Meet the Salvatore's

Chapter One

A cool morning breeze filled the streets of New York City at the morning. Just as every other autumn morning as far as Donati Salvatore could remember. A man who was born and raised in Italy, and to be exact in a small town near Rome. Although it was a long time ago, Donati could still remember Viterbo, the city he was born in. Walking through the busy streets of New York he could still remember every single childhood memory, the happy and the sad ones. Flashbacks of a little Donati holding hands with his mother in front of the "Villa the Cerretana Viterbo" which was his favorite place in the world. Even as a young boy he was always very interested in architecture. A creative mind one might say. As his old man Giuseppe used to say "it runs in the family sun" and it truly does. By the time Donati was 16 he was already involved in the family business. At such a young age working so hard to prove to his parents, even not just to them and the rest of the world but to himself that he could make something out of himself. And 20 years later here he was, the owner of the biggest firm in New York city; and luck for Donati because along the way he'd found true love followed by the best three miracles he could have ever wished for.

Donati Salvatore was quite an attractive man just like his father Giuseppe, having piercing green eyes, light brown hair and a strong jaw line. All the men in the Salvatore family were known to be womanizers except for Donati. He was a man who believed in respecting the opposite sex. His mom always used to say. "One day in near future some girl from who knows where will get her claws into you my boy. I just hope she's worth it. " He always used to laugh it off and reply "Don't worry mom, I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself." Love was never one of the top priorities in Donati's life until he met a unique woman, unlike any other American girl. She was bright, smart, wild and unafraid. She was the complete opposite of everything he had ever thought that would interest him in a woman, yet she had this power over him that Donati himself could not control.

Merissa was something special, and he knew it from the moment he met her. She had this sparkle in her ocean blue eyes, and when you looked at her you could easily get lost in them. Besides of having this silky raven black hair that was naturally in between wavy and curly and sat just above her collarbone. She was only 19 when they met. Marissa was a college student who was failing every subject except for philosophy in which she had an "A+". Weird! It wasn't from lack of knowledge she was failing, it was because she had a big mouth. Always had a comeback to everything and everyone and it didn't matter whether she was talking to the canteen lady or the principal, she would always have the last word. That was one of the things Donati loved about his wife, she could always stand up for herself. She had this tendency to prove that she was always right and even when she knew she was wrong she could weasel her way out of anything. Most people found it quite annoying but not Donati, he loved a good challenge and Merissa was the perfect match.

Donati was everything else but a weak man. Giuseppe and Elizabeth raised him to be a strong person, to stand up for himself but also to be kind and caring and most of all they taught their son to respect and treat people equally regardless if they were rich or not. Merissa was a college student that had a full-time job at a local cafeteria and was doing her best to put herself through college regardless of the fact that her family was one of the richest families in Carolina. Merissa Lilly Roberts was the main reason for which Donati Alfredo Salvatore moved to New York.

