Chapter 5
… 5 years later …
All humans, minus Alaric, are approx. 23
Meredith grinned as she delicately unwrapped the bright pink paper from the gift. As she lifted the lid her smile got wider. Pulling the little purple outfit along with a pair of matching booties out she held them up for everyone at the baby shower to see.
"That was from _ me _!" cried Bonnie with a clap of her hands. Matt rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Bonnie."
"Go on. Open the others!" Elena urged from where she sat next to Stefan at one of the tables.
Alaric handed her a smaller package wrapped up in yellow. She accepted it and tore it open, revealing a baby monitor. There was a small card attached to it. Inside it was signed by Matt who smiled.
"Thanks, Matt. This'll come in handy."
"No problem."
"Is it cake time yet?" Bonnie questioned.
Meredith nodded. "In a little bit."
Shortly, there was scattered tissue paper and gift wrapping. Baby toys and clothing were placed on a table. Meredith got up to get the cake, but due to her large belly, she had to be assisted by Alaric.
"Sit, I'll get it," he said.
"Woof," replied Meredith wryly. "Do I get a bone?"
"If you behave," Alaric answered, his hazel eyes warm as he looked at her. He left her to get the food.
Meredith wandered over to the table in the center of the room, taking a seat.
"You know, Meredith, that guy dotes on you or something," Bonnie said.
"Yeah. He's a good husband. Matt will be, too."
Bonnie admired the ring on her finger, the little diamond glinting in the light. She glanced at Meredith's ring, the larger stone surrounded by smaller ones sparkled. Bonnie didn't care though. She loved him and that's what mattered.
Alaric came out with the cake, layered in pastel pink icing with writing scrawled on the top.
"Looks good," commented Matt.
"Aw! Matt, look at Pooh! Isn't he cute?" squealed Bonnie and looked at Matt with large brown eyes.
"Yup," replied Matt, rather disinterested.
Alaric gave a slice to Bonnie and one to Matt. He gave two to Meredith and took a sliver for himself. Elena and Stefan just smiled.
"It was sweet of you to get me all that stuff," Meredith said, taking a bite of her cake. "Thank you."
"Well, you are the mother to be, and we had to get you _ something, _" Stefan told her.
Matt looked up from his cake. "Have you decided on a name?"
Meredith went to answer when there was a slam from the side door. Startled, everyone turned.
"Congratulations," someone said smoothly.
Stefan's eyes went wide, and Matt raised a brow as Damon walked in, looking faintly amused and holding a bottle of what appeared to be a bottle of fine Italian red wine. He wore black jeans, tight Ginny-t (muscle shirt) and boots. He wore his jacket and his hair was slightly tousled. "Surprise," Damon said, flashing a wolfish grin.
Bonnie moved over closer to Matt, latching onto his arm. Damon noticed the flash of the diamond and directed his attention to Matt. "So she _ is _ yours now."
Matt put a protective arm around her shoulders, his blue eyes dark.
Damon's eyes scanned the room, landing on his brother.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Stefan said.
"Well, it seems my invitation got lost in the mail." Damon didn't bother to sit, instead just calmly placed the bottle of wine on the table. He took a seat gracefully. All eyes were on him, but he didn't seem to mind.
"Well...uh..." Meredith was at loss for words to ease the feeling of discomfort in the room. She ran a hand through her long sweep of dark hair, the other hand rested on her round belly beneath the maternity dress she wore.
Elena cleared her throat. "What brings you here, Damon?"
He swung his dark eyes to her. "Didn't want to miss the party," he replied dryly.
Elena nodded her blonde head with a raise of one of her eyebrows. "I see..." She sighed. "It's been a while."
He shrugged. "I'm aware."
Stefan interrupted. "Do you need something? Are you in trouble?"
"_ Trouble? _" Damon spat the word like a curse. "Can't I just come without a reason? I wasn't aware I needed an appointment to see my dear brother and dear friends."
"It's been five years, Damon. It was just a bit of a surprise."
"Next time I'll call before I drop by," he replied vaguely irritated.
"Don't you two start," Matt cut in. "It's Meredith's baby shower for God's sake."
A look of guilt flushed over Stefan's face and Elena put a hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry, Meredith."
"It's all right. Don't worry."
"No, I shouldn't have—"
"Relax. Let's all just calm down," she said.
"She's right," agreed Alaric.
