For the Love of Grace    The Due South Fiction Archive Entry	   Home

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      	  For the Love of Grace 
 by Inspectorellen  

 

 Title: For the Love of Grace Author: Ellen Rating: PG Genre: AU Category:
Drama Pairings: not sure at this time This story takes place 4 years after
COTW

 The woman and the little girl enter the building together, but once
inside, the little girl begins to skip ahead of her mother as they walk to
the line of elevators. Having visited the building many times in the past
week, the little girl knew where she was going, and the mother has no
misgivings. The elevator door opens on the car on the right and the little
girl hops in, waiting for her mother to follow. A crowd from another
elevator lets out, distracting the mother and keeping her behind. When she
reaches her elevator, the door closes before she can get inside. The woman
becomes slightly panicked, knowing her little girl might not remember what
floor she needs to get off at. She watches the elevator climb up to the
15th floor, stopping at most of the floors in between, then make its way
down. The doors open in front of her showing an empty elevator car, and
the woman is now frantic. Thinking of the fastest way to find her
daughter, she rushes over to the information desk and asks for security,
explaining what has happened. The security guards take action and lock the
front doors. In a 15 floor building, the little girl could be on any
floor. More men are called and the search begins. Two security guards and
the woman proceed to the 4th floor where her office is located, hoping the
little girl might remember the floor number and go to her mother's office.
The woman searches the hall, and opens her office door, searching inside
as well. The little girl, her strawberry blonde curls bouncing as she
walks, wanders down the hall of the 7th floor, looking for her mother's
new office. She opens the door of an office and walks in, hoping to find
her mother, though nothing looks like the place she remembers. She walks
up to a man on the phone in the front room, and pulls on the sleeve of his
shirt. Ray Vecchio has come in to the office on a Saturday morning to
catch up on his paperwork without distraction. His secretary's phone is
ringing, and he picks it up without thinking. "Vecchio Investigative
Agency." The caller is looking for some general information, and Ray takes
the time to answer the questions. As he hangs up, he feels a tug on his
sleeve. He looks down in to the bright green eyes of a little girl. "Well,
hello there sweetheart. How did you get in here?" No words come from her
mouth quite yet, but her eyes fill with tears threatening to fall any
minute, and her lip begins to quiver. Ray squats down to her level and
reaches in his back pocket for his handkerchief. As he wipes her tears, he
asks more questions. "Are you lost?" She nods her head yes. "What's your
name?" "Grace." "That's a pretty name. My name's Ray." "Where's mommy?
She's not in her office." "This is my office." Her tears have stopped and
she looks him over quizzically. "Do you know my mommy? I `posed to go to
her office. The elebator closed and she was gone." Ray quickly figures out
the events and tries to reassure the little girl. "Your mommy is probably
looking for you right now. I am going to call security and let them know
you are here, okay? You can stay here with me until your mommy comes to
get you. Is that okay with you Grace?" "Uh-huh. You promise my mommy will
find me?" "I promise." He stands and picks Grace up, sitting her on the
desk. He picks up the phone, dialing the number for security in the
building. He talks with the supervisor, and the mother is informed
immediately. She is on the 4th floor and will be up momentarily. He hangs
up the phone, and smiles to the little girl. "She's on her way, Grace. She
was real worried, but she knows you were a smart little girl and would
find someone to help you. That's me." "Mommy's coming now?" And as Ray
nods his head, her tears form again and he picks her up and hugs her,
carrying her into his office. Taking her over to his desk, he sits in his
chair with her in his lap and opens the bottom right drawer. Pulling out a
bag of candy he has stashed for emergencies, he offers her a lollipop.
"Can I have purple?" she says, as she fights her tears. Ray hands her a
purple lollipop and watches her fears calm. "All better now, Grace?"
"Purple is good. It makes my tongue purple too." "Let me see." And she
opens her mouth to show him the beginnings of a purple tongue. Louise St.
Laurent arrives at the office door on the 7th floor, the security men
trying to keep up. Whoever found her daughter had the good sense to call
security right away. Her daughter has been out of her sight for a span of
an hour, and her heart is still beating fast. She reads the name on the
door she is about to open and her heart almost stops. Closing her eyes,
she takes a deep breath before she enters. The front room of the office is
vacant, and she walks around to a small hallway. She hears her daughter's
laughter coming from an inner office, and follows the sound. She stands
silent in the doorway, watching her daughter sitting on the lap of the
father she has yet to meet. Grace is sitting on Ray's lap, laughing at
something, when she turns and notices her mother at the door. She jumps up
from his lap, and runs to her mother, meeting her half way in the room.
"Grace, I was so worried." Louise drops to her knees and gathers her
little girl in her arms. "Mommy!" The two trade hugs and kisses, and
Louise gently pushes her away so she can look her daughter in the eye.
"Grace, you scared me. Don't do that again." "I won't mommy. I was
scared." "So was I, sweetie." "Ray helped me. He gived me a purple
lollipop." At hearing his name, she looks up to see the man standing
behind his desk. She stands up, still clutching her daughter's hand. "Hi,
Ray." "Louise. It's been a long time." "Thanks for taking care of Grace."
"My pleasure. She's a sweetie." The security men enter the room to find
all is well. Louise thanks the men profusely, and escorts them to the
outer door. Ray follows the group, his curiosity overwhelming him. Louise
turns to find Ray staring at her. She is not ready for a confrontation
with him, her emotions are too unbalanced. Her tone and demeanor become
noncommittal. "I heard you were back in Chicago, Ray. Florida not to your
liking?" Ray notices the change at once, and answers with same. He
suddenly thinks how easy it is to fall in to old habits. "The vacation had
to end sometime. And you, your California big lawyer firm not work out?
"Five years in California courts was plenty for me. I needed to come back,
my mother's health is failing." "I'm sorry to hear that, your mother is a
sweet lady." "Well, yes..... thanks." Their conversation takes on an
awkward silence as many questions come to both of their minds, until Grace
speaks up. "Mommy, Ray's office is the same as yours only it's not."
Louise smiles at the girl and brushes back the curls that fall in her
face. "Grace, I am so proud of you in finding this office. Yes, it's in
the same place as mine, only this is on a different floor." She looks over
to Ray to explain. "I noticed it the first thing I stepped on to this
floor. Your office is in the same place as mine, only mine is on the 4th
floor. Grace has problems with her 4's and 7's." Ray chuckles and comes
over to Grace, bending down to her level. "You are welcome to come and
visit me anytime, Grace, and we can work on those numbers. Okay?" "Can I
mommy?" The girl looks adoringly up to her mother. Louise's balance
falters with his statement, and she knows she must get out of the office
soon or she will lose control. She grabs Grace's hand and pulls her to the
door. "We'll have to see, Grace. Now tell Ray goodbye, we need to go."
"Bye, Ray." She happily goes with her mother and before opening the door,
Louise looks back once more. "Thank you again." Ray nods in affirmation.
"Anytime. Bye, Grace." The elevator ride down to the 4th floor is slow,
and Louise leans her head on the back wall. She releases Grace's hand to
massage her forehead where the pain is beginning to pound. She knows she
must tell Ray the truth about Grace before he finds out on his own. She
wants to be mentally prepared for that conversation. She'll give it
another week or two. Bringing Grace to Chicago to help take care of her
mother was one reason she came back, but the other was to tell Ray Vecchio
that he has a daughter. Ray is sitting at his desk working on the expense
report, but his mind is reflecting over this morning's adventure. He can't
believe out of all the people in this world, he finds Louise St. Laurent's
child in his office. Fraser is not going to believe this story. He looks
at his watch, and turns back to his paperwork. He is meeting Fraser and
Kowalski for dinner later, and he wants to have the majority of his work
done. He puts all thoughts of Louise St. Laurent and her daughter out of
his mind while he tackles his work. ******************** Ray Vecchio is
returning from a business lunch with a prospective client and waits for an
elevator. He enters one and before punching the 7 button, he punches the 4
button instead. It has been two weeks since having the little girl in his
office, and he is wondering how she is doing. Checking out St. Laurent's
new office is also in his plan. He steps out of the elevator and follows
the hallway to her office. The sign on the door displays "Louise
St.Laurent, Attorney at Law." Ray walks in the door, numerous questions
forming in his mind. A secretary sits at the front desk and Ray gives her
his name. She announces his unexpected arrival, and is welcomed in to
Louise's office without waiting. Louise is sitting behind her desk, a
harried look on her face. "I can come back later, Louise." "No, wait, Ray.
I'm just having a bad day that is getting worse." Ray looks around the
room and notices Grace sleeping on a couch. She is cuddled under a
blanket, sleeping softly. "You always bring her to work?" "No, I take her
to the child care center and preschool on the 2nd floor, but she's not
feeling well today, so I brought her up here instead. I thought I had a
day to myself to do paperwork, but now I have to show up in court in an
hour." "New client? I see you are working the other side of the law now.
"I'm trying something different. What did you come in here for?" "To check
on Grace. Being neighborly." "Well I need a babysitter, not a good
neighbor. The child care center won't take her if she is sick, and I'm
still on a waiting list for a nanny." Louise begins to shuffle her papers
and puts them in her briefcase. Ray surprises himself with his idea. "I'll
take her. She can come and stay in my office until you get back." "I can't
let you do that." "Why not--she likes me. She knows me. Who else are you
going to get?" She can't believe the irony of this situation. God, she
really has to tell him the truth. "You'd do this for me?" "Louise, I'm
hurt. Of course I'll help you. You just go and don't worry about her."
Louise sighs, and comes to a quick decision. "Okay, thanks." She writes
something on a piece of paper. "Here's my cell phone number in case you
need it. I shouldn't be longer that an hour or so." "No problem." He pulls
out a business card from his pocket and hands it to her. "Call me if
you're delayed." Louise grabs her briefcase and jacket and prepares to
leave. If she stays any longer, she will change her mind over her choice.
"Just lock the door on your way out. I'll be back as soon as I can." "Go,
or you'll never make it. Don't worry; she'll be fine with me." Louise,
glancing at her sleeping child, runs out the door muttering under her
breath, "That's what I am worried about." Ray goes over to the couch and
gently wakes the girl. Her eyes pop open and immediately recognize him.
"Ray. Hi. I'm sick." "I know. You're mommy told me." Grace looks around
the room, and a worried _expression comes over her face. "Where's mommy?"
"She had to go to court." "Oh. Okay. That's her job." "That's right. And
she said you could come up to my office and stay with me until she is
done. How does that sound?" Grace's face lights up with her smile. Ray
picks her up in his arms, grabbing the blanket as well, and walks her out
of the office, turning off lights and locking the door on his way out. Ray
is making phone calls at his desk while Grace lies on the couch in his
office watching television. He finishes his conversation with his
associate Jim, instructing him on a client in the investigation of a civil
matter. He leans back in his chair after hanging up, and looks over to the
little girl on his couch. He is amazed at the instant camaraderie they
have together, and smiles as he sees her lose the fight against sleep. He
feels a little tug in his heart as he watches her sleeping peacefully. The
phone rings suddenly, and Ray is brought back to reality from his work.
His secretary is gone for the day, so he answers before it wakes up Grace.
"Vecchio." "Ray. Louise here. How's Grace?" "She fell asleep on my couch.
I think she may have a fever. She seems rather listless." "Damn. I was
afraid of that. There is some medicine in the office, but I didn't leave a
key for you." "That's okay. I can go and get some." "I ...ahhh....I have
to stay here longer. Court is out, but now I have to go to the jail and do
some things over there. "Louise, look, she's fine with me. I'll take her
to my house and you can pick her up there when you get through." Louise is
silent for a few seconds. "Is that a good idea? I don't want Grace to pass
her cold to Maria's kids." "Maria and Tony moved out a year ago. Frannie,
too. It's just Ma and me right now. Grace will be fine. Ma will have her
feeling better in no time." "Okay, I guess that's fine. Thanks, Ray. I
really do appreciate all you are doing." "I know you do. Call me at home
if you get delayed again. Otherwise, just come by when you are finished."
"Fine. Tell Grace I'll be there soon." "I will. Bye." Louise hangs up her
cell phone, and gets in to her car. The Vecchio house. Last time she was
there, they had a family dinner, and Louise was made to feel at home. She
wonders what will happen when the truth about Grace is known to all. Ray
calls home before leaving the office to warn his mother about bringing
Grace with him. She meets them both at the door and begins comforting the
girl as she helps her out of her coat. Taking her hand and leading her in
to the kitchen, Ray knows that she is in good hands. He hurries upstairs
to do a few things, and then joins them in the kitchen where he finds his
Ma dishing up chicken soup for them all. "Aah. My two favorite ladies." He
gives his Ma a kiss on her cheek before sitting down at the kitchen table.
"How are you doing, Grace? Is Ma taking good care of you?" "She makes good
soup. And I can have a cookie if I eat all my soup." "Well then. You
better eat up." He smiles at his mother and begins to eat his own soup. Ma
Vecchio joins them at the table. "Raimundo, Grace tells me she just moved
here." "Yep. She and her mother moved back here from California a few
weeks ago. Louise opened up her own law practice." "And she tells me she
is four years old." "Yes, she very bright for her age too." He winks at
the girl. Grace giggles. Ma just looks from her son to the little girl and
watches them as they have a conversation while they eat. She is amazed at
how they interact with each other. Almost as if....Ma silently picks up
her bowl and takes it to the sink. She busies herself with the dishes and
then sends the two out while she finishes up. She hopes Grace's mother
comes soon, because she has a few questions she wants answered. Grace
keeps Ray occupied in the den as she tells him of her antics at preschool.
After a while, Ray notices that she is becoming quiet and reaches over to
feel her head. Discovering that she has a slight fever again, he calls out
for his Ma to bring some medicine. Ma Vecchio is well stocked with every
child's medicine for her grandchildren and promptly brings Grace some
liquid children's Tylenol and a glass of juice. Ray has her bundled up in
a blanket sitting on his lap in the large chair. Grace swallows the
medicine with little resistance, and snuggles back close to Ray. He holds
her close and Ma leaves them in a quiet peace. An hour later a knock is
heard at the front door. Ma goes to answer it so her son doesn't have to
get up from the chair. She opens the door to find Louise St. Laurent
waiting in an impatient manner. "Mrs. Vecchio. Good Evening." "Ms. St.
Laurent. Come in. Raimundo and Grace are in the den." Louise follows her
to the room, where they both witness a sight that causes an emotional
reaction. For in the overstuffed chair, they find Ray Vecchio holding
little Grace, both asleep in a peaceful slumber. She is snuggled up close
to him, her head laying on his chest, his hand gently caressing her curls
even in sleep. They both look content in this position. Ma grabs Louise by
the hand and gently drags her to the kitchen. "We'll let them sleep a
bit." Ma pushes her in to a chair at the table. Louise is affected by the
sight of her daughter in Ray's arms. She sits at the chair and stares out
in front of her. Ma places a bowl of steaming chicken soup in front of
her. "Eat child, you need your strength. You work too hard." "Thank you.
But.. I..need to get Grace home." "You need something to eat. Grace is
fine with Raimundo." Louise eats without thought, though the soup tastes
good. She eats in silence for a few minutes, until Ma Vecchio finally has
to say what is on her mind. "Ms. St Laurent, Louise, I want to ask you a
question." Louise looks up into the seeking eyes of the wise woman sitting
across from her. She has a deep feeling inside her, instantly knowing what
the woman is going to say. "When are you going to tell my son he is the
father of that little girl?" Louise gasps, and then closes her eyes. She
takes a deep breath and tries to answer. "When I am sure he is ready to
hear the news." Her voice is shaky. "How did you know?" "I see them
together. I see her smile is like his. You need to tell him soon. Before
he discovers it on his own." "I know, Mrs. Vecchio, I need more time. I
brought Grace back here to Chicago to tell him, but I need more time." "I
will not ask why it has taken you four years to tell him, it is not my
business. But he deserves the truth." Louise nods with sadness. "The truth
will change everything." "It could change for the good." A loud voice from
the door interrupts their private conversation. "What will change for the
good?" Ray has come in to the kitchen. "Louise, how long have you been
here? You should have waked me." His voice is strained . Ma senses his
mood, and tries to deflect this conversation. "I told her to leave you
alone, she needed to be fed." "Well, her daughter needs her too." He
stares down at the woman, and then walks out of the room. "Thank you for
the soup, Mrs. Vecchio. I'll just get Grace and go home." "You call me Ma,
or Rosa. And you do what I told you soon." Ma squeezes her hand and walks
out to the den with her. Ray has Grace in his arms, his keys in his hands,
waiting for Louise to come to the door. "Ma, I'll be right back. I'm
following them home." Louise dislikes that idea immediately. "You don't
have to do that. I'm capable of driving us home." Ray follows her to her
car and puts the sleeping girl in her car seat. He closes the door and
waits for Louise to get in. He goes around to close her door, telling her;
"I'm following you home." The two cars pull up in front of the St. Laurent
house, and Ray is quick to help carry in Grace. Louise shows him the
little girl's bedroom, and she turns on a small lamp. Grace wakes up, just
for a short time, and sees her mother. "Mommy. Are we home?" "Yes Grace.
Here, let me put your nightgown on." Louise efficiently changes her and
has her tucked in under the covers, where Grace is falling back to sleep.
Louise leans in to give her a kiss on her cheek. "Night, Gracie. Love
you." Ray watches this from the doorway, finding the moment slightly
uncomfortable. Seeing Louise in a domestic role has him perplexed. She
gets up and slips by him through the doorway. "I need to check on mother
real quick. Then I need to speak with you." "I'll wait by the door." "I'll
be just a minute." She goes to check on her mother and the nurse who stays
with her. Returning in just minutes, she finds Ray standing at the door in
the dark. Before she can get a word out, he turns and faces her. "We need
to talk." His words are terse. "I agree. I need to.." He interrupts. "Not
now, not here. It's late. You're tired, I'm tired." "Fine. When is a good
time?" "Tomorrow night. Bring Grace over to the house, Ma can watch her.
Then we can go for dinner." "I don't want a date, Ray. I just want to
talk." He just looks at her with his green eyes glaring. "It's not a
date." Louise and Grace arrive at the Vecchio house precisely at 6pm.
Grace, feeling much better with a day of rest and her mother's care, is
bouncing up and down in anticipation of baking cookies with Ma Vecchio.
The two go off hand in hand to the kitchen after saying goodbye to Ray and
Louise. Ray points to the front door, his manner none too friendly. "Shall
we?" Louise, not quite sure how she is going to get any food down this
evening, walks out to the car. The drive to the restaurant takes just a
few minutes. They pull into the parking lot of Gino's, a quaint little
Italian restaurant that offers excellent food in a quiet atmosphere.
Louise notices the parking lot is not too crowded, and breathes a sigh of
relief. Ray opens her car door for her and escorts her inside. The hostess
leads them to a back table immediately, and the couple sits in silence.
Ray orders a bottle of wine, and they both order the specialty of the
house for dinner. They make small talk, mostly about Grace, while waiting
for their food. The waiter serves them in a timely manner, and the two
begin their meal. Louise, eating little of her food, but mostly moving it
from one side of the plate to the other, finally gives up. She takes one
last drink of wine, in hopes of it giving her more courage. "Ray, I think
we should talk now. I don't want to keep Grace up too late." Ray, who was
pouring himself another glass of wine after finishing his meal, takes a
sip before replying. His voice is low, with a hint of anger. "Fine. Me
first. I've been waiting for 5 years to ask this question." Louise
blanches. "I just have one thing I need to ask you. One simple thing I
would like an answer for." "I want to know why you left town with out
telling me goodbye. You just left, no phone call, no letter. Why? Did I
not mean anything to you?" She is stunned speechless, not expecting him to
ask that. The restaurant crowd is oblivious to the tension at the table in
the corner. Ray continues on with his quest for an answer. "I thought we
meant something to each other. Since we dated for a couple of months, I
was starting to feel our relationship was going somewhere. And then, in
the middle of the night, you vanish, move to California, without giving me
a thought." "It wasn't quite like that Ray." She finally replies, trying
to defend her action. "No? I took you to meet the family, Louise. My
mother treated you like you belonged." "Ray..." She tries to speak but he
interrupts. "Stop, all I want is an answer to why you left." A small
amount of desperation seeps into his voice. "It's not a simple answer,"
she tells him defiantly. "Try anyway." He glares at her coldly. "I had no
choice. There were circumstances beyond my control." Her anger is apparent
now, but she struggles to keep her temper. Ray counters back quickly.
"What does that mean? What circumstances?" Louise silently counts to ten.
This whole evening is not working out how she wants it too. She should
have known he would not make this easy for her. She realizes he is waiting
for an answer. She refuses to give him one just yet. "Fine, don't answer
that question. How about this one then. Tell me please why you move to
California, join a swanky lawyer firm, then shack up with some tanned
beach bum and have a kid? What made you crawl into someone else's bed the
minute you get to California? Wasn't I good enough for you?" "You think
