I'm so glad that you are all loving the story, and even more glad that you are being patient with me. I have 6 courses this semester in uni, and it's killing me. Good news is that I am officially done everything as of…...TUESDAY! Yayyyy. Bad news is, that TVD is gone for over a month. BOOOOO! So I will try and write as much as possible during the break. Also let me clarify, the references are not people's names. I will be using a lot of character names. They are harder, and sometimes play on words. For example, in chapter 4 Elena says, Bonnie can be a real witch at times, haha get it? Sometimes they are word references, like chapter three Stefan says the family has been the dancing at functions since 1864? And sometimes still they are direct quotes from the show, such as "a little less doom and gloom, a little more pep in your step". Names are not references. That being said, within this chapter there are 3 references, mystic falls does not count because it's too obvious. Find two and chapter 13 is yours early:) Happy reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own TVD because if I did poor Tyler wouldn't have had to go through so much pain.
Atheris xo
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DPOV
Damon stood outside the door to the study in his house. One of the maids had told him and Anna that Giuseppe was in there. The entire ride over Damon had been confident, excited even. Now he couldn't for the life of him remember why he was doing this.
He reached for the door knob and then let his hand fall and stepped back running his fingers through his naturally unruly hair.
"Cold feet big guy?" Anna asked him mockingly.
"Actually yeah, I am just unnerved at the possibility of his reaction now."
"Well chin up. If you want this woman to be yours, than you are going to have to be prepared to fight battles much harder than simply telling your father. So man up!" she said patting him on the back while pushing him towards the door.
Damon stuck his tongue out at her childishly making her giggle, and then knocked on the door three times and waited to hear an answer.
"Enter" was all they got. Damon turned the handle and opened the door stepping inside with Anna behind him.
"Hello father," he said causing Giuseppe to turn and face him from the book shelves.
"Why Damon, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you to.." His father began before a huge smile broke out across his face as he caught sight of Anna. "Anna my dear! It has been far too long what are you doing here?" he said enveloping her in a warm embrace.
Anna laughed delightedly and hugged him back.
"I thought you guys could use a nice family meal, made with love and not force haha. I swear if you three didn't have maids, you would never eat. Damon is pretty much skin and bones! My goodness, " Anna said rolling her eyes exaggeratedly and laughing. She held onto him tightly and rocked back and forth like he used to do to her when she was little.
Giuseppe let out a bark of a laugh and kissed her on the forehead, while sliding one arm away from her so that she was standing in the crook of his arm with her arm around his waist.
"So tell me my children, what has brought you in to hear the ramblings of an old man?" he asked looking between the two of them.
"An old brilliant man," Damon corrected him with a smirk.
"Well that is still to be debated," Giuseppe chuckled. "But enough of this, what brought you both here? This is not purely a social call or Damon's eyes would not be darting around the room like a maniac, and Anna-Banana would not be twisting her sweater sleeves into knots. So, what is going on?" He asked eyeing them both.
Anna took a step back from Giuseppe to stand beside Damon. The two of them looked at each other with wide eyes and didn't say anything for a minute. They looked back to Giuseppe who purposely folded his arms over his chest and cocked an eye brow like he used to do when they had misbehaved as children and he wanted one of them to fess up. They turned and stared wide eyed at each other again until Anna blurted out
"Damon fell in love!" at the same time as Damon said "Anna is staying indefinitely with us!" then they both turned to glare at each other.
Giuseppe laughed.
"Ahh works like a charm. Now stop acting like silly petulant children and tell me what is really going on? Anna is staying indefinitely, that's why you are here?" he said with the humour still thick as honey in his voice.
"Anna…" Damon began to lie to his father before Anna turned and elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ooopf. Damn you're strong for a little thing," he said rubbing his ribs and doing his crazy eye thing at her. She rolled her eyes and turned to Giuseppe.
"Well it is true that I am staying indefinitely, the reason we are here is exactly what I said. Damon is in love, well basically anyways." Anna said.
Damon looked at his father with his signature smirk and shrugged his shoulders.
Giuseppe sighed and shook his head. "Ahh yes, Cinderella. I watch the news you know. However, I was under the impression from Stefan that this is nothing more than a game, and a publicity stunt. That is what he told me originally. So are you here to explain to me that it is something real?" his father said eyeing him.
