"Damon?"
"Dad, When did you get here?"
"We were at Stefan and Bonnie's house when Elena got there. She said maybe you needed someone to talk to?"
"Did she?"
"Yes."
Sighing heavily, I get up. "I'm going to check on Piper. I'll be right back. Do you want a drink?" I ask, raising my own glass. "It's good stuff."
"That would be nice, thank you," he answers as he takes a seat beside me on the couch.
Nodding, I get up to pour him a drink. It's a bottle of 'Pappy Van Winkle' that Ric gave me for my birthday last year.
After handing him the glass of bourbon, I run upstairs to check on the baby. When I get back into the living room, I sit down beside him. Reaching for my glass, I pick it up, giving his a clink. "Cheers," I utter then take a deep swallow enjoying the burn as it goes down.
"Stefan said that you have mentioned closing your business?"
"I've been toying with the idea. It doesn't matter. You were right. My friends paid with their lives because of my obsession. He's gone dad," I whisper, turning my eyes down while clutching my glass.
Exhaling heavily, he squeezes my knee for just a moment before turning his eyes to mine. "No son, I wasn't right. Those cannons are real. The gold cross and silver coins you found are real. You had the courage to pursue your dreams. How many of us settle for the mediocre because it's too hard to go after what we really want? You knew Ric better than anyone, do you really think he'd want you to quit?" he asks me pointedly.
Sighing heavily, I set my glass down and rake my hands through my hair before looking back at my dad. "No, he wouldn't want me to quit. But it hurts, dad," I whisper shakily.
He pulls me into his arms like he did when I was a little boy, patting my back reassuringly. "I'm proud of you son. I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time for so long. I'm here now and I'll support you however you need me to."
Closing my eyes, I bask for a moment at how good it feels to have my dad comforting me. "Thanks dad," I tell him softly as I hug him back.
"Happy birthday to you," we sing as we're all gathered together to celebrate Piper's first birthday. I can't believe my baby is a whole year old already. Elena and I are talking about number two and we're having fun trying to make another one. She has none of the anxiety she had when we found out we were expecting Piper.
"Can you blow out your candles baby?" I whisper pressing a kiss to her mop of raven colored hair. She has my cornflower blue eyes but fortunately she inherited Elena's temperament.
Piper took her first steps when I was at work. Luckily Elena had the foresight to record that momentous event. Her first word was 'da'.
Elena and I scoot down so we're at eye level with her, trying to show her how to blow. The three of us blow out the single candle on her cake. She looks around at everyone not understanding the ruckus going on around her. I know she's only one but I couldn't help myself when I bought her both a 'Madame Alexander Baby Victoria doll' and one of their keepsake Happy Birthday dolls. My lovely wife decided we could get her a new doll every birthday and maybe Christmas too. She has her eye on a china cabinet to display them in.
Everyone is laughing when she tries to eat her cake because she's wearing most of it. She looks perplexed to see everyone laughing. When she starts crying, I wipe her hands and face before taking her into my arms and snuggling her close. "Someone is tired. Say night, night Piper. Daddy is going to take you to bed."
"Do you want me to do it?" Elena asks.
"No, I want to," I whisper, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
After bathing her, I sit her on my lap in the rocker. Piper sucks on her pacifier while I read her a story. In a matter of minutes, she's sound asleep. Back and forth, I continue to rock her for a little while longer before gently laying her in the crib and covering her with her blankie. I'm standing at the side of the crib just admiring my baby when Elena walks into the room, stepping over to stand beside me.
"She's perfect," I whisper, wrapping an arm around her middle and pressing a kiss to her temple.
I foundered for quite some time even falling into a depression after Ric and Jenna's deaths. Elena made me a Dr. appointment because she hated me moping around all the time. I didn't need medication but he did make some recommendations regarding diet and exercise. I reconnected with Matt and we run a couple of times a week now. He even goes out on the boat with us once, sometimes twice a month. I still have moments, although rare now, when the nearly crippling melancholy darkens my days.
In the year since Ric and Jenna died, we haven't achieved much. We've found an artifact here and there but nothing of really any significance. My parents sold their house in Mystic Falls and moved here to Key West. Dad took a scuba diving course and frequently joins us when we take the boats out. He's really been here for me on the days when the darkness feels overwhelming.
One bright spot we did have was Brady and Caroline's wedding. I was the best man while Stefan and Jeremy were groomsmen. Elena, Bonnie and Anna stood up for Caroline. After the reception, our rag tag family of sorts went down to the beach. We built a fire out of drift wood and raised a glass to toast our fallen family members. We know they were there with us in spirit.
