Wow…and here we are. The end of this fic. I can't begin to express my gratitude and humility about the love that everyone showed me over the years with this fic. The messages, the reviews, the tweets…your support really encouraged me to continue this fic and conclude it. I appreciate you and I will forever be appreciative of your faith in me and this story.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the plot.
Present Day
"Bonnie, I still can't believe you ditched us last night," Caroline shook her head as the make-up artist sprayed Bonnie's face while the hairstylist pinned the top of her hair in a bun allowing the rest to flow down her back in long waves, "I should have known when we ended up at Revel that it was a mistake, especially with Damon showing up out of the blue."
"Yeah, the eyes that you two were making at the bar…we should have known," Elena commented as she touched up her lipstick, "and the fact that we were drinking for you too because you couldn't, should have been the first clue that you would abandon us," she gave her friend a coy smile, "get us drunk and you stay sober, recipe for disaster."
"Hey, no one told you all to drink shot after shot because I couldn't," Bonnie mumbled as the hairstylist sprayed her updo, "and Caroline, we are far beyond tradition so everything is ok, I'm 8 weeks pregnant, I doubt me seeing Damon last night will have any effect on today."
"Yes, you're lucky that you're barely showing and able to get in that dress," Elena shook her head, "cutting it close Bon."
"The way that she and Damon go at each other, I'm surprised she's not 8 months pregnant," Bianca entered the bedroom of the suite.
"Did you get any of my calls!" Caroline turned on Bianca who stared back at the blond as if she spouted 5 heads suddenly.
"You mean your calls about my sister being missing…yes, I received them and I texted Damon last night and he assured me that she was there," Bianca shrugged settling down in the make artist's chair to be touched up and held up her hand to stop Caroline from saying more, "and please, I just spent all morning chauffeuring Bennett cousins from the airport, can I please have a moment's peace?"
Caroline gaped at Bianca and looked over at Elena who shook her head.
"Now that we all know where I spent last night and we are all assured that the end of the world did not occur, let's finish getting ready so we can get to the Salvatore mansion for the wedding," Bonnie stood up from the stylist's chair and headed over to the closet where her dress hung.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Damon gazed at his reflection in the mirror after securing the knot in his tie, "Well in a little over an hour, you and Bonnie will take those vows and make it all official," Stefan stood next to him.
Damon nodded, "Have the guests began to arrive?"
"Oh yeah, 200 of you and your bride to be's closest family and friends are gathering outside…"
"And at least 75 of my guests are our mother's friends."
Stefan chuckled, "Well you know she threw herself into this…"
"Yes, I think she's spent more time with Bonnie than I did over the last couple of months."
"I find that hard to believe since you two have an extra guest attending the wedding," Stefan commented.
"Hey, we didn't plan on it…" Damon defended himself and Bonnie. Sometimes, he still could not wrap his mind around that they would be parents in six months, but despite it all—it all felt right.
"Let me fix that tie, your knot is all wrong," Stefan turned to face his older brother undoing the haphazard knot, "you know, I think I knew from the first time you told me about Bonnie that she would be someone who could you from your old ways. After your accident, you said that you would change—but I wasn't sure; but you did and look at you, about to become a husband and soon a father. I'm proud of you Damon," Stefan fixed Damon's tie.
"And so am I," Lily entered the room, "look at my boys," she teared up.
"No tears, please," Damon pleaded trying to ignore the knot in his throat as his mother walked into his childhood bedroom dressed in her pale blue gown.
"I can't help it. This day is a surprising one because for a couple of years, you had me worried," Lily touched Damon's cheek, "and now, I only have one to worry about," she moved her gaze over to Stefan.
"Oh great, now that he decided to settle down—the heat's on me," Stefan rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Well Damon's provided me with a daughter in law and shortly a grandchild in a couple of months, you have not…in fact, I haven't heard of any prospects," Lily cut her eyes at Stefan.
"Heeeyyy…" Stefan held up his hands in defense.
"Hi, I was hoping to get some pictures of the groom, the best man and the mother of the groom together," the photographer appeared in the doorway.