I've been shacking up with someone?" Louise comes to the conclusion that
Ray is out of control and she gathers up her purse to make her escape.
"You have it all wrong, Ray." She gets up ready to leave. "All I have is
what I see. You certainly aren't giving out any information. And we are
not through here." He grabs her arm to keep her from leaving. Louise
reaches to remove his grip from her arm. Her rage ready to explode, she
lowers her voice and tells him, "I wasn't shacking up with anyone." Ray
stands up next to her by their table, still gripping her arm to keep her
from fleeing. He leans in close, irritation in his ragged voice, "Yea? So
who's Grace's father? One of your big corporate lawyer associates?" She
forcefully pulls her arm from his grip. He stares, waiting for her answer.
"Oh God, Ray. This is not how I imagined telling you." She makes a mistake
and looks up into his eyes, seeing his anger and confusion, and knowing it
will soon turn to more anger and then hurt. "Telling me what?" His
patience is low and his temper is building. She takes a deep breath, and
proceeds to tell him the truth. "You are Grace's father, Ray." The air
becomes still, and the noise of the restaurant stops for them both. Ray
stares at her, his mouth hanging open, his breathing hard to control.
"What did you say?" He falls back into his chair, as he watches her walk
away from the table. Ray frantically counts out some twenty dollar bills
and throws them on the table. He rushes out the door with two words
flashing in his mind--Grace and father. By the time he gets to the front
of the restaurant, his rage has him pushing people out of his way. Once
outdoors, he screams for her. "Louise......" and sees her standing by the
Riv. Her look of horror at his mental state has passersby staring in
fascination. He is still yelling her name when he reaches her side. He
grabs her arm and whips her around, forcing her to look him face to face.
"Louise, don't ever walk away from me like that again." "Calm down, Ray."
"Don't tell me to calm down. Not after what you just said in there." She
is about to speak, but smartly waits for him to finish his rant. "How can
you deliver that piece of information and then walk away?" His voice is
still loud, and his arms are flailing. "I knew exactly how you would
react. Or overreact, in this case." Her manner is calm, which quite
surprises her. Telling the truth can be cathartic, she thinks to herself.
"This is impossible. I can't be Grace's father. She was born in
California." Louise just stares at him. "Ray, you can be so dense at
times." "How do I know your telling the truth? She's four years old. How
come I am just hearing about this now?" Louise looks around at the crowd
they are drawing, and turns to face Ray. "Can we possibly finish this
conversation somewhere else?" "Huh? What? Oh, we'll finish this. You bet
we will." In his gruff manner, he opens her door and waits for her to
climb in, then slams it with a satisfied grunt. Walking around to his side
of the Riv, he notices how his hand shakes as he puts his key in to the
lock. ************************************* Ma Vecchio and Grace have just
finished baking their second batch of cookies for the evening. Grace has
been chatting about moving to Chicago and her new friends. Ma smiles at
her eagerness in making the cookies, and listens intently at her
conversation. "I have a friend who sits by me at my new school. Her name
is Shelli. She is new too." "I bet you have lots to talk about." Ma puts
the next pan of cookies in the oven. "We like to sing songs." "I like to
sing too. Maybe later we can sing some songs." "Okay. When is mommy and
Ray coming back?" Her eyes look up at Ma and her expression is one slight
fear. "Grace, did your mommy go out a lot in California? Didn't she leave
you with a babysitter?" "Just in the day when she had to work. Never at
night. When will she be back? " Her eyes fill with tears for a moment.
"She and Raimundo will be home soon, Gracie. Don't you worry." "Where did
they go? To eat?" "Yes, and to talk. It has been a long time since your
mommy and Ray talked. But you and I are having fun, right?" "Oh yes." Her
smile is back. "Can we eat some cookies now?" "In a minute. We need to
save some for Raimundo. He loves my oatmeal raisin cookies." Grace stops
for a minute and goes directly over in front of Ma. "Why do you call him
Raimundo? His name is Ray." Ma chuckles and sits down in the chair beside
where Grace is standing. She pulls the little girl on to her lap. "His
real name is Raymond, and in Italian it is called Raimundo. I like to call
him that; it would make him smile when he was a baby." Grace giggles at
that. Then she becomes serious again. "My name is Grace. Grace Ann St.
Laurent." "What a pretty name for a pretty girl." "What's your name?" she
reaches her small hand up and gently touches Ma's face. "My name is Rosa
Ana Maria Vecchio." "That's pretty too. What can I call you?" "What would
you like to call me? Mrs. Vecchio sounds too hard for a little girl." Ma
turns away for a moment, and closes her eyes. She wants so much to tell
her to call her Grandma and have it mean what it does, but she isn't sure
what Louise would think about that just yet. She feels a tug on her apron.
"I have a Granny, but she's real sick. I see her sometimes and give her a
kiss." "I bet she likes that a lot, Grace." "Uh Huh. How about I call you
Grandma too--you're old like her but not as much." Ma laughs despite
herself, and her heart warms with the true admiration the little girl is
showing. "I know, how about Grandma Rosa?" Ma hopes this may placate
Louise, until the truth is out about Grace. "I like that. Grandma Rosa,
let's eat cookies." "Let's do just that. With a big glass of milk."
************************************************* Ray peels out of the
parking lot with a squeal as Louise looks out her window with an anxious
_expression on her face. The tense atmosphere in the car becomes more so
after Ray pulls out in to the street. He reaches over the seat and pulls
on Louise's arm, forcing her to look over at him. "Explain to me how I can
be Grace's father. You left me, Louise. You left Chicago, and left me."
His tone is still angry, and she notices his eyes are dark and pained as
they look at her before turning to look at the road. "What's not to
understand Ray? I said you are Grace's father. It's a simple statement,
one you should be able to understand." She is uncomfortable with the
defensive nature he is forcing her into. His driving is erratic, and he
drives through a red light without stopping. "That's a red light." Louise
shrieks as Ray drives through. "So. Continue, Louise, tell me more. Why
didn't you tell me I was her father?" He drives through yet another red
light, and barely misses hitting a car. "Ray, you almost hit that car.
Pull over." His distraction of trying to control his temper while trying
to drive is bothering even him, so he pulls over to a deserted parking
lot, puts the car in park, and turns off the engine. "Satisfied?" His
sarcastic tone does not help ease the tension. "Yes." Silence, until he
speaks. "I'm waiting here. Tell me how you think I am her father." "Think
about it, Ray." She doesn't say anymore, she just lets him think about
their relationship from five years ago. He just needs to remember back and
discover on his own that he is indeed Grace's father. She watches his face
as he remembers their relationship, the times they made love. As a couple,
they were very good to each other. Ray suddenly looks over to her with a
look of despair. "You knew you were pregnant before you left?" It wasn't
really a question, more of a statement between the two. Louise knew that
hurting him was part of the truth, but the look on his face is more than
she can handle. "Yes." Her voice breaks. What more can she say? "You left
Chicago without telling me that you were going to have my baby? Why would
you do that?" Louise can hear the sadness in his voice. She turns away,
not able to face him. "I had to Ray. There was no other way." "You had to?
What, was I not good enough for you? Were you embarrassed to be knocked up
by me?" "No, never." She replies quickly, loudly. This is getting out of
hand fast, she thinks. The whole truth must come out. "Ray, there are
things you don't know. I had to do what I felt was right, for all of us
involved." Ray listens, closes his eyes, and whispers, "Go on." "The day I
found out I was pregnant, I was excited. It was something I had always
wanted. I hoped you did too. I tried to call you, but you were out on a
case. I was going to call your cell phone, but I was interrupted by two
FBI agents who barged in to my office. They needed some information on a
detective." She pauses for a moment, trying to catch her breath and
moisten her dry throat. "They wanted my opinion on a detective in the 27th
precinct. It seems they were preparing him for an undercover case in Las
Vegas and they wanted to know what the DA knew about him. Whether he was a
good cop, a good witness on the stand." Ray's back stiffens, his attention
focuses on what she is saying. "I told them all I could. They wanted to
know if I had heard of the Bookman, and showed me a picture of him. I
think they wanted to see my reaction. I looked at the picture and saw you
staring back at me. The pieces fell in to place." "You knew I was going
undercover and never said anything?" "Yes." She answers with sadness. "Let
me get this straight. The last time I saw you, the last time we had a
date, you knew about the baby and the undercover job? And yet you said
nothing?" Ray's fists ball up, and then he releases them and grips the
steering wheel, his rage increasing. "I couldn't tell you about the baby.
There's no way you would have done the undercover job." "Damn right I
wouldn't." "You needed that job Ray. It was good for your career, you were
perfect for that part." "You should have told me. We could of decided
together what to do. We could have thought of something. I had the right
to know, Louise." "I did what I had to do. The job in California was my
chance to get away." "From me. That's what you are saying right?" "Yes, I
needed to get away from you, let you leave here without regrets or ties to
hold you back." Suddenly, Ray starts up the engine of the Riv. His anger
is back, his manner rigid. "Let's go. It's late." Louise sits back in the
seat, wondering what is going on his mind. She thought by telling him the
truth, he would understand why she didn't tell him about Grace. They drive
in silence until just before getting back to the Vecchio neighborhood.
Ray's voice brings her back from her thoughts. "I want a DNA test. I want
proof that she's mine." "You don't believe me? Why would I lie about
this?" "Why should I believe you? Why should I ever believe what you tell
me?" They pull up in front of the Vecchio house. Louise is trying very
hard not to lose her control. She opens her door, and gets out, but
notices he is not turning off the car. "You're not coming in?" "No, I'm
not." Waiting for more of an explanation, she hears none. "I haven't been
with any man other than you in the past five years, Ray." And she slams
the door and walks up to the house, as he drives away. By the time Louise
reaches the Vecchio porch, she is fighting tears. She roughly brushes them
from her eyes, and shrugs off her bad temper in anticipation of seeing
Grace. She knocks on the door, and is immediately greeted by her daughter.
"Mommy. You're back." "Grace, sweetie." Louise picks up her little girl
and holds her close, burying her face in the sweetness of Grace's hug. "I
missed you, mommy. Where's Ray?" Grace looks around the door looking for
Ray to enter in the house. "He...he has to leave for... work." "Oh." Her
face is crestfallen. "I made him cookies." Louise bends down to Grace's
level and tries to explain. "He'll be back soon. He knows you were making
cookies for him. He will love them, Grace." Standing up, her eyes lock
with Rosa Vecchio's, who has come into the hall from the kitchen. Sizing
up the situation quickly, Ma takes over. "Grace, go in to the kitchen and
fix up a plate of cookies to leave for Raimundo. You can draw him a
picture to leave by his plate." Satisfied with her suggestion, Grace skips
on to the kitchen. Ma pulls Louise in to the family room and makes her sit
on the couch. "Tell me what happened, mia cara." "I told him everything.
Well, most everything, but it doesn't matter. He's very angry and he has
every right to be." A tear slips down Louise's cheek as she speaks. Ma
Vecchio shakes her head, knowing just how angry and stubborn her son can
be. "He needs time to think about the news. This is a big shock to him,
but he will come around." "He didn't let me tell him that I don't want
money or anything from him.......all I want from him is to love Grace.
That's all..." "Oh, Louise, he already loves her." Ma pats her hand and
comforts her until Grace comes back looking for them both. Louise quickly
rubs her face and puts on a smile for her daughter when she hears her
voice. "Grandma Rosa, I finished the picture. I put it by his cookies on
the table." Ma hesitates a moment to see if Louise reacts to what Grace
has called her. She notices Louise smile at Grace and then at her. "Grace,
you and Grandma Rosa have had a busy night. Let's get your coat and go
home." "Okay, mommy. But can I call Ray tomorrow and see if he likes my
cookies?" Before Louise could answer, Grandma Rosa speaks up. "I bet he
calls you first, Grace. Remember, I told you oatmeal raisin cookies are
his favorite." Grace smiles and hurries off to get her coat. Ma walks
Louise to the front door, and hands her a container of cookies to take
home. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine with time. He will come to his
senses. He is a good man." "I know he is, but I hurt him, Rosa." "Time
heals all, mia cara." They both hear Grace coming to the door. Grace tugs
on Ma's apron again, and the woman leans down for a kiss from the girl.
"Night Grandma Rosa. Give Ray a kiss for me too." "I will sweetheart. You
take care of your mommy, okay. Make her eat a cookie before bed." Rosa
Vecchio watches the mother and daughter drive off, waving goodbye to
Grace. She flips on the light for the porch as she heads inside the house.
Walking to the kitchen to put water on for tea, she mutters to herself in
Italian, hoping Raimundo gets home soon for a little talk. After an hour
of driving around the neighborhood aimlessly, Ray pulls in to the driveway
of the Vecchio house. He notices the porch light on, and sighs with a
sudden dread. He knows there is only one reason the light could be on, and
that means that Ma is up waiting for him. He grudgingly gets out of the
Riv and makes his way up to the front door. He silently moves in to the
house, and closes the door without a sound. Creeping to the stairs, he
thinks he is home free, until he hears a voice calling from the kitchen.
"Raimundo, is that you?" Defeated, he looks up the stairs. He could run
upstairs and hide in his room, or he could face the inevitable. He turns
and heads to the kitchen. He finds his mother sitting in the semi-dark
kitchen, a stern look on her face. "Raimundo, where have you been?" Her
voice is low and forced. "Driving around" he answers cautiously. "You let
Louise drive home by her. That is unlike you." Silence fills the room, and
Ray becomes more uncomfortable under the scrutiny of his Ma. "Ma, we
talked tonight, and she...Louise, told me something that may shock you."
"Nothing shocks me anymore, Raimundo. And I know all about Grace." "What
do you mean you know about Grace? I just learned about her. And frankly,
I'm not sure I believe Louise." He didn't see her hand until it hit the
bald pate of his head. "Ouch. Ma!" He rubs his head, while he watches his
mother take her seat again. "That's for Louise" she proclaims proudly.
"You're taking her side?" "Sides! What sides, Raimundo? You have a
responsibility to her and to Grace." "But she lied to me, Ma. She never
told me about Grace. How do I believe anything she says now?" "How can you
doubt that Grace is your daughter? I knew the minute that darling girl
walked into this house. She has your eyes, Raimundo." "Well, I asked for a
DNA test. That will prove it." His macho attitude is too much for his Ma.
She gets up and whacks him on the head again. "Ouch, stop that, Ma." "That
one is for me. You can be so stupid at times." She walks back to the table
and gathers her empty cup, taking it to the sink. Washing it, a sly smile
crosses her lips as she watches her son in the window reflection. He is
rubbing his head where she last hit him, and he is in deep thought. She
hopes he realizes he is being unreasonable. "Ma, I just need proof." "What
proof? Looking at Grace does not give you enough? It is for me. Listening
to Louise, who has no reason to lie to you, should be proof enough."
Deflated, Ray sits in the chair he finds next to him. Ma comes over and
stands by her son. "I can't be a father." "You'll make a wonderful father,
Raimundo." She puts her hand on his shoulder. "I didn't have a great role
model, Ma. What makes you think I'll be so wonderful?" "For that reason
right there. You know what not to do." She smiles gently at him, seeing
the fear he is trying to mask. She then notices the plate of cookies at
the far end of the table. She reaches across and places them in front of
Ray. He looks down at the plate, and then sees the drawing underneath. He
picks it up and his heart melts instantly. A rainbow of many colors
decorates the paper, and a small heart shines bright next to the name
GRACE at the bottom. Ray's eyes suddenly fill with unshed tears, and he
looks up in to his Ma's face and says, "I need to talk to Louise some
more." "Yes, you do. Apologize to her." He nods, knowing he will do just
that. "You made her cry." She decides he needs to know this fact, as he
brushes away his own tears. "Cry? Louise St. Laurent? I don't think so."
He chuckles despite the seriousness of the statement. "Having a child
changes one's perspective. She is human, Raimundo, she has feelings.
Remember that." He looks at the clock to see that it is almost 10pm.
"Think she will still be up?" "Take the chance, caro." He leaves his
mother to finish up in the kitchen, but not until after giving her a kiss
on the cheek. He grabs a handful of cookies as he goes out the door.
Upstairs in the privacy of his room, after changing out of his dress
clothes and into his pajamas and robe, he calls Louise. The phone rings
five times before she answers. "Hello." She sounds out of breath. "Hi.
Louise. It's me, Ray." "Yes. I know. Caller ID." "Were you sleeping? I can
call back tomorrow." "No, I was checking in on mother. But she's sleeping
peacefully." "Oh. Good. Um..." "Is there something you wanted, Ray? I'm
tired. Long night." Her tone sounds cold. "I feel we need to talk some
more. I need to ....." "I think we've done enough for one evening. I need
to go." "Please, wait, don't hang up." "Fine. Say what you need to say."
She sits on her bed, folding her legs under her, and waits for him to
rant. Ray waits a moment, trying to collect his courage, and then
proceeds. "I'm sorry." Louise is not sure she hears him correctly. "What?"
"I said I'm sorry. I'm sorry I acted like a jerk. I believe you." "You
believe me. About what?" "That I'm Grace's father." Louise is quite
surprised, but she's not going to let him off too easy. "Ah. Just like
that? It came to you that I was telling the truth?" "Yes, after talking
with Ma. You don't have to do a DNA test." "How gracious of you. If you
had just listened to me in the first place we could of finished our
conversation earlier." "Look. You shocked the hell out of me. I just
needed time to reflect on the news." "And what did you reflect?" "That I
want to be a part of Grace's life. I want to be her father." The phone
becomes silent again for a few moments. Louise is speechless, not knowing
what to say next. "Louise, still there?" Ray's voice has a trace of worry.
"Yes, I'm still here." Her voice is soft and fighting tears. "I think we
should talk more, make some plans. I want to tell Grace who I am." He
tells her this as he looks once again at the drawing he holds in his hand.
"Can you meet me for lunch on Monday?" "Yes that sounds fine. I'll have to
check my schedule..." She is interrupted when she sees her daughter walk
sleepily in to her room. "Mommy, I need a drink of water." "Grace, honey,
its late." "I'm thirsty." Ray overhears the conversation, and he waits
patiently for Louise. "Hold on a second, Ray, I need to get her a glass of
water." He hears the phone being put down on the table, but just for an
instant. A small voice, soft and sleepy, soon begins to talk to him. "Hi
Ray. Did you get my cookies?" "Grace. I sure did. They were the best
cookies I've ever had. Better than Ma's." Grace giggles. "And my rainbow?
I made it by myself." "It's beautiful, Grace. I love the picture." He
hears more giggles from the little girl, until Louise's commanding voice
stops her. "Say goodbye to Ray, Grace. Here's your water." "Night, Ray."
"Night, Grace. Sleep well, sweetheart." The phone is put down once again,
but Ray is still able to hear the conversation between mother and child.
"Hop back in to bed, Grace. I'll be there in just a bit to tuck you in
again." She takes the glass from Grace, and gently pushes her out the
door. "Okay, mommy." She stops in the hall for one last word. "I like Ray,
mommy." "I'm glad, honey, now go to bed." Louise picks up the phone from
the table and tells Ray, "Lunch on Monday. I'm free at 1pm. We can decide
then when we tell her." "See you then. Night." "Goodnight, Ray." Louise St
Laurent exits the elevator on the seventh floor and walks down towards the
Vecchio Investigative Agency. Her meeting ended earlier than she expected,
and now she hopes Ray can leave for lunch sooner than they had planned.
She walks into the front office, and finds it empty. Following the voices
down the hall, she stops in the open doorway of Ray's office. He is in
deep discussion with two people, so she waits for them to finish before
announcing her arrival. "Jim, take a look over the Boren file and see what
you can make of it. The father wants the surveillance to be covert. Get
back with me later today on what you think." "Gotcha boss." Jim takes the
thick file from Ray's hands. "Bambi, I need....." Ray looks up in mid
sentence and sees Louise in his doorway. "Louise, come on in. Am I running
late?" He stands and waits for her to join them. "I'm sorry to intrude.
There was no one at the front desk." "No intrusion. We are having a quick
staff meeting." "I can wait out in the front." She turns to leave. "No
need, we're finished. Louise St. Laurent, this is Bambi Peters, my
secretary, and Jim Vickers, my associate and right hand man." Louise
shakes both of their hands in a cordial manner, though her glance lingers
a moment at Bambi, the secretary. Blonde hair, red lips, long painted
nails, not the typical secretary for a detective agency. Both Jim and
Bambi excuse themselves to leave, and Louise waits until they are out of
the room before speaking. "I really am sorry to interrupt your meeting. I
finished earlier than expected and thought if you were ready we could
leave now. I have a busy afternoon." Ray looks at her a moment, taking in
her tired _expression and dark circles under her eyes. He's not sure if he
should bring it up now. "Sure, I can leave now. I need to give these files
to Bambi, and then we can go." Louise follows Ray out the door and
patiently waits for him to give last minute instructions to his secretary.
He opens the door for her and she leads them both to the elevator. They
are the only ones in the elevator, and as soon as the door closes, she
says, "Only you, Ray Vecchio, would have a secretary with the name of
Bambi." Louise rolls her eyes. "Bambi is an exceptional secretary." His
eyes shine with amusement as he smiles at her. "She looks like a tart,
Ray. You should have someone more professional for your front office." "I
like Bambi. She does just fine." He answers defiantly. "I just bet you
do." Louise whispers to herself as the doors open on to the first floor.
The two walk out to the street, Ray waiting for Louise to say something,
anything. He finally asks, "Where do you want to eat?" "Somewhere within
