Her whole body was shaking. She tried to focus on one emotion to stop herself from going crazy but couldn't and the frustration of that caused her body to shake even more. She jumped slightly feeling arms around her and looked over seeing Lily and hugged her tightly as she cried into her shoulder.
"Stefan is a fighter, okay, he's going to make it."
Bonnie nodded wanting to believe.
"Mrs. Salvatore?" Stefan's doctor calmly spoke.
The women stood, holding one another.
"Stefan's surgery was a success but there is crucial damage to his amygdala."
"What does that mean?" Bonnie asked.
"It means that the emotional significance of his memories are lost. It's possible that he remembers who you are, but what you mean to him can get fuzzy. There is hope to get those emotions back, but it may take some time and coaching"
"But he's alive?"
"He's alive."
Bonnie let out a breath. "That's all that matters."
He nodded. "I can escort you to his room, I just ask that you allow him to rest as much as possible so no loud noises or conversation."
"Of course."
They held hands following behind the doctor and held one another seeing him lying there with his head bandaged and a tube in his mouth. They walked in slowly and sat on opposite ends of his bed, kissing his cheeks.
"I love you," Bonnie held back her tears and caressed his face.
…
Bonnie dried her body off then reached for her lotion. She was glad Stefan had a room with a shower or else she would really be forced to go home and that's the last thing she wanted because she wanted to be there the second he opened his eyes. It's been almost a week since his surgery and two days since he started breathing on his own. She knew that it was only a matter of time before he would wake up and she was excited because that meant that he was truly alive. Even if she doesn't remember her in the slightest, or the love they shared, she doesn't care because he's alive and breathing.
"Fuck," she cursed noticing that she forgot to bring in her clean clothes.
She thought back and remembered that she closed the room door and since Stefan was knocked out she walked out of the bathroom with only her slippers on and headed for her bag. She decided on what she would wear before making her way back to the bathroom.
"Damn."
She gasped and her eyes widened before slowly turning around. Her heart sped seeing his eyes open and hers fills with tears. "Stefan,"
"Is this a new method of getting patients to wake up?"
She chuckled then went to cover herself in a towel. "Sorry,"
"Don't apologize."
She walked up to him. "You're alive."
"I'm sorry, who are you exactly?"
"I'm uh, I'm Bonnie. Your- your fiancée."
"Fiancée? I hit the jackpot."
She chuckled and a tear fell from her eye. She wiped it away, "I uh, I need to tell the nurse you're awake."
"What happened to me?"
She took a breath. "You were shot in the back of the head."
"By who?"
"Franklin. He's your mom's ex-husband, your stepdad. You- you went over there to talk to her and she hinted to you that he was there so you had her lock herself in your car as you went to search for him. No one knows what really happened afterward but he shot you and before the police arrived he- he killed himself."
"Holy fuck."
She nodded.
"Where's my mom? Is she okay?"
"Um with her boyfriend Tim. I'll call her and let her know you're awake. She'll be better once she knows you're awake."
She stood and decided to change really quickly before calling in a nurse then calling Lily.
…
She hugged her son tightly and kissed his head multiple times, apologizing for putting him in this situation. He hugs her back and tells her that it's okay and he smiles in her arms feeling a sense of familiarity. Lily moved away then held his face, looking into his eyes before pulling out two boards from behind one of the chairs. "I made you these, they're pictures and names with who they are underneath."
Stefan chuckled. "Now I know you're my mother." He looked down at the boards.
"If you have any questions, just ask."
He nodded.
"Well, I got this one down," he pointed. "Bonnie Bennett, my gorgeous fiancée," he smirked over at her causing her to smile. "Mom… uh, what happened to my dad?"
Lily tried to stop her face from showing that her heart just shattered. "He- he passed away when you were eighteen. You loved him so much. I'll bring more pictures of him,"
"How did he die?"
Bonnie looked over at Lily wanting to know the answer herself. When Stefan first told her about his father, she didn't know if questioning him was the right thing to do at the time so she just let it be and accepted it but was always curious and was meaning to ask them on their wedding night.
"Um, he had cancer. He fought for as long as he could and always pushed you to live your life any way you wanted it so you wouldn't have any regrets. He was the best man I've ever known."
Stefan places his hand to top his mother's and offers a smile.
"Stefan," Mason entered. "I'm so glad to see you awake." He walked over to him and hugged him.
