AU story
Warning this story is rated M.
The begging of the end
Chapter 1
"Mommy, mommy…!" screamed a little girl as she ran through the front door.
The woman on the sofa was in deep thoughts, that she didn't even hear her little girl crying out for her attention. She was sitting curled up in a ball and staring into space. It was the same, whenever she was left for more than an hour alone. All the emotions consume her and she falls into depression.
"Elena..." Stefan called out but there was no sign that she heard him. "Elena…" He repeated her name.
The little girl ran right up to her mother and jumped into her lap, and for the first time since Stefan and Melinda walked in, Elena snapped out of her thoughts. She turned to her daughter and quickly took her in her arms. She held her so tightly to her chest, never wanting to let her go. She kissed the top of her head and continued to hug her as if she hadn't seen her in a long time. Stefan insisted on taking Melinda to the park for an hour today and Elena agreed after almost 2 whole hours of begging.
"How was the trip to the park?" She asked as she caressed her daughters' hair. The little girl looked up at her with the same ocean blue eyes that she dreams about every night. She had raven black hair just like her father; she even got her attitude from him.
"It was fun, we fed the ducks but Uncle Stefan wouldn't buy me an ice-cream." Melinda said as she made an adorable pout on her face.
"You can have ice cream after lunch." Elena told her.
"Elena, I took her to MacDonald's, she ate a happy meal." Stefan said as he sat down on the opposite couch.
"You did what? You didn't tell me you were going to take her to MacDonald's!" Elena screamed at him. "Don't do things behind my back. You asked to take her…"Stefan cut her off at that point.
"I just took her to eat Elena. It was on the way home. We just stopped by." Stefan tried to reason with her.
"No! You told me specifically you were just going to take her to the park and I trusted you!" She screamed at him.
"Mommy, please don't be mad. I asked Uncle Stefan if we could stop by." The little girl said.
"Princess, why don't you go and check up on Floppy?" Elena said as she crept down next to her daughter. Floppy was a little golden retriever that Melinda got for her birthday last month from grandma Miranda.
"You want me to leave, so you can yell at Uncle Stefan, don't you?" The little girl said as she stared at her mother with a sad facial expression.
"No honey. I just want to talk to Uncle Stefan about something private. I won't yell at him." Elena said to her daughter as she lightly ran her fingers through Melinda's raven locks.
She looked at Stefan and hesitated for a minute before saying. "Ok..." Then she turned around and ran to the backdoor.
Elena stood up and then turned her attention back to Stefan as she said. "You said just the park, and I promise I'll bring her back in an hour."
"It was just MacDonald's Elena. Kids go there all the time; there is nothing dangerous about that place. It's designed for kids and I wouldn't let anything happen to her." He tried to reason with her.
"Don't Stefan. Save it!" She said as she threw her hands in the air.
"Elena, you're being paranoid and this is ridicules."
"Do you want me to tell you what's ridicules Stefan?" She snapped at him, losing her temper. "The ridicules thing is that I trusted you!"
"ELENA, IT WAS JUST A FUCKEN FAST FOOD RESTAURANT." He yelled at her.
Elena felt tears in her eyes when he raised his voice. He didn't get it, none of them did. Everybody has someone by there side to get them through tough times, but Elena lost that someone five years ago. The only thing she has is his daughter. The little girl, who lights up her day, she's the only thing that's keeping her from completely falling apart.
"Elena…I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
She shook her head as she said. "You all think I'm crazy, but when you have a child of your own, you'll know the feeling."
"I know you're scared of losing her like you lost Damon, but you didn't lose him Elena. In a month he'll be out and you'll have him back."
"I don't know that, what if he doesn't want me anymore?"
Elena was scared that Damon will be a different person when he comes out of that place. She knew what those places did to innocent people and the man she loved was innocent. There isn't a bad bone in his body. He was the sweetest, nicest, most caring human being to ever walk this earth. He could be stubborn, pig headed and even mean with all his sarcastic comments, but he was never bad and never will be.
"That's ridiculous, I have never seen in my life a man that loves a woman, like my brother loves you." He said as he came over to hug her. She grabbed onto him tightly and started sobbing. He held her in his arms, letting her cry out all her pain. He knew that she had gone through hell when his brother was arrested. She was still a teenager, she was pregnant and had her whole life planed out with the man she loved. It all got destroyed that night.
They pulled apart when Stefan's phone started ringing. Stefan took it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID. He didn't know the number, so he just answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Stefan Salvatore?" A man over the other line asked.
"Yes, it's me."
"I'm Jonathan Perry from the police department of Mystic Falls, and I would like to inform you that your brother Damon Salvatore will be released early."
"What?" Stefan asked a little shocked. He knew that Damon was supposed to be released in a month; no one mentioned anything about his parole ending early.
"His parole was authorized one month earlier than the agreement with prosecution." The man on the other end said.
Elena looked at Stefan. He looked shocked, but at the same time confused. What was going on? "What is it?" Elena whispered to Stefan. His facial expression was freaking her out.
"Um…when will he be out?" Stefan finally gathered enough courage to ask. He ignored Elena's question.
"Tomorrow"
"What time?"
"Eight o'clock."
"Thank you for informing me." Stefan said to the man but kept his eyes on Elena. She just kept looking at him, confusion on her face. This was definitely good news for Damon and Elena. She's going to be so happy.
"No problem Mr. Salvatore." And with that he hung up.
"Who was it?" Elena asked, not giving Stefan room to process the information that he just received.
"Some guy from the police department, he said that Damon's going to be released early."
He watched as Elena's facial expression changed. It went from confused to shocked and then to hope. This was definitely not what she was expecting.
"You mean…he'll be out…as in he'll be here early?" She asked Stefan, her voice shaky. Elena's facial expression was full of hope.
"Yeah, he'll be out tomorrow." Stefan said to her with a small smile on his face. She just nodded hear head to give him a sign that she heard him.
She walked over to the couch and sat down staring at the wall. He's going to be here tomorrow. She'll get to hold him in her arms, he'll finally get to see his daughter and hold her in his arms after 4 years. The last time Damon saw Melinda, was on her first birthday. After his baby girl turned one, he told Elena that she shouldn't bring her to prison anymore. Elena didn't want to hear it and believed that he was bluffing when he said that, that was the last time that he would see his daughter in a long time. He told her that he didn't want Melinda to remember seeing her father in prison. A week after Melinda's birthday, Elena packed Melinda and headed to Mystic Falls prison to visit Damon, only to be devastated when the prison guard told her that Damon requested not to see Melinda anymore. She didn't understand him back then, and a part of her still doesn't, but in her heart she knows why he did it. He didn't want Melinda to remember him in a place only the most hideous creatures were kept. He wasn't one of them, he was there by mistake, but still he didn't want his daughter to remember her father in a place so dark and dangerous.
"Mommy…" She heard a distant voice.
"Earth to Elena…" There was another familiar voice in the distance.
Elena slowly turned around to see Melinda in her grandmother's arms. Stefan was sitting in a chair watching her, he didn't want to disturb her. She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even hear them calling for her.