walking distance. Like I said, I have a busy afternoon." They end up in
the small cafe next door, a quaint sandwich shop with decent food. They
sit at a table in the back, and wait to order. The awkward silence between
the two is driving Louise crazy. This whole thing of agreeing to lunch to
discuss telling Grace about her father has Louise very upset. Her control
of the situation is slipping from her hands to his. She reluctantly tries
to make small talk. "How was your day yesterday?" Ray, also feeling
uncomfortable with the silence, answers her. "I took Ma to church, then
came home and did some thinking." "Thinking? About Grace?" "Yes, about
Grace, and other things. How my life is going to change, for one." "I did
some thinking to. We need to be very careful how we tell Grace. She is
only four years old. Too much information would only confuse her." "I
don't want to confuse Grace." "Ray, we just need to be careful. I do not
want Grace hurt in anyway." "I don't want to hurt her either. I just want
her to know I am her father. Is that too much to ask?" Their food arrives,
and the conversation stalls. Ray watches as Louise eats a few bites, then
stops. She looks up to find him watching her, and blushes slightly. "I'm
not as hungry as I thought. I haven't had much of an appetite lately."
"You look tired." "I'm fine, Ray. Let's just get on with our talk. I need
to get back." She looks at her watch one more time. "Look, if you need to
get back, and I've heard you say this three times now, just go. If work is
more important than Grace, we can do this another time. "His temper rises
a bit. Louise is taken aback by his statement. "Grace is everything to me.
How dare you say that?" Her eyes flare. "Calm down, you're just pissing me
off a little here by rushing this. Besides, you need to slow down. You
look tired and you need to eat more." "Ray. Drop it. I'm fine. I had a
late night." Exasperated, she stares him down. He stares back until Louise
decides to get to the point of their lunch. "When do you want to tell
her?" "Tonight. I'll come over to your house. What time will you get
home?" "We should be home by 6." "What time do you pick Grace up?" "At
5:30. She comes up to the office with me for last minute things." Ray
thinks this out. Not happy about the situation of Grace's care, he stops
himself before bringing it up now. "I'll be over at 7:30. Does that work
for you?" Holding his temper in, he takes a deep breath. Louise watches
his face, and knows he is thinking about something. Not willing to take
the time to argue with him, she lets it go. "7:30 is fine. See you then."
She gets up to leave and finds a ten dollar bill in her purse. Dropping it
on the table, she turns to leave. "Aren't you coming?" Ray sits in his
chair, a smirk on his face, and picks up the ten dollar bill. He reaches
over and stuffs it back in her purse. "No, I have a longer lunch break.
And this is my treat, keep your money. Go back to work. I'll see you
tonight." Dismissing her, he picks up his iced tea and leans back in his
chair, feeling a rush of air as she turns to leave. Louise is sitting at
her kitchen table, taking a few needed moments of rest before getting
Grace ready for a bath. Ray is due in twenty minutes, and the kitchen is
still a mess. Sighing, she gets up from the table to finish cleaning the
mess. Yelling across the house to her daughter, she conveys her message
loud and clear. "Grace? Get your things ready for a bath. I'll be there in
just a minute. Make sure you have a clean nightgown." "Yes mommy," she
hears from the hall. Grace is very excited about Ray coming to her house,
so minding her mother is foremost on her mind. Louise walks in to the
bathroom and starts to run the bathwater. Grace grabs the Mr. Bubble from
the tub and squirts some in. "I like lots of bubbles." She squirms around
while undressing, anticipating the fun in the tub. "I know you do,
sweetie. But we have to hurry tonight. Ray will be here soon." "Okay. Will
he read me a story for bed?" Louise stops the water from running and turns
to look at Grace. "Would you like him to?" An enthusiastic nod from the
smiling little girl gives Louise an answer. "Ask him nicely, and I bet he
will." "I will mommy." She gets in the tub and plays with all the bubbles.
"Why is he coming to our house?" Louise thinks before replying. "Ray and I
need to talk about something, and then talk to you." "About what?" "Just
wait until Ray gets here, Grace." She avoids any more questions by
efficiently bathing the little girl in the short time they have. They
finish Grace's bath just before the doorbell rings. Wet hair flying,
nightgown billowing in her haste, Grace runs to the door. "Can I open it,
mommy?" Louise catches up to her and looks out the window. "Yes, it's Ray.
Open the door, Grace." "Hi Ray," the little girl squeals as he enters and
picks her up in a quick hug, leaving wet spots on his dark shirt. "Hi,
Gracie. You smell clean." Placing her back on the floor, he inspects his
now wet shirt. Feeling staring eyes, he turns to greet Louise. "Louise."
"Ray. Come in. We just finished Grace's bath." "I can tell." She gives him
a warning look. "You'll dry. Let's go in here." She leads the way and the
three walk in to the family room. Ray is directed to the couch, where
Grace climbs in next to him. "Mommy says you're here to talk." Ray, who's
not quite used to the frankness of this four year old, just stares at
Louise. "Grace, maybe Ray and I need to talk by ourselves first, and then
you can come back. Why don't you go and brush your teeth and pick out a
book to read before bed." Satisfied with her tasks, she jumps down from
couch. But before leaving, she leans in to Ray, smiling sweetly up at him,
and asks, "Will you read me a book before bed?" His heart pounding as he
looks into the eyes of the girl, he mumbles back to her. "I'd love to
Grace." Waiting for her to leave, Louise watches as Ray grasps his
emotions. "Oh god, her eyes. She has my eyes." "Yes, she does. Among other
things." He leaves that statement alone for the moment, and moves on.
"Let's get this done with. I want her to know now." "We need to take it
slowly. I don't want her hurt or confused." "I understand that." He looks
over at her. Her appearance is much the same as it was today, except she
looks more tired. And scared. "You're not sure how to tell her, are you?"
"No." Her voice falters. "What does she know of her father? What have you
told her before?" "That you lived in Florida. That you had an important
job and could not be with us." "Okay. That's believable." The sarcasm in
his voice is not lost on Louise. "For a small child it is." She is about
to tell Ray what he can do with his sarcasm, when Grace comes bouncing
back in the room. "All done." She hops up on the couch right next to Ray.
She smells of toothpaste and soap. Louise moves over to sit on the other
side of her. Taking a deep breath, she begins. "Grace, we have something
to tell you." "What mommy?" Her eyes look back and forth from her mother
to Ray. "Remember I told you that your daddy is living in Florida?" "Cause
of his job?" "Yes, because of his job. Well, he is now living here in
Chicago. In fact, you have met him." "I have? Who is he mommy?" She waits,
watching her mother intently. "Grace, Ray is your daddy." The two adults
wait for the little girl to absorb what she just heard. Grace turns to Ray
for acceptance. "You're my daddy?" "Yes I am, Grace." Ray wants to say
much more, but he thinks simple answers will work best. She turns back to
her mother, slight confusion showing on her face. "He's going to be my
daddy forever?" "Oh yes, honey. He will always be your daddy." Thinking
that over, she asks a question that neither one anticipated. "Is he going
to live here with us?" Both Ray and Louise are taken aback with her
question. They look at each other, hoping the other has an answer. Ray
attempts this time. He gently takes her arm and gets her attention.
"Grace, you know I live with Grandma Rosa, and I take care of her in my
house. You and your mommy take care of your granny here. For right now, we
need to keep it like that. Do you understand?" She nods her head in
agreement, and then offers her opinion. "I think the grannies need us to
take care of them first. Will you come see me everyday?" Ray chuckles at
this, and catches Louise's eyes as he answers. "I will try, Gracie. If
not, then you can call me on the phone." Satisfied with the plan, Grace
yawns loudly. She crawls in to Ray's lap while asking, "Will you read me a
story now?" "I would love to read you a story." She places her small hand
on the side of his face, touching him with a gentle caress, making sure he
is real. "Can I call you daddy now?" Her eyes are pleading, her voice
hopeful. "Oh yes." His voice chokes up a bit. He carries her to her
bedroom and places her on her bed. Louise follows discreetly behind;
curious as to what Grace might say when she has Ray alone. The whole
situation seems to have played out much easier than what Louise planned
for. Grace accepts the news of Ray being her father with no question.
Louise is slightly perplexed with that, but then again, she is also
feeling a tinge of jealousy. The low light in the bedroom silhouettes
Grace and Ray as he reads to her. Louise is touched by his soft voice and
his caring touch. He is the father Grace has always wanted. She watches as
Ray closes the book and gently eases away from the sleeping child. He lays
the book on the table and begins to turn off the light, before Louise
grabs his arm and pulls him out to the hallway. "Leave the light on." She
whispers roughly. "She's afraid of the dark. Come on, I'll make us some
tea." Louise fills the tea kettle with water and puts it on the stove.
Sitting at the same table across from her makes Ray very uncomfortable. He
drinks his tea in silence, waiting to see what she brings up for
conversation. But Louise herself is silent. When they both decide that the
silence is too much, they begin to speak at the same time, only to be
interrupted by a loud crash in the back of the house. Louise lets out a
shriek, and Ray here's the word "Mother" as she races out of the room. He
follows quickly, coming upon the scene where Louise is returning a table
right side up. Louise's mother, lying in her hospital bed, is apologizing
for tipping the table. "its okay, mother. Just a broken glass. I'll get
the broom." She passes Ray on her way out, a look of don't ask thrown at
him. "Raymond, don't mind her, come on in the room." "Lillian, good to see
you again. You look great." He walks over to the bed and takes her frail
hand in his. "Always a charmer, Raymond." Her smile lights up her pale
face and Ray smiles back. She soon becomes serious with her next thought.
"Tell me Raymond, has my daughter finally told you that you are the father
of my darling granddaughter?" "Yes, she has. In fact, we told Grace
tonight." Lillian looks him in the eye and asks, "How did you tell her? I
hope you both kept her feelings in mind." She watches as Louise brings in
the broom. "Louise did the talking. I explained about living in separate
houses. I think we did okay." Louise looks up from sweeping, a surprised
look on her face, amazed that Ray is not taking credit for the whole
situation. She places the large pieces of glass in the trash and strains
to hear the rest of the conversation. "She's a special little girl." "Who
needs a father." Lillian makes her point before a wave of coughing takes
over. Ray looks over at Louise across the room. "Well, she has one now. I
plan on being around for a long time." "Good, it's about time. My daughter
needs you too." Her voice is wavering, and she coughs more. Louise
interjects. "Mother. You're getting yourself upset." She pours her mother
a fresh glass of water and helps her drink. "It's true, dear. You just
don't want to admit it." "We'll talk about it another time. Lay back and
try to get some sleep. I'll be in to check on you before I go to bed."
Louise throws Ray a discerning look. He leans down to give the old woman a
peck on her cheek. "Good night, Lillian." "Thank you, Raymond." He tries
to stand back up, but she holds him with her shaking hand and whispers to
him, "Love Grace with all your heart. Forgive Louise." Ray removes himself
gently from her grasp and leaves the bedroom in haste. Louise, frowning at
her mother, follows behind. "So, Benton, tell me what you think of my new
granddaughter," Ma Vecchio asked of her guest as she piled lasagna on his
plate. "She's a wonderful little girl. I had the pleasure of meeting her
last week when Ray brought her over to the consulate. I am to be called
Uncle Benny." He beams with his new title, another connection to a family
that means so much to him. "Ray has been a father for almost a month now,
and I've been an Uncle for a week." He smiles over at Ray who is shoveling
food into his mouth and nods in affirmation. Ma is finally able to sit
down herself, in between her two favorite men. Thursday night is her night
to cook for Ray and Benton. She makes a big deal out of cooking for them,
and they make a bigger deal out of eating the wonderful meal. "He could be
much more than a father, if he put his mind to it." Ray frowns with what
his mother is referring, but Ben just looks confused. Ray tries to
explain. "Benny, Ma thinks I should marry Louise and bring everyone here
to live." Fraser looks at his friend and notices that Ray is not smiling.
The subject seems to be a sore one between mother and son. Not wanting to
come between the two, he tries to change the subject. "Great lasagna, Ma.
What kind of spices are in the sauce?" She ignores him, throwing Ray a
look of annoyance. "Raimundo, it would be the best solution for all." Ray,
clearly upset, but holds his temper in talking with his mother. "Ma, it's
not like that between Louise and me. And our current agreement is working
out fine. I see Grace whenever I want. I've discussed this with you
before." He picks up his plate and carries it over to the sink. "Come on
Benny, the baseball game starts in a few minutes." He stops by his
mother's chair and reluctantly plants a kiss on her cheek. "Great dinner,
Ma." She accepts his kiss and drops the conversation for now. "Yes, thanks
again for a great meal, Ma." Fraser takes his plate over and follows Ray
out to the den. Ma Vecchio sits at the table, mumbling to herself. She
smiles suddenly as a thought crosses her mind. The two men watch the game
on the television while Ma cleans the kitchen. Ray's cell phone, left on
the table after dinner, rings as she is moving it out of the way. Noticing
it is Louise's home number, she answers. "Hello?" "Daddy? Daddy?" A small
voice, frightened by something, captures Ma's full attention. "Grace? Is
that you?" "Daddy?" The girl is crying and not answering. Ma rushes out to
the den, and frantically hands the phone to Ray. "It's Grace, she's upset.
I can't get her to talk to me." Ray stands up as he grabs the phone from
his mother. "Grace? It's daddy. What's wrong, honey?" "Daddy? Something's
wrong. I need you." "Grace, calm down, and tell me what's going on." Ray
is trying to keep his voice calm, but finding it very difficult. Fraser,
standing next to him now, is equally worried. Ma is returning to the den
clutching her purse, ready to leave. "Gracie, are you still there? Tell
daddy what's wrong." A small voice, still sobbing, but trying to control
it, finally answers him. "Mommy's crying and won't come out. I'm scared,
daddy." "Where's your mommy, Grace?" "In with Granny. The door's locked. I
hear her crying." Ray covers the receiver with his hand, and tells Ma and
Benny, "Something's wrong with Louise. She's in with Lillian. We need to
go, now." He walks to the door, as the other two follow him. Ray, still
talking to Grace, heads to the Riv. "Grace, listen to me. I want you to go
to your mommy's room and climb up on her bed and stay there for me. I'm
coming over right now." "Okay, daddy." He hears the rustling of her
nightgown as she heads down the hall. Other noises alert him to what she
is doing. "Don't hang up sweetie; I'll talk to you why I'm driving there.
Okay?" "I won't. I'm scared, daddy. What's a matter with mommy?" "I don't
know sweetheart, but I'll be there in just a minute and find out." The
trip is short, and in no time, Ray is rushing up the steps to the St.
Laurent house. "Grace, I'm at the door, almost there." He hangs up his
phone as he unlocks the door, using a key Louise had given him. He runs to
Louise's room and has Grace in his arms before Ma and Fraser are in the
house. "Daddy." Grace is tightly clutched to her father's neck, holding
him as close as possible. After a few minutes, Ray plies her fingers from
his neck in order to look into her face. "Grace, look at me, sweetie." She
loosens her grip, and allows him to look at her. "Are you okay? Let me
see." He checks her out, and finding nothing, he passes her to his
mother's waiting arms. "Stay here with Grandma Rosa while I check on your
mommy." He kisses her head before going out in the hall. Benny follows him
to the locked door. Trying the knob once more, Ray shrugs and gives it a
good kick. The door opens to a scene that breaks his heart. Louise is half
sprawled on the bed beside her mother, sobbing incoherently. Benny walks
over and quickly checks the pulse of Lillian, then shakes his head to Ray.
He gently closes the eyes of the deceased woman, and pulls the sheet up
over her. Ray has his arms around Louise, trying to get her to sit up so
he can check her out. Despondent, she slumps in his arms like a rag doll.
"Louise, come on, snap out of it. I need you to talk to me. Come on, babe.
Talk to me." Finally able to get her upright, he gently slaps her face a
couple of times, bringing a response. "Don't hit me again." Her voice is
strained, but coherent. This makes Ray smile, with a sigh of relief. "Ahh,
there you are. You had me scared for a minute." Her eyes focus on him, and
she frowns in confusion. "What are you doing here, Ray?" "Grace called me.
She's very upset." This immediately brings Louise out of the stupor.
"Grace? Where is she? Oh my god, is she okay?" Ray, still holding Louise
up against the bed, replies, "Relax. She's fine. Ma's with her." "She was
sleeping when I went to check on mother. That was ...wait, what time is
it?" She looks over to the clock and notices it is near midnight. "I came
in here about 10:45, and I found her fighting to breathe, and then, she
just stopped." Louise quietly breaks in to sobs again, and crumples in to
Ray's arms. "Hey, shhh, it's okay. Go ahead and cry, I've got you." Fraser
had slipped away from the pair moments ago to check on Grace and her
grandmother. Ma had the girl calmed down and under the covers of the bed.
Returning back to the room where Ray and Louise are, he hesitates, then
asks, "Is there someone I can call, Ms. St. Laurent?" Louise lifts her
head from Ray's shoulder and recognizes him. "Fraser, yes, please, the
number for Hospice is by the phone in the kitchen. Thank you." "No
problem." He leaves to do this task. Ray leans back from Louise, letting
go of her, and enabling her to stand on her own. With her hand on his arm,
she squeezes gently. "Thank you for coming." "All you had to do was call.
I could have been here sooner." She looks over her shoulder at the bed,
and a shiver goes up her back. She takes a deep breath to calm herself,
and then asks, "Will you stay until they come to get her? I'm not sure
I'm...." "I'll stay as long as you need me to." Fraser walks back in, his
voice low and calm. "They should be here within the hour." "Benny, would
you take Ma and Grace back to the house? Have Ma pack a bag for Grace.
I'll stay here and help Louise out, then drive her car back home." "Fine
Ray, let me go and tell Ma." Ray waits for Fraser to leave, then asks
Louise, "Is that okay with you?" She nods her head yes, then finds her
voice. "I want to see Grace before she leaves. But not in here. Take me
down the hall to where she is." "Just a minute. Let me fix you up first."
He smoothes out her clothing, and brushes the hair from her face. "There,
you don't look so scary now." Trying to get a smile from her, he succeeds.
Taking her hand, he leads her to find their daughter. Ma Vecchio has been
talking and singing to her granddaughter, trying to calm the little girl.
The sobs have stopped, but she is still upset. That all changes the minute
she sees her mother walk in the room. "Mommy." She flies out of the covers
and in to her mother's open arms. Louise, almost knocked over by the
exuberance of the girl, embraces her tightly. After a few moments, she
releases her so they can talk. "Grace, I am so proud of you for calling
your daddy. You are such a big girl." She caresses her curls, and leans in
to give her a kiss. "I was scared, mommy. You were crying." "I was sad.
Granny....granny went to heaven tonight, and it made me sad." Grace
absorbs this information, then asks, "Is granny up there with grandpop
now?" "Yes, she is sweetheart." "Then she's happy." "Oh Grace." She pulls
the girl back in to her arms, reveling in the love she has for her.
Finally letting go, she tells her, "Be a good girl and go home with
Grandma Rosa. I'll be there soon. I have some things to do here for
granny." "Will you be a long time?" Her small voice falters; a big tear
falls down her cheek. Louise herself is close to tears, trying to hold her
emotions together. Ray notices and steps in. "Gracie, I'll bring your mom
as soon as we finish here. I'm going to stay here to help her out. You go
home with Grandma Rosa and Uncle Benny, okay?" "Okay, daddy." Ray and
Louise watch as Ma, Grace and Fraser leave the house. On the walk to the
car, Fraser bends to scoop Grace up in his arms, and then leads Ma to the
car. Ray closes the door, knowing his mother and daughter are in good
hands. He turns to find Louise pacing the room, not knowing what to do
next. "Let's go in the kitchen and make some coffee. I know I can use
some." Louise follows his to the kitchen, hoping the Hospice people come
soon. Concerned with Louise, he watches her close as the Hospice team
comes for Lillian. Standing in the back, there if she needs him, his eyes
never leave her. She answers questions, fills out paperwork, and calmly
watches as they leave. The door closes, and Louise retreats to the kitchen
to clean up. He follows again, waiting for something to happen. He didn't
have to wait long. Her back to him in the kitchen, she stands in the
middle of the room, her shoulders quaking in silence as her sobs overtake
her body. He body crumples suddenly, and Ray makes it to her side in time
to catch her as she falls. Lifting her in his arms, he walks out to the
den, and sits on the couch, cradling her while she breaks down. Speaking
softly to her, holding her close, he lets her cry. Drying her eyes,
sniffling a bit, she pushes herself away from him. "I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to fall apart like that." "It's okay. You're entitled." They sit in
silence, as she lays her head down on his shoulder again. Feeling safe,
she tells him her fears. "What am I going to do without mother? Who will I
confide to, tell my fears to? Who's going to tell me how to be a good
mother to Grace?" Not knowing if she wants an answer, and not knowing how
to answer, Ray just lets her talk. There is a lot he could say, and should
say, but he is not ready to do that. And her emotional state is not ready
to hear what he has to say. As he sits thinking about this, he notices she
is silent again. Looking down, he sees she is falling asleep. Exhausted by
her ordeal, peace has finally found her in sleep. Lifting her up, he takes
her into her bedroom and places her on the bed. Slipping her shoes off, he
pulls the covers over her, making her comfortable. Turning the lamp off,
he turns to slip out of the room, and hears her voice. "Don't go." Her
plea tugs at his heart. "Stay here with me. Please." Unable to refuse her
in her time of need, he crawls in bed with her, on top of the covers,
pulling her close to him, letting her sleep in the protection of his arms.
Louise wakes up alone in bed, the sun streaming through the open curtain.
She sits up, groggy and displaced, and then her mind clicks in to the past
few hours. Glancing at the clock to check on the time, she sees a note on
the bedside table. She picks it up to read the words: 