Bonnie nodded, curls bouncing. "Let's start fresh. As Matt said, Meredith, did you come up with a name yet?"
The tension eased a bit in the room as she answered, "Yes. We're planning on naming her Anya Faye Saltzman."
"Oh! That's so pretty!" exclaimed Bonnie.
"I think so, too," agreed Elena.
Everyone in the room seemed to be trying to forget Damon's unexpected arrival. He watched everyone with hooded eyes, with his usual look of disinterest. The bottle of forgotten wine sat in front of him.
After a few more moments, he stood.
"Where are you going?" Stefan inquired.
"Leaving," responded Damon bluntly.
"Where to?" Elena asked, turning from the conversation she'd been having.
"Someplace."
With that he turned and as everyone watched, walked away. His hand on the doorknob he turned and called back, "I'll be around."
~*~*~*~
Meredith touched the soft baby blanket draped over the side of the bassinet. It was a delicate, pastel pink, and the blanket itself was made of velvet. She gently rearranged the teddy bears and the stuffed animals. They were all so adorable. She sighed as she smoothed the pillow in the bassinet.
"Hey, baby," she said, stroking her round stomach. "Mommy loves you."
Arms wrapped around her waist from behind pulling her up against a firm chest. She sighed and looked up.
"And Daddy loves Mommy," Alaric whispered softly, kissing Meredith's temple.
She smiled. "I can't wait until I have her in my arms."
"Me either."
"Oh!" Meredith cried, "She kicked!"
Alaric grinned as she kicked again, and he felt it.
"Feisty. Definitely not like her mother."
"Very funny," Meredith mumbled, enjoying the odd twinge in her stomach as her unborn child squirmed about. "I just can't wait. Soon we're going to have a little baby in the house!"
"Yes, screaming at all hours of the night, with dirty diapers…" Alaric trailed off, his nose wrinkling slightly.
"Oh, you! You'll love her, just the same! Besides, I have a feeling that _ I _ will be doing all the late night jobs," Meredith laughed.
~*~*~*~
Elena walked out into the bright June sun. The light didn't bother her much thanks to her sunglasses. She was glad she'd worn a tank top and short; the heat was stifling. Her sandals clicked softly on the pavement of the walkway in front of her home.
Elena was lost in thoughts, so she jumped when someone spoke.
"_ Buon giorno, _" Damon said.
Elena turned to the sound of his voice and saw he stood merely a foot away.
"What are you doing here?" she questioned.
"Where's the husband?" he answered with a question of his own, pointedly ignoring hers.
"Off feeding." She raised an eyebrow, suspicion growing in her blue eyes. "Why?"
"No reason." He shrugged. "And you? Where were you off to?"
Even with her sunglasses she could see the sun reflecting the rainbows in his hair. "No where. Going for a walk," Elena replied and abruptly began walking again.
Damon began walking in step with her.
"Do you always follow people uninvited?"
"Only when I feel like it," he told her, flashing a quick grin.
"Uh huh, I see." Elena tilted her face up and studied the sky. Above her, the clouds begun to gather, darkening, and she knew it was not because of some mysterious source. She felt his Power radiating from him.
Elena turned her attention back to him, slowing her walking pace slightly. "Where have you been for the past five years?"
He lifted his sunglasses onto his head, black eyes meeting blue. "Around."
Elena shook her head. "What does it take to get a whole sentence from you? Or even a minor detail?"
"I answer how I like, when I like," he replied calmly.
They neared a small park. A pond sat still; ducks seemed to be the only other things present. Elena took a seat on the bench and after a moment Damon sat besides her. She felt a slight discomfort in her stomach at the wonder of what Stefan might think if he suddenly arrived.
"You're uncomfortable." He sensed her hesitation. "I'll leave if you like."
"Oh, it's not that..." Elena felt helpless. She didn't want to offend him.
"I'm not stupid, Elena."
She sighed. "Don't be mad."
Damon's black eyes were focused on the pond. He seemed to be deep in thought, and Elena wasn't sure that he remembered where he was.
Elena placed a hand on Damon's shoulder. "Damon?"
He shrugged, shaking her hand off of him. He stood.
_ Arrividerci, _ he replied, using his mental voice. Before she could say anything, a crow was soaring away above her.
~*~*~*~
End Chapter 5…
Bwahahaha… ::clears throat:: Err… sorry. Um, what dya think?
