"Stripped"
Chapter 17: Try and Fail
Bella woke up to the smell of bacon, pancakes, and eggs. She wrapped her sweater around her and walked down the stairs into the kitchen. Bella couldn't help, but laugh; Damon was standing there cooking with a towel over his shoulder, flipping the pancakes.
"Good morning Isabella," Damon said with a smirk.
"What are you doing?" Bella asked while smiling.
"Making you breakfast." Damon said simply, "How did you sleep?"
"Alright," Bella said before sitting down at the bar, "Where is everyone at?"
"The Lockwood's decorating," Damon answered, "Why, you want to join them?"
"No," Bella replied, "Not in the Christmas mood."
"It's the first Christmas back here isn't it." Damon guessed, "Hasn't been the same since she's been gone."
"Yeah," Bella admitted, "This house just feels empty."
Damon didn't say anything as he handed her the plate. He then sat down across from her.
"Are you going to go to Carol's party?" Damon asked.
"You know the answer to that," Bella replied while shaking her head, "Don't push it Damon."
"Fine," Damon said while holding up his hands in surrender. "Finish your breakfast and get dressed."
Bella's eyes narrowed, "What do you have up your sleeve Salvatore?" She said suspiciously.
"Moi," Damon said offended, "Why do you always think I have something up my sleeve?"
"Because you always do," Bella replied.
"Fine, but that's for me to know and for you to dot, dot, dot," Damon said before walking out of the kitchen.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Have you been able to get a hold of Bella?" Bonnie asked.
"I haven't tried," Elena said, "She needs some space."
"But this party is going to be so boring without her," Caroline whined. "Remember the year she made the candlesticks dance."
"Caroline chill out," Tyler said before kissing her temple, "If Bella needs some space, give it to her."
"Are you alright?" Matt asked Elena.
Elena nodded, "Yeah just a little thirsty is all, but it's getting better."
"Alright I'm going to say it," Jeremy said, "I'm addressing the elephant in the room and what the rest of us are wondering. What the hell is going on between Damon and Bella? He was all over you a few weeks ago and now it's like there was never anything there."
"Yeah I don't like it," Bonnie grumbled.
"Leave it alone," Elena sighed, "It's no one's business, but theirs."
"He's a snake," Caroline replied, "He can't be trusted and Bella just got out of a relationship with an asshole. She doesn't need to hook up with another one."
"Guys," Elena said while throwing down her wreath, "Just shut up! It's their business and if Damon makes Bella happy then who cares? If he treats her right who cares? If they are happy, just stay out of it!"
Elena walked out of the room to the terrace. Stefan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Why can't they just let it go?" Elena asked agitated.
"They worry about her," Stefan replied, "My brother doesn't exactly have the best track record. Don't try and deny that you aren't worried about her either."
"I am, but I know that he won't hurt her." Elena replied with a sigh, "Not again at least."
"They haven't seen the changes you've seen," Stefan added, "That I've seen; it's harder for them Elena."
"I know," Elena said and leaned back into Stefan, "She needs him Stefan…Damon has always been able to bring out a side of her none of us could. Right now she needs that more than ever. The first year back in the house since her grandma, Charlie not being here, her attack, she needs to feel that life and only Damon can do that."
"Just like she is the only one that can knock Damon around and get away with it," Stefan laughed, "She's the only one that makes him think."
"They are a perfect match," Elena said.
"Perfect?" Stefan questioned.
"Maybe not perfect by most standards, but for themselves they are." Elena answered.
"Hey," Matt said while coming out. "Caroline and Bonnie promise not to say anything else as long as you come back in and help."
"Come on," Elena said, "We need to finish up so Caroline can still have her two hours to get ready."
"It does not take me two hours," Caroline yelled.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Damon where are we going?" Bella asked as they drove.
"You'll see," Damon replied.
A few minutes later they were at the Christmas tree place. They got out of the car and started walking.
"Last time we were here I seem to remember someone threw a snowball at me." Damon commented.
"I think it was justified," Bella replied, "Damon I don't want to be here."
"No you are in a bad mood refusing to get in the Christmas spirit. This is exactly where you should be." Damon replied.
"So stuffing Christmas down my throat is your idea of getting me into the spirit." Bella countered.
"I'll make you a deal pick out a Christmas tree and I won't bug you about going to Carol's tonight." Damon proposed.
