Woo! Such great reviews! And we got past the 200 mark! You guys are amazing, seriously!

Okay, just saying, I loved writing the ending scene to that last chapter, and I loved a few scenes in this chapter as well!
I'm so excited about the family stuff, and the upcoming tension that will grow between Damon and Elena!
Things will be very up and down, sometimes it may move fast, and other times slug by, but it's all part of the developing process to get this family to where they need to be.

Again, thanks so much for all the support, and I hope ya'll enjoy!

Damon had the next morning planned out.
He knew that Elena wasn't planning on going into the office, and he planned on letting her sleep.
He also knew, thanks to his previous stay, that Tyler came for Chris around 7:50, meaning Elena had to wake him up about seven each morning.

So Damon set his alarm for six.

When it went off, waking him up, he was quick to hit the silencer, praying it didn't affect Elena or Chris.
Shaking off the sleep, he blinked a few times.
It was still dark outside, but the slight glow told him that the sun would be rising soon enough.

He stood, picked up the blankets and pillow, and folded them, before folding the bed up, and putting the cushions back in place.
He went into the hallway bathroom then, and washed his face.

Once he was done, he made his way back into the living room, searching for the jeans he'd kicked off last night.
Usually he just slept nude, but he'd managed to keep at least a shirt and underwear on last night, just in case Christian or Elena had to pass by him to go to the kitchen.

He slid the pants into place, then checked his phone.
Still plenty of time.

Quietly, he moved down the hall, and opened the door to Elena's room.
He didn't want to disrespect her privacy, but he had the feeling that the second her alarm went off, she'd be up for the day.
But she deserved to sleep in, and besides, he wanted this morning with Chris.

His eyes adjusted to the darker room, the lit sky outside, coming in from the windows, casted a blue glow over everything.
He made Elena out, curled up in the middle of her bed, facing him.

He smiled a little.

Her face was relaxed, and she looked peaceful. Her dark hair splayed across her pillow, and her hands rested under her cheek.
She was beautiful, even while unconscious.

Fighting the distraction that she was offering, he grabbed her phone.
It took him only a second to find the alarm and to turn it off.
He placed it back, and sighed, looking back at his ex.

If he let himself dream, he could imagine an everyday life like this.
One where he would wake up with Elena in his arms, every morning, and would kiss her forehead as he untangled himself from the sheets.
Then he'd go down the hall, wake up Chris for school, and start breakfast.
Chris would come in and eat over small talk, then Elena would follow, getting ready for work.
He'd wrap an arm around her, and make her take the time to feed herself.
Then Chris would leave for school, and Elena would leave for work.

He liked to think that in this alternate reality, he was still doing what he loved.
Writing and playing his music, with the support of his fans and family.
He'd drive up to the studio, get the months agenda, and start working on his sounds.
He'd struggle some, take it home that afternoon, where Elena would help him work out the kinks.
The he would let her play it while he cooked their dinner, or maybe he would play it for Chris, while Elena cooked.

Either way, he liked the picture of this fantasy world.
It was everything he never knew he wanted, just outside of his reach.

Elena was still sound asleep, so he couldn't help but lift his finger, and place it on her cheek.
He stroked her face, wishing that he hadn't been such an idiot all those years ago.
But he couldn't change the past.

Only what was happening now.
With that in mind, he left her to her dreams, making his way toward the kitchen to start breakfast for his son.

Chris jolted awake as the hand on his shoulder shook him.
He groaned.

"What time is it?"
"Time for you to wake up," a deep voice answered, and he opened his eyes to see Damon standing there.

He blinked a few times, the shock wearing off as his memory returned.

Right. Damon was supposed to be here.
He lived here now.

"Where's mom?" Chris managed, sitting up.
"Sleeping," Damon answered, "I didn't want to wake her if we didn't have to."
Chris nodded, "Okay."

He got up then, moving to his closet to dig for a shirt.
Damon was still standing by his bed, and he sort of wished that he'd go away.
He had too many thoughts to sort out when it came to that man, and at the moment, his looming presence wasn't helping.

"Did you need something?" Chris shot, finally just picking one of his band T-shirts, and pulled it over his head.
Damon didn't answer immediately, so Chris turned.
His father took a few steps closer.

"Are you alright?" he asked when he finally spoke.
Chris's eyebrows pulled together, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh, I don't know, Chris. Maybe something to do with me being here?" Damon stated, "Last night you seemed kind of pissed, and your attitude hasn't changed much this morning. Now, I don't expect you to immediately accept me, but I thought we could be past this?"

