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Before You Were Mine- Chapter Six
-Elena-
"You should be working, young lady. You're on my dime, Gilbert." Rosie scolds me as I brush past her, getting an amused look from Luke who's staring at us as he hands a customer her receipt and thanks her for coming in. I can tell that he's wanting to say something- biting his tongue hard and staying silent as she continues on. "I know that he's a fairly good looking young man. But, if you want to continue to work here. You should actually be doing something more than flirting with him." Rosie says to me in a motherly tone, giving me that slight hint of irritation.
"Ah, leave her alone, Rosie. You were young once too. Don't you remember what it was like being young and in your 20's? Crazy times." Luke butts in. Giving Rosie a smile in a teasing tone as I shake my head.
"I wasn't flirting with him. Actually, he will probably be leaving in a little while. The poor guy looks exhausted. He's a firefighter you know. I've heard that they work constantly. Grueling hours that keep them always on the go." I comment, hearing them both sigh out a breath.
"Honey, the way he's been looking at you for the past 15 minutes. I highly doubt that he'll be going anywhere any time soon. Rosie, wanna place a bet on it?" Luke asks her as she shakes her head, mumbling something about how she should have hired a better group of employees instead of the two of us to be there full time.
"You know you love us." I tell her, turning my back away and grabbing another piece of cherry pie from the kitchen area. I'm smiling when I turn away and walk back to the table, noticing that Stefan suddenly has a frown on his face while he reads his text messages on his cell phone.
"Thanks." He states simply, digging into the slice of pie as he smiles when I sit down again, right across from him.
"Didn't you say that you were on the clock?" He asks me, watching me point back to Rosie and Luke who are now standing by the cashier register, discreetly looking our way.
"My boss and my coworker Luke think that we're sitting here and flirting with each other. They've bet that you wouldn't be leaving anywhere because of me. Although, I've already told them both that we're just talking and that you've probably got more important things to do." I comment. Stefan looks up from his cherry pie, waving Luke over to our table with a grin on his face.
"What are you doing?" I nearly shout out at him as he smirks, wiping his mouth with the white cloth napkin on his right side before he speaks to Luke who's excitedly looking at the two of us as he walks up to the table.
"I'm meeting your co worker." He says, leaning back into his chair and wiping his hands before he extends his right hand out to Luke.
"Luke Slater. Elena's co worker and best friend. I am very happy to meet you." He says with a wide eyed smile, shaking Stefan's hand firmly, looking at me all the while when he adds in. "Elena has told me a lot about you. I mean, you are the guy who saved her life. Right?"
Stefan nods. " Stefan Salvatore and yeah, I'm happy to have done it too. Your best friend here, is a very sweet girl." He says. His green eyes soft and staring directly at me, making me a little bit uncomfortable at the way he's making me feel. Making my heart race.
"Well, Stefan. I will leave the two of you alone. But, um..Enjoy your pie and your company. Elena really is a good person, you just have to get to know her first." Luke tells him, pivoting on the soles of his running shoes before he winks at me and walks away. Leaving Stefan and I sitting in the booth that's all the way in the back, continuing our conversation.
" I'm planning on it." Stefan replies back with a grin. Turning his attention back to me. "So, do you have any brothers or sisters at all?" He blurts out, placing his hands on to the table as I tilt my head to the side.
"This isn't a date you know. To be honest, it takes a lot to win me over. And, if that's your angle. You're horrible at it." I tell him, hearing him laugh as he locks his eyes on to mine once more, the fun side of him quickly fades when he becomes serious and says. "Well, I have my work cut out for me then."
"However, to answer your question I do have a brother. He's a little younger than I am just by a little bit. And, he just got accepted into the police academy. He's training at another division though- in the Bronx." I confide in him, hearing Stefan shift in his seat.
