Story: Elena's Baby
Chapter: Home Sweet Home
Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries nor do I own the characters.
"It's about Ava," Isobel said with a sympathetic look towards Elena. Elena's eyes grew wide in fear and curiosity as Damon stepped forward and glared at Isobel.
"So spit it out, tell me what you know about my daughter," Damon impatiently demanded. Isobel continued to glare menacingly but let out a frustrated laugh.
"Your daughter you say? Where the hell have you been these past 4 years? You don't have the right to demand to know anything about my precious granddaughter. I was talking to my daughter so if you'd excuse me," Isobel spat before being thrown viciously at the floor with Damon grabbing her head, holding it against the fake white oak floor.
"Stop it, the both of you. Can't you ever be civil? God damn it, I want to know about Ava and all you guys ever do is fight, fight, fight!" Elena screeched. She pulled Damon off of her mother and helped Isobel off the floor. Elena gave Damon a stern look and he just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. She turned to look at Isobel and it was right where they left off the first time.
"As I was saying, I have news about Ava. I know what she is, or rather, I have a really great theory of what she is," Isobel said. Elena just looked at her with worry in her eyes and nodded for her to carry on.
"Do you remember when I told you I was going to be gone for a couple of weeks to research an old vampire? Turns out I didn't have to go very far but I did find out everything about him. Well, this is the one. This vampire, Florio, and his human wife Analia, had a baby. Her name was Anabeth, and she was just like Ava. She was incredibly smart for her age, like too smart that not even doctors could tell you why she was the way she was. She was just as fast, if not faster, than any vampire. Stronger than most vampires, probably except originals. And she could hear a thousand times better than any vampire, including an original. She didn't drink blood, she didn't have fangs, and she didn't get burnt in the sunlight. Though, when she reaches a certain age, she can compel people. Yet not only people, vampires too," Isobel said while looking back and forth from Damon to Elena's faces. The shock, worry, and concern from Elena's face masked by Damon's pride and satisfaction at the incredible news that his daughter was not only special to him because she was his daughter, but special because of what she is capable of.
"There's always a but with you, isn't there? We heard the good news now you have bad news, so spit it out," Elena said, growing incredibly impatient. Isobel glared at her as if to tell her to watch her tone because she was speaking to her mother, not some bitch.
"As I was saying, this girl had other abilities as well. They gradually got stronger and more noticeable, as well as easier to handle when she got a bit older. She had supernatural abilities to that similar to that of a witch. She could read minds, see auras around people's bodies, read into your deepest thoughts with the simplest touch, and manifest anything out of thin air," Isobel rambled and Elena gave her a worried look and Damon gripped her shoulder gently but reassuringly.
"How long did that little girl live? Was she immortal? What age did she reach to? Or was she human enough to live like I do?" Elena asked timidly, anxious to hear the answer but terrified to know to know the answer. Hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
"She stopped aging at 17 years old, but she didn't live long, you had to know that these were really bad times. People were out to get her, and one day they got her and they killed her," Isobel gulped as Elena let a tear slide down her eye, leaning into Damon for support.
"How exactly did they kill her? Did vervain work on her? Did stakes kill her?" Damon asked lightly, knowing Elena wasn't able to ask herself.
"Vervain has an effect on her but not as much as it does on you, just a tingle really. Slows down her reflexes for about a couple of seconds and she bounces right back. Stakes hurt, but they don't kill her. She has 3 chakras, one in her throat, one in her heart, and one in the small of her back. If you puncture those with a white oak stake, then she'll die," Isobel spoke lightly. After all, they were talking about possible ways to potentially kill her granddaughter.
"Just like an original, right? Except originals are in the heart but she had 3 different spots?" Elena asked.
"Yeah, that sounds about right," Isobel sighed. Elena looked at Damon with fear in her eyes and Damon just hugged her, because if anybody were to say reassuring things to her, you'd know it was a lie. Isobel gave them both her sympathies and let them be with each other, they needed each other now more than they ever have. But only after promising Elena that she'd be back tomorrow to see Ava.
"She's only supposed to be special because she's my baby, not because of this stuff. I wanted a normal life for her. I wanted her to grow up normal," Elena cried into Damon's chest. He sighed heavily before rubbing her back comfortingly.
"Elena, nothing about this is normal. She's the child of a doppelgänger and a vampire, constantly surrounded by them and family members of supernatural origins. What part of that did you think was normal?" Damon asked as Elena abruptly let go of him and wiped a tear from her face.
"Whatever Damon, I just wasn't expecting this, that's all," Elena sighed.
"Yeah, join the club, I seriously wasn't expecting this either you know. I didn't know vampires could have kids, then I find out I have one with my wife, then I find out that my daughter is more than just a vampire off spring," Damon rambled before looking Elena in the eye. She was smiling timidly and he cocked his head slightly to the side and give her a look as if to say 'what?'
"You said my wife," Elena smiled, answering his inner questionnaire. He smiled back and kissed the top of her head.
"You are my wife if I remember from 5 years ago," Damon smirked. Elena blushed and hugged him before walking over to her desk to grab her purse and jacket.
"What's that for?" Damon asked, confused because he though her shift ended at 4 and it was only 3:10. She pulled her pony tail put from inside her coat and tied the strap along her waist, smiling at him.
"I'm the boss, my café. I leave when I want. And besides, I really don't want to be here anymore, and Abby's got it covered for me. I was thinking of stopping by Stefan and Katherine's to talk about what Isobel said. I just really need Katherine now," she smiled sadly. He understood though.
"Can I stop by to see Ava tonight?" Damon asked. He looked at Elena with pleading eyes as she turned around and smiled shyly.
"Is that all you want to see tonight?" Elena asked with a blush on her face. It always amused Damon that no matter what or how much time happened to be in the way, he could always make Elena blush. He turned his charm on and swiftly walked over to her, grace with every step he took. Elena closed her eyes and leant against the door as he walked straight up and positioned himself right in front of her body. She took a deep breath and at last opened her eyes.