"Saved by pictures," Stefan breathed out wrapping his arms around Damon and his mother's shoulders.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
Bonnie sat in the back of the luxury SUV making its way to Lily's home where the wedding was set to take the place. After taking the tour of all of the land that the Salvatores owned, Bonnie and Damon agreed that the grounds would be the best place for the small and intimate wedding.
The wedding preparations took four months, and it was astonishing how quickly Lily was able to secure florists, caterers and wedding producers on day one after Damon proposed to Bonnie on the deck of Adore on the night of her birthday party.
"I feel nauseous," Bonnie mumbled placing her hand over her stomach as she clutched her bouquet of flowers.
"Well, my darling granddaughter, you're in that first trimester soo…" Grams raised an eyebrow, "maybe you and Damon should have dampened your sexual energy a little and then…"
"Sheila, please…" Rudy held up his hand.
"Mother," Abby warned.
"What, am I not the expert?" Sheila asked, "am I incorrect in my assessment?"
Bonnie laughed as she sat next to Bianca and her mother staring over at Sheila and Rudy across from them in the SUV. She still remembered the first official dinner with Damon and her family. It was Christmas and she brought him to Philly to celebrate. Bianca was home and Damon insisted on bringing Stefan with him as well—Lily went to Paris with Phillip, so he claimed he couldn't leave Stefan in Mystic Falls alone.
From the moment Rudy laid eyes on Damon, he decided that the tall, raven haired and blue eyed man was not one of his favorite people—especially because he noticed the way his daughter looked at said man and his mother in law commented on the 'energy' and how they bodies were tuned to each other because of the sexual connection they possessed. It was only after the engagement that Rudy started to softened…until he found out that Bonnie was pregnant two months before the wedding. So, he was back to hating the guy.
"I'm fine, I'm just nervous. I can't believe that this is happening," Bonnie breathed out.
"I can," Bianca remarked confidently smoothing out her light blue maid of honor dress.
"Of course, you can after you tried to set me up with Marcel remember that?"
"That was years ago, I knew that you would end up with Damon in the end," Bianca flagged her.
"Right," Bonnie shook her head.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
When the SUV pulled up to the driveway, it was clear of all guests and Bonnie found herself being hustled inside by Bianca, Elena and Caroline and being escorted to a room on the lower level. She could see out to the garden where there were white chairs set up for the ceremony, with lilies and orchids decorating the aisle and a gazebo in the distance.
To the right side of the ceremony space sat a tent for the reception. The butterflies and the baby were both causing her to feel as if she was about to jump out of her skin.
After a few moments and more pictures with the photographer, Bonnie was left in the room with Bianca. They stared at each other for a few moments and then they burst into giggles as if they were elementary girls again, "This is crazy, right?" Bonnie asked as tears appeared in her eyes while she took a few deep breaths, "I'm getting married to someone that I love…" she choked up.
"Oh no, no, no, no," Bianca said swallowing her on tears and gently dabbing Bonnie's tears away with her fingertips, "we are not ruining this $200.00 make up job. Let me say this quickly and don't you dare cry," Bianca pointed at her sister's face causing her to nod, "you Sissy, are the one person in the world who leaves me in awe. I love you with every fiber of my being," Bianca focused on Bonnie's watery eyes, "You are my hero, you are who I look up to and you Bonnie, are my soulmate and I don't care anything about a Damon Salvatore in that aspect," she brought Bonnie into a tight hug, "this is your day and I am so happy to stand beside you," she whispered in Bonnie's ear, "I love you."
Bonnie closed her eyes holding onto her sister, "I love you, Bee."
"You better," Bianca whispered giving Bonnie an air kiss near her cheek.
"Now," Bianca breathed turning Bonnie around to look in the full-length mirror taking in her appearance in her strapless ivory wedding dress with a plunging sweetheart neckline and lace appliques adorned with two layers of tulle and a mermaid skirt, a baby bump was non-existent at the moment and she was somewhat grateful for the SPANX that Bianca located for her.
Bianca placed Bonnie's lace applique blusher veil with pearls on her head and pinned it in place, "Ok…no tears," Bianca warned her.
Bonnie nodded as Rudy appeared at the door, "Ok, it's time," he replied taking in his two daughters and breathing deeply.
