When Bonnie woke up that morning, her biggest concern had been securing a long-term partnership with Klaus. In the running for second place, had been her romantic relationship with Tyler. However, after Alaric's violent outburst all she wanted to do was stay at home with her family. Unfortunately, business had to take precedence because these were uncertain times. Her relationship with the Salvatore organization was on shaky ground. It was just good business to make other allies. Mob bosses, especially new ones, had to scratch and fight for every victory. Bonnie would have to work twice as hard because she was a young woman of color. Her adversaries and allies would doubt her capabilities but she was prepared to prove that she deserved her place at the table.
After meeting with Damon, she felt confident that he was taking the situation seriously. He had witnessed Big John and Alaric's volatile relationship. It would not take much agitation for this powder keg to blow sky high. She hoped that Damon would rein in Alaric before more drastic measures became necessary. However, she was not foolish enough to put all her eggs in one basket. She could not in good conscience leave her mother, daughter, and siblings unprotected while she was in Los Angeles for the night. Therefore, she had asked Gianni and Maurizio to stay the night at the house. Alaric would get a rude awakening if he dared show his face tonight.
Bonnie had several very important balls in the air but she was determined to enjoy New Year's Eve, too. This would be her second time going to a nightclub. She only hoped that this excursion would turn out better than the last one. Bonnie was looking forward to ringing in the New Year with Tyler. She planned to spend most of her night on the dance floor with his hands on her body. She could think of no compelling reason to hide her relationship with him. Damon knew the truth now. He also knew the lengths she would go to avenge Tyler if any harm came to him. She could be as violent and territorial as Damon could be.
Bonnie and her cousins got ready to go clubbing at the hotel suite she booked for the night. In some ways, they looked like normal women in their 20's and 30's preparing for a night on the town. However, the ways in which they differed from their peers were incredibly important. The Benedetto girls had spent a great deal of time finding ways to conceal weapons on their bodies. It wasn't as if their revealing dresses offered much cover. Fortunately, they all had experience in that area. No one was anticipating any problems but being unarmed in public was an unnecessary risk.
Bonnie and her entourage pulled up to the club in five black SUVs with heavily tinted windows. The armored vehicles had been Big John's belated Christmas gift to his niece. She loved his practicality. They arrived at Klaus' club at about 10:30, but the night was only just getting started. Bonnie was pleased that her name was on the list because the line into the club stretched well down the block. This club was always one of the hottest night spots in the city. However, Klaus' presence was certainly giving his club a boost tonight. People wanted to be able to say that they were rubbing shoulders with Los Angeles' most notorious bad boy.
When Bonnie walked into the the club, the manager was there to greet her. She showed the group to the VIP section on the second floor. Klaus had reserved the best area for Bonnie again. She hoped this show of generosity meant that he would be willing to strike a deal with her later tonight. First, she planned to have as much fun as a pregnant woman could have on a holiday celebrated with alcoholic beverages. Bonnie was benevolent and ordered bottle service despite her own 'dietary' restrictions. She requested juices, sparkling cider, and flavored waters for her own enjoyment. Bonnie also ordered enough food to help soak up the alcohol everyone would be consuming. The Salvatores weren't the only family that overindulged.
Bonnie relaxed on the tufted couch that was shaped in a semicircle. She had a glass of ginger ale in her hand as she watched Tyler and his uncles shoot the breeze with Cesare and Remy. She loved whenever their two families had the occasion to party together. Bonnie's green eyes shifted across the room where Klaus and his family were celebrating. She was actually interested in his sullen nephew. She watched as he finally abandoned the VIP section and walked downstairs to the bar.
Lucy followed her cousin's gaze. She made a show adjusting her dress to expose more cleavage. "Do you want me to go make nice with the nephew? He is a cutie."
Bonnie laughed softly because she could imagine Andrew blushing furiously as Lucy flirted with him. He was a sweet kid with a shy personality. She said, "You're not his type, Luce."
Lucy raised an eyebrow at Bonnie's curious reaction to her offer. Men rarely turned down her advances. Lucy was attractive but her personality often did most of the work. She could be brash but men usually liked her ability to be one of the guys. Then it was as if a light bulb came on. She asked, "He doesn't like Black women?"