"Why? Is there anything else worth seeing?" he smirked as she growled softly at him and stuck her bottom lip out just enough to be considered a slight pout. He chuckled and brought his smooth fingers to her face, tracing her jaw line as gently and seductively as he could. He gained satisfaction when he saw that she was completely affected by his ministrations. He brought his lips to the outlet shell of her ear and spoke softly like the wind.
"I guess I could spare a couple of minutes for you," Damon purred as he brought his sweet pink lips for her earlobe and grazed his blunt teeth on it, pulling it down gently but seductively, making her shiver slightly. She put a hand up into his hair and tugged on it softly to retrieve his face from where it was so she could look at his features again. His cobalt blue eyes and raven black hair, his fair skin and his too-good-to-be-real eyebrows. His hands slid down from her waist to her hips and squeezed gently as she raked her hands down his torso. Elena smiled dazedly as Damon pressed his forehead against hers, she let out a small breath and Damon smiled back.
"Glad to know I still have this effect on you," he smirked before leaning over and kissing her cheek softly. Before she knew it, he was gone.
"But I don't want it!" Ava huffed and crossed her arms. Kol sighed as he shook his head and looked at Ava with pleading eyes.
"C'mon kid, we need to get you dressed. I have a date tonight and I need some prepping time too you know!" Kol said as he let out a sigh. Ava shook her head and ran super speed into the her bedroom closet.
"So go get ready for your stupid girlfriend and leave me alone," Ava frowned and crossed her arms in the dark closet.
"Hey, mind your tone," Kol said, trying to enforce Elena's rules about being polite, without sounding like a total dick about it. He winced at how fatherly he sounded. He hated it. Ava stuck her head out the door and stuck her tongue out at him before he gave her a look and she came out of the closet, clothes already on her.
"Where did you get those?" Kol asked, his eyebrow raised. She looked down at herself and shrugged.
"I don't know, I was wishing for these clothes and all of a sudden I was wearing them. Hey Kol, maybe my wishes come true!" Ava beamed as he smirked.
"Maybe kiddo, you never know," Kol said before hearing the garage door open. He looked at Ava with questioning eyes before she smiled at him.
"Mommy's home! Can't you hear her?" Ava shrilled before running to the front door to greet her mom, Kol not too far behind her. Elena opened the door to discover a warm welcome from her daughter.
"Hi sweetheart," Elena smiled at her daughter. Ava smiled at her and began looking around her for any sign of another person she was hoping Elena brought home.
"What are you looking for?" Elena asked quietly, confusion in her voice. Ava turned to frown at her mother and sighed.
"I thought you would have brought Daddy home with you," Ava said in a low voice. Disappointment clearly evident in her voice. Elena's heart swelled as she bent down to Ava's height.
"Sweetheart, Daddy just came back. He and I need to discuss some things before he comes home forever. Like where we're going to live, a lot of stuff. But I'll tell you what, Daddy's coming over tonight to see you. Okay?" Elena bargained with her daughter. This lifted up the poor girl's spirit and made her grin.
"Okay Momma," she smiled before turning to face Kol.
"Do you still have to go out with your girlfriend? I want you to meet my daddy! We can have a tea party together!" Ava exclaimed as Kol shuddered.
"Sorry Kiddo, I have a date tonight. But today can be just about you and daddy and maybe mommy too," Kol smiled as Ava frowned.
"Okay," Ava said, pushing past him to run up the stairs and into her room at an inhuman pace. Elena sighed.
"Are you sure you must have a date tonight?" Elena asked.
"No, but I really want to. And besides, you know I really hate Damon. I can't stand him," Kol gave a look of disgust and Elena gave him a sharp glare.
"Listen, I don't care if you don't like him. I love him, he's my husband. You live under my roof. Ava wouldn't appreciate you talking like this about her father. Whatever, it doesn't matter. I just want you to have a good day today, okay?" Elena smiled before giving Kol a big hug. Kol chuckled and hugged her back.
"So, if Damon does move in here, does that mean I have to find another place?" Kol asked with a curious and worried expression.
"No way, you can stay however long you want. You've been here when he wasn't. If he moves in, He doesn't have a say in if you stay or go. It's my house, I'd never kick you out for something stupid like that. You're no threat to him and he's no threat to you," Elena explained before ruffling his hair.
"Thanks 'Lena, I really needed that," Kol sighed.
Elena walked into the kitchen and sighed at the huge clean spacious cuisine. She was so happy with Kol that she gave him a wide smile and he just shrugged. Oh of course. Leave it to Kol to not take any credit in the nice things he does for the people he cares about. No wonder Kol and Damon hated each other, they were exactly alike. She smiled at Kol and said her goodbyes.
"You'll fill me in on the details of your date, right?" Elena said, smirking straight at him while leading him to the door.
"I don't kiss and tell, Baby Mama," Kol sang. Elena shook her head and chuckled. Kol whipped his head up and glared at the little girl on the stairs.
"What was that you said?" Kol baited Ava.
"I said have fun with your friend," Ava glared at Kol.
"I plan to, I plan to have a lot of fun with her," Kol smirked.
"Whatever, I won't save you any pecans from my pie! And I'll leave my door shut all the way tonight so you can't come in," Ava stuck out her tongue and blurred up the stairs. Kol felt his heart ache slightly, not because she won't share her pecans but because he was leaving for a date when Ava wanted him to be with her today. He shook it off and walked out of the house without another word and closed the door.
Elena shook her head and walked up the stairs into her daughter's room, she was playing with her Polly Pocket sets and dolls with a concentrated look on her face. Ava looked up at her mom and quickly hid her face in her long raven black hair cascading down her shoulders.
"Sorry if I was being mean earlier, I know you don't like it when I don't use my manners," Ava apologized and slowed down her use of her dolls. Elena smiled at her daughter and shook her head.
