Her Pain-Part One.
Author's Notes.
The characters do not belong to me, only the plot is mine.
Thanks to Scarlett 2112, Jaide Salvatore, Blue Tulip 1995, Joy Tribe, Tia Salvatore, Happy
Gilmore, AJay 1208, Ana 4267, Damonfangirl, The Donner party, Lysette 90, Orions Belte, Olivia Claire, Taffy Marie, Anna 1994 and Guest reviewer thank you for your reviews it's really means a lot. Also Thanks to my readers who follow or favourite this story.
(Important note.
In last chapter drama begins as Elena being Empathic and Vicki is key of that past came out in front of Damon and you readers. Now in part one we will see her past so most of it will be in story form and next chapter will be Elena separate session with Camille and Vincent and her and Vicki's Flashback so stay tuned as her story is unveiled. Once again if you have any questions do ask me.)
Thanks to my new beta Nuha who beta this chapter for me.
Damon's P.O.V
It's been three days after that disastrous party, well almost disastrous party.
According to Ric by the time incident happened most of our guest left already and those who were there were too drunk or busy dancing that didn't notice anything, there were only few people who witnessed that scene and thankfully they were only caterers and our close friends.
Still gossip was in the air that D.S.S and Ambrosia's partnership was over because of Mrs Salvatore, and people in our inner circle are unsure about reasons of their fallout.
I on the other hand blame myself. Never in million years I've thought that my past lifestyle would come back to haunt me like this.
What I thought as a once casual and fun arrangement has now ruined the progress my wife has made. Her spirits have been crushed and only I'm responsible for her pain.
I tucked my daughter back in her crib after Elena fed her. For three days I have been taking care of her while Stefan and Caroline helped as Elena recover from her fever.
To make things even worse Doctor Wes limited Elena's time near Zenia because of her weakened state. Now she can only feed our daughter and hold her for a few hours but other then that she needs rest to recover.
Limited time with our child was causing her more distress, but at my insistence she complied to get better first.
Sighing, I watched my daughter who was sleeping peacefully ignorant to the world around her.
For a minute, I envied her and wished I could be in her place, but I can't. Especially not when her mother's wellbeing is now my first priority.
Kissing her forehead, I walked back to our room where Elena was waiting for me.
''You put her to sleep already?'' She asked in a rough voice as she tiredly watched me.
''Zenia was up all evening playing with her aunt and uncle,'' I explain while settling beside her and touching her forehead. ''Your skin temperature feels almost normal, let me check your temperature.''
Grabbing the thermometer from the side table, I checked her temperature.
Few minutes later I smile in relief. ''It's normal.''
Elena eyes lit up and I watched as my wife tried to sit up, but fell back due to weakness.
''Relax baby, give it day or two to get your strength back.''
Her face fell as she stared at the nursery with teary eyes. ''I miss my daughter, Damon. And I want to hold her for more than a few hours.''
Unable to do anything I pulled her in my embrace as she cried in my arms which is now often occurrence since that night.
''I'm such a failure!'' she began before I stopped her before she can upset herself anymore. ''Shush! Stop it okay! you are not a failure and I promise the next time she wakes up I will bring her to you and she will spend the whole day with us.''
To my relief, that did the trick as her face lit up with a brilliant smile.
Ever since the party I tried my best to distract her, which was easy because she was so sick to even think about the party, but a few times when she was lucid enough to ponder over things I quickly distracted her.
I was doing this under Doctor Camille's instructions because she wants to discuss her psychoanalysis with Elena herself in their next session, and in order to do so Elena needs to be stress free.
''Can we have small picnic at pool outside? I'm fed up with staying in.'' She complained while wrapping her arms around me.
I watched as her eyes dropped little but she kept them open for my answer. ''Fine we will have picnic, now go to sleep, Elena.''
She opened her eyes and I can see the same pain behind her eyes that was three days ago.
She opened her mouth to speak but I quickly covered it with kiss.
''Now sleep or I will cancel your picnic.'' She cutely huffed but closed her eyes. ''Good night, Elena.''
Her eyes were moving around her closed eyelid but she didn't reply.
Knowing she was annoyed with me I switched off lamp but before I can drift off I felt soft lips against my neck. ''Good night.'' she murmured and snuggled herself more closer to me while I wrapped my arms around her as we both fell asleep.
Next morning as promised we had small picnic at pool and to my delight Elena laughed and took our pictures while I swam around with Zenia, who was making cute noises as water touched her feet while I held her tightly even if she was in her inflatable pool ring.