Bonnie matched Rudy's deep breath as Bianca handed her bridal bouquet of white roses and they filtered out of the room to Elena and Caroline standing in the foyer waiting for their music to start. Bonnie slid her arm through her father's and stood waiting for the music to begin. Elena and Caroline waited for the sounds of the violins to begin and when they did, Bonnie felt a shiver run throughout her body.
"See you out there, Bon," Elena winked as Caroline beamed at her as the curtain lifted and they walked out.
Bianca turned to Bonnie and gave her a wink before stepping up to the curtain clutching her own bouquet and when it lifted disappeared behind it.
Rudy squeezed Bonnie's hand, "Well this is it," he replied.
"It is."
"Just so you know Bonnie, I do like Damon. The smile he puts on your face does warm my heart and I know that he makes you happy and he will protect you with his very last breath," Rudy whispered in her ear.
"Thank you Daddy and he will Daddy, he really will," she grinned.
"Ok Bonnie, it's time," Angelica, the wedding planner whispered as Bonnie walked closer to the curtains as the trumpets sounded throughout the air signaling the bridal march was set to begin.
She walked towards the curtain and it lifted, Bonnie was met with the guests all standing in their seats smiling at her. Her father held onto her as they descended the stairs and she began to walk down the aisle taking in some of the smiling faces. Oddly, she noticed one that smiled back at her and the smile was absolutely genuine…it was Enzo. He nodded at her as she passed by him, and she winked as she continued walking towards the altar and then she locked eyes with Damon. He was dressed in a grey charcoal suit, white shirt and a grey tie with light blue stripes. Her breath shuddered as she took in his grin, and she found herself smiling as tears pricked her eyes.
She walked into that coffee shop a little over two years ago and she was determined to not be in any relationship. Damon walked into her life innocently asking for a coffee suggestion and that was the moment they connected. It was in that instant she questioned her stance on not having a relationship…in that moment she believed that someone could capture a piece of you so quickly and so fiercely from just a look. His voice, his smirk, his quick wit—it was all the reasons why she fell in love with him. There was an authenticity to her and Damon that no one could ever match. The feelings she had for him and he had for her. She could be honest and vulnerable all while he made her feel like the only woman in the room. He saw her and that was all she ever wanted from someone she loved.
By the time she and Rudy reached the front of gazebo, she the tears in her eyes had slowly made their way down her cheeks, "I love you," she whispered staring into Damon's eyes.
"With every part of my being," he answered taking her hands in his giving them a quick squeeze.
BDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBDBD
The waves crashed against the white stand as the newlyweds sat in their lounge chairs with the Grand Cayman sun bearing down on them. Damon's hand rested on Bonnie's flat stomach as he looked up at her, "So I guess you really don't want me to finish this book," her eyes lowered down to meet his.
"You are so sexy," he replied huskily.
Bonnie glared down at him with playful eyes, "You promised me that we would lay out on the beach today and we would keep our hands to ourselves."
"But how can I do that…" Damon began as he stood up from his lounge chair and straddled Bonnie's, "when you are lying next to me looking…" his hands traveled up and down her tanned body which almost glowed in the sunlight, "like this Bon?" he bit his bottom lip as his eyes turned a slightly darker hue of blue.
Her eyes traveled down to focus on his lips and then his chiseled chest, "Damon, I got like this because of you looking at me like that."
"Gorgeous," he whispered before allowing his lips to meet hers in a slow, sensual kiss, "we're alone out here, our own private beach," he whispered in her ear.
"We are not…"
"If you indulge me for a few moments…or thirty…" he softly kissed her neck, "I will give up my win and you can name our little munchkin in there, first and middle name," he touched her belly.
Bonnie bit her lip. That was quite an offer—considering that she had lost a bet a couple of months ago, when she maintained that Stefan and hooked up with Elena and Damon countered her that something happened between Bianca, Stefan and Elena (much to Bonnie's reservations—Bianca wouldn't agree to be in any situation where she's not the main attraction)—they wagered on who was right and Elena came clean one night prior to the wedding to Bonnie's shock. Damon's win? He got to name their child.
