Coffee Cups and Onion Rings || Brad Simpson (The Vamps) Fanfiction

twenty-three

We need each other.

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On the next day, Noah walked to the chair beside her grandfather and sat down as she watched her grandfather squirm and slowly open his eyes, then he slowly turned his head toward her.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Noah said, then her grandfather smiled back at her.

"Good morning, Kathy," he replied, making Noah chuckle.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I go by Noah now, Pops?"

"As many as you can, Kathy," her grandfather teased, then she smiled.

"Where's Brad? Isn't he coming?" Noah's grandfather asked her, then she nervously played with her fingers.

"I fired him, remember?" Noah said, then her grandfather frowned.

"Oh, sweetie. I thought you were going to patch things up with him yesterday? I mean, technically, I already explained to you that it's my fault—" her grandfather started to say, but Noah held his hand gently to stop him.

"I thought about it last night, Pops. And I completely understand what you did. You were only doing what you thought was best for me," Noah said, then her grandfather sighed.

"I'm so sorry, Noah. I'll never be able to forgive myself for hiding it from you. I was wrong. I was scared that you'd never talk to me and come here if you found out. I was a coward, Noah. I should've told the truth and fought for you," Noah's grandfather said, then she shook her head.

"It's okay, Pops. Everything's okay. What's important is that, you're here, I'm here, and I promise that I'll be taking care of you. It's going to be hard but I'll manage. I'll try," Noah promised, then her grandfather sighed.

"I believe in you, Noah. But are you sure that what you did was a wise decision? Don't you regret it a little bit?" Noah's grandfather asked. Noah stopped what she was doing and looked at her grandfather straight to his eyes.

"We don't need his help, Pops. I can manage. The last thing I want right now is to see his lying ass," Noah said.

"But I thought that you liked him, Noah. You can't just push him away," Noah's grandfather replied, then Noah sighed before looking away.

"Do you know the real reason why I moved here?" Noah's grandfather asked, then Noah shrugged.

"I mean, dad said that you wanted some peace of mind, so," Noah recalled, then her grandfather sighed.

"Your mom and dad were fighting constantly. One night, he came to me and told me that he couldn't handle it. I told him that he had to toughen up and talk to your mother, because the last thing I want them to do is separate. You were still a kid; you wouldn't understand why they had to do it. Them separating would break your heart.

"But he wasn't having any of it. Things turned to an ugly fight, and then he told me that he didn't want me anymore. He told me that I was the last person he wanted to see. And it hurt, of course; he's my only son. I loved him so, so much, and to hear those words come out of his mouth was just...heartbreaking.

"So, I tried to make amends with your father. I would consistently visit the house, and although we would speak, we were never the same as before. It killed me. I couldn't bare the thought of being a symbol of anger, pain, and sadness to my son. So, I moved away, and although I kept in touch with your mom, I never spoke much to your dad ever again," Noah's grandfather finished, then Noah sighed.

"I never knew, Pops. All this time I thought you left for no definite reason. I'm so sorry," Noah said, then her grandfather smiled.

"It's okay. But, I hope you realize that it's a decision I now regret. I should've kept trying to speak to your dad. I never should have given up. I should have stayed and proved how much I love him that I couldn't let go. And, unfortunately, I didn't. I let my mind decide for me and shut my heart completely off, and I ended up losing the people that I love," Noah's grandfather said, then she shook her head.