*You guys already know I don't own TVD, if I did I wouldn't be writing this. Inspired by Gidget.*
NOT A NEW CHAPTER BUT A NEW ONE IS IN THE WORKS =)
A/N: So this is like the Epilogue of part one and the Prologue of part two. This next half will be drastically different from the first. It will get a little heavy towards the middle and drenched in drama but hey its all in good fun lol. Thanks for sticking with me so long and I hope someone enjoys thisJ
Operation: What Now?
Nine months later..
Dainty hands eased over invisible wrinkles while sea-green eyes bored into the floor length mirror dissecting the navy jumper hugging her curves. With a slightly bent knee she twisted at the waist deciding it may look better at a different angle, only to find out it didn't. Sighing she spun to the abnormally silent creature on her bed.
"What do you think about this one Beks?" she voiced bemused looking over her shoulder.
The blonde in question tore her eyes away from the juicy gossip (via Seventeen Magazine)to offer her expertise to her morbidly misguided best friend. At least when it came to fashion that is. Her and Caroline fondly referred to Bonnie as "stylistically challenged" as far as what's "in" goes.
Pursing her plump lips Rebekah softened the blow with a prompt "It's…cute." smiling wryly.
Another exasperated sigh left Bonnie's crooked pout. "I don't want to 'be cute'" she said with air quotes. "Cute is for little adorable puppies. I'm 18 with a freaking top model boyfriend I wanna be hot. I have to be smoking." she said stretching her eyebrows.
She'd be lying if she said that Damon being in the spotlight didn't make her a little self-conscious. Here he was this twenty-two year old man that could have any girl in the world. That probably had every girl in the world throwing their panties at him, so whenever they saw each other she tried to sex it up a bit. As dumb as that sounded.
Coming back to the now she continued. "And you're supposed to be helping me not ogling Jared Leto."
"But he's oh so darling." she smiled dreamily earning another glare from Bonnie. "Okay fine, if hot is what you're after, love I'd suggest ditching the jumper and that hideous ponytail along with it." she shooed, her lips curled in disdain.
Her eyes traveled back down to the red carpet picture of Jared Leto with Lupita Nyong'o and she swooned. It was something about guys with long hair that stirred something within her. It was barbaric and those piercing blue eyes did nothing to settle her exploding ovaries.
"Rebekah!" she heard her friend call.
"Hmm." she hummed flipping the page trailing her eyes back towards Bonnie pleased to see the ponytail gone and her long hair flowing down her back in a delicate wave.
Attention to the mirror with each hand planted into her hair she repeated her previous statement. "I said what about that little black dress I found when we dropped in H&M last week?" turning her head to and fro she decided her hair was boring.
Blue eyes lit up like a light bulb. "Now you're talking like you have best friends named Rebekah and Caroline." she smiled. "Although, I'm the greater of the two as you know."
Rolling her eyes past that account she trotted back to her closet for the fifth time. "Is it weird that I'm nervous about seeing him tonight? I know it hasn't been years or anything, but it feels like it." she huffed pulling off one dress in favor of another.
"Yes it's weird, it isn't like you haven't seen him at all. You two FaceTime and Skype so much it's like you never left V.B."
Crimson tinted Bonnie's cheeks as she plugged in her flat iron. "We do not!" she argued. "We haven't talked all day."
"Today." she said drolly. "Such a feat."
"Whatever when you're in love you'll understand." she cringed when the last syllable passed her lips. "Sorry."
Rebekah's love life wasn't nearly as successful as her senior year. She ended up breaking up with Jeremy the following week after they got home to pursue a relationship with Matt; only to be heartbroken when he left her for some older woman from Bulgaria. Like really, the lady was probably fat with hairy armpits and a mustache they'd ascertained; but either way Matt was in love with a Nadia Petrova.
Damon also found it suitable to share with Bonnie how all the guys had nicknamed her "Vintage Vagina." Of course Bonnie never mentioned that, and when she went on to ask Damon what the guys called her he promptly got quiet before the line died. SO, it was safe to say that topic never came up again.
Rebekah finally turned her head back to her magazine. "Perhaps I will, but I know one thing I wouldn't want my lover to be obsessed with me like Demon is with you." she quipped.
"He is not obsessed with me." Bonnie refuted angrily walking to her bed. "And can we dead that nickname please…it's creepy."
"He bought you a phone just for the two of you to communicate with." she brazened sitting up. "And he's creepy."
Bonnie looked at her incredulously. "It was a gift, a sweet one at that, and really cut it out."
"It was just another way to keep you under his thumb to make sure you're his faithful little bambina." Rebekah sneered. "While he's traveling the world doing God knows what, Bonnie. Do you honestly think he's being an angel over there?"
