Not You Again
Chapter 36- The Funeral
A/N: Thanks so much for reviewing on the last chapter. Know that I read them all and some of them more than once because I use things you guys suggest in the story sometimes :) Enjoy, readers!
The day of the funeral was exactly what I expected. Dark and dreary and if you smiled, everyone would look at you like you committed a crime. Not really but really at the same time. Nathalie was holding it together, for the rest of the family because it seemed that she was the string that tied everyone in sync and made them able to face the funeral and all the stuff related to Guiseppe's death. Stefan was extra broody, his forehead permanently creased with wrinkles that Elena warned would lead to premature aging- as a slight joke- but after he glared at her, she decided that joking now wasn't the best time. Elena was normal, though she was a little sadder than her usual self. She'd never taken loss well actually. I remembered when she'd told me about the loss of her parents in a car accident when she was in High School and that she'd never really been able to accept that they were really gone. Damon was distant and that upset me even though I knew he wasn't mad at me anymore. It was because he was still trying to deal with the loss of the Father that he'd only known as good for a short period of time. And I accepted that even though it killed me when his eyes would just drift away from a conversation and I'd know exactly what he was thinking of. I didn't know how to cure his pain and knew time would be his only solace.
I sighed into the mirror as I looked at the plain black dress that I was wearing which reached below my thighs a little. I had my hair all loose and hanging down my back in soft waves and I had simple eye make-up on and some plain pink gloss. Elena and I'd gone shopping at the mall the day before to pick up some clothes and accessories for the funeral and truly because we needed to get out of the house. I fingered my most important accessory- a white fabric rose which I'd tied into my hair, exactly where Guiseppe had placed it. It seemed this white rose had become a connection between me and the patriarch of the Salvatore family. I stared at my reflection, nodding slightly in approval- I had only 10 minutes left before we had to leave for the church for the funeral. I brought my hand down to glide across my tiny baby bump- which was only visual if you came close because I was wearing a slightly loose dress. I didn't need any extra drama at the Catholic Church where Guiseppe's funeral would be held.
I heard a knock on the door and called: "Come in," turning towards it.
Damon stood there and for a second my heart stopped. Sure, I'd seen him in a suit before but those times didn't compare to this one. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt under it and his perfect dark hair was perfectly styled in a way that made his melancholy blue eyes glimmer under the lights of the room. He held his hand out to me and smiled slightly, almost in self-mocking way, "Ready to go?" He asked me, his voice quieter than usual.
I nodded, gulping, before I picked my purse up, sliding my cell phone into it. I rushed towards him, taking his warm hand in mine. I squeezed his as we started down the steps together towards his awaiting family. Elena had her long chocolate colored locks pinned back away from her face and was wearing a black pencil skirt and a navy blue formal blouse along with some navy blue heels. She shot me a small smile as she took Stefan's hand and they followed us out, Nathalie close behind them.
The car-ride to the Church was surprisingly pleasant with Nathalie gushing in a loud voice about how everything was set and how it was going to be perfect- exactly the way Guiseppe would have intended it.
"That's good, Mom," Stefan put in, a slight smile to his lips, "Father would have appreciated it,"
Nathalie smiled and Elena rubbed Stefan's back soothingly and leaned in to kiss his cheek tenderly. "Yes, I think he would have. How are the happy couple in the back?" I heard Nathalie ask.
"We're good," I called because Damon was staring out of the window, expressionless. I squeezed his hand once more to let him know I was there for him and he met my eyes for a second with his turquoise stunners and shot me a look that I interpreted as gratitude. I shot him a fleeting smile as he turned back to gaze out of the window.
"So when's your flight back to New York?" Nathalie asked, a second later, obviously trying to keep the conversation going, "Demain?" (Tomorrow?)
I smiled, "Oui, tomorrow morning… me and Damon, that is. I'm not sure about Stefan and Elena's one," I informed her, meeting her icy blues.
"Why so soon?" Nathalie asked, though her eyes had a knowing look in them.
