A request was made to me to do a short follow up to Rainy Days and Mondays focused on Hunter since he was adopted. I believe this stands on it's own, that you don't need to read the original 'Rainy Days and Mondays' story but if you feel so inclined, the link is in my profile.

'TVDTVDTVD' I do hope you like this.

Part 1: Welcome to My Life


"I hate you! You're not my real mom! She would never be as mean as you are to me," Hunter yells, each barb perfectly aimed to hurt me the most.

"Hunter, you don't mean that."

"Yes, I do."

After staring me down for several seconds, he runs off to his bedroom, the sound of a door slamming reverberating throughout the house. Completely exhausted, I drop onto the couch behind me, burying my face in my hands. Despite my best efforts, my tears flow freely.

"Mommy, why is Hunter so mean?"

"He's not mean, Jack. He's just having a hard time right now."

"But he made you cry."

Not wanting him to think any less of his brother, I pull him my youngest son into my arms.

"Can we help him?"

"I hope so, Jack. I really do. Now, mommy has to get supper ready. Why don't you help Finley set the table? I'm going to check on Raven and then I have to make some supper."

"Is Uncle Brady coming over tonight?"

"Yes, he should be here soon."

"Oh boy, I love uncle Brady, but when is daddy coming home?"

"I know you do, Jack. Daddy will home in a couple of days. Can you go and find Finley now?"

Nodding his head, he takes off like a rocket. Blowing out a breath of air, I get up and against my better judgement, I walk towards his room. I want to comfort my son and tell him that he's wrong but I don't want to push him even further away either. When Hunter was six years old, we sat him down and told him that we had adopted him. I love him just as much as I love Finley, Jack and Raven but for whatever reason, he somewhere got in his head that he's second best, the proverbial 'red-headed stepchild. I don't know if one of his friends planted that seed in his mind or what? As soon as I'm standing outside of his room, I raise my hand and rap lightly on his door.

"Go away."

"Hunter, please talk to me."

"I don't want to talk to you."

"I am your mother, Hunter and I love you very, very much. I don't begin to know what has you so upset but I promise I'll listen to whatever you need to say."

The only answer I receive is cold stark silence. Feeling tears begin to prick at my eyes, I close them, hoping to keep them from falling. When I hear the doorbell ring, I quickly search for a Kleenex to blow my nose and wipe my eyes before I face whoever is here.

"I'll answer it mom," Finley yells.

"I'll be down shortly, I just need to use the bathroom."

"It's uncle Brady."

"Okay, thanks sweetheart."

Although I know that he'll immediately know something is wrong, I can't help but feel relieved that he's here. He's always been very close to Hunter so maybe my son will talk to him. Sighing heavily, I take a moment to compose myself before going back downstairs. Brady already has Raven in his arms. She's a few weeks old and although a surprise, she's a delightful baby.

"Someone has you wrapped around her tiny finger already." Although I try to laugh, my mood is melancholy to say the least. He takes his eyes off of her to look at me. When he frowns, I know that he knows that something is bothering me. He knows me inside and out.

"What's wrong, Elena?"

"I'll tell you in the kitchen. Finley and Jack, can you keep an eye on your baby sister?"

"Sure mom."

"Thank you, sweetheart."

She gets up and walks over to Brady. After taking Raven into her arms, she lays her on the floor beneath her baby gym. When Brady eyes me, I nod, following him into the kitchen.

"Do you want to tell me what's bothering you now? Did you and Damon fight?"

"Oh no, Brady, nothing like that. It's Hunter."

"What's the matter with him?"

"He said he hates me and that I'm not his real mother," I tell him, tears filling my eyes again.

"Elena?" Standing up, he pulls me into a hug, rubbing my back affectionately.

"Do you want me to talk to him? Don't forget, I was an adopted child."

"Would you? Maybe he'll tell you what led to this outburst. He's just as much my child as the others, you know that."

