AN: If it looks like I'm kinda lost with this story line, it's probably because I am lost. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I'm going to try my best to update this every weekend. Although I'm not making any promises. So here's chapter 2. I hope you like it.
Damon lay awake again that night. It had been late by the time they left the carnival and so they had decided to stay at Stefan's house since it was closer. He stared at the ceiling for a while his brain created patterns that weren't even there. He spent most of the night tossing and turning but sleep just wouldn't come to him. At around 6 am, he gave up on sleep and went down to the living room and opened his laptop. He didn't want to spend another day just staring at an empty page but Caroline was right. He needed to try harder. He decided that he wasn't going to over think things this time. He decided to just write everything that came to his mind and at the end of the day he would see if he could make any of what he had written work. A few minutes later, Sydney walked down the stairs to join him on the couch. "Up already?" he asked her. She just nodded and snuggled closer to Damon laying her head on his lap and within minutes, she was asleep again and Damon went back to his writing.
He didn't realise how much time had passed until he felt Stefan's hand on his shoulder. It had been an hour since he had started writing and much to his surprise, he had one page written. He quickly scanned what he had written and let out a loud groan. There was no way he could use that in a book. The best he could do was to use what he had written as his lead character's back story. "You're writing again?" Stefan asked with Caroline standing next to him. "Making any progress?" Sydney was starting to stir as well and she sat up, hearing all the noise.
"I'm not sure yet", answered Damon.
Caroline moved behind the couch Damon was sitting on and started reading over his shoulder. "This is really good, Damon. I'm not saying it's as good as the things you've written before but it's a start."
Damon nodded and said, "I know. But it's just getting really frustrating. I've never had this much trouble writing before." He looked down when he felt Sydney tugging at the sleeve of his t-shirt. "Can you please read it to me, Daddy?" she asked him.
"Maybe when I've written a little more", said Damon. Sydney looked up at him with her big blue eyes silently pleading with him to read to her. "I promise that when I do have a story I will read it to you. You'll be the first person to ever hear the story. How does that sound?" asked Damon but Sydney still looked at him with her puppy dog eyes and Damon knew that he was already loosing this battle. How could he ever deny his little girl anything? He tried bargaining with her again. "How about this, if you agree to wait a little longer before I tell you this story, then I'll tell you a story of me and your uncle Stefan when were kids as we get you ready."
Sydney's eyes lit up again, "Where are we going?"
"We'll have breakfast with Aunt Caroline and Uncle Stefan and then we'll go back home and then we'll go to the mall. We still have to get you a few things before you start going to school on Monday."
Sydney agreed happily and ran up the stairs ready for a whole new day. After making sure that both Sydney and Damon were out of earshot, Caroline asked Stefan, "Doesn't it worry you that after everything that's happened Damon's basing another character on Katherine? I mean it isn't obvious but the woman in the story is cold and she keeps the rest of the world at an arm's length and yet she's somehow fragile. That's Katherine in Damon's head!"
"It does, Caroline. But what am I supposed to do? He loved her and she's Sydney's mom. Right now, he's just confused as to what he really feels for her. I don't think he's ready to let go of her yet."
"That's the problem. She's already gone and for Sydney's sake I hope she never comes back. I never thought I'd say this about anyone but that girl is better off without her mother. What does Damon see in her anyway?"
"I'm guessing he sees a little bit of him in her. Sure, he would never abandon Sydney and he's probably always going to go out of his way to make sure that she's healthy and happy but he's just as stubborn as she is."
"I just hope this ends well."
"I hope so too."
-xx-
Saturday had passed by in a blur for Damon. Sydney had spent the entire day on a high, talking about everything she would do at school. Sunday had also been pretty much the same. The only difference was that he had started his day at 7 am when Sydney had woken him up by jumping up and down on the bed beside him. He had read Elena's article and saw that she had covered everything that he had told her. In addition she had written a little about the meeting itself. Caroline was right, the article didn't show him in the best light but he was expecting that and he didn't really worry about it.
It was now Monday and Sydney's excitement still hadn't died down. He just couldn't figure out where the kid got all that energy from. Damon and Sydney were sitting inside Sydney's new classroom waiting for the teacher to arrive. He remembered he had wanted to leave an apology note for Elena. For a minute he contemplated if he should. She hadn't really been very nice to him in the article so maybe he could just call it even. But then he remembered how angry Caroline had been with him at the end of the meeting and knowing Caroline and the fact that she and Elena had been friends once upon a time, he knew that he would probably end up running into her at some social event or the other. Making up his mind, he called the florist, identified himself and told them exactly what he wanted written on the card and also told them who to deliver it to. After he had hung up, he wondered without humour if he should out the florist on speed dial.
