Okay, don't hate me too much ;)
This chapter's a little longer, so hopefully that'll make up for it.
Plus it's cute :)
Anyway...on with it!
"I said I was sorry," Caroline huffed, yet again, as she and Elena moved another table, "Really, really, sorry."
"I know," Elena smiled, "It just sucks."
"Well, if I'd known you were finally about to get some, I'd have called someone else! You should have told me!"
Elena shook her head as they sat it down, "Yeah, that would have sounded great. Sorry I can't get there early to help, Care, because I'm kind of about to start having really hot sex with my son's father, see you in an hour!"
Caroline laughed, "Okay, okay, but you could have said something! I totally cock-blocked you guys, and I feel awful."
Elena laughed, "Not as awful as Damon."
Caroline smirked as they moved to grab the next one, but didn't follow up.
Elena sighed.
Damon had kissed her so passionately, so hungrily, that she was literally out of her mind during the moments his hands were on her.
He'd done exactly as he'd promised, tossing her onto her bed, before covering her with his body.
His mouth was hot on hers, his hands trailing over her burning skin, and she let herself feel every part of him again.
His mouth had kissed down her neck, and onto her breast, when just their luck, her phone had started blaring.
She'd ignored it at first, hoping the person would leave a voice mail, but then it had rang again, and she'd groaned, asking Damon to hold on, before answering it.
Of course, it was an overly excited Caroline, needing her help setting up early, because they had a last minute booth cancellation that had thrown off the entire order she'd set up, and it's Caroline, so of course, this was an emergency crisis that had to be dealt with immediately, because the world was going to end if one little thing was out of place, ect. ect. ect.
Elena had reluctantly agreed to help, despite Damon's pouting face, and had assured Caroline that she'd be there as fast as possible.
Damon hadn't been too happy about the delay in their personal plans, but she'd kissed him, and promised to make up for it later.
She'd left then, to get dressed, and he'd went down the hall to wake up Chris.
And now, an hour later, the crisis was averted, and Elena couldn't stop thinking about the morning she could have had, if she'd just ignored the damn phone call.
She and Damon had been dancing around each other ever since he'd returned, and she knew it was only a matter of time before they really were together, in her bed, but maybe this delay was a good thing.
Now that she could think clearly, without those intense eyes watching her, she could reason with herself.
She'd said that she was going to take it slow.
But teasing him this morning had been way too good of an opportunity to miss.
And he definitely wasn't complaining.
She shivered at the memory of his commanding tone, telling her exactly what he was going to do if she gave into him.
There hadn't been a single unwilling bone in her body then.
She exhaled, focusing on keeping her breathing even, as not to let on how bothered she really was.
Caroline was quick to catch these things.
"So, what else is on our list?" Elena asked, once they'd grabbed the last of the small tables.
Caroline reached over and grabbed the clipboard she'd sat on one of them.
"We have to make sure each booth is categorized, you know, with the signs telling which is which. The elementary students painted the signs for them, they are so cute."
Elena smiled, "I take it Nik and Lex had their share in the fun."
The blond smiled, "Of course."
She took a deep breath, looking around, "Don't you just love Halloween?"
Elena smirked, "I loved it a lot more when Chris was younger and actually wanted to trick-or-treat."
"You just liked stealing his chocolate," Caroline accused.
Elena laughed, "That was definitely a perk of it."
Her friend smiled, "Where is Chris anyway?"
Elena shrugged, "Not sure. Val found us when we arrived and sent him and Damon for supplies or something."
Caroline nodded, "So how's all that going? With them?"
As if the smile on her face wasn't answer enough, "Good...really good."
"Yeah?" Caroline pressed, her tone declaring details.
"Chris is calling him Dad now."
Caroline actually paused slightly in their walk, "Seriously?!"
"Seriously," Elena chuckled.
Her friend squealed, "Oh my god, I knew they'd hit it off! I'm so happy for you guys! Really, you and Chris deserve to have someone who's gonna love you and be there for you!"