''Baby come in! The water is warm enough, I swear.'' To my disappointment she shook her head. ''I just got better Damon, maybe some other day and besides I am having so much fun taking your adorable pictures.''
She took one again while I played with our daughter some more.
After thirty minutes, Elena called us out and I gave her our daughter. While she left to change her I swam a few more laps.
Floating on my back, it felt nice to just drift away and my eyes closed in relaxation.
Truth is, after the party my mind was all over the place and it felt like my life is a house of cards that at any moment something will go wrong and make it come crumbling down.
Lost in my thoughts, I heard footsteps and sure enough Elena came back and watched me quietly with a sad expression on her face.
She sat down at the edge of the pool and beckoned me towards her.
I swam towards her and lifted myself out to sit beside her. She handed me a towel to dry myself. ''Thanks.'' I told her and started to dry myself with it.
''It's nice to see you having so much fun with her,'' she told me while caressing my wet hair.
''Yeah, it was fun but it would be more fun if you joined us.''
Once my hair was dry I turned to stare at her but Elena was looking ahead and seemed to be deep in thought.
I knew she was thinking about what happened at party, and now I can't use her sickness to avoid this topic but I have to. So bracing myself I began before she could speak.
''Elena, there is something I have to tell you.'' She turned her face to stare at me so I continued. ''Something important came up and I have to leave for day.''
She got a worried look on her face. ''You are leaving? But why?''
Pulling her in my arms I tried to assure her. ''It's just for day and I will be back at night but it's important otherwise you know I wouldn't leave you two.''
She nodded her head but then suddenly lifted her face. ''Tomorrow is our appointment! You can't go!'' I shook my head as I told her, ''Actually tomorrow is your separate session. The reminder came yesterday from Doctor O'Connell's office, which is why I'm leaving because you will be busy with Doctor Camille.''
She looked at me anxiously and I fear she suspect something. ''What about Zenia? She never stayed without you. She will miss you.''
Maintaining my smile I pulled her closer. ''What about Zenia's mother? Will she miss me too?'' I asked her playfully, making her smile in response. ''Don't worry baby, I will be back before Zenia or her mommy can get chance to miss me.''
With that I kissed on top of her head as we both enjoyed rest of our day with our daughter.
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Driving through empty roads of Mystic Falls he prepared himself for things he is about to learn today about his wife and for that both Jeremy told him to come at Mystic Falls.
He still remembered how hard it was to convince Jeremy to meet him.
He called him that very night and at first he didn't even picked his phone so next day instead from his phone he called him from Elena's number.
(Flashback)
He picked up call instantly. ''Hey Lena.'' Smiling inwardly I told him, " It's Damon actually, and don't you dare hang up on me.''
The line went silent and then Jeremy asked. ''What do you want? Just because I was civil with you during Zenia's birth doesn't mean that I forget what you did to my sister.''
Closing my eyes I tried to calm myself down. ''Listen, Jeremy. You have every right to hate me because the truth is I also hate myself for the pain my lies caused her.''
He didn't say anything but didn't slam the phone down, which I took as good sign.
''Still you can't deny that we both love and care for her equally, and I know that you will do anything for her. So please, for Elena, just hear me out because it's important that I meet you and Matt soon.''
After long silence I heard him taking deep breath. ''Okay, what is so important that you need to meet me and why do you want to meet Matt as well?''
So I proceed to tell him what happened at party and our therapist's speculation about Elena being empathic.
''Empathic! What does that even mean?'' I knew he was confused, just as I was when I heard this stuff so I explained it to him just like Camille did for me. After I was done, his voice sounded a little shaky.
''I always thought something changed after their deaths but...'' he trailed off, probably processing this discovery about his sister. Then he asked. ''Your therapist thinks Vicki is another factor? Have you asked Elena about her?''
Leaning back I retold what she told me. ''Thing is that empathic people don't realise that they have heightened empathy and right now Elena has a high stress level that is harmful for her nervous system. So Doctor Camille and some other specialist on empathic people are going to break this news to her in their next session. They will try and ask Elena to open up about Vicki, but in case they fail she wants me as backup to get that story from you guys so it can help in her treatment.''
After that I waited and then Jeremy finally said. ''I will talk to Matt, but you need to come meet us at Mystic Falls if you want to know the story behind Vicki.''
(End of Flashback)
At least the love we both have for Elena is the reason why we both are meeting here. Although I missed my girls and was scared about how her session would go today, I needed to get focused on getting through with this day first.
Soon I arrived at the familiar white house that was my wife's childhood home.