They were still the only ones in the class. He walked around the class looking at the pictures and charts that hung on the classroom wall while Sydney did a little exploring on her own. The school he had selected for Sydney was the best in the city. In true elitist school fashion, they laid down several rules for students and also guidelines for parents to ensure that the students kept to those rules. One of those rules mandated that both parents meet the teacher on the first day. His separation from Katherine was no secret. In fact, it was quite the opposite - it was something that the whole world knew but for some reason he just hadn't been able to bring himself to put that down on the application. Slowly more kids arrived with their parents and Damon and Sydney took their seats in the last row. He soon realised that Sydney was the only student who was accompanied by only one parent.
One of the parents even came up to him and introduced himself as a huge fan. Damon smiled and pretended to be interested in what he was saying. He only got Damon's attention when he ended his monologue saying, "I'm surprised they didn't mind that you and your wife are separated. There have been rumours that they don't accept children from broken homes unless the missing parent is dead. Schools like this apparently accept only kids who they are sure will be able to do well in life. I'm glad that isn't true." Damon just nodded politely but he was lost in thought again. For the first time, he started to wonder if this school really was the best place for Sydney.
The kindergarten class teacher soon arrived and introduced himself as Matt Donovan. He seemed like a friendly person, the kind of person kids would feel comfortable around. He spoke about what the school's methods and how they would help the children. His well-rehearsed speech seemed to go on for hours and Damon was starting to feel sleepy and he could see that most of the other parents were in the same state. When Matt finally concluded his speech telling the parents that the students would remain in the class with a couple of other teachers who assisted him while he spoke to the parents in person, Damon was relieved. He waved good bye to Sydney and went to an empty classroom with the other parents. He sat at one of the desks tapping his feet impatiently until it was finally his turn. "Mr. Salvatore?" asked Matt to get Damon's attention.
Damon got to his feet and said, "Yes. I'm Damon Salvatore, Sydney's father."
"And the missus?"
"She couldn't make it. Sydney's mom isn't really in the picture", said Damon by way of explanation.
"It's mandatory for teachers here to be in contact with both parents. We don't really mind that you're separated; we make it a point not to stick our noses where they belong. But it can be very helpful in cases like yours. Her mother wouldn't be forced to contact you in order to know how Sydney's doing in school. We'll keep both of you updated."
"Trust me, Katherine couldn't care less."
"I'm sorry to hear that but with kids as young as Sydney, we are responsible for their safety. I would get into a lot of trouble if a woman turns up and claims to be her mother."
"If anyone does turn up, just call me and I'll sort it out."
"Mr Salvatore, if you're not willing to follow the rules here how could we expect your daughter to follow them? We can't make allowances for any of the students."
"You know what? I had a moment of doubt as to whether this school would be a good place for my daughter but I don't anymore. I'll just get Sydney and we'll leave. I'm sorry for wasting your time", said Damon as he got up from his seat.
"Mr Salvatore, you really should rethink this. Are you sure you're willing to take Sydney out of school just so you and her mother don't have to be in the same room for a few minutes?"
"I'm positive that I am." Damon went back to the classroom and found Sydney already playing with a few of the other students. She seemed to be enjoying herself and that made Damon pause. He heard Matt say behind him, "She's adjusting really well and it looks like she's made friends already. Do you really want to ruin this for her?" Damon ignored Matt and walked right up to Sydney and kneeling down, he said to her, "It's time to go home Sydney."
"But we just got here", she whined.
"I know, sweetheart but this just isn't working out. We'll work something else out." Sydney looked confused and Damon tried to do a better job at explaining it to her. "I know you like it here but you can't come here anymore. We'll get you a tutor at home or maybe you can join a different school."
"But why can't I come here anymore?" she asked.
Damon didn't want to bring up Katherine. She had been out of their life for a while. "You just have to trust me on this one okay?" he asked instead.
"Okay", said Sydney as she grabbed her bag and walked out of the school with him. Damon helped her into the car and then started to make his way home. He couldn't help but notice that Sydney had been quiet the whole time. He looked at the rear view mirror and caught sight of her and he had to admit, she looked sad. He wondered if he should have tried calling Katherine before pulling her out of school.
On arriving home, Sydney went straight to her room as soon as she got out of the car. After letting Elisa know that Sydney was home, he went to her room to find her sitting on the edge of her bed talking to her teddy bear about what had happened in school. He went in and sat down next to her but she ignored him and continued talking to the bear. After listening to her for a while, he nudged her and asked, "Are you going to talk to me?" Sydney shook her head no and went back to her conversation with her bear. He decided to give her a little more time and just when he was about to get up to leave, he heard Caroline's voice ask, "Isn't she supposed to be in school."