Chris stared at him, the copy of his own eyes looking back.
It wasn't like he wanted to be mad at Damon, but his grandpa was right.
Damon could hurt Elena again.
And if it came down between the two, Chris would always choose his mother.

But that wasn't really something he wanted to get into.
Because he wasn't really pissed…just being cautious.
If Damon's intentions were anything but what he had said, Chris was going to make him leave.

But then again, he'd never know if he didn't at least give the guy a chance.
He sighed.

"I'm not pissed, Damon," he said, "But like you said, it's not like you can stay around for a few hours and expect me to suddenly like you."
Damon nodded, "I know. That's why we are doing this. I'm willing to stay for as long as it takes."
Chris scoffed a little, grabbing a pair of jeans from the floor, and slid them over his boxers, "What about your busy rock star life?"
|His father smirked a little, "I'd hardly call myself a rock star. But it can wait. This, us, you…is much more important."

He raised a brow, "Why? You don't even know me."
Exactly," Damon explained, "But I want to."
"Why?" he pressed, remembering what Grayson had said about the possibility of Damon using them.

"Why?" Damon seemed confused by the inquiry, "Because you're my son, Christian. And I can't help that I didn't know that before this week, but I am sorry. I'm sorry that I missed so much, and that I wasn't able to be here for you."

Chris swallowed.
Damon certainly didn't sound like he wanted to use him.
He sounded…hurt. Like he really did regret the lost time as much as Chris did.

But it was partially his own fault.
Christian lifted his gaze, focusing on the man.

"You never should have left."

Damon nodded, slowly, "You think I don't know that? It would have never happened if I had known about you, I swear."
Chris shook his head, "It shouldn't have happened anyway. Whether my mom was pregnant or not. You hurt her when you left."

His father didn't waver, even though his words had made him flinch.

"I never meant to hurt her, Chris. I loved your mother. If you're going to believe anything, believe that."
"Then how could you go?" Chris demanded.

Damon sighed, "Because I was young, and stupid. I let other people dictate my choices, and convinced myself that I was doing Elena a favor by leaving. But I'm not trying to make excuses. I didn't have to leave. I know that. But I did, and I have to live with the consequences of that choice. I'm just sorry that you were affected by my idiocy. But I want to do better by you, Chris. I want to try to make it up to you, in any way I can. You don't have to like me…but I'm only asking for a chance. I know I don't deserve it…but I want to be here for you now, if you'll let me."

Chris swallowed back a wave of emotion threatening to spill out.
When did the situation get so complex?

In his deepest desire, he knew he wanted this. He wanted this to work out…for Damon to fit into their lives, and become the father he never had. He wanted to get to know him, be close to him…talk to him about all the things that Elena just wouldn't get, no matter how hard she tried.
And he wanted his parents together.

He wanted a family, and a sense of stability and home.
But that was wishful thinking…a child's dream.
He couldn't risk hoping right now.

Damon's light chuckle pulled him from his monologue.
"Your mother is the same way," he stated.

"What are you talking about?" Chris inquired.

Damon smiled a little, "The way your thoughts take over. Everything you feel flashes across your face as you battle with yourself. Elena use to do the same thing."
"She still does," he answered, realizing it was true.
He could always tell what his mother's answer was going to be before she gave it, just from her expressions.

He found it odd that Damon would remember such a think after so long.

But then he thought of April.
Maybe he could understand it after all.

It would take a long time for him to forget everything about her…but maybe that's just what happens when you love someone.
You remember pointless, random shit about them.

The thought of April had his mind turning.
She would be pissed at him if she heard his thoughts about Damon.

She would insist on him giving the man a chance, because that was just the kind of person she was.
Loving, forgiving, and good.
The kind of person he could only hope to be.

He sighed, "If I agree to this…trial father/son relationship thing between us, will you swear to leave if I ask you to? If it doesn't…work?"
Damon immediately nodded, "I'll do whatever it is you want me to, Chris. As long as you're willing to give this a shot."

Chris considered this, "I'm willing to see where it goes. And to not be…pissy about it."
Damon smirked, "Good enough for me."
"Then I guess this could work."
Damon nodded, "It can if we want it to."

Chris picked up his phone, checking the time, "Well, we can finish this later. I need to hurry if I'm going to catch my ride and still manage to cram something down my throat."
Damon chuckled, "Go finish getting ready. I got breakfast taken care of."

