Welcome to my 2016 DE Holiday Story.
Title and lyrics courtesy of Dan Fogelberg.
Chapter One: 'Auld Lang Syne'
Damon hasn't driven down this long lonely highway to Mystic Falls in many years. As soon as he graduated from high school, he took off, having only returned twice since then. Once for Stefan's graduation and the second time to help his parents move to the gulf coast of Florida. No longer having any family in the area, Damon never had a desire to return. Still he thinks of her often, his high school sweetheart. Although they were very much in love, they broke up when they wanted different things in life. All Damon wanted was to play his music and all Elena wanted was to go to college and experience all that life had to offer. With sad hearts but also with excitement for what their futures would hold, they said goodbye to each other. In the intervening years, Damon has had many girlfriends but there has never been any magic, nothing that would make him want to spend forever with any of them. They'd date a few months but as soon as she became possessive and wanting more, Damon would say adios. It was always the same thing.
After parting with Elena, Damon went to New York, playing in bars and hangouts and coffee houses, earning his chops. One day a scout happened to hear him play his music. The guy hooked him up with a record producer who in turn helped him form a band. Somehow they managed to cobble together a few hit songs. Damon and his cohorts have been together for nearly a dozen years already. Since they're playing a venue not far from Mystic Falls, Damon felt an unfamiliar pang of something leading him down this lonely road tonight. As soon as he sees the sign for Mystic Falls, a smile forms on his face. When he crosses into the city limits, he drives through main street. The town is all decked out for Christmas. The light poles are covered with wrap around greenery and wreaths. Banners are strewn on every block with holiday greetings and the shops all have Christmas lights twinkling in their windows. When he drives past the town square, all of the pine trees are twinkling with a plethora of multicolored lights. Without realizing it, Damon feels the holiday spirit begin .
With the band not performing for a couple of nights, Damon thought maybe he'd get a motel room and perhaps he can catch up with some of his old acquaintances. After their next show, the group is taking a much needed break. Damon will drive to Florida to spend what's left of the holidays with his parents.
Once he gets through the downtown area, he drives to where he remembers the motel to be. Luckily for him the light is flashing vacancy. After securing a room, he takes his duffle bag inside and plops down on the bed for awhile. Glancing at his watch, Damon realizes how late it is. None of his buddies will be up at this hour anyway so rather than go out, he grabs a clean pair of boxers. After showering, he lays back on the bed and turns the TV on. Finding a movie he likes, he gets comfortable and settles in to watch it, dropping off to sleep before the 'the end' pops onto the screen.
Waking up around noon, Damon forces himself out of bed. After rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he drags himself to the bathroom to shower. Stepping in, he lets the hot water massage his tense muscles. With his palms firmly planted against the shower wall, he drops his head slightly and wonders if Elena still lives in this town.
"Where are you taking me?" she asks, dutifully following along. Her eyes are closed at Damon's behest. Squeezing her hands lovingly, he leads her down the path to the special place he discovered when he was just a youngster.
"It's a surprise," Damon whispers, raising one of her hands to press a kiss to her fingertips. Elena can't help but notice how the path winds and rises and falls. Soon she hears the sound of water rushing. When she feels the spray of the water, Damon tells her to open her eyes. Open them up, Elena first shares a smile with him before turning to look at the spot that he led her to. "It's beautiful, Damon," she gushes, astounded at the waterfall above them. The water in this part of the river is crystal clear. The falls itself drops at least ten feet. The trees and the green grass and the worn trail are inspiring.
"When did you find this place?"
"I think I was ten or eleven. I was mad at my mom and dad and so I ran away. That's when I found it. Of course I got scared when it started to get dark outside so I went home with my tail between my legs," Damon laughs, wrapping his arms around her middle, pulling her close. Leaning forward, he captures her lips in an ardent kiss. Pulling back, Elena gives him a wink and a lascivious lick of her lips before pulling her tee shirt over her head. Not one to lag behind, Damon's eyes darken and fill with lust. Stripping himself, he gets in the water, holding his arms out for her. Elena squeals then leaps into his arms.