"Daddy said I can't go there anymore", Sydney answered for him.
"What's going on Damon?" she asked glaring at him. "Please tell me you didn't do something stupid."
"Can we please just not talk about this right now?"
"Why not? I don't think Sydney's very happy with you either and I'd say you owe her an explanation."
"Well, I'm her father and I don't think she's ready to hear it."
"Oh yeah? Where was her father when her mother left her, huh? Where was he on all of those nights she had to spend with me and Stefan?"
"You know what? I can't deal with this right now." Damon pushed his way out of Sydney's room. Caroline and Sydney stared at him as he walked out lost for words. It took Caroline only a minute to decide that she was more angry than confused and she followed Damon and found him sitting at the kitchen counter with his head in his hands. When she walked around to face him, she noticed the glass of bourbon that was in front of him. "What's wrong with you? Are you drinking again?" Caroline was livid.
Damon didn't look up but he answered, "I'm not making a habit out of it, okay? I just need a drink!"
"Damon, look at me", she demanded and he forced himself to look at her. "Why isn't Sydney in school?"
"Because the school wouldn't take her in unless both parents meet with the teacher. Now do you get why I didn't want to say anything in front of Sydney?"
"Oh." Caroline fell silent. The two of them turned to look at Sydney when she spoke up from behind them asking, "Can I go back if momma comes?"
"Sweetheart, you know momma's not coming back", said Damon.
"You don't know that", argued the little girl. "She'll come if I ask her to."
"Sydney, honey, your dad's right", said Caroline trying to reason with her. "You mother isn't going to be able to make it."
Sydney ignored Caroline and addressed Damon again, "Daddy, you said momma loved me right?" Damon nodded unaware of where this conversation was headed. "And you said that if you loved someone you did nice things for them." Damon finally caught on and answered, "Sometimes it's not that easy. I know you don't understand it right now but you will in a few years. I'm sure your mom would love to be there with on your first day of school but the truth is she can't do it."
"Why not?" asked Sydney. Caroline could tell Damon was digging himself into a deep pit but she had no idea how to help him.
"Come here", he signalled her closer and she walked up to him. When she was within reach, he picked her up and sat her down on his lap. "Sydney, I think it's time you heard the truth and the truth is that your mother is not coming back."
Sydney looked like she was about to burst out crying. "But you said-", she started, her voice shaking.
"I know what I said and I really wish it were true. But it's just not going to happen."
Caroline pulled up a chair and sat down across from them. "Your dad's right." The little girl just slipped off Damon's lap and angrily stomped up to her room.
"I'm surprised she even remembers Katherine. I know she's her mother but she hasn't exactly been around in a while."
"At first I was convinced that she would come back so I made sure I talked to Sydney about her everyday so it wouldn't be too weird when Katherine did come back. I guess that was a mistake." He sighed loudly and finished the remainder of his glass. "She doesn't even know her mother but she loves her. I made sure of that." He closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands. Caroline laid a comforting arm on his shoulder trying to sooth him. "You did what you thought was best at the time. None of us could have anticipated Katherine's behaviour."
Damon looked up again. "I should have. I lived with her. The signs were right there in front of me and I chose to ignore it so everything that's happening right now, this whole situation, it's all my fault. To make things worse, I'm dragging Sydney down with me. You were right. She doesn't deserve this." He pushed himself away from the counter and said, "I'm going to try talking to her."
-xx-
Elena pushed open the door to the Grill and immediately spotted her Aunt Jenna sitting at a booth waiting for her. Elena slid smoothly into the booth and Jenna gave her a bright smile putting down the day old newspaper she was holding in her hands. "I just finished reading your article", she said. "And I have to say I loved it."
"You love everything I write", Elena said with a laugh.
"Was he really that bad? I mean you weren't being too mean in that article but I know you. You can't say bad things about anybody."
"He really was that bad. I love his books but Damon Salvatore the person is someone I hope I don't ever meet again. But he did send me a bunch of flowers with an apology note to my office." Elena signalled for a waitress and the two ordered their food.
"I like our weekly lunches together", said Jenna, smiling. "Now that Mike's in school maybe we could have lunch together more than just once a week." When her son Mike had been born, Jenna had quit her job as a researcher in a small company in favour of being a stay at home mom. "Guess who Ric and I ran into when were at Mike's school for that parent-teacher meeting?"
Jenna was in gossip mode and Elena knew she had no choice but to go with it. "Who?" she asked.
"Damon Salvatore."
"What was he doing there?" Elena was now curious.
"His daughter was supposed to join that school."
"Supposed to?" asked Elena raising an eyebrow. Just then the food was served and the two women dug into their food.