Donati was in New York on official business of constructing a new building on camps of New York University. His first business meeting went awry as a beautiful young woman walked right up to him in a comfortable way and gave him a compliment that left a Salvatore man speechless which was quite rare. Her exact words were "Well, don't you have a fine piece of ass?" and with a wink she added "Oh and if you plan on getting some I suggest you loosen up that tie of yours, I beat you have great abs, make it a bit easier for the female population to get their aim"; and with a smirk on her beautiful face she turned on her heel an walked away leaving a speechless Donati standing in the hall. After a week had passed by when Donati was walking by a local cafeteria and spotted the girl who left him speechless. Within a few minutes of contemplating whether to go in or not he decided against it only to be met seconds later with the most beautiful blue eyes and a smirk on her face right in front of him. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize she was standing right in front of him. She came closer to his face and tilted her head to the side as she whispered in to his ear "Couldn't stay away, could you?", she leaned in a bit more and smirked before she spoke "Hmmm you have two options here, either suck it up like a man and ask me out on a date and take the blow if I reject you or…. Walk away like a coward. It's your choice." She moved her head back and steered him straight in the eyes with that devilish smirk on her face as she said "So what's it gonna be?", without any hesitation he walked closer to her and leaned in just like she had done seconds ago and whispered into her ear "If you like what you see… take it", and as he was about to pull away she grabbed the back of his head with a firm grip on it and captured his lips in a lustful kiss. Just as he was about to deepen the kiss she pulled away and smirked, and then she looked him into his eyes and said "I'm not your average woman, and if I want something I take it, but the question still remains Salvatore, I just gave you a little taste." She said as she crossed her arms over her chest "Now, what's your final answer?" He looked at her as if trying to figure out the girl in front of him and asked "What's your name sweetheart?" She answered in a sweet yet husky voice "Merissa Lilly Roberts". This time he smirked as he leaned in and asked "Merissa Lilly Roberts, would you like to go on a date with me?" She looked at him as if she was actually taking time to think about it and then with one swift move she took a pen out of her purse and grabbed his left hand and wrote her phone number down on the inside of his palm. With that devilish smirk plastered on her face she whispered "Call me Donati" and as pulled away she added "Oh…and just so you know my middle name might be Lilly but unless you're looking for a way for me to torture you, and no I don't mean in a good way. Get me lavender roses." with that she turned around and walked away. Left standing alone with a grin on his face he looked in the direction she had just left of in and as she turned the corner in that moment Donati knew he just had to know that extraordinary creature.

They dated for 2 years in which Merissa moved in with Dan (a nickname she gave him just when they started dating), and then an unexpected surprise which caught them off guard. Nevertheless, they could not have been happier when they found out about the unexpected pregnancy. On the first doctor's appointment when they got their first glance at the little human being growing inside of the woman Donati loved so much, he knew right there that he wanted to spend the rest of his life by her side. That night he proposed her under the starry night in the backyard of the boarding house, and the only way Merissa would accept was if Dan promised to let her pick the name if they were having a girl and if it was a boy he could have the honor. To Donati all that mattered was that he got the woman of his dreams, the situation with the names did not deter him in any way. She could name the baby however she liked.

When Merissa was about 3 months into the pregnancy the doctor asked them if they wanted to know the sex. After a lot of contemplation Merissa could not wait for the remaining 6 months to find out so she just asked for a straight answer and she was, to Donati's surprise, very happy when the doctor said it was a boy. She spent the next 6 months looking for baby names of Italian origin. Even though she bought heaps of books with names, one certain name caught her attention and Donati was happy with it as well. On December 19.1989 a baby boy with raven black hair and blue eyes was born. Even as a baby that was only born for a couple of days you could tell he was the spitting image of his mother. Little Damon Angelo Salvatore was the first son of Donati and Merissa Salvatore. Three years later they were blessed with another boy who of course Merissa had to name Stefan Felicio Salvatore (April 5.1992) not that Donati had any complaints. Each name for the boys was picked out very carefully. Damon Angelo as Merissa's little angel, and Stefan Felicio as in her luck in the world. Not long after the boys were born Merissa wonted to try one last time to see if they had any luck to actually get a girl. Donati was willing to grant his wife her wish but told her to wait in till Stefan was at least 2 years old and then try again. The third miracle was exactly what Marissa had always wanted, a baby girl which she named Caroline Catharina Salvatore (which means pure). The baby girl had her mother's eyes and blondish brown hair like her father, unlike Stefan who was the spitting image of Donati, brown hair and piercing green eyes.

Each child was special in their own way, especially Damon. He was like no other. Not your typical boy. He was very smart for a 5-year-old not to mention that he could blackmail a grown man into doing what he wanted, but he also knew the tactic of a few nice words and an adorable pout on his face to get what he wanted. Marissa was very proud of her son despite the fact that people told her he was very naughty and cheeky. Deep down she knew exactly where he got it from. Stefan, on the other hand, even at his young age was always a good soul just like his father and a little broody, and he didn't quit fit in everywhere. Damon and Stefan didn't quite get along even as kids, Damon was a free soul just like his mother and always had the tendency to be right about everything, fact which pissed Stefan off because he was never the one who had a good comeback and even if he did, Damon would top it off.