"Um, we have work," I commented, and Damon needs to get back or he'll spiral into a depression I wont be able to pull him out of.
Nathalie seemed to understand my inner thoughts and nodded, "Work's tres enneuyeux (very annoying) sometimes," She noted, an empathetic look on her face. "When's your flight Stefan dear? Elena?" She asked, her tone neutral.
"Tomorrow afternoon," Elena put in brightly and I knew from her tone she was glad that Nathalie asked her. I knew Nathalie was probably wondering if I talked to Elena about Stefan and the cheating because I hadn't gotten a chance to discuss it with Nathalie because of everything that happened with Guiseppe and such.
"Ah," Nathalie said just as we pulled up at the church. Dozens of cars were parked outside and I speculated about 100 something people had turned up to offer their condolences to the man who had obviously been respected by the whole town. "Well, this is it,"
"This is it," I mumbled mostly to myself and Damon looked up and nodded.
"Ready?" I mouthed to him, touching his shoulder encouragingly.
Damon nodded and we waited until everyone was out of the car before we too climbed out.
"Listen, Bon," Damon touched my hand and I turned to look at him with a questioning look. "I'm nervous as hell about my speech. I've never spoken about something like this before in front of a lot of people,"
I sighed, "Damon, you'll be perfect. And I'll give you a tip from my Valedictorian days, meet eyes with someone in the crowd that you trust and keep their gaze until you get rid of the nerves then you can start looking around but keep that person your center viewpoint. Choose two others on either side of them and then keep looking between the three- casually though," I informed him.
Damon looked like he was soaking the information up and he nodded, "Okay, I've got it," He muttered, a moment later.
"You've got it," I agreed, "You're gonna be great,"
"You too, Bon. I heard you're giving a speech too," He commented and I nodded nervously as we walked away from the car to approach the church.
There was a flurry of people outside of the church and I watched as Elena rushed off to greet a group of people including a boy who looked very much like the photos I'd seen of her brother Jeremy and with him a brunette with sea-green eyes and a dazzling smile in addition to whom I assumed was Elena's aunt Jenna- a petite woman with caramel colored hair in her early thirties wearing a weary smile. She reached forward to hug her niece and I grinned slightly.
I noticed a curly haired brunette with olive colored skin and devious brown eyes, dressed more modestly than she usually did- in tight black pants and a gray shirt with a dressy black jacket over it. I gestured to Damon that I'd be right back and hurried to say Hi to Katherine. "Hey," I smiled, "I didn't know you were coming,"
Katherine smirked, "Elena didn't tell you? I called her yesterday specifically to say I was taking a jet down from New York," She responded, breezily running a hand through tight curly locks. "I had to come… I grew up here and when I was dating Stefan, Guiseppe was very kind to me,"
"No, she didn't tell me actually and he was? I thought he didn't approve on Non-Italian girls with her sons," I commented, jokily.
Katherine rolled her eyes, "I took Italian as a Foreign language in High School and I sort of pretended I was and when he found out I really wasn't, it was too late and he was smitten," She shot me a devious look and I smirked. Only Katherine.
I decided to change the subject, "So how's Mason?" I asked, "And how's work?"
Katherine smiled genuinely, "Things are going great with Mase. We're really good for each-other and work's good too… I'm getting closer to being a Victoria's Angel," She admitted, "Which is great,"
"Wow, congrats," I exclaimed, and Katherine narrowed her eyes at someone across the way. I followed her gaze and saw Elena glaring at her sister, her arms across her chest. Stefan- and Damon and Nathalie- had disappeared from view, obviously already in the church.
"Well, I'd better leave you to go hang out with my little, plain twin sister," Katherine cooed, teasingly waving at Elena who glared at her again.
"You can stay," I told her, "You're…my friend too,"
Katherine smiled at me, "That's sweet of you… I need to catch up with some of my old High School friends but once we get back to the big Apple, we can hang, cool?" She asked.
I nodded, "Definitely," I murmured, and she leaned in to hug me before she stalked off to go chatter to some of her other friends.
