A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter, but RL is getting in the way a little xx Alexis
Things went well for the rest of our visit in Forks, I mean for us particularly. The tree ceremony was nice and dad's new girlfriend seems very level-headed. We had a nice time at the lodge, well except for people coming up and asking about the Cullens. We, well I just made up a story about their whereabouts and they all were happy for me. Saying it was karma, that running from Edward, had led me to Elijah. The pack was all happy, but Billy and Jake seemed less than amused when it came to light he would never be the Chief. The fact that his sister, a sister who was mated to Paul Lahote would be the next Chief rankled I think.
But it was a good thing because the pack would back her up in her claim and make sure it happened. Klaus stayed with Damon and Leah before he took off for New Orleans. We would all meet up in Mystic Falls for the New Year celebrations. Then I guess we'll all be going our separate ways for a while. Elijah and I will be starting out on our work trip, a worldwide work trip. Ava and Jasper were going to his ranch to let her wade through the two grimoires. Leah would be staying in Mystic Falls and Rose and Emmett are going to Peter and Char's place. Rebekah thinks she'll go to New York to see friends after the New Year and who know where Klaus will go he is very secretive. No, not secretive more tight-lipped about his affairs.
I'm really looking forward to Leah's impact in Mystic falls, she won't put up with any BS, that's for sure. It's so weird, how she's an enemy of Cold Ones but not Traditionals. They aren't dangerous to her like Jasper is; if Damon bit her it wouldn't kill her. We assume it's because they have blood in their veins and not venom. It's crazy how much supernaturals don't really know about each other, someday we need to write all this down. Especially as our family consists of a bit of everything, hell we are only short a full werewolf since Klaus is a hybrid! But who knows what the future will bring. All in all, I'm happy with how our visit to Washington went.
I feel for once dad actually sees that both Ava and I have the right to make our own choices, right or wrong. This is how it's supposed to go, parents can make suggestions, but not tell you what to do! That goes for siblings as well and I think Elijah see that now too. They all allowed Klaus to run their lives and it's wrong. Plus they are to blame for how Rebekah turned out, enabling her to be immature and entitled. But I've seen her looking at us and think she's seeing strong independent women, not women depending on their family to survive. Wow, listen to me being all grown up and sage-like. I'm really looking forward to my new life with Elijah, as his partner, almost his equal.
I know that because he's an Original I can't technically be his real equal, but in our life together yes. Dad was sorry to see us go, but half his mind was on Valarie already and I was happy for them both.
IOOH
I have never been so nervous in all my life; I was leaving everything I knew behind me. I thanked god both Bella and Ava would be with me to start with, but I wasn't expecting them to stay and hold my hand. That's not who I am, I like to do things for myself and I want Damon to see me as a strong partner and not some needy helpless bitch! Damon had called his brother that we were coming, well not me exactly; I was going to be a surprise. He had told me a bit about his life so far and dear god, he's going to be a handful! But I'm sure I'm more than capable of keeping him on the straight and narrow. This crap with Elena and her ancestors is intense, but that girl has missed the boat where he's concerned.
Damon is mine now and I'll fight to the death to keep him! Bella and Ava gave me a little run down on the teenage angst in Mystic Falls while we were on the plane and I laughed so hard when they told me Stefan was the Traditional equivalent of Edward Cullen, poor sod! Jasper smirked and told me,
"Not only does he look like him, he feels like him too! The angst, the self-loathin' it's intense. But I'm sure you'll be able to kick his butt for him!"
He also pulled me aside and gave me the heads up on Elena. I never in my life thought I'd thank a Cold One for anything, but Jasper was nothing like I expected. I knew there were two other's from the Cullen waiting on our return. But when I realised just how much they'd helped Bella not only to get away from Edward, but Jake too, well, I would gladly accept them for her sake. It's not like they were all staying in Virginia, they would be taking off to other places and that suited me fine. I had to make my own way in this new life, but as long as Damon was at my side I'd cope.
IOOH
"So brother, what made you turn up in Forks so fortuitously? I know Peter sent Damon, but what about you?" I ask Klaus when we were on the plane,
"Yeah, mad bastard phoned me too! Said get your ass to Forks Bella needs you! I was gobsmacked at his gall, but he really cares about your girl. He said anyone good enough to be the Major's sister, was good enough to be mine too!" He tells me smirking,
"You actually listened to someone else, I'm impressed! I say raising an eyebrow,
"Well, he did sweeten the deal by passing on a bit of information I've been trying to acquire" he explains and it all made sense,
Klaus rarely did something for nothing! No, Klaus never does something for nothing, that's just his way. He learned early on to trust no one not even family, thanks to our parents! I think that's why we have so much family drama because he can't really trust us, even if he wants to.