When Caroline was born Damon was very protective of his baby sister even though he was only a six-year-old. She was very special and precious to him. Every night before bed time he would stand next to the baby cradle in the nursery and watch her sleep for a few minutes and before walking away he would whisper to the baby girl "Goodnight Care sleep tight, grow up soon so we can gang up on Stefan together. I know what you're thinking…and yes! I am naughty but he's just so annoying with his goody two- shoes but I still love him…but I just love to tease him. It's gonna be so much fun, you're gonna love it. Love you Care" and with that he would blow her a kiss and walk away to his room calling for his mommy and daddy to tell them goodnight and with that he would be off.

When Caroline got a little bit older she learned most of Damon's tricks and by the time she was 8 as Damon would say she had a degree in coning people, and at school she had everyone wrapped around her tiny finger even the teachers. As the years went by the kids in the Salvatore Family grew up and got closer although the teasing on Stefan's behalf was still there. Damon and Caroline couldn't help it and Stefan eventually went along with it.

High school was one of the changing fases for the Salvatore brothers. Damon was a stud as he liked to call himself, the most popular boy at school and was surrounded by women 24/7; while Stefan was a one woman man, Meredith Fell or Marry as everyone in high school called her. She was a sweet and kind girl, and very pretty as well. Dark black hair and hazel eyes which turned in to a shade of green when she would look in the direction of the sunlight. Stefan was very much in love unlike his older brother. Damon could have any girl in "Herbert H. Lehman High School" but unlike the boys at his school Damon loved to flirt and knew how to have a good time but didn't commit to anyone not because he was scared or because he did not believe in true love. No, no, no, he was like his father, he wanted to make something of himself that everyone including himself was proud of.

When it came to college Damon's high school records were very rusty and not because he was a bad student but because of his cocky attitude, actually he was 3 times suspended in high school. Once for provoking a teacher till the woman was on the edge of braking down in tears. The second time was for telling the school councilor that she was extremely hot in the bikini she was wearing in the photo on her Face-book page. Merissa nor did Damon understand the suspension for expressing your opinion but the school principal had a different outlook about things. And finally the third time was because he was caught in the girl's bathroom in an awkward position, although Damon kept insisting that the girl who wrapped her legs around his waist was choking over an almond she swallowed and that he was trying to help her get it out but the history teacher that walked in on them didn't see it that way. Finally, Damon's acceptance letter from Dartmouth came into the mail and it was time for the oldest son of Donati and Marissa Salvatore to leave for college.

Damon's college experience was something he had never dreamed of. The school was great and a perfect fit for Damon but something unexpected happened to Damon Salvatore, he fell in love or so Damon thought he did. The lady responsible for capturing Damon Salvatore's heart was Katherine Pierce, an exchange high school student from Italy. Katherine's family was from America originally but her father David Pierce worked for an Italian stock market company so they moved to Italy when Katherine was only 8 years old. Even though Katherine was only 17 years old when she met a 19-year-old Damon, she took his breath away. She was an exquisite beauty. Long blond curly hair and piercing blue eyes that reminded him of his mother's Lapis Lazuli engagement ring. Katherine was a lot like Damon himself except for fact that she could be cruel, unkind and disrespectful to people that she simple decided were not worth her time. As in a quote once said "Love was blind" so was Damon he only so the good parts in the woman he so dearly cared about, the bad parts were dismissed and pushed to the back of his mind.

Almost after 2 years of dating, there was a declaration of love and even Damon getting on one knee, with a diamond Lapis Lazuli ring that belonged to his mother, to ask the woman he believed he loved to marry him. Just its answer "Yes" made Damon the happiest man on earth till that night, the unforgettable night that changed everything. He would never forget Katherine's betrayal, it would haunt him for eternity. Damon didn't feel heart-broken when they split up, he just felt numb for months. He dropped out of college and joined the police force back in New York, and to say that Donati was disappointed was an understatement but at the end with Marissa's encouraging words he left the matter alone. Donati had always thought that Damon would be the one to take over family business; he was the smartest and the oldest, but Damon had a plan of his own.