"I…I…" She didn't know what she wanted to say, but then her little girl cut in.
"Spit it out mommy, we haven't got all day." She said with a grin on her face, she was just like her father.
Miranda started to laugh as she shook her head. "She's just like him." She said to Elena.
Miranda was always a huge fan of Damon, even when he knocked her daughter up. They always got along. Elena found it weird that Damon and her mother were so close, but she never complained. It felt good to have the man you love and your mother get along, life felt easier that way.
"He's…he's coming out early. He'll be out tomorrow." She said in a shaky voice to her mother.
She watched her mother's facial expression change, it went from happy and cheery to confused. Miranda slowly placed Melinda on the floor and told the little girl to go and play in her room. When the little blue eyed girl was out of sight, she turned to her daughter and asked. "How? I thought you said that he was supposed to be released in a month?"
"He was, but I just got a phone call from the police department, saying he'll be released tomorrow." Stefan butted in.
Miranda looked at Stefan and then at her daughter. "What are you going to tell Melinda?" She asked.
Stefan stayed quiet; he didn't know what to say. Elena never really told Melinda about her dad. She only told her that his name is Damon. When the little girl asked why she had never met her father. Elena told her a little white lie. Nor did Elena or Damon want their daughter to know the truth. She always told her that he was living far away from home and that when she grows up, she can go and visit him.
Elena just stared at her mother; she didn't know what to tell her. She thought that she still had time to figure this situation out, but that one phone call that Stefan received changed everything. Stefan, why did they call Stefan instead of her?
"Why would they call you instead of me?" She asked Stefan.
"I honestly don't know, Elena."
"That's not important now, what are you going to tell her Elena?" Miranda said to her daughter as she took a seat next to her on the couch. "And please don't feed her another lie; she's going to find out sooner or later." Miranda said to her daughter.
"What do you want me to tell her mom? That her father is in prison for murder!" Elena hissed.
"NO! Tell her the truth. Explain to her that it was a mistake." Miranda said.
"You can't explain something like that to a five year old mom." Elena said as she through her hands up in the air.
She started to panic. Every night she would pray to see his blue eyes again, no matter what the consequences are, but now when she thinks about it, she has a daughter and she needs to think this thought before deciding to break the news to her angel.
"Then withhold the truth but don't lie to her." Miranda hissed.
"I will decide what to tell my daughter, so please don't but in." Elena said to her mother.
"She's going to love him either way, he's her father."
"Don't you think I know that?" Elena hiss at her mother. "Melinda will love him no matter what, he's her flash and blood, she's so much like him in every way, but that's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about Damon. I know how much he hates that place, he was once on the opposite side mom. He never anticipated that one day he would be locked up!" It was getting too much; she didn't know how to deal with all of this. Damon, she desperately needed him, but at the same time she was scared like hell that he'll be a different person. Millions of questions were going through her head.
"I know sweetie, but he can't change it, we all know he's innocent." Miranda said as she lightly rubbed her daughters back, trying to calm her down.
"You, me, Stefan and a few more people that are his friends, believe that he is, but the rest of the town thinks otherwise." Elena said as she placed her head in her hands. He was once a hero in this town, but now to them he's a murderer.
"Who cares what they think, all that matters is that the people you care about believe you." Miranda said to her daughter.
Elena new her mother was right, and she personally didn't care what people thought about her or Damon. Back when she was in high school, girls called her, every name under the sun, because she was pregnant, and when Damon got arrested the gossip only got worse. The only thing that got her through those days was the little human that was growing inside of her. Melinda, her little angel. She didn't want Melinda to go through that, she didn't want her daughter to feel the pain she had once felt. Mystic Falls was not a place where people were polite and offered second chances. When she took her daughter to the park, she would watch mothers immediately tell their children not to talk or play with her daughter. It hurt, it hurt so much because she was innocent and so was her father. She could still remember hearing women gossiping at the Grill while she was waitressing only a couple of tables away. They gossiped about how a murderer knocked her up, it hurt so much because she knew that there wasn't a more caring person the Damon. He didn't deserve people talking behind his back and certainly not accusing him.
"It will destroy her mom. People in this town don't think twice before they speak, and sooner or later, I'm going to have to watch my daughter cry, because someone told her that her father is a murderer." Elena said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Oh, sweetie..." Miranda said as she took her daughter in her arms. She could still remember five years ago, on Elena's graduation day, a bunch of girls were holding a huge poster, on it said "Elena Gilbert. The whore of the year!" It hurt Miranda, knowing what her daughter was going through, she wasn't mad at Damon for getting het pregnant, she couldn't be happier to know that her daughter was with such a great man like him, even after that night Miranda still had respect for him and never doubted his innocence. She knew that Damon loved her daughter. The way he reacted when he found out she was pregnant showed that he was a man of his word. Elena was the one cursing and taking her rage out on everyone, but Damon had a grin on his face because he was going to become a dad.
"Then tell him your plan Elena." Stefan said as he came across the room to sit next to her.
"What plan?" Miranda asked. Stefan just gestured to Elena. It wasn't his place to say, Elena had told him about her plan in private.
"It's not an option Stefan at the moment." Elena said.
"Why not?" He asked.
"How the hell are we supposed to live? I work at the Grill, only because Matt's the owner and my friend. No one will hire me, let alone Damon."
"We can help you, Damon has his inheritance…" Elena cut him off.
"Damon doesn't want that money and neither do I."
Damon's father, Giuseppe left Damon and Stefan his company in Chicago and nearly 10 million dollars on their bank account, but Damon didn't want any of it. He didn't have a good relationship with his father and he still doesn't. Giuseppe left his family when Elizabeth told him she was pregnant. He left Stefan, Damon and Alyssa, his wife and moved to Chicago with Elizabeth. He kept in contact and eventually came to visit, but it still hurt Damon like hell, even though he never wanted to show it. He's mother explained to him that they weren't in a good place, and that it would have happen sooner or later. Giuseppe has a daughter named Katherine with Elizabeth and still lives with them in Chicago. He left the company to the boys, saying it was his way of apologizing for not being there for them. Stefan was never known to hold a grudge and accepted Giuseppe's offer without a fight, Damon on the other hand didn't want anything. When Damon got arrested Giuseppe pulled a few strings to get the best lawyer to defend his son, but Damon didn't want to hear it. He told Elena that he wanted Elijah to be his lawyer. Elijah worked his ass off and got him the best deal he could, mainly because he was Damon's friend and believed he was innocent.
"Who cares if its dad's money just take it and start you're lives from scratch." Stefan said.
"What?" Miranda asked shocked. "What on earth are you boy talking about?"
"I'm talking about Damon and Elena…" Elena cut him off.
"He's talking bull, it's nothing mum."
"No…tell me?" Miranda insisted.
Elena looked at Stefan; he just shrugged his shoulders as he said. "Sorry." She then turned to her mother and said. "I was thinking that it would be a good idea for me and Damon to move somewhere secluded, but we're really in no condition right now." She told her mother.