I approached Elena, "Why didn't you come say Hi to your sister?" I asked, casually, as we started into the church together. We floated towards our designated seats in the second row next to Damon and Stefan. They were sitting there silently, staring towards the casket which was placed at the front.
"Why are you hanging out with my sister, anyway?" Elena retorted, annoyed.
"She's actually pretty nice once you get to know her," I commented, "You need to try to get along with her,"
Elena smirked, "No way. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, I'm not going back there," She added, humorlessly.
She then slid into her seat next to Stefan without another word. I sighed and sat down next to Damon who looked over at me, "Hey," He said, breezily.
"Hi, how are you doing?" I asked, turning my full attention to him.
Damon sighed, "I'm…okay. I can't wait to get back to New York though. I'm sick of this little Ohioan town," He informed me, folding his arms across his chest.
I shot him a sad look just as someone tapped on my shoulder.
I turned back to see crystal blue eyes, smooth long blonde hair and a flawless figure. Aurelia. What was she doing here? I turned away from her angrily, hoping Trevor wasn't here as well- I wouldn't take his bullshit.
She tapped my shoulder again and I turned back. "What?" I couldn't keep the angry tone from my voice.
Aurelia's blue eyes looked back at me sympathetically. "Can we talk for five minutes in the bathroom before the ceremony starts?" Her voice was pleading but I wasn't going to deal with Trevor now.
"Is Trevor here?" I asked automatically and at Trevor's name, Damon whirled round to face Aurelia too.
"He's better not be if he doesn't want to get his ass kicked from here to Canada," He hissed, pissed off as hell suddenly.
Aurelia looked overwhelmed, "No he's not. And Damon, I'm sorry about your Father… he was a great man," She added, sorrowfully.
"Save the little recycled speech that everyone throws at me now," Damon snapped, before he shot her a cold look and looked back towards the front of the church.
I felt sorry for her as she gulped and then turned away. I stood up with a sigh, "I'll be right back, Damon," I told him, touching his shoulder.
"The ceremony's about to start," He didn't even look in my direction.
"I'll be here in time, don't worry," I promised, before I nodded at Aurelia, "Let's go,"
She smiled and followed me to the bathrooms which were situated at the back of the church. Thankfully, the ladies room was empty. We stood in front of the sinks, facing each-other and I put my hands on my hips. "So? What does that asshole want now?" I asked directly because I knew exactly why she was here- so Trevor could send more crap my way.
Aurelia sighed, "I am here because of Trev but not because of what you think. I'm here to apologize on his behalf for all he said. He didn't mean anything at all of it and he wanted you to know that he was overwhelmed," She bit her lip, "and jealous of Damon because his feelings for you burst up suddenly when he saw you again after all that time,"
"Why didn't he come tell me this himself?" I asked, my hands on my hips as I looked back at her calm blue eyes. I noticed she was dressed in a white suit with a black shirt underneath and her long hair was pin straight and hanging down her back.
"He thought you would never agree to talk to him and that's the truth judging from how you first treated me," A sad look crossed her face, "Would you really have talked to him after all he said?"
I thought for a second, pushing a strand of hair out of my eyes and huffing. I shook my head eventually. "No way," I replied resolutely.
"Exactly," Aurelia responded, "What Trev did was wrong but you guys were best friends and everyone makes mistakes. I know I made a lot of them back in High School and even since then…He didn't mean what he said and he wants you to give him another chance,"
"I don't know if I can do that. What he said… it hurt me so much because I had these tiny little doubts about myself and when he voiced them, I believed them…Even Damon couldn't convince me otherwise," I sighed, fearing little pricks in my eyes and swiping them before tears could roll down my cheeks.
"Nothing he said was true," Aurelia informed me, "Back in High school, I was jealous of you for being so successful. Everyone knew you'd make it which was why you had so many haters. And now you're working at Better Vantage, dating Damon Salvatore and you have a beautiful baby coming… what's gone wrong? Nothing at all," I decided to keep quiet about the Damon and Klaus thing and sighed.
"Maybe you're right… but in High School, no need to lie, people hated me because I was a bitch," I couldn't help but laugh.