"Alright," Bella said.
They started walking and looking down the rows, but Bella kept saying no to every tree. Damon decided to try a different tactic and grabbed her hand.
"What are we doing?" Bella asked.
Damon didn't answer. He just led her back towards the trees that were bare and dying. He stopped in front of the one that was on its last leg.
"What do you see?" Damon asked while pointing to it.
"Damon," Bella sighed.
"No," Damon said forcefully, "Tell me what you see."
"It's almost dead, someone didn't take care of it," Bella said, "They've given up on it."
"That's me," Damon said and Bella looked at him, "I used to be that tree, but then a very interesting witch brought me back to life. She never gave up on me even when she should have." Damon took her hand and squeezed it, "I won't give up on you Bella…ever."
Bella looked at Damon and saw the honesty in his icy blue eyes. She moved away from him and walked over to the dying tree. She placed her hand on it and allowed the magic to flow from her into the tree. The tree began to perk up, the branches becoming stronger, the needles turning from brown to green. The bareness of the tree started to disappear as it became lush and full.
Bella smiled as she felt the life growing in the tree and within herself. It was as if something was being awoken in her.
"So," Damon said smirking, "What's the color scheme this year?"
"Iridescent colors," Bella said smiling, "I want it to be light and happy."
"Guess we need to go shopping."
.*.*.*.*.*.
A few hours later, Bella and Damon were back at the house, putting the finishing touches on their tree.
"Thank you," Bella said as she hung some ornaments.
"For what?" Damon asked.
Bella rolled her eyes, "You know what; are you going to make me say it?"
"Yes I am and don't do that." Damon replied.
"For taking me to get the tree." Bella said, "For making me wake up."
"This wouldn't, by chance, make you change your mind about the part tonight?" Damon asked.
"I'm not going," Bella said.
"But when you go, something exciting always happens." Damon replied, "Come on."
"What happened to the 'I won't bug you about Carol's party' deal you made earlier?" Bella questioned.
"Touché," Damon said before he stood up, "Well I've got to get going. I have to be there tonight."
"Can you help me?" Bella asked while holding out the star, "Put it up?"
Damon sighed dramatically, "I suppose I can," He said before he put the star up. He faced Bella, "Keep your guard up," he said seriously. "And if anything feels off…"
"You're the first number on my speed dial," Bella said, "Bye Damon…Thank you."
Damon stood there for a moment, staring at Bella before he leaned down and gave her a quick chaste kiss on the cheek.
After Damon left Bella sat down admiring the tree. For the first time in a very long time, the house felt like home even if her grandma wasn't there. Tomorrow she would do the Christmas shopping for everyone…maybe even plan a Christmas dinner. Bella was feeling alive for the first time in months and it was in large part due to Damon. He was trying to help her; he was bringing that girl he used to know back to the surface. He was helping her find the girl she was before Edward and he didn't even really know it.
Bella smiled and stood up before heading for her room.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Well this is boring," Tyler said while pulling at his shirt collar.
"Don't worry, things just picked up; the family from hell just arrived," Caroline replied, "I swear she looks at me the wrong way."
"Not tonight Caroline," Bonnie said, "Bella's potion may have worked, but we can't risk exposing ourselves again. Those herbs were rare from overseas; it would take weeks to get more."
"Will you calm down," Damon said while joining the group, "There will be no problems tonight."
"Where is Bella?" Carol asked, "The entire council is asking about her."
"She's resting," Damon replied, "I think she's deserved it and I deserve a drink." Damon walked off to the bar.
"Mom, just tell them that she's still recuperating." Tyler said.
"They are just worried," Carol replied before she walked away.
Elena headed towards Damon.
"Is she okay?" Elena asked.
"I got her to find a dead Christmas tree, bring it back to life, and decorate it." Damon replied, "I think I can put that in the win column."
"She decided not to come," Elena said, sympathetically.
"I can't really blame her," Damon said with a shrug, "I would much rather be at home than here, but someone has to watch out for you kids. Besides she needs a break."
"Admit it…you wanted her to come." Elena said while nudging him.
"Yes," Damon replied, "But it wasn't in the tarot cards apparently."
"I think you misread the reading," Elena said while smiling before she pointed past Damon and towards the entryway.