"But…but…but this is your home." Miranda said panicked.
"Calm down mom, were not leaving, not any time soon. I haven't even told Damon my idea yet.'" She said.
"Don't leave Mystic Falls, this is your home, this is his home." Miranda continued.
"Were not leaving mum" Elena told her, but then added. "But to be honest with you, this isn't the place I want to raise Melinda in. Not around people who just judge me, people who turn their backs when I walk pass them."
"I know what it's like honey, but let me tell you something. None of them are perfect; they all have secrets and their doing everything to cover them up." She told her daughter.
Elena gave her mother a smile for her encouraging words, but inside she felt like she was slowly dying.
Stefan received a text message on his phone, as soon as he read it, he stood up and said. "Look Elena, I have to go. Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow, or are you going to meet me there?"
"I…um…I'll text you, ok?"
"Sure." Stefan said as he headed to the front door.
When he was out of sight, Elena got up and headed to the kitchen. She took out a pot and filled it up with water, placing it on the stove. This was her way of dealing, when she was pissed, annoyed or freaking out. Tomorrow he's going to be here and she has no idea what she's going to tell the little blue eyed girl.
"What are you doing?" She heard her mother ask.
"Cooking" She said as she grabbed the wooden spoon and added the pasta into the pot.
"Elena, you don't cook, don't take it personally honey, but your cooking sucks." Miranda said as she sat around the kitchen table.
"Thanks' Ma, but I promised Melinda, I would make her spaghetti bolognas."
"You mean, she asked if you could take her to Alyssa's, so she would make her spaghetti bolognas."
"No, I said that she asked me to make it!" Elena said angrily. She sucked at cooking and she knew it. When she was pregnant with Melinda, before Damon went to prison, he would cook and his cooking was delicious. She loved his meals, not because she was pregnant and ate everything that her eyes landed on, but because he really was a good cook.
"I'm so glad Damon's going to be here to feed that little girl, she deserves some decent food to eat." Miranda chuckled lightly as she watched Elena turn around. She was ready to drive the wooden spoon through her mother's heart.
"You know mum I have other talents, I may not be the world's best cook, but I have other talents." Elena said as she grabbed 3 tomatoes from the cupboard.
"Oh, honey, I don't need you to remind me. Melinda is enough proof of your talent." Miranda said in a teasing voice.
"MOM!" Elena screamed.
"What?" Miranda mocked shocked.
"That just…eww." Elena scrunched her face in disgust.
"What? Am I wrong?" Miranda said with a smirk on her face. Elena just shook her head and started dicing the tomatoes.
"You know I don't get it." Elena said as she finally finished with the dicing. "He knocked me up, he's in prison and you're still his biggest fan."
"What can I say; he charmed his way into my heart, and clearly into yours."
Tomorrow is the day that I'll finally be a free man again. Damon thought to himself. Tomorrow, he would get to go home with Elena and finally see his little girl again. The last time he saw her was when she called him "dada". Elena spent 15 minutes pointing to Damon across the table as she said to Melinda" This is your daddy. Melinda, say daddy." The little girl just ignored her and kept quiet. In that moment Damon was ready to accept the fact, that his baby girl might never really want him in her life. Who would want a father who's been accused of murder and sentenced to 5 years in prison? Elena was ready to leave angry at him for telling her not to bring Melinda on her visits anymore. She was angry and cursing him with every name under the sun, when the little girl said. "Dada" as she looked at Damon. In that moment his heart started to beet 10 times faster than it should. She knew who he was; at least he led himself to believe she did. He felt tears in his eyes as she looked at him with her wide doe blue eyes. She was the spitting image of Damon, but there were little traces that showed she was Elena's daughter too. He wanted to cherish that moment forever. He wanted to remember the facial expression his little innocent girl had when she called him "Dada" and that's when he realized that he was doing the right thing by keeping her far away from himself as long as he's stuck in this dump, but tomorrow he will see her again.
"Salvatore, you have a visitor." The guard Damon knew well called out.
"Who is it Ben?" Damon asked as he stood up from his bed.
"I have no idea, they just told me to tell you that you have a visitor." Ben said as he unlocked the cell door and reached out to cuff Damon.
"Do you have to put those things on, I'm getting released tomorrow. I'm not a moron to run now." Damon said to the guy.
"Come on Damon you know the drill, if it was up to me, you wouldn't be in here at all." Ben said. Damon new Ben before he got arrested. He helped Damon adjust in his new environment when he first arrived and gave him advice on how to survive in this place. Even though Damon was a cop himself before everything happened, he never really knew what life in prison was like. Ben was there for him, from day one.
Ben held Damon by his upper arm and guided him through the long whole way. This long whole way Damon had passed by every time his girl, Elena came to visit. She came every week, even though he told her that she shouldn't. She was and always will be the only woman for him, but deep down Damon new she deserved better then himself. Elena and his daughter deserved better from life, their life is screwed up because of him. Elena had gone through hell when he got arrested and he knew it, Stefan told him everything. The graduation ceremony, the reason she couldn't get into college, they were all connected to him. It was his entire fault.
Two security guards opened the door for Damon and Ben. Ben let go of Damon's upper arm when they walked into the visiting room. Damon scanned all the tables, looking for a familiar face until his eyes landed on grin ones. As soon as he saw the man he turned to Ben and said. "Take me back."
Ben just nodded and turned to the door when they heard a voice from behind yell. "Wait, just wait!"
Damon turned and glared at the man that was walking towards him. He was wearing an expensive suit, his hair brown without a single gray, but his face pleading Damon not to walk away. "What are you doing here?" Damon asked.
"I came to see you? See how you're doing?" The man said.
"Well I'm great, thanks for asking." Damon smirked. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to leave." He said as he turned around and headed to the door.
"Please, Damon, just talk to me. " The man pleaded, and then added." Please son."
Damon turned around anger and rage visible in his eyes, as he said to the man. "We have nothing to talk about, and don't call me son, I never was and I never will be you're son!"
"Well that's were your wrong Damon, blood never lies. " Giuseppe said.
"You're name might be on my birth certificate, but you will never be my father, you lost that privilege a long time ago."
"I screwed up, what can I do to make it right?" Giuseppe pleaded with his son.
"That's just it." Damon said with a smirk on his face. "NOTHING! You can't do anything to make it right!"
"Maybe I can't make it right for you, but let me help you with Elena and Mel-"
"Stay away from them!" Damon yelled at his father. "Don't you dare go anywhere near my daughter!"
"Damon just hear me out-"
"No! I don't want to hear it, you stay the hell away!" Damon yelled losing his temper.
"Would you just listen to me?" Giuseppe said as he through his arms up in the air, losing his own temper. The thing that hurts most Giuseppe was that Damon, his boy hates him. Ever since he left them, Damon had never been able to forgive him, and that ate Giuseppe up inside. He tried everything in his power to reconcile their relationship, but Damon never wanted to put in an effort.
Damon let out an irritated laugh as he said. "Make it quick, I have things to do!"