"Of course I do. I'll run upstairs and see if I can find out what's really bothering him."

"Thank you."

"Where's Damon?"

"I must've forgot to tell you. He's at a nursing conference in San Antonio, Texas. He'll be home the day after tomorrow. As one of the charge nurses, he had to go."

"I see. Wish me luck," he says, giving me a tight smile before trotting up the staircase to my son's room.


Brady:

When I reach his room, I take a breath before rapping lightly on his door.

"Go away," he yells.

"Hunter, it's uncle Brady. Can I talk to you?"

"I just want to be alone."

"Hunter, please? Your mom is very upset."

"She's not my mom."

"That's not true and you know it. Please Hunter, let me in."

He doesn't answer me but seconds later I hear the door unlock. Closing my eyes briefly, I turn the knob and step inside. He's laying face down on the bed, his head laying on his forearms. Although he doesn't look at me, I sit down at the bedside.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"What's there to talk about?"

"I've never told you this but, Hunter, I was adopted too. So was my older brother, Bob."

"You were adopted?" he asks incredulously, rolling over so he can look at me.

"Yes, I was. They were my parents growing up and they're still my parents now. I love them very much. Can you tell me what happened to get you so upset?"

"The kids at school were calling me a 'ginger' and that my mom must've had an affair with the mailman. All of the other kids look like mom and dad and there's me with red hair and green eyes."

"Kids can be very cruel. I'm sorry that you had to go through that but why are you angry with your mom?"

"Because she's not my mom. Why didn't my real mom want me?"

"She IS your mom, Hunter and both she and your dad love you very, very much. Of all the babies they could have picked from, they picked you. And to answer your other question, I don't have an answer for that. You were only a few days old when your mom and dad took custody of you. I know nothing about your birth mother."

"Figures," he says, dropping his eyes again.

"Have you asked your mom and dad about her? Perhaps they know something?"

"No, should I?"

"If it would give you some peace of mind, I think you should ask them."

"Did you ever wonder about your real mom?"

"My real mom is the woman who raised me, Hunter. I love her a lot. I know you're asking about the woman who gave birth to me. As for her, I'm grateful that she gave me to a family who loves me without exception. I'm sure she had her reasons for giving me up, I can't even begin to know what they were but I'll always thank her for choosing adoption."

He raises his tear filled eyes to mine. When I open my arms, he sits up and leans into me so I can give him a big hug.

"When your dad gets home from his conference, I think you should talk to them about what's bothering you," I whisper softly, holding him close in my arms.

"Do you want to come downstairs?"

"No, I'm just going to stay here for awhile."

"Hunter, anytime you want to talk, I'm always here for you. You know that right?"

"Thanks uncle Brady."

"You're welcome. Do you want me to tell your mom why you're so upset?"

"I don't care."

"Would you like me to send her up?"

"I suppose."

"Alright. I love you, Hunter."

He raises his eyes to look at me for several seconds before nodding and finally turning away. Standing up, I drop a kiss to the top of his head and then step out of his room. Just as I reach the bottom step, I hear his door close again.


Elena:

"You were up there for a little while, did he tell you anything?"

"Some kids were teasing him because of his hair and eye color. It's quite a contrast to his brother and sisters hair and eye colors. They said that you must've had an affair with the mailman."

"Why do kids have to be so mean?"

"I don't know, Elena. Go talk to him, I'll keep an eye on the stove."

"Thank you, Brady."

After I feel him give my hand a squeeze, I nod and slowly walk up the stairs. When I reach his room, I stare at his door for many seconds before raising my hand to knock on the wood.

"Hunter, it's mom."

"It's not locked."

I walk in, I notice that he's on his laptop, typing away.

"What are you searching for?"

"Do you know anything about my biological mom?"

"I never met her, Hunter. I know she was a young teenager when she had you. We were able to get her family health history just in case you would ever need it."