Damon turned his head to where she was pointing and was shocked. There was Bella in a sleeveless navy blue dress, nude stilettos, and her make-up was light. Her hair was down in long luscious waves and around her neck was the snowflake necklace he had gotten her for Christmas a couple years ago. Bella saw Damon looking and she smiled before she walked towards him.
"Hey," she said quietly.
"What are you doing here?" Damon asked.
"Well I figured maybe you all might need my help," Bella said before she looked to Elena, "You guys do have a tendency to get into trouble at Mystic Falls' functions."
"And you don't," Elena replied, "If I remember correctly the first party you came to, you were nearly drained dry."
"Okay you're right, we all are trouble magnets," Bella said with a laugh.
"Well look who decided to show up," Matt said while coming over, "Don't you look all pretty and put together."
"Yeah Bella did Caroline help you? She did disappear for a little bit." Tyler commented.
"Nope this is all me," Bella replied.
"Bella Swan knowing how to do her own make-up, her hair, and pick out an outfit like that," Jeremy said while pretending to be shocked, "Well now I have seen everything."
"Bella," Carol said happily while coming over, "I'm so glad you're here. The council wants to speak to you."
"They can wait," Bella said before looking directly at Damon, "Tonight is a night I'm not doing anything, but having some fun."
Damon smiled and shook his head, "Bartender, coconut run and cranberry for the lovely lady here."
"Thank you," Bella said while hopping up on the seat next to him. "So what have I missed?"
"Nothing," Caroline said, "It's completely boring, no good music, everyone's just standing around."
"The psycho family is here," Bonnie added.
"So," Bella said while looking at all of them, "Who cares if they are here?"
"Bella they can't exactly be trusted," Stefan said.
"I don't care," Bella said as she got down from her seat, "Tonight there will be no trouble; we are going to have fun and that's it."
They watched as she walked over towards the DJ.
"What is she doing?" Bonnie asked.
Damon smirked, "I think our prayers have been answered."
"What do you mean?" Jeremy asked.
Matt suddenly laughed, "The old Bella is back!"
.*.*.*.*.*.
As Bella made her way to the DJ Carol was hot on her trail.
"Bella I really think you should talk to the members of the council." Carol said seriously.
Bella stopped and turned around to face her.
"Carol not tonight," Bella said, "Tonight we are gonna have fun and for that to happen this music has got to change."
"Well look who is here," Robert, the DJ, said.
"Hey Robbie," Bella said smiling. "So remember a couple years ago when I introduced you to your fiancée and you said you owed me one."
"You're cashing that favor in now?" Robbie asked while shaking his head.
"Yep," Bella replied, "I think the music sucks. I don't care what the council says I want something we can actually dance to."
"I don't know," Robbie said hesitantly.
"I'll take all the heat," Bella replied smiling, "Come on."
"What the hell," Robbie said while pulling the music that had been playing, "I was about to fall asleep anyways."
Katy Perry's cover of Use Your Love came over the speakers and a lot of people started cheering. Caroline looked at Bonnie and Elena before the three of them ran over to pull Bella onto the dance floor to dance.
"When in Rome," Matt said before heading over to join them.
Soon enough Stefan, Jeremy, and Tyler joined the girls on the dance floor while Damon sat at the bar, watching. Suddenly Bella was next to him,
"On no Salvatore," Bella said while grabbing his hand, "You aren't going to sit around while the rest of us are dancing."
"I'm not in the mood," Damon said teasing.
Bella dropped his hand, "Fine," She said smirking, "I guess I'll just go see if Jeremy wants to dance with me."
Bella started walking away, but Damon caught her wrist pulled her back to him and smirked.
"What game are you playing Swan?" Damon asked.
"Me play games?" Bella asked mockingly, "I would never do that to you Damon."
"You are out to cause trouble tonight aren't you?" Damon questioned.
"Want to join me?" Bella countered, "Like old times?"
"How can I resist an offer like that," Damon answered before he led her onto the dance floor.
Damon spun Bella out and back to him, dipping her at random times while they danced. Bonnie and Caroline looked on disapprovingly but Elena glared at them, warning them to back off which they did. About four songs after Use Your Love, Bella headed for the bar to grab a drink and sit down.
"I must say Isabella, you can move," Klaus said while appearing next to her. "Care to take a spin on the dance floor with me. Ask Caroline, I'm a very good dancer."