Bonnie lowered her voice so that only the people surrounding her would hear the answer. "According to Hayley, Andrew doesn't like women at all."
Lucy sat back on the couch and mulled over that revelation. She smirked and suggested, "Well, then send Cristian to chat him up. Who could resist that handsome face?"
Cristian lifted an eyebrow at the mention of his name. His dark eyes narrowed suspiciously because Lucy looked as if she was up to no good. He asked, "Who am I chatting up?"
Lucy pointed the teen out to her cousin. She said, "Andrew is Klaus and Elijah's nephew. Isn't he adorable? I could just eat him up with a spoon."
"Says the 'Man-Eater'," Gemma replied with a cheeky grin.
He stood up to get a better look at Andrew. Cristian rolled his eyes and sat down again. "I am not going to seduce a teenager. Is he even out of high school?"
"Is he out of the closet?" Lucy countered.
Bonnie took a sip of her drink and shook her head at Lucy's antics. She replied, "He's 19-years-old but I wasn't suggesting that anyone seduce him. That was Lucy jumping to the wrong conclusion…"
She was genuinely interested in befriending Andrew. Bonnie didn't have many friends her age. Befriending civilians was a tricky prospect. Sometimes civilians only struck up a friendship for the boost in reputation or out of morbid curiosity. Making friends within the business was difficult, too. Bonnie's position meant that many of the girls that grew up in the life were envious. She was only a couple years older than Andrew was and he would have no reason to envy her. She also knew from Matt, via Davina, that Andrew and his boyfriend were going through a tough time. Now was the perfect time to test the waters with him. However, she did have an ulterior motive.
"You were thinking something. I know what that look means," Gemma interjected.
Lucy smirked because she was glad to have back up. She and Gemma had been partners in crime since they were children.
"Well, you are right that I was thinking about working an angle with him. But I was only thinking of striking up a conversation with him. He looks lonely tonight. Anyway, Andrew and Klaus have always been thick as thieves. He practically worships Klaus even though his temperament is closer to Elijah's. Although, I hear he is ballsy. A couple weeks ago he headbutted Enzo to protect Klaus," she explained.
"Stronzo," Lucy spat at the mention of Enzo.
Cristian asked, "The fondness is mutual between Andrew and Klaus?"
Bonnie nodded. "Definitely. Before Klaus went to prison, Andrew was practically his shadow. I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't angling for a position in his uncle's crew now. He will probably get some pushback from Freya. She doesn't want her son involved in the business."
She understood Freya's concern. Bonnie did not relish the idea of her children following in her footsteps. In a perfect world, they would grow up to be doctors, lawyers, and architects. Unfortunately, a normal life was no more in the cards for her children than it had been for her. Sarah would marry Julian Mikaelson when she wasn't much older than Bonnie was now. Her unborn son would one day succeed his father as the head of the Salvatore organization. Her unborn daughter would likely be married into a family like the Lockwoods or one of Big John's great-grandchildren. They would all have a duty to their family.
Gemma asked, "Does his family know about his sexuality?"
She said, "Last month he brought a girl to Erik's christening but things are different now. Hayley told me that Andrew recently came out to his family. He felt more comfortable telling everyone the truth because he had Klaus' full support. Klaus stepped up and even got Kol to stow his homophobic bullshit."
Cristian snorted. "Been there, done that. I am glad that I don't have to play those games anymore. It was exhausting. I was lucky to have an older brother that had my back."
Gemma laughed. "You always had great taste in women."
"True. I do have an eye for beauty," he teased.
Lucy said, "At least you are bi, Cris. That had to go down easier with your folks."
"It probably would have been easier telling Nonno that I was gay. The fucking conversations we had with me trying to explain bisexuality to him. For awhile, I was ready to become permanently celibate just to end the conversation," he said with a smirk.
They all burst into laughter.
Lucy said, "Benedettos do not believe in celibacy. It is unnatural unless you join the priesthood."
"Or become a nun," Gemma added.