Damon paused and then took a deep breath. "Yes father. I have spoken to Stefan since then and assured him of my honourable and pure intentions. I want to find this woman and be with her. I truly believe that she could be the one for me. I connected with her on a level that is unheard of to me, and cannot stop thinking about her. Just a few moments ago I received a call on the hotline from her best friend, who informed me that if I still chose, I can know her whereabouts."
"Well why did she think you would choose otherwise besides your obvious play boy reputation?" Giuseppe pinching the bridge of his nose and rubbing it gently.
"Well father, she is a no body. A commoner. She has no fortune and no title. She snuck into our party because she was designated as wait staff. She will not come forward because she believes that I could never 'settle' for someone like her, could never love her." Damon said gesturing his hands wide in frustration.
The real question she should be asking is how could I not? She is beautiful, and amazing, and intelligent, and funny. Any guy rich or poor would be lucky to have her… Damon thought to himself while smiling.
"After one night you believe differently?" Giuseppe asked eyeing him sceptically.
"Father if the feelings I developed in one night are any indication then yes, I do. What I come to you if I did not believe that I could truly love this woman? Elena is amazing. She is everything I never knew I was looking for, and yet everything I need. I feel as if she is ingrained in me already, and you know it is not in my character to be a bambling sap." Damon said taking his father's hands in his own and staring at him with puppy dog eyes, willing him to understand.
"You know the tests the two of you will have to pass if it is to be that you will marry. You believe that you can both pass them? You loving a commoner, and her being more than just a doting fan?"
"Father I am assured she is not materialistic. Likewise, from what I have known of her she does not look at me as a celebrity or the prince that everyone says I am. She looks at me as Damon, it is refreshing."
"So what? You want to go after this Elena, and you came to ask my permission? You do not need it. I can see your hear t is already set. Go get her. I can't quite believe it is you who will win my challenge, I always somehow thought it would be Stefan." Giuseppe pondered to himself.
"I'm sorry what challenge? I have not been in contact for the year someone please fill me in?" Anna asked looking from one man to the next.
"Father has set out a challenge between Stefan and I to see who will marry first. Due to his ummmm…..pending departure," Damon choked out.
"Damon my son you can say death, I have come to terms with it. I know you have told Anna already as that must be why she is staying, so the word is not forbidden" Giuseppe said pulling Anna to his side once more as she walked up and put her delicate hands in his large ones.
"Well er yes, due to his forthcoming death, father has set it in his will that whomever marries first, will inherit both the company, and his savings, leaving the other with just our mom's fortune." Damon said looking down at his feet.
"However, to ensure that the boys stay truthfully, there will be some testing. Both the son who wishes to marry, and the bride he has chosen will undergo the most scrutinizing tests with the best technologies from Salvatore Inc. to ensure they are being truthful. Lie detection tests, and brain wave testing. Anything and everything will be done to ensure that both my sons and the fortune are protected. Hence why I truly believe in Damon's feelings, because if he thinks he may grow to love her, and will be able to pass my tests then I have no worries. I do not believe it will be all about the money. However, now we need to know the validity in this 'Elena's' feelings." Giuseppe said looking at Anna.
"I'm in shock. I understand the challenge, but I also understand more about Damon's feelings towards her, and about his apprehension in coming to see you today. However, I don't think you need to worry about Elena. If she is even half of what Damon has told me, then she is the real deal. "
"Well, let us hope you are right Annabelle."
"Giuseppe don't you think this could have sparked a rivalry between the boys? They are highly competitive and I can't imagine either of them enjoying being stuck with just their trust fund and their mom's fortune while the other has a limitless money supply so long as the world needs technology."
"I like competition. It's healthy. However, I mostly did this because I do not want some playboy, partier to take over my company or inherit my fortune. Family is everything, and a family man is respectable. A family man has others too look out for, others to plan for. They are not selfish or unkind. A true family man, has strong moral values, and a big heart. I want someone like that to be my successor and I want someone who will put the money to good use, such as taking care of a family, to have the money." Giuseppe said proudly looking at Damon. It was rare that Damon saw pride in his father's eyes, he was normally the disappointment. Pride was reserved for Stefan. It warmed his heart to see the look in his fathers and the room suddenly felt stuffy.
I'm turning into a pansy, geeze. First all this lovey dovey crap, and now I'm falling into the whole father-son bonding stuff? No thanks I will save that for another day….
"Well put old chap. Now can we please get going, the woman of my dreams awaits me," Damon said waggling his eyebrows suggestively at both of them.