"It's not me you need to apologize to sweetie it's Kol. Why were you being mean to him? He didn't mean to upset you sweetie, he just doesn't want to be home all the time and he wants to go out with his friend for dinner. You'll see Kol when he comes back sweetheart, okay?" Elena reassured her daughter but Ava instantly turned her back to her mother. Elena sighed and walked back out the door, shutting it behind her. Ava saw the door close and looked out the window; she could still hear Kol getting into his car. She looked down at Kol and he looked back up at her through the window. He smiled and waved up at her but she just turned away and went back to playing with her toys.
Elena went to the couch and pulled out her iPhone 4S. She told Siri to call Katherine. "Why hello my dearest sister-in-law, or should I say, great, great, great, gr-"
"Okay enough, I get it. Look, is Damon home?" She cringed when she said that, he should be here with her and consider that home, not at the boarding house.
"Yeah, he's upstairs taking a shower in his room, why?" Katherine asked.
"Ava wants to see him tonight; I was going to invite him over. I was hoping you and Stefan could come too?" Elena began biting and picked at her nails.
"No can do, Stef and I have a hot date tonight. We're catching up on some much needed time to ourselves," Katherine purred.
"Okay Ew, gross. I seriously didn't need to know that, but thank you," Elena gagged.
"I'll tell Damon to get his ass over there okay? Then you can leave me alone and not call again tonight unless something happens to my little angel," Katherine said, referring to Ava.
"Whatever, thanks. Come by the restaurant tomorrow, I'll have more stuff to tell you tomorrow, okay?" Elena said, grabbing the remote for the TV and taking a sip of her red wine.
"Okay, I'll talk to you later. Damon's coming okay tootles!" Katherine said.
"Wait! Katherine! Ugh!" Elena said before tossing her phone on the couch, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her phone almost instantly began ringing again and she didn't bother looking at the caller ID before she answered the call.
"Thanks for hanging up on me you jerk I needed to tell you something and you just hang up on me? I'm so lacing your drink with vervain tomorrow at the restaurant, so watch yourself," Elena glared at the phone. But then there was a manly chuckle and a brief pause before he continued.
"Well, I'll be sure not to get any drinks tomorrow from you," Damon chuckled.
"I'm sorry I thought you were Katherine, she just hung up on me. So rude, don't you think?" Elena babbled.
"You've been drinking haven't you," he said. Not even asked, he stated.
"Oh be quiet I'm only on my first glass, I'm just trying to relax and this is just the wine I made from Matt's vineyard one year," Elena defended.
"Hey, I'm not judging. I've got a glass of bourbon in my hand now," Damon smirked.
"Of course you do, you are Damon Salvatore," Elena smiled.
"and you are Elena Salvatore," Damon replied cheeky.
"That I am. When will you be here?" Elena asked impatiently before gulping her last sip and turning the television off. Just then she heard the doorbell ring. "Hold on, there's someone at the door," she said to her phone. She opened the door to reveal a beautiful sight. Damon, wearing his black Armani jeans, dark blue John Varvatos dress shirt, black leather jacket, and black leather shoes. His raven black hair cut to his usual length and his blue eyes bringing out the features of his face, his hand clutching the phone next to his ear.
"I should be there now," Damon smirked as Elena smiled coyly at him.
"Daddy!" Ava squealed and ran at an inhuman speed into Damon's arms, almost knocking Damon over in the process. Damon chuckled and hugged Ava.
"Hey Princess, how are you doing?" he asked, a genuine smile creeping up on his face. She smiled brightly at him and began telling him all about her day with Kol and Kim, (her best friend who lives the closest house to hers.)
A while after Damon and Ava were engaged in a heated debate about whether Polly Pocket or Barbie was better, Elena walked into the room.
"What is going on here?" Elena smirked, leaning against the door frame. Ava pouted and crossed her arms on her chest.
"Daddy said that Barbie is better than Polly Pocket. That's not true! Barbie is too tall and all her friends look the same! I only like Barbie's house, plane, train, boat, and cars. That's it! Her boobies are too big and they don't fit her in her dress sometimes!" Ava exclaimed. Elena laughed as she turned her head to a very frustrated Damon.
"Yeah, but Polly is too short. And she doesn't have big houses or anything. And her clothes feel like clay," Damon retorted at his daughter. He glared playfully at her before Ava gave a loud hmph and uncrossed then crossed her arms again.
"Okay, children, apologize to each other for being so stubborn and then come downstairs to eat," Elena smiled as they both hesitated to apologize to each other. Like father like daughter she thought. Elena gave a stern look at her daughter and her husband before Ava uncrossed her arms and walked hesitantly into Damon's lap and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. She said sorry and kissed his cheek before Damon chuckled and wrapped his arms around her small body, giving her a kiss on her forehead and apologizing as well. Elena smiled at her family and remembered why she came up here in the first place.
"Okay, dinner time. Let's go," Elena said to them, clamping her hands together twice to grab their attention. Ava sat up and ran down the stairs, ignoring Elena's request that she be careful running in the house. Damon walked up to Elena and slid his hands around her waist, pulling her towards him. She smiled up at him and put her palms gently on his chest, moving her hands up and down at a slow pace.
"You know, I've been thinking," Elena started before Damon interrupted her.
"Oh that's never a good thing," Damon said. He laughed as she pouted and glared at him, hitting his arm as he howled with laughter.
"As I was saying. I think you should stay over tonight and we can talk. About anything really, I just don't want you to go," Elena sighed as Damon smirked and kissed her temple. He leaned down closely to her ear and whispered softly.
"You know, if you wanted to have sex with me, all you have to do is ask," Damon said, earning a shocked look from Elena's face. He smirked once more as did she and they both walked down the stairs to see their daughter at the kitchen table ready to eat. Elena brought out the spaghetti and meatballs she made for dinner and began pouring some of it into Ava's plate. Damon poured some for himself and Elena while she was helping Ava cut her spaghetti into smaller pieces. Elena put a bib around Ava because she eats spaghetti very messily and sat down at her chair and began eating.