"Ah, a police officer. Nice. Did your brother always want to be a cop or was it just a spur of the moment choice?" I hear him ask as I suddenly become nervous. Jeremy didn't always want to be a police officer. Truth be told, my brother had wanted to be a doctor and when that fell through. He decided to become a police officer instead, because he wanted to protect innocent people and children from the things we went through in our youth.
"We had a very rough childhood. One that haunts us both. My brother and I were close when we were kids. But, lately we've been drifting apart. Part of me thinks that it's because of my mother. My mom has been an on and off recovering alcoholic. My real dad died of cancer and then, my mom remarried a man that dragged her and us, into a world of hell." I swallow the lump in my throat. I don't want to go any further, I don't want to tell him about the child abuse that we suffered at the hands of my mother and my stepdad. I don't want to tell him any of that- he doesn't need to know- I quickly remind myself that he's still a stranger to me before I go any further and that he doesn't need to know my past, he doesn't need to know about my personal hell.
"So, what about you?" I ask him, trying my best to change the subject as I feel him place his hand on top of mine, gliding his thumb across my skin like he's done already twice before. "You can't do that.." He clears his throat, giving me a confused look. "Do what? Elena.." His voice trails off as his green eyes look saddened and pained at my story.
"You can't do that. The hand thing. The comforting hand thing.. I-." I begin to say as he takes his hand away, a little embarrassed at his attempt to comfort me.
"It's fine, believe me. My stepdad is long gone for now and my mom's better. I'm trying to rebuild my relationship with her, actually. I'm sorry about talking your ear off and telling you so much." I tell him, seeing him nod at me in understanding.
My smile fades as he shakes his head, placing hands around the coffee mug in front of him as he gives me a small smile. "It's fine. I haven't had it the easiest , I get it. There are a lot of things that you keep buried, hidden from the world. My parents died a long time ago and my uncle, Zach. Raised my brother and I until we were old enough to look after ourselves. My brother can be a pain in my ass sometimes. But, he's all I've got. He's my best friend And, that's something that not even he really knows. I mean, he knows I love him. But, he doesn't really realize what my life would be like without him in it." Stefan says, watching my face fall at the mention of his parent's deaths.
"It happened a long time ago. You know, that's why I wanted to do the job I do. Because of my parents deaths.. I want to save people, I want to protect them. And, I wanted to honor them. They were amazing people." He admits, placing his finger around the edge of the coffee cup as he circles around the rim with his finger before he adds. "You're the first person I've ever told that to. The reason, I wanted to do this job."
Stefan clears his throat suddenly as he laughs a little and shakes his head. "Listen to us, I haven't gotten out of the friend zone yet and here I am spilling my heart out to you. I'm sorry. To be honest, I should probably get going. I get really mushy when I'm sleep deprived and I haven't been sleeping well lately."
I smile at him, feeling sorry for him as well. It's sudden, the moment he extends out his hand to me and gives me a $50 dollar bill as a tip. "Here, it's not much. But, maybe it'll help you a little." He smiles, getting up from the booth, fixing his pants as he looks me over sweetly. "Thank you, Elena. For spending some time with me. It means a lot."
"I can't take the money, Stefan. It's too much." I blurt out, watching him take it off the table as he takes my hand off the table too and he smiles as my eyes widen when my fingers slowly begin to uncurl.
"Yes, you can. You earned it." He states as he moves his fingers against my own, curling them around the tip that he had placed in my hand. "Call me sometime, since you have my number and I still don't have yours. I'd love to do this again." He says, brushing his thumb over my knuckles before he moves his hand away and concludes. "Have a good rest of your day." He tells me, pivoting on the soles of his boots, just staring at me before I watch him walk towards the entrance to the diner.
It's nearly empty, the afternoon rush hasn't even started yet and maybe that's what prompts me to say it. But when he turns around to look at me once more his name spills out of my mouth without even thinking. He turns around again, hand firmly holding the door propped open, a lingering smile spreading across his lips. "Yeah?" He questions, leaning his back against the door as he looks up at me when I utter out. "Be safe out there."