Parking my car, I prepared myself for what was waiting inside for me.
Jeremy and Matt were both sitting on the couch in deep discussion when I entered. Both their heads turned to meet my eyes, but they didn't look hostile or even spare me a glance for more than a few seconds.
ln fact, their eyes were filled with grief and their expressions were of mutual concern for each other and probably for Elena's pain, which made me feel a little left out as if I'm some stranger intruding onto someone else's grief.
Clearing my throat to gain their attention which I got because Matt stood up. ''I just arrived hour ago and Jer was filling me in...'' he sighed before taking step closer. ''Listen, he told me about Elena and before we tell you anything you need to know that we all were going through hard times and trying to get our life together, but we never saw Elena suffering because she never gave us any indication that she was in pain.''
I can see Jeremy scowling behind him, probably not appreciating how he was defending himself.
''Look guys, I'm not here to blame anyone for her condition. The truth is according to the doctor it's hard to figure out when and how these things intensified but Vicki, I mean your sister, is one of reasons besides her parents' death. So tell me what is the story behind her.''
We all stared at each other when Jeremy motioned us to sit down and left.
Few minutes later he came back with an old journal.
''You know Vicki as Matt's sister, but their mom was best friends with our mom so we all grew up together. However, for Elena she was her older sister, friend, cheer captain, but most of all someone she looked up to. Someone she idolised.''
He opened the journal and sure enough there were childhood pictures of Elena, Jeremy with Matt, and a girl who was few years older than them, sitting together by the lakeside.
''Vicki was two years older than me and Elena.'' Matt told him while touching another picture of just the three of them. ''She was extremely popular too despite our low status in town. She was the queen of our school, cheerleader, straight A student and then Miss Mystic Falls. To say every girl in our town wanted to be just like her and Elena was an understatement.''
He had a faraway look as they show me pictures of Elena and Vicki in cheerleader uniforms. ''Elena was so happy when she became cheerleader, but even happier because Vicki trained her the entire summer and was so proud of her when she got selected.''
I looked at each picture and couldn't help but frown. ''Why has Elena never mentioned her before? If she was such an integral part of her life then why didn't she...'' I paused when I saw the agony in their eyes.
They both stared at those pictures and both were containing themselves to keep control when I realised something.
''Guy's what happened to her?''
To answer that Jeremy pointed at picture of Vicki standing with handsome looking guy. ''That's Mason Lockwood, our mayor's son,'' he spat his name venomously.
''They were dating since junior year and by the time they were about to graduate they were deeply in love. They were star couple of Mystic Falls.'' Matt told him but then scoff. ''Every girl in our town including Elena wants that kind of love they share. They even made ship name for them, Vickson,'' he added bitterly.
Nodding my head, I stared back at the pictures. Vicki looked extremely beautiful but there was innocence to her. Mason on other hand was dashingly handsome and his face exuded power.
It was then I realised that's how him and Elena looked together and then I registered their earlier words.
''Wait a minute! You guys are saying that Elena wanted love like they had, but the Elena that I know never wanted a rich guy and I presume this Mason is from a rich family in town. Then how come she first dreamed of a rich guy like him, but later changed her opinion and dated Matt instead?''
Jeremy and Matt stared each other and then he stood up. ''Come there is something you need to see before you understand what changed for Elena.''
Matt and I stood up too and followed him outside where his Jeep was parked.
He drove with Matt in front while I sat in the back. When we passed near town square he turned and soon we entered a huge estate where a mansion stood not as big as mine but impressive enough for a small town like this. ''This is Mayor Lockwood's mansion and compare to this our house is little bigger than their garage.'' Matt explains before Jeremy start driving again.
Finally he stopped and when we get out we were in graveyard.
Dread filled inside me as we walked together and even if I had suspicion why they bring me here part of me is hoping to be wrong.
They stopped at gravestone and I blinked as my suspicion came true because the writing on stone said: Vicki Donovan- Beloved daughter, sister, and friend.
My heart clenched when I read the year of her death. It was a few months after Elena's parents died.
I looked and saw grief in both Matt and Jeremy's eyes as they gazed at her grave.
"How did she..." I couldn't carry on but they understand. "Vicki and Mason both got into N.Y.U and everyone was happy. Well, not everyone because Mr and Mrs Lockwood were hoping that once they left for college, they would break up. To their disappointment, not only were they accepted by the same university, but Mason proposed to Vicki at their graduation ceremony in front of the whole town. Vicki, being in madly in love, accepted it." Jeremy told me.