Damon carries her to the rocky ledge behind the waterfall. After helping her up, he crawls out of the water himself, immediately setting between her legs. The two make love to the sweet sounds of nature and skin slapping against skin.
Shaken from that beautiful memory when the water begins to turn cold, Damon turns it off and steps out, wrapping a towel around his waist. Taking the time to put some cologne and fresh deodorant on, Damon stares in the mirror for a few moments. Although Stefan has been back a few times since their family moved away, he's never mentioned seeing her or many of their other friends. Damon slips his jacket on then goes in search of something to eat. Shaking his head when he sees that the grill if still open for business, Damon walks inside. The place hasn't changed much in the years since he used to hang out here. The pool tables and dart board as still tucked away in the corner. There are new advertising lights for beer and liquor. Looking around, he doesn't really see anyone he knows.
Walking up to the counter, Damon takes a seat on one of the barstools. When the bartender turns around, his eyes widen for a moment. And after shaking his head, he asks, "Damon?"
"Ric?"
"Yeah," he starts to say, shaking Damon's hand. "I own the place now. How long has it been?"
"I've only been home twice since graduation. The last time was about eleven years ago. Mom and dad moved right after Stefan graduated."
"How is Stefan?"
"He's a doctor in Fort Myers. He and his wife have twin boys."
"And what about you?" Ric asks, pouring him a cup of coffee since Damon doesn't like to drink this early in the day.
"No, I'm not married nor engaged and there's definitely no little Damon's running around," he adds, taking a deep slog of his coffee. "My band is playing in Virginia Beach in the twenty third. After that show, I'm going to Fort Myers to spend Christmas with my parents."
"I've heard your music on the radio. Local boy makes good," Ric teases, offering Damon a menu.
"Yeah, we've been lucky, we have had a few top forty hits." After ordering a cheeseburger and fries, Damon hands the menu back to Ric. Looking around, he notices Andie Starr sitting in a corner booth with some guy he doesn't recognize. He went out with her once or twice before he and Elena started dating. Not seeing anyone else he recognizes, he visits with Ric for the most of the afternoon. Before leaving, he happens to run into some of his parents old friends. After chatting with them for a little while, Damon pays his bill then walks out of the bar. When a gust of wind pushes him a couple of steps down the sidewalk, Damon zips up his leather jacket and starts to walk back to his room for awhile. Unlocking his door, Damon steps inside, turns on the light and picks up his cellphone. Not wanting to be bothered, he left it lay when he went out for the day. Scrolling through his messages, he sees one from Stefan, a couple from his manager and one from his buddy, Brady. It's only when he sees one from his mother that he smiles.
Damon quickly calls home. When his mother answers, she tells him she only called to make sure he has a safe trip and in her not so subtle way, she tells him to find out what happened to the girl that he was smitten with in high school. "Mom, that was a long time ago. It was just a high school romance. We do grow up and grow out of such things. And besides, why on earth would you even think she'd be available even if by some miracle she's still here?" As if she didn't hear a word out of his mouth, Damon rolls his eyes when she continues.
"Nice girl, Elena," she starts to say, "the kind that will help you find the answers, Damon."
"Mom, I have no desire to settle down. And besides, it wouldn't be fair to any girl. I'm gone all the time. Most of the girlfriends I've had can't handle the groupies and then they get possessive and..."
"But Damon, Elena used to light up like a firefly whenever you were around."
"Mom?! Enough, already," Damon pleads, frustration spilling into his tone.
"Alright, I won't say another word," she agrees and Damon can clearly visualize her own eye roll. "I'll see you in a few days. I love you, son."
"I love you too, mom. Goodbye now," he tells her, clicking off his phone. Setting it down, Damon lays on the bed, his crossed arms supporting his head. Before long, he turns on the TV. It doesn't take Damon's eyes long to drift shut and moments later, he's sound asleep with his head now buried in his pillow.