After dinner, Damon was putting Ava to bed and Elena was washing and putting away the dishes. Not too long after Damon came down to see Elena wiping the counters down with disinfectant wipes. He shook his head at her and blurred behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. When she didn't jump from the contact he got a little confused.
"Why weren't you scared?" Damon asked. She smiled and turned around to face him.
"Because I'm used to it with Kol and Ava already. Sneaking up on me with inhuman speed, and besides, there's no one here but you and Ava," Elena said, a smile creeping up on her face. On Damon's as well.
"That food was delicious today, where did you learn to cook like that?" Damon asked. Elena smiled at his curiosity about her cooking. He'd always thought Elena couldn't cook at all. It was always Damon who cooked best. It seems as though now he has some competition.
"Well I went to university to learn how to manage my business and then I minored in culinary arts. It was fun, and it helped make meals fun with Ava. She used to be picky with what she eats until I took that. Now she'll eat anything," Elena smiled as Damon's smile faltered a bit.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you and our daughter. I'm sorry that you had to do all of this on your own. You shouldn't have had to do it on your own," Damon sighed. She smiled up at him lazily and kissed his cheek.
"Don't be sorry, just be happy you're here now and you get to watch Ava grow. You'll be there for her when she needs you most," Elena bargained.
"I'm moving in," Damon announced. Elena eyed him suspiciously and cocked her head to the side, her brow raised and arched.
"Are you now? Says who?" Elena retorted. He could be so arrogant and blunt sometimes, it was sexy but a smidge annoying.
"Well, it's either that or you move out and we get a house together. Either way, we're living together. I can't be a good father and a good husband if I'm off in a different house only visiting some days," Damon said.
"Damon, it's a lot to think about. I have Kol living in the basement," Elena sighed.
"I don't care if he sleeps on the floor of your room or in China, as long as we're together and you're all that I see when I wake up in the mornings," Damon pleaded.
"Okay, fine. We officially live together; can we please just not talk about this anymore? I just want to be with you, no interruptions," Elena frowned. Damon smirked at the frown on her face and told Elena to wait downstairs for him. Elena smiled at him and nodded.
Patiently, Elena waited downstairs on the couch for Damon. She watched TV for the 11 minutes he kept her waiting. When he finally came downstairs she smiled up at him and he grinned back. She turned off the TV and shifted her body on the couch.
"You know, it's rude to keep a woman waiting," Elena smirked as Damon chuckled. He grabbed her by the hand and hoisted her up onto her feet in no time. She looked dazed as she fought back the urge to touch his toned and muscle defined bicep. She looked up at him and blushed when she saw that he was indeed staring back at her. He smirked and took her by the arm like the 1800s gentlemen he is and led her back upstairs. When he led her to her big bedroom doors he opened both of them to show what took him so long.
A pair of movies on her bed, candles lighten all around the room, rose pedals paving way like the red carpet from the door to the bed and all over the bed. She was stunned when she saw this and Damon was nervous. He's never been one for romance; he just wants her to be more comfortable around him. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes and a grin on her lips.
"I take it that you like it? I know the rose pedals might be a little too much but I felt like the moment needed something. And I didn't bring food because we already ate. The candles smelt nice so I put them all around. The movies are for entertainment obviously but we don't have to watch it if you don't want to," Damon rambled before Elena embraced him. He returned the gesture before Elena reached up and kissed his cheek. He growled lowly as she began to turn away. Damon grabbed her by the arm and turned her towards him.
"You know, I've been home for at least 3 days. I haven't seen you in over 4 years, and I haven't kissed since. You're my wife, it should be easier to kiss you every day than this," he said, a slight frown on his face. Elena looked up with a calm and serious face before sliding her hands on the side of his face.
"I've waited Damon, I've been waiting for you this whole time," Elena's eyes danced as she spoke. Damon smiled lovingly at her before putting his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. His lips crashing down on hers gently but firmly and Elena immediately responded to his kiss. His hands sliding up and down her sides from her waist to her hips and back up. Her hands grabbing, teasing, pulling his hair at an effort filled attempt to get him as close as possible. He tilted his head to the side and she stepped closer towards his body. He was the flame that ignited her passion, the light to her darkness and vice versa.
"God, Damon," she moaned. The second the last word left Elena's lips she felt Damon's mouth crash down on hers. The hunger inside of him claimed her and he furiously fed at her lips as if he needed it to survive. Elena moaned against his mouth and reached up and tangled her fingers in his thick locks. She pulled him as close to her as she could as she felt the fire she had spoken of only moments before hit her veins in a rush of heat that burned her to her core.
Elena felt Damon's hand move from her face down her body and finally rest on her hips. He gripped her tightly as his mouth continued to caress hers and then slowly began to back her across the room. Elena stumbled slightly and felt Damon smile against her lips.
It was quite beautiful out tonight, he was admiring the outside air and breeze when he realized it was probably time to start heading back inside. He parked his silver Audi in the garage and set the alarm on. He closed the garage door and proceeded to enter his basement apartment. He went into the room with the red door and found a blood bag of O negative in the big fridge. Walking to the kitchen to get a cup, he poured the blood bag into a cup and began drinking it. His back stood stiff as he felt the hairs on his neck stand up. He smirked and began stirring his blood, "Well hello there munchkin."
"Hi, I heard you come inside," Ava yawned and rubbed her sleepy eyes. He turned around, his eyes softened and he smiled at the sight in front of him. Ava stood with her blue My Little Pony pajamas. Her long sleeve shirt with a huge pony in the middle, her pajama pants too long for her legs reaching the tops of her feet, her hand dragging the teddy bear on the ground and her other hand rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her small teeth showing when she yawned and her black hair falling straight down her shoulders and her back. She was incredibly beautiful for a little girl her age.
"Still mad at me?" Kol asked. He leant against the counter top, arms crossed, sipping on his blood filled glass. She looked up at him and smiled slightly before shaking her head side to side. He smirked and put his glass down. He crouched to her level before he spoke again.
