A/N: I know, I know. Double update in a day? This is what happens when I'm truly inspired, wired up, and fueled with two cups of pure, black coffee. Plus, I think you guys deserve this after having waited for so long.
P.S: This chapter is all in Elena's POV.
~~~ ELENA'S POV ~~~
"All done, mommy!", declared little Lily as she raised her ice-cream covered hands in the air.
I was about to reach for the napkin holder to get one for Lily when Damon beat me to it.
"Let me, Lily", he volunteered as he started wiping the now sated Lily Analeisse Gilbert. "Wow. You sure are one messy ice-cream eater Lily, just like your mother. But don't worry, you're still beautiful", he said as he continued wiping the little girl's sticky little hands. I sneakily looked at my reflection on the glass, checking if I was really as messy as Lily, thank God, I wasn't.
"As beautiful as a princess?", Lily sure does know how to fish for compliments.
He chuckled and put down the now filthy napkin, as he leaned over Lily levelling his face to hers. "No, Lily. You are much much much more beautiful than a princess. You are more of like an angel", he looked at her adoringly as if he's never seen something or someone as special as Lily all his life. This is such a picture perfect father-daughter moment that I don't ever want to end. If only I could save this scene inside a bottle and give it to Lily for her to replay all throughout her life.
"And you, young man", Damon slowly made his way to where our little boy was sitting. "… is single-handedly the most dashingly handsome little lad to ever exist. Not to mention, you are very very brave, protecting your sister and your mom! High five?", he continued as he held his hands up, anticipating for a response from this elusive boy.
Liam wasn't warming up to Damon as fast as Lily had been the past few hours, and I'm definitely on the edge of my seat, gauging Liam's would-be reaction . Much to my relief, the little boy smiled and met Damon's high five with a strong vigor.
"That's what I am talking about, young man!", I could see how pleased Damon was with Liam's reciprocation.
"See, Liam? Damon is not bad", Lily beamed.
"I never said he was", defended Liam.
Damon stood back, and took his time marvelling at his kids. It still is surreal though, to see him with my babies. Never did I ever expect for this time to come this soon. Yes, I've always known that some time, in some way, they are bound to meet their father in one way or another, but I've always pictured it happening once they are all grown up and all. Guess you can never really plan life as perfectly as you can.
"Now, who wants to go the mall with me?", Damon initiated.
"And buy toys?", Lily's eyes sparkled with delight.
"Lily Analeisse! Your manners, young lady", I immediately reminded her. This girl can be so much at times. She's not usually like this. She never does this with people she just met. Normally, she'd hide behind my leg or she'd strongly grip Liam's hand. Seems like Lily is really smitten with her father – not that I can blame her.
"It's okay, Elena. I insist", Damon interjected. "You up for it, Liam buddy?".
Liam, my normally carefree child, looked at me for permission. I don't know why Liam's acting all so guarded up all of a sudden. Maybe because he isn't really used to a man's presence in his life – well at least a man who dotes on him. Of course, Liam has been with some of Mystic Fall's pool of local guys, but never has he been with a man who is trying to win his affection. Liam's just half a decade old, but I guess it has always been instilled in him that he's the man who'll protect me and Lily. Damon's presence is threatening his guard, especially because Damon's getting so close to his twin sister. I smiled at my little boy, and kissed his forehead. I stood up, and walked to Damon. "You're here half a day, and you're already spoiling my children, Damon. Not a good daddy move", I whispered to him.
"The icecream was not my move, it was blondie's, so it doesn't count", he reasoned. "Now, now, let me pick you two up", and he picked Lily first on his right arms then Liam on his left.
"Careful, Damon. Don't be too cocky", I warned.
"Chill, will you Elena? It's not as if I haven't lifted a human being before. You're heavier than the two of them combined, and nothing happened to you when I carried you before", he joked half-meaningly.
Lily was evidently having fun in Damon's arms as a big smile was plastered on her cute little face. She then went ahead and wrapped her little arms around Damon's neck contentedly. Liam, on the other hand, was looking at me like he was waiting for a sudden breakdown. I flashed him a smile, and messed up his jet black hair.
"Shall we go, little masters?", Damon playfully lifted them a couple of inches higher in an alternate manner, as if he's lifting weights in the gym.
"Chaaaaarge", Lily commanded like a queen.
I just watched the three of them head off towards the exit, I was about to follow them when the door clanger at the entrance of the shop rang and a pair of eyes caught up with mine. Great, just great! Of all the people, and of all the places!
"Well, well, Elena Marie Gilbert! Fancy seeing you here!", a blonde with a heavy British accent made her way towards me.