"Before dad and I got married, I had cancer, Hunter. That's why I still go to the doctor every year for a thorough checkup. Remember when I had surgery a couple of years ago? I had my other breast removed because your dad found a lump. Thankfully it was benign this time but since I carry the breast cancer gene, I just... wanted it gone."

"I didn't know that you had cancer."

"I almost died a couple of times. See because of my chemotherapy and radiation, they didn't know if dad and I would be able to have children. We tried for a long time before finally deciding on adoption. The moment they placed you in my arms, I fell in love you, Hunter. I love you. By some miracle, I got pregnant with Finley, not long after we got you."

"Maybe you should've waited a bit.. then you wouldn't have needed me."

"Hunter, that's not true. Please understand, your dad and I love you so much. We don't love our other children any more or any less than you. You're our son and we love you."

"Can I be alone now?"

When I feel tears beginning to form in my eyes again, I reach for one from the box of tissues that's sitting on his computer desk. Unable to contain them, they start to fall down my cheeks.

"Um, I'll go if that's what you want," I choke out, my voice hoarse with emotion.

"Mom?"

"It's okay, Hunter. Dinner should be ready in about an hour. I hope you'll join us."

"I'll come down, okay? Please don't cry."

Closing my eyes tightly, I suck in a deep breath of air, stand up and walk to his door. Once I reach the doorframe, I turn around. When our eyes meet, it's like my legs have a mind of their own because I walk over to him, pull him against my body with one arm. I stroke his hair for several seconds before leaning over to press a kiss to the crown of his head. After whispering I love you once more, I let him go and walk out of his room, this time not turning around.


"Come in Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore," the principle at Hunter's school says, stepping aside so we can pass. Our son is sitting in a chair, his face in his hands, looking up only when he hears Mr. Lockwood say our name.

"What happened?" Damon asks when he sees his black eye. Immediately he walks over, dropping to his knees in front of him, carefully placing his finger on Hunter's face.

"Hunter got into a fight with Jacob Fell."

"Why were you fighting, Hunter?"

"Ask him," he mumbles, dropping his eyes again.

"Hunter?"

"Mr. Lockwood, tell my husband and I what happened."

"According to Jacob, Hunter launched himself at him for no reason. According to your son, Jacob started it by shoving him."

"Who do you believe?"

"I happen to believe Hunter. A couple of other kids confirmed that Jacob was taunting him about his parentage."

Immediately, I feel my heart in my throat.

"If you believe our son, why isn't Jacob sitting in your office instead of Hunter?" Damon asks, his eyes darting from Mr. Lockwood to mine and then back to his.

"He's in the vice principle's office waiting for his parents to arrive, Mr. Salvatore. I thought I should meet with you two because Hunter's grades have been falling. Is something going on at home?"

After sharing a what feels like a long look with Damon, I turn my attention back to the principle.

"Thank you for calling us, Mr. Lockwood. We'll have a long discussion with our son as soon as we get home. Let's go, son."

Although he stands up, he doesn't look at either myself nor Damon. I wish I knew how to help my child. It breaks my heart that he thinks he's unwanted and unloved. I'd be devastated beyond belief were anything to happen to him. He's such an integral part of our lives and our family. I just wish I knew how to show him that. Once we get to the car, he crawls in the back seat, puts his ear buds in and tunes out the rest of the world. As soon as Damon and I are in the car, I stare straight ahead for a moment, not knowing how to handle this. When I feel his hand on my thigh, the two of us share a look. Nodding to him, I quickly glance in the rearview mirror, gasping slightly when I see him staring right back at me. I give him a smile before backing out of the parking space, pulling into traffic and driving home.

As soon as we go inside, Hannah greets us at the door. Our beautiful niece is now 24 years old, Aiden is 21. Katherine and Enzo's little surprise, Dexter, is eight. Hannah is engaged to wonderful guy. Fortunately she was here visiting when the school called, graciously volunteering to stay with the kids while Damon and I left to collect Hunter.