"Good, I don't like when my best friend is mad at me," he fake pouted and Ava giggled.
"You so silly," she grinned and wrapped her small arms around Kol's neck as he picked her up. He put his empty blood filled glass in the sink and rinsed it quickly. Ava rested her head on Kol's shoulder and her eyes began to feel heavy. She slowly began drifting back to sleep when he started walking towards his room. She often spent nights here with him, she didn't like being alone at night-time. She snuggled closer into his chest and drifted off to sleep when he began humming to her. He always liked humming her to sleep, it made him feel good. He sang and hummed Flightless Bird by Iron and Wine to her tonight. He sat her down on his bed and tucked her into the sheets. Kol didn't want to sleep in his real clothing so he went to his dresser and grabbed some pajama bottoms. He changed in the bathroom and when he came out, Ava was still sound asleep on his bed snuggling into her teddy bear. He smiled and cuddled up behind Ava before kissing her forehead and saying goodnight to her. The last thing he heard was the sweet sound of Ava's quiet breathing.
Elena woke up before Damon. She grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself looking at her sleeping husband and smiled at him. His arm under his head, his other on his stomach. The sheet stopping just shy of his v shape abs. His hair all messy from sleep and various other activities. She smirked and walked into the hallway down to her daughter's room to see that her daughter wasn't in her room. Knowing where she'd be, she walked into Kol's basement apartment and saw the two of them snuggled together in Kol's bed and blankets.
Elena made her way into the kitchen to make breakfast when she smelt that someone had already made it. French Toast to be exact. When she looked around she saw that there were 5 people sitting at her kitchen table, all of them staring at each other with menacing glares.
"He hasn't done anything to you yet, Damon. Stop acting like a jerk," yelled one voice.
"Stay out of this, Barbie. I was talking to him!" Damon seethed. Elena looked at Damon with disbelief that he would do this and disrespect people in her own house. She just gaped at him as the fighting continued.
"Damon, please. Just stop the fighting; it's not helping you at all. He's been here when you haven't and has protected your family more than you think," Stefan spoke calmly.
"Are you kidding? Do you not remember what he did to us? He tried to kill us, kill Elena! Doesn't that mean anything? I'm so not just going to let this go!" Damon splurged.
"Damon, I will have you know that I could hold you off and do my nails at the same time, please just stop. You're embarrassing yourself," Katherine said. Damon shot her a death glare and returned it back to his main target.
"I am of no threat to you, Damon. Really, I have grown to fancy your little family," He said. Just as Damon was about to retaliate Elena decided that she had enough of this and stepped in.
"Enough! I'm sick of this! You're bickering like children! You're long time adults for Christ's sake! My daughter acts more mature than you people. Do I need to baby you guys and teach you guys proper manners? Damon, you need to accept that people have changed since you left! And the rest of you need to be patient with him, he hasn't been here for the four years we have, he still has his old mentality that you guys are the bad guys. Now sit down and have a civil breakfast or I will take Ava to the café without you guys, got it?" Elena demanded. Everyone sat down and nodded at Elena. Everyone but Damon, he stood and shook his head, walking out into the living room to the stairwell and up to the bedroom. Elena let out a frustrated breath and looked at everyone apologetically.
"I'm sorry, really. I didn't mean to offend anyone or upset anyone I just want you guys to eat peacefully. I'm going to get ready for work and then join you guys," Elena said before disappearing up the stairs.
"I pity that poor girl for having to spend her life with this fool. He really needs to see things in a different perspective. But then again Damon has always had a one track mind," Klaus spoke, earning a glare from Stefan and a smirk from Katherine.
"Oh c'mon Klaus, just drop it. Elena's right, we do bicker like children," Stefan stated.
"Oh please, I grew up in the 1400's, I, have class," Katherine smirked and sipped her orange juice.
Meanwhile Elena was upstairs trying to calm Damon down. She entered the bedroom and saw him outside on the balcony. His hands gripping the railing and his head looking out into the clouds. She opened the door swiftly and walked towards him.
"Why would let him into your house? Aren't you a bit scared that he'll turn on you and Ava?" Damon asked. Elena sighed and stood beside him staring out into the lake in front of them.
"They won't hurt us Damon, especially not Klaus. I've spent 4 years with him and watching him. I know anything can happen but none of us will let anything happen to Ava, you know that," Elena said. She leaned over and hugged him. He was reluctant but gave in and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
"It's not just Ava, it's you that I'm worried about too," Damon spoke quietly. Elena found comfort in his words and gave his hand a tight squeeze.
"I know baby, I know," Elena smiled. "But for now I just need you to be civil with everyone. Especially Klaus, please just try okay. I love you," she said, giving Damon a kiss before venturing off to get ready for work. Damon sighed and made his way Val downstairs, surprising everyone with his presence. Stefan gave him a curt nod and Katherine smirked. Caroline giving Damon a pleased smile and Klaus gave no reaction. He thought he'd skip breakfast because of his lack of hunger so he thought he'd just get his daughter from downstairs.
He wasn't used to seeing his daughter sleep in Kol's bed with him. It made him feel oddly jealous because that was HIS daughter. She shouldn't be sleeping with ANY boy except for her father if she had some sort of nightmare or something.
"It's okay Daddy, it's just Kol," Ava said. He chuckled as he remembered his daughter could read his mind, he thought he could use this to his advantage and began to think more instead of speak so that he wouldn't wake Kol but he could talk to his daughter. Hi baby girl, want to come upstairs and have breakfast? I have surprises for you!
Ava rose from the bed quietly not to wake Kol and ran up the stairs at an inhuman pace, not even Damon saw her blur up the stairs. He chuckled and walked up the staircase to find his daughter socializing with her family and eating breakfast. If he didn't hate them so much he would have actually smiled and joined them for it, but since he did he decided against it and went right back upstairs to his wife.