Stefan licks his bottom lip when he nods, seeing me place my hands into my apron as he finally says. "I always am. See you around, Elena."
-Tyler-
The last few days have been hell for us. We're overworked and tired, needing a break. But, Patrick is on our asses. He has been for the last week- on and off.
"Do any of you understand the meaning of safety regulations and what it even means to do this job! You all go out there prancing around in your little uniforms, thinking that all you're there for is to show off! Well, newsflash boys and girls. This job is way more than that!" Patrick shouts at us all as I look around the conference room, hearing the back door creak up and the pit in my stomach grows when Patrick yells out with an agitated tone. "Ah, Stefan Salvatore, you're late! Take a seat. The group and I were just discussing safety precautions out on the field and how I can't have my men and women of this department prancing around like little tooth fairy's! We go out there, we serve, we protect and we make sure that each of us goes home safely each day and each night. We don't leave each other behind. First one into the burning building, last one out." He takes a deep breath, curling his fingers around the podium that he's standing behind as I look around the room again.
Damon, Matt, Stefan and I look terrified and then there's Daniel Johnson who's just sitting in the back row, as cool as a cucumber. Right along with a few of the other seasoned vets and firemen who have been doing this job for way more years ,than any of us combined.
"We serve with courage, integrity and pride. Do we have an understanding? Now, be safe and get out there. And for god sakes, do your jobs correctly!" Patrick tells us all, getting a loud and rowdy "Yes sir" when we all speak in unison as he dismisses us with a wave of his hand.
The blaring sirens in the firehouse go off not too shortly after Patrick's speech. I watch Damon and Matt sprint by me. "We need to go, get to the apparatus bay, now. Dispatch says it's a house fire, possible loss of lives!" He exclaims, looking down at the phone in my hand and my pager that's hooked to my pants, it's noisy with the information regarding the situation that we're about to walk into. I was about to call Caroline and tell her that I'd be home earlier tonight since it seemed like a slow night for our fairly small firehouse. However, my plans changed within the blink of an eye. Like they always do.
"Okay." I hear myself reply back, speed walking towards the bay where we house the fire trucks and almost all of our equipment. I turn to see Stefan and Damon already changing into their uniforms, placing on their turnout gear. A fire resistant suit with an overall strap, a jacket and their heavy boots. "This shit is heavy and I'm already sweating." Stefan grumbles under his breath, getting a pat on the back from his brother as he slips his jacket and looks him over. "You're not done yet, buddy. You can't forget the helmet this time or your oxygen tank! " He laughs, shaking his head as he turns away from him and softly adds in "Rookies."
Stefan grabs his black helmet, his last name with the company's engine number, lettering that indicates our rank and a black strap across the middle of it are all seen as I take a moment to look him in the eyes. He looks good, he finally looks like he's part of the team. He finally looks like a firefighter. "This isn't the academy anymore, Stefan. You finally look the part." I tell him, hearing him laugh as he plays dumb.
"Look the part of what exactly? A 21 year old guy that feels like he's roasting in a 15 pound suit, my boots and jacket that weigh like 30 pounds? Not to mention the damn oxygen tank that weighs like 30 pounds all by itself!" He complains, running his hand over his face as I lean back against the bench that I'm sitting on, tears in my eyes because of laughing so hard. "A firefighter you, idiot. You finally look like a real firefighter opposed to walking around the firehouse in sweats for the past three weeks, barely going on any calls because of your probation. You know, I like this new look on you, Stefan. It's very sexy!"
"Isn't now..You want me to show you some leg, Ty?." He says in a teasing tone, exposing out his foot a little and wiggling it around. "Sexy my ass." He mutters, opening the door to the truck as he whispers something over to Damon.