Somewhere during the spiel Rebekah had abandoned her position on the bed and was in Bonnie's personal space. The two girls glared at each other a tick hammering in Bonnie's jaw; a line drawn in Rebekah's lips. The conversation went left real fast and unfortunately neither girl knew how to step back behind the line.
Bonnie wouldn't say that out of her core group of friends she was closest to Rebekah. She would give that position to her cousin Melissa. But she loved each one of her friends because they each brought a different something that made her whole. Like when she needed compassion she'd go to Elena, if she needed a pep talk she'd go to Caroline, Melissa was her closest family so she knew everything, and when she needed a good wake up call she knew she could go to Rebekah without a doubt. Sadly, this wasn't one of those times and she felt her friend was out of line with what she said about Damon.
He was many things but controlling was not one of them. Reading between the lines she knew that was what the blonde was getting at. There was a difference between about being passionately in love and controlling. He also wasn't a cheater, besides the Emily debacle he never stepped out on her and never would. Rebekah was never shy to voice her dislike for Damon citing he was nowhere near her brand of quality, but enough was enough. She wouldn't spazz out because she felt that Rebekah was only returning what she dished. She hit a sore spot and she was sorry she did.
"Wow." Bonnie blinked. "Tell me how you really feel." she continued in a humorless laugh.
Rebekah rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm just trying to look out for you. He just isn't trustworthy Bonnie." the blonde shrugged.
"Green really isn't your color." Bonnie retorted turning back to the mirror. "Thank you for helping me with my outfit and keeping me company, but I think we should part ways before we continue to say things we don't mean."
Feeling the annoying sensation of guilt Rebekah moved to follow the brunette, but ultimately ended up flying down the stairs. Their pride was one of the many similar traits they shared. Along with being headstrong and hardheaded.
At the sound of her message alert Bonnie felt the butterflies flitting around in her stomach. Dropping the flat iron she paced her steps picking up her phone from her nightstand. She frowned seeing it was another picture message from Caroline of another handbag she'd bought in Milan. She shook her head unable to fight the smile any longer; she knew the bubbly blonde was having the time of her life in London and was probably dreading her return home.
Caroline had been in the country of love for the last couple of months as part of the Language Department's foreign exchange project. She had been one of the chosen eight to be selected to be a part of the study abroad team from her honors French V class to the chagrin of Elena who had been hoping for the chance. It would be another two long weeks before she saw her bestie and she couldn't wait.
After shooting off a quick reply message she unplugged the curlers and stared at her iPhone 5S willing the high tech device to ring "Yonce'" alerting her to her honey's call. After a solid five minutes of Jedi mind tricking nothing happened. Licking her lips she began rubbing her hands on her thighs, it wasn't like Damon to be late and not tell her. Just when she had decided to take the plunge and call him the wanted ringtone sounded the room.
"Hey." she picked up after the first ring then cursed. She didn't want to seem so anxious, but pride be damned she missed him. "Where are you?"
She heard his chuckle and flushed. "Sorry I'm not used to you answering this soon, I know how you love the 'Yonce' all on his mouth like liquor,' part." and she could almost see his smile.
"Well I love you more, where are you?" she pushed.
At his sigh she knew she wasn't going to like the words that would soon follow. "It seems like I won't be able to make it there today after all, Bambina."
He had a day layover in Virginia because of a technicality with his passport, and tomorrow afternoon he'd be on a plane to Rome. This was supposed to be their day, but like always something always came up. Reclining until her back hit the mattress she closed her eyes. "You're canceling on me…again."
The disappointment in her voice nearly made him say fuck his parents. "I'm sorry it just so happens that I'm summoned to this family thing. I said no, but my mom wasn't having it. You know its been 9 months to the day of— "
"Stefan." she nodded feeling guilty for even attempting to make him feel bad.
Since that day nine months ago the Salvatores had made an effort to get their family back on track. She guessed that was the wake up call Mr. Salvatore needed to put his family first and work on his relationships with his children and wife. So far, according to Damon, things were on the up and up. Well as much as they could be between everyone and he was glad his father withdrew the assault and battery case he drudged up against him.
"Yea." she heard him say lowly interrupting her thoughts. "I know how much you were looking forward to us getting to spend the day together while I'm in town— "
"You don't have to make excuses, Damon." she interrupted. "Or explain, be with your family, they need you."
"I'm sorry." he said again. "I was really looking forward to seeing you."
"Me too." she agreed holding in disappointed tears.
"Rain check?" he offered.
"Do you even have to ask?" she chuckled sadly.
He smirked hearing her laugh filter through his ears. "You're my sun, Bambina."
"And you Mr. Salvatore are my moon." she returned a small smile stretching across her lips. "I love you."
"I love you too and we're Skyping later so wear nothing, but that lipstick I like." his voice had taken a deeper octave and she felt her body heating up.
"Whatever you want." she managed to squeak out.