… 5 years later …
All humans, minus Alaric, are approx. 23
Meredith grinned as she delicately unwrapped the bright pink paper from the gift. As she lifted the lid her smile got wider. Pulling the little purple outfit along with a pair of matching booties out she held them up for everyone at the baby shower to see.
"That was from _ me _!" cried Bonnie with a clap of her hands. Matt rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Bonnie."
"Go on. Open the others!" Elena urged from where she sat next to Stefan at one of the tables.
Alaric handed her a smaller package wrapped up in yellow. She accepted it and tore it open, revealing a baby monitor. There was a small card attached to it. Inside it was signed by Matt who smiled.
"Thanks, Matt. This'll come in handy."
"No problem."
"Is it cake time yet?" Bonnie questioned.
Meredith nodded. "In a little bit."
Shortly, there was scattered tissue paper and gift wrapping. Baby toys and clothing were placed on a table. Meredith got up to get the cake, but due to her large belly, she had to be assisted by Alaric.
"Sit, I'll get it," he said.
"Woof," replied Meredith wryly. "Do I get a bone?"
"If you behave," Alaric answered, his hazel eyes warm as he looked at her. He left her to get the food.
Meredith wandered over to the table in the center of the room, taking a seat.
"You know, Meredith, that guy dotes on you or something," Bonnie said.
"Yeah. He's a good husband. Matt will be, too."
Bonnie admired the ring on her finger, the little diamond glinting in the light. She glanced at Meredith's ring, the larger stone surrounded by smaller ones sparkled. Bonnie didn't care though. She loved him and that's what mattered.
Alaric came out with the cake, layered in pastel pink icing with writing scrawled on the top.
"Looks good," commented Matt.
"Aw! Matt, look at Pooh! Isn't he cute?" squealed Bonnie and looked at Matt with large brown eyes.
"Yup," replied Matt, rather disinterested.
Alaric gave a slice to Bonnie and one to Matt. He gave two to Meredith and took a sliver for himself. Elena and Stefan just smiled.
"It was sweet of you to get me all that stuff," Meredith said, taking a bite of her cake. "Thank you."
"Well, you are the mother to be, and we had to get you _ something, _" Stefan told her.
Matt looked up from his cake. "Have you decided on a name?"
Meredith went to answer when there was a slam from the side door. Startled, everyone turned.
"Congratulations," someone said smoothly.
Stefan's eyes went wide, and Matt raised a brow as Damon walked in, looking faintly amused and holding a bottle of what appeared to be a bottle of fine Italian red wine. He wore black jeans, tight Ginny-t (muscle shirt) and boots. He wore his jacket and his hair was slightly tousled. "Surprise," Damon said, flashing a wolfish grin.
Bonnie moved over closer to Matt, latching onto his arm. Damon noticed the flash of the diamond and directed his attention to Matt. "So she _ is _ yours now."
Matt put a protective arm around her shoulders, his blue eyes dark.
Damon's eyes scanned the room, landing on his brother.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Stefan said.
"Well, it seems my invitation got lost in the mail." Damon didn't bother to sit, instead just calmly placed the bottle of wine on the table. He took a seat gracefully. All eyes were on him, but he didn't seem to mind.
"Well...uh..." Meredith was at loss for words to ease the feeling of discomfort in the room. She ran a hand through her long sweep of dark hair, the other hand rested on her round belly beneath the maternity dress she wore.
Elena cleared her throat. "What brings you here, Damon?"
He swung his dark eyes to her. "Didn't want to miss the party," he replied dryly.
Elena nodded her blonde head with a raise of one of her eyebrows. "I see..." She sighed. "It's been a while."
He shrugged. "I'm aware."
Stefan interrupted. "Do you need something? Are you in trouble?"
"_ Trouble? _" Damon spat the word like a curse. "Can't I just come without a reason? I wasn't aware I needed an appointment to see my dear brother and dear friends."
"It's been five years, Damon. It was just a bit of a surprise."
"Next time I'll call before I drop by," he replied vaguely irritated.
"Don't you two start," Matt cut in. "It's Meredith's baby shower for God's sake."
A look of guilt flushed over Stefan's face and Elena put a hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry, Meredith."
"It's all right. Don't worry."
"No, I shouldn't have—"
"Relax. Let's all just calm down," she said.
"She's right," agreed Alaric.