 Louise, Went to the office. I'll check on Grace. Found your keys in the
kitchen, and I have your car. Back later. Ray 

 Sighing, she gets up and crosses the room. She is not really surprised
that he left without waking her. Leaving a note, short as it is, is just
his style. Looking out the curtain into the bright world, her arm holding
the curtain open, she realizes she is still in her clothes from yesterday.
For some reason, she smells the sleeve of her blouse, expecting a stale
day old smell, but finding the distinct aroma of Ray's cologne instead.
Taking another whiff, she instantly feels safe, forever connecting his
smell with one of comfort. Shaking off the remembrance of being in his
arms, she heads for the shower. Ray is driving across town, just now
leaving his office. Catching up on paperwork, and leaving Jim and Bambi
instructions, he heads towards home. Noticing it is almost eight-thirty,
he should just make it home for breakfast, catch a shower, and get back to
Louise's in an hour's time. He wants to escort her to wherever she needs
to go today, whether she wants him to or not. Sitting at a light, he
frowns again at the vehicle he is forced to drive this morning. He is
going to have to talk to Louise about her choice of cars. It could be
worse, Ray thinks to himself; at least it's a sedan and not a wagon. When
he makes it home, the house is quiet, and Ray finds his mother in the
kitchen. "Morning, Ma." "Raimundo." Her voice is terse, and when she turns
to him, she looks tired. "Ma. What's wrong? Grace? She okay?" "Now she is.
It was a long night. I tried to reach you." "I turned off my cell and
unplugged the phone in Louise's bedroom so it wouldn't wake her." He
suddenly feels a dull pain in the pit of his stomach, and sits down at the
table to confront his Ma. "What happened?" Ma carries over two mugs of
coffee and sits across her son. "I could not get the bambina to sleep. She
wanted her mother. I tried to call you, but I couldn't get through.
Finally, Benton was able to rock her to sleep. She is up in your bed right
now. Benton is in the guest room." "I'm sorry Ma. Louise was exhausted. I
stayed with her, and then slept on the couch." (A little white lie to his
mother, as he hides his eyes from hers). Ma, too tired to notice, or not
caring at this point, just shakes her head. "I know Louise needed you last
night. I just wanted Grace to talk to her mother. It might of helped."
"Yea. It might of. I'll talk to Grace when she wakes up." "I think you
need to bring Louise over here. Now. She is going to need Grace as much as
Grace needs her, Raimundo." "Your right, Ma. Let me shower and then I'll
go get her." "Raimundo, she will need you as well this week. Both of them
will." Ray looks at her across the table and nods. "I know, Ma."
Remembering last night, he knows all too well. Now if he can just be there
for her without his emotions betraying him. Because comforting her is one
thing, but showing her love or any kind of warm feelings is something he
is just not ready to do. Louise is blow drying her hair when he arrives.
Using his key to enter the house, he hears the dryer sound immediately.
Not wanting to scare her, he waits to announce his arrival when she is
done. Standing outside her room, he knocks on her door when the dryer
stops, and makes his presence known. "Louise, I'm here." he sticks his
head around the door. Louise, startled by the deep voice inside her room,
comes to the opening of her bathroom door. She appears in her bra and
underwear, her temper ready to pop. "God, you scared me to death. Get out!
I'm not dressed. Couldn't you of knocked or something." Ray, staring at
first, them turning his head, apologizes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
scare you. I knocked, but you didn't hear me." Aggravated, pulling her top
over her head, she then steps in to her jeans. "It doesn't matter," she
replies coming out of the bathroom. Seeing him still by her door, she
asks, "What do you want Ray?" "I came to get you. Apparently Grace had a
hard night. Ma says you need to come over now." Concern on her face now,
she stops in mid-stride and questions him more. "What do you mean a hard
night?" "She cried, couldn't get to sleep. Ma tried everything." "How
about calling me?" She looks over to the phone on her bedside table, then
back at Ray. Ray has the decency of looking sheepish. "I unplugged the
phones, turned off my cell." Staring at him, she just didn't have the
energy to argue with him. "I'll be ready to go in about ten minutes."
Resigned, she makes the bed and plugs in the phone. "Fine. I'll wait out
here." He closes her door. They arrive at the Vecchio house in silence. Ma
meets them in the front of the house, and tells Louise that Grace is still
sleeping. She heads up the stairs, and Ray attempts to follow. Grabbing
his shirt, Ma pulls him back. "Let them be for now, Raimundo. She needs to
see Grace." Reluctantly, he stays downstairs with his mother. Louise finds
Ray's room, remembering back to when she was a visitor in the house five
years ago. Opening the door, she sees Grace sleeping like an angel in the
middle of Ray's bed. Dropping her purse and jacket in the chair, she
crosses over to her little girl. Wanting the peace and innocence she sees
in her daughter, she crawls in beside her. Grace wakes up momentarily,
finding her mother next to her. "Mommy," she whispers, "I missed you." "Oh
Grace, I missed you too. I'm sorry I didn't come here last night." "It's
okay mommy." "It's not okay. I should have been with you." She kisses
Grace's head and snuggles close. "Did daddy take care of you?" "Yes he
did, Grace." She blushes slightly. "Granny really gone?" Grace asks
sleepily. "Yes, honey she is." Louise watches as Grace yawns. "Why don't
you sleep some more, Gracie? I'll lay here next to you." "Okay mommy.
Uncle Benny rocked me last night." "I'll have to thank him later." Not
hearing anything else from her daughter, she finds Grace sleeping once
again. Closing her eyes and relishing the feel of her daughter's heartbeat
close to her own, Louise falls in her own deep slumber. As Ray passes by
his room, he distinctly hears his name being called out. Opening the door
to peek inside, he sees a sight that takes his breath away. Finding them
both in his bed, looking like they belonged, is something he knows he will
remember forever. Louise and Grace are embraced, with Grace's head tucked
under Louise's chin. The sun from the window throws a wash of warm light
over them, and Ray watches them sleep for a few moments. He soon sees a
small hand move in the air and smiles as he sees Grace reach to caress her
mother's face with gentle hands. Louise, mumbling incoherently again,
wakes with a start. "Hi mommy. You were talking in your sleep." "Hi
Gracie." She smiles, taking her small hand, and kisses it lightly. "You
were asking for Ray, mommy." That wakes her up completely. "I was
sleeping, honey. You must have heard something else." "No, it was you."
Grace gives her mother a loving smile. Ray, knowing he would be found
soon, knocks on the door and opens it wider. "Wake up sleepy heads." He
enters the room and comes over to the bed. "Louise, I know you can
probably use more sleep, but there are a few things that need taken care
of. Your pastor has called and needs to speak to you as soon as possible."
Hearing this news, Louise sits up and prepares to face reality once more.
"Thank you, Ray. I'll go and call him soon." Rising from the bed, she
moves past him. He follows her with his eyes, trying to assess her
demeanor, as she tries to smooth out the wrinkles in her clothes. "I'll
have to go home and change." She seems lost and alone again. "We can do
that. Go downstairs and let Ma feed you first." He faces Grace in the bed.
"And you. You must be starving. Grandma is waiting pancakes for you." A
big smile crosses her face, and she leaps in to his arms. "Pancakes with
blueberry syrup?" "I bet she has some blueberry syrup." "Yummy." He
carries her downstairs in his arms, basking in the feel of the warmth of
her embrace. The organ music is softly playing as Ray walks up the aisle
of the church. The memorial service for Lillian St. Laurent will begin in
fifteen minutes, and he is making sure everything is set. The table at the
front of the church displays a portrait of Lillian surrounded by her
favorite flowers, pink and yellow tulips with white roses. Off to the side
is a Chicago Cubs pennant and cap, a reflection of the avid fan she was.
Ray smiles as he touches the cap, remembering a game he watched with her
back when he and Louise were dating. The pastor approaches him, bringing
Ray out of his trance. "Mr. Vecchio, might I ask a favor of you." "Yes,
sir, what can I do for you?" "It's actually for Ms. St. Laurent. She is in
the family waiting room, alone. I don't feel she should be alone at this
time, and I need to finish with something before the service starts."
"I'll go right to her. Thank you." Ray walks to the room just outside of
the sanctuary, and finds Louise sitting in a chair with a somber look on
her face. "Louise, you doing okay?" She takes too long to answer, but Ray
doesn't push. "I'm fine, Ray. Is Pastor Michaels ready to start?" "Not
quite yet. I'll stay here, walk in with you." Nodding, she stands up and
looks around the room. "I'm glad you talked Grace into staying with Maria.
I wasn't sure how she would react to this service." Louise paces the room.
Ray gives her space. "You could have brought her, if you wanted. I just
thought it best for her to be with the other kids." "It's fine, Ray, you
were right." "The kids will keep her occupied. Besides, Maria is going to
put everyone to work setting up the food at the house." "I.....I'm not
sure how I would of done all of this without your family, Ray. Thank you."
She looks at him now, her eyes filling with tears, and he walks over to
take her hands. "Why wouldn't we help. You are family." Wanting to correct
him, she is interrupted by someone from the church staff stating that the
service is starting. Louise, escorted by Ray through a side door into the
sanctuary, is lead to the front pew. The pastor begins with a prayer, and
then gives a wonderful eulogy for Lillian, a member of the church for over
30 years. Others stand and bring forth a loving tribute to her, with music
and song in between. When finally it is Louise's turn to speak, she closes
her eyes, takes a deep breath, and makes a silent prayer to get through
this without breaking down. Walking up to the front, standing by the
table, she looks over to the portrait of her mother. She whispers softly,
"This is for you, mama.... "Lillian St. Laurent, I've always loved her
name. It has such a lyrical sound. Mother loved classical music and fine
art. To her, a visit to an art gallery or a museum was an extraordinary
trip through other cultures and lands. My mother was an inspiration to me
and my friends, letting us create art masterpieces with her paints and
brushes. Her friendships lasted forever, her promises everlasting. She
volunteered all her life, doing missions for the church, teaching art
classes in the summer. But for all of her refined structure, another side
of her came out in the spring, when baseball season began. Her team, the
beloved Chicago Cubs, could do no wrong. Win or lose, Mother was an avid
fan. My father, bless his heart, endured her obsession, and many a night I
would find them sitting in the den watching a game, yelling at the ump.
Even in her last days during her illness, if the Cubs were playing, she
was watching." Taking a moment to take a breath, Louise looks again at the
table and notices the flowers. "One more love of hers was gardening, and
those of you who knew mother well, knew she was proud of her flowers. Pink
and yellow tulips would bloom in the early spring all over our yard, and
her roses would come later in the spring. I made a promise to keep up with
her garden, and I hope I can make them prosper like she did. I know every
time I see her tulips and roses bloom, I shall think of my mother and how
much I miss her." Finding herself choking up, she decides to stop now
before breaking into tears. Looking out in to the faces of her mother's
friends and neighbors, Louise stands before them entranced in silence.
Pastor Michaels looks over at Ray. He stands, walks over to Louise and
brings her back to the pew. The pastor ends the service with a short
prayer, and the organist begins playing Amazing Grace while everyone
stands. Standing next to Ray, Louise wipes her eyes with the handkerchief
Ray has pushed into her hand. The song, Amazing Grace, was her mother's
favorite hymn, and her tears fall once more. Wiping her eyes again with
her left hand, she feels Ray take her right hand in his, squeezing gently,
and keeping hold. The song finishes and the pastor motions for her to come
back to the front to receive people. Ray, still holding her hand, walks up
with her. The St. Laurent house is filled with friends and neighbors; the
food is spread throughout the kitchen and dining room. Louise visits with
everybody, hugging, laughing, and remembering. Grace walks with her, not
leaving her side, sensing how much her mother needs her. Time moves on,
and the last of the visitors are getting ready to leave. Louise and Grace
find themselves alone in the kitchen at last. Louise sits at the table and
allows the little girl to crawl up on her lap, facing her. "Mommy, are you
sad?" "Yes, honey. I'll miss Granny very much." "I'm sad too. Can I talk
to Granny?" Louise thinks before she answers, trying to find a way to
explain to a four year old. "When you say your prayers at night, you can
talk to Granny." "I like that." Grace lays her head on her mother's chest.
Ray walks in at that moment, carrying the last few cups to the sink. Maria
and Francesca kept up with the task of clean up before taking the kids and
Tony home. Drying his hands on the kitchen towel, he turns towards the
table. "Here's where my favorite ladies are hiding." "Hi daddy." He comes
over and kisses Grace on the top of her head. "Hi Gracie. Taking care of
your mommy?" "Yes, she's still sad." Ray looks at Louise, who looks very
tired. "Soon everyone will be gone, and then your mommy can relax." "Are
there still people here?" Louise asks him in a soft voice. "A few, you
neighbors, the Davis' and the Patrick's." "I should go and say goodbye."
She moves to get up, but he stops her. "Ma is escorting them out. You sit.
Take off your shoes." Grace, jumping off from her mother's lap, sits on
the floor and takes off her mother's shoes. "Ah, Grace, that feels
heavenly." And a smile makes its way on to Louise's face. Ray sits in a
chair next to her, and grabs Grace, pulling her up on his lap. "You look
tired, Louise. We should leave, let you get some sleep." "I am tired."
"Then we will get out of you way. Grace, kiss your mommy good night, then
tell Grandma we're going to leave." He moves to let Grace off his lap,
only she doesn't move. Louise sits up in her chair, wanting to protest.
"No, Grace, wait." "What? I'll take Grace home, then you can sleep in
peace." "Daddy?" Grace tries to interrupt. "Hush, Grace. I'm talking to
your mommy." Louise moves a bit closer to his chair. "I want Grace to
stay." "She should come with me. You don't need to hassle with her nightly
waking up." "Daddy...." Grace tries to get heard. Ray ignores her. "I
don't mind, Ray. I think she needs to stay here. She's been at your house
all this week." "I know, and one more night will let you have the quiet
you need." "Daddy...please..." Grace finally captures his attention.
"What, Grace?" He asks, a bit agitated. "I want to stay with mommy." She
stares him down. "Oh. Well then." He looks over her head to Louise, who is
trying to hide a small smile. Ray, slightly hurt, stands up, and sets
Grace back down on the chair. "Fine, I'll leave you two alone." He walks
out to the front room, says something to his mother, and then walks out
the door. Ma comes in to the kitchen looking for Grace and Louise.
"Raimundo and I are leaving. You call me if you need anything, cara." She
takes Louise in her arms and hugs her close. "Thank you for all of your
help, Rosa. I ....I ..." Tears fill her eyes once more, as she faces the
Vecchio matriarch. "Hush, I know what you are trying to say. You need to
get the little one and you to bed. Tomorrow is a new day. Let me take care
of Raimundo." "He was such a comfort to me today. I want to thank him, but
I believe he's upset with me. I need Grace with me tonight." "I know, and
I will explain to him." She kisses her on the cheek, and then bends down
to give Grace a kiss as well. Louise and Grace walk her to the door,
saying goodnight, and watch as she leaves with Ray. Louise is lying on her
bed, the light low because Grace is sleeping next to her. She wants to
sleep, but it's just not possible. Reaching for a book, she snuggles under
the sheet and begins to read. The phone rings, startling her. Grabbing it
quickly so as not to wake Grace, she answers in a soft voice. "Hello?"
"Did I wake you?" Ray's voice is full of concern. "No, I can't seem to
fall asleep." "What about Grace?" "She's zonked out here next to me."
Louise reaches out her hand and smoothes the hair from Grace's brow. "I'm
so sorry, Louise. I didn't realize how much you and Grace needed each
other today." "It's okay, Ray." "No, it's not. I'm a jerk, and I'm sorry."
He waits for her reply, but hears nothing. "You're not going to agree that
I'm a jerk?" He hears her chuckle. "I always think you're a jerk, Ray. But
you have your good moments." "Thanks." "Like today. I could not have
survived today, or this past week without you. Thank you." "My pleasure.
Anything else you need, you let me know." "I will. Good night, Ray." "Good
night, Louise." Ray hangs up the phone, then takes the many pictures Grace
colored for him this past week and looks at each one again. He misses
having her here in the house, having her crawl up on his bed and snuggling
with him before she fell asleep. Then he would carry her to the guest
room, and just watch her for a few moments. Sighing, he places the
pictures on the headboard and turns off the light. Sleep doesn't come easy
for him either. Louise St. Laurent is rushing in to the courthouse,
running late from a hurried lunch. She is trying to call Ray's cell phone,
since he is not in his office. Punching in his number, she waits for him
to answer. "Vecchio." He answers with a slight agitation in his voice.
"Ray. It's me. Where are you?" "I'm out on a job, Louise. For a client.
What do you need?" "I'm going to be stuck in court for the rest of the
afternoon and probably into the evening. I need you to pick up Grace from
school." "That may be difficult. I'm rather busy today." "Ray, we agreed
that when I can't pick her up, you would." "Well, yes, that's correct, but
this is a situation I need to finish." "So, take a few minutes out of your
investigation, and go pick her up." "Louise, it's not as easy as that." He
pauses for a second. "Tell you what, I'll try to finish my interview, but
if I am running late, I'll call Frannie and have her pick up Grace. Is
that fine with you?" Exhaling sharply, she tries to calm herself. "If
that's the only way. You'll pick her up after that?" "Yes. Call me when
you get out of court, and we'll meet at your house." "Fine. I'll call the
day care and let them know." "You do that. Bye." She stares at her phone
before ending the call. Dropping her phone inside her purse, she silently
curses Ray Vecchio as she enters the courtroom. 