Bonnie asked, "What made you finally come out to the family?"
Cristian said, "After you married Damon, I realized that Nonno still planned to arrange a marriage for me. I had been willing to marry you for the good of the family, but anyone else was out of the question."
Lucy began laughing heartily.
"What's so funny?" Bonnie asked.
"Just imagining the two of you marrying each other," Lucy replied with a chuckle.
When Sheila was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Big John had proposed a marriage between Cristian and Bonnie. It would have reunited the two halves of the organization after over 70 years of separation. Bonnie and Cristian shared the same great-great-grandparents, Hannah and Vincenzo, and that made them third cousins. It was a distant enough relationship to avoid concerns about inbreeding or violating church doctrine on intrafamilial marriages. Ultimately, Sheila shot down John's proposal. She was determined to see Bonnie married to Damon. It was the only way to ensure her mother's plan succeeded.
Cristian rolled his eyes and slung an arm over Bonnie's shoulders. "I don't know, I think I would have made a good husband."
Bonnie giggled. "Definitely. We would have made beautiful babies, too."
Gemma muttered, "You certainly would be better than the one she has now."
Lucy rolled her eyes and replied, "That is a tragically low bar."
Bonnie glared at her cousins. She snapped, "Don't start that shit tonight. I don't feel like listening to the two of you complaining about Damon. I am supposed to be having fun. It is New Year's Eve."
Lucy sucked her teeth derisively. "I just hope that Damon isn't working that Salvatore charm on you. He sure seemed eager to speak to you alone at the gym. I am sure Alaric will try to pull the same shit on Abby. He's been treating her like shit for years and she takes it with a smile."
Gemma winced when she saw Bonnie's expression darken. She loved Lucy, but sometimes she didn't know when to leave well enough alone. Bonnie knew that they did not like Damon. She did not need be reminded of that fact. She certainly didn't need them second guessing her decisions.
"Just because we aren't trying to kill one another doesn't mean that I am eager for a reconciliation. I want to have a functional relationship with Damon so that we can co-parent our children. I would rather not raise my children to be as damaged as Damon and I are," Bonnie replied heatedly.
Lucy realized belatedly that she had pushed the wrong button. "I was just…"
Bonnie interrupted, "You were just sticking your nose where it doesn't fucking belong."
Cristian looked between his cousins and said, "Both of you go to your separate corners before this gets out of hands."
Lucy was dismayed by how quickly the conversation had gone sour. She was confused about what set off Bonnie. She frequently talked shit about Damon and her cousin rarely became angry. If Lucy had to make an educated guess, she would assume this was about Alaric. She knew that Bonnie blamed herself for some of the dysfunction in Abby's relationship. She was worried about how this would affect her younger siblings. Lucy was actually inclined to agree with her on that front.
She said, "I'm sorry for poking at an obviously sore subject, Bon. I didn't mean any harm. You know I like to talk shit."
Gemma nodded, "We all do."
Bonnie took a deep breath. "I am sorry, too. I think I am just cranky. It has been a long day and nothing has gone as I originally planned."
"You would be less cranky if you were grinding on Tyler right now. Sometimes you need proof that a man finds you desirable. I have found that the best proof is an erection pressed against my ass on the dance floor," Lucy offered with a grin.
Bonnie bit her lip and then shook her head. "No, it looks like he is having a good time over there. I don't want to bother him. Maybe I'll just go downstairs and dance by myself."
Lucy didn't like the idea of Bonnie going downstairs alone. It seemed like Klaus was playing nice but she didn't trust him. She was still waiting for the other shoe to drop after Bonnie had his hand mutilated in retaliation. Lucy still thought they should have just killed the son of a bitch. However, she did not want to get on her cousin's bad side again.
She smiled. "I'll come with you. I didn't squeeze into this dress to stay out of sight all night. I am ready to shake my ass and make Brady jealous."
Gemma finished her drink. "I am coming, too. Maybe I can find a nice American boy toy. I will need something to do while I am living in the States."
Lucy laughed. "Brady has a couple cousins. I could set you up with one of them."
