Chapter 6: The losing side I'll Play

Five Years later*

"Holy shit it worked," JT said jumping up from his chair. He looked over at his best friend Vincent who finally opened his eyes after five years. JT felt his eyes starting to tear but held them in.

Vincent blinked trying to clear his vision he squinted trying to get a feel for where he was currently at.

"JT where am I?" Vincent asked. He tried to sit up but pain shoots through his upper body. He winced and laid back down. His whole body felt strange and weak, it pained him to move.

"You know who I am? Oh, thank god!" JT sighed. " You're at a long-term patient care facility, you almost died"

Just then a few doctors came rushing in they started asking Vincent questions, checking his vitals and his state of mind.

JT got nervous if it hadn't been for him Vincent would be still on the verge of dying. Without the doctors knowing, JT injected Vincent with a healing formula, one that he had been working on for years. With nothing to lose since Vincent's health was deteriorating by the day JT took a chance. The doctors had been recommending they cut the plug on him for months but JT always declined he had to make sure everything would be right. Now he was glad he did he got his best friend back finally.

Doctors were fascinated Vincent was an unexplained miracle he had been in a coma all these years and just when he started to show signs of organ failure and his vitals getting worse he suddenly wakes up. Not only that he was able to talk and still has his memory and brain function intact. The whole medical community is baffled. Since he had awakened they did test after test but so far they found nothing. JT was glad cause he could get into so much trouble for what he did he but couldn't just let his friend die so he felt it was worth it. He did, however, leave the room once the doctors came in he wasn't taking any chances he would come back when the coast was clear.

Vincent was now sitting up after the doctors took tests he was able to sit up and eat although everything on him was weak he had just enough strength to hold a spoon but barely. Vincent wasn't used to a spoon being so difficult to hold.

"Doctor do you know where my fiancee is? Catherine, can you get in contact with her? I need to see her." She had been the first thing on his mind since waking up although he loved his best friend he wasn't the first face he imagined seeing.

"Vincent you need to slow down you just woke up, I will try to found her information you just get some rest ok"

"Doc I have been sleeping for four years how much rest do you think I need" Vincent chuckled.

"That is true but this is a different kind of rest Vincent. Just take it easy I will be having a nurse look through your records to locate your family and fiancee. I am sure they will all be eager to see you"

After all the doctors and nurses left Vincent had some time to finally think, to wrap his head around the fact that he is missing five years of his life. It crushed him to think about all he missed. He just knew everything would be different and everyone would be different in some way. Especially, Catherine, he wanted to see her so badly he almost picked up the phone to call her but he figured she wouldn't have the same phone number after five years. He was so anxious to see everyone he couldn't sleep. He sat up for hours waiting to see the familiar faces of the people he loved but it appeared everyone forgot about him including Catherine.

Vincent was just started to nod off to sleep when JT came walking back in the room.

"Dude I can't believe you are wake man. Sorry I had to leave so sudden I kind of was not exactly authorized to give you that injection I gave you"

Vincent stared at him like he just lost his mind he was talking so fast.

"what are you talking about? and where the hell is everyone the only person who has come to see me since I woke up is you and I've been awake at least 6 hours?

"There is a lot you missed out on buddy, so much I have to tell you but I don't want to overload you on your first day out of the coma"

"JT just tell me one thing... Where is Catherine?"

"she's uh... she is probably at home" JT stuttered

"JT have you gotten a hold of her told her I am awake I need to see her"

"Uhh Vincent about that I haven't talked to Catherine in almost three years I am not exactly sure where she is"

"What about my parents? my brothers where are they?"

"Vincent maybe you should get some rest first I really don't want to overwhelm you with all this news"

"Just tell me," he said frustrated.

"Do you want the good news or the bad news first"

Vincent sighed. Seeing JT face was starting to make him regret his questions something major happened and it must be very bad. Vincent's heart rate went up.

"Just tell me" He demanded

"Your brothers are fine, Daniel lives in Syracuse with his wife and William lives in Montauk." JT sighed.

