Welcome to my new story. My invaluable friend and beta, Eva convinced me to write my own version of my prompt for the TVD Mixing annual Christmas A2A exchange. So here it is. I hope you like it. Thank you Eva for all your help. Thank you Kate for the brilliant cover for this story. See you at the bottom
'And why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up'
"I can't do it. Why can't you get that through your head," she yells tearfully at Brady, her physical therapist.
"Elena, you have to try. You don't have to be defined by this wheelchair," he responds firmly yet gently.
"Earth to Damon, more knee curls," Bonnie instructs like the drill sergeant she is..
"You're never going to get that knee back in shape if you don't do what I tell you to do," She says with a clap of her hands.
"What? I'm not allowed to be a slacker once in a blue moon?" I tease.
Shaking her head, she glares at me before ever so slowly her lips tighten and form a smile..
"Is that a smile I see Bonnie.. Just wow," I laugh.
"Get busy Mr. I'm going to see if Brady needs help with Elena. I think she could use some encouragement."
"How is she really Bonnie?" I ask genuinely concerned.
"Damon, you know I can't violate patient confidentiality. But there is nothing stopping you from getting to know her. Frankly, she could use a friend and that is all I'm going to say about her. Got it?"
"Yes, mam," I salute.
My name is Damon Salvatore. I was shooting hoops with my brother Stefan and my buddies, Ric and Enzo.
I twisted my knee rupturing my ACL which necessitated surgery and therefore PT. I come here two times a week. Elena is always here on those days too.
The first time I saw her I was mesmerized. Her piercing Bambi eyes and her shimmering chestnut locks pulled into a long pony tail reeled me right in.
She's completely gorgeous. I remember reading about her in our local newspaper. Elena was merely pumping gas at a Washington DC gas station. Apparently she was in DC to interview one of our state representatives for our local paper. She was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time when a drive by shooter just happened to choose that gas station to fire on. The bullet struck her in the lower back severing her spinal cord. Sadly, she'll never walk again. From what I gather just by observing her, she's despondent, sad and lonely. I can't say that I really blame her though. I don't know that I'd feel any differently if I was sitting in her shoes.
After Bonnie ices my knee, I put the brace back on, grab my crutches and head out for the day. When I get close to the waiting area which is next to the exit, I hear Elena sniffling.
"But Jenna, what am I going to do sitting here for two hours? Yeah okay, thanks," I hear her say tearfully before slamming her phone into her purse.
Biting my lips for a moment, I slowly walk over to where she's parked in her wheelchair.
"Hey Elena. I couldn't help but overhear. Did you need a ride home?" I ask her tentatively.
She raises her wet eyes to me before asking, "you'd take me home?"
"Yes." I tell her sincerely.
"Why?"
"Because I'm a nice guy and you look like you could use both a ride and maybe a friend?"
Her eyes fix on me for just a moment.
"Um, if you really don't mind, I do need a ride home or I'll have to sit here till Jenna's meeting is done. Thank you..."
"Damon, my name is Damon Salvatore. It's a pleasure to meet you Elena," I say holding out my hand to shake hers.
When she lifts her arm, I take her hand and drop just a wisp of a kiss to it.
Her eyes widen in surprise for a second then she pulls her hand back. With my smile extending from ear to ear, I gesture to the exit.
"You ready?" I ask.
She turns her wheelchair towards the exit and begins wheeling herself out beside me. When we get to my truck, I push her chair to the passenger side. Then I gently put one arm under her knees, the other around her shoulders then I lift her into the seat.
Quickly I fold up her wheelchair and lay it in the back of the truck.
After crawling into the driver's side, I turn my head to face her. "Where to my lady?" I ask while flashing her my eye thing as my mom calls it.
"Right there, the one on the corner with the wrap around porch. Thank you for giving me a ride," She says quietly while looking down.
When I pull into the driveway, I can't help but notice there are no ramps built for her wheelchair.
"Elena, how do you get into your house? There are no ramps..."
"Um.. My aunt can't afford to have them built yet. If my brother isn't around, Jenna usually grabs her boyfriend, Ric to carry me in."
"Ric Saltzman?"
"Yeah, that's him. He and Jenna have been dating for a couple of years," she confirms.
"They just got engaged right? Ric is a buddy of mine. Please stop me if this is too forward, Elena, but my buddies and I could help build some ramps for you if it would help. I'm sure Ric would be more than happy to lend a hand too.
As you know, my dad owns the lumber company. I really have no doubt that he'd be more than happy to donate the materials to build ramps for you. And I love working with my hands, Elena. I'd be more than happy to volunteer," I tell her sincerely.
After giving me a look like I came from Mars, she looks away before whispering, "Why would you want to help me? You hardly even know me."
"That's not true Elena. I know you," I tell her smiling.
"I know you smile at the most insignificant things. I know how you go out of your way to be kind to people. I know how you put everyone's needs ahead of your own. I've had my eye on you for quite awhile but you always had Matt on your arm. You seemed so happy with him. I wasn't going to rock the boat while you were with him."
"Um, I don't know what to say.." she whispers making eye contact for a moment before turning away.
"I'll talk to Jenna about the ramps. Can you help me get into my house?"
My smile widens, "Sure," I tell her before jumping out of my truck and grabbing her wheelchair. I go around to her side of the truck. Then I lift her into my arms and carry her bridal style to the door. She grabs her purse and pulls out the house key. Just as she's ready to put the key in the lock, Jeremy opens the door.
"Damon?" he says, flummoxed.
"Hey Jer. I just gave Elena here a ride home. Her wheelchair is beside my truck if you'd go and bring it for her.
Jeremy steps aside as he holds the door open for me.
"Where to my lady?" I tease.
Elena stares at me for a long second before asking me to put her on the couch.
"Here you go. I'm going to go talk to my dad about the wood and materials for your ramps. Can I have your phone number so I can keep you updated?" I ask.
"Um sure. Here," she says as she hands me her phone to look up the number.
After I put her phone number in my list of contacts, I hand it back to her.
"Thanks Elena. I have to go but I'll be in touch," I tell her as I take my leave.
After which, I step back into my truck, turn on the ignition and pull out of her driveway.
I hope you liked chapter one. This is the longest story I've written. It is completely written so no worries about it being abandoned. Please hit that little review button so I know what you think of the story. Also the follow button if you choose to go along for the ride. Until next time...