One year became two and we're still at square one as far as finding the Atocha's mother lode. Day after day we'd go out with the boats and come home empty handed save for a piece of pottery here and there. The frustration was overwhelming at times, so much so that once more I got close to the point of dissolving the company. Just as my dad had after Ric died, it was Elena who got through to me this time. She pointed out that if NASA had given up after the fire that killed the three astronauts in the Apollo One training exercise, Neil Armstrong would never have set foot on the moon. The 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind' moment would never have occurred.
Nik and Finn Mikaelson have been fabulous benefactors. Although they both told me of their displeasure at our lack of progress, neither of them pulled their support. Both multi billionaires, they can afford to support my family's dreams. Tyler Lockwood divested himself from my company not long after Ric and Jenna's deaths. However after a two year absence, he ventured down to Key West again. Fortunately for us, we took him out on the boats one afternoon. He found the first significant piece in a long time. He found a spectacular long gold chain. Not only was Tyler more than happy to write us a check, his find really invigorated my crew again.
We have collected so many stunning artifacts. We purchased the building next door to our complex. With enthusiastic support from everyone in our group and our investors, Caroline suggested we open a museum of sorts for the public to see what we've found so far. We don't charge a fee but we do have a drop box should anyone choose to give us a few dollars. We have one exhibit dedicated to the memories of Ric and Jenna. There's a big picture of them holding the cross I found. Ric has a cigar in his mouth and Jenna is squealing next to him. Their picture is in a glass enclosure surrounded by pieces of eight also known as silver reales.
Brady and Caroline had a son in the year that Ric and Jenna died. His name is Max. That little boy loves his Uncle Damon. Stefan and Bonnie have a fifteen month old daughter, Josie. Fortunately she looks like her mother. My niece also loves her uncle Damon. Papa and Grandma Salvatore love babysitting not only for Josie and Piper but they've also 'adopted' Max as a grandchild. There are times, of course, where they say no because they have plans of their own. I'm glad because I don't want them to feel they're being taken for granted.
Lastly, Elena and I received the best news just a few days ago. We're also expecting another baby next summer. I'm so excited to watch Elena grow heavy with my baby again.
"Get your gear on Stefan," I tell him as I start to put on my scuba gear. It's a beautiful summer day. The sky is clear without a cloud in sight. After I jump in, Stefan follows behind then Brady. Enzo is handling the blower topside while we guide it to the sea floor. As usual, I'm completely mesmerized by the beauty of the wide open ocean. The sea floor is covered with sand and coral. Fish skitter, almost as if they're playing hide and seek amongst the coral. When I look around for Stefan, I notice a couple of curious dolphins swimming in our vicinity. They're amazingly playful and intelligent creatures.
I finally see Stefan swimming around some rocks, amazed by some sea horses flittering in and around them. I turn my attention away from him for a minute to look for Brady. Who is maneuvering the blower onto the sea bottom. When I turn back, I stiffen a bit when I see my old nemesis, a black tip shark, swim into the area. I feel my heart start to pound excitedly, causing my breath to hitch. Needing to get control of my anxiety, I swim closer to Stefan, grabbing his arm to warn him before I close my eyes for just a moment. He squeezes my shoulder then points to the shark swimming away from us. I place my hand against my heart and nod to him before pointing to Brady. We then swim over towards him.
After an hour with no luck, we surface to have a bite to eat. "I want to suit up and go back down for a little while. I just have a hunch," I say out loud to no one really.
"A hunch, Damon?" Enzo utters sarcastically.
"Yes Enzo, a hunch."
"Damon's hunches are sometimes better than other people's facts Enzo," Stefan chides.
Raising his hands in surrender, he picks up one of our oxygen tanks to refill it.
After putting my wet suit on again, I jump over the side, this time, I'm directing the blower. After about forty five minutes, I'm about ready to quit for the day when suddenly, I look up, only to see hundreds of sparkling green emeralds floating through the water like raindrops. My mouth drops open for a moment letting the oxygen bubbles escape. I see Stefan and Brady completely entranced too. Shock and awe is quickly replaced by the need to start collecting them. All three of us are grabbing handfuls of emeralds. They're the brightest green. The three of us pick up every spot of green we can see then we swim for the surface. I rip off my face mask and scream excitedly before climbing aboard the boat. Once Stefan and Brady flop onto the boat, we carefully fill our hands with emeralds. Some are a huge carat weight. There must be a million dollars worth of raw emerald ruff here.
After ogling and playing with them for a little while, Stefan raises the anchor as I get behind the wheel and head for the marina. We all called our families to meet us at the office so we could show them the spoils of our incredibly successful day. After many oohs and ahs by the women and a promise of a piece of emerald jewelry for each of them, we lock the gems in my office safe.
"Dad, can I ask you a favor?"
"Of course, Damon," he responds.
"I'd like to take these to a gemologist I know tomorrow. I thought maybe you'd like to come along?"
