making the biggest mistake of his life.
"Hello! Whom are you here to see?" the doorman asked as Eric entered the apartment. He was a big, burly man, who apparently doubled as security.
Eric hoped he was believable when he replied, "I'm here to see Travis. He invited me over for a couple drinks and a movie."
The doorman nodded. "Very well. Have fun! He's already got a friend up there. You going to have a nice party?"
Eric nodded. "Yes, Sir!"
The security guard, seeming to believe him, nodded. "Just try to keep it down, all right? Remind Mr. Freeman that the other tenants will complain if the television or music gets too loud. I wouldn't want him to get kicked out. He's already got two strikes."
Eric nodded with relief. "I'll remind him of that, Sir. I'll make sure he keeps it down. I'll see you in a bit."
"Thank you. See you in a bit," the security guard said kindly.
Eric smiled at him, then quickly took the elevator up to Travis' floor. He guessed Scott had fed the security guard the same lie. He also guessed like great minds, brothers also thought alike.
The elevator dinged when it reached Travis' floor, and the doors swung open.
Eric sucked in a deep breath then slowly let it out before stepping out of the elevator, and onto Travis' floor. "Here goes nothing," he said underneath his breath. "Or something." He just didn't know what that something was. He wasn't sure he quite cared to know either.
He walked down the hall, and saw Scott about to knock on the door. His hand was in his pocket, no doubt holding his gun.
Eric quickly ran over to Scott. "Don't do this. It's not worth it!"
Scott looked over him in surprise, pausing mid knock. "What are you doing here?" His eyes narrowed. "Did you follow me?"
Eric shook his head. "No. I heard you leaving, and I thought it was Mom and Rufus coming home. When I realized they were in bed, and that it wasn't them, I went looking for you. Once I realized you had left, I figured out where you were headed and why you were headed here."
Scott suddenly looked angry. "And how did you find that out, hm?"
Eric winced. He knew how bad this was going to sound. "I found the gun box underneath your bed, and went on the computer to get a clue as to where you might be headed. I was worried you planned on killing yourself!"
Scott shot him a look to kill. "You had no right to go through my things! Had you just minded your own damn business, you wouldn't have found the gun box, and therefore you wouldn't have had to worry that I was going to kill myself!"
Eric held up his hands. "Look, I'm sorry, all right? I was just so worried about you! You haven't been acting yourself ever since Veronica's death. You have good reason not to obviously, but Scott, come on! Don't you think shooting Travis is a bit extreme?"
Scott's eyes suddenly turned cold. So cold, in fact, that Eric barely recognized his own brother. "He killed my girlfriend, Eric. He killed my girlfriend and he got away with it. Well, I'm not going to let him get away with it! Sometimes when the legal system doesn't do their job, you have to take matters into your own hands in order to get any justice. Now go home. You don't need to see this."
"Scott, what kind of justice will there be if you end up in jail?" Eric asked desperately. "You'll be the one in jail paying."
Scott shook his head. "Not if I don't get caught. Travis will be dead. An eye for an eye. A life for a life. I'll be off enjoying myself in Hawaii or Australia, wherever. It's a win win situation."
Eric let out a cry of frustration, and threw his hands in the air. "You just have an answer for everything, don't you?"
Suddenly, Chuck and Dan came running down the hallway.
"Please tell me we're not too late," Dan said.
Eric shook his head. "I'm trying to talk him out of this, but he'd determined!"
Chuck placed a hand overtop of Scott's shoulder. "Don't do it. I know he deserves it, and I know how much you feel the need for revenge, but believe me, you'll regret it. Don't be like him. Be different!"
Scott glared at Eric. "I can't believe you called them,"
Eric shrugged. "Clearly I need back up in talking any sense into you!"
"Well, you're all waisting my time. Travis needs to pay, and I'm going to make sure he does!" Scott turned to Chuck. "And believe me I won't regret it."