Picking up the conversation where they left off, Jenna said, "We were in the parking lot, about to leave and we saw him walk out of there with his daughter. Mike apparently got along with her well before he took her out of class telling her that she couldn't come back."
"I feel sorry for the daughter though", admitted Elena.
"And guess who the teacher was?" asked Jenna.
"Who?"
"Matt Donovan", said Jenna with a laugh.
"Matt Donovan? Are you taking about the Matt I went to high school with and briefly dated?" asked Elena. This wasn't the career path she had expected him to choose. She thought he would probably still be playing football. When Jenna nodded, she said, "That's not what I was expecting at all. From what I remember, Matt used to be so awkward with kids. Remember when Bonnie's cousins used to visit?"
Jenna burst out laughing at a random memory about Matt trying to help Bonnie babysit her cousins. "How are things going with Jeremy and Bonnie?" asked Jenna. It was clear she was officially out of gossip mode.
"Can you keep a secret?" asked Elena. When Jenna nodded, she leaned closer and spoke in a low voice. " Don't tell Bonnie this but I'm pretty sure Jeremy's going to propose to her very soon."
Jenna's eyes widened with glee. "I knew this was going to happen! That boy was smitten the second he laid eyes on her."
"Jenna, the first time Jeremy met Bonnie, he was two years old!" Elena reminded her.
"Oh", said Jenna realizing her mistake. "Well, I guess that was someone else then."
"How is Ric doing?" asked Elena, switching the subject. "I haven't seen him in a while."
"He's the same. He's very happy, you know? He loves his job." Jenna always had a dreamy look on her face when she started talking about her husband, Alaric Saltzmann who worked as a History teacher in the local high school.
"Of course he likes his job", said Elena. "He's practically a high school student himself. I'm sure he fits in really well with all the other students."
Soon the two of them were done with their lunch and Elena looked at her watch and saw that it was time for her to leave. "I really don't feel like going back", she whined.
"Then you should stay", said Jenna brightly.
"I wish I could but I don't really have much of a choice." She got up and giving Jenna a hug, she said, "Bye, Jenna", and made her way back to her office.
The minute she settled down at her desk, she felt her phone vibrate indicating that she had gotten a new message. She turned on the screen and was surprised to see it was from Caroline. It read, "I'm throwing a huge party at our house tonight for my husband's birthday. It would be really nice if you can attend it.i know this is short notice but I really want to catch up with you." She then received a second text from Caroline saying, "Are you still in touch with Bonnie. Do you think you can get her to come too?" Elena walked over to Bonnie's desk and asked her, "Are you up for a party tonight? Caroline's hosting one for her husband's birthday and she wants to catch up with her."
Bonnie who was furiously typing away on her keyboard didn't even bother to look up. She just flashed Elena a thumbs up indicating that she was in. Elena quickly tapped out a response to Caroline who replied with her address and asking them to be there by 7. She looked back at Bonnie and saw that the girl was still typing. "You might want to slow down there a little", she told her friend.
"This guy is just getting on my nerves", answered Bonnie. "I get that he's the manager of a big shot band but would it kill him to give me a proper reply. I mean, he was the one who wanted the paper to do an interview with the band." Bonnie was the assistant to one of the newspaper's top editors, Elijah Mikaelson. The interview that Bonnie was referring to was expected to be a huge deal and so Elijah who had started out as a journalist wanted to do it himself. She spent a few more seconds to type out the email and then she looked up saying, "Done. I just hope it doesn't sound rude though. Elijah would kill me if I screw this up. So party tonight at Caroline's right?" Elena nodded. "When do we leave?" she asked eagerly.
"Slow down there! The party doesn't start until 7pm. You still have to be here for a couple of hours at least", said Elena. Elena was about to walk away when she heard Bonnie ask her, "Who were the flowers from?" Elena shot her a questioning look. "I saw a bunch of flowers on your table in the morning. Who were they from? Do you have a secret admirer I don't know about?" Bonnie asked her seriously.
"No I don't", answered Elena with a laugh. "They were actually from Damon as an apology for his behaviour at the interview." And then Elena realised something. "He's going to be at the party", she said as she visibly deflated.
"Caroline did say huge party", said Bonnie. "You might not even run into him."
"May be I should cancel", said Elena biting her lip.
"You will do no such thing. That party has just turned into the highlight of my day", said Bonnie. "We're going there and we're going to have fun."
"Alright", said Elena. As she was leaving, Bonnie called back out to her, "If you drink too much I will abandon you." Elena couldn't stop grinning as she went back to her desk and got back to work. If she had to be completely honest with herself, despite the fact that she might run into the last person on earth she ever wanted to see, she was looking forward to this party.