 The preschool and kindergarten classes at the day care that Grace attends
are having a day at the park. The teachers are spread out in order to
watch the six different classes. Grace and her best friend Shelli are over
at the slide, waiting in line. The two girls are giggling and sharing
secrets as little girls do. Two older boys come up behind them, pushing
and shoving their way in the line . "Hey Vic, look, it's the two babies."
"We aren't babies. Go away." Shelli speaks up first, being closest to the
bullies. "Yeah, go away, or else." Grace has her say. "Or else what?
You'll tell? Go ahead." Vic dares them with his fist. "I'll tell my daddy.
He used to be a policeman." Grace threatens. The boys flinch a little with
that, until Vic gets a gleam in his eye. "He's not your daddy. Not your
real daddy." Grace just looks at him. Vic moves in closer to her. "I heard
Miss Miller call him Mr. Vecchio. That's not your name." "He is so my
daddy." Grace's lip begins to quiver. "A real daddy would have the same
last name that you do." He delights in the confusion he sees in her face.
Being the oldest at the school, a kindergarten bully, he likes to scare
the younger ones, especially the girls. Shelli moves in closer to Grace.
"Go away. Leave her alone." "No. I think she's lying. She doesn't have a
daddy, and he's not a policeman." Big tears are falling down Grace's
cheek, and Shelli decides to take over. She kicks Vic in the leg, grabs
Grace, and pulls her away. Frannie arrives at the day care to pick up
Grace a few minutes late. This being her day off, she is out running
errands. Ray pleads with her to pick up Grace, but after she hangs up, she
chuckles. Loving her new niece, she really doesn't mind. She just likes to
give her brother a hard time. She walks in the door to find Grace in
tears, her teacher trying to calm her down. "Hey, what's going on here?"
Frannie demands as she walks over to where Grace is standing. "Grace,
sweetie, what's wrong?" She stoops down to get the girl's attention, but
when Grace sees her Aunt, she wraps her arms around her and clings hard.
Standing up, holding Grace, Frannie stares down the teacher. "I'm
Francesca Vecchio. Her mother was to call you and let you know I was
picking her up today." "Yes, Miss Vecchio. Miss St. Laurent did call."
"Fine, but I'm not leaving until I know what happened." Holding Grace
closer, she waits for an answer. "She's been like this since we came back
from the park. She won't tell anyone what is wrong." Frannie lets up on
her hold of Grace and looks at the girl. "Something happen at the park,
Grace?" Grace just looks at her Aunt and shakes her head no. Telling on
the bullies would make it worse for her. Besides, that is not what is
really upsetting her. She sniffles, wipes her nose with her hand, and
tells her, "I wanna go home." Frannie looks back at her niece, then over
to her teacher. "I'll be telling her mother all about this." Mrs. Miller
nods her head. "We encourage you to do so. Maybe Grace will tell her what
happened, and we can deal with it. I want to get to the bottom of this
too, Miss Vecchio." Frannie grabs Grace's backpack from the teacher's
hands. "Thank you." "Good bye, Grace. See you back on Monday." The teacher
escorts them out the door. Grace just buries her head in Frannie's neck.
All buckled in the car seat in the back of Frannie's car, Grace seems
calmer, but she is still not talking. Frannie, directly in front of her so
she can see her in the rear view mirror, glances back to see how she is.
"Ready to talk, kiddo? I'll listen. Aunt Frannie can cure lots of things."
Grace thinks about this. Frannie tries a new tactic. "How about you tell
me over an ice cream cone?" That brings a small smile from the girl. "Ahh.
That got to you. Spill your guts, Gracie, and we are on our way to ice
cream." Frannie pulls out of the parking lot, while Grace begins. "Aunt
Frannie, is Ray my real daddy?" The question startles Frannie. Looking in
the mirror at her, she sees Grace is serious. "Of course he is. Why do you
ask that?" "Vic says he isn't." "Vic? Who's Vic?" "A big bully at school.
A kindergarten kid." "Oh, those mean kindergarten boys." Hoping to get a
laugh from the girl, Frannie looks back at her. Grace just seems more
upset. "Grace, you shouldn't listen to bullies. He's just being mean."
"But he said.....he said..." Grace starts to sob again, obviously upset
over what the boy said. Frannie, stopping at the red light in front of
her, turns around in the car to see Grace up close. "He said what baby?
Did he hurt you? I'll turn this car around and find him and his mother..."
"No, he didn't hurt me. He just said that Ray isn't my daddy. My real
daddy." "Why would he say that? That's none of his business, the little
bully." "Vic says that since my last name is not Vecchio like Ray's, then
he's not my real daddy." "Oh, Gracie. He doesn't know what he is talking
about." The light turns green and Frannie waits a second before pulling
out in the intersection. Always better to be safe. Continuing her
conversation with Grace, she slowly moves the car. "Grace, Ray is
definitely your daddy...." She stops talking as a red blur aims straight
at the right side of her car. The impact of the truck into Frannie's small
car forces them into the oncoming traffic in the middle of the
intersection. The airbag is deployed, forcing Frannie against her seat,
knocking her out for a moment. Waking up, disoriented, Frannie frantically
tries to move the airbag out of her way, finding pain as she tries to
move. A knocking on her window shakes her out of her stupor more, but she
is still pinned in. Her arm feels funny, and she is having problems
breathing. Sirens blaring in the distance, she remembers something as she
sits waiting for help. "Grace, can you hear me, baby? Every thing is going
to be okay. I hear the sirens. Grace? Grace, talk to me. Can you hear me,
Grace?"