A knock at her door broke the spell and she cleared her throat. "I gotta go someone is beating down my door."
"Alright be careful babe." she heard before hanging up.
Her phone was vibrating again and she didn't need to see the caller I.D. to know it was Damon. More than likely to scold her on "the rules of proper phone etiquette," and how hanging up without saying goodbye is the rudest thing she could ever do to him; aside of rationing her goodies. Choosing to answer the door instead her eyes widened in surprise at her visitor.
"Marcel?" she asked shocked to see her classmate on her stoop.
"I hate it when she does that." Damon whined sliding his phone back into his back pocket. Like, seriously was the word 'bye' that hard to say. Remembering he wasn't alone he turned to the softly snickering brunette.
"The hell you laughing at?" he asked snidely though his eyes bored her with curiosity.
Waving her hands in surrender she stifled her laughter. "Oh, nothing its just funny how you get like a little puppy around Bonnie, but you're a pit bull around everyone else." she discerned "Its…cute."
The scowl on his face begged to differ. There was nothing cute about him, and the sooner she realized that the better she'd be. Sure they may have gotten a little closer over the year because of their connection with Stefan, but he still didn't like her. That much.
"That's because Bonnie is the only thing that matters to me." he said matter of factly grabbing the keys to his car.
Elena nodded noting her mistake in alluding to the fact, that under that hard demeanor held a soft heart. She just found it so interesting that a person would go out of their way to prove how much they didn't care; when in the end they were the ones who cared the most. That was a trait they could relate on, because it was no secret that her compassion was her downfall. Though unlike Damon she didn't try to cover it with lies she embraced it. So yeah she found the older Salvatore interesting in a lot of ways, specifically his relationship with Stefan. Her mouth down turned as she thought about what they were going to do.
"You ready Doppelganger?" he asked juggling the keys in her face, to get her attention.
With a sigh she ran a shaky a hand through her long locks. She would probably never be ready to face this reality, but it was long overdue. Despite her fears and his protests she was finally going to see Stefan. They were finally going to be able to move on.
Out of all the people she knew he would be the last she'd guess to be at her door. They didn't particularly get along. He flustered her nerves all year thinking his good looks would gain him the world and that pissed her off. They spent the whole year trading barbs that he eventually elevated to flirts. Standing in front of him made her feel naked. It didn't help matters that he was taking a lazy tour of her person with those deep charcoal eyes that could light a nun aflame. Her hands pulled on the hem of the dress at his voyage back down her body.
Finally remembering his sense he spoke coyly. "Hey, I know its kind of random for me to show up here, but I just wanted to return your pencil."
Bonnie's eyes traveled down to meet the object he was holding out then back to his face. "You came all the way here to return a pencil?" he nodded. "You do realize today was the last day of school, right?" his head bobbed again and her eyes narrowed marginally. "Thanks." she mumbled stepping back to close the door.
She took two steps before she realized she hadn't lent the boy a pencil to begin with. When she wrenched the door back open he was still there, hands in pocket with a panty dropping smirk on his lips.
Bonnie folded her arms trying to figure out his angle coming up short. "I never lent you a pencil."
"I know I just wanted to see your reaction." he laughed.
"Do I amuse you, Marcel?" she edged out in annoyance. "Am I a clown?"
She really didn't have time for this. After her fight with Rebekah and her cancelled night all she wanted was to crash onto her bed with a bucket of rocky road. Never mind the fact it was only 5:30 pm.
"You do a lot of things to me Bonnie, but how about I do something for you." he said silkily stepping into the frame.
She nearly catapulted out of her skin. "I'm sorry Marcel, but I have a man, and he takes care of me just fine— "
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." he interrupted laughing. Hard. "Slow down the walk to the alter Bon-Bon, I just wanted to invite you personally to my end of school party, but" his eyes ventured down her curves again, pausing at the peak of flesh peeking under her breasts. "Seeing how you're dressed I guess you already got the memo." he smiled approvingly.
Crossing her arms she pointed her chin. "Actually, I had other plans— "
"Which now works in my favor." he interjected again.
"You know its really rude to interrupt people." she pointed.
To her dismay his smile never left his keen features. "Come on, Bonnie everyone will be there. You said yourself you had plans which seeing you used a past tense means that you're free tonight." Sliding a paper out of his back pocket he slid it to her. "Here's the flyer with the address and time. It's Friday, you don't have a job, and damn sure don't have shit to do." she sneered, he grinned harder. "Every ball needs a Belle." and with that parting connotation he was down the driveway and in his car.
Every ball needs a Belle.
Maybe she could humor him, no use in wasting a good outfit. Looking over the flyer she had about three hours until the shindig started. That gave her three hours to decide and maybe convince Melissa and Diana to come since Rebekah was out.