Matt sat down in front of her sister grave and touched her grave. "My mom was ecstatic for this match. We and Vicki were so happy while we prepared for the wedding, but the Lockwood's were not happy at all. Over the entire course of their relationship, they tried to break them up. Vicki knew they hated her and our family, but still Mason's love was enough for her to ignore his parents' prejudice against her."
He sighed gravely before continuing where he left. ''They got married before they left for New York, and for a year they didn't come back. My mom and I thought everything was alright and that she was happy. She called us once a week and sent pictures for the first few months, but then slowly it stopped. It had been three months since we last heard anything from her.''
Tears fell from his eyes as he cried silently, unable to carry on.
I felt sorry to see him like this and read the gravestone again. ''I know you are wondering why 'beloved wife' is not written here.'' I stared back at Jeremy who was watching me notice the missing detail on the gravestone.
He joined Matt and gestured me to sit down.
''They came back for Mom and Dad's funeral, and for the first few weeks none of us figured out that something was wrong between them. The once happy couple didn't look happy at all, until one night a huge fight happened between them at the Grill.''
At this Matt stared at me pointedly. ''You could imagine Mason's lavish lifestyle. In a small town like this he was forced to stay under control because of his family's reputation, but in New York he was free to enjoy his new life. My poor sister couldn't handle this new Mason, who instead of giving time to his wife or studies was busy partying with his new rich friends. He was drinking, gambling, and worst of all cheating on her. All while my sister was trying to save her marriage.''
I looked away from his accusing stare. ''I love Elena...'' but he cut me off with a sarcastic laugh. ''That's what Mason used to say, but during that fight in front of the whole Grill he called my sister an annoying bitch and that he made the biggest mistake of his life by marrying a low-class, ungrateful girl like her. And all this because my sister was trying to stop him to drinking too much, so he crushed her reputation in front of everyone!'' he spat the last words at me.
Words got stuck at the back of my throat, while Jeremy avoided looking at me but continued. ''Things between them spread like a wildfire. In small town, gossip is normal. After that fight, Vicki had enough so she filed for divorce. And you know what the Lockwood's did? They tarnished her reputation by spreading lies that she married Mason for his wealth and status, that she was an undeserving wife who couldn't fit in their high society.''
He finally looked at me and I flinched seeing the anger in his gaze. ''They were the most respectable and rich people of town, plus his father was mayor. So by the time divorce was finalised, almost everyone here believed their lies and Matt's family was shunned and became social outcasts. Not that they mattered before, but after the divorce they were totally ostracized.''
Hearing all this, part of me understood why Elena was so against the whole idea of being with a rich person and her fears after knowing my true identity.
Matt ,who was wiping his tears, took over. ''My mom couldn't handle losing the small amount of respect she got after their marriage, so she took off three days after the divorce was finalised, leaving her son and destroyed daughter behind. Vicki went into depression and couldn't go back to New York, while Mason left as soon the papers got signed. With Mom gone we needed money. So I asked my manager to give her a job, but it was a mistake because the Lockwood's and their close friends humiliated her at any chance they got.''
His face was filled with anguish as he continued. '' My sister, who had so many hopes and dreams, was now shell of person. Although Elena, Jeremy, and I did our best to help her we couldn't do anything for her.''
Jeremy squeezed his shoulder as more tears fell from his eyes. ''To escape her depression she start mixing with the wrong crowd, who hooked her on drugs. We didn't figure it out until Christmas that year, when Mason came back home for Christmas with his new girlfriend. He flaunted his rich girlfriend around town and his parents approved of his new, far better choice than the town's outcast girl.''
He took deep breath, his face filled with remorse. ''Vicki went missing and I saw her last time leaving with a dude who I thought was her friend. I wished now I stopped her because two days later, the hospital called Matt. Vicki was admitted for a drug overdose.''
My heart dropped after hearing the pain in his voice. ''None of us had enough money to send her to rehab, so all three of us took turns to stay with her. Elena took care of her the most, and she tried to cheer her up the best she could but there was no life left inside Vicki.'' Jeremy's face dropped and his face reminded me of when he punched me after Elena was hospitalised. For the first time, I could understand his anger and hatred completely.
''You know they say the last moment of anyone's life are important and their last words leave the greatest impact on us?'' I nodded, dreading what he was about to say.
