This chapter is dedicated to Eva, Kim, Pattie, Kate and FFLoves for their support when I needed it this past week. Thank you all so much. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me.


Zach was kind enough to purchase a crib for Mellie. It's set up against the wall in her bedroom, Damon's bedroom. Pressing her hand against her sleeping baby's back, she always breathes easier when she can feel her daughter's chest rising and falling. Satisfied that she's down for the count, Elena goes into the bathroom to shower and put her pajamas on. Pressing her hands against the smooth tile of the shower wall, she lets the hot water pelt her body. Once she relaxes a little bit, she reaches for the shampoo bottle, pouring a dollop on her palm and rubbing it into her hair. As soon as she finishes, she reaches for a towel, cinches it around her chest and then grabs a second one to dry her hair with. When done, she grabs a pick to untangle her hair with. After putting it in a braid, she slips into her pajamas and walks over the bed. The room is really so Damon. The comforter is black, gray and white plaid pattern, the walls are covered with posters, one of them, 'The Curse of the Black Pearl' is framed and very nice. She has to smile because she can't even count how many times the two of them have watched that movie. Staring at it, her hand goes to her neck, fingering the tiny diamond key. Damon gave it to her a few weeks before they were aware of her pregnancy.

"What's this for?" Elena asks, taking the small package from his hands.

"I saw it in one of the stores when I was with Uncle Zach last weekend."

Smiling, Elena opens the little box. Inside is a tiny, diamond encrusted key pendant with a chain. "Damon, it's beautiful, thank you." Carefully she takes it out of the box, "Put it on me."

"My pleasure," he adds, stealing a quick kiss before she turns around. Lifting her hair, she trembles slightly when she feels his hands skim her collar bones. "There you go."

"Thank you so much but what's the occasion?" she asks, staring at herself in the mirror.

"I thought it was symbolic because you, my love, will always hold the key to my heart." So touched by the sentiment, Elena wraps her arms around his neck, pulling his lips to hers.

Hearing a knock on the door, her eyes snap open. Her fingers are at her throat touching the necklace, his necklace.

"Elena?"

"Come in."

"I just wanted to say goodnight and confirm with you that your Aunt Jenna is coming this weekend?

"Yes, unless you have other plans?"

"No, Elena it's fine. I'm glad you have someone to stay with you. I have an architect's guild get together in Helena Saturday evening. I'm going to leave Friday and come back on Sunday. I'm glad that you won't be alone in the house. I'm going to stop to see Damon either on Friday or on when I come home on Sunday. I do plan to talk to his doctor about the possibility of you seeing Damon. I've tried talking to Damon's parents but it seems every time I call, I either get the answering machine or no answer at all."

"Is Damon in Helena?"

"No, Elena. And I guess I can tell you where he is but I can't take you to him until I talk it over with his doctor. You do understand that right?"

"Yes, I only want what's best for him. If that means not seeing me, I'll have to find a way to accept it."

"He's in a facility near Missoula."

"Thank you for trusting me."

"Of course. Goodnight, Elena. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, uncle Zach."


After saying goodnight to Elena, Zach walks downstairs and to his bar. Pulling out a bottle of bourbon, he fills a tumbler. Taking a quick sip, he savors the taste as it goes down. Once he caps the bottle, he takes his glass and goes to sit down. Living with an infant in the house is quite the responsibility and with it brings a whole new set of responsibilities. Having never been married, Zach doesn't have any children. He's always used the utmost of caution when he has slept with the ladies. It's funny, he thinks, he never thought he'd want kids but having Mellie in the house is enlightening. Even though he's been awakened by her cries, Elena is so good with her. Never once has she asked him to take her for a night. He's proud of her for enrolling in school and keeping up her grades. There's only a week left of the school year. His neighbor, Mrs. Flowers is a gem. She's in her sixties but quite spry yet. Zach knows that she could easily give him a run for his money, he chuckles just thinking about it. She has been a godsend, agreeing to babysit the child while Elena is at school. Although he knows he's taken on a huge responsibility by having Elena and Mellie here, he's doing it for his nephew and maybe a little bit for himself too. Sipping on it slowly, he pulls his cellphone out of his pocket. Pushing the familiar icon, he waits for someone to pick up.