She said, "I've never met a Loiacono that wasn't easy on the eyes but I am just looking for a good time. If I hook up with a Loiacono, there will be wedding bells."
Bonnie giggled and looked at Lucy pointedly. She replied, "That's true. I'm not the only one that Uncle John wants to push down the aisle with a Loiacono on her arm."
"Well, he's going to be fucking disappointed because the only way I will marry Brady is if he knocks me up," she huffed.
Cristian lifted an eyebrow. "It could happen for as much as you two…"
Lucy said, "Fuck. The word you are looking for there is fuck."
Bonnie teased her, "I was thinking 'make love'."
Gemma nodded in agreement. She batted her eyelashes at Lucy like a Disney Princess. She sang, "Some day my prince will come. Some day I'll find my love."
"And how thrilling that moment will be. When the prince of my dreams comes to me," Bonnie sang.
Cristian chuckled. "Lucy looks like she is about to have an aneurysm."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "To hell with all of y'all. Let's go dance."
Bonnie put down her empty glass and followed her cousins downstairs.
"Bon!"
She looked over her shoulder when Tyler called out to her. She waited on the staircase for him to catch up with her.
Tyler grinned at Bonnie. It was obvious that he was already buzzed. He had pregamed with his uncles before coming to the club. If Tyler's red eyes were any indication, he had smoked a bowl, too. He looped an arm around her waist. "Why didn't you tell me that you wanted to dance?"
"I didn't want to bother you. It looked like you were having fun," she replied with a sheepish smile.
He kissed Bonnie softly. Afterwards, he said, "I hung out with those assholes last night. I wanted to spend time with you tonight."
She smiled up at him. "Okay."
Tyler took Bonnie's hand and helped her down the stairs. He was worried about her and the stilettos that she insisted on wearing. He wasn't complaining because her calves and ass looked amazing but they were a tripping hazard.
As they walked onto the dance floor, Zayn Malik's song Pillow Talk started playing.
Bonnie gushed, "I love this song."
Tyler pulled Bonnie up against his body and rested his hands on her hips. He would never tire of being able to touch her like this. He replied, "So do I."
She couldn't help smiling at the possessive move from Tyler. Bonnie's body moved seductively to the beat of the music. Absently, she thought that Lucy was right. She was in a much better mood now that she was dancing with Tyler.
Tyler was happy that Bonnie didn't seen reluctant to openly display their new relationship. He had been concerned for the last week. Damon's warnings had gotten into the younger man's head. He had begun to worry that Damon was right about this only being a phase for Bonnie. Dancing with Tyler like this in Klaus' club meant she was doubling down on their relationship.
Lucy gave Bonnie an enthusiastic thumbs up.
The younger woman responded by flipping the bird at her cousin with a sly smile. Then Bonnie allowed herself to disappear into the song's sensual melody. She inhaled deeply and relished Tyler's scent. Her nose picked up hints of his cologne and the champagne he had been drinking in the VIP section.
Tyler moved his mouth to Bonnie's ear so that she could hear him over the music. He said, "I glad to see you smiling. You always look even more beautiful when you smile."
"I'm just happy to be here with you," she replied.
"I can't think of anywhere else that I would rather be," Tyler swore.
Tyler felt as if he could breathe for the first time since the night Giuseppe attacked Bonnie. The cruel tyrant was dead and his best friend was no longer under the Salvatore family's thumb. Bonnie had not only freed herself, but she had freed his family as well. The Lockwoods had placed their trust and lives in the hands of Emily Bennett long before Tyler was ever born. However, she promised that their sacrifices would be worthwhile. In hindsight, Tyler could say that she spoke truthfully. Emily, Sheila, and Bonnie had gone to great lengths to ensure his family was rewarded with wealth, respect, and power. Tyler enjoyed all those benefits but having Bonnie in his arms made him happiest.
Soon the song changed to something uptempo and the club's entire energy changed. More club goers rushed to the dance floor to join in the revelry. The lights flashed at a frenetic pace to match the song's beat.
Bonnie and Tyler danced together non-stop for over thirty minutes. Despite being in the middle of a crowded nightclub, they hardly paid attention to the people around them. The couple only had eyes for each other. Their hands were fairly busy, too. They never missed an opportunity to touch one another. Tyler felt as if the earlier awkwardness had evaporated.