Aurelia looked shocked then her face broke out into a grin too, "You were a little bit of one…" She conceded with a sigh, "but that doesn't matter…. Because now you're a great person. And honestly, if you'd been like this in High School, we could've been good friends,"
I smiled at her just as she pulled something out of her pocket. An envelope. "And here's a letter from my husband explaining things and with contact details in case you decide to give him another chance," She leaned forward to place a kiss to my cheek, "Now we'd better go out to the church because the ceremony has probably started,"
I nodded, slipping the envelope into my purse with a sigh. "I'll try," I told her honestly, as we headed out into the church.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Aurelia was right. The ceremony had started and in fact, the priest had finished his whole bit and we were onto the speeches. Aurelia took her place near the back of the church and I hurried forward to watch Stefan conclude his speech: "So may he rest in peace as the greatest father I could have ever wished for. Guiseppe Salvatore, you will be missed,"
Applause rattled through the church as Stefan stepped down from on the little stage they'd set up at the front and walked back to his seat. Damon shot me a tiny smile from where he was standing, ready to present his own speech. I slid into my seat and grinned as I noticed the giant supply of white roses that the guests were going to place on Guiseppe's casket once all the speeches and tributes were done.
"Where were you, Bon?" Elena asked gently, as I leaned back and watched Damon take the microphone.
I shot her an exasperated look. "I was dealing with something," I told her, because I didn't have time to explain what was going on. I might tell her later.
Elena nodded, "Did you hear Stef's speech?" She squeezed her husband's arm lovingly.
"Yes, the end of it," I admitted, before turning to Stefan, "It was great from what I heard,"
Stefan nodded his head at me, "Thanks Bon," He sighed before we all turned to watch Damon speak.
His eyes locked on mine and I knew he was taking my advice. It flattered me that he'd chosen me as the person he could trust and I watched as he started to speak looking at me, "All my life, I've known my Father as a strict, austere person who I honestly absolutely hated because he was harsh on me. He'd always pick on me and made me feel worthless whenever I was around and then especially when Stefan was born, he'd put me down. I truly felt he disliked me and that he liked Stefan way more than me so it was no surprise when my parents divorced and got joint custody when I decided to go live with my Mother and Stefan went to live with Father. During the years, I hardly ever contacted him and when I went over there every summer, he'd tell me how much of a disappointment I was to him and how much he wished I could be more like Stefan. I retaliated because it hurt so much," Damon's eyes drifted from mine and I saw him get teary, "but I didn't show that to anyone. I decided I'd just hate him because if I did, it was easier not to take his harsh words to heart. He called me a failure and a do-nothing and a sleazy ladies man who would do nothing useless with his life and all my life, I thought he'd never be anyone other than the man who constantly showed me my flaws and made me hate who I was and I loathed him for that. Everything changed when I got a phonecall from my Mom saying that he was dying of cancer," Damon's speech got more heated and he wiped his eyes, sniffing before he went on, "I was shocked but I convinced myself not to go though I knew in my heart that I had to. I was stubborn though and resolute and told myself that I didn't care," His eyes met mine again, a loving look in them that made my heart jump, "This woman convinced me to go… she convinced me to bury the hatchet and see if I could work things out with him," I watched everyone's eyes turn to me and I smiled looking at Damon as he went on, "She convinced me that he doesn't hate me like I previously assumed… She convinced me that in her exact words 'maybe he doesn't know the good side of you which is why you have to go to Ohio to show it to him'… and she promised she'd be there with me every step of the way," He smiled then, "She kept her promise and for that I'll be eternally grateful… Anyway, when I came to Ohio, Father explained to me that he was tough on me because he wanted me to be better… he was mad that I wasn't using my talents to my full potential and he was happy that I'd succeeded.. I saw a side of my Dad that I'd never seen before and he saw the Good side of me that Bonnie insisted was there. We got along so well and now, I wonder if I'd been willing to communicate with him earlier if we'd have been friends for longer," Damon was crying by now then he looked firmly at me, "Maybe but it wasn't my fault, I came to realize, because sometimes, things just happen. And I'm honestly glad that I got to know this side of Guiseppe Salvatore even if it was on his deathbed because these last few days with him are the father-son memories I will keep forever," He finished his speech passionately, tears in his eyes and I could see that he wasn't the only person who was crying. Nathalie was in tears on my far right and Stefan was wiping his eyes aswell.
