Previously in "His Box of Letters", Tatia and Mason remember the first time they met, while their daughter Tanya and Jack make love for the first time.
Chapter Eleven
Dante stepped out of the cab of his truck, which he'd parked in front of the Lockwood mansion. Clearing his throat, he made his way to the front door of the mansion, ringing the doorbell and waiting for someone to answer. When the door finally opened, Dante was surprised to find the last person he expected to see standing in front of him. Jack eyed Dante curiously. "Dante, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I was here to see Tanya…and I met her father. Her very, very overprotective father," Jack responded.
Dante nodded. "Uncle Mason does tend to be like that sometimes. My best guess is because after Aunt Tatia died, he doesn't want to lose his children as well." He sighed. "As long as you promise to keep Tanya safe, it should keep you on his good side."
Jack nodded as well. "And what brings you here, Dante? You never answered my question before."
"I'm actually looking for Tanya's great-niece, I suppose she would know her as, Camilla," Dante replied.
Jack nodded. "Camilla. Yeah, I've heard of her." He raised an eyebrow. "And why are you looking for her? I thought you were engaged to Andrea Young?"
"It didn't work out," Dante said. "She's in love with my cousin, Colin, and she's carrying his child. It wouldn't have been fair to go through with a marriage that wasn't meant to be, so when Andrea came to talk to me after she and Colin got back together, I told her that I had fallen in love with Camilla and I couldn't give her a ring until I got it back from her." He took the ring out of his pocket. "And this is the ring I got back from Andrea that I'm going to give to Camilla."
"It's beautiful," Jack said. "I wish you a lot of luck, Dante."
"I'm going to need it," the former soldier said with a smile.
Just then, Tanya appeared in the doorway behind Jack and smiled at Dante as she said, "Dante! This is a surprise. Are you here to see someone?"
Dante smiled. "Hello, Tanya. I'm here to see Camilla. Is she here by any chance?"
"No, she went out of town for the day to go wedding dress shopping with Nichole Garrison," she replied.
Dante growled at that. "Damn it! I thought she'd be here! I need to talk to her!" He looked at Tanya. "Did she say where they were going? It's important."
"Richmond," was Tanya's quick response. "Nichole took them to Richmond, because their bridal boutiques are better."
Dante nodded. "Thank you." He went to leave and turned around. "Oh, and give your father my regards and congratulations on your new relationship. Jack is a good man. I've known him since we were kids and he's always treated everyone with respect." That being said, he left the mansion to go to Richmond.
"Did he…just give us his blessing?" Tanya asked, still shocked.
Jack nodded. "Sure seems that way."
"We're not even related and he still gives his blessing? It just seems odd to me," she said, turning to him.
Jack nodded. "I know, but I'm sure he was doing it to be polite."
"Whatever the case, I'm glad that people support us," she said, moving to rest her head on his bare shoulder.
Jack smiled. "I agree." He hugged her to him. "I hope everything goes smoothly for Dante."
"Me too," she replied softly.
Downtown Richmond – That Same Moment…
Dante arrived in Richmond and pulled his car outside of the shop that Camilla and Nichole were doing their shopping. He saw the girls coming out and greeted them with a smile. "Hello, ladies."
"Dante, what a surprise," Nichole said with a beaming smile, hugging him gently. "What brings you to Richmond?"
Dante looked from Nichole to Camilla. "I was wondering if I could possibly steal Camilla from you. I know that you are shopping and…"
Camilla cut him off. "You don't have to explain, Dante. I was wondering when you were going to show up."
He grinned at her then let his hand outstretch toward her, which Camilla took happily. "I guess I'll see you at home, Cam. Have fun!" Nichole said before dashing off with the bags.
Once Nichole left, Dante pulled Camilla to him and kissed her passionately, groaning against her lips as he felt her return his kiss. He stepped back and broke it a few minutes later, framing her face in his hands. "I missed you, love."
"Not possible," she said with a grin at him. "What brings you to Richmond really, Dante?"
Dante cleared his throat. "Remember when I said that I needed to get the ring back from Andrea in order to propose to you properly?" He took the box out of his pocket and opened it. "I got it."
Camilla gasped at it. "Dante, it's beautiful."
"And it's all yours, if you'll answer me this one very important question," he said before kneeling down in front of her. "Camilla Taylor Lockwood, I come to you today as a man, nothing more and nothing less, to ask if you will do me the great honor of accepting this ring; make me the happiest man on earth and agree to marry me."
Camilla felt tears sting her eyes and fall down her cheeks as she said, "Yes, yes, yes a thousand times yes, I will marry you!"
He grinned at her, sliding the ring onto her waiting finger then stood up and spun her around in a circle. "I'm so happy right now," he told her after kissing her quickly.
Camilla giggled. "So am I. I love you so much, Dante."
"Let's go home, shall we?" he said, pulling back and holding out his arm like a true gentleman.