Actually, Damon didn't really have a plan at all, he was just stuck in his tracks. He needed to find himself again and what better way than to join the local police unit in New York. After 6 months of hard training he finally got his badge. During those 6 months he went through a rough patch with his father and Stefan, they both kept telling Damon that he was trying to hide from the truth and the betrayal that Katherine caused him, and yes part of it was true but at the end of the day Damon had this aching feeling in his heart that kept telling him that he was in the right place and soon he would be out in the streets saving innocent people's lives. And with that thought only he felt a tiny bit of satisfaction in his heart that was completely empty and numb since that tragic night. His mother supported him in his choice and so did Donati when he finally got to see his eldest son in a police uniform with a badge. Officer Salvatore. It had a good ring to it. Caroline as his little sister worried about him all the time but was a great actress and always put up a brave face in front of her big bro.

All these images of Donati's life flashed through his mind as he got closer to the huge building with big letters on it that read "Salvatore United". That day was December 19. Damon's birthday and as much as Donati had wanted to just stay home with his family for one of the most special days of the year he had a business meeting with one the most important clients, Mathew Rhodes. As he walked into the building his secretary stood up from her desk and walked right up to him.

"Good morning Mr. Salvatore" She spoke with a small smile on her face.

"Good morning to you to Julie" He returned the gesture with an equal smile plastered on his face. Julie was his secretary from the day the firm was established and he couldn't be happier with his choice of staff.

"Mr. Rhodes just called to let you know he is currently stuck in traffic, something to do with the roads being blocked." She said as she opened up a yellow file with a handful of paperwork "Here is all the legal paper work checked out and signed by Mr. Rhodes regarding the empty warehouse."

"Thank you Julie." He said as he took the file from her and looked through it, pushing his head up again to look at his secretary he added "If anyone needs me I'll be in my office" as she nodded he turned around and headed to his office but stopped in his tracks turned around and said "Could you reschedule the meeting with Mr. Richards for tomorrow? "

"Sure", She nodded and he turned around and headed to his office.

"Of course he wants a party, for goodness sake it's his birthday and I might add that he's turning 23 this year." Caroline squealed as she put her hands in the air.

"After the year your brother had I'd say he would probably want us all to stay home and watch movies or something, I don't think he's in the mood for partying." Marissa said while sipping on her cup of tea at her favorite café.

"I agree with mom on this, Care" Stefan said in a small voice as he placed a piece of cheese cake in his mouth.

Caroline looked at them both in disbelief and then turned to Stefan "You better shut up or the rest of that cake is going to end up on your face." Caroline warned him. Then she turned her gaze to her mother again and said "We have to do something we can't just let him skip it!"

Marissa looked at her daughter and surged "Ok fine. This is what's going to happen. I am going to call Damon now and ask him if he's free for tonight and we are going to that Italian restaurant that he loves so much, yes the one I can't even pronounce." Marissa said as he got her phone out to call her son.

"Wait!" Caroline squealed as she threw her hands up in the air and said" You can't just tell him where we are taking him." She posed to think and then in less than 20 seconds later she jumped from her seat and giggled "I have the perfect idea." she said as she took her phone out.

Quick reflexes allowed Marissa to grab the phone out of her daughter's hand. "Care to tell me first?" She asked as she tilted her head to the side.

Caroline huffed and plopped down on her seat "You are not going to like it but desperate times call for desperate measures" she said with a smirk that screamed that she was Marissa Robert's daughter.

"Spill", Marissa said as she eyed her suspiciously.

"Well, what if we tell him I broke up with Matt because he cheated on me and now I'm all sad and I need my big bro to cheer me up." Caroline blurted out.

"What? Are you nuts?" Stefan asked raising his brow "Damon would go after Matt the minute he found out".

"Well, do you Mr. Broody have a better idea? If you do I'm all ears." Caroline shot back.

"Enough!", Marissa said in a harsh tone. "There will be no lying or tricking Damon in to coming, understood!?", Marissa looked towards to her children and added "and if I find out that one single word was uttered about a plan to get Damon here, help me God, I will freeze your credit cards for a month. Which includes taking the bus to school Caroline. Am I clear?" She asked raising her brow at Caroline.