Ava stuffed her face with the muffin and milk that was arranged for her for breakfast. She had to admit, she was a little disappointed at the lack of art work her mother usually made her breakfasts look like but she didn't mind because her favorite people in her life were in her house at this moment. She listened to the bickering going on at the table between her Aunt Katherine and her Aunt Caroline before channeling into the thoughts of Caroline. She was having a bad day this morning because one of her purses has been misplaced and no one can find it. Ava thought that she should compliment her aunt to possibly make her day better.
"Aunt Caroline, I like your hair today. It's very nice and curly, where are you going?" Ava asked cutely with a huge grin on her face. This made the bickering between her favorite Aunts stop, and Caroline look at her with awe.
"Thank you sweetie, but I'm not going anywhere. I just wanted a distraction today because I've been thinking too much. How are you? What do you have planned today?" Caroline smiled at her niece. Ava pondered obviously for a minute before grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm going to make Kol take me to the movies! Kim told me that she went with her daddy and it was really fun so I want to go too!" Ava said. Klaus smirked at the little girl and spoke.
"You're going to make Kol take you?" Klaus pressed, making Ava gape.
"Yeah, he will take me! It will be fun and he likes to have fun too, but sometimes he's really grumpy and doesn't want to have fun. Silly boy, doesn't he know that fun is good when you're grumpy? But Shhhhh, he's going to wake up soon and I want to tell him," Ava squealed causing everyone to chuckle. Stefan smiled at his niece and walked over to her side to grab her plate and cup that were now free of food contents.
"You don't want me to take you? I have nothing to do today, maybe Kol does," Stefan suggested. Ava shook her head and responded politely.
"Are you jealous Uncle Steffy? Huh? Are you?" She pressed, with a smirk they all knew too well, a smirk passed down to her by her father. Katherine laughed as Stefan gave Ava an innocent look.
"No, I'm not jealous! I just wanted to take you to the movies, I missed you kiddo," Stefan smiled. Ava got down from her seat and walked over to Stefan, raising her arms so that he would pick her up. He did so and she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him the biggest kiss on the cheek before nuzzling into his side and smiling. Stefan's heart melted as he wrapped his arms around her tighter. I love you kiddo, he thought, knowing what he knew about her mind reading abilities. She looked up at him and locked her eyes in his.
"I love you too Uncle Steffy! Don't be jealous of Kol okay, I love you all the same!" She smiled before jumping off her uncle and going to her room.
"That was so cute!" Caroline noted with a gleam in her eyes. Katherine rolled her eyes and began cleaning the tables of the dishes and crumbs left from breakfast.
Elena emerged from the bathroom with her hair and makeup done with a towel around her body. She looked over to the bed where she had laid her clothes out and saw Damon sitting at the edge of the bed with a huge smirk. She instantly rolled her eyes and spoke.
"No. We can't do it. I need to get dressed and go to work because I slept in more than I should have and I'm going to be late," she said. Walking over to the bed and grabbing her clothes and dashing to the bathroom, a lame attempt to get away from her husband's lustful attempts to get her in bed. Damon laughed and lay back on the bed.
"Oh c'mon, you know you want to," he smirked at the door. She opened the bathroom door just enough to stick her head and responded.
"I do, but I can't. So no," Elena smirked and closed the door. Not even a couple of minutes later she came out of the bathroom with her beautiful work clothes on and her hair ever so flawless. She had a pair of nice dark blue skinny jeans on with her white thin-material long sleeve sweater and her brown knee-high boots. Damon smiled at her as she returned the smile. She walked over to her dresser and pulled a pair of diamond stud earrings out and put them into her ears.
Damon loved those earrings; he bought them for her on her 17th birthday. They held a lot of value to him, and to see her wear it every day made his heart swell. He reached up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, causing her breath to hitch slightly. He rested his head in the crook of her neck and looked on into the mirror in front of them.
"I've missed you," he said, kissing her cheek before she turned around in his embrace. His arms still wrapped around her body, but her hands resting flat on his chest.
"I've missed you too; it feels nice having you home again. After work I'll come home and maybe the three of us could do something, have dinner and watch a movie, go out to the park, something," Elena smiled. Her arms now wound up resting on his shoulders and her hands deep into his hair, massaging his scalp.
"That sounds nice; I won't be home today though. I'll be home around the time you get home, I have a council meeting today," Damon said. She raised her brow at him.
"Council meeting? You've barely been back a week and you're back on the council?" Elena asked.
"Yeah, I'm back on the council because Liz and Carol think it's a good idea and they need to discuss some things. Though there isn't any suspicious vampire activity, they need me to attend their monthly meeting to get back into things just like last time." Elena looked up as he spoke and thoughts mashed together in her head.
"Council meetings are only half hour to an hour tops, why would you be gone the whole day? I'm sure that Ava would love to be with you," she said, noticing an emotion behind his eyes that she couldn't put a name to. He sighed and untangled himself from her, going over to sit on the bed.
"I'm not used to kids, Elena. I don't know how to be a parent to Ava, I'm impulsive and I-" he said before Elena cut him off by putting a hand on his shoulder. She kissed his forehead and looked at him with sympathy in her eyes.
"Honey, you'll be a great dad. You're so delicate with me, and you love yourself, why wouldn't you think you could handle taking care of our baby? She's fine, she doesn't need you to watch her like a hawk and play with her all the time. She's very independent and knowing that you're just in the same house as her would be good enough. You're her daddy, Damon. You love her, and she loves you. Just don't think about it, you don't need to concentrate when you're with her, it should just come naturally," Elena said softly. She placed a kiss to his forehead and went into the closet of their room to grab a belt for her jeans and then she closed the door.
"I'll be home after the council meeting, I might go to the Grill with Ric after though, catch up on some great bromance time," Damon joked as Elena smiled.