His body fidgeted against the cotton mattress of the twin bed. Elbows braced on his knees, legs two feet apart, and his head nestled atop the steeple of his hands. Today was the day; in less than 24 hours he'd be thrown back into the thick of the world. Freedom was literally at his fingertips and he was equally excited and anxious about it. Today was the first day of the rest of his life; all he had to do was get through this last therapy session. The last session that would include all the people he loved and cared about.
With the light shaking of the knob bluish-green eyes darted to the door of the room he called home for the past nine months.
"Stefan your family is here." Dr. Fell announced with a warm smile to the man she'd grown to know in his tenure here.
Stefan was easily one of her favorite patients in Brookhaven's Outreach and Rehabilitation Center and she would surely miss him. Eyeing him now took her back to that warm day in August when he strolled into the facility looking every bit of the meek lamb he was; very standoffish. She had been assigned to get him back on the straight and narrow having been familiar with the Salvatore family for quite sometime, and easily accepted the task. The first few months had been rough laced with him refusing group therapy, violent outbursts, and rages. All typical behavior during the "withdrawal period" for an addict, but slowly and surely around month four he began to come around. Showing the gentle and sweet Stefan she'd heard so much about.
"Are they already inside the class?" he asked with a small gulp in no hurry to meet the disappointed eyes of his family. The disappointment he was sure was lining Giuseppe's eyes.
He had refused visitors during his duration at the rehabilitation center. Partly out of embarrassment and partly out of anger. He hadn't wanted to come here, he didn't need it before to break his habit so he didn't think he needed it now. It wasn't until midway through that he realized how dire it was he stayed here; and if he were honest he wasn't sure he was ready to leave. The thought of leaving these four walls that had become a safe haven for him made sweat pepper his hairline and pool in the pits of his arms. He had half a mind to sabotage this whole thing and if it weren't for him missing his loved ones he would. Then again was love ever enough? From what he saw growing up it never seemed it was.
"Yep, everyone was is waiting for your grand entrance." she joked but at the sunken look on his face she realized her mistake.
Stepping from the door and closing the distance between her eyes met his. "You can do this Stefan. There's no need to be afraid you're stronger now and have the tools to fight the urges. It will be a long road I wont sugarcoat that, but I believe in you Stefan." she took his hands in hers; and when his eyes finally met hers she offered that soft, warm smile he'd grown accustomed to seeing. The one he was quite frankly going to miss. "Now you have to believe in yourself, because we all do."
"Meredith?"
Two sets of eyes went to the door to see Dr. Wes Maxfield, clipboard in hand scribbling something down. Dr. Fell gave Stefan's hands one last squeeze before releasing them. Clearing her throat she rose to her feet thanking her lucky stars that Wes was too interested in his chart to notice how her previous position could have been misconstrued into something inappropriate. Her hands smoothed over her skirt. "Yes Dr. Maxfield?"
"Is our patient ready to go?"
She rolled her eyes biting her tongue at his impersonal term. For him the people in the center were nothing more than lab rats to test his new drugs and theories on— you know for science; but for her and many of the other doctors they were family. Family who deserved to be spoken to as such and by name.
"Almost." she smiled tightly walking to the door.
Deciding to dignify her with a look he tucked the clipboard under his arm and smiled. "Well lets get this show on the road." he said cheerfully turning on his heel to leave.
At his departure she turned back to Stefan. "As cliché as it is facing your fears will make them disappear."
A hint of a smile played on his pale lips and she couldn't help but return it. "Should I tell them you're on your way?" she asked for clarification.
Stefan stood from the bed and took a deep breath. "I'd feel better if we walked in together."
"Shall we?" she smiled again holding out her hand.
Taking her palm in his they began their trek down the long corridor. "Thank you." he said into the calm. "For everything."
His hand felt the familiar pressure of her squeeze. "It's my job, Stefan and times like this make it all worth it."
And he hoped more than anything it all would be.
She couldn't believe she actually came to the party. More so, she couldn't believe she actually came without trying to reconcile with Rebekah who she examined chatting animatedly with one of their classmates Hayley. A frown marred her face and she struggled with if she should approach the blonde or not. A party wasn't necessarily the appropriate place to have meaningful conversations, but this was Rebekah.
"Hey I'm gonna go say hi to Rebekah okay?" she yelled over the loud music into Melissa's ear.
"Are you sure she'll be inviting?" her cousin threw back eyebrow raised.
Bonnie wasn't sure but she didn't like being at odds with her friends. "I don't know, but its worth a try."
Melissa gave her a thumbs up and a smile, and Bonnie soon found herself weaving through bumping bodies to reach the refreshment table.
If she could sense her, Rebekah's eyes darted to hers and for a moment Bonnie almost drew back. That was until the blonde gave her a small smile.
"Hey." Bonnie spoke up first her fingers entangled behind her back.