"Rebecca", I forced myself to politely smile at her. Rebecca is a town locale, and like Damon, have long fled the town for greener pastures. I'd like to say we were definitely what the youth today would call "frenemies" back in the days. She was my cheerleading team's assistant head cheerleader, and well, I was the head. She was always on the road to compete with me, whatever I find myself doing.
"Wow, you've never changed, Elena. You still look beautiful – well, not as beautiful as me of course, but yes, you haven't aged a bit", she praised/not praised me. I really didn't mind the compliment/non-compliment as I'm busy saying a little prayer that she will not take notice of Damon with my kids less than 3 meters away.
"Mommy!", I heard Lily screaming. Lily dear, you're making this day really hard for mommy.
Rebecca, who obviously heard my daughter's voice, curiously roamed her eyes around the vicinity trying to locate the source of the screaming child. I was internally chanting for her to not set her eyes on them, but it appears as though I failed when a smirk made its way on her well made-up face. "Well, well, who do we have here? ", she noticed as she sauntered her way towards Damon.
Curse the fates today. I followed her, and made a beeline for my babies.
"Hi Damon", she flirtatiously greeted him. Rebecca always had her eyes on Damon, well, she had her eyes on nearly everything and everyone that was mine. I just hope she'd leave us alone quickly this time.
"Hello, Mikaelson", Damon acknowledged her as he eyed me with a tinge of caution in his eyes. "When did you find your way back?"
"Salvatore, Salvatore, I see nothing has changed", she chuckled. "Arrived here early this morning, Klaus sent me in for a meeting of some sorts. I don't really know why he couldn't come here himself. Isn't this one about the bloody school?".
"It is, Rebecca", I took the liberty to join in. "Are your other brothers coming?"
"Nah. Apparently, they couldn't spare their precious time on this one. God knows what Elijah and Kol are up to right now. Haven't seen either three for ages, honestly. But bloody hell Elena, you make gorgeous babies!".
Damn it! You better stop there Rebecca!
"And you made two at one go. You really are something, Gilbert", she continued.
She then noticed the uncanny resemblance between the kids and the one holding them, and I can almost hear the puzzles clicking inside her head. "Oh wow! So all the rumors are true then! You and Damon did spawn little crocodiles. My my my", she fascinatingly declared.
"But wait, aren't you with Katherine, Damon? Was that 2 years ago when I saw you and dear old Katerina in Spain? Hmmm. And these little tykes definitely don't look like infants, I'm guessing they're around four or something? Ooooooh, I smell a rather interesting piece of news here", she continued.
I wanted to scream at her to leave me and my kids alone but I just couldn't. All the other people in the small little shop apparently heard Rebecca's not-so-quiet mumblings, that I can feel all of them staring daggers at us.
"It might be best for us to go ahead of you, Rebecca", Damon calmly said. "See you at the school". He then put Lily in my arms, grabbed me by the waist, and guided me towards the exit and out of the establishment. Nobody said a word as we walked on the street towards his car.
I looked at Liam's face, and all I can see there is confusion. He was probably dying to ask questions, but knew that this wasn't the right time to do so. My ever so intelligent and sensitive son, he picks up things too fast for his own good. Lily on the other hand, reached out for Damon but I transferred her to the arm that was the farthest from Damon.
My mind was trying to process a million things at once. First is that my children are probably putting two and two together in their heads right now, and sooner or later, they are going to speak their minds and ask about their father. Second is the apparent inevitable spread of Rebecca's good old news all around town. Third is the woman named Katherine. I know it was stupid of me not to have thought about her within the last few hours that Damon made his reappearance in my family's life. I forgot that he has a Katherine, I forgot about the girl who was the reason why my children spent all of their lives not knowing their paternal roots.
I wish I could just rewind this day, and not let my kids get close to Damon as much as they already did. I knew all of these are too good to be true. So what happens now? Damon is married to Katherine, and he knows about Lily and Liam. Will I be fighting against them for the twins' custody? I will most likely lose the case. What do I have against a multi-billionaire couple? Yes, I have a couple of stock shares here and there, but it is nothing compared to their empire of businesses. Oh god, please don't let that happen.
Or will he want nothing to do with them, and leave them with me for the rest of their lives? That's a possibility. Katherine would probably want nothing to do with them, anyway. That would be favourable for me, but seeing as how the kids are starting to love him, I doubt they'd feel happy if he'd leave them. I have to stop them from getting too attached with Damon so that they won't be terribly devastated once he leaves. They will be sad, of course, but it'll hurt less if they won't get closer to him no more.