"Yes", they both added in unison.

"Now, I am going to call your brother and ask him if he is free tonight". She took her phone and looked through her contacts till she landed on Damon's phone number.

A beeping sound of the alarm clock on the night stand woke up a tired Damon. As he slammed his hand down on the digital device with a huff he turned on his back and stared at the ceiling of his bedroom. Today was his 23 birthday, a day that should be celebrated with the ones you love but for Damon it was a constant reminder that he was technically alone. No girlfriend, no fiancé, no wife. How did his life get so complicated? When did Damon Salvatore start feeling insecure and stressed out?Oh yeah, since that manipulative bitch Katherine came in to your life. Just the thought of her made Damon sick. How can you love someone one day and then the next hate them with everything you have? That was a question Damon kept asking himself all the time but at the end came up with the only answer that made sense. He never loved her and he was sure as hell she never loved him.

Getting out of bed he headed to the bathroom. Leaning into the sink he looked into the mirror and couldn't recognize his own reflection. It wasn't that he looked any different, it was the reflection in his eyes that screamed "Who am I?". Dropping his gaze to the sink, he splashed some water on his face and returned to the mirror analyzing his reflection for the second time. As the droplets of water spilled down his face, Damon looked deep into his own eyes for a split second and turned away from the mirror not willing to torture himself. He took off his clothes and stepped into the shower. The warm water giving him a warmish feeling to his body that was craving for something to revive it. And for just a split second he felt like the aching feeling in his chest disappeared but as the water stopped so did the feeling.

As Damon was putting on his uniform his cell phone started ringing, glancing at the caller ID he knew it was his mother. Contemplating to answer or not, he remembered that he had some good news of his own. He hit the receive button and answered in a happy fake voice. "Hi mom!"

"Happy 23 birthday Damon Angelo Salvatore!", Marissa said in a cheerful voice.

"Thanks mom", Damon answered.

"So…", Marissa posed for a few seconds before continuing on, "Are you busy tonight?"

What to answer?, he thought. If I say yes she''ll ask what I'm doing and then I'll have to lie and if I say no then she will probably drag me to some restaurant for a family dinner. Ask why! No, stupid question!, for God sake's its your birthday. And without even thinking about it he said "No".

"Great! Dinner tonight at the fancy Italian restaurant that your father took you to when you were nine", she said.

"Amalfi Pizzeria", he smirked. "It's really not that hard to pronounce", he said in a teasing voice.

"Not when you're half Italian", Marissa shot back.

"It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm half Italian and you know it. It's pretty easy for an American to pronounce it." Damon said in a calm voice challenging his mother.

"I see no reason to pronounce something knowing that I will never be able to roll the tongue like a native Italian would." Marissa answered back in the same calm voice as her son.

Damon chuckled "You never give up do you mom? Your word has to be the last?", he said as he continued to chuckle.

"Yep" Marissa said popping the "p" like a 5-year-old. "So, you're coming right? We leave at 7 so don't be late".

"Umm mom would it be ok if I met you guys there? I have something I have to do". Damon asked in a polite voice.

"Yeah…sure" Marissa answered hesitantly.

"Ok. I have to go now and I will see you guys tonight." Damon said as he prayed she wouldn't ask any questions where he was going.

"OK then…Bye." Marissa said in a curious tone but didn't push the issue further.

"Bye." Damon said and hung up as fast as he could just in case she decided to ask any more questions.

Shoving his phone in his pocket he grabbed his car keys and walk through the front door of his apartment double checking if it was locked properly a habit he picked up after that night. The night he would never forget.

Walking into the station with not the best mood Damon noticed out of the corner of his eye, a bubbly blond named Kristy walked straight up to him with a bright smile on her face.

"Happy birthday Damon" She said as she stopped right in front of him.

"Thanks Kristy." Damon said in a polite voice. He knew the girl was interested in him although Damon did everything in his power to show her that he was not in the slightest bit interested, but she just kept trying. Damon could already see his birthday being the perfect excuse for her to gang up on him.

"I got you something" She said in a husky voice as she pulled out a medium-sized blue box with a red ribbon on top and handed it to Damon.