"Let's go on the Ferris wheel. Please, Damon?"
"Anything for you, kitten," he replies, dropping a kiss to the tip of her nose. When their turn comes, they give the carnie guy their tickets and take their seat. After the guy locks the gate, he shifts the gear, moving them forward, stopping only to allow riders onto the next cart. As soon as they start moving again, they keep moving, going round and round. Slowing at the top, the ride suddenly lurches to a stop. Wrapping her arms around one of his, Elena snuggles in. Her big soulful eyes suddenly looking scared. Perking up when they hear the help yelling that everything is okay. The next thing they hear is the grinding of the gears when the ride starts to move them again. When the it's finished, they step out and walk back onto the midway. Stepping in front of him, Elena wraps her arms around his neck, steps on her tip toes to press a kiss to his lips.
When he sees the beaming smile on her face, Damon once again realizes why he fell in love with her all over again. Bending forward, he joins their lips in a smoldering kiss. It's only when they hear a whistle or maybe two that they separate. Breaking out in laughter, she takes his hand and pulls him down the midway to get the funnel cake he promised her.
Not realizing that he had dozed off, Damon yawns then throws his legs over the side of the bed. Feeling a chill, he rubs his arms briskly before getting up to check the thermostat in his room. Pulling the curtain aside, he looks out of the window, a little surprised to see snow coming down softly. Since he has a little kitchenette in his room, Damon decides to run over to the grocery store to get himself a small can of coffee, a twelve pack of beer and maybe something to eat. Slipping on his jacket, Damon walks outside. It's not slippery yet so he walks the couple of blocks to the store at a quick pace. As soon as he steps inside, he brushes the snow off of his shoulders. Seeing no little baskets, Damon grabs a cart and then walks down the aisle. Finding the coffee first, he picks a can then walks toward the fresh fruit. Deciding on some bananas, he puts them in his cart and then heads towards the frozen food aisle.
Not finding anything in the first row, he turns into the next one. When he looks up, he sees a woman, her long chestnut hair reaching the middle of her back. When she pushes a section back over her shoulder, Damon catches a glimpse of her profile. Stunned at the familiarity, Damon walks over to the woman. When he puts his hand on her shoulder and whispers her name, she turns around, her eyes flying wide open. Damon watches as a mixture of shock, disbelief and finally recognition washes over her even more beautiful face.
"Damon?" When he nods, she hugs him, spilling the contents of her purse in the process. They both erupt in laughter. Damon stoops down to help her pick her things up. As soon as she has them collected, he follows her to the checkout stand. When they're finished paying for their items, Damon walks her outside to her car.
"Would you like to have a drink, Elena? I bought a twelve pack." Dropping his chin to his chest, Damon immediately regrets how cheap that sounded. "I'm sorry, Elena. I don't even know if you like beer. I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
"It's okay. I know you didn't mean it like that."
"We could go for a drink somewhere, the grill? I'd love to catch up with you," Damon asks, his eyes nervously dancing around.
"I'd like that. We can see if the grill is still open but with Jenna pregnant, Ric has been closing early."
After putting the groceries in the car for her, Damon crawls in the passenger seat. Looking at his watch, it's only a little after eight in the evening. Pulling into the grill parking lot, the two of them get out. Just as they're about to pull the door open, Ric comes running outside.
"What's going on?" Elena asks, a little perplexed at his behavior.
"Jenna's water broke. I have to go," he explains.
"Isn't there anyone else available so you don't have to close so early?"
"No, since there hasn't been much for crowds the last couple of days, I've let them go home early."
"I can lock it up for you, Ric. What time?"
"Oh Elena, you're a godsend. Thank you. Lock it up at midnight." After handing her the keys to the place, Ric quickly darts around her, almost running into Damon. "Oh!? I didn't even see you there, Damon."
"You're a little preoccupied, buddy," Damon laughs, raising an eyebrow.
"I guess that's true. Listen, Elena, I have to go."
"Go. Give Jenna my best and don't forget to call."