Vincent frown at JT he sounded strange.

"Dude you're scaring me" Vincent was getting more nervous by the second.

"Vincent there is no easy way to say this but your parents... died two years ago"

Vincent looked at JT hoping his ears were deceiving him but JT eyes said it all.

"How" Vincent finally said after a minute.

"Car accident, a drunk driver"

Vincent remained quiet. He had no more words to say he felt numb.

"I am so sorry I hate to be the one to have to tell you all this"

"I want Catherine, find her please," Vincent says as he weakly turned away from JT toward the window. Vincent knew that his life would never be the same and his gut was telling him this was far from the worse part.

"I'll try to get into contact with her. I can't imagine how hard this is for you. All I can say is it will get better with time and anything you need I am here"

Vincent had stopped listening to JT after he told him his parents were dead nothing else mattered after that moment. He was too numb to think about anything else his only light now would be the love of his life he just hoped that wouldn't turn out horribly wrong somehow as well.

JT walked out of the hospital feeling like a huge weight was on his shoulders, he wanted his best friend back so bad he didn't think about the consequences of all the events that happened after he was in a coma. He didn't even have the guts to tell him that he had a son and the news about Catherine's new life would just break him. He was too chicken shit to tell him that devastating news he would leave that up to Catherine to tell because, either way, he will be crushed.

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Catherine was at home that morning making VJ's lunch for school. He came running down the stairs and Evan was right behind him in his sheriff uniform.

"Mom can you put cookies in my lunch this time please"

Catherine smiled she couldn't resist his cute Vincent-like dimples.

"only this time I don't want you eating too many sweets"

"yes little guy we don't want you to have cavities" Evan agreed

"did you brush your teeth while you were upstairs?"

"Yes mom"

"VJ go get your backpack," Evan says as he picks up his cup of coffee Catherine made for him. He kissed her on the cheek "Thank you gorgeous. By the way, try not to be out too late there is a serial killer out there I don't want anything to happen to you"

"ok, I promise" Catherine smiled and kissed him on the lips. He smelled good and this kiss was sweet and minty if he didn't have to go work she would have told him to stay home.

"VJ let's go," Evan says just as VJ came walking down the stairs with his bag.

"Bye mommy," VJ says hugging her and running for the front door.

"Have fun and be good!" she says just as her phone started to ring.

"Hi, is this Catherine Chandler?" the voice on the line says

"My maiden name was Chandler, why"

"We have you down as a contact for a patient in our care Vincent Keller" Catherine felt her stomach drop she hadn't heard Vincent's name in a long time. she just knew this was the phone call telling her he finally passed away.

"Ma'am Vincent is awake, he regained consciousness yesterday and has been asking about you. You are welcomed to come see him during visiting hours"

Catherine was stunned she had prepared herself for the news of Vincent dying over the years, and it had been a long time since she gave up on the hope of Vincent ever regaining consciousness.

"How? last I heard he was dying. The doctor told me that even if he regained consciousness he wouldn't be the same his memory would be lost."

"Yes, I know those were the odds and Mr. Keller definitely beat them he is a modern miracle. All he keeps asking about is you. He could definitely use a pick me up he has been down since found out about his parents passing"

"I'll be there as soon as I can," Catherine says hanging up the phone.

She made her way to the kitchen table she had to sit down. she felt like she would faint. She couldn't believe Vincent was awake. she was feeling so many emotions at once. How was she going to face Vincent now? After the nurse said he had been down about losing his parents she didn't want to hurt him any more than he already was.

She brought her hands up to her face trying to get some kind of control over her thoughts and emotions.

He will hate me

she had so much regret now

What about VJ?

Catherine was torn. She had never been this torn in her life Vincent had been her heart her everything. They were going to get married, build a life together, grow old together. Now she was married to another man and her son Vincent's son doesn't even know who he is.