"Hi Hunter."

"Hi," he mutters before taking off, climbing the stairs two at a time till he disappears around the corner at the top of the staircase.

"Thank you so much, Hannah for staying with them," Damon says, giving her kiss on the temple.

"You're welcome, uncle Damon. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know? Did you know that my fiance', Tyler, was adopted as a young boy too? Mom told me about the problems you've been having so I asked him if he went through something similar and he said that he did indeed. He rebelled, not obeying curfew, picking fights with his siblings and at school. Eventually he realized that he was not only hurting those he loved but himself as well. That's what he told me anyway. Maybe Tyler could talk to him?"

"We may take you up on that offer, Hannah. Thank you again," Damon tells her softly, giving her a hug. After she shares one with me, she says goodbye to Finley and Jack before saying goodbye to us. As soon as she gives Raven a little kiss on the tip of her nose, she gives her favorite uncle one more hug before disappearing out of our front door.


"Do you want to tell us what happened today?" Damon asks our son, taking a seat on his bed. He's sitting at his desk, his face buried in his computer. Tentatively, I work over and take a seat beside my husband.

"He said that my real mother didn't want me and that's why you took me in."

Sighing with grief, I ask him to turn around to look at me. "Hunter, you have to know how much dad and I love you. You're just as much our child as Jack, Finley and Raven are."

"Why didn't she love me enough to keep me and what about my father?"

"I don't know the answers to that. I do know that she cared enough about you to give you up rather than resort to an abortion. I can talk to our attorney about looking into your records and maybe that would give you some of the answers you seek. Mom and I didn't meet the girl at all. Your mother told you that she was a young, single girl. I know nothing about your biological father, Hunter. But I do know that mom and I wouldn't love you anymore than we do now if you were born to us," Damon explains, hoping to get through to him.

"Dad, I...," he whispers, his eyes glistening. Without any prompting, he gets up and gives his dad a hug.

"You'd really ask your lawyer about her, them?"

"If it'll give you some peace of mind, Hunter, yes," Damon tells him, pressing a kiss to the side of his head. I know he's a teenager already but he'll always be our oldest child. I'd give my life for his in a heartbeat.

"Thanks, dad, you too, mom. Can I be alone now?"

Nodding, the two of us stand up. After taking a deep breath, I drop a kiss to his temple.

"Goodnight, Hunter. We'll see you in the morning."

Although he says nothing, he stares at me till the connection is broken when I give him one last look before Damon and I leave him alone.


"Mommy," Jack screams, running into my arms.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?"

"Hunter yelled at me and pushed me down."

"Why did he do that?"

"I was looking at his baby book."

"Why were you looking at his book?"

"I wanted to. I looked at mine and Finley's too."

Just as I'm about to say something to him, I hear Finley screaming at him. I quickly turn off the stove before hurrying out to the living room to see what's going on. By the time, I get there, Finley is pummeling him with closed fists.

"Finley, get off of your brother," I scold, pulling her off of him.

"Now which one of you is going to tell me what happened?"

"He tore my baby book, mom. You can't replace it."

"Hunter, why would you do that?

Crossing his arms over his chest, he doesn't answer me, he simply glares at me with one of those if looks could kill stares.

"What's going on here?" my husband asks, his eyes darting back and forth between each one of us.

"Hunter tore pages from my baby book, dad. They can't be replaced."

"Hunter, why would you do that?"

"Answer your father," I tell him.

"She, she's no better than the kids at school," he screams, running out of the room. Suddenly we hear his bedroom door slam shut.

"Finley, what set him off?"

Looking disgruntled herself, she finally looks at both her father and me before admitting what happened.

"I was teasing him about his red hair."

"Why would you do that? You know how sensitive he is about his heritage," Damon asks, shaking his head back and forth.

"I don't know, dad. His baby pictures are so cute. To tell you the truth, I wish I had his red hair."