"I would love to son. What time?"
"I'll pick you up in the morning. We'll come here, grab a few choice ones from the safe and drive over to his jewelry store," I reply.
"Sounds good. I'll see you in the morning then. Come on, Grace, let's go home," he tells my mom, taking her hand before they step out of the door.
"Hello Damon," Mr. Tanner says, standing up and offering his hand to shake.
"Hi John. I'd like you to meet my dad, Bud. Dad, this is John Tanner."
"Nice to meet you," Dad says, shaking his hand.
"So Damon, what can I do for you today?"
I pull the marble bag out of my pocket. "Cup your hands together, John," I tell him. When he does, I open the pouch and pour the emeralds into his cupped hands. His mouth drops open as he raises his eyes to me.
"I'm speechless. These are incredibly beautiful. Look at the size and clarity of them," he remarks, pretty much dumbfounded.
"These emeralds had to have originated from the ancient 'Muzo' mines. They're located in the northwestern end of the NW-SE emerald belt in the Colombian Andes. In 1555 the Spanish managed to subdue the Muzo Indians partially, but it took them several decades more to subjugate them completely. Attempts to trace the ancient emerald mines of Muzo proved unsuccessful as the Indians had covered up any evidence of mining activity and adopted a policy of non co-operation towards the Spanish. Only in the year 1594, were the Spanish finally successful in locating the original Indian workings, close to the site of the present day Muzo mines," he tells us as he continues to finger the emeralds.
"The Spanish started mining operations immediately and during the first fifteen years large quantities of high quality Muzo emeralds were discovered from these mines. Subsequently, due to the combined effect of a multitude of unfavorable factors, such as cruelty and maltreatment of workers, long working hours and imposition of compulsory labor, which led to a rapid depopulation of the area, production declined rapidly. Only in the mid-18th century, production in the Muzo mines did come to a complete standstill, due to a disastrous fire, and the mine was totally abandoned and resumed production only after Colombia gained independence from the Spanish in 1819," he says, unable to take his eyes off my prize.
"Would either of you like something to drink? I have coffee, bottled water, soda?"
"Water for me, Dad?" I ask.
"I'll have a water too, thank you Mr. Tanner," dad says.
"Please call me John," he says, walking out of the office for a moment, returning with a bottle of water for each of us. He sits back down before continuing his story.
"The "Atocha" was one of 28 ships that constituted the Spanish treasure fleet, Tierra Firme, that left Havana for Spain on September 4th, 1622. The holds of the ships carried the wealth of an Empire, consisting of gold and emeralds from Colombia, silver from Peru and Mexico, pearls from Venezuela, and gemstones from Brazil. However, the most richly laden of all the ships was the "Atocha" whose astonishing cargo consisted of 125 gold bars and discs, 24 tons of silver bullion in the form of 1038 ingots, 180,000 pesos of silver coins, and dozens of chests of emeralds and other gemstones. The main reason for this extraordinarily rich cargo in the Atocha, was because the ship was actually a military escort vessel, that carried a company of 82 infantry men, whose main duty was to defend the fleet from attack by pirates, both private and enemy-government, mainly the British,sponsored, so common in the Caribbean, making it the ship of choice for wealthy passengers as well as their precious cargo. Among the passengers in the ship were not only Spanish sailors and soldiers, but also statesman, clergy, wealthy citizens, and some slaves," he finishes.
"You're well read on the Atocha yourself," I remark.
"My interest stems from knowing you, Damon," he says, smiling.
"Let's weigh some of these," he says then stands up to grab his gem scale.
"My gosh, this one weighs seventy eight carats. This is almost priceless Damon," he says awed. "In my humble opinion, I think you should display some of these big ones in your museum."
Reaching over, I pick up the huge emerald before handing it to my dad. "That thought actually occurred to me last night."
Nodding, he picks up another one. "This is another remarkable find. It weighs twenty six carats. This will make a beautiful pendant for that lovely wife of yours Damon should you choose to have it cut. I wouldn't trust it with anyone but a master gem cutter though," he cautions me.
"We found so many yesterday. This is only a sampling. We had to promise each of the girls a piece of emerald jewelry. Whether it'll be a ring or necklace and earrings is their choice to make," I chuckle.
"You'll have to have them cut and polished unless you want a ruff diamond necklace. That I can make, but I'm not a gem cutter."
Standing up, I shake his hand. "Thank you for sharing your expertise, John. Maybe you can recommend a gem cutter for us?"
"I'll look into it and let you know. I know a couple of people. I'll be in touch," he tells me as he shows us the door. "It was nice meeting you, Bud."
"You as well, John," dad tells him shaking his hand before we walk out the door.
"Daddy push," Piper yells excitedly as I push her on the swing set at the park.