"You think we should leave him here, you know. Since, he's slowing us down. Response time is 7 minutes, remember that Lockwood." I overhear Stefan tease as I lace up my boots, glaring up at him, Matt and Damon are in the back and I can see Daniel shaking his head and rolling his eyes. "We either leave him or we don't. I'm sure you could get a ride with another rescue company. Maybe the hook and ladder company would take you. But, oh yeah..You're afraid of heights!." Daniel chimes, making everyone else around him bust up laughing in the rig.
"You wouldn't dare!" I exclaim.
Stefan leans his head back, laughing and closing his eyes as he extends out his hand to me when I look up to see that the truck is already on, red and white lights flashing overhead. "If I was the one driving, I totally would have left you. But, you know...Our whole motto...Leave no one behind." He winks, pushing the heavy truck door open when he points to the back. "Get your ass in here Tyler and let's go."
"1420 hours. Ladder 17. EMS and Fire Response. On Channel 3.18th street and Redmond." We all hear dispatch repeat the call out as I watch Stefan lean over and take the radio into his hands, responding quickly, changing the channel to get the rest of the call details as he replies back with. "Ladder 17. Engine 7 responding. EMS and Fire are on en route to location." The loud sounds of the sirens start up again as we make our way to the call, hoping that it won't be as bad as it sounds when we hear dispatch repeat once more. "Ladder 17. EMS and Fire Response. 18th street and Redmond, 45 year old woman trapped in engulfed home."
-Damon-
I can smell the smoke in the air, see the flames as we approach, lifting up the radio in my hand to tell dispatch that we've made it to the scene and that it's bad, really bad.
The begging and pleading of her neighbors are drowned out by the sirens and the other fire department that's on the scene, including the police department. A young man in his early 20's walks up to us when we get out of the rig. I can tell by looking at him that he's just a rookie cop. I'm assuming because when I look closer, I can see a blonde standing behind him, her arms crossed over one another as she leans against the squad car. The serious look on her face, tells me that she's been doing this job for way longer than he has.
"Is she still in the house...And, what's her name.." I pause, looking down at his name across his vest. "Officer Gilbert. What is the victim's name?" I ask the young cop who nods at me. "Yes. Her name is Abby Ross." He informs me as I give him a firm handshake and look up at the house, the flames and heat of the fire, causing the windows to shatter just when I hear Patrick scream at Tyler, Stefan and I to run into the house and try to get her out.
"God, I hope she's still alive." I mutter out, readjusting my gear, placing my helmet and face shield on as I wave over to Stefan and Tyler, yelling over the sirens and loud noises of the water hoses bursting water on the house, trying to save as much of it as we can. "Let's get in there and keep your radios on!"
Stefan looks scared shitless. "We don't have time for you to panic now." I shout at him, watching him nod as I see him exhale heavily. "I'm not. I'm fine." He reassures me. Placing his helmet on and, following Tyler into the house that's glowing with orange, bright red flames as the black smoke continues to fill the air.
It takes a few minutes to find a secured entry and when we do. We search the house for her, every inch. "Bedroom's clear." I can hear Stefan report over the radio as I shout out her name, breathing in through my oxygen tank when I look around the smoke filled and dark room.
"Dining room's clear." I reply back, taking quick and rapid steps to where I can tell is the kitchen and that's where I see her, laying face down on floor, her face is covered in burns and when I bend down to check for a pulse, it's weak.
" I got her. I found her." I report over the radio on my shoulder, telling them that I need medical assistance as soon as I'm outside because she's barely breathing, barely alive.
-Stefan-
We saved her today, the woman in the house. We were unable to save her house. She suffered minor burns, scrapes and smoke inhalation. But, she's alive. And the victory of saving her life with my team is something that makes me feel accomplished, that makes me feel like I never want to stop doing this job for anything in the world. I love it, I love the rush, the danger, the hope that we're able to give the victims after they've suffered so much heartbreak. That small glimmer of hope makes a world of difference, it can change the bleakest of moments into the brightest of moments with just the right action of human kindness, with just the right words of "Everything is going to be okay. You're alive and safe. And, right now- that is all that matters."