Dan stomped his foot angrily. "Think of what you're going to be doing to Rufus and Lily if you do this. Even your other parents. Imagine them coming back from their cruise to find out their son killed a man. Heck, think of what you'll be doing to us, and to Jenny. Do you think either set of parents wants to lose you? Do you think your siblings want to lose you? No! Don't let us suffer because of what Travis did. Heck, don't let yourself suffer over what Travis did. Life sucks and things happen that never should. They happen to all of us. We just have so suck it up and get over it before we become miserable and act like all the trash in this world. We have to be the good in this world and not let the bad turn us into them."
Before Scott could respond, the door opened, and Travis stood in the doorway, rubbing his eyes. When he saw Scott standing there, he snarled. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Scott's face had softened a bit upon Dan's words, but now his eyes narrowed, and his eyes filled with rage again. He quickly pulled out his gun and aimed it at Travis.
Travis held up his hands. "Woah, what are you doing?"
"I'm getting my revenge on you for killing my girlfriend. I'm not going to let you get away with it. Justice will be served," Scott said in a cold voice that didn't even sound like him. The look on his face scared Eric. Scott suddenly looked almost evil to him.
Travis started to back up. "Woah, Man, put the gun down. I didn't kill her own purpose! I would never kill anyone on purpose! It was an accident!"
"An accident that you don't seem to have even an ounce of regret over," Scott said, stepping closer to Travis.
"Scott, put the gun down and come home with us," Eric said, calmly so as not to get Scott even more riled up than he already was.
Travis nodded. "Listen to your friend."
"He's my brother. I have to get scum like you off the streets so that I can protect the loved ones I still have left," Scott said, his tone still cold.
"Look, Man, I'm sorry, all right? I shouldn't have said those horrible things about it being her fault for standing in the middle of the road, or whatever it was I said. It was my fault, yes. I shouldn't have been drag racing, and I should have been watching where I was going. I should have stopped and took responsibility. I panicked, all right? I couldn't go to jail for it. I'd never survive in jail, Man. I didn't mean to kill her. I'm suffering enough all ready. You don't think it bothers me that I killed someone? Because it does. It bothers me a lot. I just act tough because I have a reputation to maintain."
Scott laughed bitterly. "You're suffering? Really? You don't know the meaning of suffering! You killed my girlfriend! I was going to marry her! Did you know you hit and killed her right when I was about to propose to her? Hm? Did you know that?"
Travis shook his head. "How could I have?"
Scott nodded. "Exactly! How could you have? You only thought of yourself, and protecting your own ass! I watched the one great love of my life being killed right before my eyes. I watched her die, and I saw her killer get away with it. And you think you're the one who's suffering? Don't even talk to me about suffering!" Scott screamed.
"Scott, let's go home," Dan said firmly.
Chuck nodded. "Don't do this, Scott. Don't do this to yourself or your family."
Scott looked at his brothers for a split second, then turned his attention back to Travis. Tears were in Scott's eyes now. "You killed the love of my life."
"Shooting me and killing me won't change the past, Man. It will only make you just as bad as me. Worse because I didn't mean to kill Veronica, whereas you'd mean to kill me," Travis reasoned.
Scott thought about if for a moment, his gun still pointed at Travis. Then, he broke into sobs. "You killed my best friend! You killed the one great love of my life!"
Chuck came over to Scott then, and gently pushed Scott's arm down. He took the gun from him and shoved it into the deep pocket of his trench coat.
Eric and Dan then put their arms around Scott, and began to lead him away.
Chuck turned to Travis. "If you're truly sorry for what you've done, you won't mention this to the police, and you'll let Scott move on and try his best to heal."
Travis nodded. "He needs help. I won't tell the cops on him, but he needs some serious help."
"All because of you and what you did," Chuck said to him before turning away from Travis and heading down the hall to be with Scott, Eric, and Dan.
"You're going to be all right," Eric assured Scott as they entered the elevator.
"That gun cost me five hundred dollars plus twenty for bullets," Scott mumbled.
"I'll give you double for it. I'll take care of the gun," Chuck said.
They rode the rest of the way down the elevator in silence.