"I don't care," Bella said, "Act like an ass tonight and there will be no warnings. I'll just make you disappear."
"There a problem?" Damon asked after coming over, visibly tense.
"None whatsoever," Bella said while smiling, "Come on, let's get the others."
Bella started dragging Damon who begrudgingly followed her.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Shot down once again I see," Rebekah said smirking, "Honestly Klaus when are you going to see that she will never side with you."
"I think she will after I tell her what I have to offer." Klaus replied.
"You won't win her over," Rebekah replied.
"If I didn't know any better sister I would think you were rooting for my failure," Klaus said surprised.
"Perhaps I am," Rebekah said, "It would do you some good to be knocked down a few pegs. I think I'll take a cue from your little infatuation toy and have some fun for once."
Rebekah disappeared into the crowd and Kol joined Klaus.
"Rebekah is getting a bit high and mighty don't you think," Kol said.
"No worries, after tonight she won't be a problem." Klaus replied before he downed his drink.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Bella what are we doing out here?" Bonnie asked while clutching her coat closer, "It's freezing."
"Yeah and heels aren't exactly great for walking in the snow." Caroline added.
"Will you quit being babies and come on," Bella said as she started walking to the woods.
Her heel hit a soft patch and she started sinking losing her balance in the process. Damon quickly caught her and picked her up bridal-style. Tyler followed suit by picking up Caroline; Stefan followed with Elena, while Jeremy had Bonnie.
"Follow the leader," Matt called out after he started to walk behind Bella and Damon.
"Here," Bella said when they were far enough away from the party.
They were all standing in the clearing that was covered in snow.
"What are we doing?" Jeremy asked after putting Bonnie down.
"Remember when we were kids?" Bella asked. "We would play here."
"Yeah that was before Tyler was an ass," Elena said with a laugh.
"Hey I've grown out of that stage," Tyler defended.
"Bella why are we here?" Bonnie asked.
"This place has special meaning for us," Bella said, "This is where our innocence is, this field is where we had some of the best times and I think maybe we need to remember them and make new ones…starting now."
Bella started swirling her hand round and round slowly the snow from the ground started to rise and start to dance around them like ballerinas. Everyone started laughing as the snow swirled around them in intricate patterns.
For the first time in a very long time, they felt freedom…freedom they thought was long gone. Slowly one flake fell on each one of their hands, between their thumb and index finger before it lit up the skin where it landed. It glowed for a few seconds then disappeared.
"What the hell?" Bonnie asked.
"I figured it's less painful and more conspicuous then a tattoo." Bella said, "We're all marked like we always talked about."
"Okay not to break up the whole love fest, but it's really freezing out here," Matt said.
They quickly made their way back to the house and headed straight to the fireplace to warm up. The others migrated back to the bar while Damon and Bella stayed put.
"Magical snowflake tattoos, really?" Damon asked before he sighed dramatically, "At least you can't see them."
Bella shook her head and grabbed his hand. Suddenly the place where the snowflake fell glowed on both their hands.
"Only like this can you see them," Bella whispered.
"Oh how cute," Kol said while sauntering over. "Can I join the snowflake club?"
"It's very exclusive," Bella replied while not looking at him, "Damon I need a drink, you want one?"
"When have I ever turned down a drink?" Damon asked before he slipped his arm around Bella's waist.
Kol grabbed Bella's arm, stopping them and Damon's jaw tensed.
"Let her go," Damon said dangerously low.
"You can't escape me little witch," Kol said, ignoring him, "You'll give in eventually."
"Only in your dreams would you ever have a chance with me." Bella replied before she focused on his hand.
Kol yelped out in pain as his hand started to burn.
"What's that saying," Damon said as they walked away. "If you can't handle the heat get out of the kitchen?"
"I think you mean too hot to handle," Bella countered with a laugh.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Little witch," Kol growled.
"Looks like someone got burned in more ways than one," Rebekah said smirking.
"Back off, I'm not in the mood," Kol warned.
"Aww little Kol can't handle some competition," Rebekah said condescendingly, "Pathetic."
Rebekah walked away and headed over to Matt.
"Timing is everything brother," Klaus said while coming over to Kol, "Tread lightly for the rest of the evening."
"Is something wrong?" Kol asked while inspecting his hand as it healed.
"The good Pastor is around," Klaus replied.
"Shouldn't we tell the little Scooby gang?" Kol questioned.