Those words, those actions we take in saving someones life and hoping for the best, hoping for them to live. That is what makes me proud to be a firefighter. That is what makes me proud to serve.
"Good job today." Tyler tells me, patting me on the shoulder as I smile at him, throwing a towel over my shoulder and going towards the lockers. "Patrick says he's really proud too." He explains, pursing his lips together when he shrugs his shoulders back. "And, I'm proud of you too." He adds with a smile. Tyler walks away from me, slinging his overnight bag over his left shoulder for a moment, looking back at me briefly. "I'm going home for the night. I'm pretty sure I'll be back here tomorrow night or something. But, right now I just need to go home to my wife."
I smile back at him, nodding. "Man, if I had a wife. I'd go home to her too. Instead, I get to go home to an empty apartment. Makayla moved her stuff out last night. Her and I are officially over.." My voice trails off as Tyler takes a step towards me. "Maybe it's for the better, this way. You know, being single for a while." He pats me gently on the shoulder, telling me to have a good night as I watch him turn to leave. But, my voice stops him once more.
"What's that like, Tyler? Knowing that you have someone at home, waiting for you to come back to them safely..What does it feel like?" I question him as he laughs, turning his head when he looks at me as he replies. "When you find that one person, you'll know what it feels like. But, for Caroline and I. It's an amazing feeling, knowing that she's there. She's my best friend and the love of my life. I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm sure one day, you'll have that too. We all deserve a little happiness, Stefan." He says, telling me to have a good night as he watches me sit down on the bench in the locker rooms, huffing out a breath, closing my eyes for a minute.
"What's wrong with you?" Damon asks me as he walks into the locker room, a white towel over his shoulder as I rub my eyes. "I'm just tired, exhausted really."
Damon laughs, telling me to go home since my shift is over, that Patrick is giving the orders.
"Does he still hate me for breaking up with his daughter?" I ask my brother, watching Damon turn around, taking his shirt off as he nods. "Yeah, man. He's proud of what you did today, helping perform CPR on the woman before EMS came. But, he still hates you. However, I think it's his way of caring because if he hated you so much, he would have assigned you a 72 hour shift. So, he must not hate you that much since he's telling you to go home instead." He tells me, waving me off and telling me to go home, to get some sleep.
"If I go home, I'm going to be going back to an empty apartment, all alone." I point out, watching Damon give me a saddened look. "I would say come over to our place. But, Bonnie's making a surprise dinner for me and I think she wants it to just be us. Hopefully, I'll get out of here on time and instead of having my girlfriend eat dinner alone and go to bed before I even walk through the door."
I smile at him, a look of understanding in my eyes. "Maybe I'll ask Matt to go out with me, we can try his technique of picking up girls at a few of the local bars." I comment, getting a sigh out of Damon when he suggests. "What about that brunette waitress at that diner that we go to? Why don't you go there...Get her number." He says in a hopeful and encouraging tone, sitting down on the wooden bench across from me as I shake my head.
"I was there a few days ago. She's going to think I have no life." I reply to him in an honest tone, laughing just a little at how pathetic I sound.
"Let's be honest here for a minute, brother. You don't have a life, Stefan. All you've done since you and Makayla broke up has been mope around here and throw yourself into your work. Look, it's good to work a lot. But, like you said. We all need someone to have in our lives, little brother. And, I know that you just got out of your relationship with Makayla. But, it doesn't mean you can't have a friend. So, get cleaned up, go see if she's working and maybe even get her number." Damon smiles, getting up from the bench and walking out of the changing area before I can say anything more.
Walking the streets aimlessly at 10:30 pm is somewhat tranquil and it gives me time to gather my thoughts before I cross the street and make my way into the diner. I'm not even really sure why I decided to take Damon's advice. But, the moment my hand touches the door and I look up through the glass, seeing that she's busy cleaning a table. I'm happy that I listened to him and I'm happy that she's there.