Bonnie nodded, curls bouncing. "Let's start fresh. As Matt said, Meredith, did you come up with a name yet?"
The tension eased a bit in the room as she answered, "Yes. We're planning on naming her Anya Faye Saltzman."
"Oh! That's so pretty!" exclaimed Bonnie.
"I think so, too," agreed Elena.
Everyone in the room seemed to be trying to forget Damon's unexpected arrival. He watched everyone with hooded eyes, with his usual look of disinterest. The bottle of forgotten wine sat in front of him.
After a few more moments, he stood.
"Where are you going?" Stefan inquired.
"Leaving," responded Damon bluntly.
"Where to?" Elena asked, turning from the conversation she'd been having.
"Someplace."
With that he turned and as everyone watched, walked away. His hand on the doorknob he turned and called back, "I'll be around."
~*~*~*~
Meredith touched the soft baby blanket draped over the side of the bassinet. It was a delicate, pastel pink, and the blanket itself was made of velvet. She gently rearranged the teddy bears and the stuffed animals. They were all so adorable. She sighed as she smoothed the pillow in the bassinet.
"Hey, baby," she said, stroking her round stomach. "Mommy loves you."
Arms wrapped around her waist from behind pulling her up against a firm chest. She sighed and looked up.
"And Daddy loves Mommy," Alaric whispered softly, kissing Meredith's temple.
She smiled. "I can't wait until I have her in my arms."
"Me either."
"Oh!" Meredith cried, "She kicked!"
Alaric grinned as she kicked again, and he felt it.
"Feisty. Definitely not like her mother."
"Very funny," Meredith mumbled, enjoying the odd twinge in her stomach as her unborn child squirmed about. "I just can't wait. Soon we're going to have a little baby in the house!"
"Yes, screaming at all hours of the night, with dirty diapers…" Alaric trailed off, his nose wrinkling slightly.
"Oh, you! You'll love her, just the same! Besides, I have a feeling that _ I _ will be doing all the late night jobs," Meredith laughed.
~*~*~*~
Elena walked out into the bright June sun. The light didn't bother her much thanks to her sunglasses. She was glad she'd worn a tank top and short; the heat was stifling. Her sandals clicked softly on the pavement of the walkway in front of her home.
Elena was lost in thoughts, so she jumped when someone spoke.
"_ Buon giorno, _" Damon said.
Elena turned to the sound of his voice and saw he stood merely a foot away.
"What are you doing here?" she questioned.
"Where's the husband?" he answered with a question of his own, pointedly ignoring hers.
"Off feeding." She raised an eyebrow, suspicion growing in her blue eyes. "Why?"
"No reason." He shrugged. "And you? Where were you off to?"
Even with her sunglasses she could see the sun reflecting the rainbows in his hair. "No where. Going for a walk," Elena replied and abruptly began walking again.
Damon began walking in step with her.
"Do you always follow people uninvited?"
"Only when I feel like it," he told her, flashing a quick grin.
"Uh huh, I see." Elena tilted her face up and studied the sky. Above her, the clouds begun to gather, darkening, and she knew it was not because of some mysterious source. She felt his Power radiating from him.
Elena turned her attention back to him, slowing her walking pace slightly. "Where have you been for the past five years?"
He lifted his sunglasses onto his head, black eyes meeting blue. "Around."
Elena shook her head. "What does it take to get a whole sentence from you? Or even a minor detail?"
"I answer how I like, when I like," he replied calmly.
They neared a small park. A pond sat still; ducks seemed to be the only other things present. Elena took a seat on the bench and after a moment Damon sat besides her. She felt a slight discomfort in her stomach at the wonder of what Stefan might think if he suddenly arrived.
"You're uncomfortable." He sensed her hesitation. "I'll leave if you like."
"Oh, it's not that..." Elena felt helpless. She didn't want to offend him.
"I'm not stupid, Elena."
She sighed. "Don't be mad."
Damon's black eyes were focused on the pond. He seemed to be deep in thought, and Elena wasn't sure that he remembered where he was.
Elena placed a hand on Damon's shoulder. "Damon?"
He shrugged, shaking her hand off of him. He stood.
_ Arrividerci, _ he replied, using his mental voice. Before she could say anything, a crow was soaring away above her.
~*~*~*~
End Chapter 5…
Bwahahaha… ::clears throat:: Err… sorry. Um, what dya think?