"Uh, Mason, right?" He used the board as a reference.
"Yeah."
"So I'm like an actor?"
Mason chuckled. "One of the best. You are actually in a short film of mine along with Bonnie. It's ninety-eight percent complete, maybe once it's done and you watch it, you'll get some memory back."
"Yeah, maybe. Bonnie, did we meet on set?" He turned to her.
"No, not um, Mason here set us up. I didn't like you very much at first."
He chuckled. "That's always how the love story goes."
"Stefan?"
He looked over and narrowed his eyes seeing a woman dressed in a tight black dress. "Elena?"
She smiled and rushed up to him. "You remember me?"
Bonnie looked away.
"Yeah, I- we were in a movie together,"
"Yes, that's right." She smiled, watching his eyes. "I'm so happy you're awake, I could kiss you." She moved her hand to the side of his face.
His eyes glanced down to her lips then to her eyes as she bit down on her bottom lip.
Mason looked over at Bonnie seeing that her heart was breaking and noticed her hand shaking so he decided to step in. "So Stefan, anything else coming back to you?"
He exhaled. "Not really. Maybe tomorrow or when I get home." He thought. "I live in an apartment?"
"Yeah, with Bonnie."
"Right,"
She stood. "I'm gonna get some water, I'll be back," Bonnie rushed out causing Elena to wickedly smile.
...
Mason narrowed his eyes watching her watch the boards Lily made. She's been staring at them ever since Stefan fell asleep and though a part of him knows what's she's doing, he stood beside her and questioned her on it.
"I'm looking to see if Lily put Elena's name and picture and description on one of these boards, and no matter how long I look at it or how hard I try to convince myself, she's not there." She pushed them to the side. "He remembered her over his dad, Mason. Over me,"
"Hey," he hugged her as she started to cry on his shoulder. "Everything's going to be okay,"
"What if he doesn't want to be with me anymore?"
"Don't say that. One day spent with you, he'll fall in love with you all over again." He held her face and used his thumbs to wipe her tears.
She watched his eyes, "Mason,"
"You'll get him back. I promise." He kissed her forehead.
…
Bonnie watched his back as he was looking around their apartment. It was his first day back and she hoped that it would trigger some of his memories of her, his feelings for her. Like them firstly moving in together or their first 'I love you' or their first time having sex on the couch and getting caught by his mother. "Anything?"
He turned to her. "No, sorry,"
"It's okay. I'll show you the room," she turned to her left and walked down the hallway, straight back until she reached to door then opened it. She allowed him to step in first and she followed. Stefan looked around and landed his eyes on Bonnie who looked a little sad.
He stepped up to her, "Hey, I'm sorry I-"
"Don't apologize, seriously. You're alive, that's all that matters to me." She placed her hand on the side of his face.
He smiled. "So um, what's a typical day like for us?"
She smiled. "Well we would typically go with the flow, sometimes we would just stay inside and enjoy each other's company and I'll cook dinner."
"You know what, I am a little hungry, maybe some of your cooking can spark some memories."
"Sure, are you in the mood for anything in particular?"
He shrugged, "Anything should be fine."
She nodded then moved to pivot towards the door but stopped. "Can I hug you?" She watched his eyes narrow. "I know it's an odd question to ask, but you don't really know me and I don't want to touch you if you're unwilling."
He watched her then pulled her into his body and moved his arms tightly around her. She hugged him back, snuggling her head into his chest, breathing him in. Her eyes closed as his hands moved up her back then down it. Like he always would. It caused her to hold him tighter and she eventually let him go before walking past him but she stopped as he grabbed her arm.
"Hey," he practically whispered.
She turned around and wiped the tear that fell from her right eye.
"Why are you crying?"
She smiled remembering that the last time he asked her that exact question he was surprised her with their wedding date. "I'm just- I just missed you so much."
He watched her eyes then met their lips. She stood on her toes as he kissed her deeper and they opened their mouths to one another. He lifted her and carried her over to their bed. They helped remove one another's clothing and her arms went around his neck as he pushed inside her before shortly meeting their lips again.
...
She watched his eyes as he watched hers and she stopped herself from feeling sad because just by looking into them, she could tell that he doesn't love her meaning that he doesn't remember her. She's not sure if she would mind as much as she does if he didn't remember Elena and she absolutely hates with all her might that he would remember her but that's just the way it is sometimes. She's hoping that something she says or does can trigger his memory of her back because it's hurting her more than she cares to admit.