"No," Klaus said, "We'll see how this plays out. Who knows, perhaps the good Pastor Young will give us an opportunity to whisk the lovely Bella away."
"We can only hope," Kol replied.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom," Bella said to the others before she started to walk away.
As soon as she was out of the main room, Damon appeared and blurred in front of her.
"Care to explain this?" Damon asked.
"Why question a good thing?" Bella countered.
"Who are you doing this for?" Damon asked, "Them, yourself, or me?"
"Damon, don't think too much," Bella replied, "But if you must know I'm doing it for all the above and you only have yourself to blame. Now go back in there and save me a dance."
Damon took her hand and kissed it before he headed back to the party. Bella shook her head and walked into the bathroom. When she came out of the bathroom, she was grabbed and forced up against the wall a knife to her throat.
"Hello Bella," Pastor Young sneered. "Don't try anything or else," he said before he pointed to Carol who was shaking.
"He has a bomb," Carol said, close to tears.
"It's going to be alright," Bella assured her before she glared at Young, "What do you want?"
"I want you and those other abominations alone," Young growled.
"Carol," Bella said, "Have everyone but who the pastor wants to go outside."
"I can't leave you," Carol said frantically.
"Nothing is going to happen to me Carol," Bella said calmly, "The pastor and I are just going to catch up. Go on and stay calm, we will be alright."
Carol composed herself and headed back to the party.
"You shouldn't lie like that," Pastor Young hissed, "Nothing will be alright."
"Yes it will," Bella said, "I'm a witch I know things."
"You're a freak," Young growled, "you're evil."
"Well isn't that the kettle calling the pot black," Bella countered, "If I remembered correctly, I haven't been trying to kill innocent people and I'm not the one strapped with a bomb."
"You aren't innocent," Young said before he pressed the knife harder against her throat.
"Neither are you," Bella replied.
Carol came back, "They're outside."
"Come on Isabella," Young said before he jerked her forward but he kept the knife close to her jugular, "Let's go start the real party."
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Everyone," Carol said, her voice was shaky, "I need everyone to go outside on the terrace for the light show."
"Something's wrong," Bonnie said.
Tyler headed over to his mom while everyone quickly exited.
"What's going on?" Tyler asked.
"You and everyone else need to stay in here," Carol said and headed back through the door.
"Where's Bella?" Elena asked.
"Bathroom," Damon replied, "I'll go get her."
"No need to," Pastor Young said while coming out with a knife firmly pressed to Bella's throat, "She's coming to you."
"Bella," Damon said tensely.
"I'm okay," Bella said.
"Not for long," Young hissed. "You're all done for."
"Is that a bomb?" Caroline asked getting a good look at Pastor Young. "You've gone insane."
"NO, insane is allowing abominations to run this town," Pastor Young growled, "Insane is thinking that any of you have a soul. But that's all going to change." Pastor Young pressed a button and the bomb started ticking, "I am the beginning, the others will come and you all will die." He pulled Bella closer to him, "But I'm taking your one defense with me."
"Bella," Damon said while starting to panic.
"Damon," Bella said in a whisper, "Just catch me."
"What?" Damon asked confused.
"She's forming a shield," Bonnie said quietly so only vampires could hear her, "Between her and the reverend. She's won't get killed, but she's gonna fly."
Damon looked at Bella and nodded.
As the timer hit ten seconds Pastor Young smiled and said his last words.
"I love you April," He said and then the bomb went off.
It was contained only causing Young to explode with it, but because of the force of the bomb Bella was propelled into the air. Damon was ready and caught her before she hit the wall; he clutched her for dear life.
In an instant the fun party became a crime scene. Liz took care of answering most of the questions while the paramedics looked over Bella who only had a couple scrapes and bruises due to the force of the blast and Damon catching her. The only real damage was a cut above her left eye.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Two hours later everyone was clearing out.
"Where are you going to stay?" Bella asked Carol.
"With Liz and Caroline," Carol replied, still shaky, "Bella, are you certain you're alright?"
Bella nodded, "I'm okay."
"Well it's not a party until something life threatening happens." Jeremy commented.
"Are you okay?" Damon asked.
"She'll be fine," Meredith said while stitching the wound above Bella's eye. "No concussion for once, I'm happy."
"That makes two of us," Bella said, "Can I go home?"