"Hey." Rebekah peeped back feeling awkward around her friend for the first time in forever.
Not a minute later they were both spluttering out apologies simultaneously. After sobering from the bout of laughter that ensued Rebekah passed Bonnie a cup of punch that had undoubtedly been spiked before speaking again.
"No I'm sorry. I was out of line earlier and what you said to me in no way compared to what I said to you. I'm happy that you're happy and in love, and I shouldn't have let my envious head get in the way."
Bonnie winced as the burn of vodka rolled down her throat. Two more sips and the burn would be replaced with numbing bliss. She couldn't wait. "I accept your apology, Beks, but I have to take responsibility in the fact that I said something very insensitive to you, and just because you said more doesn't mean what I said hurt you any less. I'm sorry too."
Feeling herself getting a little teary she pulled Bonnie into a hug. It wasn't often that people apologized to her. It always seemed like she was the only one in the wrong; so to not have to push her own feelings aside made her love her friendship with Bonnie even more. "Lets promise never to quarrel again, Bons you're ruining my ice queen persona."
Bonnie laughed pulling back. "I promise."
The girls reunion is cut short when Marcel makes his presence known and successfully catches their eyes.
"The two girls I've been wanting to see all night are standing together. Tell me darlings how lucky am I?" he smiled dark eyes volleying between them like a predator who's caught his prey.
Bonnie merely rolled her viridian eyes, Rebekah however was returning his smoldering gaze. This had trouble written all over it.
"Consider yourself unlucky because we are leaving." she pushed tugging Rebekah only to be halted by the girl.
"Now Bonnie he's been nice enough to extend us an invitation it would be rude of us just to shun him don't you think?" Rebekah questioned.
Bonnie would have been more inclined to believe her if the girl had actually looked at her. During the whole lecture she hadn't bothered to stop eye sexing Marcel. Suddenly she felt like she was intruding in their 'love at first corny line' moment.
"If you want to entertain him then by all means. I'd rather show my appreciation by drinking him out of house and home." and with that she snatched another cup of punch. "If you need me I'll be with Melissa and Diana." she informed her friend.
The room was silent as the occupants listened to the rules and regulations Meredith was giving out about the meet. There'd be no loud talking, attacking, or cursing. This was a place to speak your mind in a civilized manner and get results. Stefan had confided in her last week that his biggest fear was everyone being at each other's throats and placing blame. He wasn't one for confrontation which was another reason he depended on the drugs so much.
Stefan eyed everyone who came his heart beating rapidly and warming. Mia sat prudently with a blank look on her face, but as always her glistening lapis lazuli eyes revealed her true feelings. She was afraid for him and the guilt in her eyes made him look away from her; and to his cherub face niece who was bouncing on her knee. He made a mental note to ask her why the hell she would bring a toddler to a rehab center, but he digressed. Because looking at her charming smile and big doe eyes he knew why she brought her.
She was hope.
On that thought his gaze found another pair of doe eyes that evoked that same feeling. In the crescent formation they had made across from him and Dr. Fell, Elena sat towards the end between a stoic Damon and concerned Lexi. The tip of her nose was red matching the rims of her brown eyes. Something weird churned inside of him at the sight of her. For the first time ever when he looked at Elena he wasn't drenched in an all consuming love. Don't get him wrong the love was as palpable as ever, but the resemblance she had to Katherine made him feel some type of way; and he was the only one to blame. He watched Elena arch a brow in confusion at his cold stare and look to Damon for an answer he didn't have. His brother gave her a small smirk that was meant to be comforting, but Damon wasn't the sentimental type. Now Stefan was confused; when did the two of them become friendly? Last he knew Damon couldn't stand Elena and vice versa. When he awkwardly patted Elena's shoulder Stefan nearly lost his eyebrows to his hairline.
"Is everyone ready to begin now?" Dr. Fell asked causing Stefan to turn to his left.
There was a collective head nod and folding her hands in her lap Meredith began her dissertation. "As we all know Stefan has been battling a serious addiction to the narcotic cocaine, but in these past nine months he has been able to control the urge to want to use— "
"Control?" Giuseppe interrupted like he was hard of hearing. "Does that mean he isn't cured?"
Stefan's body tensed his face in a grimace. If looks could kill Giuseppe would be six feet under from the death glares he was getting from Carmela and Damon. The tone his voice took as if he were flabbergasted at the declaration made Damon's skin crawl, but he remained silent. For once, he cared that this wasn't the time or place for another Giuseppe vs. Damon match. Even though once again Giuseppe was worried about the wrong things.
Meredith offered Mr. Salvatore an understanding smile. "Mr. Salvatore in regards to recovering drug addicts." she heard the wince in the room at her choice of word, but it was time that everyone stopped being in denial and accept the fact that yes Stefan, their golden boy, was indeed a drug addict in recovery.