Catherine's stomach was in knots it took her a while before she got up from the table cleared away the dishes from breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen. The whole time Vincent stayed on her mind she took a shower got dressed and headed over to see Vincent.

The whole drive Catherine felt like she was in a dream, like everything she was feeling just couldn't be real. She pulled up into the parking lot stared at the building for a while trying to get up the nerve to get out of the car. Then she noticed her ring, the ring Evan give her and she immediately started to take it off but then she reconsidered. It didn't feel right she didn't want to lie about being married but she also didn't want to break the news either.

She looked in the mirror realized her makeup needed a touch up she picked up her purse and grabbed her lipstick and started to apply it. Without even realizing it she began to cry. The guilt was eating away at her, she could not go see Vincent like this she wasn't ready. she started the car up and drove back home. She felt like a coward but she didn't have the guts to break Vincent's heart she just couldn't.

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It had been three weeks since Vincent had woken up. He was getting better rapidly which was blowing everyone's minds. Normal coma patients would need years of recovery but at Vincent's rate, he might be nearly healed after a year.

Vincent also started having strange symptoms his senses were heightened touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight. He could hear conversations from down the hall smell JT's cologne before he even made it to his room it was unusual his doctors had told him but once he described it to JT he realized it was a side effect if his healing serum.

JT came by almost daily and William and Daniel stopped by a couple of times as well. Vincent got to see his nieces and nephews. a few of the newer members of the Keller clan Daniel now has a two-year-old son named Dylan and William also had a five-month-old son Aaron.

Vincent was so happy to see them whenever they came, they put a smile on his face. The kids brought him entertainment Williams twin daughters Casey and Clare loved to talk and asked a lot of questions at nine years old they were double the energy. Daniel's oldest son Danny was the really smart one with a very high IQ at Six he could beat Vincent in chess. Vincent played him every chance he got. They always made his days a lot better when they visited.

When all his visitors were gone and Vincent had nothing to do but think. His mind always went to Catherine. He had so many made-up scenarios about why she hadn't come to visit him yet. He even tried to ignore the face changes everyone had when he brought her up in conversation. He knew something happened only no one would tell him what.

A nurse had told him she had got in contact with Catherine and that she said she would come to visit soon. Vincent waited for her the whole day and the next day as well. Still no Catherine, it made him sad he missed her so much it hurt. It hurt to think about her and it hurt even more when he tried not to think about her. He needed her so bad most days, especially during his physical therapy. When he needed extra motivation to take one more step or to reach just a little bit further it was she he needed. She wasn't there and that hurt to his heart's core. He started to come to grips with the possibility that he might never see her again and every time that crossed his mind he could hear his heart shattering into a million pieces.

The days turned into weeks and it was coming close to Vincent being discharged from the hospital. He was getting physical therapy on the regular gaining his strength back little by little. His doctors gave him the ok to go home in the next few days and Vincent was so glad he needed some familiarity in his life instead of the bare hospital walls.

Vincent was just getting finished with his physical therapy and being wheeled back to his room when he happened to look up and saw her.

Catherine

She stood nervously near the reception desk and had spotted him and JT just as she turned to head to his room. He felt surprised he had given up hope weeks ago about ever seeing her again and then just like that out of the blue she was there. Standing in front of him like a dream come true, she was more beautiful than he remembered.

"Hey Vincent," she said just as JT wheeled Vincent right up to her.

"I am going to give you two some time to talk I'll be back later V," JT says. JT hadn't acknowledged Catherine at all he wasn't fond of her anymore. He already was pissed at her for marrying another guy and to top it off she took forever to come to see Vincent after he woke up. He had nothing to say to her.

Catherine took over Vincent's wheelchair and wheeled him the rest of the way to his room. There was an awkward silence as they walked neither of them knew what to say or where to start.

Catherine knew this day would be hard but already she trying to talk herself out of running. She owed Vincent an explanation and she had to find a way to tell him about VJ.