"Hello?

"Max, it's Zach."

"What do you want?"

"I've been to the facility to see Damon. He talks all the time about the brown-haired girl, Max. You and I both know who that girl is."

"Stay out of it, Zach."

"Why are you afraid to let her see Damon? What if she's the one person who could right the universe for him again?" Zach asks, taking another swallow his drink.

"You're not helping, Zach. I know you care about him and I won't stop you from seeing him but you are not to mention her name to him."

"As much as I hate to say this, I don't know if you really have Damon's best interests at heart. You care more about your feud with Grayson Gilbert than your own son's emotional wellbeing."

"Zach, he's my son. She's gone now anyway. She moved out of Whitefish. She was just a fling for Damon anyway. He wasn't serious about her."

"Are you sure? He seemed pretty serious when he brought her to meet me."

"Damon was never interested in any girl beyond taking her to bed. She meant nothing to him."

"I think you're wrong, Max. What I saw was more than a fleeting romance."

"That's ridiculous," his brother scoffs.

Hearing the contempt in his voice, Zach realizes that it's pointless to try to reason with his brother. Rather than lose his temper, he says goodbye and hangs up, slamming the phone against his jeans clad thigh.


"Aunt Jenna," Elena squeals, giving the woman a hug. "I'm so glad to see you."

"It's good to see you too. Where's Mellie?"

"She's helping Uncle Zach pack for his weekend in Helena," Elena laughs. Pulling her into the house, Elena leads her into the living room. "Is your bag in the car?"

"It is. I'll get it after while," Jenna starts to say, pausing when she sees a man walking down the stairs, suitcase in one hand, a baby in the other. "Look how she's grown," Jenna gushes, hurrying over to take Mellie from him. "Hi I'm Jenna Sommers, Elena's aunt."

"It's good to finally meet you." Zach is taken aback by the beauty standing in front of him. Her thick strawberry blond hair falls in waves to her mid back. Her smile is infectious and her eyes are alight. If he had known she was such a looker, he might have turned down the invitation to the Helena affair. It's not only her physical beauty, Zach can see that she real and genuine. He hopes to get to know her better. Her home is only thirty five miles away so it's not like it's a big chore for her to come to visit or for him to take the girls to St. Ignatius.

"Elena has told me only nice things about you. Thank you so much for taking her and Mellie in and giving them a place to stay. You have really gone above and beyond."

"It's my pleasure, Jenna. Honestly, I like having someone to talk to. Mellie is a sweetie."

"She is indeed," Jenna agrees, tweaking the baby's nose with her fingertip. "You really have a lovely home." Looking around, Jenna is dazed by the bank of floor to ceiling windows that face the sparkling blue of the lake. There's a paddle boat tied to the dock. As she looks around the interior of the home, it's eclectic and masculine yet soft in places too. The stone fireplace is gorgeous. Above it is a painting of a man and woman and judging by their looks, Jenna thinks it's probably his parents. An American flag is folded securely in it's triangular-shaped case is displayed proudly as well as pictures. Jenna recognizes one of Damon, apparently taken on a river raft. He's wearing a lifejacket and holding an oar, his hair wet from the rapids. "Are they your parents?"

"They are. I was actually a navy seal but my father and his father before him were marines. The flag is from his funeral," Zach explains. Glancing at his watch, Zach knows he need to get on the road. "As much as I'd love to stay and get to know you better, I need to get going," he says regretfully. Taking her hand, he presses a kiss to the top of it. Turning to Elena, he asks, "Do you want to walk outside with me?"

"Of course. I'll be right back Jenna."

