Bad Things Happen

Therapy...... yay.

A/N: just another deep, heart feels, filler.

Washington had asked Laurens if he would be willing to try one more week of therapy with Dr. Reynolds again. The boy agreed and that's where we are now.

"You mentioned a tombstone?" Reynolds asked.

"Yeah, some people thought it would be funny to spray paint a tombstone on my locker that said. 'RIP Johnny Laurens, killed for murdering his parents' or something like that." Laurens sighed.

"How did that make you feel?"

Laurens laughed slightly. He had forgotten what these sessions were like. "It sucked. I never asked for my life to be one tragedy after another, but here we are!"

"What about your father, can you talk about that?"

"Huh, what's there to talk about? He abducted me. He hates me for killing my mother yet wants me so bad. I first thought it was because I became his father's heir. But now I couldn't tell you." John ranted. "He doesn't want me for something, it's like he wants me as property. To have ownership if that makes sense. I guess it's because of my mother. He misses looking at her."

"What did your mother look like?"

Laurens had drawn a picture of her from a photograph he found in his mother's box. It looked amazing for a 17 year old who had never taken an art class before, other than school at least. He carried it in his backpack to keep her close to him. He reached in his bag and pulled it out.

"Wow. You look exactly like her!" Reynolds gasped.

"I wish I could've met her. I would trade everything I have just for five minutes of time."

"My son James. When my wife found out we were pregnant, she was scared to death. We had already lost a baby, and didn't want to have to go through that pain again."

"Your son is James Reynolds!" Laurens finally figured it out. "Alexander's girlfriend is his girlfriend's best friend."

"Does that mean you have met him before?" Reynolds asked.

"Sorta, we don't really talk, but I know who he is." Laurens admitted.

"Right. Anyway. We still have five minutes if you feel like ranting."

"Well, my girlfriend is really sweet and loving, but I'm worried about her."

"What do you mean? Is she acting weird or something?"

"No, but with all the bad things that have happened to me as of lately, I'm just nervous that she could end up getting hurt. I don't know what to do." Laurens sighed.

"Well. Does she know what she is agreeing to?" Reynolds asked.

"Yes. She said she was willing to do anything for us to be together. I just don't want her to end up having to live a dangerous live because I'm cursed."

"Let me tell you from experience. You can't change a women's mind about these things. The best you can do is always be there for her. Do your best to make sure she's alright, no matter what happens."

"Do you think it sounds like an unsafe relationship?"

"Just because bad things happen to you quite often, doesn't mean you shouldn't be happy. And it doesn't mean she shouldn't be happy either. Are you happy with her?" Reynolds questioned.

"Happier than I've been in my whole life!" Laurens smiled.

"Then I think you work it out. Love is a strong thing. And even if you do something to keep the person you love safe, it could wind up making both of you even less happy then if you faced the hardships together."

"Thank you, that actually helps alot." John smiled.

"Well, I'm afraid our time is up for the day. Mr. Washington will be here soon to pick you up." Reynolds added. "I hope you feel better. I'm deeply sorry for what happened to you...."

"It's fine. People talk about it as if anyone could control what happened to me. But no one could, and I get that."

After a month of people just feeling bad for him, the same thing over and over again? It was getting kinda old. He still didn't want to be rude to anyone though, so he tried to explain his feelings the best he could.

"Ok, I understand. It's normal for people to not want to talk about tragic parts of their lives. I've had lots of experience with kids like that. But just know you can always come and talk to me if you ever need to get something off your chest." Reynolds walked him out.

"I'll keep that in mind." Laurens said as he stepped out into the hall and walked over into the lobby. Washington was waiting there for him just like Reynolds had predicted.

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah." Laurens walked over to him.

They went out into Washington's car and began the drive home.

"Can I ask you something?" John asked, buckling his seatbelt.

"Yeah, what's on your mind?" Washington pulled out of the parking lot.

"I know I haven't really been staying with you guys that long, and I know that even Alexander and Laf don't...." He tried to get it out. "Can I call you dad?"

"What?" Washington was confused. He didn't think that a child that wasn't really his own would want to call him that. But he was thrilled.

"I need a dad. I've always had a father, but I've never had a dad. I know that doesn't really make sense, but... I just...." Laurens was interrupted.

"Of course. I would love that." Washington smiled.

"Really? Great. I just needed to know that I had someone who wouldn't leave me." Laurens whimpered.

"I promise I will never leave you." Washington reassured him. "I made a commitment to be your father and I will be your father."

"I wish I met you guys a long time ago. I could've saved myself a lot of trouble." Laurens sighed.

"Well, I can't change the past, but I can give you a good future."

"I'm just glad I have a family now. I feel like I fit in a home for once." John said.

"You do fit. Everyone in our family fits because that's where they belong. And you belong in our family."