"I know you didn't mean to hurt him, but please don't do it again. I'm going to go to talk to him. Damon, see if her book can be repaired."

Taking a breath, I quickly check on Raven. Thankfully she's still sound asleep. I walk upstairs. Reaching for his doorknob, I'm not at all surprised to find it locked.

"Hunter, can I talk to you honey?"

I stand there for some time. When he doesn't answer, I knock again.

"Hunter, can I come in?"

"No, I want to be alone."

"I'll let you alone for now but we will talk about this later. I'll call you when it's time to eat."


"The light is still on under his door. I wish he would've come downstairs for supper."

"I do too, Damon," I whisper, snuggling in next to him.

"I think maybe we should look into some counseling for him. It seems pretty obvious that we're failing him somehow, Elena. He's still stuck on the notion that we love him less."

"I agree. I just want to help him and I want him to believe that we love him."

"Let's go to sleep now. I'm really tired. I have to go to the yearly competency fair for the nurses on my floor tomorrow so I have to leave early so I can help set up the stations."

"What kind of stations?"

"We have a chest tube station, an epidural station, a PCA station, a crash cart station and so on."

"That's interesting. Sometimes I don't know how you do what you do. I am so proud of you though, Damon."

"Thanks baby," he whispers, pulling me close for a languid kiss. As soon as we pull apart, he reaches over to turn off the lamp. As always, he wraps me in his arms. Although troubled by what Hunter is going through, I always feel safe and loved in my his arms. It doesn't take long for my eyelids to fall shut as sleep overwhelms me.


"I'll see you later, sweetheart. Go back to sleep," Damon whispers in my ear. After dropping a kiss to my cheeks, I turn over to go back to sleep. An hour later when the alarm clock rings, I sleepily turn over, rolling my eyes that it's time to get up already. Rolling out of bed, I get up and go to check on Raven in her crib. I breathe a sigh of relief that she's still out like a light. Rather than wake her, I let her sleep and go to wake up the others to get ready for school. Thank goodness it's Friday and I'll be able to sleep in tomorrow. Since Damon has a managerial position at the hospital now, he has weekends off.

After waking Jack and getting him going, I go to Finley's room. She's already awake and getting ready to get into the shower. From there I walk to Hunter's room. Taking a breath, I knock on his door. I get no answer from him so I place my hand on the door knob, turning it quietly. When I step inside, I get the shock of my life. His bed hasn't been slept in and his window is wide open, his computer is gone. His back pack is nowhere to be seen either. As tears fill my eyes, I collapse in fear. Knowing I need to call Damon, I somehow manage to get to my feet and run into our bedroom to grab my cellphone.

My tears are falling so hard that my vision is blurry. Pushing the Damon button, I wait for him to answer. The first time I call him, it goes straight to voice mail. It happens again and again. I have to get a hold of him so I call his nurse manager to tell them that I need to speak to my husband as I have an emergent situation on my hands. My speech is nearly incoherent because I'm crying so hard. Hearing my frantic voice, Finley runs into my bedroom.

"What's wrong mom?"

"Hand me the phone as soon as you hear your dad's voice," I burble, my chest heaving under the weight of my fear.

"Daddy, I'm scared. Something is the matter with mom."

"He wants to talk to you," she says, handing me the phone.

"Elena, talk to me. What's wrong?"

"It's Hunter, he's gone, Damon. He ran away."


The second and final part of this will post later this week. It's with Eva right now.

Thank you so much Eva. You always make time for me. I appreciate and love you so much.

Thank you 'TVDTVDTVD' for the idea. I really hope it's what you had in mind when you asked me to write this.

Chapter title: 'Welcome to My Life' by Simple Plan

I have updated all three of my other stories in the last few days. Please give 'Dig', 'Angels Fall' and 'Tears in Heaven' a look.

Please do remember to click that review button.

As always, have a lovely evening and a wonderful week ahead. Thank you all again for your support.