"Like what? Sit around staring at the wall." Giuseppe said. "If I were you, I'd rather stay here and fight with me then stay locked up in a cell for longer than needed."
"Well, that just says how much I hate you." Damon spat in his face.
"Ok, fine, hate my guts all you want, but let me help you."
"I don't want your help!" Damon said angrily.
"Fine, don't accept it for yourself, but accept my offer because of your girlfriend and your daughter." Giuseppe said.
"I don't want your help, and neither does Elena or Melinda." Damon bit out.
"Just listen, I have a house in Miami Beach, it secluded and-"
"What is wrong with you? Are you death or plain stupid? I said I don't want your help!" Damon yelled.
"Damon, I'm trying to help you, dam it!" Giuseppe yelled.
"Stop trying, because I don't want your help!"
"Don't you think you punished me enough over the years? You didn't want to talk to me, you never even gave me a chance, and the worst is that you just don't want too." Giuseppe said.
"Your right, I don't want too. You know why? Because you tore our family apart! What? I, Stefan, mum weren't enough for you? You had to go and find yourself a new family!" Damon said, his eyes shooting daggers at the man in front of him.
"Damon it's complicated, your mother and-"
"I've heard it all before, I get it! You and mum couldn't stay together, I get that! You know what I don't get? Is why you had to move to Chicago? You were never here, for my birthday, you were never here for Christmas you always came 2 days after!" Damon yelled.
"I'm sorry, I made a lot of mistakes, I can't change what happened in the past, but let me help you-"
"You don't get it, I don't want your help, not now and not even on my death bed!" Damon yelled.
"God, you're stubborn!" Giuseppe said as he huffed.
"I wonder where I get that from!" Damon matted under his breath.
"I'm stubborn but not like this." Giuseppe said.
"I didn't mean, as in, that I got it from you, I meant that I got it from my mother."
"Whatever." Giuseppe said as he rolled his eyes.
"Are we done here?" Damon asked his father.
"For now, I'll be back before you're released next month. We can have another chat. Maybe then you'll be in your right mind."
"I'm in my right mind, you're the pesky bug." Damon said as he turned to leave. He kept his mouth shut about the early parole, it was better that Giuseppe didn't know.
Giuseppe ignored his last statement and just turned around and headed to the door. It hurt like hell, because Damon was his first son, the one he cherished the most and now he hates him. When he divorced Alyssa and left the house, he asked to take the kids with him, but she wouldn't let him. Elizabeth didn't want to live in the same town as his ex-wife, so she got on Giuseppe's back about moving to Chicago. He was torn between two families, he didn't want to leave his boys, but he also didn't want to lose his daughter. He made a choice and now he has to deal with the consequences. Stefan was different, he was forgiving, but Damon on the other hand holds grudges like Giuseppe himself.
*RING* RING*RING* RING*
"Mommy, your phone's ringing." The blue eyed girl said to her mother, while she stuffed her mouth full of spaghetti.
Elena was lost in her own thoughts. She was playing out the possible scenarios that could play out tomorrow morning. She had never anticipated that she would be freaking out about Damon coming home, but here she was, thinking the worst. There were a million questions running through her head. Is he still the same man she loved? Does he still love her? How will he react to seeing Melinda again? How will the little girl react to meeting her father? So many questions, but there was no way cheating to find the answers.
*RING* RING*RING* RING*
"MOMMY!" Melinda yelled across the table.
Elena slightly jumped, waking up from her trance. "What? Jesus Christ Melinda, don't yell." Elena said to her daughter.
"Well I have to, your phone's ringing and you can't hear it, I just wanted to tell you." The little girl told her mother with a huge grin on her face. Her little pearly teeth showing.
Elena stood up and headed to the kitchen counter where her phone kept buzzing. When she picked it up, she saw that it was Caroline who was calling her. Pressing the green button she said. "Hello."
"Are you home?" Caroline said.
"Yes."
"Then open the door, I rang your door bell like 10 times already." The bubbly blond said.
"Sorry, I didn't hear it, it must be broken." Elena said as she headed to the front door.
She yanked open the door and was met with two blue eyes shining with happiness. Caroline had a huge smile on her face, as she just walked in and took Elena in a bear hug. "I've heard the good news, I'm so happy for you sweetie. "
"Let me guess" Elena said as she pulled away. "Stefan?"
The blond just nodded and gave her a huge grin. "You must be so happy, finally he'll be out."
"Yeah" Elena said as she avoided looking at her friend. She is happy to finally have him back, but she can't stop the nagging feeling inside of her that keeps telling her that he's not the same person anymore.
"What's wrong?" Caroline asked, seeing the flash of fear in Elena's eyes.
"Nothing." Elena said giving her friend a fake smile.
"Elena, come on, I know when you're lying." Caroline said to her best friend.
"Seriously Care, I'm fine." Elena said as she turned and headed to the kitchen.
Caroline followed after her as she said "You are not fine, you're clearly freaking out that…"She stopped when she saw the little raven hair girl sitting, dangling her legs while she munched her food. "Hi Melinda." Caroline said as she came to place a kiss on the little girl's cheek.
"Hi auntie Care, I'd give you a kiss, but I don't think you want to get spaghetti sauce on your face. "The little girl smirked.
"Smart girl. "Caroline said to Melinda with a smile on her face. She loved the little girl, everybody did, Melinda was just like her dad, always in the mood to tease.
"I'm way too smart for my age, that's what mommy says." She said with a proud smile on her face.
"Yes you are, just like someone I know." Caroline said to the little girl but glanced in Elena's direction.
"Like who?" She asked.
"One day I'll tell you, but now I want to talk to your mum, so can…" The little girl rolled her eyes as she said. "I got it, you want to gossip so i have to leave." She stood up and took her plate to the sink, she then turned and asked. "Can I bring floppy to my room mommy?"
"What? No, Melinda, he has fleas." Elena lied to her daughter.
"I know. I found one in your hair mummy." She smirked at Elena and then ran out the kitchen.
Caroline chuckled at Elena's facial expression. Her jaw was literally dropped to the floor as she stared in the direction her daughter had just left in. "She is getting more and more like him with every day passing."
"I know, and it's starting to piss me off. Damon is enough, his ego is huge, I don't need a mini him." Elena said.
"Come on Elena, I know your glowing inside, you love that she's just like him." Caroline said as she nudged Elena playfully.
"We'll, what can I say. She is his daughter." Elena said with a smile on her face.
"There is no doubt about that." Caroline said to her friend with a smile, but then her facial expression changed to serious as she asked. "What's going on Lena?"
'Seriously Care, it's nothing. I just had a roller coaster day, that's all."
"Yeah, Stefan told me about your little outburst." Caroline said as she looked around the room, avoiding looking at Elena's face.
"Outburst? No, let me tell you, I should have kicked his ass out the door as…" Caroline cut her off.
"Elena, you're overreacting, there was nothing wrong with him…"
"He lied to me!" Elena screamed at her.