"I'm glad you came, I didn't relish the idea of killing that child, because he is only a child still!" I admit and he nods,
"We've seen it all over the year's brother and still we get the odd surprise. Isabella, her Cold Ones, Ava, those wolves and Damon and Leah! Yes, I don't think life will get quieter for you with your little mate around. What next? **Me mating with a werewolf?** No, that's too ridiculous" Klaus quips and I laugh along with him,
Because yes our lives have changed beyond all recognition since I met Isabella. I wouldn't change it though, she is everything I need, want and dreamt of. I am beyond content; I might not show it outwardly to all and sundry. But all who know me can I'm sure see the difference in me now. I often wonder if we had been a united front in the past, would our troubles have been smaller. I know it might have tempered some of the excesses, but even we the Originals can't turn back the clock to right some of those wrongs. The path we tore through time has been long and bloody, but for once I'm satisfied and happy with where I am. I think even Rebekah is happier now she knows Isabella and has some females in her life.
IOOH
Am I worried about our reception once we arrive in Mystic Falls, hell yes! But I don't care what they think; Leah is all that matters to me now. She makes all the others pale in significance. She makes me wish I'd been a better man, but you can't change the past, so why worry about the what if's! No amount of beating yourself up as Stefan does can change a damn thing. What's important is the future, what I do from now on. But I would like to see Elena put in her place for once and she's not going to be happy that Leah is the woman of our house. Plus anything she wants will have to be Okayed by Leah first since she's just Stefan's girlfriend, not his future wife!
Yes, mating with Leah has opened my eyes to her little manipulations and all that playing us off each other. She's as bad as her predecessor, just not so subtle or dangerous. I can't see Leah allowing all Elena's little friends to hang out at our place, all the time, uninvited. I think Stefan's in for a shock too; she's no shrinking violet, my Leah! I know she wants to go to college, but at least it's not high school like the rest of them. I think I need to get my finances and business dealings in order, not so ad hoc now. She's going to make a decent man out of me, how intriguing! I've played the fool, the playboy, the irredeemable killer, the concerned brother. Many sides to my nature, but none of them completely me.
IOOH
We arrived back in Mystic Falls at about noon, so decided to go straight to the Mystic Grill. Rose and Emmett were meetin' us all there as well as Damon's brother and Elijah's sister. The place was heavin' since it was lunchtime, all the expected teens were there and a couple I'd never seen before or never paid attention to. Stefan's girlfriend rushed toward Damon, she even looked like she was goin' to grab hold of him possessively. She looked annoyed like she didn't know he was gone until after he'd left. Seems odd and her emotions were not those of a concerned future family member, more like a peeved girlfriend. But she never even made contact. Leah moved in front of him casually and sneers,
"Whoa little girl, I don't hug strangers!"
"I wasn't trying to hug you, I was trying to get to Damon" Elena stupidly says,
"He doesn't hug little girls either! Try hugging your own boyfriend and leave mine to me, the grown-up!" Leah almost growls and Damon smirks and kisses her cheek,
Elena's brother steps forward to glare at Leah and she sniffs the air and raises her eyebrow, waitin' to see what he'd say.
"Listen lady don't talk to my sister like that!" Jeremy spat,
"Or what, you'll bite me! Go chase your tail little doggy. Oh, you can't, no full moon till next month!" Leah replies with a resoundin' growl,
He steps back unsure of what she is but knows she's stronger and more dominant than him, in either form. Damon is full out smilin' now, I wonder if anyone has ever gone to bat for him before Leah. Everyone else was sniggerin' and enjoyin' Elena's discomfort. She looks shocked she's not gettin' her own way and is not gettin' Damon's attention like she clearly expects. She sure is a needy little thing! I am watchin' Stefan and he don't look too happy with Elena, has he not noticed her possessiveness of his brother before? Has he been blamin' Damon for it in the past and now when he is totally disinterested, sees the truth? I am happy it has nothin' to do with me and pull Ava closer.