"No worries, it was great meeting you too, Mr. Salvatore."

"It's Zach. I'll be back Sunday, hopefully you'll still be here," he adds, with a wink. "Bye now."

With a smile of her own, Jenna waves goodbye then walks into the living room, taking a seat with Mellie.

"Here's my credit card if you want to order pizza or take her shopping. Remember to lock the doors before you go to bed. I'm not expecting anyone this weekend. My family is aware that I'm out of town this weekend so they shouldn't show up. And lastly, I will talk to Damon's doctor if I can," he says, dropping his bag into the trunk. After pushing it closed, he leans against the trunk adding, "If you need me, Elena, I'm only a phone call away. Keep your chin up okay?"

"I will. I'll see you on Sunday. I wish you could tell him how much I love him," Elena says wistfully, giving him a hug before stepping back.

"Elena, If I can talk to his doctor, I will. Know this, despite everything that's going on inside of his head right now, Damon clings to a brown-haired girl. So even though he doesn't know your name or even really what you look like, you're still with him, giving him solace."

"Oh my God," she murmurs, tears filling her eyes.

"Be strong, Elena. I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?"

"Bye, uncle Zach. Thank you for telling me that."

After giving her a smile, he jumps into his car and backs out of the driveway. Pausing long enough to wave goodbye, he gives her one last look before driving away. Elena watches till he disappears, making a turn at the end of the long driveway. Sighing, she goes into the house, keeping her fingers crossed that Zach will bring good news home with him.


With the sky overcast, fog moving in and rain coming down steadily, Zach drives carefully back to Polson. Having left the conference early to get home, he hopes to be able to spend some time getting to know Jenna a little better. And still he can't seem to wrap his head around the fact that Elena and Mellie have grown on him, working their way into his heart. They're Damon's family and by extension, they're his too. Never did he imagine that he'd enjoy having a baby in his house. When the fog starts to close in, greatly diminishing the visibility, he has to drive slowly. By the time he pulls into his driveway, it's nearly five in the afternoon. Tired from hanging onto the steering wheel so snugly, he shakes out his hands before stepping out of the car. As soon as he can feel them again, he gets out, pulls his bag out of the back seat and goes into the house. Hearing laughter, he sets his bag in the entryway and then go to find... his girls. Finding them in the living room, he stands in the doorway, arms crossed, unable to keep the goofy grin off of his face. Mellie is sound asleep on the floor, her pacifier snuggly in her adorable little mouth.

As if sensing his presence, Elena looks up. Smiling, she gets and hurries to give him a welcome home hug. "You're home?"

"I am. I found myself missing that little whelp over there," Zach laughs, pointing at the baby.

"I'm glad. Did you see him?"

"No, Elena, I didn't. With the fog so thick, I just wanted to get home. I did try to call his doctor when I stopped at a gas station but being the weekend and all, he wasn't there." Feeling his gut churn because he loves Damon so much, Zach rakes his fingers through his hair. Stooping, he takes Elena's hands in his, he continues, "And lastly, Elena, I didn't want to have to lie to Damon. I know you're his brown haired girl. But we need to talk to his doctor before you see him again. I've always been honest with him and I don't want that to change. Please understand?"

"I want to see him so badly but I understand that his doctor knows what's best. I would never question your judgement, Zach. Damon is so lucky to have you."

"Thank you for understanding, Elena."

"Of course," she adds, wiping a tear. "Um, Jenna and I are going to try to make some homemade Chinese food. Are you interested?"

"Hello, Jenna."

"Hi Zach, It's nice that you came home early," Jenna adds, her eyes twinkling.

"So how about the four of us go out to get something to eat? My treat," Zach offers, his own eyes alight. Taking a seat beside Jenna on the couch, he feels a spark of something that he's never felt before, not with any woman. Elena drops her eyes, smiling when she sees the looks the two of them are sharing.