 Officer Elaine Besbriss is the first person on the scene of the accident,
coming from down the street when the call comes over the radio. Rushing to
the driver's door, she knocks on the window, trying to get the driver's
attention to unlock the door. Somehow the dazed woman unlatches the door,
and the officer is able to get inside. Helping the woman push the
cumbersome airbag out of the way, she begins to check the woman for
injuries. The woman is frantically calling out a name and trying to turn
her body to the back seat. Officer Besbriss tries to still the woman,
hoping to get a look at her face and focus her attention. "Oh my God,
Francesca Vecchio. Frannie? Can you hear me?" Frannie, hearing her own
name, stops calling for Grace. Looking into the eyes of the officer in
front of her, she sees a friend. "Elaine? Oh, help me. I need to get out
of here and check on Grace." Frannie moves to get out of the car. "Stop,
Frannie. Wait, you need to sit still. You're injured." "I have to check on
Grace." The approaching sirens announce the closeness of the fire trucks
as they make their way to the accident. A crowd has formed around the
intersection, and Officer Besbriss' partner is attempting to move traffic
for the rescue vehicles to get near the accident. Frannie turns sideways
in her seat, her feet now hanging out of the car. Holding her right arm
close to her, she looks painfully at her friend. "Please check on Grace
for me." "Grace?" She looks in the back seat and notices a child in a car
seat. "Hold on. Let me check her out." Officer Besbriss reaches in behind
Frannie to unlock the back door. Pulling hard, she finally forces it open.
Looking over the small girl with reddish blonde curls, she notices the
girl is unconscious with a cut on her head. Touching the girl gently, she
relaxes at the feel of a strong pulse. Not wanting to check for more
injuries or to move the girl before the paramedics get here, she steps
back to where Frannie is. "She's breathing, Frannie, but she's unconscious
at the moment. Who is she?" "She's Ray's daughter." Frannie answers
quietly, shock settling in. Officer Besbriss is surprised at that
information. It's been a year or so since she has seen any of the
Vecchio's. She is about to ask a question, when Frannie screams out. "We
gotta call Ray. He needs to know. And Louise. Oh my God, she's going to
flip." "Frannie, calm down. Don't get excited." The fire truck pulls up
alongside the wrecked cars, and the firemen take over the situation. The
paramedics arrive to assess the injured. Officer Besbriss moves out of the
way to allow the paramedic to check Frannie. Two firemen are able to lift
Grace carefully from her car seat, and place her on the gurney. Frannie
pushes away from the paramedic examining her as she hears a frightened cry
from Grace. The paramedic gently restrains her where she is sitting. "Let
me go, you moron. She needs me. Can't you hear her? She's scared to
death." The man just goes about his job and keeps a firm grip on Frannie.
"Just hold still ma'am. Your arm is broken. I need to immobilize it before
we can transport you. We are almost done, and then you can go and see
her." "I'm her aunt; I need to be with her." "I know that, ma'am. "He
releases her and helps her stand on her wobbly legs. Officer Besbriss
takes the other side and they both escort Frannie over to the ambulance.
Before the officer leaves her side, Frannie grabs for her hand. "Elaine?
Do me a favor? Grab my cell phone from my purse and give Ray a call. His
cell phone number is listed. Tell him we are both okay and to meet us at
the hospital." "Sure thing, Frannie. I'll go do that right now." Officer
Besbriss fishes the cell phone from the purse she finds in the front seat
of the crushed vehicle. Scanning the list of names saved, she finds one
for Ray's cell phone. Calling him, she glances over the top of the car to
see her partner coming towards her. Holding him off for the moment, she
hears a familiar voice. "Vecchio. Frannie, what do you need now? I'm busy
here." His voice is full of frustration. "Ray. This is Elaine. Officer
Besbriss." "Elaine. Hi. What are you doing on Frannie's phone? Is she
there? Let me talk with her." "No. Ray, listen to me. Frannie has been in
an accident. They are taking her to County General. She asked me to call
you and let you know that she and ..........." Ray interrupts her. "Grace.
Oh my God, she has Grace with her." Elaine hears the alarm in his voice.
Trying to calm him down, she gives him what information she can at this
time. Ray thanks her and then hangs up. He immediately calls Louise, but
all he gets is her voice mail. Calling off his stakeout for his new
client, he starts the engine and pulls away from the curb. He has a twenty
minute drive to the courthouse, but makes it in ten. Pulling up in front
of the building, he makes his own parking space. While taking the steps
two by two, he calls his mother to inform her of the accident. Inside, he
goes straight to the information desk to find out what courtroom Louise is
in. He takes the elevator up to the fifth floor, praying he doesn't have
to barge in the courtroom to get her. Arriving on the floor, he finds
himself confronting a stream of people coming out of the open doors of the
courtroom. Peering in, he sees Louise standing next to her client. Walking
straight up to her, she turns in time to see him approach. "Ray. What are
you doing here? I thought you were on a job." "Louise......" His throat is
dry, and he has a hard time telling her the news. "Were you able to pick
Grace up? Where is she?" "Louise, Frannie and Grace were in a car
accident." Ray watches as the blood drains from her face. She reaches out
to grab the chair beside her. Ray moves and takes arm, pulling her closer
to him. She leans on him for a moment, breathing deeply. "Is Grace okay?
And Frannie?" "She's alive. They both are. That's all I know right now. I
think they are both hurt. I just don't know how bad it is. Louise moves
away from him, and grabs her briefcase. "Then let's go find out." Ray
follows Louise in to the ER where she heads to the information desk in the
middle of the large room. Finally getting the attention of a clerk, she
proceeds to tell the man what she wants. "I want to see my daughter right
this minute. Grace St. Laurent. She was in a car accident. She is four
years old. I want to see her now." Louise's voice gets louder each time
she repeats her want. Ray is about to add to the scene when he sees his
mother and sister sitting over in the waiting area chairs. Rosa Vecchio
walks over to where her son is standing. "Raimundo." Ray notices her face
is full of worry. "Ma. How long have you been here? Have you heard
anything about Grace? Or Frannie?" "We just got here. I haven't been able
to find out anything yet. The doctor is waiting for Louise though."
Hearing this, Louise turns to speak to Rosa. "Oh? Why? Is something
wrong?" She turns to the clerk once more and demands to be taken to Grace.
The clerk moves quickly to find the doctor in charge of her daughter.
"Rosa, is Grace okay? Did you get to see her?" Louise asks, lowering her
voice for the woman. "No, cara, they did not let me. They are waiting for
you. I could hear Grace call for you though." Louise feels her heart stop
at that thought. She turns to look at Ray. He sees the worry in her eyes.
"Ray, I have to see her. Now." "I know. I feel the same way." He looks up
in time to see the clerk motion for them to walk down the hall. Grabbing
Louise's arm, he leads her to where the clerk waits. Ma heads back over to
where Maria is sitting. They are shown to an examination room where they
find Grace looking very small on a big white bed. Her eyes are shut, her
face streaked with blood. As they move closer to the bed, they both look
her over from head to toe, noticing the blood on her clothing, the bruises
that are showing, and knowing there are more underneath her clothing.
Louise feels Ray's hand grab for hers, relishing in the strength of the
connection. Not letting go, she moves closer to touch Grace with her free
hand. "Grace. I'm here sweetheart." She bends to kiss the girl gently on
her cheek. "Oh my God, Ray, she looks so little. So lost." Her words are
mere whispers. Ray is speechless. He squeezes Louise's hand tighter, and
reaches his free hand out to touch Grace's small arm. "She's cold." He
pulls the sheet up to cover her little body. The doctor finds them
standing by the girl's bedside when he comes in to the room. "Mr. and Mrs.
St. Laurent? I'm glad you are here." He addresses them from the other side
of the bed. "I'm Louise St. Laurent, Grace's mother. This is Ray Vecchio,
Grace's father." The doctor is quick in sizing up the situation. The
paramedics listed the girl's name as Grace St. Laurent. "You are the
custodial parent then?" He asks Louise. "Yes, I am. But Mr. Vecchio can
answer questions as well. Ray watches this in silence, letting Louise take
control. A small part of him flinches when the doctor asks about the
custodial parent. For the past few months, just being Grace's father was
enough. Now, he's unsure about that. His thoughts get interrupted when the
doctor speaks. "Your daughter is very lucky. Being in her car seat saved
her life. " "What are her injuries?" Ray finally speaks. "She has bruises
all along the left side of her body. The gash on her head has given her a
mild concussion. I am waiting for the swelling to go a down a bit more on
her arm, and then I will have it x-rayed. I believe it is fractured." "But
other than that? Nothing internal?" "We want to keep her overnight, to
keep an eye on her, and make sure there is nothing else wrong. We will be
admitting her as soon as Ms. St. Laurent fills out the necessary forms.
"I'll go and do that right now." Louise reaches out to touch the sleeping
girl once more, and then reluctantly releases Ray's hand. As Louise is
doing the paper work, Ray walks out to the waiting area and informs his
mother and sister. His Ma has news about Frannie, who is also being
admitted for the evening. Her injuries are a broken arm and two bruised
ribs. Rosa and Maria head up to her room to sit with her and fill her in
with news about Grace. Two hours later, Louise and Ray are sitting in
chairs next to Grace's bed, where she is still sleeping. Her sleep is
restless, and Ray watches as she moans and tries to roll over on to her
side where her left arm is now in a cast. Louise sees her as well, and
moves up by her side. "Gracie, honey, turn over to your back." The girl
blinks once and slowly opens her eyes. "Mommy? Mommy, are you here?" "Oh,
Grace, I'm right here, baby." "I hurt mommy. My side and my head hurt."
Her cries are pitiful. "I know, sweetie. The nurse will give you some more
medicine soon, then you can go back to sleep." Ray moves up by Louise, and
softly speaks to his daughter. "Hi, Gracie. " Grace turns to look at him,
and suddenly her face becomes pained. She tries to lift her free arm to
push him away. "Go away. I don't want you in here. You lied to me."
Astonished, Ray looks over at Louise. Baffled herself, Louise tells Grace,
"Grace, your daddy is here." "He's not my daddy. He lied to me. Tell him
to go away, mommy." Her cries become louder, bringing in a nurse. Ray is
pushed aside by the nurse, and Louise tries to quiet the girl down.
Finally getting her settled, Louise grabs Ray and pulls him to the door.
"Go outside and sit for a minute. Let me talk to her." "What's got into
her? She's acting like she is scared of me." "I don't know, Ray. She's
been in a car accident. She's four years old. It could be anything." She
answers him with a slight frustration in her voice. Ray looks back over
his shoulder at his little girl, sobbing in her pillow, and then glances
at Louise, before leaving the room in a huff. Rosa Vecchio is sitting in a
cold, hard chair next to the hospital bed where her daughter Francesca is
sleeping with the aid of medication. The day is near an end, and Rosa
closes her eyes in exhaustion. Her granddaughter Grace is on another floor
where Rosa pictures her mother and father sitting in the same hard chairs,
the same exhaustion overcoming them. Francesca moans and talks in her
sleep, the name Grace escaping form her lips in a whisper. Rosa gets up
and moves closer, trying to calm Frannie with her words. "Shh, cara. Grace
is fine. You go back to sleep and don't worry about her." Her mother's
voice calming her, Frannie drifts back to sleep. 

 Up on the sixth floor, Louise finally gets Grace calm after the nurse
gives the girl something for her pain. Smoothing the curls from her face,
careful not to touch the ugly cut on her forehead, she leans down to kiss
Grace's cheek. "Go to sleep, baby. Mommy's here. " Grace's eyes become
heavy and close, and Louise looks over to the nurse. The nurse nods, and
tells the worried mother, "She'll sleep for awhile, if you want to go and
get some air. I'll let you know if she wakes up." Louise thanks her and
leaves the room. Glancing down the hall, she looks for Ray. He is not in
sight, and she begins to worry that maybe he left the hospital. She walks
towards the elevators, but something captures her eye before she reaches
them. A chapel, set off in a small corridor, draws her attention. She
opens the door, and sees Ray sitting in the first pew in the front. His
head is lowered into his hands, and he does not hear her until she sits
right next to him. "Ray, are you okay?" Her concern for him causes a
reaction she does not expect. "What, did you come here to gloat?" His pain
is reflected in his tone. "No. I am upset, just like you." "Sure you are.
Grace rejects me, and now you both can just forget all about me." "Ray,
you're being ridiculous. I don't want her to reject you. I have no idea
why she did that." "She told me to go away, that I'm not her daddy
anymore." He finally looks at her, and she can see the anguish he is in.
His eyes are filled with unshed tears, and his face is crestfallen. "Oh
God, Ray, she hurt you." She moves to embrace him, only he quickly stands
and moves away. "Is she awake? Can I talk to her?" His plea is a whisper.
"She just fell asleep. I'll talk to her when she wakes. We'll get to the
bottom of this. I'm sure she's just confused after the accident. She
doesn't know what she is saying." Ray just nods, knowing that is not the
answer. He remembers the scared and hurt look his daughter gave him when
she told him to go away. It's a look he will not forget. "I'm going down
to check on Frannie. Let me know, if anything...." He just stops talking
and walks out the door, leaving her sitting on the front pew. 

 Ray knocks gently on the door before walking in to see his sister. His
mother opens her eyes and smiles at her son. "Raimundo," she whispers, and
kisses his face. "How is Grace?" "She's sleeping. How's Frannie? "Evasive
with his answer, he hugs his mother. "She's doing better. She's in a lot
of pain, but the doctor gave her something. She talks about Grace in her
sleep. I think she is worried." Ray walks over and takes his sister's free
hand in his. He gently squeezes, and then bends down to give her a kiss on
the cheek. "Frannie, sleep well. Grace is going to be okay." He whispers
softly. Frannie moans and tries to open her eyes. "Ray? Is that you?" Her
voice is raspy and she tries to speak again. "Frannie, go back to sleep,
you need your rest." "No, I need to tell you.....something. It's
important, about Grace." Frannie's eyes open fully and she sees her
brother by her bed. She tries to smile, despite being groggy. Ray smiles
back. "What about Grace? Tell me, then you can go back to sleep." "She was
crying at school when I picked her up. A bully.....was bothering her. He
told her.....he told her...." Ray leans in, trying to hear what she is
saying. "He told Grace that you were not her daddy because......" Frannie
stops, her mouth dry, and her mother comes around and holds a tumbler for
her to get a drink. "Frannie, because why? What did this bully tell Grace?
"Ray begins to raise his voice, but catches a glance from his mother, and
softens his tone. "Did he hurt Grace?" "No, he just told her that you were
not her real daddy because you had a different last name. " Ray starts to
say something, but his sister continues. "She was telling me this when we
were hit by the truck. She was so upset, Ray. She thought you lied to her
about being her daddy. I was just about to tell her you would never do
that, when we were hit." Ray contemplates all that his sister is telling
him. Patting her hand, he thanks her for the information and watches as
her eyes close as sleep takes her once more. His Ma walks him to the door.
"Raimundo, tell me what is wrong. I can see you are hurting." "Ma, Grace
wouldn't let me in her room. She told me to go away." "The bambina is
confused. She didn't mean it, caro." Ma Vecchio tries to make her son
understand. "She is in pain, in a place she is unfamiliar with, and lots
of strangers touching her. What does a four year old want the most in a
situation like this? Her mother." "You're probably right, Ma. But it still
hurts." "You go back up and be with Louise. She needs you by her side,
Raimundo." "All right, Ma. I'll talk with you in the morning." "Give my
grandbaby a kiss for me." She kisses her son and sends him on his way.
Going back to sit in the hard chair by Francesca's bed, she says a prayer
that all will be well by morning.