"Hang on tight baby," I caution her, pushing her gently, smiling as she squeaks with delight. My lovely wife is spending the day shopping with her friends. I did tell her to check out some of the jewelry stores in the mall to see if any design catches her eye. She has her mind set on an emerald necklace and earrings. Since she's out with the girls, Piper and I decided to pick up Papa and go to the park.
"Where papa go?" she asks when I lift her out of the swing and carry her over to the slide.
"He went to get you some ice cream," I tell her, standing behind her as she climbs up the slide. Before long dad is back carrying three ice cream cones and a whole pocket full of napkins.
"Papa, ice cream," she squeals as she runs towards him. After handing it to her, he takes a seat beside me while Piper runs over to sit on the teeter totter.
"Thanks dad," I laugh when she has ice cream all over herself.
"That's what grandpas are for," he says with a wink.
"Come on little girl, let's get you cleaned up," I say, taking her hand and walking into the rest room. After I get her hands and face clean, we go back out to join dad.
"Papa up," Piper demands, raising her arms for dad to pick her up.
"Where to princess?" he asks.
"The quarium," she screeches, clapping excitedly.
"What?"
"She means the aquarium dad. She loves to look at the jelly fish and the alligators."
"The aquarium it is then. Let's go," dad tells her before lifting her around his neck to ride piggyback as we walk to the car.
"Mmm, that's nice," Elena whispers as I nuzzle her neck and the valley between her breasts with kisses.
"You're wearing entirely too many clothes," she pouts.
"I can fix that," I laugh. Standing up, I pull my tee shirt off over my head while she unsnaps and lowers the zipper on my jeans.
"Much better," she whispers, licking her lips.
"Elena baby, you know what that does to my libido," I huff.
"Mmm hmmm," she teases, raising her eyebrows suggestively.
With a flash of my 'eye thing' as Elena calls it, I attack her with my lips while I reach around and unclasp her bra. My thumbs fondle her nipples, awakening them. "Someone is excited," I tease as I continue to stroke and knead her breasts. When I see her wince a bit, I stop.
"Are you okay, baby?"
"Yes," she says palming my face. "They're just a little tender. I am pregnant after all."
"Beautifully pregnant," I add, stroking her still flat belly before lowering my fingers to stroke her dewy lady parts.
"You like that?" I tease when she moans aloud.
"Don't you know it," she responds, her voice husky with desire. Rolling her eyes, she swats me lightly on the cheek. Unable to stifle a laugh, I pause for a moment. "I love you," I blurt out through my laughter.
Once I collect myself, I turn my attention back to my gorgeous wife, thrumming my thumb against her clitoris and sliding my middle finger inside. She starts to squirm, riding one finger, then two. Continuing my ministrations, I tease one nipple then the other with my lips and tongue till her back arches and her body quivers. Coaxing her through her orgasm, I continue to stroke her slowly as I drop a torrid kiss to her moist luscious lips.
"Wow."
"Indeed," I whisper pressing another kiss to each corner of her mouth, her nose and her forehead. After positioning myself between her legs, I raise one of her legs over my hip and push inside with one swift thrust. Swiveling my hips, I continue to thrust in and out as beads of sweat gather on my forehead. With as much grace as I can muster, I flip us over so she's on top. Smiling down at me, she anchors her palms against my chest, raising herself up and down in tandem with my hips pushing inside of her. Feeling her insides begin to quiver against my length, I ratchet up my game, pushing in and pulling out in a frenetic pace. Unable to keep up this pace, I tumble over the precipice just as she throws her head back and shouts aloud before collapsing onto my chest. Wrapping my arms around her, I hold on till our bodies are no longer quaking with aftershocks.
When I can feel my body again, I roll off of her and plant a kiss to her forehead. "Phenomenal just doesn't cover it wife," I whisper breathlessly, still trying to recover from the magnitude of that orgasm. Elena raises my arm to circle around her then snuggles into my chest, pressing a kiss to it before closing her eyes. Sometimes it's hard to comprehend how lucky I am to have Elena. We only knew each other for three months when we eloped yet everyday is still fresh and exciting for us. I wouldn't trade my life with her and Piper for all the emeralds, hell treasure in the ocean. Soon I feel the her breathing even out signaling that she's asleep. I continue to caress her back for several minutes before sleep pulls me under right along with her.
It's a day early but I felt like updating it. Thank you Eva for all of your help. You are invaluable my friend. And again, I can't thank you enough for all of you reviews. I really enjoyed writing this story because I do love history and adventures such as this. The lure of hidden treasure sends shivers up the spine. I may delve into this realm again, fashioning a DE story around some amazing moment in history. We'll see. I have another story idea in mind to devote my attention to when I'm finished with SM. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Until next time...