"I really don't want to take Mellie out in this weather but why don't you two go and make an evening out of it," Elena suggests, picking Mellie up when she starts to squirm a little bit. Since she can't hold Damon in her arms, she holds this beautiful wonderful part of both of them to her bosom. Kissing her soft baby fine hair, she breathes her in, her mind conjuring up pictures of Damon playing with her. There's no doubt in her mind that he'd spoil her rotten and he'd be so proud of his little girl. She can almost see the buttons popping when daddy Damon puffs his chest out with pride for their daughter.

"Elena?"

"I'm okay. As sad as it is, it's kind of comforting to know that in his own way, Damon hasn't forgotten about me. Imagining him holding our daughter is what keeps me going. I need to be strong for him and our daughter but I wish he was here to share this with me. He's missed so much, you know, so much that he'll never get to see. Her first smile, her first roll over, she's getting her first tooth. I just want him back."

"Elena, I don't know how but I think the fact that the brown haired girl is his lifeline may be the key to bringing him back. Of course, I'm no doctor and I don't know how the mind works but I have to believe that we'll get him back. Anything less than that is simply unacceptable. I love my nephew as if he was my own son. But I do know that I'll never turn my back on him whether he comes back to us or not."

"I'll never stop loving him either, Zach," Elena sniffs, wiping her eyes when Zach takes Mellie out of her arms. "Why don't you two go, Mellie and I will be fine. I'm going to skype with Kol and Rebekah. Did I tell you that Kol got a job working for the rafting company for the summer? Rebekah and I got jobs at the theatre."

"You don't have to work, Elena."

"I appreciate that, uncle Zach but I'd like to contribute a little bit. You've been so generous and completely kind since we showed up on your doorstep that night. I'm only going to be working part time, Rebekah will be working full time."

"Where are they going to stay?"

"They're looking into rentals right now. The problem is that most apartment managers want their perspective tenants to sign a lease."

"I do have eight bedrooms in this house. If nothing else they could stay here."

"Uncle Zach, are you being serious right now?" Elena asks, her mouth hanging open.

"Of course I am. They can pay me a little rent if that would make it more acceptable to them."

"I'll talk to them I promise. How can I ever thank you for what you've done for us?"

"Stop, Elena. You're my family, my girls and until Damon can assume the role, it's my job to keep you two safe. Plus a certain little girl may or may not have me wrapped completely around her tiny little finger," Zach laughs, pressing a kiss to Mellie's forehead. Turning to Jenna, he adds, "Shall we?"

"I'd love to Zach. And I echo Elena's sentiment. They're my family too and I'll be forever grateful to you for opening your home up to them." Handing the baby back to Elena, Zach extends his elbow. When Jenna latches on, they say goodbye, leaving Elena alone with her thoughts. Suddenly tired, she takes her daughter upstairs. After setting her in her playpen, she pulls out her familiar photo album. Skimming his beautiful face with her fingertips, she smiles sadly. When her heart starts pounding with melancholy, she presses the book against her heart, concentrating as hard as she can as she tries to remember how it felt to be safely tucked in his strong arms.

Sitting on the floor between Damon's spread legs and his arms comfortably wrapped around her, Elena can't imagine anything better than this. The fire is casting an orange glow in the room. The wood pops and crackles as the flames consumes it making the atmosphere that much more romantic. Feeling him press a kiss to the top of her head, Elena smiles dreamily.

"Do you know how much I love you already, Elena?" he whispers, his lips against her ear, dropping a kiss before he raises his head. Shifting slightly so she can look into his hypnotic blue eyes, Elena gently cradles his cheek with her hand.

