Chapter 14

'I can't believe she's turning 12,' said Damon in disbelief. It was the day before Ottilie's birthday, and she'd been living with the Salvatores for just over a year now. Stefan nodded in agreement, carrying the gifts that he and Damon had bought for her. They'd arranged a party for her and her friends, and then would be taking her for lunch with their group of friends the day after her birthday.

They arrived back home from shopping, and took the presents up to Damon's room to hide them. Ottilie was spending the day with Caroline so that they could get set up for the party. They got the big dining room all decorated with balloons, and set the table for when they'd bring out the party food. Everything looked festive and ready for a party. The brothers smiled in satisfaction, knowing that Ottilie was going to really enjoy her birthday, only the second one she'd really celebrated.

Caroline dropped Ottilie back off at the mansion later that evening, and they sat and chatted about their day before Damon noticed Ottilie yawning. 'Time for bed, little otter,' he said, and took her upstairs to tuck her in. 'Will you still want me to say goodnight when you're old?' he teased, as he pulled the blankets around her. She giggled,

'Of course, Damon!' she replied. 'You can tuck me in forever!' He chuckled and kissed her forehead. 'I love you, Otti,' he said, gently as her eyes began close. He left the room quietly, just about hearing her soft reply, 'Love you too'. He smiled.

The next day, Ottilie woke bright and early and skipped downstairs, having got dressed in record time. 'Happy Birthday!' cried the brothers as she walked into the kitchen. They each hugged her, and Stefan presented her with her favourite breakfast of pancakes, this time with candles on top. As he placed the plate infront of her, some of the candles went out. 'Oops!,' he said, 'I'll just get the matches.' Ottilie just blinked, and then suddenly, the candles were lit again. 'Huh,' said Damon, surprised. 'Must have picked up some dodgy candles.' Stefan shrugged and Ottilie blew the candles out.

Having finished her breakfast, the brothers lead her into the living room to open her presents. She opened the first one from Stefan. It was a beautifully bound book. She smiled at him, happily. 'Thank you, Stefan. You know how I love to read!' Stefan grinned back at her, whilst Damon rolled his eyes. Reading had never really been his thing. 'Okay, my turn,' he said, handing Ottilie a small package. She opened it, gasping in delight as she unwrapped a tiny, intricate jewellery box. 'Wow, thank you, Damon! It's so beautiful!' He smiled at her, and ruffled her curls. 'You're welcome, sweetheart.' Stefan handed her the final present. It was another small gift. She unwrapped a beautiful little necklace, and looked at the brothers in awe. 'It's amazing,' she whispered. They smiled at her.

'It was our mothers,' said Stefan. 'We'd really like you to have it.' They saw tears spring into her eyes. 'I'll treasure it, forever and ever,' she promised, throwing an arm around each of them and hugging the tightly. 'Thank you.' Damon fastened it around her neck and Stefan held her up to the big mirror over the fireplace so that she could see it.

The morning passed quickly, and soon, the doorbell rang, signalling the arrival of one of Ottilie's friends. One by one, they arrived and were shown into the dining room where Ottilie greeted them warmly. The party started and Ottilie and her friends all at around the large dining room table, eating food and chatting and laughing happily. Damon and Stefan watched, pleased to see how easily Ottilie had integrated into spending time with people her own age. She was still a lot smaller than her friends, Damon noticed, a whole head shorter in some cases, but she was entirely in proportion, with a delicate frame and elegant movements. They played some games when they'd finished the food, and soon it was time for everyone to leave. Ottilie was a gracious host, thanking each friend for coming and spending her birthday with her. When everyone had left, Ottilie went back to the dining room to join in with the clearing up. She found Stefan and Damon there, already making a start and she joined in. 'Oh look,' said Stefan, holding up a water bottle. 'One of your friends must have left this, I'll go and clear it out and you can give it back to them at school on Monday.' Ottilie nodded and she and Damon followed him into the kitchen, holding a pile of plates. They put the plates down near the sink, and Stefan emptied the water bottle, accidently pouring its contents onto his hand as he looked away. He dropped the water bottle, hissing in pain as his hands turned an angry red. He was gasping in pain as Damon and Ottilie ran over to him. 'What's wrong, Stefan?' Damon asked, worriedly. Ottilie grasped Stefan's hands in hers, looking in horror at the red sores on them. 'Vervain,' hissed Stefan. He suddenly felt a tingling sensation in his hands and felt the pain begin to ebb away. He looked down at Ottilie, who was holding his hands tightly with her eyes closed, her brows furrowed. The pain disappeared and his hands were clear. He suddenly felt a weight in his hands and Ottilie began to sink to the floor, her knees giving way. He caught her under her arms and lowered her to the floor. 'Ottilie?' he tapped her face gently. Damon was feeling for her pulse, sighing in relief when he felt it beating normally. The relief was short-lived, however, as blood began to trickle from her nose. 'Oh my god, Stefan,' he breathed in horror. Suddenly, her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at them. 'Stefan, are you okay?' she asked. He nodded quickly.

'Yes, I'm all fine now. What happened?' She sat up shakily, and wiped her nose on a tissue that Damon offered her. 'I'm not sure,' she said. 'I could feel your pain running through me, then it was all gone and I fell.' Stefan nodded and picked her up, gently.

'Let's go and sit you down,' he said. 'Do you need something to eat?' She shook her head. Damon followed them, making sure that Ottilie was settled comfortably on the sofa. 'I'm going to get you some water,' said Stefan, and he left for the kitchen, signalling Damon to follow him. 'What the hell just happened?' asked Damon in a low voice. Stefan shook his head. 'I have no idea,' he replied. 'It's like she siphoned off my pain. I could feel it disappearing quicker than it should have done. Why would there be vervain in the water anyway? It's not been in the water supply for years!' Damon shrugged.

'I don't know, brother, but I want to know what's happening to Ottilie.'