"Ric has a family now Damon, you know that. But he ends work around 2 and he picks up his daughter around 3:30 so I guess you have some time to hang out. Kol is going to baby sit Ava today, but if you could just hurry after you finish with Ric to come home and give Kol a break, that would be great," Elena said. She walked over to the door and grabbed her brown leather jacket and Damon got up to follow her.
"You have a great day today, be home on time to be with Ava, and start thinking of something the three of us to do after I finish work. I have to go now, be nice to Klaus and them if they're still here," she rambled as she grabbed the keys from the key hanger beside the garage door. She opened the door and he followed her to the garage and watched her as she got into her car. She rolled down the window as she started the car.
"Bye baby, I love you. Be good with Ava and be nice to Kol and everyone else," she said sternly, he chuckled and bent his head down. She leaned her head out the window and kissed his lips chastely but sweetly before pulling away. He grinned at her and stepped back from the car.
"Don't worry about me, everything will be fine. I love you too," Damon smiled genuinely. She smiled back before looking into her rear view mirror and backing out of the garage and driveway with ease. She blew a kiss at him through the windshield and drove off down the street, Damon smiling at the back of the car. He closed the garage and walked back into the house. Only to be startled by his daughter standing in front of him with tears in her eyes. Damon was beyond startled picked her up, wrapping her in a nice father-daughter embrace. He stroked her beautiful long black hair and shuddered as he felt tears escape from her soft cobalt blue eyes. He walked her over to the kitchen and placed her on top of the counter top. He looked her in the eyes and brushed her hair out of her face before speaking softly.
"Why are you crying, sweetheart?" he said, looking down at his mirror image. She frowned and clutched her teddy bear to her chest.
"Mommy left, and she didn't say bye," she said in a soft voice. Damon's heart melted at his daughter's face. Her pale skin was developing rosy cheeks and watery eyes because she was upset that her mother didn't say goodbye to her.
"She'll be home soon, you don't have to cry. She was in a rush to leave this morning and it probably just slipped her mind. If it makes you feel better, I'll be home with you. I'll make you lunch and we'll go to the park for a little while, how does that sound?" he said sweetly. Ava smiled up at her dad and wiped her eyes free of the tears before nodding her head. Damon let out a huge breath or relief before kissing her forehead and setting her down on the ground.
That went better than I thought it would, he thought. Ava turned around and giggled, "Daddy, can you come with me and Kol to the movies tonight?" she asked. He sighed and shook his head at her.
"No baby, I can't. I have to go out soon for, work," he thought the best way to describe his council meeting, "and plus, you, mommy, and I are going out later. It'll be just us," he said.
"Can Kol come?" she pouted. Damon thought her pouting was adorable; it reminded him of when Elena pouted, only with his face on it. How could he say no to that? No matter how much he disliked Kol, he loved his daughter so much more.
"Fine, yes, he can come," Damon said. Ava cocked her head to side in confusion.
"Daddy, why don't you like Kol?" She asked politely, her hands behind her back and her face unsure of what his answer would be. He scratched his head and bent down to her level, looking her in the eyes.
"Baby, before you were born, Kol and I didn't get along. I haven't been around much to be friends with him like you have so we're not friends. But that doesn't mean you can't be friends with him, he lives in our house and I'm okay with that. Is that a good enough answer?" He asked, trying to be delicate because this was a child he was talking to. Ava smiled at him and nodded before answering him.
"Yeah, I know. I just wanted to know why because I heard it in your head that you didn't like him," she said with a toothy grin.
Not long after, Damon left Ava with Kol while he went to his council meeting. It was long, boring, and non-educational, but he knew it was mandatory if he wanted to get back on the council to help out and protect his family, along with Mystic Falls. Ric couldn't make it because he had marking to do at the school so Damon thought he would just go one of the colleges not far from town and try to read up on folklore about his daughter's species and more about her mind reading. He shook his head at his thoughts, his daughter was his daughter. Not a specific kind of species. She's not some science experiment for heaven's sake.
He found himself in the library of the University and found some interesting books about the girl who was just like Ava that Isobel told them about, and kept searching. An hour of speed reading, analyzing and cross-examining text books, he found something of great use to his problem. In an old leather-bound book, it said this;
The one, whose mind is being read,
Should keep vervain beside their bed,
For every day and every night,
There comes a creature compelled to bite,
A drink a day of vervain,
Mixed with 3 quarts wolf's bane,
To keep you safe and keep you sound,
To keep from influence of creature's bound.
Then there was some old Latin words that followed shortly after, but Damon's mind was completely baffled. He didn't understand what all of this meant, and there were only two people he could call. Shortly after he asked for help, his mother-in-law, or should you monster-in-law, came through the door.
"Isobel," Damon greeted. She nodded curtly before grabbing a seat next to Damon and the books.
"What do you need my help for?" She asked. Damon passed on the book to her and she read the same words he had just finished reading, putting the book down she began thinking in her head before speaking again to Damon.
"This is a grimoire, and not just any grimoire, it's one that has been translated mostly into English so that not only witches could read it and access it. It's for the convenience of us all. This book tells you how to keep Ava's kind from reading your mind and influencing your thoughts," She explained thoroughly as Damon nodded in curiosity. She wrote down some things before explaining it more in-depth to her son-in-law.
"You need to have vervain in you. You'll need to drink it every day and so that she can't compel you or influence your thoughts. But, because she's as strong as an Original, to keep her from reading your mind you'll need to also have 3 quarts of wolf's bane in your system everyday as well. Her mind power is that strong that in order for you to keep your mind secure from her you'll need to mix them together in any kind of liquid and consume it. Every 24 hours it will run out and you'll need to re supply your body with it once again."
"So I need to drink a cup of disgusting wolf's bane and vervain together every day?" Damon shuddered. Isobel nodded.
"Yes, but you also need to keep in mind that only vampires are required to just drink that to release themselves of her mind control and go about their day. Humans have it better off than we do. Though the vervain they wear, drink, or eat, stop her from influencing thoughts and compulsion, they have to give Ava permission to access their thoughts, just like entering a house. Although, once they've been invited into one's mind, they can come and go when they please. That's when humans need to start drinking wolf's bane to keep them out. "
"So Elena would have to drink what I drink if she allows her daughter to read her thoughts? Even if it's just one time?" Damon scoffed.