Chris raised a brow, impressed, "Omelets?"
Not that he'd ever admit it out loud, but the breakfast Damon had made the last time he stayed over had been amazing.
He was definitely better than Elena when it came to kitchen skills.

"Not exactly," Damon answered, "Just do what you need to do. Your plate will be waiting when you're done."
Nodding, Chris walked past him, going into the bathroom across the hall.

Elena woke up suddenly, chills down her back.

That had been a weird dream that was almost too vivid for her liking.
Shaking her head, she pulled back her blanket.

What time was it?
She reached over, picking up her phone.
7:40
Shit! She was supposed to have Chris up a little under an hour ago!

Jumping to her feet, she ran a hand through her hair, hurrying down the hall.
But Chris's door was open, the room empty.

Then suddenly, laughter sounded from the other end of the house, and tiredly, she made her way toward it.

"You seriously did it?" Chris was asking, as she came around the corner.
"Hell yeah, I did it," Damon grinned, "And Alaric hasn't challenged me to anything since."
"That's awesome," Chris smirked, spinning the fork in his hand on the empty plate in front of him.

Elena didn't want to interrupt, but when Damon grabbed the plate, and Chris stood, she figured they were about done.

"Good morning," she stated, making them aware of her presence.
Chris was putting his back pack on his shoulder, but glanced over, "Morning, Mom."
She eyed them accusingly, "Any reason my alarm didn't go off this morning?"

Damon smirked, shutting the dish washer, "Didn't think you'd mind a few extra hours of sleep."
She shook her head, "I wouldn't have, but I was supposed to get Chris up and-"

"Mom, I'm up," Chris pointed out, "It's fine, really…you should go back to bed."
She shook her head, "No it's fine, I'm up."

Damon motioned toward the counter, "There's coffee in the pot."
She nodded, making her way to it.
Chris reached up and grabbed a mug for her.

"Thanks," she told them, pouring herself some of the liquid caffeine.
"Damon made breakfast, too," Chris told her, "It's pretty good."
"Yeah?"

She looked over at Damon who smirked, "I can't believe you've never given this kid an explosion stack."
Her mouth hung open momentarily, "You made them?"

He grinned, nodding.
"But, we invented that recipe so long ago…"
"It's always been one of my favorites," he explained, grabbing a clean plate, and putting a few of the special pancakes on there.

She shook her head as he handed it to her.

One weekend, during Damon's senior year, Elena had told her parents she was staying with Caroline, and Damon had told his that he was staying with Enzo, resulting in the two of them having the entire weekend to themselves.
So they had driven up the road, to the Gilbert's family lake house.

That Saturday morning, they'd realized that there were odds and ends of groceries, but nothing that really went together for breakfast, so they had experimented.
They'd mixed eggs, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and god knew what else, into a large bowl, and beat it into a batter, which they had preceded to make pancakes from.

As Damon poured, Elena got the idea to make them flavorful, and had thrown in a mix of blueberries, strawberries, and chocolate chips.
Then, once they were done, they'd found that there was no syrup, so they'd coated the creation in peanut butter, and had called it the Explosion Stack.
And it was still one of the best things she'd ever eaten.

Looking down at the stack in front of her, she couldn't help but smile.
"I can't believe you remembered the ingredients," she told him, taking a seat.
"It took me a while to figure out what all we'd added," he admitted, "But eventually it came together. Peanut butter?"

He held the jar out to her, and she chuckled, "Is there any other way to go with the explosion stack?"
He shook his head, "None what so ever."

Christian eyed them, "Wait, you guys made this? From scratch?"
Damon smirked, "More like from the bare minimum. We just threw in anything that sounded good."
"And it worked?" He seemed amused.
"Better than it should have," Elena admitted, as a honk sounded from outside, "Is that Tyler?"

Chris nodded, "It's about that time."
He leaned over hugging her before glancing between her and Damon, "So, uh, see you after school."

They nodded at him, and he turned to the door, hurrying out, leaving Elena alone with Damon.

Hope you guys liked!
And I promise, there will be plenty of Delena coming up! :)

So what did you guys think about Damon's talk with Chris?
His reflection on what his life could have been like?
Will the flash backs of their relationship make Elena more open to starting a new one?

What should happen next?

Please, please, review with ideas or comments!

Muahh! Love you all :)