Elena's head snaps up when the bell above the entrance door rings overhead and she smiles widely, placing her hands onto her hips. I watch her untie her apron, placing it down on the clean table. "I'm closing up…No one's here except for me and I don't think that you should be here either. I'm off the clock. But, I decided to stay a little longer to finish cleaning the place up since everyone else just left." She explains further, looking up at me as I shrug my shoulders back.
I smile, taking a seat at the table that she was just finished cleaning, smiling at her. "We never finished our conversation." I point out, hearing her laugh a little. Licking her lips with a nervous smile on her lips and to her brown eyes. "We're closed, Stefan. And I was just going to turn off the coffee machines."
"Well, I came just in time then. I'm exhausted and could use some of that good cup of coffee." I smile at her, watching as her hand mindlessly runs over her apron. "You shouldn't be here." She tells me again as I lean over, placing my hand on top of hers, stopping her movements. Elena gives me a confused look when in return, I give her a slight saddened glance.
"I just broke up with my girlfriend a few weeks ago and I don't want to go home to my empty apartment tonight. So, I know that you're closing. But, I didn't' really come here to eat. I came here to sit down, to see you and to talk." I tell her in an honest tone. Elena looks me over for a moment, looking outside through the lowered blinds.
"I have an hour before I need to catch the bus back to my mom's house. Despite everything, I moved in with her. I'm scared that she's going to become a drunk again or that her husband's going to come back. Part me doesn't want to be there. But, the other part knows that she needs me..So.." Her voice trails off as she sits down across from me.
"I can drive you home." I quickly offer as she shakes her head. "That's very sweet of you. Although, it's probably out of your way and-." My voice cuts her off as I exhale. "We've already established that we're friends, Elena. So, let me drive you home. My truck's back at the station. But, the walk isn't far."
She stops, yawning when she smiles at me through heavy eyelids. "Come on, I'll wait until you shut the lights off and lock up." I tell her.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" She asks, giving me a perplexed look as I smile at her. "Because, you seem like a nice person who just needs a good guy in your life and I'm a good guy, a good friend. Once you get to know me."
She nods when she adds. "Fair enough. Okay. So just, sit here and I'll lock up." She commands, walking back towards the coffee machines as she shuts them off and I start talking to her again.
"So, Luke's your best friend?" I ask, watching as she moves her head up and down with a "yes" motion. Elena turns around just a little when she says. "Yeah, to be honest. He's one of the best friends I have ever had."
"So, he knows a lot about you?" I question, watching her stop what she's doing as she huffs out a breath. "If you think that he's going to tell you all the things about me that you don't know yet. It's not going to happen. You'll have to learn things about me on your own." She states, grinning when I get up from my seat. I can see the tension in her back as I walk behind the counter and step behind her, unintentionally grazing her hand against her back and feeling her body flinch at my touch.
I move my hand back to my side quickly, telling her that I'm sorry as she shakes her head. I can see it in her brown eyes, she's nervous and for some reason..I think it's because of me.
"What are you really doing here, Stefan?" She questions again. We're just inches apart, I can see the way her nostrils flare as she inhales the scent of mint on my breath as I speak.
"I told you already." I reply back, noticing that she's taken a step back and is leaning her side into the counter beside us near the kitchen area.
"So, you really just came here to talk. Nothing more?" She asks as I exhale, grinding my back teeth together, nodding my head. "Yes. Nothing more." My green eyes are glistening as I lean towards her, staring into her eyes.
She's beautiful, way prettier than Makayla ever was and I can feel my heart race like never before as I stand this close to her. "I should finish closing up and we should go. It's getting late." She tells me as I just look at her. My lips are pursed together, my hand that's placed on the counter is so close to hers that I could reach out and touch her hand skin. I can feel her body heat radiating off of her and the smell of her lavender and vanilla perfume intoxicates me. If I knew her better, if I knew her longer. I'd make a move.
