I am back at it again with a new Fanfiction. For those who have read my previous ones, there will be an update, though, I am reconstructing them so it may take a bit longer. Anyways, I have been having this idea bubbling in my mind for quite some time and I just had to share it. Hope you all enjoy.
As usual, I, do not own the Vampire Diaries, or any of the characters. They belong to Julie Plec and the CW.
Chapter One.
"Are you paying any attention, Bennett?" Vivian asked with an exasperated look. I only offered her a nod, as the whole ride, which has been excruciatingly long, has been prep on my soon to be life, family, and husband. In response to my uninterested nod, Viv gave me a light pinch and "the look" which meant more than what I was prepared to deal with.
"B, you may not want to hear this, but you know how much is on the line- cut me some slack here," My cousin pleaded. "I don't like this any more than you do but you know there is no other choice."
"You can say that because you aren't the one selling your soul," by now the mantra was beginning to get old.
"This family is relying on you."
"This was established before you were born."
"If it weren't for you, we would all be on the streets."
You would have thought they had been practicing their excuses before I was born, then again, I would not put anything past this family. As much as I love my family, the ones that are left that is; I can't help but feel like a pawn. Here I am, on my way to another state to live in a home full of people I have never met and the only comfort I am given is that I would be saving my family's ass. Except this is not a one-time thing, I am in this for the long hall, though, my new family is not a nice one from what I hear.
"You zoned out once again, these people are gonna think we're playing them if you keep it up B," I have never thought her voice was annoying until now- that's a lie.
"Viv I heard you ok, you said I'd be on a 30-day trial I get it," my green eyes could have been professional bowling balls at this point, "I basically have to prove myself to the Salvatores or whoever to seal the deal between us correct?"
"Correct."
Normally, I would take the opportunity to gloat about my superb multitasking skills, though, this was neither the time or the right circumstances. I can't even remember the last time I have had a decent conversation with my cousin, as we used to be extremely close. The only person who seemed to be in my corner these days was my Grams. She had been the one to help me into the car with reassuring words and prayers. It had been her who treated me like an actual human being and not a meal ticket. My mother, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with me, and my father was killed not long after he signed my life over to the Salvatores. Grams and Viv were all I had left and now even V is treating me like we never had slumber parties or fought over which Cheetah Girl we'd imitate.
"I have been trained for this all my life V, if I know anything it's how to be the good wife," Viv offered me a bright smile like a proud parent would and patted my knee as if to give me encouragement.
I made a point of putting my earphones in, trying to hold it together was getting harder and harder, I could only compare the ride to one that a convict would take to a prison with the promise of a life sentence. The only thing that was keeping me together was the constant replay of my grandmother parting words to me.
Earlier the morning. . .
"Can't we just renegotiate Grams, I am sure this man does not wanna marry me any more than I wanna marry him" I cried.
She looked like she wanted to tell me everything I wanted to hear in that very moment but Grams was never a liar. "Now you know that's not possible chile, you should know I have tried every possible thing to get you outta this mess."
I knew her words to be true but that didn't make me feel any better in the moment. My life may not have been the best at home but I rather deal with the familiar bullshit than the unfamiliar.
"Come chile," she summoned. I wanted to refuse but I knew better than to challenge Grams. "Now listen, those people are gonna seem a bit different to you, from what I remember Giuseppe ain't nothin but a money hungry bastard but his wife Lily, she'll look after you, you hear me?" There was a slight pause after that, even then I could tell my grandmother was struggling to find the right words.
"How I am spose' to act around these people Grams, I don't know them, ain't seen em a day in my life," I was now on the verge of tears.
"Yes, you do baby, I done taught you everything I know, just stay outta trouble you hear me?" A beat. "I don't want you entangled in their mess so unless it falls under the wifely duties category, you stay away from it, do I make myself clear?" she pressed.
"Yes ma'am" I replied miserably.
Eyes softening, she added, "Everything is gonna be ok baby, I know it, I done prayed and kept you as long as I could, you just keeping praying like I taught you, you hear?"
"I will Grams," I said, the tears had finally spilled out at this point. She had hugged me until it was finally time to go promising that everything would work out and that God was with me. Perhaps it was her faith that kept me from the strong hand of my mother, and for that, I'd never stray away from it. The brief thought of my mother summoned her outside to the car. I didn't expect to see her this morning; she was never that interested in me unless it pertained to the arrangement and my training. Otherwise, I was nothing more than the burden my father had left her with.
"Now Bonnie you know how much we need this right?" she pressed tightening the tie on her robe. I nodded and waited for her to continue, "Ok, so do what we taught you and do not let us down, remember this is what your father wanted." With that, she pressed my shoulder, offered me what was supposed to be a smile and retreated into the house.
Grams scoffed at her back and looked to me with a shaky smile, "Alright baby, don't worry about what she said just try and make the best of it, you are much bigger than Mystic Falls always have been, Chicago will give you life baby," she laughed out tears welling up "I love you baby, don't ever forget that, we'll talk soon."