Damon glanced at her for a split second before saying "You really didn't have to do this".

"Oh yes I did" she said in a husky voice as she leaned in closer to him and said in a low voice "Open it" .

Damon glanced at her for a split second before giving her a small smile and pulling off the little red ribbon. Taking of the blue lid Damon's eyes widened at what he found inside. In the medium-sized blue box laid a pair of handcuffs with a pair of red silky lingerie. Damon glanced back up at the girl in front of him in disbelief.

Kristy smirked at the expression on his face as she leaned in further to whisper in his ear "Tonight Damon I'm all yours" and with that she placed a quick peck on his cheek and pulled away.

Damon stared at her for a few seconds before clearing his throat "Kristy look… you're great but… but I'm just not ready for this yet. I mean…" he was cut off by her hist.

"A girl gives you a box with handcuffs and lingerie for your birthday, and you turn her down. Who do you think you are?. I just practically laid myself on a platter for you and you throw it right back into my face." She hissed as she grabbed the box out of his hand.

"Ohh oh ho calm down sweetheart, I didn't ask for this and to be honest with you it's quite a nice present, but would you feel comfortable walking out of my apartment tomorrow morning, knowing that you will see me at the station every day and knowing you had sex with me and that I couldn't care less?." Damon stated a bit too harsh but it had to be done. It was better for Kristy to hate him than to actually get caught up in the mess that his life was.

She looked at him with judgmental eyes as she said "You deserve what she did to you" and with that she turned on her heels and walked away. Damon stud frozen in his tracks as his eyes followed the woman who metaphorically derived a stake through his heart. He couldn't believe what just happened. Was this woman for real? He didn't have time to think about it as his chief Darren called him into his office. Damon walked to the direction the voice was coming from and when he got to the door he shook his head dismissing all of his worries to the back of his head and walked in.

"Happy birthday Damon" Darren said as he leaned back into his chair

"Thanks" Damon said in a numb voice almost as if he wasn't listening.

"So, have you decided about taking the job in Mystic Falls?" He asked Damon.

"I'm considering it and tonight I will run by my family and let you know what my answer is." Damon answered in a confident voice. Darren had offered Damon a job as the new sheriff in a small town in Virginia named Mystic Falls. Damon had wanted to say yes straight away but knew that if he did his father and mother would get on his back about not informing them. Tonight was the night Damon would come clean and tell his family that he was leaving New York and going to a small town not so far away from his mother's birth town.

"Good" was all that Darren said before his phone started ringing and Damon turned on his heel and walked out leaving his boss to some privacy.

As Damon got out of the car and head into the restaurant he got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Spotting his family in the corner at the end of the room he walked right up to them. A squealing Caroline jumped out of her seat and embraced her brother with a bear hug followed by happy birthday scream that made everyone in the restaurant turn to their table.

"Happy birthday brother", said Stefan as he got up from his seat and embraced his big brother in a brotherly hug.

"Thanks Steffi." Damon said once they stepped out of the hug.

"Compleanno figlio felice", said Donati with a huge grin on his face as he took his son in a hug.

"Grazie papa" Damon replied with the same grin plastered on his face.

"All right get your ass over here" said Marissa as Damon stepped around the table to give his mom a big hug. She whispered in his ear" Happy birthday my little angel" and with that she pulled away giving him a kiss on the cheek.

They sat down in a comfortable chat as they ordered and laughed about the good old times. The night was nearing to its end and Damon knew he had to tell them what was going on because in the morning he had to give his boss a straight answer. Clearing his throat and putting on a serious face he spoke up.

"Guys I have something to tell you", he said in a steady voice as everyone at the table turned serious and locked their gazes with Damon.

"What is it Damon?" Donati asked with a confused expression on his face.

Damon looked at his father and prepared himself for what was about to come next. "Darren offered me the position to become the next sheriff of Mystic Falls Virginia." Silence filled the table as everyone stared at him. Marissa was the first to speak.

"When do you leave?" She asked almost in a whisper.

"Monday morning", Damon answered in the same tone keeping his eyes glued to the empty plate in front of him.