They then got into Chuck's limo, which took them back to Lily and Rufus'.
"Thanks for all the help, and for the ride," Eric said to Chuck.
"Don't mention it. Are you going to be okay getting him in?" Chuck asked Eric as he nodded at Scott.
"I'm not an invalid. I can walk fine on my own," Scott grumbled. He climbed out of the limo. "Thanks for the ride." He then headed into the building.
Eric looked at Chuck. "I'll keep an eye on him. I'm hoping this is the last of his crazy stunts."
"Let's hope. He really does need to get some help. Maybe we can all talk to Mom and Rufus about it together," Chuck replied.
Eric nodded. "Maybe. We have to do something."
"I'll stop by tomorrow," Chuck said.
Eric nodded. "All right. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Chuck replied.
Eric shut the door, then headed into the apartment complex after Scott. Something had to be done all right, before Scott went down an even darker road than he was already on.
~Begin Again~
A week passed, and soon it was Thanksgiving Day. Scott had gone to bed and stayed there when they got back from the attempted shooting incident. They hadn't heard anything from the cops, so apparently, Travis had headed Chuck's plea to not tell the police.
Now that he had had time to think clearly, Scott felt stupid for ever thinking he could shoot Travis. He hated the guy, but no matter how much he hated him, he wasn't a killer. He supposed on the good side of things, he now had a thousand and forty dollars on his hands. Chuck had followed through with his offer to give him double what Scott had paid for the gun and bullets.
Scott sighed. He wondered if Travis really was sorry for what he had done, or if he was just saying anything he could think of to prevent Scott from shooting him. He seemed sincere, but then again he also seemed sincere the first time when he was uncaring and unrepentant, saying basically that it was Veronica's own fault she had gotten hit since she was standing in the middle of the road. Scott didn't know what to think. Though, he supposed that Travis not telling the cops on him showed some sign of decency on Travis' part. Even so, it was the very least Travis could do for him. In Scott's eyes, Travis was still scum—sincere apology or not!
There was a knock on his door then.
It was Eric. "Scott, dinner's ready. Are you coming down?"
Scott sighed. "Sure. It was Eric's last day there. Jenny had arrived just an hour before. It was now her turn to babysit him for two weeks.
Scott shook his head as he remembered the intervention he had come across the night after he had aimed his gun at Travis. Rufus, Lily, Chuck, Dan, Serena, and Eric had all cornered him in his bedroom, and talked to him about the dangers of guns and the importance of talking to a professional so that he could get the help he needed to heal before he spiraled down even further. They had all gone on and on about how violence and revenge is never the answer. He got it. He didn't need to talk to anyone about it. He agreed to see a counselor, but one of his choosing. He had only promised so that it would get them all off his back. He didn't really plan on seeing one. He was fine. He didn't need a counselor to know that shooting Travis would have been a huge mistake.
At one point, Rufus had told him that Veronica wouldn't like a life on the run for Scott, nor would she like to see him in jail. Scott knew Rufus was right. He wouldn't try to get revenger on Travis any longer, or even on Travis' father. Right now, all he wanted to do was grieve in peace without any family member or any counselor telling him how he should get over it. He had to find out all on his own how he was going to get over the tragedy of losing the love of his life. That is, if getting over it was even possible. He highly doubted it was, but he still needed to have time by himself to figure out how to move on without actually using revenge as a way.
He opened his bedroom door, then headed down the stairs with a smiling Eric. Scott was pretty sure that Eric felt guilty for going to Rufus and Lily after what had happened. Scott didn't blame him though. Scott had acted crazy, and Eric was just worried about his brother. Scott knew that. In fact, if the roles were reversed, Scott was pretty sure he'd have acted the same way as Eric was acting right now.
They headed down the stairs, and sat down at the table which held Rufus, Lily, Chuck, Blair, Henry, Cyrus, Eleanor, Dan, Serena, and Jenny.
Scott sat down next to Jenny, and Eric sat down on the other side of him.