"You're giving up your win and I can name our baby?" Bonnie clarified, "with no input from you."
"Yes," Damon eyes twinkled back at her before allowing his hand to reach under one of the cups of her bikini top and gave a gentle squeeze while sucking on her neck.
"Ooo…ok," Bonnie moaned.
Damon grinned as she found her bikini top being removed from her body and thrown on the sand beside her lounge chair, "Besides…I am pretty sure that the little munchkin in there now won't be the last for us my darling wife, and our second child's name is all mine," he whispered in her ear before kissing a trail down her stomach, pulling the strings of her bikini bottoms apart while he moved his head in between her thighs.
Bonnie closed her eyes as she felt his tongue lick her and suddenly, she realized that she was perfectly happy having more of this man's babies.
Five Years Later…
The bell over the door in Cup of Life dinged as patrons walked in and out of the establishment and every time, the small beagle on the floor lifted her head and surveyed who entered and who departed. Damon sat at a small round table by the window while his companion sat across from him recapping the class she had just attended.
"One latte and one hot chocolate with extra, extra, extra marshmallows!" Barry announced setting down two cups.
"Barry, still serving drinks eh?" Damon asked.
"Only to serve my favorite girl," Barry touched the cheek of Damon's acquaintance.
The tiny tawny colored little girl dressed in a ballet leotard giggled covering her mouth, "Uncle Barry!" she sang doing a little dance in her pink ballet leotard swinging her legs in her chair.
Damon smiled over at Emme Abigail Salvatore who beamed as she lifted her cup slowly and sipped her hot chocolate, "Yum!" she licked some of the foam from the whipped cream from her top lip, "Daddy, can I have two hot chocolates today!" she beamed.
Damon's heart fluttered in his chest every time he heard that tiny voice call him Daddy, and his mouth formed a smile, "Maybe, but I don't know…you will have to ask your Mommy," he stated as the door opened, and his beauty walked in carrying the other love of his life in her arms . The little boy was dressed in a miniature blue and white baseball uniform and Bonnie carried a bat bag on her back.
"Mommy, I danced an entire solo today!" Emme slid off her chair and wrapped her arms around Bonnie's legs as Damon stood taking 3-year-old Damon Joseph ('DJ') Salvatore from his mother's arms as the toddler continued in his slumber.
"Did you now?" Bonnie smiled as she sat down in the seat her mini-me vacated and placed the ballerina on her lap.
"Mmm, hmm," Emme nodded, "can I show you…"
Bonnie laughed, "Maybe when you get home," Bonnie kissed the top of Emme's head as the little girl went back to sipping her hot chocolate and opening her coloring book.
"Hi," Damon smiled across the table to his wife, his best friend and the mother of his children.
"Hi," she breathed out with a loving grin to her husband, her best friend and father of her children.
"What would you like to drink?" Damon asked rubbing DJ's back softly.
Bonnie looked over at her husband with his blue eyes sparkling back at her, "A latte."
He grinned, "Excellent choice," he replied looking over at Barry who nodded at him and began to make the drink.
"Barry will never stop making drinks will he?" Bonnie shook her head with an amused smile.
"He can't help it, being part owner hasn't stopped him in five years," Damon glanced over at Barry instructing one of the newer male baristas on how to make a perfect latte.
Damon focused on Emme drawing Bonnie into a conversation about the new toe shoes that she wanted to get for her upcoming birthday, and he looked down at his son, with a similar complexion to Emme who opened his eyes slightly to reveal blue eyes that were almost a reflection of his own. He grinned down at the little boy, who smiled back at him softly before closing his eyes again.
Damon rubbed his son's back and looked over at his wife helping his tiny daughter coloring the picture of the hippo in her book and he knew for sure that the heart that was damaged so many years ago had knitted itself back together with the smiles, the touches, the hugs and kisses from his daughter, his son and most of all his wife sitting across from him…and it all came to be because of a cup of coffee…or rather a splash of coffee in a cup.
Fin.
The couple and their children…a happy ending to a labor of love. I don't know if this is my swan song when it comes to Bamon fics, but I want you to know that I would have stopped ages ago without your support. Thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US and with that, I will see you on the Twitters ( venusnv80plus)