"At first, I thought you were only toying with me because of who I am. But before I knew what hit me, I was head over heels too. I love you.. Damon." Raising her other hand, she pulls his mouth to hers. Their lips mold and slide against each other, melding together so perfectly that it feels like they were made for each other. With one hand holding her firmly against him, Damon uses the other to skim her bare skin, peeking out above her jeans. Slowly and with purpose, he runs his fingers under the waistband, fingering her bottom. When a moan escapes her mouth, Damon thrusts his tongue inside, tasting her, loving her. As want turns into need, she shifts, pulling him on top of her. With a wink, she pulls his shirt off, massaging his Adonis-like chest with her fingertips. Taking matters in her own hands, she starts licking and toying with first one of his nipples and then the other, all the while running her nails down his abdomen, eliciting goosebumps. Shooting a seductive wink at him, Elena reaches behind, unhooking her bra before pulling it along with her tee shirt over her head.

"You are crazy beautiful," he swoons. Raising up, he tenderly lays her on her back before latching onto one of her dusky pink nipples. While he suckles the one, his fingers tweak the other, stretching and pulling it till it's erect. Letting go of the one, he pulls the other into his mouth. As he nips and suckles and tugs and teases her breasts, she's writhing in need, begging for more. When she feels his fingers begin to skim her belly at her waistband, she raises her head, nodding, wanting this as much as he does.

"I want all of you," Damon whispers, staring down at her reverentially. Reaching into his hair, she pulls his mouth back to hers. Pulling back, he quickly pulls her jeans and panties down her legs before casting aside his own. Biting down on her bottom lip, she stares hungrily at him. Slowly and with purpose, his gentle hands spread her thighs causing a tremble rock through her body, his dark, heated eyes staring at her center.

"I want you inside of me, Damon," she breathes, her thighs clenching together, her core burning hot with desire.

Once more Damon gently spreads them, his lips finding hers before he begins to slither down her body, dragging his mouth along her smooth skin as he does. When she feels him take a swipe, the texture of his tongue against her tender flesh, elicits a gasp and a shudder. Feeling his lips press against her so intimately, his tongue bathing her as he runs it along her now burning hot center, her mouth falls open. Swirling it around her clit, Elena bucks her hips up to meet his mouth. Wanting him more than she wants her next breath, Elena whimpers, lacing his fingers into his hair, holding his mouth right where it is.

"I got something better," he teases, giving her a wink.

Feeling his erection at the same time he sinks into her, stretching her gloriously as he fills her. Once he's fully seated inside of her, he stills, taking her lips in a languid kiss. Elena can feel as her body begins to clench around him. Wanting him to move, she bucks her hips again. After stealing one more kiss from her lips, he starts to move slowly and torturously. Having a mind of its own, her body bows, pressing her breasts against his chest, the friction delightful as her nipples rub against him chiseled body. Completely enslaved in this moment, it's like only they exist. Their whimpers and moans and the sound of flesh meeting flesh are the only sounds in the room. Feeling her belly begin to coil and heat up, she knows she's close to what promises to be an explosive climax. When Damon hits that spot inside of her, she succumbs, detonating with the force of megaton blast, crying out his name as if in prayer. Barely coherent, Elena stares at him as he continues to chase his own release. With his chest heaving, he reaches his own climax, spilling himself inside of her. With his face buried in the space between her neck and shoulder and her legs wrapped around his middle, she clings to him. When his body relaxes, he raises up, his lips claiming hers in a tender kiss.

"Ba, ba, ba," hearing her daughter chattering arouses Elena from the memory. Pressing her lips to his picture, she whispers, "Please come back to me, Damon."

The memory of that perfect night is still so vivid. She told her parents she was spending the night with Rebekah while Damon family thought he was with some of his buddies. In reality, Damon rented a cabin overnight. Because they were so caught up in each other that they forgot about protection, she thinks that's when they created their beautiful daughter. Despite her age and what happened with Damon, she wouldn't change that night, not for all the money in the world.