Camilla nodded, taking her new fiancé's arm. "Yes, we shall."
They headed to his truck and got in, with her resting her head in his lap while he drove. Dante wasn't surprised to glance down at one point and find her asleep, her chest lifting and lowering in her even breaths of a peaceful slumber. She looked so peaceful like that and Dante didn't want to wake her as they crossed the Mystic Falls town line. Once he'd gotten back to the boardinghouse, Dante carried her upstairs to his room and laid her down then sat down on the bed in case she woke up. After a while, Dante felt tired himself and lay down next to her, yawning and closing his eyes.
Meanwhile…
Nichole put all of the wedding stuff she'd purchased away in her closet, including Camilla's bridesmaid's dress, before she went downstairs to find her mother in the drawing room, knitting…well, more like sewing. "Hello, Momma, what are you making?"
Amanda smiled at her daughter then replied, "Oh, nothing, just knitting."
Nichole took a closer look. "Those look like baby booties. Mama, is there something you're not telling me?"
"Oh, you mean these things? Yes, it's true. I'm adding to the family. But…you can't say anything. Your father doesn't know," Amanda said, turning a stern look to her oldest.
Nichole smiled. "Oh, I definitely won't tell Daddy. Your secret is safe with me."
"Thank you," Amanda said, turning her stern look into a smile. "Now, how did the shopping go with Camilla? Did you find anything that suited you?"
"Oh, I found something that suited me," her daughter replied. "Camilla, on the other hand, found something even better…Dante Salvatore."
"Wait a minute; I thought he was engaged to Andrea Donovan?" Amanda asked with a curious look.
"He was. But, it turns out that she was actually in love with his cousin, Colin Mikaelson," Nichole replied.
Amanda nodded. "Okay. Well, I hope everything works out."
"Me too," Nichole said with a smile. "Now, how are things on the parental front?"
Amanda smiled at her daughter. "Things are very well on the parental front. Your father and I have our date nights every weekend, which is wonderful."
"Did you have one this past weekend?" Nichole asked.
"No. He had to work at the hospital," Amanda said, her earlier smile turning into a frown.
Nichole nodded. "I guess a doctor's work is never done."
"That's not entirely true. I don't know…I guess I get the feeling that he's pulling away or something," Amanda said quietly, her hands dropping the knitting into her lap.
Nichole grew concerned. "What? Momma, why do you think that? Daddy loves you. He would never do something like this, especially not when we're planning my wedding."
"It's how I feel, Nichole. I know you don't like it, but its how I feel," Amanda said.
Nichole stepped back. "No, Mama, this can't be happening! This is supposed to be a happy time for me! When I dreamed of my wedding day, my parents were TOGETHER, not apart!"
"Sit DOWN, Nichole Philadelphia Garrison," Amanda said sternly, giving her daughter a soft, demanding look.
"I won't!" Nichole yelled before turning and rushing out of the house, driving her truck to the Lockwood mansion. Nichole growled as she drove, feeling betrayed by her mother.
After her daughter stormed out, Amanda put her knitting aside then pulled out a photo album from hers and Brady's wedding all those years ago. Amanda sighed and looked through the pages, tears welling up in her eyes as she remembered how happy she was. She was so preoccupied with looking at the albums that she didn't hear the front door open and close until she saw someone sit down next to her, glancing over to see Meghan and smiling gently at her. Amanda looked up and when she saw Meghan, she was startled a bit. "Oh, Meghan, don't sneak up on me like that."
"Sorry about that," she replied. "I tried calling you and you weren't answering." She saw the tears dampening her face. "Mandy, are you okay?"
"I…I don't know. I feel like Brady is pulling away from me somehow, but I don't know how," Amanda replied softly.
Meghan nodded. "Have you tried talking to Brady? Maybe this could be a misunderstanding. I mean, I doubt he would do this while you're in middle of planning Nichole's wedding."
"I haven't talked to him in a few days. He's been working long hours at the hospital," Amanda told Meghan.
"That's no excuse," Meghan said. "I know Brady is one of the best doctors we have, but he shouldn't put his job before his family."
At the Mystic Falls Hospital…
"You're sure that your diagnosis is correct, Meredith?" Brady asked as he buttoned up his shirt following the brief examination Meredith made him sit through.
"If it wasn't, I'd know. But, it's true, Brady. You have leukemia," Meredith replied.
Brady sighed heavily. "How am I going to tell Amanda? She's going to be heartbroken."
"I know. But, it's necessary, especially if we need to get treatment underway soon," Meredith told him. "And you might want to tell your children as well."
Brady nodded. "I know." He sighed. "Although I have no idea what to say, I guess I'll just have to tell them and see what happens."
"I have complete faith in you, Brady, and I know that you'll do the right thing when it comes to announcing this," Meredith said with a smile.
Brady nodded. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, Meredith."