However, I don't. Because, I know that I still have a lot to learn about her and I don't want to ruin my chances. So, instead of making a fool of myself I pull back and clear my throat. "Yeah, it is getting late and I'm sure we're both exhausted. But, um..Are you hungry?"
Elena bows down her head, looking at how close our hands are when she softly says. "The kitchen's closed too. Why are you asking me about food?"
I smile, stepping behind her again, this time I'm overly caution not to touch her as I move past her and go into the kitchen. She watches me turn the lights on, looking around the large industrial sized kitchen for a bowl, an electric mixer and pancake batter.
"Because, I make amazing pancakes that I think you should really try before I take you home." I tell her, a beaming smile across my face as she shakes her head and says. " I can't cook, seriously. I'm horrible at it. And, whatever you have planned right now is probably going to get me fired."
Elena makes her way back to where I'm standing, behind a stainless steel table as I notice her pull up a chair near me. She's folded her hands over one another when she gives me a curious glance and asks. "So, what do you have planned anyways?"
I smile at her question, bending down to find some cinnamon and nutmeg. "This won't get you fired. Trust me, as long as we clean it up before we leave. This, is just fine. All it is is some late night pancakes, I make them all the time at the station. And, honestly..I want you to try them."
She's smiling even more as she watches me crack an egg into the bowl that I already placed the mix in, pouring some milk. A pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon into the mixture as the recipe calls for and as I go along.
"Just pancakes between friends." She smiles, placing her hands underneath her chin as I glance over to look at her. "Just pancakes between friends and the company of a beautiful girl." I mumble under my breath, hoping that she didn't hear me and I'm hoping that I'll get the chance to be with her like this, more often. Just the two of us. Smiling and laughing, with barely any cares in the world.
-Caroline-
"Tyler!" I exclaim, wrapping my arms around him before he's even able to step through the front door of our house. His bag drops to the ground as we step over it and I laugh when he wraps his arms around me tightly. "I've missed you so much." He exclaims, kissing my cheeks and burying his face into my hair as I inhale deeply. "You stink." I comment, my nose scrunches up as he laughs, pulling me closer and kissing my lips. "Do, I really?" He asks when I nod my head.
"You really do." I tell him, letting him go from my embrace as I step away from him and walk into the kitchen, watching Tyler briskly strip off his shirt, tossing it to the ground. "Is this better?" He questions, smirking as my eyes grow wide and I laugh.
"You are really milking this for all it's worth, aren't you." I comment. Tyler runs his fingers through his hair, leaning his head back when a loud laugh escapes out of his mouth and he finally grumbles out. "Fine, I'll go take a shower."
I watch him pick up his shirt, looking at my backside and smiling widely as he walks through our living room. I turn my back away for a moment, going back to washing my hands and preparing dinner. But, the sweet tone in Tyler's voice is gone as he says my name. The seriousness, the slight anger in his voice causes me to turn back around. I can feel the smile on my face fade away the moment he holds up the application and all the information that I had been researching before he had came home, in his hands.
"Tyler, I can explain…" My voice trails off as he leans back, sitting on our couch, exhaling heavily. Looking up at me with concern on his face. "I'm sure you can, Caroline. And, I'm pretty sure I already know what you're going to say."
My hands shake as I clutch onto the kitchen towel against my wet hands. "You don't know what I'm going to say. I've thought about it a lot and it's the only thing that makes sense, the only thing that I can see myself doing in my life, for a career!" I exclaim, my eyes are filled with irritation as he looks down at the ground before speaking to me again.
"A police officer, Caroline? Just like your mother! I get it. I really do and I would support you in it. But, both of us, putting our lives on the line every single day for our jobs isn't what I imagined when we got married!" He suddenly yells, causing my body to stiffen.