Tyler watched in awe while Bonnie danced to Rihanna's song Work. She was always graceful on her feet because of her background in ballet. However, he had never witnessed her Jamaican dancehall moves. She executed the dutty wine flawlessly and he was hard as a rock in response. Tyler was seconds away from pulling Bonnie off the dancefloor so that they could make out in some dark corner.
Before he could put his plan into action, his dark eyes spotted Damon headed in their direction. He grabbed Bonnie's shoulder and said, "Damon is here."
Bonnie stopped dancing and looked around to find her husband in the crowd. Immediately, her body stiffened. She was in not in the right frame of mind to tolerate Damon's bullshit. Tonight she wouldn't stop her cousins from kicking his ass if he got out of line. She took Tyler's hand to keep him from reacting.
Damon smirked at Bonnie, but his rage was simmering just below the surface. He couldn't believe that Bonnie was wearing such a revealing dress in public. However, the way she had been dancing for Tyler was even more maddening. Nothing would make him happier than choking the life out of the younger man but starting a fight wasn't wise. He was trying to remain civil with his wife.
He said, "Hi, Bunny. I didn't expect to see you here tonight."
"I don't believe that for one second," she replied with a heated glare.
Damon put his hands up in mock surrender. He said, "I'm just here celebrating New Year's Eve with my family."
"I would think that you would be devoting your energy to keeping Alaric under control," she snapped.
He said, "You don't need to worry about Ric. My great-uncles are babysitting him tonight. Not that he is capable of doing much right now, he was passed out drunk when I found him earlier."
Bonnie wasn't happy to hear that elderly men were in charge of watching Ric. Fortunately, Gianni and Maurizio were at Abby's house to protect her. "I hope that your great-uncles are able to keep Ric at home...for your sake. I meant what I said earlier, Damon."
Damon smirked. "Oh, I am sure you did, Bunny."
Tyler's eyes widened when he spotted Angelo and Elena approaching them. He was practically grinding his teeth now. Damon was obviously trying to provoke him. He nodded in her direction. "Hi, Elena."
Bonnie had never been a fan of the girl. Elena always seemed to think that she was too good to sully herself with their business. It was a hypocritical stance when all the luxuries in her life were paid for with blood money-even that fancy medical school she was attending. She feigned a cheerful smile. "Hi. You look beautiful, Elena."
Elena glared at Tyler and Bonnie. She blamed the two of them for her predicament. She knew Damon was forcing her into a relationship with Angelo to get under Tyler's skin. Miranda had explained the reality of her situation just last night. In a bitter voice, Elena said, "Don't the two of you look cozy. I hope you're happy."
Tyler warned, "Don't start, Elena."
She scoffed, "Is that really how you want to handle this? Or are you just acting like this because we're in front of Bonnie? I don't know what you see in her."
Bonnie smiled winningly at Elena. "You should make yourself scarce before my sympathy for your situation runs out. I'm sure you know how hormonal and unpredictable pregnant women can be."
Elena glared at Bonnie but wisely dropped the subject. She looked up at Angelo and said, "I need something to drink…"
Angelo grinned and draped an arm over her shoulders. "Whatever the lady wants…"
Lucy and Cristian made their way over to the tense standoff.
Lucy asked, "Are we good here?"
Bonnie said, "It is fine, Luce. Damon was just about to walk away."
Damon leaned forward and kissed Bonnie's cheek. "You look beautiful. Have a good night, sweetheart. I'll see you again soon."
Bonnie watched as Damon walked away with a confident swagger. She glanced at Tyler and realized that he was watching Elena's retreating figure. She took a deep breath. "I'll be back…"
Tyler's head snapped in Bonnie's direction. He saw the wounded expression on her face and felt his heart drop. He followed Bonnie into the corridor where the bathrooms were located. "Bon…"
"Not now, Ty…"she replied with a shake of her head.
He grabbed Bonnie's hand and pulled her closer to him. He cupped her cheek and pleaded, "Don't run away from me."