 Louise wakes with a shiver, the room feeling cold and unfeeling. The arm
draped around her shoulder pulls her closer, and she finds herself leaning
on Ray's shoulder. Last night when he came in asking politely if he could
sit with her by Grace's bed, it took Louise all she could do not to pull
him into her arms and make his pain go away. She shivers again, but
doesn't want to move from the comfort of his arm. Ray is still sleeping,
and if she moves, it will wake him. Silently, she prays that Grace will
wake and all will be normal with her and Ray. Having Grace reject Ray last
night devastated him, and she hopes Grace will not do it again. Dozing
off, she wakes to a noise in the room. The small figure on the big bed
cries out softly, and Louise moves out of her comforting embrace, waking
Ray with a start. Motioning him to stay back, she moves next to Grace on
the bed. "Grace, sweetie, I'm here. How do you feel?" "I hurt, mommy. My
head hurts. I want to go home." "Oh, baby I know you do. Maybe later
today. The doctor has to look at your arm and head first." "Okay. What
about Aunt Frannie? Is she hurt too?" Louise smiles. Grace is remembering
the car accident and acting normal. She nods and answers. "Yes, she is
hurt just like you, a broken arm and lots of bruises." "Can I see her?"
Grace asks, her eyes big. "We'll have to see, honey. Frannie may be going
home today. If you can't see her, we can call her later. Would that make
you feel better?" "Yes. I want to talk to her." Grace notices the other
person in the room. She stiffens, but her mother intervenes before she is
able to say anything. "Ray is here. He was here all night with me. He is
worried about you like I am. He can stay in this room, and he will be the
one taking us home. "Her voice is firm, but gentle. She knows how stubborn
her daughter can be when she puts her mind on something. So laying out the
rules first thing helps her take the upper hand, she hopes. Grace just
stares at Ray. He stands back, smiles softly at her, but wisely does not
say a word. Grace motions for her mother to lean in close. She whispers to
her, "Okay, he can stay. But I still think he is not my daddy. When we all
have the same name, then he can be my daddy." Louise steps back to let the
arriving nurse examine Grace. She turns to Ray, who is staring at her.
"Well, what did she say?" "She said you can stay." Not able to look him in
the eye, she turns to watch the nurse. "Glad I have her permission. I
don't think that is all she said." He is moody and in the need of some
caffeine. "I'm going for coffee. I'll bring you back some." He leaves,
without glancing back at the girl. Louise returns to Grace's side as the
nurse finishes up with her tasks. The doctor will be in later, the nurse
tells her, and more than likely, Grace will be released later this
afternoon. Louise waits until the nurse to leave to talk to her daughter.
"Grace, you have to stop this. Ray is your daddy. I am telling you, and I
would not lie to you." "Mommy! Does he have the same last name as we do?"
"No. "Arguing with a four year old early in the morning with lack of sleep
does not sit well with her, and she rubs her forehead to try and stop the
headache. "A real daddy would have the same last name as me." Grace is
adamant in her explanation. Louise is about to say something when Ray
walks in with coffee. Handing her a cup, he bravely moves over to the bed.
"Hey, Gracie, feeling better?" His tone is too cheery, but it works. "My
head still hurts. And I want to go home. Mommy says you are going to take
us home. When can we go, Ray? I want to go home now." Ray is walking
towards Grace's hospital room to take her and Louise back to their house.
Francesca was released earlier, and he is just now getting back from
taking her home. She is in good hands, his Ma hovering over her at every
moment. He reaches the room and sees his daughter sitting on the bed.
"Grace. Hi sweetie." He is aware that she is still unsure about him, so he
makes no movement to go to her. "Where's your mommy?" "She has to sign
papers. She'll be right back." She is holding her hurt arm, a bright pink
cast against her pale skin. "As soon as she is done, I'll take you home."
He aches to hold her. Grace doesn't respond, but continues to stare at her
cast. "I like your pink cast. It's a very pretty color." He tries to make
conversation. She makes a face and pouts. "I wanted purple." "Oh." He is
trying to think of something to say to cheer her up, when he hears her
ask, "Ray, will you drive real slow?" She trembles, and finally looks up
in his direction. Ray sees her fear, and moves closer to where she is on
the bed. He touches her head softly, ruffling her curls. "I promise to
drive slowly and very carefully. Tell you what, your mom can sit in the
back with you and hold your hand. " Louise walks in to the room and hears
the last of the conversation. She sighs, knowing how hard he is trying,
despite Grace rejecting him. "All done. We can leave now." Both Grace and
Ray look relieved that she is finally there. Ray and Louise share a glance
in the rearview mirror on the drive to the house. Grace is too quiet, her
attention focused on her mother. Her fear is understandable just having
been in a car accident, but Louise hopes it is a short term fear. Ray
drives the road smoothly, taking the stops gently and trying not to jerk
the car too hard during turns. They reach the house, and Grace reluctantly
lets Ray carry her inside. Taking her to her room, the girl curls up on
her bed and cradles her broken arm. Louise covers her with a blanket, and
motions Ray to follow her out of the room. "She'll sleep for a while. I
gave her some medication before we left the hospital." Louise tells Ray as
they walk out to the living room. "She looks so pale. Like the life is
zapped out of her." Ray remarks. "I know. That's what worries me the
most." They both stand in the room filled with silence, thinking many
things they should share, but hesitate in doing so. Finally, Ray speaks
up. "I should go. " "You don't have to. You have every right to be with
her." "I appreciate that. But your tired, I'm tired, and you need to get
her settled back in to her routine." Louise moves closer to him, leans in,
and gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Surprised, Ray moves back with a
jerk. Regretting her decision to thank him with a small kiss, Louise opens
the door to allow him a retreat. "Thank you for being here for Grace. It
means a lot to me." She tells him with a hushed voice. "Your welcome. I'll
call later." An awkward silence follows. They both begin to speak when
Grace calls out in her sleep. "I need to go." Louise tells him, and rushes
to be with Grace. Ray leaves with a heavy heart. The next two weeks go
slowly for Louise with Grace's recuperation. The little girl stays in her
room, sleeps quite a bit, and seems very sullen. She has visitors during
the day, making her smile for a short time, but then she returns to the
quiet of her room. At night, the nightmares make her tremble in her
mother's arms, and both fall into an exhausted sleep in the small bed. The
doctor and well meaning friends all say give it time, but Louise is
wondering just how much time has to go by before she has her little girl
back One afternoon, Louise allows Ben Fraser to visit with his wolf Dief,
hoping the animal will cheer Grace into a smile. Despite the past
relationship between Louise and Fraser, she welcomes him in to her home.
Knowing he is a good friend of Ray's and that Grace adores him, she feels
his visit may help Grace overcome her moody behavior. The afternoon
becomes a big success with smiles, giggles, and a promise of more visits
in the next few days. When Fraser leaves, Grace takes her nap without a
fight, and wakes up in a good mood. Her mother hopes this is a milestone
in her recovery, and that her sweet happy little girl is back. But that
night, when the scary dreams wake them both again, Louise herself cries
along with her daughter. She picks her up and carries her back to her big
bed, and holds her until Grace falls back to sleep. Wiping the wet tears
from the small face, she silently wishes she could share her own fears
with someone. Ray visits or calls his daughter every day. Though Grace
still stubbornly calls him Ray instead of Daddy, he manages to hold his
emotions inside. Today he is bringing Franncesca for a visit, hoping that
seeing how well her aunt is doing after the accident might prompt Grace
into a faster recovery. He and Louise discuss her progress on the phone,
and both think Frannie's visit may help. Frannie's visit is a big hit with
Grace. The two have a girl talk session in her room for an hour. Louise
and Ray sit on the couch in a forced silence, listening to the giggling
and bursts of laughter coming from the room. Ray will grill his sister
about the discussion on the way home, and then call Louise with any vital
information. Ray sits at one end of the couch and closes his eyes, hoping
one of these days that all will be the same again. His daughter will call
him daddy, and he can go back to being a weekend dad. Only he knows in his
heart that he wants more. He wants to be more of a parent than a weekend
dad. Looking over at Louise, who just stares at Grace's closed door, he
wonders how she manages with her job and taking care of Grace while she
recovers. His offers of helping during the night are refused, but he also
knows that if she really needs him, she would call. But he looks at her
now and notices the dark circles under her eyes, the lack of sleep showing
in her demeanor. He is about to say something to her, when Frannie and
Grace come out of the room. Both are smiling, and Louise jumps off the
couch to greet them. Grace comes over and gives her mother a big hug, then
moves to give Ray one as well. Surprised, he holds her close and looks
over at a smiling Francesca. After Ray and Francesca leave, Louise offers
to take Grace for ice cream. Grace promptly refuses, which confuses her
mother. Ice cream is a favorite of Grace's, and after having a fun
afternoon, she thought Grace would be up for the outing. But Grace still
refuses, and states she just wants to say in the house. Reluctantly,
Louise drops the idea, and lets Grace go back to her room. The next
morning, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, Louise is mulling
over her thoughts when the doorbell rings. Finding her neighbor from down
the street, she invites her in. 'Hello dear. How's the little one doing
this week?" "Hello, Mrs. Carlton. She is doing better." Louise takes the
cake Mrs. Carlton has brought, and places it on the counter. Pouring the
older lady some tea, they both sit at the table. "But you are still
worried. I can tell." Mrs. Carlton lays her hand on top of Louise's. "I
want my baby back. I want my happy little girl to skip through the house,
singing her little songs at the top of her lungs, I want......" Louise
can't continue. "I know you do, dear. That is why I came by. I have a
solution to your problem." "I'll listen to anything right about now."
Louise wipes a lone tear from her cheek. "I have a beach house that has
been sitting unused for years. It is a private family summer house on the
ocean, and I want you to take Grace there for a visit." "Oh, Mrs. Carlton,
I don't know what to say. That's a generous offer. Grace would love the
beach. It would be a good place for her to rest." "Yes, dear, you need a
relaxing vacation as well. Take her to the beach house and stay for a
couple of weeks. The fresh air and the sunshine will do wonders for both
of you." "Tell me more. It sounds wonderful. Where is the house?" "It's on
the coast. Kiawah Island. In South Carolina. Been in our family for years.
It's beautiful there. Just what you need." "Kiawah Island? That's near
Charleston. I've been there once. It is beautiful." The idea of taking
Grace away is very appealing. A private beach house would be great. Rest
for them both. "I'd like to pay you for the use of the house." Louise
offers, but knows what her neighbor will say. "Nonsense, dear. The house
hasn't been used for years. I offer this to you because you are a good
friend." "Thank you so much, Mrs. Carlton. The more I think about this,
the more I like the idea." "Good, I'll let you work out the details. You
can get back with me when you know more. Oh and dear, take that handsome
man of yours with you. Grace needs him too." "Ray? I don't know. Grace and
he.....Well he may not be able to get off work." "Invite him anyway. Grace
needs both of her parents with her." Mrs. Carlton gets up to leave, taking
Louise's hand and patting it in a motherly way. "It will give all three of
you a well needed rest. Think about it dear." The older woman leaves
Louise alone in her kitchen, planning a trip to bring the sunshine and
light back into her daughter's eyes. Later that night, after making plane
reservations and calling Mrs. Carlton for more information, Louise is
ready to make one last call. Without noticing the time on the clock, she
dials the number. Ray is half asleep when he hears the phone ring next to
his head. Before the ringing can wake everyone in the house, he rudely
answers. "Vecchio." "Ray, did I wake you? I'm sorry about calling so
late." "Louise, what's wrong? Grace? Is she okay?" Sitting up, he is
prepared for bad news. "No, she's fine. I called to tell you of some plans
I have made." "Plans? What plans?" He is instantly suspicious. "I'm taking
Grace away to a beach for a couple of weeks, for fresh air and sunshine.
Kind of a retreat, if you want to call it that." "You're what? Taking her
where?" Confusion is clouding his sleepy mind. "A beach house on Kiawah
Island. In South Carolina." "I know where it is. When are you going?" He
responds curtly. "In three days. I have to do some things at work. Ray, I
want....." He interrupts her sentence with a rant. "So, you're going to
take her away. Keep her from me. Then she can completely deny that I am
her father. Good going, Louise. That might just do it." The sadness in his
voice is hidden by the sarcasm. "Ray, you don't understand. Let me finish
what I am trying to say." "Fine, go ahead and gloat. Tell me all about
your trip to take my daughter away from me." Louise sighs, and shakes her
head while listening to him. "Ray. I made three reservations for the
plane. Three, Ray. Do you hear me? I want you to come with us." Nothing
but silence is heard on the other end of the phone. Ray Vecchio is tired,
his legs cramped in an airplane seat, trying to block out the child
screaming in the seat in front of him. He opens his eyes and glares at his
companion in the window seat. Louise St. Laurent just smiles sweetly, and
returns to reading Grace a book. Grace, sitting between the two, is
captivated by the plane ride. Half listening to her mother reading the
book, she looks out the window at the clouds, then through the cracks
between the seats to see the screaming child. Ray scowls again, pulls out
the flight magazine from the pocket in front of him, and tries to imagine
he is anywhere but here. The flight to Charleston is a non-stop flight,
and they still have an hour left in the sky. His headache should be
splitting by then. The preparations for the trip to Kiawah Island were
rushed in the three days they had before leaving. Ray is able to adjust
his working cases, and have Jim take over the investigations while Bambi
will finish his paperwork. He is bringing some work along, but the agency
will survive without him for the next two weeks. His mother is ecstatic
that he is going on this trip for Grace. He caught up with the household
bills before leaving, and leaves his mother the pertinent information on
his whereabouts. Louise grants her assistants charge of her open cases,
but since opening her own office, she is not on a set schedule for court
cases until next month. This trip prevails over work, her daughter the
most important thing in her life. Talking with her neighbor Mrs. Carlton
last night, she learns the house will be cleaned and well stocked with
food by the time of their arrival. Louise starts to object to her
neighbor's exceeding generosity, only to be cut off with Mrs. Carlton's
best wishes for a restful vacation. At the Charleston airport, Louise and
Grace make their way over to the rental car counter while Ray waits for
the luggage. They ride the crowded shuttle over to the rental car site
where, to Ray's chagrin, Louise has rented a minivan. The luggage is
stowed in the back, and Grace is sitting in her car seat that they brought
with them. Ray reluctantly takes the keys from Louise's hand and walks
around to the driver's side. He looks back at Grace when he gets in the
van, and sees her eyes big with fear. "Hey, Gracie, I promise to drive
careful." He smiles at her, reaching back and giving her leg a big
squeeze. "You really promise?" The little girl asks, her lip trembling. "I
do, sweetheart. "He looks over at Louise, who is in the passenger seat,
and gives her his best smirk."Your mom rented us a nice safe minivan."
"What? You can't drive anything but a Riv?" A sardonic smile touches her
lips. Grace suddenly giggles in the back. "I can drive this. I just prefer
to drive a classic." He starts the car, and they move out of the parking
lot. With the giggling coming from the back seat, both Louise and Ray are
content with the fact that they made the right decision coming on this
trip. The drive to Kiawah Island is fascinating for Grace, who despite her
earlier fear of being in a car, is distracted by looking out the window to
the new surroundings. She listens to her mother give directions to Ray,
and watches them both from her seat in the back. She is amused by their
conversation, and smiles to herself while hugging the stuffed wolf her
Uncle Benny gave her before leaving Chicago. Whispering something in to
the wolf's ear, she again smiles and leans forward to hear what her mother
is saying. By the end of the drive to the beach house, Ray is about to
lose his temper. Having to turn around twice in the middle of traffic,
something he is used to doing, but not in a minivan, he is close to
telling Louise what she can do with her list of directions. But the small
face in the middle seat, looking at him with abiding faith, keeps him from
going ballistic. Turning on to the road named Eugenia, they look for the
house. They drive all the way down to the end of the road until finding
number 57. Pulling into the drive, both Louise and Ray gasp at the sight
above them. The beach house, sitting up on a bluff overlooking the ocean,
is more than just a summer house. "It's huge. Someone living in your
neighborhood can afford a house like this?" Ray parks the car under the
portico. "Thank you so much." Her voice sounds of disdain. "It's their
family summer home." "You know what I mean. And I'm not complaining. We
get this free, right?" He gets out of the van without letting her answer.
Louise is out of the van and helping Grace out of her car seat. The three
of them climb up the stairs to the front door. With key in hand, Louise
opens the door. The house smells clean, and the furnishings are homey and
comfortable. Grace follows her mother inside, clutching her wolf, and
walks around the place in awe. The colors of the interior are muted
pastels, soft and warm for a beach house. The main floor they entered from
the front door consists of the kitchen, the dining area, the den, and the
spacious master bedroom off to the side. Going up the stairs, they find
two more bedrooms, a bathroom, and a huge game room with a balcony looking
over the den below. Ray leaves the ladies looking over the video
collection and makes his way down the stairs past the main floor then
takes the stairs down to the first floor. This is the basement where the
laundry room is found, and a well stocked freezer is in the corner. A
storage area holds every kind of beach equipment a family would need.
There is a sliding glass door that leads out to the beach, under the deck
above. Whistling under his breath, he wonders just how much it would cost
to rent a place like this. Ray finds Louise and Grace in the kitchen
looking for a drink. The fridge is full of a variety of beverages, and
smiling, he spots a beer. Grabbing one, he heads to the sliding glass door
in the den, and opens it to the deck outside. There he finds a gas grill
under its protective cover next to a wooden picnic table with a colorful
umbrella waiting to be opened. He does so, to the delight of Grace who
followed him outside. Turning, he moves to pick up the girl. She allows
him to, and he gently holds her up to show her the ocean. "Look, Gracie,
there's the ocean." He points to the shore, and they watch the waves move
up on the sand. Ray looks around and sees that the deck has stairs that
lead down to the beach. The stairs look steep, so he cautions Grace never
to go down them by herself. She nods her head, and snuggles close to him.
"I won't, Ray. I promise." She says to his chest. Then she pushes back and
asks. "Can I go back in now? I want to see my room. Mommy says we get to
sleep in the rooms upstairs. " "Sure. You be careful." He puts her down on
the deck. "I will. Mommy says you get the big bedroom down here. She says
then we won't hear when you snore." Ray watches his daughter skip back
into the house, feeling a little out of sorts that the sleeping
arrangements are made without his approval. No, he decides, the sleeping
arrangements sound reasonable. He is out of sorts because his daughter is
still determined to call him Ray. Taking another sip of his beer, he
stares back at the ocean, lost in his thoughts. Ray is stretched out
across the bed, clad only in the bottoms of his pajamas, with the sheets
pushed down to the foot of the bed. He is sleeping without a worry in the
world when he hears a loud piercing scream in the house. He instinctively
reaches for his gun on the bedside table, only to remember he is not at
home in his own room. He jumps out of bed and rushes out to the hallway,
where again, he hears the loud scream coming from upstairs. His mind is
telling him that it is Grace screaming. He bounds up the stairs, stopping
outside the door to hear Louise talking calmly to his daughter. Looking
into the room, he sees Louise wrapped around Grace, rocking her back and
forth, whispering soft comforting words, easing her out of her nightmare.
He leans in the doorway, watching in wonder, as she calms the girl back to
sleep. Louise is aware he is there, but keeps her attention on Grace.
After ten minutes, she carefully disengages herself from the now sleeping
girl, and moves towards Ray, motioning him to follow her to her room.
"What was that about?" He whispers loudly when she closes the door to her
room. "Shh, don't wake her. I told you she has nightmares." Louise is a
bit defensive, still shaken by the ordeal. "You never said it was like
this." He's distraught, feeling for his little girl. "How often does she
do this? Every night?" "She has them frequently. Not every night." She
pauses, takes a breath. "I was hoping coming here would help." Ray
recognizes her frustration in Grace's recovery. He stops his questioning
and tries to be supportive. "Give it time. This is the first night." He
sees her eyes spark with anger. "Time? If one more person tells me to give
it time, I'm going to deck them." Ray moves to touch her, calm her down,
but she rebuffs his advance. "Go to bed, Ray. There's nothing else to do
tonight." She stares him down, waiting for him to object. He smartly says
nothing. Now is not the time to start an argument. "We'll talk in the
morning." He leaves the room and heads back to his own.

 The next morning, Ray finds the coffee made, and pouring him a cup, he
takes it out to the deck. He finds Louise sitting at the table, drinking
her own cup of coffee. The sound of the surf can be heard, and the sun is
just rising for the day. "Did you sleep at all?" Ray asks her, noticing
her tired appearance. "Some. About last night.....I'm sorry I got angry. I
just want her back to normal." Her tone is sad, defeated. "I see
improvement." He tells her, trying to get a reaction. "Yes, there is some
improvement. She smiles, she laughs, and I am thankful for that. But at
night..... She trembles in my arms, Ray. She whispers car monster, and
that is all I can get out of her." "Next time, let me see if I can help.
Will you let me do that?" He pleads gently with her. She thinks this over.
"Yes, okay. We can try that." "Have you asked her about these dreams
during the day?" "She doesn't remember. Then she changes the subject. So I
don't know if she does or she is keeping something from me." They both sit
for a moment and contemplate their situation. This open communication they
have between them is good. A real parent moment. And, Louise muses, the
main reason she invited Ray on the trip. To get him more involved in
Grace's life, and to give him more of a parental view of his daughter.
"Shall we spend the day on the beach?" Ray interrupts her train of
thought. "What? Oh yes, I think it would be good. All three of us."

 Ray is sitting in a lounge chair soaking up the sun watching Grace build
a sandcastle. Earlier, he showed her how to make the shapes, to add water
to the sand, and to pack it down in the bucket. Delighted to see her laugh
and play, he lets her create her own sand sculptures beside the one they
made together. Louise is attempting to add more sunscreen to Grace while
she plays in the sand. Giving up, she plops down in the chair next to Ray.
"Well, I tried. But all I managed to do is make her a sandy mess." She
wipes her hands on her towel. "She'll be okay. She's having fun. That's
what's important." He smiles as Grace pulls the bucket off the new
addition to her castle. "She is going to have an interesting tan line when
she gets her cast off." Louise has Grace's cast protected in a plastic bag
and adhesive tape. "That she is. Her cast doesn't seem to be keeping her
from having fun." Grace walks over to the couple, and shows them a
treasure she finds in the sand. "Look, Ray, I found a round shell." She
holds out her hand and shows him the shell. "That's a sand dollar, Gracie.
And a very nice one, too. " She gleams with joy at having found something
new. "Mommy, will you hold my sand money for me?" She gently gives the
sand dollar to her mother. "I want to find lots more." Louise places the
treasure on the blanket beside her. A warm feeling of family engulfs her,
having Ray next to her sharing in the fun with their daughter. She hopes
he is feeling the same thing, and dares to look at him as he watches Grace
dig for more shells. He turns and notices her staring at him. "What?
Something wrong?" He asks suspiciously. "Not a thing." Grabbing her book
from the beach bag, she begins to read, ignoring his stare, and smiling
inwardly at his confused look. Hunger for lunch and a tired little girl
makes their time on the beach come to an end. After a quick shower and
hearty lunch, Grace falls asleep in her room. Ray is on the couch
pretending to watch television, his eyes closed and a soft snore escaping.
Louise is cleaning the kitchen, tidying up the house, and then retreats
down to the cool basement to do some laundry. A mother's work is never
done. The days at the beach house repeat themselves in a similar pattern
for the next few days with the exception of the nightmares. For two nights
in a row, Grace sleeps through the entire night. Louise doesn't mention
the absence of the nightmares, but she knows Ray is aware. Grace is acting
more like her normal self, even with Ray. This trip is making a difference
in her recovery. They decide to drive around the island one afternoon and
see some of the sights for a small celebration, stopping for dinner out at
one of the local seafood restaurants. They have a nice time, but during
the meal, Grace becomes quiet and listless. Suspecting the little girl is
tired from all of the fun and sun, they leave after the meal and head back
to the beach house. Hours later, Louise wakes up to find Grace standing
next to her bed, shaking like a leaf, her eyes frightened and full of
tears. "Grace? Honey, what's wrong?" "Car monster. In my room." Her voice
is monotone, and Louise wonders if Grace is actually awake. Hoping not to
startle her daughter too much, she moves to her doorway and yells down to
Ray. "Ray, I need you. Now." Ray is reading in bed when he hears Louise's
voice. He responds in a flash, rushing up the stairs in a panic. "What's
wrong? Grace?" He enters the room and sees Louise undressing the girl.
"She's wet. She's sleepwalking. She came in here saying something about
the car monster." He slowly walks over to them, and asks calmly, "What can
I do?" "Go and strip her bed. Sheets are in the hall closet. I'm going to
get a warm cloth and wash her.. Oh, can you find her a clean nightgown?"
Ray goes in to the other room, searches drawers, and finds a clean
nightgown. He takes it to Louise, then returns to strip the bed. Luckily,
there is a plastic cover over the mattress, so he cleans off the bed and
dries it before making it with clean sheets. Finding the wolf on the
floor, he places it next to the pillow. Louise walks in to the room
holding Grace. He moves back to let them pass. "Bed is ready. She asleep?"
"Yes. She's never done this, Ray. Never, not even when she was little." He
follows as Louise carries Grace back to her bed. "I'm going to stay with
her for a bit. Make sure she is okay." Ray helps them both in to the bed,
and then covers them with the sheet. "I'll take the wet things down to the
laundry room. Call me. For anything." He stops and looks back at the bed
before leaving the room. "Thank you, Ray." Louise has her arms around
Grace, the mother protecting the child. He closes the door partly, and
goes down the stairs.