With determination in my veins, I faced Damon and held my empty arms for Liam to hold on to. Thankfully, my little boy immediately got what I wanted him to do, and he jumped from Damon's arms to mine. "Thank you for today, Damon. I appreciate the time you spent with the kids. We need to get going", I said. I was about to walk my way, when I felt a strong grip holding me by the arm that carried Lily.
"Elena, stop this".
"I am not doing anything, Damon. I am just heading home".
"Come on, Elena. I know you", he knowingly eyed me as he took Liam from my arms. "I'll drive you home myself. Get in the car", his voice airing with authority.
I still don't follow suit.
"Elena!", impatience looming in his voice.
"Damon!", I retorted.
"Mommy…", Liam quietly intervened.
I've never seen Liam looked this crestfallen before. My heart crumpled for him.
"Elena, don't be stubborn. Get in the car".
"Damon, there are no car seats inside, now tell me to put my babies inside there", I reasoned rather angrily.
"To hell with car seats, get inside!"
"Damon?", poor little Lily began to sob. Damon's voice must have scared her.
Damon's eyes softened as he looked at his daughter. He heaved a sigh, and walked towards us. I was contemplating on running, but I couldn't leave Liam with him so I stood planted on the ground. "I'm sorry, Lily", Damon apologized to the child in my arms and kissed the top of her head. He then took her from me and made his way towards his car, pushed a button on his key and the door automatically opened. He then put Liam first inside, and then Lily. "I am sorry for yelling, and for letting my anger get to me, it's just that your mom is an itty-bitty stubborn little lady who doesn't listen. I just want you to get home safe as it is getting dark, okay? But first, I must feed you dinner at my house. There's left-over pasta I made earlier, and let me tell you I'm the best cook in town. And don't worry about car seats, my car is more than equipped to keep you safe", he smiled at them and messed their heads one after another.
"It's okay, Damon", Liam peeped up. "Lily dwives me craaaaaazy sometimes too. I sometimes scream at her, but I still love her", he adorably said.
"I wuv you too, Liam", Lily smiled. "And pasta, yum. You going to show us your house, Damon?".
"Yes, princess. I'd gladly take you there".
He then closed the door on the back seats, and looked at me.
"We have to talk, Elena. Us and the kids. And it would be better if we do it some place where there are hardly any ears trying to pick things up from us just so the town can have something to talk about", he said. He opened the passenger seat and proceeded to the driver's seat. He started the ignition, and I had no choice but to dive in.
The drive towards Damon's house was so silent, even the kids were feeling the heavy atmosphere. Was Katherine in his house? I hope not. My kids already had enough for one day, and meeting their stepmother will be too much for them.
We were less than a mile from Damon's house, when we hit a traffic jam near a bridge. Apparently, a huge truck was involved in an accident and it's currently blocking the way, not letting anything pass through it. Thankfully, no one seemed to be inside though.
"Seems like we'll be staying here for a little while, kids. You hungry?", Damon asked.
"Nope", Lily announced. "Is your house near, Damon?"
"It is, Lily. We just can't get through because of the truck".
"Oh", she simply answered.
I turned my gaze to Liam and he is wearing the same questioning face he had on earlier. "Liam baby, are you okay back there?", I asked.
His brows scrunched as he stared back at me in the mirror. Damon was apparently looking at Liam too, and the little boy met his gaze as well.
"Am I allowed to ask a question, Mommy?", he politely asked.
Oh boy. My mother's instincts tell me that Liam is about to ask the million dollar question that has been buzzing in his head for long now. That little boy cannot take it if his questions are left unanswered for far too long. And apparently, the last 45 minutes was stretching him too thin.
I met Damon's eyes and he nodded. Guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag. But I don't want to answer his question without me facing him, so I proposed for us to momentarily go out of the car, seeing as the traffic won't budge for another thirty minutes or so.
Damon unloaded the children out of the car, brought out a thick picnic blanket and spread it on a spot near the river. He first held Liam's hand and escorted him down. I took the liberty to go down by myself while holding Lily next to me. Liam picked a spot to sit in, and Damon did as well. Lily immediately went to sit on Damon's lap, and I sat facing Liam.
"Go ahead, Liam", I stroked his cheek.
He looked at Damon, and then back at me. "Uhm… uhhh.. Well.."
"Hey, baby. Look at mommy", I urged him. "You don't have to be scared, Liam. I won't be angry at you".
"I heard what that Webecca lady said earlier at the ice-cream shop, Mommy. And uhm.. uh.. uhm".
"Aaaand?", I coaxed.
Liam just stared at me, like a pet dog waiting for his owner to punish it for its wrongdoing.
"Liam, honey", I picked him up and sat him on my lap.