"I love you Grams" I cried engulfing her into a heartbreaking hug. Vivian was already in the car by the time I let go of Grams.
"Be strong ok?"
"I will Grams" I promised getting into the car.
I had never seen her cry until today.
Present
"B, wake up we're here," Viv said shaking me lightly. My heart had to be seated in my panties after I heard that. My legs felt like stilts as I got out of the car. The house, or should I say estate, was one that you would see in a magazine; I was thoroughly taken back at the image before me. Don't get me wrong, my home was beautiful, massive even, but this- this was something princesses dreamed of living in. Girls the direct opposite of myself- to me the home only made me feel smaller.
I smoothed out the white, fitted, midi dress, that V picked out for me mentally kicking myself for allowing her to talk her into wearing heels; I was simply not feeling it.
A small woman appeared at the door as we walked up the steps, it was like she had been standing at the door awaiting my arrival.
"Hello, Miss. Bennett, the Salvatore's have been expecting you if you will follow me," the tiny woman gestured.
"Sure." I looked back for Viv who had nodded reassuringly.
The outside doesn't do the inside of the home any justice, walking in, I could do nothing but look around in amassment. Certainly, these people were in the same business my father was, though the way they were living you would think they ran the entire drug cartel -and then some.
Busy in my thoughts I hadn't realized the woman had stopped walking causing me to crash right into her.
"I am so sorry I hadn't been paying attention," I stammered.
"That's quite alright Bonnie, thank you, Margret, I'll take it from here" another woman's voice stated. The voice belonged to a blue-eyed woman with bone-straight black hair.
"Well Bonnie Bennet, you are even more beautiful than Abby described" the woman gushed guiding me further into the stunningly decorated home. "So, how was your trip here I'm sure you're exhausted?"
"Very smooth thank you for asking" I smiled, I believe my body was on auto-pilot at this point, "You have a lovely home, Mrs. Salvatore."
"Thank you, Bonnie, and please call me Lily." Lily seemed to be nice enough, though, everyone usually is when you first meet them, "Please follow me, everyone is excited to meet you." Somehow, I doubted that.
Lily guided Viv and me into a bright room decorated with three women and four men, each abnormally beautiful and poised. Everyone watched me in curiosity, all except one dark haired one, his back was turned toward the liquor cart that stood in the corner of the room.
"Well she's certainly pretty enough," one of the blondes remarked.
"Manners Rebekah, we are merely guests no need to be abrupt," a brown haired one stated calmly. The redheaded man next to him only smiled, though, it seemed to be more of cued smirked; he was amused.
"That's right Rebekah, also remember where you are I am not Esther," Lily chastised gaining pursed lips from the blonde. "I would like you all to welcome Bonnie Bennett, she came all the way from Virginia to Chicago and I am certain she is not in the mood for ill manners."
"Nice to meet you, Bonnie, we've heard a lot about you," a handsome man said in a warm voice, crossing the room to approach me. "I'm Stefan," he said placing a kiss on my hand, making the other blonde in the room look uncomfortable.
"Nice to meet you Stefan" I replied with a blush, there was something about his smile that made me feel strangely comfortable.
"Has anyone ever told you, you have a remarkably sculpted face?" I asked before I could stop myself.
A beat.
You idiot. I desperately wanted to palm my forehead.
"Can't say that anyone has, I already like her," Stefan announced to the room. Everyone aside from the awkward blonde and the dark haired man whose face I had yet to see looked amused.
Lily pushed past Stefan looking amused herself, "Bonnie that is Stefan, my son," I gulped was that the one I was supposed to marry? Damn Bennett you and your big ass, random ass mouth. "There is Rebekah as you know, Elijah, Klaus, Caroline," she said gesturing to the blonde who looked uncomfortable earlier, "And Damon, your husband."
Finally, the dark-haired one turned around revealing the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my twenty-two years of living. Damon, as Lily called him, seemed to be the most bitter in the room, his beautiful features were set in a look of distaste as he surveyed me from head to toe. He said nothing as he crossed the room with a glass of something brown in hand. He continued his survey, it was his penetrating oceans that kept me rooted in the spot I yet to move from since entering the room.
"Hello wife," he bit out causing me to flinch. My reaction must have satisfied him because his expression morphed into a smirk I know I would come to despise. I could cower but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction, not today, not in this dress, not in these heels, not after an 11-hour drive, hell not ever.
"After we say our nuptials you can call me your wife until then Bonnie will do, it is nice to finally meet you Damon" I snapped back respectfully. If they were not amused before they were certainly entertained now.
"Oh, marvelous you'll fit right in, come on Bambina, let's get you settled," Lily said interrupting the tension between Damon and me. I only nodded and said my goodbyes to the individuals in the room.
A beat.
"Well I think she's dashing, don't you?" Klaus teased to an angry Damon.
Very short chapter, BUT, I wanted to get this out to see what you all thought. Review. Lemme know if I should continue.