 The next morning, he is up early, but still finds the coffee made. He
grabs him some, and proceeds to the deck outside, knowing he will find
Louise. "You should be sleeping." He tells her, concerned for her. "I
tried." She is being evasive. "Grace is still sleeping." "Good. Did she
wake again after I left?" "No. I don't know what to do, Ray. She's never
wet before, never been a sleepwalker. What did we do different than the
past few days?" "I've been thinking about that. We rode in the car. That's
all I can come up with. We went out to eat and we rode in the car." "But
she was fine in the car. She looked out the window, she was having fun."
"We're not experts here, Louise. And I know you don't want to hear this,
but we just need to give it time." He lets the conversation stall for a
minute. He has a plan, and hopes she will take him up on it. "Louise, I
think you need a break. These past two months, with your mom dying, and
then Grace in the accident, you have been dealing with a lot of stress."
"What are you saying, Ray? Are you implying I'm to blame for Grace's
actions?" "I'm saying you need time to yourself. I'm not blaming you, but
I think you might be blaming yourself." Louise is about to argue, but
facing him across the table, she knows he is right. She is blaming
herself. And just maybe some of the stress she is feeling is deflected on
to Grace. She listens to what else Ray is telling her. " Why don't you
drive in to Charleston, take the whole day for yourself. Go shopping, get
your hair done, and go to a movie." He sees a light in her eyes. The plan
appeals to her, but she quickly refuses. "I can't go. Not after last
night." Ray doesn't let her make excuses. "Yes you can. You need this. You
are hanging on by a thread here." "I can't leave Grace..." She tries
again. "Grace and I will be fine here. We will go to the beach, maybe go
on a walk and look for more sand money." Louise looks at him, and a smile
makes it to her face, as she decides she really does need this day to
herself. "I cant' remember when I've been by myself, just for me." "Then
go. Get ready now, before Grace wakes up and you change your mind." "Okay.
I'll do it. Thanks." She stands, grabs her mug, and turns to leave. "I
appreciate this." "I know you do. Now go on." He watches her go, feeling
rather proud of himself. Grace wakes to find her mother gone. Ray is
prepared for her to be upset, but she takes the news in stride. He also
looks for any signs of after effects from last night, but Grace seems to
be happy and ready for breakfast. She demands cereal and juice, and he
chuckles as he fills her order. He tells her his plan of taking a walk
down the beach to look for more sand dollars, and she quickly eats so they
can start their adventure. The walk is successful, with three more sand
dollars in her treasure bucket, plus a variety of small shells to add to
her collection. Coming back from their adventure, Ray notices the dark
clouds moving in from the north. They reach the beach house just as the
wind picks up. He gets Grace to help him secure the chairs on the deck and
to close the umbrella. They make it inside before the first drops of rain
come down. Ray senses the change in Grace immediately. To take her mind
off of the impending storm, he makes them corndogs for an early lunch.
After their long walk, she is content to eat, though her constant checking
out the window keeps him concerned. After lunch, a few games of Go Fish
helps keep them both occupied. Talking her into a nap while the rain
pours, he ends up staying in her room reading her a book until she falls
asleep. Three readings of a Cat in the Hat have him drowsy, but he goes
back downstairs to check the storm and find about the weather on the
television. The day remains dark and gloomy, and while Grace is sleeping,
Ray searches the house for storm supplies. He finds flashlights, extra
batteries, matches and candles in the hall closet, and puts them all in a
box. He checks that all of the windows and doors are closed and is
satisfied that he has things under control. The afternoon passes slowly,
so Ray gets his briefcase from his bedroom and pulls out some work to keep
him busy. He spends an hour working on a report, and when he next looks
outside, the storm is getting stronger. The reception on the television is
fuzzy, and Ray remembers seeing a radio down in the basement. He heads
down the stairs, and finds what he needs on a shelf above the washer.
Looking out through the sliding glass door under the deck, he watches the
rain fall on the ocean waves. Lightning is moving in, and the thunder is
making the house shake. Still down in the basement, he hears a shout from
Grace, and flies up the stairs to meet her in the den, the radio under his
arm. She runs to him, and clutches him hard, as the thunder again shakes
the house. He puts the radio down on the coffee table and lifts her in his
arms. "Hey, Gracie, it's okay. It's just thunder." Her arms wrap tightly
around his neck. "I'm scared, Ray. I don't like thunder." Her eyes are big
and round. The lights flicker off and on, and she pulls him closer. "Make
it go away." She buries her face in his neck. Ray sits her down on the
couch, and pulls the box of supplies over to him. "Look, I have just the
thing you need, Grace." He gives her a big red flashlight, and turns it on
for her. He gets her to smile, and he is pleased. They both hear a noise
right before another clap of thunder shakes the house, and Ray realizes it
is his cell phone. Digging into his pants pocket, he pulls out his phone.
"Vecchio." "Ray, it's me. Can you hear me? The weather is lousy here."
"Louise, yes I can barely hear you. Where are you?" Grace becomes very
interested after hearing her mother's name. "I want to talk to mommy." She
is pleading with Ray. "Just a minute, sweetie. "He speaks back in to his
phone. "Are you okay? I don't want you trying to drive back in this
storm." "I'm stuck in the grocery store. I'll wait out the worst of it
here. You and Grace fend for yourselves for dinner." Her voice is fading.
"Don't worry about us. Please be careful. Call me back when you decide to
leave." "Fine. I will. Ray, Grace is scared of storms." "Got that taken
care of. Don't worry." He winks at Grace. "I won't. See you ......" The
connection is cut off. Grace looks at him with her big eyes. "Mommy? Is
she coming home?" "Not just yet. She's stuck at the grocery store. She'll
be home soon." He looks at her worried face. "I know you wanted to talk to
her. The phone wasn't working too well in the storm. When she calls back,
you can answer, okay?" That helps, and he is again rewarded with a small
smile. "Want to help me make sure all of these flashlights have
batteries?" He asks her, and receives a happy nod of her head They make
sure the other flashlights work, then they set the candles up on the
kitchen table with the matches, ready for when the lights go out. The
radio is set up in the kitchen, tuned to a local station with frequent
weather updates. Ray keeps the volume down, not wanting to upset Grace
with news of more storms coming. He cleans up his work that he had spread
over the end of the table, and takes everything back to his bedroom. Grace
does not let him out of her sight, following him wherever he goes in the
house, her wolf clutched tightly in her arm with the cast. They make
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner later, using the last of the
milk to drink. Ray finds the cookies Louise made yesterday, and he gives
Grace two with a handful of grapes. They eat together sitting at the
table, staring at the candles, both wondering when Louise will call next
telling them she is on her way home. The last time he listened to the
news, he heard reports of power outages from here to Charleston, and Ray
hopes the electricity stays on a bit longer. Just as he thinks this, the
lights go out, and he finds a little girl in his lap. "Hey, where's your
flashlight?" He gently feels around in her arms, but finds nothing. She
whispers in his ear, "On the couch." Ray lights the candles on the table,
and they move as one to get the flashlight. Grace turns it on, and he
feels her body relax just a bit. For the rest of the evening, he
entertains her by reading her books, more card games, and coloring by
candlelight. Ray is pleased he is keeping her entertained for this long,
and then he notices her yawns. Knowing she will not go upstairs to her
room by herself, he suggests she sleep in his bedroom, close to him in the
den. He finds a t-shirt of his for her to wear to bed, and she reluctantly
crawls under the sheets of his bed. He leaves his flashlight on the
bedside table, and Grace still clutches hers in her hands. Kissing her
goodnight, he walks out of the room, muttering to himself that this is too
easy. Listening to the radio in the kitchen, he checks his cell phone
again to make sure he is getting a signal. Walking back to the couch, he
places it on the coffee table, willing it to ring. He is worried that
Louise is trying to drive back in the storm. Leaning back on the couch, he
closes his eyes and makes a silent prayer. Drifting off to a short little
nap, he wakes abruptly to find his daughter standing next to him, her
stuffed wolf and flashlight embraced in her arms, a pleading look in her
eyes. "Would you like to sleep on the couch next to me?" He asks her as he
pulls her up on to his lap. She nods her head and sleepily snuggles in
next to him, whispering softly words he longs to hear. "Hold me, daddy. "
Louise is tired of waiting. She tries to call Ray one more time on her
cell phone, but still finds she has no service. Finishing the grocery
shopping, she carries out her purchases and puts them in the back of the
van. The rain is just drizzle here, and she hopes her route home is the
same. On the drive back, Louise reflects on her day to herself. Shopping
at the mall, a facial and haircut at the salon, and time alone make it a
day to remember. When she finally made it to the grocery store, the clouds
moved in and the sky let loose with its fury. Even being stranded in a
grocery store is something of a special time. But now, heading back to the
beach house, she wonders how Ray and Grace are doing. Grace is scared of
thunder and lightning, but knowing Ray, he has her comforted. In fact,
Louise ponders; this just might bring Grace and Ray back to the father and
daughter relationship they had before the accident. Her drive back finds
her in the second line of storms coming through the area. The power outage
has the roads dark and dangerous, and Louise has one scary moment of
slipping off the road on to the shoulder. Stopping to gather her thoughts,
she says a quick prayer to make it back safely. Then slowly moving her way
back on to the road, she drives under the speed limit in order to keep
control of the van. As she continues her drive, she begins to think of
things every mother does. What would happen to Grace if something happened
to her? Ray would take care of her; she knows that in her heart, but
legally, what would happen to her daughter? Her mind is filled with this
thought all the way back to the beach house. Pulling under the portico of
the beach house, the darkness surrounds her. Finding the flashlight she
bought back at the store, she uses it to make her way up the stairs to the
house. The quiet hits her at once, and she goes searching for Ray and
Grace. Finding her way with the help of the candles lit on the table, she
sees an awesome sight before her. Grace, lying protected in Ray's arms on
the couch, sleeping peacefully with the candlelight glowing on both their
faces. Smiling, she decides to leave them alone for the moment and bring
in the groceries. With the perishables put away in the darkness of the
refrigerator, she ventures back in to the den and stands before the couch.
Touching Ray gently on his arm, he startles awake. "Hi." She whispers. "I
see you two are just fine." He smiles then, and reaches for her hand,
clasping it with his own. He speaks softly. "I'm glad you made it back
safe. I was worried." He looks down at Grace. "We both were." "Let me move
her, so you can get up." She bends to pick up Grace, who wakes momentarily
to find her mother hovering over her. "Mommy? You're home." She snuggles
in to her. "Hi baby. I'm home." She reaches around her daughter, only to
find that Ray still has her hand. Not quite awake himself; Ray does
something before his mind thinks it through. He brings Louise's hand up to
his mouth and gently kisses it, and then he drops it fast. Blushing, he
looks away, and then slowly turns back to her. Evading his look, Louise
picks up Grace and starts to carry her to the stairs. Ray calls to her.
"Wait. Take her to my room. That's where she was before falling asleep
here on the couch. Then we can hear her if she needs us." Ray gets up from
the couch, coming to the aid of Louise. They put Grace back in his bed,
and cover her with the sheet. The little girl is back to a sound sleep. In
the kitchen, Ray begins to help Louise put away the groceries, holding a
flashlight up to help see the shelves. They discuss the events of the day,
sharing more than just details. When they are finished, a silence fills
the room. Not knowing what to do next, and feeling way too uncomfortable
with the sudden closeness between them, they are both eager to move away
from each other. Grabbing a couple of beers from the fridge, Louise
motions to Ray to follow her out to the deck. The rain has long stopped,
and the air is cool with a damp breeze. Seeing the chairs full of water,
Ray goes back inside and brings two of the kitchen table chairs for them
to sit. "Thank you." She sits in the chair and looks out to the ocean. "I
need to talk to you, Ray. I did a lot of thinking on my drive back, and
well, I have something I need to discuss with you." Ray is immediately
suspicious. He takes a sip of his beer. Louise is nervous. What she has to
propose to him is something she has been thinking about before Grace's
accident, but now it seems even more viable. Taking a deep breath, she
begins. "On my way home, I hit a slick spot, and skidded off the road."
She hears his intake of breath. "I'm fine, it just startled me. But
driving the rest of the way home in the dark, I got to thinking, what
would happen to Grace if I was in an accident? What if I died? Who would
take care of Grace?" Ray interrupts loudly. "I would. And you damn well
know it. But you shouldn't be thinking things like that." Louise smiles.
He is so predictable. "I know you will take care of her. But I am talking
more of legality." "What do you mean?" His curiosity is peaked. "I.......I
think we should get married." Ray stares at her in disbelief. Louise
continues, because his silence is daunting. " I want you to be her father
legally. I've actually had this thought since mother died. Grace has only
me. I want her to have a big family, people who love her and will take
care of her." "She has that all ready. My family loves her. I love her."
"I know you do, Ray, and your family is great, but I want it all to be
legal." A pause in the conversation, a silence until Ray figures it out.
"My name. That's what you are talking about." "Yes. Exactly." Ray faces
away from her now, looking out to the ocean as she continues to do. "When
you first told me about Grace, we decided not to get married because we
have a child." "I know. I changed my mind. I think it is the most
important thing to do right now." "I don't. I'm not ready for this,
Louise." He rubs his head, trying to find the words to describe the
turmoil he feels. He tries to explain. "I'm a lousy husband. I've been
divorced twice. What kind of man does that make me? After the last time,
with Stella, I promised myself I would never marry again. Never fall in
love......" His voice becomes hard to hear, but she hears him anyway.
"Ray...." His anguish is apparent as he continues with his explanation.
"No, let me finish. I can't love you, Louise. I can't make a marriage work
when I don't know how I feel about you. It wouldn't be fair to you, or to
Grace." Louise lets a lone tear escape down her cheek, hoping he doesn't
see. Her love for him is hidden, and she promises herself to keep it like
that. She knew it would be like this. "I'm not talking a conventional
marriage here, Ray. I'm not asking for love. I told you that before, all I
ask is that you love Grace. Look at us this week. We are doing fine, being
parents. I think of this as a marriage of convenience, for lack of better
description." He looks at her now, and finds her watching him. "A marriage
of convenience? Like what? Living together under one roof, like what we
are doing here?" "Yes. Ray, this could work. It would be great for Grace.
Look at her now, how she is doing with the both of us." He agrees with
what Louise is saying, but still the notion of marriage scares him. Louise
tries another tactic. "What is the most important thing that Grace wants
right now?" He thinks hard, and then it hits him in the face. "To be Grace
Ann Vecchio." Realizing this, he sighs and lowers his head. His daughter
is the most important thing in his life. "I have to think about this. When
do you want my decision?" "Monday. We could go and apply for the license
then." "Here, in South Carolina? You don't want to wait until we go back
to Chicago?" "No, I want to do this now. Before you change your mind or
before I do." Respecting her honesty, he nods. He gets up from his chair
and heads to the door. "I'll let you know before Monday." He goes in to
the beach house without saying good night. "Fine." Louise stays out on the
deck, wondering if she could reverse time and make this hurt deep in her
heart go away. What ever made her decide to ask him tonight? She should
have waited until the end of the vacation. The cool breeze suddenly makes
her shiver, but she remains right where she is. As Ray walks inside, his
emotions cloud his mind. The electricity must have come back on while they
were talking because the lamp is on in the den. He blows out the candles
around the house, and then makes his way in to his bedroom. He stops short
when he sees Grace curled up in his bed, a vision of innocence and love.
He watches her for the longest time, and then bends down to give her a
kiss on her cheek. He whispers in her ear, "I love you, Grace." Walking
out of his room, he heads straight outside to the deck, where he knows
Louise is still sitting. The light from the den makes it too easy to see
her. Louise turns quickly, hiding her wet cheeks. He notices, but comes to
stand behind her chair. "Grace called me daddy tonight." His voice breaks.
"I'm glad." Her voice is soft. "Monday will be fine. We can drive into
Charleston and file the necessary paperwork." She wants to turn around,
but she stays still. She feels his hand on her shoulder. "Monday then.
Ray..." He interrupts her again. "All I ask is one thing. I want a
marriage of trust. I can't live through what I did before." "I promise a
marriage of trust." She touches his hand that still warms her shoulder.
"Then I'll marry you. I'll marry you because it is the right thing to do.
I'll marry you for the love of Grace.

 The End

 1

  
  

End For the Love of Grace by Inspectorellen 

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