Nervous about Zach's meddling in his plans for Damon, Stefan decides he needs to do a little fact finding. Although he'll try to play things loose, he hopes Zach won't see right through his intentions. Turning on the radio, he starts singing along to the song playing. Remembering that Damon happened to mention that this is her favorite song, he smiles to himself. He hasn't seen or heard from Elena in months, he has to wonder if maybe she's given up on Damon, believing that he'll forever be a prisoner inside of his own mind. Even though Damon is his little brother, a part him has always been jealous of his dark, handsome good looks and the way the girls, young and old would practically swoon when he walked through the hallways at school. And yes he would've felt horrible had Damon died beneath the water of the Wickery Bridge, he can't deny either that his breakdown opened the door to his own ambitions as far as she's concerned. Pulling alongside the curb, he parks the car and then walks up to the door. Pushing the knocker, he turns his back to the door when he hears some kids laughing. Across the street a couple of little boys are playing basketball in their driveway. Hearing the door open, Stefan turns around, forcing a smile onto his face when he sees his uncle staring at him. "Uncle Zach, how are you, man?"

"Stefan? What are you doing here?" Zach asks, stepping aside to let him in.

"I just came to ask if you've seen Damon lately?"

"You drove all the way down here for that? Why didn't you just call?"

"Let's just say that I wanted to get out of the house for a few hours."

"What are you up to, Stefan?"

"Me? Why do you automatically assume that I'm up to something?"

"Because I know you, Stefan," Zach starts to see, stopping abruptly when Elena walks in through the patio doors.

"Elena Gilbert? What are you doing here?" he asks, unconsciously licking his lips at the all of the possibilities that just opened up for him.

"Stefan, hi, um, I'm ah.." she rambles not sure what to say.

"She's working at the theatre. Damon brought her here to meet me a couple of times so I offered her a place to stay for the summer," Zach answers for her.

"That's really big of you, Zach. Aren't you a little old for her?" he whispers, cupping his hand over his mouth. Wanting nothing more than to bury himself inside of Elena, he can't believe how lucky he is to find her here. If Zach would go out for a bit, maybe the two of them could get to know each other better, maybe even intimately? Feeling a shiver, Stefan chuckles at Zach's indignation.

"I'm not going to dignify that with an answer," he snaps, truly disgusted with his nephew's innuendo. Shaking his head, Zach walks away and into his office. Rolling his eyes at his uncle, Stefan looks up again, noticing that Elena slipped out of sight. Hurrying into the kitchen, she pulls a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, rushing back outside through the kitchen door to where Mellie is sitting in her stroller, having just returned from a walk with her mother.

Sitting down on one of the patio chairs, she opens her book, smiling at Damon's picture staring back at her. After buying some self laminating sheets at the store, she printed a couple of his pictures, making them into book marks. She also had a child friendly book made for Mellie so she can look at her daddy as she plays with it. Smiling at her blabbering, she settles into the chair, dropping her chin to her chest when she hears footsteps approaching. Somehow she just knows it's Stefan. Not wanting to upset Damon, Elena never mentioned how uncomfortable she felt around his brother. She saw the way he ogled her, as if he was undressing her with his eyes. Because he's Zach's nephew, she forces herself to smile at him when he pulls out a chair beside her.

"So Elena, it's been a long time. Where have you been hiding?" he asks, leaning up on his forearms, trying to weasel his way closer to her.

"Um, my parents moved to Lakeside. I've been there. I just wanted a change of scenery so I applied for a job here. I showed up on Zach's doorstep and he invited me to stay."

"As I said to him, Elena, isn't he a little old for you?"

"What are you implying, Stefan?" she snaps, trying to keep her temper in check.

"I'm just saying, middle aged man, teenaged girl...," he winks, his hand slowly creeping towards hers. When his fingertips skim her forearm, she slides her chair back.

"Don't be ridiculous," Elena scoffs, shaking her head in dismay.

"I like em' feisty," he teases, moving in on her again. "So Elena, you know Damon's mind is gone, out to lunch, never coming back. So..., why don't you let me take you out? I'd love to get better acquainted with you, if you know what I mean," he asks, leaning forward on his elbows.