The sooner they all came to terms with that the better; because this road they were traveling would be a long one. The first speed bump would be when Stefan returned home; he would be different and they would have to be prepared for that. Because with his change they would have to change too. Their attitudes, their perspectives, and their habits if they wanted to help keep him on the straight and narrow.
"…I don't think the word 'cured' is suitable in describing their progression. Is Stefan a hundred percent?" she looked at the boy fondly. "Not quite, but he's nearing there and is a lot better than he was 9 months ago. Our part in his journey is over and it will be up to Stefan with the help, love, and support of his family that will determine his success."
Elena bit her lip than raised her hand. At Meredith's nod she spoke. "So what you're saying is that this will be an ongoing battle for the rest of his life?"
Damon wanted nothing more than to bop the teen in the middle of her forehead and force a V8 down her throat. Like seriously besides Lexi, his mother, and himself he was surrounded by idiots. Dr. Fell wasn't speaking a variation of Chinese so he didn't understand why no one was getting what she was saying. If someone else interrupted her he was going to fart, yep it was law.
"I wouldn't put it as dire as that; one day Stefan won't even think about the prospect of using. He'll wake up and he will feel free. That day could be tomorrow or it could be many tomorrows away, but I have faith that it will happen. He's strong and his love for all of you will push him."
The two of them shared a smile and Carmela was thankful they chose someone who cared about Stefan as much as they did. Elena however not so much, and she felt terrible for picking a time like this to feel jealous of a woman that after tomorrow he probably wouldn't even see anymore. Not to mention the fact she was probably twice their age.
"Stefan has made remarkable progress and he can be released as soon as tomorrow; we do these meetings as a way for the patients here to have a safe sounding board to express their feelings and for their loved ones to as well. Stefan would you like to begin?"
He nearly choked on the lump in his throat meeting everyone's eyes briefly before staring at the wall behind their heads. The walls were littered with those motivational posters you see plastered all over the walls in classrooms around America. His vision zeroed on the one with the smiling kid shooting a 3 pointer that read: "There's no such thing as impossible. The word itself says IM-possible." How fitting he thought.
"There's no question what I did was stupid and I'm sorry isn't strong enough to rectify the pain I put you guys through over this past year. I lied, I manipulated, I stole, and that's not me. That's not who I want to be, not anymore." aquamarine eyes met glacial blue. "I let you down and that hurts me deepest knowing I ruined the faith you had in me. I'm the good one, this wasn't supposed to happen to me."
Giuseppe held his son's gaze wanting nothing more than to hold his baby boy, his pride and joy. "We all make mistakes Stefan." he voiced sternly. "Its up to us as men to fix them and its not too late for you to do that. We love you son." the crack in his voice was barely audible, but those who knew him heard it. It was probably the closest thing to a tear that anyone would see.
"You didn't let us down bambino you opened our eyes. We always assumed that you were okay and never asked enough questions. We let you down and for that we will never forgive ourselves. It is not your job to fix what your father and I have broken, and I'm sorry you felt pressured to do so. Our love for you is unconditional okay." Carmela sniffed wiping the tears from her jade eyes. "Nothing you do can make us stop loving you."
At that Stefan turned his teary eyes to his older brother. He wasn't quite sure if that were true of Damon. He had disowned him like he was lower than garbage on many occasions.
Damon sat a little straighter in his seat knowing it was his turn to say something. This was the part he was dreading; he hated discussing 'feelings' and getting emotional. He would be lying if he said getting him here wasn't like pulling your own wisdom teeth with pliers for Carmela. He had thought of every excuse in the book to back out, but in the end he conceded. They could thank Bonnie for that because her compassion was rubbing off on him in waves. The guilt he felt for keeping quiet about Stefan's first spiral into powder candy land was also enough to push him to show his face. After everything he owed him this, to at least be here and help him out.
"I failed you as a brother." he shrugged breaking the stare. "This is my fault."
"That's not true." Stefan began.
"Stop trying to defend me Stefan!" he barked shocking everyone in the room. At the warning look in Meredith's eyes he cooled his jets. "My God even at your rock bottom you're still worried about me and everyone else. This isn't about you disappointing us. This is about me not getting you the help you needed the first time. I should have taken this more seriously and I shouldn't have covered for you. I thought I was protecting you, but I hindered you and I'm…sorry." he exhaled. "And I didn't mean what I said the night of the dinner party. You're my brother; the only one I've got and I will be here every step of the way until you no longer need me." his crystalline hues glowing in conviction.
Stefan accepted the tissue that Meredith offered him feeling embarrassed that he was actually crying right now. Damon hadn't spoke that way about him since they were really young and it was unfortunate that something so serious had to happen to pull them back together. All of them. This was the first time in years that the family looked so united and he prayed it wouldn't end once the dust settled.