"He didn't lie, he didn't plan on taking her to McDonalds, it happened on the way home." The blond tried to reason with the brunette.
"I know your sleeping with him, but do you…"
"What?" Caroline made a shocked face.
"Don't even try to hide it Caroline, I know." Elena said, giving her a knowing look.
"How? I…When did you find out?" The blond asked in a whisper.
"Well last week I got a headache every time you came over. Stefan did this, he said that...and bla bla bla."Elena said in an annoyed voice." And then he asked me, what kind of guy you're into." Elena said with a small smile on her face.
"I told him to keep his mouth shut." Caroline muttered under her breath.
"What? Why?" Elena asked.
"Because if my father ever found out that I'm with him, he'd freak-out." Caroline said.
"I don't get it, Stefan's a nice guy, what could he possibly have against him."
She watched as Caroline avoided answering the question. Elena knew what Bill Forbs has against Stefan. "It's because of Damon, isn't it?"
Caroline looked at the floor as she said. "I'm sorry Lena; he barely lets me be friends with you."
"You don't have to apologize Care, it's not your fault, but don't let him control who you can and cannot see." Elena said to her friend, squeezing her upper arm for reassurance.
"I try to stand up to him, but he's my dad and every time I try, I just..."
"It's ok; I know what it's like." Elena said. When Elena got pregnant her father John freaked out and even went as far as telling her to have an abortion, she told him to go to hell and that she would never do that to her baby. John told her to choose either the baby or him. She chose her baby, and would never regret her decision. John was never a real father to Elena. He was just there when there was a social gathering, so people would see him playing Daddy, once the event was over he would disappear to god knows where, and return in time for the next event. Bill Forbs wasn't much different, the guy doesn't even live in Mystic Falls, he lives in Pennsylvania but still controls what Caroline does. It pisses off Elena, because people like Bill and her own father have no right to judge, they were in no condition to pass out judgment.
"Yeah, it's just I try to reason with him, but he just doesn't listen." Caroline said.
Elena shook her head as she headed to the fridge to grab bottle of water. "That's nothing new." Elena said as she took a sip from the bottle and then continued. "John doesn't even acknowledge my presence. He doesn't play granddad with Melinda and honestly I'm happy, I don't want someone like that around my daughter."
"But it must hurt you that he doesn't care." Caroline said.
"It did in the beginning, but when he told me to have an abortion, that's when I lost it. I don't honestly feel anything for that man anymore." Elena said.
"Well maybe I'd feel the same if my dad told me something like that, but he just worries about me so I can't be mad at him." Caroline said as she got up and took the bottle of water from Elena.
Elena just shook her head as she said. "But he's taking your happiness away."
Caroline shook her head as she swallowed the water and then added. "He's not. This thing with Stefan is nice, but I don't think it's going to last."
"Then why are you beating behind the bush Care. Tell him where you stand." Elena said, setting into protective mode about her boyfriend's brother.
"I have, he knows where we stand, it's just…" She didn't know how to explain to Elena, that Stefan was sweet, but not enough for her.
"But he's not the one you want to enter a serious relationship?" Elena asked.
"Yeah…" Caroline said in a whisper." I know what you're thinking right now, and yeah you have every right too, but…"
"It's not my place to judge. The only thing I'm going to say is that Stefan is a nice guy and maybe your right about him not being the guy for you, but be careful not to lose a good friend Care." Elena said to her friend.
"That's the thing I'm most scared of." Caroline said.
"Then maybe you should end it before he starts to read something into it." Elena said.
"I know I should but, being with him intimately feels so good. I mean the sex is…" Elena cut her off.
"No! I don't want to hear about your sex life Care. I love you, but that's just too much."
"Sorry…" she grabbed the bottle of water and sat down on a chair. "So, are you going to tell me what's got your panties in a twist?"
"I haven't had my panties in a twist for the last 5 years." Elena said as she chuckled.
"Don't worry; you'll be without panties for the next week or so, when Damon gets his hands on you."
"Yeah right." Elena said as she turned around looking out the window.
"Hey, what's wrong Lena, seriously, something is going on, just tell me." Caroline said when she saw her friends' reaction.
"It's really nothing, just me being a little paranoid." Elena said as she turned around to face her friend.
"I've seen you paranoid, hell I've witnessed you lash out, but you're worried, I can tell, and I'm officially worried about you. " The blond said to her friend.
Elena took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She needed to tell someone and Caroline felt like the best option. "I'm…I'm just worried that once he's out…that'…that he'll be a different person."
"Oh, sweetie no. Don't even think that. This is Damon were talking about."
"Exactly Care, he's Damon, and we all know that once he makes his mind up about something, there is no turning back." The brunette said.
"And you're scared that he'll turn his back on you and Melinda?" The blond asked in a low voice.
"I don't know what to think. I just know that that place changes people."
"Prison?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah, people come out completely different, especially the ones that are innocent and I'm…I'm scared Care that he'll be someone I can't recognize."
Caroline stood up and walked over to her friend. She stared Elena in the eyes as she asked. "Are you scared that Damon will be different, or that you've changed so much that he might not recognize you?"
"A bit of both. I mean, what if were not the same people anymore? What if he's not in love with me anymore?" Elena whispered, looking at the floor. She felt tears in her eyes threatening to fall.
"No, don't think like that." Carline said as she took her friend in a hug. "It's not going to be easy, but you have to stay positive." She whispered into Elena's ear.
"I still love him Care, I always will." Elena said as tears started running down her cheeks.
"I know, and so does Damon." Caroline said as she kept hugging her friend, giving her a shoulder to cry on.
Elena felt so weak and fragile in that moment. The last time she cried was the day Damon told her not to bring Melinda to prison anymore. She missed him every night, she even dreamt about him. The thing about dreams is that they end, and so did every dream about the raven haired and blue eyed man. Now she is finally getting him back, but the question still remains. Will everything be the same as it was before he ended up in that hell hole?
"What's going on in here?" Miranda asked as she walked into the kitchen, witnessing Caroline holding her daughter while tears streamed down her cheeks. Elena quickly pulled away and wiped her tears.
"It's nothing mom, just having a girly moment." Elena gave a fake smile to her mother.
"Can I join in?" Miranda asked raising her eyebrows.
"What?" Elena asked. Not understanding what her mother meant by joining them.
"I mean, can I join in, as in, will you tell me what's going on?"
"Oh, it's nothing, I was just so happy…" Elena stopped to think of a good lie, but then Caroline added. "I'm dating this great guy and I…"
"Not buying it, you're both horrible liars." Miranda said to the girls, giving them a knowing look.
They both looked at the floor like two five year olds caught stealing cookies before dinner. "I'm waiting for someone to tell me why I just witnessed my daughter crying?" Miranda said to them.
"I was just having a moment mum, it was nothing." Elena finally said.
"Oh, it was something, you hardly ever cry. The only time you cry is when something is going on with Melinda or…." Miranda posed and realization hit her." Damon. What's wrong? Is something wrong with him?" She asked a little panicked.
"Nothing, nothing is wrong with him." Elena said.