Damon moved closer to us, and touched Liam's cheek. "Hey buddy, there's nothing to be scared of. You can ask anything you want".
Liam still didn't say anything. He just kept on rocking himself back and forth, while staring at the ground.
"Lia.."
"Mommy, is Damon our daddy?", Lily suddenly spoke.
"Lily!", Liam screamed at his sister. "You shouldn't have asked that!"
"No, Liam. It's okay. It's okay, honey".
"But is he really our daddy, mommy? Is Damon our daddy?", Lily repeated with a look of anticipation in her eyes.
God, I can almost cry seeing her getting her hopes up like this. There is so much uncertainty lying ahead of us after this revelation, and there's nothing more than I like to do than to protect my children's feelings. I can't fathom seeing them going through things like these at such a tender age.
I reached out for her cheeks and stroked it with so much tenderness, as I hugged Liam in my other arm. "Yes, he is Lily. Damon is your daddy".
As expected, Lily's face lighted up like a kid opening a gift on Christmas morning. She jumped up and down shouting "I have a daddy, I have a daddy, I have a daddy", and then she attacked Damon with hugs and kisses.
"Slow down there, little princess. You might throw Damon down the river", I jokingly warned her.
She just laughed as she enveloped Damon in a really really tight hug.
"I've been waiting for you, daddy. Where have you been?", she innocently asked.
My heart was ripped by her inquiry. Oh baby! I looked at Damon's face, and saw liquid forming on the side of his eyes. "I've always been here, princess. It just took a long time for me to have the right chance to get near you", he replied. "But I promise, from now on, I will never be out of your life again. You hear me?".
Lily nodded with delight, and didn't let go of her father.
I don't know what Damon meant by him never getting out of their lives again, but I'll not think of that right now. The intense joy that Lily is having right now is something that is forever embedded in the recesses of my memory. As a mother, I would do anything, even if it means sacrificing my own life, just to see my child being this happy and contented.
"You'll stay with us, daddy? Forever and ever?", Lily wanted reassurance.
"Forever and ever, princess", Damon declared.
"Pinky pwooomis?", the little girl held out her pinky.
"Pinky promise", Damon replied as he hooked his pinky with hers.
"LIAR!", Liam suddenly shouted at Damon.
We were all taken aback by the sudden outburst of anger that Liam exhibited. His face is all red, and his eyes filled with tears.
"Liam, what's wrong?", I held his face in my hands as I tried to figure his thought processes out.
He shook his head away from my hands and stood up. He tried to grab Lily off of Damon's side, but he failed. "You are lying Damon! Stop making promises! You are not going to stay! You are lying!", he cried his little heart out.
I couldn't believe my always peaceful, non-confrontational Liam was doing and saying all of these.
"Hey hey, hey, Liam. I am going to stay", Damon said as he tried to reach out for Liam, but the latter pulled away.
"You're a liar. Don't make promises you can't keep. You can't stay. This is not your home! This isn't where you live!".
"Liam…", I tried to gently silence him. "Liam Nathaniel, stop this".
"No mommy. He is just going to leave us, like he did when we were babies!", he continued.
Lily stood up from her daddy's arms and faced her enraged brother, with her hands on hips.
"No, he's not going to leave, Liam! He's going to stay!", Lily answered.
"He is not staying, Lily! Don't be hard-headed!"
"HE IS! DIDN'T YOU HEAR HIM?!", Lily screamed
"That Webecca lady said he is married! He is with a girl named Kat-eweeen! He is going back to her! He will not stay with us! He is going back to her! He will leave us again!", Liam shouted with all his might to the point that his voice became raspy by the end of his sentences. He fell down on his bum as tears fell down his handsome little face.
Lily looked down at her brother, and then at me, and then at Damon. This time, her eyes were also filled with tears, and her face was evident of disappointment. "Daddy, tell me that what Liam said is not true", she begged.
Seeing Lily and Liam in this state is like being stabbed in the heart multiple times. No mother ever wants to see her children hurt, especially not like this. I ran to their side, and hugged them tightly as I possibly can – hoping that my hugs can undo everything that transpired within this day. Liquid began pouring forth my eyes as well. I wanted to reassure them everything was going to be okay, but I can't bring myself to speak.
Lily was sobbing her heart out, as she tried to reach her hands out to Damon, "Damon please, Daddy please tell me that Kath-eween is not real…"
a/n: God, writing that last scene was emotional torture. I am a mess. My writing's a mess.
Anyway, please, please, please, please drop me a review! That'll surely push me to make updates more frequently! And as always, I am open to suggestions, so feel free to write what you think (but be kind, please?)
p.s: I was listening to Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" the whole time I was writing this chapter.