"Is it alright if I hug him?" Elena peeped bashfully.
"That's up to Stefan." Dr. Fell simply answered.
They rose at the same time coming together like two magnets. His head in the crook of her neck inhaling her scent. Her head pressed to his shoulder her lids covering her eyes as memories of last summer played through her mind. They held each other so close that you could barely tell where one started and the other ended.
"I don't ever want you to feel like you're alone again." Elena whispered brokenly. "We're in this together you don't have to hide from me." she felt his nod and drew back enough where she could read his face.
Her hands on either side of it as she pulled him into a quick kiss. "I love you."
Bonnie stumbled up her front steps with the help of Melissa. "Bon you have to be quiet before you get us both killed." she whispered fiercely to her cousin.
"Oookayy" Bonnie sang giggling while Melissa fetched the keys and unlocked the door. "But my dad isn't here, he's out on business as usual. He only pops up when I'm in compromising positions with Damon." she snarked.
Melissa rolled her eyes and proceeded to lead the inebriated girl up the stairs. The struggle to get Bonnie to her room wasn't so bad. They managed not to fall back down the stairs, so she would call it a success.
"You sure you don't want me to spend the night?" Melissa asked running a hand through her spiral curls.
"Nope." Bonnie smiled popping the 'p' "I have plans."
By the salacious smile on her face Melissa didn't need to ask what kind of plans. It was after one and everyone knew what these hours meant. "Fine, but if you change your mind just call me."
"Bye Mel."
"Later Bonners." she smiled dodging the pillow that Bonnie threw at her head.
Once she was sure the girl was gone she kicked off her heels and laid across her bed. Damon had been calling her cell every hour since eight. Tapping his name she waited to hear his voice.
"Hey where have you been? I was worried about you." Damon's voice pierced through.
She smiled at the concern his voice held, boy did she love him. Even in distance with just the sound of his voice to comfort her, her body would inflame like it was being taken over by molten lava.
"Sorry I was at this last day of school party. Thing." she laughed humorlessly playing with a tendril of hair.
"Oh you went out." his tone implied he was surprised, but she didn't understand why.
"Yeah, I was invited so I decided why not. I was already dressed so…" she let him fill in his own blanks. "How did the family session go?" she queried easing into the next subject.
"It went as good as expected I guess. We cleared the air on a lot of things and learned some things about ourselves and each other. Stefan will be home tomorrow morning." she could hear the tempered excitement in his voice.
"That's great Damon. I'm so proud of him."
"Yeah me too, but about this party did you drink? I really hope you didn't drink because we both know how you get when you drink, and I'd really hate to add murder to my rap sheet."
"Yes I know how I get when I drink which is why I called you." hauling her laptop onto the mattress she clicked on the skype icon and waited. When his face appeared on her monitor her heart skipped a beat.
His dark hair was shaggy as ever and the blood red Polo he was donning did interested things to his milk white skin. Since winning the competition he had been implored to wear more colors. Though she didn't mind him in living color she missed the days he wore black like a second skin. His methane eyes were beckoning her to him like a moth; and she found herself upset with the computer for barring their touch.
Dragging the phone from her ear she smiled at bit. "Hey."
"Hey."
His eyes were still too busy appreciating the little black dress she had on. He could see the sheer parts around her breasts and could imagine how form fitting the rest of the dress was. He really hated he wasn't there to peel it off her and kiss the coral off her pouty lips. Her greens eyes were studying him most likely waiting for him to go off for the outfit.
"You look really stimulating in that dress Bonnie. I bet the guys at the party were tripping over themselves to get to you." he smirked.
Bonnie gulped not really knowing if he were being funny.
"Little did they know that you would be coming home to see me." his tone lowered significantly with the darkening of his eyes. "Take it off." he demanded.
A smiled splayed across her lips and she got to her feet to pull the zipper. She made sure he saw its descend to the ground and when she was down to her dark purple panty set he told her to stop.
"I just wanna take a few snapshots." he smiled then chuckled as she did her best model poses. "Man I wish I was there with you. To hold you, kiss you, love you."
She bit her lip back in her previous position on the bed. "I wish you were here too. I miss you."
"Show me how much." his voice guttural.
All of a sudden she felt herself feeling shy in front of him. Which was dumb because at this point he knew her body just as well as she did. Leaning against the pillows she looked to the ceiling then trailed a finger down the valley of her breast.
Circling her navel she drug her finger lower spooning herself through the fabric of her panties. When she moaned Damon felt himself coming alive between his legs. Scooting down in his desk chair he watched her smooth, gentle movements. As if on cue she speed her momentum on her engorged nub whimpering quietly in her own bliss.
"Close your eyes." he grumbled releasing himself from its own prison.