"Then why are you crying?" Miranda asked, but Elena stayed quiet. "Come on sweetie tell me, what's got you so upset? Why are you crying?"
"Because, I'm scared mum, I'm scared that he won't want me anymore." She sobbed out.
Miranda's face softened at the sight of her terrified daughter. She walked across the room and took her in her arms. "Shhh, you're ok, everything is going to be ok."
"What if it's not?" Elena asked.
"You've been through worse honey, you're a survivor, you'll survive whatever the world throws at you, but don't worry, I don't think Damon's the type to run." Miranda tried to reassure her daughter.
"No, but what if he wants a new start without me and Melinda, I mean he doesn't even know his daughter."
"Mark my words Elena. As soon as that man sees that little girl, he will love her unconditionally." Miranda tried to reassure her daughter. She could still remember the goofy smile on his face when he found out that she was pregnant.
"Elena, like I said earlier, were not just talking about anyone, were talking about Damon." Caroline said.
"Exactly!" Miranda said giving the blond a smile.
"Mommy…" Came a whisper from the door way. The three women turned to see the little blue eyed girl looking at her mother. Her facial expression was sad, and they all new why. She had witnessed her mother crying. "Mommy, please don't cry." She begged.
"I'm ok honey, I'm ok." Elena said as she smiled at her beautiful daughter. "Come here." She said to Melinda, as she opened her arms up for the little girl to run into. Just like she was hoping the little girl ran into her arms and hugged her tightly. Her little arms wrapped around Elena's neck. Elena placed a kiss on the top of her head as a tear rolled down her cheek. She ran her hand through Melinda's raven hair and it reminded her so much of his thick raven locks. She definitely is his daughter; there is no doubt about that. This little girl is the only reason she survived 5 years without him, she was a constant reminder of him. She was created with the love they shared.
"How about we go outside together and play with Floppy? What do you say?" Elena asked her little angel.
The little girl nodded her head and grabbed onto her mother's hand pulling her to the backdoor.
When Elena and Melinda where out of sight, Miranda turned to Caroline and asked. "She's freaking out isn't she?"
"It's understandable; it's been five years since she had an actual relationship with him."
"I know." Miranda said as she took a deep breath and continued. "I think she's also scared of being with him again."
"What do you mean?" Caroline asked, not following.
"I mean, for five years now she's been in contact with him, but nothing more, and now he's coming home and all that's going to change. I think she's scared of being intimate with him again." Miranda explained to the blond.
"I don't think Elena scared of having sex with Damon, I honestly think…" Miranda cut her off.
"Jesus, is that all you kids these days consider as intimacy? I was talking about trust." Miranda said as she threw her hands up in the air.
'"Oh…" Caroline said, hiding her face full of embarrassment.
Miranda knew that it's going to take time for Elena and Damon to start functioning as a normal couple again, but she just hoped that they wouldn't get lost along the way. People easily get lost when life doesn't turn out how they planned; only the strongest couples survive. Miranda is hoping that her daughter and Damon will be one of them; after all they stood by each other at their worst.
Damon was sitting on his bed, staring at the dirty white wall in front of him. He didn't see the wall, he was looking through it. He was reliving his past and focusing on his future. As the flash backs went through his head, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if he never went to prison in the first place. He would have been the head of the police department, Elena would have probably finished college by now, and he'd probably even be married to her. He remembered buying the silver ring, the one she was staring at in the shop window, whenever they would pass the store. He bought it a week before everything happened. He had cold feet about asking her, she was only 18 and pregnant with his child. He didn't want her to think that he was only asking her to marry him because she was carrying his child. He loved her, he really did and he still does, but he can't expect her to love him back, not after everything that happened.
Melinda, his baby girl, what does she look like now? The last time he was her was when she was one, after that he only got to see photos of her that Elena brought and shoved in his face. She was pissed that he didn't want her to bring Melinda on her visits. No one understood. He loved his baby girl and he always will, but he didn't want her to remember seeing her father at such a horrible place. It hurt him, because he wanted his baby girl to feel safe and protected, but there was a nagging feeling that kept telling him that his baby girl would spit on him as soon as she finds out that he is in prison for murder. Who would want a father that's sentenced to five years in prison, a father that the whole town once respected but now despises?
When he found out that Elena was pregnant, the first thing that went through his head was "You will do everything in your power to protect, cherish and love that baby; you will not be what Giuseppe was!" He told himself, he didn't want and frankly want the type to run. He could still remember how happy he was when he found out she was pregnant! Yes, there was a part of him that was scared and felt guilty for taking away Elena's youth. She wasn't ready to be a mother back then, but he knew there was always a reason for everything that happens.
Flashback January 4 2007
"Ok, Thanks Rick. Keep me posted if anything changes." Damon said to his partner and then hung up. He was standing in the Mystic Falls high school parking lot, leaning against his car, waiting for his girl. As soon as the students started walking out, he scanned the teenagers that were passing him; she wasn't anywhere to be seen. He started to get worried when all the teenagers left, he drove her to school this morning and watched her go in, she wasn't the type of girl to cut classes, but then again she would have told him not to wait for her if she planned on ditching. He was just about to give Elena a call when he spotted her and Caroline walking together towards him. As the girls approached he gave them his signature smirk as he said. "You two sure love high school, what took you so long?" He looked up to meet Elena's doe eyes; she was pail and looked like she had seen a ghost. "Lena, are you ok?" He asked turning serious when he noticed her condition.
"I'm fine Damon. Can you please take me home?" She asked him, avoiding making eye contact. Something was wrong? He could tell, she was all nervous and she could barely look him in the eyes.
"Sure….You, don't want to go to the grill, grab something to eat first?" He asked her.
"No, just take me home." She said as she headed to the front seat. He got in to the driver's seat. He noticed Caroline fidgeting in the back seat of the car. Something was definitely going on; they were hiding something from him. He knew it!
They had just got out of the school parking lot and on to the rode when Elena yelled. "Stop, Damon pull over."
He immediately did as she asked. He didn't even get a chance to turn off the engine when she ran out the door and started vomiting all over the pavement. He got out worried like hell, Caroline was right behind him.
"Elena, baby what's wrong? Are you sick?" He asked as he approached her. She was still puking all over the place. Caroline rushed to her side and held her head. He wanted to tell the blond to but out and leave him to comfort her, but the problem was that he had no idea how. He never really took care of anyone and she was puking all over, what was he supposed to do?
"Damon, get some water." Caroline told him as she pulled Elena's hair back. He ran to the car and grabbed a bottle of water that was placed in the back seat. "Thanks Rick." He thought to himself. The guy always had water and snacks in the car; he wouldn't leave without them on a stakeout. He ran back to the girls and handed Elena the bottle. She grabbed it and started drinking.
"Are you ok?" Caroline asked her.
"Yeah…I'm fine." Elena answered the blond as she held her head in her hands.
"Are you sure Elena, do you want me to take you to the hospital?" I asked.
"NO! This is all your fault!" She said as she handed me the bottle and then headed to the car.