Bonnie closed her eyes as he leans in to kiss her forehead.
"I remember something,"
She lowly gasped, "What?" She moved her head back to watch his eyes.
"I don't really know, it came in a flash but it was you or Elena or someone, I- I couldn't really see the face."
Elena? Elena?! She wanted to scream. After having sex with her, he tells her about a memory he could've possibly shared with Elena? And on top of that not seem to notice that it was the wrong place and time to ever say anything like that. She sighed. "I'll go get started on dinner," she sat up and threw on his shirt before heading into the kitchen.
"You're upset with me," he stood a few feet behind her.
"Kind of, yeah. We just had sex and then the first thing you say afterward to is that you remember a memory that you share with Elena."
"I don't know if it was her, you both are the only women in my life who I know I was involved with romantically. It could've been you or any other ex."
"I know but I- I just want it to be me."
"I'm sorry,"
"Don't, it's honestly not your fault, it just hurts but I'll live." She sniffed in then let out a deep breath, calming herself.
He hugged her from behind making her almost want to cry again as she's reminded of when he first did this to her back in Milan.
"You're really short, you know that?"
"Tell anyone and I'll slit your throat."
He chuckled. "Damn, girl,"
She turned in his arms to meet their lips and he squeezed her ass, tilting his head to the side, moaning. She pulls away. "You're distracting me from actually making something."
He smiled. "You kissed me first,"
"Shut up."
He chuckled. "I'll go take a shower then,"
"Okay,"
She pouted no longer feeling his hold on her but turned back around to face the stove.
…
Stefan looks up from his laptop as she straddled his lap. He googled himself and was surprised to see articles and interviews and tons of photos. The most recent was of course with Bonnie and the one thing that he is certain about is that they loved to makeout. One blog site even crowned them as PDA king and queen which made him smile. He searched his name along with Elena's and mainly saw photos of them on set. He read an article that only speculated that they were dating, they didn't even confirm or deny it so it tells him that maybe they wanted to keep things private. He remembers his feelings toward her, he wasn't sure if it was love but it was close and a part of him wonders if he only proposed to Bonnie because his heart was broken by Elena.
"Hey, so Thanksgiving is coming up and we all had planned to go over your mother's house. I'm not sure if you'll still be up for it and if not we can do something just the two of us."
He closed his laptop. "Who was invited?"
"My parents whom you've met before, my parents' partners,"
"Your parents are divorced?"
"Yeah. Um, Mason, your mom's boyfriend, my friend Caroline,"
"I'm sure I'll be fine. Can uh Elena come? I think I'd feel more comfortable with a familiar face around."
"Sure, I'll invite her."
"Thanks,"
She nodded then got off his lap and started toward the door.
"I uh, I googled myself today, saw a lot of photos of us making out."
She laughed. "Yeah, we uh, yeah,"
He chuckled. "So we were like really public?"
She walked back over to him. "Yeah. We practically did everything together."
"What was your first impression of me?" He watched her. "What's what that face?"
"Nothing, it was just you were kind of a dick. Hot and cold but I eventually loosened you up."
"Did you now?"
She shrugged. "I have my ways,"
He shook his head watching her ass on her way out.
Bonnie exhaled then called a number that she never pictured calling again in a long time. She would just text Elena but wanted to get this conversation over with as soon as possible, she just hopes that her voice doesn't shake due to anger.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Elena, it's Bonnie. I was just wondering if you would like to join my parents, Mason, Caroline at Stefan's mom's place for Thanksgiving."
"Will Stefan be there?"
"Of course," she rolled her eyes.
"Great, then I'll be there."
"Great." She ended the call and grabbed the nearest pillow before screaming into it.
...
She tried to stop her face from expressing how she was feeling on the inside because it wouldn't be a pretty look. Currently, she and Stefan were just sitting in a pool of awkward silence because, for the life of her, she for some reason couldn't remember what they would do all day before the incident. She thought that her life was exciting and adventurous, but then she realized that maybe it wasn't all that glamorous. She realized that she and Stefan would just simply spend their day at home and in bed and if they weren't arguing over Mason, they would be talking about their plans and making out. Most recently planning their wedding but she was sure that wouldn't be a good idea since he has yet to show the important part of affection to her like simply just holding her or touching her face or gazing. She started to feel like a sex doll and nothing more. She thought that them connecting and bonding such a way would for sure trigger his feelings for her cus so far it was a dead end. She thought back to when they first met and how quickly they fell for one another but realized it was more natural. She wasn't forcing herself to force him to love her, she wasn't trying at all, a matter of fact, because of Enzo, the last thing she ever wanted was to develop any type of feelings for Stefan. So maybe that's what she should do. Stop trying and let nature take its course and hope for the best.