She said, "I am not running away from you. I just needed a moment to collect myself."
The brunette mobster frowned at his girlfriend. "You might be able to pull that shit with Damon but I actually know you. You are upset. We should talk about what's wrong instead of letting it fester."
Bonnie glanced at the line of women waiting to enter the bathroom. She muttered, "Not here…"
"Then let's go back up to the VIP section. We can kick our families out so we can talk in private," he suggested.
She bit her bottom lip for a moment. "Okay…"
Tyler pecked her lips and whispered, "Thank you."
The couple made their way through the crowd and up to the VIP section. Lucy and Cristian were up there now. Judging by the expressions on everyone's faces, they knew about the encounter with Damon and Elena.
Tyler said, "We need some privacy. Get lost…"
In response, he received uncertain looks.
He growled, "All of you fuck the fuck off for now."
Bonnie huffed out a soft laugh. "Nice use of the double fuck. You are eloquent as always, Ty."
He winked at her and said, "I try."
There were some grumbles but their families slowly left them alone.
Bonnie plopped down on the couch. She frowned because she felt stupid for feeling so insanely jealous.
Tyler sat beside Bonnie and then pulled her onto his lap.
She asked, "Are you okay? I am sure seeing Elena with Angelo wasn't easy for you."
"No, it wasn't easy but not for the reasons you are thinking. I meant what I said about being over Elena. Even if you and I weren't together, I wouldn't be with her right now. But I am worried about her. You understand that, right?"
"I guess," she muttered petulantly.
"I didn't freak out when you spent time alone with Damon on the day of Giuseppe's funeral. And I should have been concerned since that asshole actually kissed you but I trusted you. I am asking you to trust me, too. I am not Damon. I am not going to screw you over," he argued.
Bonnie winced because Tyler had a point. She said, "I am sorry that I am putting my baggage on you, Ty. I guess after Damon I am always scared of not being good enough."
He pressed a kiss to her temple. "I understand. Not everyone can be as well-adjusted as I am."
She laughed softly. "Don't hurt yourself patting your own back. You are hardly well-adjusted. You are just saner than I am which isn't saying much."
Tyler kissed her softly. He looked into her eyes and said, "We can't let Damon's bullshit affect what we have. I am talking about the stunt he pulled tonight and the shitty way he has treated you."
Bonnie sighed, "You are right." She was quiet for a moment. "What do you think about going back to my suite for some alone time?"
"What about the meeting with Klaus? You wanted to be here for that," he argued.
"The meeting isn't until 3 AM. We can be back here before then. Besides, Lucy and Gemma reminded me of an old family superstition today…"
"Yeah?" he asked.
"The way you ring in the new year, is how the rest of the year will be. I want to be alone with you," she said in a hopeful voice.
Tyler grinned, "I like the way you think, Bon. But I probably shouldn't drive right now. Uber?"
She smiled and stood up. She said, "Well, we are lucky that I am painfully sober. I'll drive. Now move your ass. I want to get to the hotel before the ball drops."
Tyler grinned and took out his phone. "I'll let Brady know we are leaving."
"Good. He can tell Lucy that the suite will be occupied for a couple hours. I have had enough uninvited guests for one day," she replied.
Across the room Damon watched as his wife left the club with her boyfriend. He really wanted to murder that little son of a bitch.
Zach looked at his nephew with concern. "Are you okay?"
"I'm great," he muttered.
Zach frowned but didn't press any further. Damon was obviously angry but he seemed to be in control. Zach said, "I am going to see if I can get a few minutes with Elijah."
"Have fun, Zio," Damon replied dryly.
The older man squeezed Damon's shoulder before he walked away.
Damon drummed his fingers on the table for several minutes before deciding he had been idle for too long. He walked across the crowded room without paying much attention to the merriment happening around him. Any other night he would be enjoying New Year's Eve but his wife's schemes left him filled with rage. He needed to find an outlet for that rage or he was liable to do something that would only cause him more problems.