He wasted no time finding the rhythm of her thrusts meeting them pump for pump. His eyes closed painting the perfect picture that they were together. It wasn't his hand that was getting him off, but Bonnie bouncing up and down his shaft meticulously moving her hips. It was Bonnie squeezing then releasing him making him wince at the delicious combination.
Her overgrown bangs were laden in sweat caressing her heart shaped face, her petite mouth mimicking an "o" of pleasure. Hearty groans in the background doing nothing to quench her thirst for more, for him. Hands trailed lower from the curve of her neck, passing thru the valley of her breasts, tingling her belly button until reaching that sparkling pot of gold.
Phantom fingers coasted the exterior of her sweet spot, before one finger fell into her abyss followed quickly by another one. Her heart lunged painfully in her esophagus at the slow meticulous strokes sliding in and out of her warm burrow.
"Mmmm." she purred in satisfaction her eyes snapping open to meet his lust filled glare.
"That's it baby spread them wide and dive deeper." Damon's deep throaty voice ordered none too kindly.
His tongue was thick and heavy in want and being delegated to spectator as Bonnie dug her digits infinitesimally further until her hand was encompassed by neatly trimmed curls; was barely his idea of a good time. He wanted to be the one trapped in her ripened piece of fruit. He was the one that wanted to be drowned in her sweet juices. The one becoming one with her salacious lips. Her pants did nothing but make him harder, and his sorry excuse for a hand wasn't even close to the real thing.
Focusing back on the hot scene playing out on his screen he could see her wetness seeping out with each thrust her small fingers executed. He could hear the moistness just as clear, and he'd be damned if he couldn't remember the salty sweetness when it racked against his insatiable tongue. The drool making contact with his thigh prompted him to close his gaping mouth.
Spurts of fluid seeped from the tip of his rod at the sight of her squeezing her breast hard then soft as he would. With the flick of her tongue across a hardened nipple he came undone. "Shit."
"I miss you." she moaned gustily reaching her climax. Her legs drooping open like a sack of potatoes. "All of you."
"Then skip out on that stupid senior trip and come home to me." he grated licking his dry lips wishing they were hers.
He heard her heave a long sigh sliding up against the headboard of her bed. Adjusting her laptop he was met with pools of exasperated green eyes. "Damon I'm senior class president I have to go. Besides," she shrugged. "If I come down in two weeks we'll have a good day or two before you're off to some guest spot or photo shoot."
Bonnie reached over grabbing the black tee laying beside her bed and pulled it over head ignoring Damon's groans of protest. They hadn't seen each other in a little over 3 months because of their clashing schedules and the distance weighed heavily on both of them. They had already broken up and got back together at least twice since that night at the docks. Neither time lasting more than a week or two, but still. Sitting lotus style with the lap top tilted up alongside her legs her eyes bored into shallow blue.
"It would be three days of unadulterated bliss if you wanna get technical." he mumbled absently rubbing himself. "You being all sassy and sated isn't doing anything to help your cause by the way." he piped admiring the glow of sweat on her skin.
She turned her head away to hide the blush crawling up her neck. Never in her life did she imagine she'd be up at the wee hours of the night having skype sex with her sometimey boyfriend. In fact she was so totally against it that for the longest she refrained from even video chatting, but Damon wasn't having it. After two long blinks from those baby blues shrouded in thick black lashes — and the sentiment of him wanting to plunge his tongue so deep into her pussy that she saw heart, stars, and horseshoes— she relented.
"I want you with me, who cares about those people." he argued.
"I do." she said pointing to her chest. "This is my last chance to be with all my friends before we go our separate ways and my last duty as president. I have to be there we've waited this long what's a few more weeks?"
Damon still was not pleased but decided not to push the topic. He had to talk himself out of driving to her more times than he could count tonight. But after getting caught balls deep inside Bonnie by daddy Bennett three months ago; he was kind of banned from the house. If he thought listening to Giuseppe's lectures were bad, the man had nothing on Bonnie's father.
"Yea what's a few more weeks?" he repeated. Aside from twenty more days of the excruciating anguish of not being able to feel her in his arms. Or feel her walls clamped around his member, and not being able to listen to her heartbeat while she sleeps.
Yep, no big deal least of all to her and that pissed him off. Did she not miss him as much as he missed her? Was his absence not killing her like it was killing him?
"I'll call you when I land tomorrow, okay?" he said monotonously.
Bonnie frowned noticing the change in the atmosphere. "Okay." she exhaled. "Well I love you."
"Yea goodnight." he imparted before closing the laptop.
"So much for proper etiquette." she mumbled turning off her light.
Yea so I suck at endings lol. Caroline is back next chapter with a secret. Stefan comes home and comes across an unwanted guest. This chapter was really a lighthearted filler to set up the next phase of the story which will be drama filled. Thanks for reading and I want to shout out my dad who passed away two years ago. Love and miss you and thanks for reading guys.