"But that's in 2 days" Caroline said in disappointed voice.

"Yeah…" Damon said in a small voice.

"Do you need a ride to the airport?", asked Donati but avoided his eldest son's gaze.

"It would be nice if you guys could take me to the airport." Damon said in a hopeful voice.

"Of course we will" said Marissa in a reassuring voice.

"Thanks, I know this is a lot to take in but I think it could be good for me to get out of here for a while. Clear my head and set my priorities straight" Damon said as he looked at his father. "Dad?" he said nearly in a whisper.

Donati looked at his son and spoke the blunt truth. "You're a grown man Damon, you don't need my approval, you're the one that's in charge of your life. The only thing I can say is you will always have a home here whenever you decide to come back."

"Thank you dad, it means a lot that you can respect my choices." Damon said to his father with a soft smile of gratitude.

For the rest of the evening the Salvatore family kept the conversation light, Mystic Falls was not mentioned nor was Damon's choice to leave his hometown.

The morning after revealing the truth to his parents about his choice to move to a new town and abandon his father's hope to ever become an architect. Damon went straight to the station, to let his boss know he is taking the promotion. Being the sheriff of Mystic falls was an honor to Damon. He knew that the little town in Virginia was known as a quiet and peaceful region but Damon got this feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was very wrong. The only thing was that he could not put his finger on what was bugging him so much.

Damon spent the last 2 days with his little sister Caroline. They spent most of the time doing what Caroline wanted. Shopping for a prom dress was one of the things he really regretted accepting to do with her not only because she tried on a hundred dresses but because every time she put on a dress she asked if Matt would like it. Damon really had no problem with the guy but just the thought of him checking out his little sister made Damon sick. Yeah overprotective! He had hardly spoken to his father since his birthday dinner. Donati was either working or avoiding him. Damon had a feeling it was the second. He knew his dad didn't really want him to leave but was trying one of Marissa's tactics. His mother could con anyone or sweet talk them into doing anything she wanted but reverse psychology was one of her most powerful weapons when it came to raising 3 kids.

Damon could still remember the time he wanted to camp outside of the boarding house and his mother told him that the mosquitos were going to get him but little Damon wouldn't take no for an answer. So, Marissa set up a tent for him to sleep in the backyard but also cut a little hole in the back so the mosquitoes could come inside. It wasn't even 10 o'clock when a little Damon came running into the house screaming. "They got me mommy!" A proud Marissa took her son in to her arms and told him "I told you so." And with that she took Damon to bed.

Damon was all packed sitting in his one bedroom apartment looking around to make sure that he got everything that he was going to need when he got to Mystic Falls. A low knock on the door caused him to turn around to see how it was. When he opened the door he was met with his father Donati along with his mother, brother and sister.

"Hey! Come on in guys", he said as he stepped away from the door so they could come in.

"All packed?" Marissa asked as she sat down on the couch.

"Yeah…I think I got everything I'm going to need", Damon answered as he grabbed the suitcase from the other end of the couch to make room for the others to sit down.

"You got your passport, credit cards and driver's license?" Marissa asked, to make sore her son was all set.

"Yep" Damon said popping the "p" as he sat on a chair near the couch.

"You ready to go Damon?" Donati asked as he took his car keys out of his pocket.

"Yeah I just need to put these in the truck and I'm all set." Damon said as he gestured to the suitcase and the bag on the floor next to the couch.

"Ok…than we should probably get you to the airport, don't want you to miss your flight." Donati said but avoided Damon's gaze.

"Yeah we should probably get going", said Damon as he got up and took his suitcase and bag and heading for the door.

On the way to the airport everyone sat in silence, while Donati drove. Damon didn't want to push his father to accept his choice but he didn't want him to be disappointed in him either.

"Ok…so I guess this is it then brother." Stefan said as he took Damon in to a big brotherly hug.

"This is not it" Said Caroline as she wrapped her arms around her brothers. "Damon is going to come and visit and so are we."

"I didn't mean it like he wasn't coming back ever." Sad Stefan as he untangled himself from the emotional hug.