He sidled up to Elena while she stood at the bar. He could see that she was on her third drink. It didn't appear that the medical school student planned to slow down anytime soon. Her glass was still half-full but she was already trying to get the bartender's attention. Damon considered Elena's appearance for a moment. The girl was strikingly beautiful but she also had a look of innocence. He hoped to use those qualities to his advantage.
Angelo watched Damon with shrewd eyes. He could tell that he was about to be sent off to the dugout. It would be no great loss because Elena was hardly giving him the time of day.
Finally, Damon nodded at Angelo to signal that he should leave them alone.
Angelo acquiesced and made himself scarce. In the beginning, he did not understand Damon's keen interest in the young woman. However, he had known there was more to the situation than his cousin was telling him. Yesterday, he learned that Elena was Tyler Lockwood's ex-girlfriend and everything clicked into place. Damon was looking for a way to punish Tyler without shedding blood. Angelo wasn't offended by the move. Marriages had been arranged for far more nefarious reasons.
Damon picked up Elena's glass of rum and coke. He drained the glass in one gulp. He said, "A woman in your condition really shouldn't be drinking so heavily."
Elena scowled as she looked at Damon. She couldn't believe he had the nerve to take her drink and chastise her. He was the whole reason she felt the need to drown her sorrows. She asked, "In my condition? What are you talking about?"
"You're pregnant, right?" he asked leadingly. Mischief sparkled in his blue eyes.
"Are you calling me fat?" she screeched. Elena immediately looked down at her toned abdomen. She hit the gym for Crossfit three times a week even with her crazy schedule.
Damon rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. He spoke slowly, "If you are pregnant, you can't marry Angelo."
Elena blinked as she tried to follow his train of thought. She gasped, "Oh!"
Damon was relieved that the girl was finally on the same page with him. For a moment, Damon feared that he would have to spell it out for her. He said, "Tyler is a stand up type of guy. He's the type that would do the right thing, right?"
She nodded quickly. If Damon was going to give her a way out of this then she would take it."Yes, he would. He's all about honor, loyalty, and all of that. He wouldn't want to have a bastard out in the world. He proposed after we had a pregnancy scare…"
Damon took a keycard and a business card from his pocket and handed them to Elena. "Meet me at this address tomorrow at 2 o'clock. We can talk about how to get you out of this mess that Tyler caused."
Elena took the keycard and nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Damon."
He smiled and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome, sweetheart."
Elena studied the card and then tucked it into her clutch purse.
Angelo looked at Damon expectantly when he returned to their table. "I am guessing that I will soon be without a bride-to-be."
Damon grinned, "Don't worry, cousin. I am still bringing you out of exile. We'll find another pretty little thing for you to marry. I was thinking one of Jo's younger sisters might be a good target. Ric has fucked up that whole situation and Jo is divorcing him. We still need the connection with the Parker family."
Angelo perked up at the mention of the Parker Sisters. He murmured, "How is Connie doing these days?"
Damon chuckled, "I was talking about Olivia but it seems like you already have your eye on one of Joshua's daughters."
"Olivia is a little young for my taste."
"She isn't much younger than Elena is," Damon replied.
Angelo chuckled, "I am not particularly interested in Elena either. I mean she's pretty, comes from a good family, and has a good head on her shoulders. But she is still going through the bullshit that twentysomethings go through. I need that in my life like a hole in the fucking head."
Damon could see the logic in that. The age difference between Bonnie and Damon played a small part in their marriage's downfall. He replied, "Connie is a widow and she has a couple of rugrats."
He shrugged his shoulders. "It doesn't bother me. I'm in my thirties. Finding a woman of a suitable age that hasn't been married and doesn't have children is something of a miracle. At least she is a widow, we can marry in the church without any hangups."
Damon said, "Let me feel things out with Joshua."
Angelo nodded. "Thanks. Do I want to know what you and Elena are getting up to."
He grinned. "Actually, I am going to need your help with my little situation. I need you to find an OB/GYN that will play ball with us. Normally, I would get Stefan to help me with this..."
"I understand. You don't want to put him in an awkward position because he is close to Bonnie and Tyler," he replied.
Damon nodded. "If this blows up in my face I don't want my brother catching shrapnel."