''Matt and I were at shift when Elena called, she was crying so hard that we can't understand word until we finally understand. Elena was looking after her when Vicki asked for Mrs Flowers's pastries. Elena was happy that Vicki finally talked after such a long time, so she rushed to get her some pastries, but when she came back she found Vicki on the verge of death and an empty pill bottle by her side.'' His voice shook little as he said, ''Vicki died in my sister's arms, and Elena had to watch another loved one leave this world.''
I blinked back my own tears while cursing myself to not know such huge pain of my wife's past.
We all sat there quietly as I waited for them to compose themselves.
''Something changed in her after Vicki's death, she demanded that I move in with her and Jeremy. She took care of everything, from funeral arrangements to taking care of us. I don't know if she ever told you, but we got together after my sister's funeral.''
My eyes widen at this discovery, Elena never went into detail except he was her first. ''You mean got together as in...'' Jeremy was flinching like I was, and Matt awkwardly nodded his head as an answer.
"We start dating and somehow, thanks to Elena, we were able to move on. She never told us what her last words exactly were, but only that Vicki's last wish was to never speak about how her life ended or to suffer for her death and for us to move on.''
Jeremy and Matt looked at each other before Jeremy turned to face me. "Elena made that journal we showed you back home, but after that she used all her energy to make sure Vicki's last words were honoured. For rest of the town we were grieving children, but inside our house we were living as a family where Elena was taking care of our needs. Cooking, laundry, Matt's college applications, my exams you name it and she was doing everything to help us.''
It was then I noticed Matt looked ashamed. "At first I was happy being part of a new family, but slowly everything started suffocating me. This town, my job, and I hate myself to even say it...but at that time even mine and Elena's relationship was suffocating me."
I felt anger flare inside me. How can he use suffocating and Elena together? Apparently they both noticed because Jeremy intervened. ''Damon, you weren't there so you can't understand but after Vicki's death she... she was smothering us by doing everything. She even gave up her scholarship. Even when Uncle John offered me to move in with them, she still refused anyone's help.''
I couldn't help myself as I screamed, "Your sister took care of you even when she didn't need to! Don't you dare forget that!"
Jeremy looked down guilty but Matt shook his head. ''You said it yourself, that she didn't need to take care of him and that's what I tried to explain when she gave up her scholarship. I told her that her aunt and uncle could take care of Jeremy, but she told me flatly that she wouldn't abandon her brother.''
He sighed little. ''She decided to stay until Jeremy graduated but I couldn't stay here anymore, And when I told her I was leaving she was sad but encouraged me to follow my dreams. So we broke up. I sometimes think that Elena never loved me but stayed because I was the safe option for her and because I was happy and moving on from the pain of my past. But when it was time to let go, she wasn't in much pain to say goodbye, just like me. So we broke up, but I will always remember that her love and support made me the man I am today."
I couldn't help but smile at him before turning to stare at my brother- in-law. "I'm so sorry, Jer. After hearing all this I finally understand why you hate me so much." To my surprise he shook his head.
''I don't hate you because you are rich.'' When I stared at him in confusion he explained, "For as far I can remember, my sister was taking care of everyone. Even when my parents were alive and especially after their death. And when she told me about you, I was scared of another person being added onto that list.''
His eyes so much like his sister, soften a little. ''My fears disappear when I met you in person. For first time ever someone was taking care of my sister not the other way around, you always make her happy and I thought being with you is best thing that happened to her.''
My eyes widen at his last words. "Is? You mean you still think so?"
He nodded in return. "I was angry because seeing Elena in that hospital brought back old memories, but I was hurt that you broke our trust. I feared that she would suffer the same as Vicki did, but you never gave up on her. After watching you with her and Zenia, I know you would never hurt them anyway.''
A huge burden lifted off my chest but then one thing still bothered me. ''You trust me with her, but you are still angry with me?''
He gave me a small smile. "I saw my sister in hospital because of you, Damon. That image will take time to fade away, but it will go one day and from the looks of it a lot sooner than you think.''
I smile back as I told him. "Call me when that happened so I can apologise again."
We both smile at each other in understanding before he asked. ''So now that you know about Vicki, will it help?''
I think hard before answering him. "Many things are now clear where your sister is concerned, but I think those last moments with Vicki is the main reason."
I looked at the gravestone again and told him what I hoped for. ''I hope Dr Camille has better luck finding out what happened in those moments that make Elena what she is today.''
And I really hope she figured it out because I couldn't lose her to her own caring heart that is now causing her so much pain.
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Author's Notes.
So here is Vicki's story, next chapter will continue from same day but in Elena's POV. It will be her session with the therapist and Flashback from her past with Vicki. So stay tuned and keep sending me your reviews to motivate me to write more.