"Promise. Bye now," he says over his shoulder as he runs to his car. Shaking her head, Elena drops the keys into her bag and walks in, followed close behind by Damon. Elena slips into a bar apron before turning around to face Damon.
"What's your poison?"
"Bourbon." Nodding she pulls out a step stool so she can reach the top shelf. After moving a few bottles around, she mumbles, "got it," under her breath, surprising Damon when she pulls out a bottle of Pappy Van Winkles Family Reserve.
"That's where he keeps the good stuff," Damon laughs.
"Well to be fair, he saves it for special occasions," Elena winks filling a tumbler for each of them. After putting the lid back on it, she slides a glass towards Damon before picking up her own, savoring the burn as it goes down. "Good stuff," she says, licking her lips while staring at the way the amber colored beverage shimmers when the lights from the bar dance on the surface.
"It is indeed," Damon admits, licking his own lips after taking a sip. "The years have been a friend to you, your eyes are just as brown." When he raises his eyes, he's not sure if it's doubt or gratitude he sees reflected back at him. He remembers how sometimes he so easily fell captive, drowning in the depths of her eyes. But that was a long time ago, things have changed, they've both aged albeit she better than him.
"Thanks, Damon. How's your family?"
"My parents are retired. They love Florida. Stefan and his wife are there too. I'm an uncle now, Stefan and Lexi have twin four year old boys."
"That's wonderful. How about you, Damon? Are you married, children?"
"Nope, I never married, no kids running around. Yourself?"
"I'm married. Ten years already. Jed is an architect with a Richmond based firm. I don't have any children either,' Elena mentions, quickly taking another sip. For a brief moment Damon thinks he sees a flash of pain wash over her but it's gone as quickly as it came. Surprising him again, Elena continues, "Although Jed has been very good to me, keeping me safe and dry, we've had our ups and downs. And as much as I'd like to be able to say I love the man, it's not in me to lie."
Staring into his eyes for a second, she quickly throws back what's left in her glass, pours them each one more and then puts the bottle back in it's hiding place on the top shelf. An unfamiliar sense of awkwardness envelopes Damon because he has no idea what to say after her confession. Obviously she doesn't want to talk about it either because she picks up a rag and starts wiping down the smooth bar top. Quickly changing topics, Elena mentions that she's seen him in record stores, saying that he must be doing well.
Nodding, Damon drops his eyes to where his hands are wrapped around his bourbon. After a few seconds he looks up at her again. "We've had a few hits. The audience is wonderful but the traveling is hell. We're playing a gig in Virginia Beach the day after tomorrow. After that I'm flying to Florida for Christmas."
"A toast," Elena remarks, raising her tumbler. Clinking their glasses together, they drink a toast to their past innocence, both of them trying to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knows how. As soon as Damon finishes off his drink, they both seem a bit tongue tied, running out of things to say to each other.
"Well, I suppose I should be on my way. I have to get up in the morning to drive to the concert venue, rehearsal and all," Damon mentions. Standing up, he slips his jacket back on. Elena walks around the bar to see him out. When he reaches the door, he turns around, surprised when she gives him a quick kiss. Smiling tightly, he nods ever so subtly, then steps outside, pulling his jacket snuggly over his chest when a light gust of wind seems to go right through him, the chill reaching deep inside. After giving her one final look, Damon takes off down the sidewalk. For a moment he was back in high school, feeling all the old familiar pain. As he rounds the corner to make his way back to the motel, the snow turns into rain.
Huge thanks to Eva for helping me with this. She is brilliant and her mind is always whirring with plots for us to undertake.
Big thank you to Kate for another awesome cover image. Please have a look at her story, "Let There Be Light" by Florencia7.
Thank you all of you for supporting all of my works. It means so much to me and to Eva.
There are some song lyrics mixed in with the chapter. Credit for them goes to Dan Fogelberg.
ICEM and TTFAF are still in progress.
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Have a wonderful day. Be safe and thank you all again.