"Any time, Brady," she said before departing the exam room they were in. Brady sighed as he weighed the options in front of him. He wasn't sure how he was going to break the news to Amanda and the children, but he also knew he couldn't keep it from them.
Finally, after a bit, Brady left the hospital and headed to the ranch style home he and Amanda had moved into right after they finally married once their son was born. Upon entering the house, Brady saw Amanda in the kitchen, looking upset. "Mandy? Are you all right, sweetheart?"
"Where in the hell have you been, Brady?" she demanded without turning around from her spot at the sink.
Brady bit his lip and slowly approached her. "Amanda, there's something I need to tell you."
"Really?" she replied. "And what makes you think I'm going to listen to you?"
"It's important," Brady said, going over to her and turning her around. "Amanda, I have leukemia. Meredith told me that it was imperative that I tell you and the children so that my treatment can begin."
"So, basically you're telling me that you might not be able to walk your daughter down the aisle now?" she ground out, pushing his hands away from her arms.
"I'm sorry, Mandy," Brady said. "I wish there was a better way to tell you. I know that you feel that I've been pulling away from you, and I'm sorry if I gave you that impression."
"I just wish you would've told me," Amanda said. "I'm your wife, Brady. You should've told me sooner."
"I still need your support, Amanda," Brady said. "I need you and our family there as I go through my treatment."
"Do you expect sympathy or pity, Brady? Then don't bother trying to talk me into doing this for you, because it won't happen!" she yelled, pushing him away when he attempted to wrap his arms around her and try to comfort her. "Don't. Don't you DARE touch me, Brady Garrison…get out, now."
"No, Amanda, I am not leaving! I love you!" He grabbed her arms again. "Here's the proof if you don't believe me." He pulled her close and kissed her passionately to prove his point.
Amanda began to beat on his chest in muffled protest then pushed him away once more. "Stop that, Brady…stop trying to make me hate you more!" she growled.
Brady panted. "I'm sure as hell not leaving, Amanda! Whatever it is you think I did, you're going to have to forgive me for it, because if I die and you're still angry with me, you're going to hate yourself for it for the rest of your life!"
"Why don't you just let me be for now!?" she yelled, turning to stomp out of the room but Brady thought quickly, reaching out for her arm and reeling her back around until she had collided against his hard body, lowering his head to once again claim her lips, crushing them in a bruising but still somewhat gentle manner. Amanda broke the kiss off a few moments later but Brady didn't just stop there, he began to pepper kisses along the skin of her neck and collarbone, smirking when he saw her head drop back involuntarily.
Amanda let out a moan against her will as she felt Brady kissing her neck. She wanted to fight it, but at the same time, she knew she couldn't. Against her will, the blonde let her hands finally come up to gently cradle the back of her husband's head, lifting it until their eyes locked. "Mandy, please…I promise that I won't let this cancer beat me," he said in a hoarse voice.
Amanda nodded. "I know, Brady, and I…I'm sorry for lashing out at you. My hormones are a bit out of whack and I wasn't thinking clearly."
"I know, baby," he said softly, letting his lips move until he pressed a gentle, affectionate kiss to her forehead.
Amanda bit her lip. "Speaking of which, there's something you should know." She placed his hand on her belly. "Brady, I…I'm pregnant."
"Oh, baby," he said, tears in his eyes as he knelt down in front of her, all but sinking to his knees.
Amanda felt tears well up in her eyes as well. "I have the worst timing, don't I? You were diagnosed with leukemia and I find out I'm about to bring another child."
"Don't say that, Mandy," he replied. "Your timing couldn't be better. This helps to balance out the bad news I received today."
"Does it?" she asked quietly.
Brady nodded slowly, getting to his feet. "I know it may not seem like it, but it does. After the bad news I got from Meredith, I could use some good news, and hearing about the impending birth of our baby is about the best news I could ever wish to hear." He kissed her cheek. "Does Nichole know?"
Amanda nuzzled her nose against his neck and nodded her answer. "She was the first to know before she stormed out, when I told her that I felt that you were pulling away from me," she said softly.
Brady sighed. "Did you want me to talk to her? Maybe I can explain things to her."
"I did, but she wouldn't listen. I'm sure she went to see T.J., to talk to him," Amanda told him.
Brady nodded. "I'll still try to talk to her. I know that she's probably talking to T.J., but maybe I can talk to her too."
"I hope that it helps in the long run, because we need to be united for her wedding," she said.
Brady nodded. "I hope so too. All of this hostility isn't good."
"No, it's not," Amanda agreed softly.
Brady hugged her to him. "The last thing I need is for our daughter to be angry."
"That's the last thing I want as well," she told him. Brady smiled sadly as he continued to hold her.
Author's Note: And here you are with an update hot off the press! I hope you enjoy it; I love the R&R I'm getting, even if it's hard to gain my previous reviewers for this one.