"Well, I'm glad Damon has found himself a woman at last and let's hope you're good at decorating because his place needs a woman's touch! Well, a grown-up woman's touch is what I really mean" Rebekah says comin' forward to introduce herself,
We all saw Elena bristle at that little dig, she obviously has tried and Damon was resistant. He of course knew what he was doin' when he replies,
"Yeah, my chequebook is hers. Any changes Leah wants are fine with me! The old place hasn't changed since the civil war"
"We'll see. I'm more interested in who's doing the cooking because I can burn water!" Leah says laughing and Damon sniggers,
"Your mother did mention that to me, she was relieved to know I can cook and you wouldn't starve baby!" he explains,
"You're going to let her change our place? But you wouldn't let me!" Elena yells and Stefan looks down at the floor in embarrassment,
"Elena, you don't live there! It's not now or ever was your anything. You date my little brother, nothing more!" Damon tells her coldly,
"But..., that's..., but it's Stefan's home too! Doesn't he get a say?" Elena demands,
"It's Damon's house Elena, he's the oldest and he inherited it. He lets me live with him, you know this!" Stefan tells her quietly,
"So everyone is going to let her waltz in and take over? Why? What right has she to be there?" the stupid child demands,
"As my future wife, she has every right!" Damon growls angrily, his vampiric side showing,
"WIFE!" she screeches in affront at the thought,
"Wife?" Leah whispers to Damon,
"Yup, wanna get hitched sexy lady?" he asks from beside her, down on one knee,
"Why the hell not!" Leah says grabbin' him up into a passionate kiss,
Which I share around the room, makin' Elena turns a little green at the depth of feelin', they were pushin' out. The spoilt brat is not happy with this outcome. Everyone else burst's out in applause and Stefan offers Leah his hand.
"Welcome to Mystic Falls and the family, Leah"
IOOH
I know that's not the end of it, but as an opening salvo, it went okay and damn I'm getting married. I don't know about a ring though as I couldn't phase with one on and I can't stop because Damon is immortal. Maybe a tattoo? I'll talk to him about it later, now I'm hungry. I can't believe the nerve of that little bitch, she has the Edward lookalike, but wants Damon too! Not that I can blame her, he's the better looking of the two and looks to be way more fun as is it the animal drinkers have such freaky yellow eyes when the rest have their own colour? I think Bella's on to something and someone should write a book about supers!
I'm sure Elena and her little clique will try to catch me alone at some point, that might be the time I let them see the other side of me! She will obviously need back up from her witch and other friend. But she's not that important to me other than being Stefan's girlfriend. Although I will have no problem putting her in her place if she oversteps her bounds and I'm sure she will. Once the others all take off for pastures new and old I'm going to get on with my life and I really don't care what 'Miss Thang' wants! That of course, is the problem; she thinks she's more important than she actually is. It's always the same with people like her, expecting the world to revolve around them.
Ah, food good stuff. I'm totally starving, that's the problem shifters eat so much. Let's see how much that disgusts the skinny brigade. Not that it will bother me, after all the crap I've put up with from the pack, three immature little girls won't bother me. Plus Bella and Ava will be speaking to Bonnie and warning her what will happen to her if she tries to hurt me on Elena's say so! But I'm not planning on having much to do with any of them. High school girls are not my speed, shit even when I was in school they weren't! I'm looking forward to seeing Damon's house, my home now. I know it will be way more grand than I'm used to, but it's the history of it that attracts me.
IOOH
Well that went better than expected and Elena's been out firmly in her place. But I doubt she'll pull her head in anytime soon. She's a spoilt brat who expects to get her own way all the time. Well, I know that Leah is more than a match for her and god help her if she ever meets Leah's wolf! Still I will be speaking to Bonnie, no Ava and I will be speaking to Bonnie, because Elena will eventually ask for her help getting rid of Leah. Girls like her never accept defeat graciously, they push their luck and end up alone and ostracised! But her friend is dangerous and will need a warning as to what will happen to her and anyone else in Mystic Falls, if any harm befalls Leah or Damon.
I thought the girls in Forks were childish and bitchy, but Jesus they are so much worse here. Petty, immature and demanding, that sums up Elena and she really needs slapped back in her place. Which is not Damon's house, but she seems to think it's her right to hang out there. No matter how often it's happened, Damon has the right to change the rules, it's his home and not hers! I can see it all coming to a head and Stefan needs to man up or move out. He's seems to just do everything she wants and can't see what a user she is, well they do say love is blind and I should know! I was blinded by the idea of love too, until the blinkers were ripped off and I saw the truth!
Well I think that's enough drama for one day, and it's only just after one o'clock. So I'm more than ready to head to the mansion and take an nap. Taking Elijah's hand I mouth home and he nods, then wraps his arms around me and just says,
"Goodbye everyone, Bella and I are heading out!"
Queue the mass exodus., Rose and Rebekah are off shopping, Emmett is staying to watch the game until they're done. Klaus mumbles about things to do and Damon and Leah are to busy making eyes at each other. Jasper leads the way out and we four saunter off back to the house.
** Spoiler alert, this does happen in the Originals**