Chapter 2
It had been a week since dad's funeral and mom had become so withdrawn. Gone was the lively woman who we all knew and loved. Dad seemed to have taken a piece of her spirit with him the day he died. It seemed it was up to Nik and I to keep the house going as best we could. I dropped out of ballet lessons to be home when the twins got out of school and Nik dropped out of his extracurricular activities to pick up a part time job after school. With dad gone, we were seriously in need of income. Mom had always been a house wife so she never felt a need to get a job. Our dad had taken care of everything. We would have been alright if it wasn't for all the money dad had just invested in our newly remodeled home. In other words…we were broke.
Straining the pasta noodles, I looked up from my task as the back door to the kitchen opened. I gave the newcomer a small smile.
"How was work?"
My older brother gave me a small nod before sighing. "Work, was work. I got offered some extra weekend hours at the gallery. Seems they are anticipating a serious clean up after this showing Friday night. Where is mom?"
I placed the finished noodles in a bowl before turning to face him. Nik had sat down on a bar stool facing me.
"She's still walking around here in a daze. I know she loved dad but we need her," I replied.
"I know, but she just needs time. Dad was her world. Real love like that needs time to heal," he insisted. I sighed. Nik always took mom's side. He was such a momma's boy. I would have to take his word for it. I was only 16 and he was almost 18. What did I know about love?
"Alright. I guess."
He smiled at me then "that a girl. Now what have you prepared for me?"
I smiled back "well, tonight we will have chicken parmesan."
He nodded. "Alright. Sounds good. Make sure to save mom a plate." I didn't argue, we both knew the odds of her coming to join us for dinner were slim to none.
All too soon I was serving everyone dinner. I was just about to dig into my own plate when our mother entered the room. What shocked me more, she was smiling, almost glowing.
"Children I have such good news!"
Niklaus was instantly enarmored. "What is it mom?"
"Your grandmother has agreed to take us in."
I frowned slightly. Everything I knew about my grandmother did not line up with my mother's excitement.
"I thought you hated her? And you said she disowned you. What changed?" I asked. My mother turned to me, her smile dropping only slightly.
"Well she did but with your father gone she has agreed to take us in. It won't be so bad. Think of it, a new start for all of us," she replied.
Nik walked over to her and gave her a hug. "I think it's a great opportunity. When do we leave?"
Before she could reply Elena jumped in "But mom, I don't wanna leave my room behind." Of course she was thinking on an 8 year olds mentality but I was all for anyone who would back me up. I really didn't wanna leave Mystic Falls to move to West Virginia.
Mom walked over to kneel beside Elena's chair. Brushing a few locks of brown hair behind my sister's ear. "Oh honey you'll get a new room. The Salvatore Manor is beautiful."
We were really going to just leave behind our home like that. All the memories of dad… they would be gone, just like him.
"Well. I guess its decided then!" I ignored the call of my name as I marched out the room. Stomping upstairs to my room, I slammed the door close. Throwing myself on my bed in a huff. I wasn't surprised when almost 5 seconds later the door was snatched open. Without looking up I already knew who it was.
"Go away Nik!"
"No. You're being unreasonable. We can't afford to stay here and mom is doing what is best for us!"
Unable to control my anger, I turn around to face him. He's standing in the doorway glaring at me.
"Get out!"
"Not until you stop acting like a child! Like it or not we are moving, so suck it up and pack your things."
I could feel the tears coming. "How can you be so cold. Dad just died and you're all already moving on forgetting about him. This is our home Nik!"
Nik's features softened at my tears. He never could stand to see a woman cry. Moving towards me, he sat next to me on the bed. Leaning towards me, he pulled me into his arms.
"We're a family. Home is wherever we are. And dad will always be a part of that."
I pulled away slightly to look into his face. His always bluer than blue eyes stared back at me with nothing but reassurance and truth.
I sniffled as his thumb wiped a tear from my cheek.
"You gonna be alright?" He asked, worry still in his face. I smiled.
"Yeah. Guess I'll look at it as an adventure. I always did wanna live in a mansion."
Nik gave me a huge grin. His dimples showing "That's the spirit."
He rose up from the bed. Just as he moved to exit my room, I called out to him again.
"Hey Nik." He turned.
"Thanks."
He smirked. "What are big brothers for?"
With that he left. I fell back on my bed with a huff. If I didn't know anything else…my life was never going to be the same.
A/N: Hope you are enjoying the story. If so please leave reviews. They motivate me to continue.