I blinked away my own tears, knowing it was time for me to go up. I waited until Damon returned to his seat before I threw my arms around him, hugging him close. "You were amazing, Damon. You pulled on my every heartstring," I promised him before I leaned forward to touch his cheeks. Reluctantly, I placed a soft kiss to his forehead before I swept out of my seat.
"Good luck," He called after me, as I started up the steps, pulling my notecards out of my purse and placing them on the small podium. I turned and blew him a kiss before I gathered myself and sighed. Wow, there were really so many people here.
I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach as the priest handed me the microphone and I cleared my throat, swallowing to moisten the dryness there. "Okay… well honestly, I haven't known Guiseppe Salvatore as long as most of you have but I've known him long enough to k now that even though was sometimes strict and overbearing, he had good intentions at heart. He taught me a lot in the few days that I knew this great man," I looked over at Damon who was watching me with proud eyes. He smiled encouragingly at me and I smiled back sadly, "He taught me that sometimes you have to get over the pride and prejudice in order for things to work. He taught me that it's okay to be tough but harbor a compassionate inside but most of all, he taught me about true love." I deliberately met Damon's eyes, "And how you should never let it go, ever, because once it's gone… it's gone and you can only find it once in a lifetime. If you're ever that lucky," I turned to look at the white roses, shooting them a reverent look then reverting my eyes to the casket, "Guiseppe was like one of these white roses," I reached to the white rose in my hair and stroked it. "He was bold, strong and with all sorts of badass thorns on the stem," I got a laugh at that comment, "but he was beautiful… and he just believed… I learnt all that from just a couple of conversations which shows how great a person he really was," I concluded my speech, stepping down off the podium just as the priest climbed up and said,
"Lovely words now let's hear from the Westville Primary School's choir with a few songs dedicated to Guiseppe Salvatore,"
I walked back as the chorus began to sing and took my place next to Damon, a slightly worried smile on my face, "What did you think?" I asked, as I sank back into the seat.
Damon took my hands before he spoke, just staring at me with intense gray-blue orbs. "Everything you said was true…" He trailed off and we just sat there in comfortable silence as the Westville Primary School choir enlightened us with a couple of songs in a riveting tribute to the paternal Salvatore.
When they were done, each one of us took a turn to step forward and place a white rose on Guiseppe's coffin. I followed Damon, watching as he picked up a white rose and then gingerly placed it with a flourish next to Elena, Stefan and Nathalie's offerings. I picked one up, brought it to my lips gently and kissed it, "This is for Guiseppe and Lolita too," I whispered, before I touched it to my heart and gently placed it onto the coffin. I stood by the coffin for a second, "I'll look after Damon like I promised," I whispered, "Goodbye Guiseppe," I brushed the casket with my hand before I followed Damon back to our seats.
"Why did you take so long?" Damon asked curiously as we filled our seats once more.
"I was just saying a few words," I admitted honestly and Damon seemed satisfied at my words as he nodded.
"Well, after this, there's the burial… but you don't have to go if you don't want to," Damon told me.
I shook my head, "No, I want to go. I want to be there for you and I feel like I owe it to Guiseppe," I smiled, touching the flower in my hair. I watched as the rest of the guests placed white roses on the casket, a small smile on my face.
"What's the story with the white roses?" Damon asked curiously, a few moments later.
I smiled, "I'll have to tell it to you someday," I said mysteriously.
"I'll be looking forward to that," Damon responded, a grin coming to his lips and I was glad that I'd made him smile.