"Well, what did you mean then?" Caroline said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I MEANT…." Stefan practically screamed at her before he was cut off by Damon.

"Wow calm down guys" Damon said as he tried to calm the situation down. "Stefan" Damon said turning his attention to his younger brother "You are in charge now when it comes to Caroline. I hold you responsible if anything happens to her, understand?" Damon asked playfully but a hint of seriousness was visible in his eyes.

"Well if you're leaving him in charge you might come back to a pregnant , drunk, high or all of the above." Caroline said as she sat on the chair.

Damon and Stefan shared a look that said "She is so dramatic", as Donati stared at his daughter in disbelief.

"What?" Caroline said to her father's shocked face." "Your plan obviously sucked, so I was going to try my way."

Just as Donati was about to speak, he was cut off by the announcement. "ALL PASSENGERS BOARDING TO MYSTIC FALLS PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO GATE 12. THANK YOU."

Everyone looked at Damon and got up from their seats.

"I better get going guys" said Damon as he walked up to his mother first and opened his arms up for a hug. "I'm going to miss you mom."

"Of course you will. I am the coolest mom ever" Said Marissa as she pulled back to look her son in the eyes. "Take care of yourself Angel. You promise me here and now that you will call and keep in touch or I will drag your ass out of this airport right now."

"I promise I will mom." Damon said with a soft smile on his face. As he was about to turn around Marissa grabbed his hand and pulled him in a hug again.

"Oh I'm gonna miss you." She said as she squeezed him tighter. "I love you Angel."

"I love you to mom" said Damon as he held his mom in a strong embrace.

"Come on you two, break it up, other people want a piece of the dashing and gorgeous Damon Salvatore." Caroline said from behind them.

"Jesus Caroline give them a moment." Stefan said in a warning tone. She just rolled her eyes at him.

"Care-bear come here" said Damon to his baby sister as he took her in a tight hug.

"I'm going to miss you Damon. Promise me you'll be here for my graduation." She asked as she pulled away from him.

"I promise." Damon said to her with a reassuring smile. As Caroline made her way over to her mother Damon turned to Stefan.

"Steffi" Damon said to his bro as Stefan made his way over.

"Take care brother, ok?" Stefan said to Damon as he squeezed him tightly.

"Steffi you're suffocating me." Damon said in a pretend choking voice.

"Ass" Stefan muttered under his breath as Damon pulled.

"Take care of Caroline and hold on to Merry, she's a keeper." Damon smirked at his brother as he turned to face his dad.

"Dad?" Damon said to Donati as he approached him.

Donati gave him a small smile as he opened his arms for a hug. Damon jumped into his arms without any hesitation.

"Take care son, and if you ever need anything we're here for you." Donati said in a soft voice.

"I will dad. You two take care, and dad look after mom" Damon said as he looked his father in the eyes.

"Don't worry about us son. We're in love just like two teenagers" Donati smirked at his boy.

"Ok, so instead of saying goodbye I'm only going to say see you at Care's graduation." Damon said as he got his bag and jacket from the chair.

"Works for me." Caroline said.

"See you at Caroline's graduation, make sure you bring a girl even if she's an escort." Marissa said as she giggled.

"Mom, people can hear you." Stefan shrugged and said in a whiny voice.

"Don't be so whiny Stefan." Marissa said as she hugged her son and waved her other hand at Damon. "Off you go."

"Care, mom, dad, Steffi take care and I'll see you at the graduation." Damon said one last time before heading to gate 12.

"See you at the graduation." Everyone said in unison.

As Damon sat in his seat and buckled up his seat belt he looked out the window and wondered how he got to this level in his life. He liked being a police officer. He liked knowing he was doing something as meaningful as saving people's lives on a daily basis; but as he remembered Mystic Falls and the photos he had seen on the Internet he couldn't bring himself around to believe that anyone needed his help there.

He didn't know how wrong he was. A young girl prayed every night since she was 15 for someone to come to her rescue. Elena Gilbert was in great need of Damon Salvatore, he just didn't know it yet.

Thank you so much RRR222 for beta reading this chapter. You were a huge help and i appreciate it.