My fault? How is this my fault? What did I do? Damon thought. He walked back and sat in the driver's seat. He turned on the engine and she turned towards him with a death glare as she said. "Drive slowly, or I'll puke on you."
He didn't say anything; he just did what he was told. He didn't want to piss her off, she was clearly mad at him for something. The best option that occurred to Damon at the time was to keep his mouth shut. Damon dropped Caroline off at her house when she got a call from her father, saying he needed to speak to her immediately. He drove really slowly, glancing in Elena's direction every now and then to make sure she wasn't about to puke again. She was all nervous and fidgeting in her seat. When they turned into her street he asked. "Are you feeling any better?"
"NO!" Was her only answer, she was pissed and he had no idea why.
"Lena, what's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing." She said avoiding looking at him.
"You know I'm not buying that. What's going on?"
"Nothing Damon, can you just drop it!" She hissed at him.
"No I can't! What did I do to upset you?" He said as he parked in front of her house.
"Nothing, you did absolutely nothing." She said as she turned to the door.
He grabbed her hand, bringing her attention. "Don't do that! Talk to me? Tell me how I screwed up? What I did…" She cut him off.
"Damon, you did nothing. It's my fault." She said.
"What is?" He asked.
"Nothing, I have to go." She said as she turned around to leave, but he wasn't having any of it. He was going to get to the bottom of this.
"You are not getting out of this car until you tell me what the hell is going on?" He said to her in a serious voice.
"You can't make me stay here." She said.
"I'm not trying too; all I'm asking is for you to be honest with me Elena. Damn it!" He said getting frustrated.
"Fine, I'm pregnant! Now can I please leave?" She said to him.
Damon stared at her; he thought he was starting to hear things. Did she say that she was pregnant? How? He knew how, but it just didn't seem real. He was staring at her speechless when she turned to the door and stepped out muttering under her breath. "I bet now you think it was better when I kept my mouth shut."
He watched her walk up the porch holding her stomach, she was clearly still sick. When Damon finally came out of his shock attack, he yanked the car door open, yelling for her. "ELENA!" She didn't turn around, so he started running up to the house. She was just about to slam the door in his face when he stopped her." Wait, wait, I just want to talk." He said pleading with her.
She was pregnant, he didn't expect to hear this, but he couldn't imagine what she must be going through. "There is nothing to talk about." She said as she tried to close the door.
"Elena please, we have to talk about this." He pleaded.
"No we don't." She said.
"Is it mine?" He asked, staring at her. He felt anger wanting to surface. Did she cheat on him? He got his answer.
"No, it's the milk man's." She said sarcastically.
"Lena please, let's talk about this." He tried to reason with her. It started to sink in. She's pregnant with his child, this was something serious, and it sure wasn't going to go away if they ignored it.
"I'm not giving it up Damon!" She hissed at him.
Damon was just about to tell her that he would never ask her to do that. Hell it was his child too, he could never imagine hurting it. He heard a voice from behind Elena.
"What's going on here?" It was Miranda.
"Nothing mum, Damon was just about to leave." Elena said as she tried for the third time to shut the door, but he wouldn't let her.
"Mrs. Gilbert, I need to speak to Elena. Can I please come in?" Damon asked.
"Umm, do you two mind telling me what's going on?" Miranda asked both of them.
Elena hesitated and gave Damon a warning look. She didn't want her mother to know, not at least yet. She would be so disappointed in her, but Damon wasn't having any of it. "Elena, has some news. Actually we have some news." He said to the older woman.
Miranda looked at him confused and then asked. "What news?"
Elena growled at him as she said. "You have no right."
"We are talking about this, and no I am not asking you to give it up!" He said, anger and rage building up. He couldn't believe she would think that he would ask her to give his child up.
"Give what up?" Miranda asked.
"Are you going to tell your mother, or are you giving me the honor." Damon asked her.
He could tell that she was about to curse him with every name under the sun, when she all of a sudden started puking again. He ran to her side and held her head as he said. "Ok, we need to get you to the bathroom."
He helped her into the bathroom. Miranda was on right behind them. The older woman had a pretty good idea what the news was about after witnessing her daughter puke.
Elena threw up everything she had for breakfast, she was pissed and that made her feel even sicker. He knows now and he's going to run. He's going to leave her. She lifted her head from the toilet seat to look at him as she said. "Leave, just leave, I know you didn't sign up for this. It's my mistake."
He's heart broke at the thought of ever leaving her. He crept down next her as he said. "Hey, were in this together."
She looked at him, staring in his eyes, looking for an answer. He's blue eyes were so warm and comforting. "I…I…" He emotions were running so high that she couldn't control it, she burst into tears and he took her into his arms. "Shhh…you're ok…you're going to be fine…were going to be fine."
"Da…Damon…I didn't plan…" He cut her off.
"Hey, it's doesn't always get planed, ti takes two to tango Elena. Sometimes it just happens." He said to her. He couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth; he couldn't believe that he was comforting her. He was always the fun boyfriend. The eternity stud, the guy, all her friends gossiped about how hot he looked.
"So it's safe to say that I'll be a grandmother?" Miranda said leaning on the bathroom door. Damon and Elena both looked at her. Damon opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it. It wasn't his place. Elena should be the one to tell her. He watched Elena as she nodded her head looking at the floor. He knew how much Elena looked up to her mother; she was always trying to impress Miranda. The only thing she didn't know was that the woman worshiped her.
"You" Miranda said as she looked at Damon." I hope you don't plan on…" He cut her off. He knew what she was asking. The answer was simple. He was not going to leave Elena and his baby. He is not Giuseppe. "You will do everything in your power to protect, cherish and love that baby; you will not be what Giuseppe was!" He told himself.
"I'm staying, every step of the way. It's my child. There is no way in hell that I'm leaving the baby or Elena." He said to Miranda.
She smiled at him and nodded her head, but then turned to Elena and said. "Oh honey, what are you going to tell your father?"
"I don't know." Elena said as she buried her head in her hands.
"If he wants someone to blame, send him to me." Damon said as he lightly caressed Elena's hair. She looked up at him and asked barely in a whisper." Why?"
"Why what?" Damon asked.
"Why are you staying? You didn't want this."
Damon smiled at her and shook his head. "If I hadn't made it clear by now, I love you and no matter what happens I'll be here. I promise."
Miranda watched the man next to her daughter. He was a gift from heaven, not many people would take up the responsibility of having a child with a teenage girl, but here he was comforting her daughter and promising that he would be there for her. He wormed her heart when he showed up to ask permission to take Elena on a date, and now he just made her realize that she had made the right decision when she allowed it.
"Ok, are you two going to sit next to the toilet all afternoon?" Miranda asked.
Damon glanced at Elena and then said in a concerned voice. "You need to rest, and we need to make a doctor's appointment."
"What?" Elena started to panic as soon as she heard "doctor's appointment".
"We need to see if everything is ok with the baby and with you." Damon explained.
"No…I…I don't want to go." She said as she got up and headed out of the bathroom, ignoring Damon and her mother.