They both laughed at him and Giuseppe walked over to give Damon a one armed hug and a pat on the back.
"Go get her son. I'm proud of you and I very much look forward to meeting the young lady that has captivated you so," he said into Damon's ear.
Damon simply nodded and turned to leave. He put his hand on the door knob and turned to wait for Anna as she hugged his father.
"Well old man, you're just lucky neither of your sons are crazy or this might very well turn into a blood bath over money" she laughed as she pulled away.
"Amen to that. Instead I have a softy whose in love, and a party boy. No crazies here." Giuseppe said laughing alongside Anna at the disgusted look on Damon's face at the word softy.
"Ugh" he groaned as he walked out with Anna at his heels.
As they were walking down the corridor, Alaric stood up from the shadows with a bag in his hands.
"Ahh yes, perfect. And you packed one for yourself and had a maid pack Anna's?" Damon said greeting him with a handshake.
"Yup. Though I would still like to know where were going and what's going on," Alaric said exasperatedly.
"We're going to get Elena. You, me, and Anna. Can we not do the whole road trip bonding thing though? The cliché of it all makes me itch," he said rolling his eyes.
Alaric rolled his eyes as Anna said she made no promises and they all laughed.
"So where are we going? Where does she live?" Alaric asked a little more intrigued now.
"He doesn't know yet. He is waiting to call Caroline back and ask her when we have pulled out the drive way and are on our way to the highway." Anna said frustratedly while taking her bag from Alaric.
The trio began walking towards the garage to hop into Damon's new Hummer. Oh how I wish I could be taking my Cadillac, but it would be quite uncomfortable and squished. Damon though while opening the hatch to allow them all to throw their bags in the back.
"Ok seriously dude? That's your plan?" Alaric finally asked incredulously.
"It's a plan. Is it perfect? What plan is?" Damon said nonchalantly.
Anna and Alaric rolled their eyes at Damon while they all piled into the car.
They pulled out of the drive way and onto the street as Damon plugged his phone into the cars system and told it to dial Caroline's number.
"Hello?" they heard her voice pick up.
"Hey it's Damon."
"Damon, Damon. Damon who?" Caroline said thoughtfully.
Alaric and Anna could barely contain their laughter at the strangled look on Damon's face.
"Salvatore, it's Damon Salvatore, you know, the one looking for Elena?" he said in a tight voice.
"Haha I'm just bugging you. Of course I know who you are," Caroline said through laughter. "So what's the verdict?" she said sobering up instantly.
"Give me directions, I'm already in the car." he said smiling from ear to ear at both Anna and Alaric.
The three of them covered their ears for a moment as they heard a high pitched scream and some thumping like someone jumping around. Caroline's breathy voice came back on the line.
"Ok ok, program Mystic Falls into your GPS. It's a small town in northern New York State. Drive through the main road in town until you come to the town's centre, and go into the Mystic Grill. Call me when you are almost here, and I will meet you there. Deal?" She said guardedly.
"Deal. I will see you in a few hours Caroline." Damon said while closing the phone.
He turned to see that Anna had already programed it into the GPS, and he smiled at her, and then Alaric in the rear-view mirror.
Here I come….
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Stefan's POV
No one knew that Stefan was down the hallway listening in on Damon's conversation with his father. He couldn't believe his father was gloating over Damon the way he was.
I am supposed to be the one getting that inheritance. I am supposed to be the one taking over the company. Stefan thought to himself angrily. I need to do something to stop this. He cannot be with that woman, because she just may be the one for him. If she is, I lose everything. Everything god damnit! Blood bath over money might be exactly what they are going to get. All cozy and happy in there talking about leaving me with next to nothing. I'm putting an end to this one way or another.
Stefan had thoughts galore running through his mind. He decided that he would try to end Damon's love life in a more civilized manner before pulling out the big guns.
But it never hurts to have the big guns ready...Stefan thought to himself as he smiled mischievously and opened his phone.
He dialled the number he still knew off by heart and waited for the phone to be answered. Ring, ring, ring, ring….
He heard the line pick up and a delighted laugh came through the receiver.
"Hello Katherine," he said.
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Gah alright so there it is. Little shorter but still a good length I believe. If you have questions then please ask. I tried to be as clear as possible with Giuseppe's plans, but please message me if you need clarification. You know the drill, review review review!
Atheris xo