"Shall I say a prayer before we eat?" Serena asked.
None of them were usually the praying kind, but on holidays they got more spiritual in honor of the meaning behind the holiday.
"That would be nice, thank you," Scott said. He never used to be very spiritual himself, but since Veronica was a Baptist, and her religion had meant a lot to her, she kind of had an affect on him. He had even been going to church with her. He felt like by keeping God in his life, he would be keeping Veronica's spirit happy, and maybe a little part of her would be kept inside him as well.
Everyone closed their eyes and bowed their heads then, even holding hands as Serena gave thanks to the Lord for blessing them with the wonderful food they were about to partake, and a general thank you for all the blessings in their lives. Once she had said, "Amen," they all dug in.
"We should all go around the table saying one thing we're grateful for," Rufus stated. "I'll start. I'm grateful to have us all here for Thanksgiving. I know this is two things, but I'm also grateful to have Lily back in my life as my wife-to be!" He smiled at Lily, who smiled back at him and kissed him.
"I'm grateful for the same things," Lily announced. "I'm grateful that Rufus never gave up on me no matter how many times I stupidly rejected him." She held her lips out for anther kiss, which Rufus gladly gave her.
"I could never give up on you, Lil. You're my everything," Rufus told her, his eyes lowered with love for her.
Lily smiled. "And you're mine." She then kissed him again in response.
Scott felt sick. He and Veronica used to be so in love like that. Now, Veronica was gone.
"I'm grateful to have a beautiful wife, and an amazing son," Chuck said.
"I'm grateful for the perfect husband, and an even more perfect son!" Blair said.
"I'm grateful for rich parents!" Henry said.
They all laughed at that one. Even Scott, despite his sadness over losing Veronica couldn't help but laugh at that one.
"Smart kid!" Scott said.
"The smartest!" Blair said proudly, smiling at her son, and gently stroking his hair.
The rest of them went through saying what they were grateful for. Of course, they all said the same thing—they were grateful for their significant other. Of course they also threw in random things as well like good health and in Serena's case, Christian Louboutin's new line.
When it came to Scott, he honestly didn't know what to say. He was grateful for a dead girlfriend? Um..No. He was grateful Travis didn't call the cops on him? Yes, but again, no.
He sighed. "I'm grateful that I was able to make some great memories with Veronica before I lost her, and I'm grateful that my family cares so much about me and is here for me when I need them." It was all true, even though he sometimes wished he had never met Veronica. If he hadn't, she wouldn't have been in New York to get killed, and he wouldn't be in such pain over losing her because she not only wouldn't be dead, but he wouldn't have known her to have lost her. He was grateful to his family for being there for him. Knowing they cared meant so much to him even if he didn't always want them pestering him. The fact that they cared enough to want to be there for him made him feel at least a little good inside.
Everyone was quiet for a moment after he stated what he was thankful for.
Scott hated everyone feeling sorry for him. It made him feel like he was a little kid again. Everyone was treating him like he was some fragile being.
"Well, that is a very nice thing to be grateful for!" Lil finally spoke up.
"I'm also grateful that Dad cooked this meal instead of Mom," I then said, trying to break the awkward ice.
Lily gasped, and Eric, Jenny, and Dan all high-fived me.
"Thanks a lot!" Lily said with a pout, her arms crossed over her chest. A slight smile played at the corner of her lips.
Rufus grinned. "I think we're all grateful for that, Scott!"
They all laughed, even Lily.
"You guys are terrible!" she said.
"Just like you are at cooking," Eric said.
They laughed some more, and Scott was grateful that the attention was finally taken off of him. He didn't like being scrutinized. After all, he didn't want anyone seeing the pain he still felt deep down inside. It sat like a rock in the pit of his stomach, and he felt the depression he had thought he had gotten rid of when he met Veronica now return. It made sense. Veronica was the reason his depression went away. Now that Veronica was gone, the depression was back, and this time, he had no idea how he was going to get rid of it. It felt worse and stronger than ever this time around, and this time, he had a feeling it was there to stay.