"It's what I want to do and I'm going to do it with or without your support, Tyler. I love you and I always will. But, I'm not passing up an opportunity like this one. Just because you don't like it. I'm going into the academy, Tyler. Even if you hate it." I state firmly, seeing him blink at me. He's pissed off at my choice and at this point, I'm too hard headed to even care.
"Do you remember what happened to your mom when you were in high school. Do you! Someone shot her, Caroline. Someone shot your mother and she almost died! I don't want that to happen to you. I don't want to lose you over a job that's dangerous." He admits, leaning his head back as he pressed his body into the couch cushions. I take few steps into the living room, sliding into his lap slowly.
He doesn't move, he doesn't even rest his hands against my body as I wrap my arms around his neck and softly whisper. " Oh? Like I fear losing you! Don't you dare act like I 'don't sit here and worry about you not coming home to me. Because, I do..God, when I'm not at work and I'm at this house, all I do is think about you. I'm afraid of losing you, every single day that you walk out of this house. But, you promise me that you'll make it home to me and you do. So, have a little faith in me. Because, I have it in you." The moment I say those words, his arms pull me close, wrapping around me and he kisses my heated cheek gently. "I just love you, so much and I don't want anything bad to ever happen to you."
I smile, holding back the sudden tears in my eyes as I nod. "I know and I never want anything bad to happen to you either, I'd be lost without you." I admit, kissing his lips and whispering against his ear. "I love you so much, Tyler. And, I just want us to be okay. With each other and with whatever challenges life throws our way."
-Bonnie-
I don't know how many times I've fallen asleep alone this week. But, I'm starting to really hate it as my eyelids begin to drift off and just as I start to feel my body go into a deep sleep. I hear the front door to our apartment unlock.
"Shit!" Damon mumbles under his breath, stepping into apartment and turning on the light in the living room. I can see it shining through the crack under the door in our bedroom as I slowly push my body up and make it halfway to the door before it opens up widely and I'm face to face with my handsome. But, very exhausted looking boyfriend.
"Did I wake you up?" He asks me, giving me an apologetic look as I sigh out a breath. "No, I was just tossing and turning in bed, laying here in a set of cold sheets, without you." I tell him with a small giggle, feeling his arms pull me near him, his lips kissing my temple.
"God, I've missed you." He comments, his lips and mouth working their way down to the curve of my neck as I inhale sharply, attempting to calm my rapid paced heart beat. "Damon, what are you doing? It's a half hour before midnight."
His whole body shakes as he laughs and locks his blue eyes on to me. There's a sudden change in his demeanor, a look of determination on his face as he kisses me sweetly before taking my hands into his own. The light from the hallway is the only thing that's illuminating our silhouettes when he finally stammers out. "I love you with my whole heart and soul, Bonnie Bennett. And, I'm only going to ask you this once. And, hopefully I won't need to repeat myself or make a total ass out of myself here."
My eyes widen as I stare into his gaze when he tightens his grip around my hands and rambles on in a sweet tone. "Marry me because I swear that I will make you the happiest woman alive and that I will love you for the rest of my life. Marry me, because you're my best friend and I can't imagine my life without you. So…What do you say. Be with me, forever?"
My jaw is locked, or maybe it's the taken by complete surprise look on my face that's causing the tightness. Because, when he asks me. I can't form any words. I just stand there, swallowing them back and clenching my hands into tight fists, dropping them from his hands and to my sides. Damon's hopeful and he's smiling, this sweet and loving gaze in my direction and I want more than anything to tell him what he wants to hear.
Don't get me wrong, I want this more than anything..I want to become Mrs. Bonnie Salvatore more than you will ever know. Although, if I want this so much..Why is it that the words that leave my lips aren't the one's that either of us want to hear in this moment of complete vulnerability between us. " I don't know that I can be your wife ,Damon. I don't know that I can do this."
A/N: Bonnie not wanting to marry Damon...Wait, What!? O.o
Until Next Time!