"Yeah," Liz said while coming over and joining them, "You'll have to come down to the station to give a full statement, but you can go."
"Has anyone called April?" Bella asked, "She's gonna be devastated."
"I'm about to make that call," Liz said sadly.
"Let me know when she gets to town." Bella said, "She'll need a lot of support."
"You want to support a psycho's daughter," Rebekah said, interrupting them, "Are you going for sainthood?"
"She shouldn't be blamed for her father's mistakes." Bella replied calmly, "enjoy the party?"
"Well I've come to see that it's not a real Mystic Falls party until there's bloodshed," Rebekah said, "I think this one had quite the bang."
"You know what happened to that man in there," Bella said.
"You mean what's left of him," Rebekah interrupted.
Bella's eyes blazed with anger, "That man in there was a good man, do you know what happened? When I brought your brother's body back there was a consequence and that was it. Something in him turned and changed him, forcing him to do the things he did. I am to blame for this mess and unlike you and your family I accept responsibility for my actions." Bella said, "I accept that what happened here tonight was my responsibility and it will be on my conscience."
"Come on," Damon said while pulling Bella away from the ambulance, "You need some rest."
Damon escorted Bella to his car and they drove to her house in silence. Finally he couldn't take it.
"It's not your fault," Damon said calmly.
"It is," Bella replied softly.
Damon stopped the car and turned towards her.
"Look at me," He said when Bella didn't, he placed his hand under her chin. "Please look at me."
Bella had tears threatening to spill over her eyes.
"It's not your fault. He had a choice and his choice was made long before you brought Klaus back." Damon said, "Don't do this to yourself; your conscience is clear."
Bella nodded and Damon wiped away the falling tears. He turned back around, facing front, and started to drive.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Well that party ended with a good bang," Kol said as they walked into the house.
"I'm just happy none of the good reverend got on my jacket," Klaus mused.
"What now brother?" Rebekah asked, "The Pastor is dead and the hunter is coming."
"Well sister you know what I plan," Klaus said.
"You need his sword for that," Rebekah said, "You'll never find it."
"I don't need you to tell me where it is," Klaus said, "Isabella will find it."
Rebekah stilled, "I won't let you find that cure," Rebekah hissed and headed for the door.
Kol caught her and held her back.
"Sorry Rebekah this might hurt a little." Kol mused.
"She'll never help you," Rebekah hissed while struggling.
"Oh once I tell her there is a cure for Elena to turn her back to a human she will," Klaus said while dipping the dagger into the white oak ash. "You need some rest sister," he said as he walked towards her, "Goodnight."
Klaus drove the dagger into Rebekah's heart and she quickly slumped to the ground.
"Well now what's next?" Kol asked.
"Tomorrow we have dinner with a witch," Klaus said while smirking.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Thanks," Bella said as they pulled up to her house, "Besides the almost blowing up part, the party was a blast."
Damon smirked, "Well it's not a real party until someone dies, at least it wasn't me killing someone this time."
"That's a plus," Bella said with a smile.
Damon got out, opened Bella's door, and helped her out. He helped keep her steady on the icy sidewalk as they walked up to the porch. Bella went to open the door, but Damon pulled her back.
"Wait," He said.
"What's wrong?" Bella asked.
Damon pointed above them to mistletoe hanging there.
Bella laughed, "Really?"
"Come on," Damon said, "It's bad luck if we don't."
"You just want an excuse to kiss me," Bella said.
"Well now I have one," Damon said as his eyes turned dark before his tongue darted out to wet his lips.
Bella sucked in a breath as Damon leaned down and his lips came closer and closer to hers until finally they met. A soft warm glow flowed through Bella's body and she wrapped her arms around Damon, who in turn encircled her with his. The warm glow flowing through both of them made them forget about the cold and time stopped. Finally Damon slowly and reluctantly pulled away, but kept his nose touching hers.
"Good night Bella," Damon said finally after straightening up.
He started walking down the steps when Bella's voice stopped him.
"Damon," Bella said and she waited for him to turn around to face her, "You don't need an excuse to kiss me," she said with a blush. Damon smirked, "But you do need to take me on an actual date if you want to kiss me again."
"That's an excuse," Damon countered.
Bella shook her head, "No it's a reason." She said before she ducked into the house.
A/N: Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed the chapter I really enjoyed writing it and the next two that are coming!
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