"She would have to simply do what you do on a regular basis, but that's only if she allows Ava to read her thoughts. Which she shouldn't, but if she does then that is the alternative. They've got it easier than we do, Damon," Isobel laughed. Damon nodded and thanked Isobel for her help before cleaning up the books and everything off the table. Isobel handed him a paper with the drink recipe and was on her way when Damon stopped to call Elena from work.
"Hello?" She said in a sweet voice, and then there was a clanging of pots and pans in the background and voices laughing. Damon had to pull the phone away from his ear before responding.
"Hi, I was at LesterVille College studying because I had some free time on my hands, but I wanted to call to tell you I'm on my way home. You, Kol, Ava, and I are going to the movies tonight," he said. Elena chuckled softly before he heard the noise disappear, thinking that maybe she went to her office for some quiet.
"That sounds lovely Damon, really, thank you. It means a lot that you're including Kol in our plans. Ava really enjoys his company and I know it'll make Kol feel like he's a part of something instead of always being the outcast," Elena said softly, making Damon smiled. He hopped into his car and revved the engine, getting out of the parking lot while talking on the phone with his wife.
"Anything for you, Wife," he chortled, "and really, it was Ava who asked. I reluctantly said yes," he said, trying to be modest.
"Regardless, you still said yes. You've made your family very happy, Salvatore. I should really get back to work, but text me when you get home so I know you got home safe. Then relieve Kol of babysitting duty and tell him to come by the Café because I have something for him to do." Elena said.
"I will, have fun at work, boss lady," Damon laughed, he hear Elena laugh on the other end before hearing the noise of her work again, assuming she stepped back into the café and out of her office.
"Bye Damon,"she said. Damon heard a click at the end and hung up the phone, tossing it into the passenger seat as he raced on home to his daughter.
Elena held her beautifully sleeping daughter in her arms as they emerged from car parked in the driveway, who would have thought that she would have fallen asleep while watching the movie she picked out and everyone else had to suffer through. Although it was worth it, Damon spent quality time with his wife and daughter, Ava had her Daddy and best friend together even though they didn't like each other, Kol felt included in a group outing, and Elena was happy that everyone was getting along and having a great evening.
Elena want upstairs to change her daughter into her pajamas, her blue Polly Pocket pajamas that costed Elena a fortune. Just as she was about to turn out the light and close the door, Ava poked her head out from the blankets and called out for her mom.
"Yeah baby?" Elena asked softly, trying to lure her daughter to sleep with her voice.
"Can you get Kol? I want him to tuck me in," Ava pouted. Elena smiled and nodded, walking calmly downstairs to where Damon and Kol were sitting on the couch, drinking bourbon together.
"Kol, would you mind tucking Ava into bed? She's insisting," Elena chuckled. Kol's eyes bled happiness and he nodded, walking up the stairs to Ava's bedroom. Damon watching after him like a hawk. Elena rolled her eyes and snuggled into her husband's side.
"Why were you at the college today?" She asked quietly. Damon stroked her hair thinking of an answer.
"I was there with Isobel today, researching about the little girl who was just like Ava that she told us about. Ava can read people's minds, and compel vampires and humans, just like originals. She can even influence dreams and thoughts," Damon said. Elena nodded for him to continue.
"The only way for vampires to keep Ava from reading their thoughts would be to drink a cup filled with vervain and three quarts of wolf's bane. The vervain keeps her from compelling and influencing thoughts, but the wolf's bane and vervain together keep her from that and reading a vampire's mind," he said. Elena pulled back a bit to look him in the eye.
"What about a human's mind?"
"The vervain you wear, eat, or drink, keeps her from compelling you or influencing your thoughts too just like any vampire. But she can't read your mind without you granting her permission to do so, just like inviting vampires into your house. Although, just like inviting them into your house, once you've granted permission they are free to access your thoughts whenever they'd like. That's when you'll need to drink the vervain and wolf's bane just like a vampire would," He explained just like Isobel did. He basically regurgitated what Isobel had told him earlier in the day. Elena nodded and snuggled back into his arms.
"I'm just glad to be learning more about my daughter. I want to learn a lot more, but I'm okay with learning at slow paces," Elena smiled. Damon nodded and kissed her forehead. He heard Kol snoring upstairs softly so he assumed he'd fallen asleep on the rocking chair in Ava's room, and as much as he'd hate to admit it, he was glad that Kol was there to watch over Ava.
Just as Elena and Damon were about to go to their room and get into bed, Elena's cellphone rang. Elena rolled her eyes and Damon flashed over to her phone and looked at the caller ID.
Stefan
He picked it up with his smug voice and smirk on his face. "Elena's phone," he said.
"Damon, I need you over at the boarding house quickly," Stefan panted. Damon's smug expression turned into concern and Elena's face stared intently at his face.
"Why? What's going on?" Damon asked.
"It's him," he said, "I just saw him. He tried to stake Katherine, and now he's gone," Stefan panicked. Damon's mind was going ballistic with raging thoughts in his mind; he could barely decipher what Stefan had just said before Elena's front door sprang wide open. Revealing a smirking man who Damon thought he'd never see in his life, a man he'd hoped he'd never see again; a man with wild green eyes and grayish dirty blond hair, tall and sturdy looking. Damon gulped as he dropped the phone and held tightly onto Elena's wrist as she cowered behind Damon's body.
"Nice to see you again, Damon," he chuckled darkly.
Big thank you to all of you who reviewed my last chapter, and a small thank you to the silent readers who've read and stuck with me through the story. Feedback is love people! Tell me your dislikes, what you liked, what could be improved, and who you think is at the door. Anything really, just know that I love you all and am most grateful for your continued support and reviews!