"Ah, that would be a no. I couldn't do that to Damon."

"He isn't coming back, Elena. He's my brother and I love him but...," he pauses, his mind drifting to Damon for a millisecond. Hearing the crackle of her water bottle when she picks it up, he continues, "They keep him so drugged up that he's all but a vegetable now. Why would you hang onto someone with mental problems? Do you know that he exposes himself to other residents at his facility?"

Suddenly feeling sick to her stomach, Elena stares at him. Finding her inner strength, she knows if Damon is doing such a thing, it's because of his illness, nothing else. "Why are you so keen on badmouthing your brother?"

"I'm not. I love my brother but he's crazy. So it's a win all around if you say yes," he starts to say. Elena follows his eyes, feeling an uneasy twinge when he finally notices Mellie. "Whose baby is that?" he blurts out, not wanting to believe what's right in front of his eyes.

"She's my daughter, mine and Damon's I mean. Her name is Melanie Jane Gilbert Salvatore," Elena tells him. Standing up, she lifts the baby out of the stroller, hugging her to her chest as she carries her over to sit in the chair. As she closes the distance between herself and Stefan, he flies out of the chair, nearly tripping on the table leg as he backs away, his mouth agape. Without saying anything else, he stares at her wide eyed which what looks like a hint of anger forming in his eyes. Backing away, he disappears around the side of the house. Confused and a little shaken, Elena follows him. Just as she rounds the corner to the front of the house, she sees him jump in his car and speed away. When Mellie starts to tug at her hair, sticking it in her mouth, Elena gives her daughter a kiss then goes into the house to get her a bottle. After getting Mellie her ba ba, she goes to look for Zach.

"Hey," he says, looking up from his desk when she walks in, holding the baby in her arms. "I know Stefan is your nephew too but he kind of gave me the creeps."

"How so?"

"He made some rather lewd remarks about me and you and then he told me that Damon was insane and would never get better. He also said Damon is a vegetable and that he is sexually inappropriate, dropping his pants and things like that.. Is that true, Zach?"

"Elena, you have to understand. It's not his fault, it's related to the area where his brain was damaged. What else did Stefan say?"

"He rather crudely asked me to go out with him. But as soon as he saw Mellie, he couldn't get away from me fast enough, he's gone."

"I see," Zach adds, staring out into space for a moment. After several minutes, he looks at Elena. "I want you to pack a bag for you and Mellie. You and I are going to go to see Dr. Mikaelson."

"Are you being serious right now?"

"Deadly," he says. Nodding her head, she rushes out of the room, leaving Zach alone with his thoughts. Realizing that neither Damon's parents or his brother have his best interests in mind, Zach goes to pack his own bag. As soon as they're ready, he takes Mellie in his arms, securing her in her car seat. Handing her the bottle and the book of her daddy, he then takes the bags, tossing them in the trunk. Once Elena is safely buckled in, he jumps in, turns the key and backs out of the driveway. Rolling down the window, she closes her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the wind, blowing against her skin. Looking up at the clear blue sky, butterflies are erupting inside of her belly. A sense of both joy and foreboding are warring inside her mind and her heart, realization dawning on her that she's finally on the cusp of seeing him again.


Sneak peak at chapter 12:

"She wants to meet you, Damon."

"A girl with brown hair wants to meet me?" he repeats shakily. The face of an angel, brown hair, intense eyes flashes in his mind but it disappears as quickly as it came.

"Damon..., do you want to meet her?"


Big thanks and much love to Eva. Sending kisses across the pond and right to your doorstep.

Huge thanks to all of you and the new readers. It means so much to me that you're enjoying this story..

Chapter title: 'Might As Well Be On Mars' by Alice Cooper.

'Through the Fire and Flames' is also in progress. My 2016 holiday story will likely start posting at the end of the month or early December.

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Have a safe and wonderful day. We'll see you next time.