"Oh good luck with the doctor's appointment, you'll have to take her kicking and screaming." Miranda said to him.
Damon looked at the older woman; he felt obligated to explain to the older woman how this happened. "Look Miranda I meant what I said, and I'm going to be here every step of the way. I know we should have been more careful, but even with protection it sometimes…"She cut him off putting her hand up.
"Please, I know how it happened. I don't need a recap." She then looked at him and asked. "You do realize you're going to be a father now?"
Damon looked at her, he couldn't explain it, he felt happy. It was weird. He took a deep breath and said. "This is probably the most selfish thing that I've ever said in my life, considering Elena's young age and the fact that she's clearly not happy about this, but I…I am. I can't explain it, I feel like…" He stopped, letting out a little laugh and then added. "You must think I'm the biggest ass in the world. I mean she's pregnant, going out of her mind while I'm happy about it."
Miranda shook her head and smiled at him. "I'm not saying that I approve of this, but if I had to choose, who my daughter got knocked up by, I'd always choose you. I know you love her, and the fact that you're happy about becoming a father, shows that this baby will be happy, along with Elena. She just needs time to get use to the idea."
He nodded his head and said. "I promise I won't disappoint you."
It has almost been 3 hours since Elena fell asleep. Damon was lying on the bed next to her and intensely watching her. She was so beautiful, she looked so perfect when she slept, and she was a pure goddess. He couldn't help but glance down at her tummy. It was flat, no one could guess that she was pregnant, but then again, she's was probably only a month pregnant. He lightly placed his hand over her flat stomach. He didn't know why he did it, he just felt drawn to touch her tummy. He was looking down and didn't even realize that she had awaken and watching his every move.
"What are you doing?" He's head snapped up to look at her, she raised her eyebrow at him.
"I…um…I was…nothing." He didn't know what to tell her. When did he lose his charm? This wasn't him; he was never the type to lose his words.
"What's with the stomach? I thought your favorites were my long legs?" She asked.
"Yeah they are, but the rest of your body is pretty perfect too." He said grinning at her.
"Hmm…Good to know." She said and turned to get up.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"Oh, I have to get to Bonnies and help…" He cut her off.
"No, you are not going anywhere. You need to rest." He said.
"Damon, I'm pregnant not an invalid." She said rolling her eyes.
"I know that Elena, but your still not going to Bonnies to help out with the carnival. That involves heavy lifting and I don't want to take any risks with you and the baby."
"You're being dramatic." She said rolling her eyes.
"And you're being stubborn."
"Look, I'm not going to be one of those pathetic teen moms who sit around the house all day drowning in self-pity because there pregnant. I have things to do."
"You can do whatever you want, if it doesn't include stress and heavy lifting." He said.
She rolled her eyes at him and said. "I have to go."
"No, you're not going. I want to spend the day with you and our baby."
"Damon the baby isn't even here." She said shaking her head.
"Well it's in your stomach and I want to feel it kick." He said.
"Are you nuts? It's so small; it's probably smaller then a bean." She said laughing at him.
" It doesn't matter, I want to spend time with the little bean." He smirked at her.
"Well I'm sure my mother can give you a frozen bean bag from the freezer." She giggled and he jumped from his side of the bed grabbing her and squeezing her in a tight embrace.
"Come on Lena, spend the rest of the day with me. I called Rick and told him I'm taking the rest of the day off." He said as he kissed her neck.
"Mmmm, stop that." She said when she started to get lost in his seduction. He pulled away and looked at her with his puppy dog eyes. "Uh, fine." She said rolling her eyes at his pleading ones.
End of flashback.
"Damon, Rick's here to see you." Ben said.
Damon just nodded his head and stood up walking towards the cell door. Ben opened it and repeated the same routine as always. He cuffed Damon and they headed to the visiting area. Damon walked to the same table, the last table on the left side of the room. It was the table that was secluded and had the most privacy. He spotted the brown haired man; he's former partner and best friend.
Damon slumped down in the seat opposite from Rick and said. "What's up?"
"Nice to see you too Salvatore." Rick said sarcastically.
"You know I'm getting released tomorrow, right? So this better be good, considering that you couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell me."
"First of all I came to see if you needed someone to pick you up tomorrow. My visit has nothing to do with the case." Rick said.
"I already told them to call Stefan. I don't want Elena to bring Melinda along."
"Good. So, tomorrow you'll be a free man." Rick said with a smirk on his face.
"I'll never be a free man Rick, you know that, right?" The man nodded his head. He knew how hard it was for Damon, the guy was innocent, and he believed him when he said that he never killed them.
"Any news about the case?" Damon asked.
"No man, it's like there is no records of that night, like it never even happened. I've been looking everywhere."
Damon nodded his head in understanding. Of course there weren't any records of that night. Whoever framed him made sure to get rid of all the evidence.
"What about the gun?" Damon asked.
"I tried getting to the evidence box but they sent it all to LA."
"Why?"
"I have no idea man. The only thing I was able to find out is that Conner resurfaced in Mexico."
"He's in Mexico now?" Damon asked.
"He's moving, he's not running from us, there has to be something more to this. He's constantly changing locations."
"Of course there's more. If only I could get my hands on him, I'd make him squeal even if it's the last thing I do." Damon said getting worked up.
"Listen to me Damon, you can't get involved, you'll just end up in here again."
"I don't care, my life is over anyway. The only thing that will remotely make me happy, is knowing that that animal is dead."
"You have Elena and Melinda. They need you."
"Their better off without me."
"Do you really believe that?" Rick asked him.
"Yes, you know why? Because I have no idea what I'm going to tell my daughter tomorrow. What am I supposed to tell her Rick? Huh?"
"Damon I know it's hard…"
Damon put his hand up in defense and said. "No, I don't want to talk about this. Can you come by the house tomorrow so you can inform me about Conner? "
"Sure, but don't get caught up in it Damon. Spend some time with your daughter and Elena. She misses you."
"Great, I'll see you tomorrow then." Damon said ignoring Ricks last two sentences about Elena and Melinda.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Rick said as he got up. He watched Damon walk up to Ben. The guy cuffed him and they headed back to where Damon spent the last 5 years.
He wanted to help his friend, but he knew deep down that this was not a coincidence, Damon was framed. Someone deliberately wanted him out of the way. The way that murder went down was to clean. There was no sign of hand prints on any other items in the warehouse, the only pare of hand prints were found on the gun.
This is my new story. What do you guys think? Do you like it? I tried to right a Delena supernatural story, but it's just not my style, so I'll stick to all humans. What do you guys think about Melinda? Do you like the name? Elena's a little over protective with her daughter, what do you think about that? What's do you think is going to happened now that Damon out of prison? How will that affect his relationship with Elena? How will he act toward his baby girl? Any speculations on who framed Damon? Review and tell me what you think. I like knowing that people are enjoying my stories and there is no better way to tell me then to hit the review button. I apologize is there is spelling and grammar mistakes.
XoXo RedRoSe1864