We just sat there together for the rest of the ceremony, basking in the peace that was just the ambience of this whole place. I'd never felt so much at home more than when I was with Damon.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Bamon come meet my family," Elena called, as we were exiting the church. I spotted Katherine getting into a cab to go back to the airport and she waved at me and winked. I turned back to Elena with a roll of my eyes.
"Bamon?" Damon and I said at the same time before I giggled and Damon smirked at me looking like his usual self thankfully.
"Bonnie and Damon duh," Elena rolled her eyes, "There's a while before we go to the burial so come on," She pleaded, yanking on my arm.
I turned to Damon and he shrugged and Elena grabbed his arm too before she towed us both along towards the trio who'd been standing outside together before. The college-age girl and boy and Elena's Aunt Jenna.
"Aunt Jenna, this is my best friend Bonnie and of course you know Damon," Elena made the introductions and Aunt Jenna stepped forward, her caramel colored hair hanging in her face. She looked fun in a young way. "Hi Bonnie," She greeted, and I offered her my hand but she threw her arms around me instead. I hugged her back, overwhelmed by the sweet scent of a youthful smelling perfume.
"Hey Aunt Jenna," I responded, kindly, once we'd pulled back. "Elena's told me about you,"
"Good things I hope," Aunt Jenna grinned, "And call me Jenna,"
"Okay, Jenna and of course it was good things," I shared a smile with Elena as Damon greeted Jenna.
"My deepest condolences for your Father. He helped me often," Jenna shot Damon a kind look as she reached forward to hug him. Damon hugged her back, sighing.
"Thank you," He responded, breathily, as Elena led me over to her little brother.
"Bonnie, this is the infamous Jeremy Gilbert," Her tone was loving, "Jer, this is my best friend and college roommate Bonnie Bennett,"
The brown haired boy with warm walnut colored eyes like his sister shot me a nice smile that reminded me of Elena's too. "Nice to meet you," Jeremy said as he leaned forward to put his arms around me. I hugged him back. It seemed that hugging was very popular in this family.
"You too, Jeremy," I said honestly, pulling back. I gestured to the stunning brunette by his side with sea-green eyes, "And who's this?"
"Oh this is my new girlfriend Sarah," Jeremy put in, sliding his hand around her waist and pulling her close.
She shot me a dazzling smile, "Hi Bonnie," She said, cheerily. "How are you?"
"I'm great Sarah," I responded, just as Damon tugged on my arm.
"Mom says we have to leave for the burial," He said, in a low voice, gesturing to where Nathalie was waving us over.
I nodded, "Elena, we have to go. Are you coming along for the burial?" I asked my friend quietly pulling her to the side. She nodded.
"Okay, guys, nice to meet you all," I called, as I followed Damon to the car. Elena said her goodbyes and caught up with us before we all slid into the car. Stefan and Nathalie decided they were going to ride in the car with the coffin so we had more space than usual.
At the burial, I stood there by Damon, just like I promised. We watched, hand in hand as the whole procedure took place, Stefan and Elena and Nathalie by our sides. I waited silently as he got emotional as his Father's body was placed into the dirt, forever gone, and I held him when he cried behind a big tree in the cemetery, stroking his hair and telling him that everything was going to be okay.
And I was sure that it was. Damon was strong and he'd be able to get over this whole thing. Especially when we went home to New York tomorrow. I had mixed feelings about going home. I was psyched because I would be home finally and I honestly wanted to sleep in my own bed and because I'd see Caroline who I missed greatly but I was sad too because that meant I would have to face Klaus and break up with him.
A/N: I hope you liked that and that it wasn't too depressing! I'm not Catholic btw so I just had to guess what a funeral would be any of you are, could you tell me if I was close or not? … Well, this chapter was 5,138 words Pre-ffnet and it was going to be longer but I had to cut it short because I'm going out with my friends now : ) Uhm, so the next chapter is the final one in Ohio and it's gonna have TONS of Bamon : ) Just saying…
Leave Bamon some love! Especially Damon he's a bit sad. A REVIEW= A hug for Damon ; ) so review away!
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Love,
Lily
Disclaimer: I DON'T own The Vampire Diaries. No shit, Sherlock!