Catherine sat across from Vincent in a chair they sat finally facing each other for the first time in years. Vincent took in her appearance. she looked somewhat the same her dark brown hair was cut shorter she had curves that she didn't have before she was so hot. She was perfect and he missed her so much he wanted to touch her but everything in her body language told him she brought bad news.

"I didn't know if I should come" Catherine finally spoke after such an awkward silence. "But I really wanted to see you"

"I am really glad you did" Vincent admitted, he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

Catherine didn't know what to say or where to start. So Vincent spoke.

"Are you still working at the hospital?" Vincent had to keep the conversation going he hated the awkwardness.

"Yes mostly part-time on weekends"

Vincent nodded. He noticed Catherine playing with her fingers nervously she definitely had a lot on her mind. She got up and walked to the window and peered out.

"It's beautiful out here," she says noticing the park and its many flowers and trees.

She was making small talk Vincent didn't care for it.

"Don't you just hate talking to sick people?" Vincent says cynically

"Don't, please!" she said as she turned and walked back toward him.

"I mean you never really know what to say. Just try and be cheerful I guess right?"

"Vincent" Catherine reaches for him and hugs him.

The hug sent a jolt through him and straight to his heart and the jolt immediately turned to dread. He knew before he asked she was with another man.

After she let him go from the hug she sat back down across from him. She had tears in her eyes but they didn't fall. Vincent saw all the dread he suddenly felt in her eyes.

"you brought a house?"

"How did you know?" she asked looking into his chocolate brown eyes. She used to love those eyes now she was afraid of the heartache she saw in them.

"It was always in your plans it's been five years I knew you'd made it happen"

She nodded she was proud of her house she and Evan worked hard for it and absolutely loved it.

"Do you have a family now Catherine?" he knew this question would break him but he asked anyway. "you must have gotten married by now?"

Catherine looked away "They told me you would never come out of your coma, that you would just slip away... I tried to wait for you, Vincent. I just feel so terrible about it, so guilty"

"Do you love him?"

"He is a wonderful man and a wonderful father"

Vincent felt like he was standing on a frozen lake and the ice was cracking with every answer and it was only a matter of time before he fell in.

He didn't want her to feel guilty he could see how pained she was about how this would make him feel.

"You did the right thing, Catherine," he says trying to sound sincere.

"His name is Evan, he is a sheriff" Vincent could hear the pride in her voice as she spoke of him and that bothered him.

Vincent could hear no more "Maybe we should just talk about something else"

Catherine nodded seeing the discomfort on Vincent's face.

"Do you have any kids?"

Catherine's heart was racing a mile a minute and Vincent heard every beat.

"Just one, a boy"

"what's his name?"

"Vincent" she admits "He is a hockey player just like his dad"

Vincent knew from the look on her face she was referring to him. He was stunned she just admitted to him he had a son.

He is a father

wow!

It was what he always wanted yet it felt so wrong he missed knowing him he missed sharing the experience with Catherine. He felt robbed of moments and memories he would never be able to get back. This whole situation just wasn't fair.

"Does he know?"

she shook her head. "No Evan and I have been raising him as our own" she felt more guilt wash over her she couldn't imagine how Vincent must feel right now hearing the news.

"I always planned on telling him when he got older but I am definitely going to tell him now of course"

Vincent interrupted her "No, no, listen to me you made this life for yourself Catherine. I love you... All I can do is give you your freedom" Vincent stayed claim for the sake of Catherine he could see the guilt all over her face. Deep down inside he felt like he was dying.

"Vincent we've known each other all our lives and that's not going to change"

"It has to" he sadly admitted

Catherine felt Vincent's pain, tears she had been holding back finally escaped her eyes.

"I am so sorry," she said as she got up and gave him a goodbye hug she kissed him on the cheek and left.

Gone.

Catherine was gone.

Vincent stared out at the window up at the sky, he was becoming numb, the only thing he could feel now was alone.

Author Note: Before yall come for me yes I am a Vincat Fan keep that in mind.