"So," Stefan started. "how did Mason set us up again?"
So far he couldn't see how he and Bonnie came to be the way the tabloids portrayed them out to be. This loving power-couple, hashtag goals. Being with Bonnie seemed a little boring and maybe that's what his old self liked, but the way that he's feeling now is the opposite. The fact that he can't remember much about her says a lot to him, maybe he was stuck and Franklin in some way or another gave him a second chance at life and love. Maybe he could get a do-over with Elena. They've been texting recently and she's invited him to hang out but each time he would turn he down not wanting to hurt Bonnie too much. The simple mention of Elena's name and Bonnie forms tears. It was starting to get a little annoying if he's being honest and he's afraid to bring it up to her but he thinks that he should start being honest with her as well. He doesn't want her hopes to get up thinking that he's falling for her or that he sees a future with her because as of right now that is not that case and he can't say if he's happy or sad about that now.
"Do you want the whole honest truth?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Why do you say it like that?"
"Answer the question, Salvatore."
He chuckled. "Sure, I'll take the whole honest truth as you so put it."
"Okay, so, firstly you have to promise to not tell anyone, no one knows about this except for Mason, my friend Caroline and my dad."
"Now I'm really intrigued,"
"So maybe nine or so months ago, my manager calls me in—"
"Wait, so you're an actress as well? Actually, wait, I think I knew that,"
Bonnie smiled, "Yeah, I am. So she calls me in and tells me that she has this amazing job-opening opportunity for me and I am beaming, I'm so excited and she then pushes me a contract and I read over it quickly and I am shocked because what I'm reading is a contract to be Stefan Salvatore's pretend girlfriend."
"Wow,"
"Yeah, my reaction as well. At the time I was dating a guy named Enzo so my first answer was no but I read over it and I would be making some good money kissing you and accompanying you to movie premiers and red carpets so I lied to Enzo and told him that you were gay so he could agree to and I took the job."
"Wait, so none of this is real, we're not actually together?"
"No, we are actually together. Now. We fell for each other pretty quickly for real and I was still in a relationship but I loved you and I dumped Enzo. That would turn out to be the best decision I've ever made not only because I have you, but Enzo turned out to be not the guy I thought he was."
"What do you mean?"
She sighed. "Turns out, he was cheating on me for two years with my best friend."
"Damn."
"When I found out, we just started shooting that movie Mason mentioned to you back at the hospital and thankfully so because I got to let out so much emotion with it being justified on screen you know?"
He smiled. "What a crazy life."
"Tell me about it. I thought only this type of stuff happened in the movies but now living it, everything just seems so unreal. I'm sure to need some serious therapy down the road."
He chuckled. "You should write a book,"
"I should be keeping at least a journal or something, shouldn't I?"
"Is the rest of your life that crazy?"
"Well, your life and mine kind of intertwined. We would be going through the same drama but thankfully it wasn't all bad. We sometimes would just be in our own little world and find peace and happiness within."
"Hm,"
She exhaled. "Anything else you want to know?"
He watched her eyes. "Not at the moment,"
She nodded. "So I take it you're not remembering much?"
"Things come in here and there, but I think I just need more time."
"Of course,"
"I should get to bed, I'm pretty tired,"
Bonnie watched him stand from the couch and walk back into their room. She frowned no longer seeing him in sight. She thought that things were going well, that she may have made a breakthrough but then something changed. She shouldn't have brought up his memories. After thinking back, that's when things suddenly stopped progressing and she's now regretting ever speaking the words. She hesitantly walked back into their room and got in the bed in front of him. His eyes were closed and she was pretty sure he was faking being asleep but this also worked in her favor because now she could just stare at him like she usually would. It felt different, but he's still Stefan. The man that she fell in love within an instant and he was right beside her, within her reach. She wanted to touch him and her body inched closer to his so she reached out her hand and placed it on the side of his face. His eyes tightened but relaxed and she smiled hearing a snore escape his nose. It causes her to inch even closer and his arm to go around her and for a split second, things were normal again.