"And the fact that he's your brother in law means..." Elena teased.
Caroline stuck her tongue out, "Hey, if you two get married down the road, and you and I happen to be related for real then, I'm not going to complain."
Elena just grinned, shaking her head.
"So how'd it happen?" the blond pressed, once they'd reached her car, where the signs were.
"Well," Elena thought, "Damon wanted to spend some time with him, you know, alone, so he picked him up early Friday and they went to the Grill. He didn't really tell me what all they talked about, only that it went good. Then I was trying to make some pies, and they both agree with you about my baking skills, apparently."
Caroline chuckled, but didn't interrupt.
"So we were in the kitchen, and they hijacked my recipe, double teaming me, so I couldn't reach it, then Damon said something about it being a Salvatore thing, and Chris slipped the Dad bomb."
"Wow," Caroline grinned, "I bet Damon was ecstatic."
Elena chuckled now, "Actually, I think emotional would be the better word. And the fact that Chris didn't even mean to say it, just made it that much...better, I guess. It's just one of those moments you don't really have words for."
Care nodded, "I know exactly what you mean. But still, it's great that everything is working out. I still can't believe Damon practically said that he loved you. I mean, it's not the same as an actual declaration of love, but it's pretty damn close!"
Elena smiled at her, "You know, I didn't tell you that so you could analyze the details."
"Oh, Elena, you know I can't help myself," Caroline defended.
"Oh I know," she smirked, "But do try, please. I mean, you have tons of stuff to worry about for today. Don't add my drama on top of it."
Her friend shot her a look, "You know I'd put your drama before any town event, Lena. There'll be another Fall Festival next year...but this, going on with you, it's happening now."
Elena grinned, "That was pretty deep, Care."
"I know," her friend smiled bubbly, "But seriously, I'm here for you."
Elena nodded, "I know that, and thanks Care. You've helped me through everything that's ever gone haywire in my life, and I'm really lucky to have a friend like you."
"Same," Caroline agreed, "Thing would be boring without you and Chris hanging around."
Elena chuckled, "Don't tell him that. He already thinks he's all that. Doesn't need that ego fanned anymore."
Caroline smirked, "Is he coming to the Festival tonight?"
She shook her head, "No, him and some friends wanted to go to the haunted house in Grandville."
"I thought he was grounded," Caroline questioned.
"Technically, he is," Elena agreed, "But Damon made a point, and I realized something. Chris has been doing really well, especially given everything that's happened lately, and with all the changes that are still coming, I figured a fun night out with his friends might throw some normal back into his routine."
"Not a bad idea," Caroline reasoned, as they sorted through the signs and started walking down the line of booths to hang them, "But it's a good thing that he's taking everything so well."
"Absolutely," Elena agreed, "I just wished there was a way to ease everything together so we don't end up with a crash course."
"You won't," Caroline droned, "You and Damon are perfect for each other, and Chris needs his dad. All this is happening exactly how it's supposed to."
"Says the eternal optimist," she teased.
Caroline didn't deny it.
Elena sighed, "I wish my dad saw things the same way."
Caroline gave her a sympathetic look, "He will eventually."
Elena shrugged, "I don't know...you didn't see his face, Care. He really hates Damon for some reason. And I guess I could see his concern, from a parent's point of view, but he should respect me enough to trust me to make the right decision for me and my son."
"Definitely," the blond agreed, "I still can't believe what he said to Chris."
"You're telling me," Elena nodded, "Completely unnecessary. For once, I'm just glad Chris inherited that Salvatore stubbornness. Otherwise he would have just agreed with Dad, instead of finding out for himself."
"Ugh, I hate that stubbornness," Caroline groaned, "Stefan, Niklaus, and Lexi...they drive me crazy sometimes. Like, they'll get their minds set on something, and there is no swaying them."
Elena thought back to Damon this morning, and blushed, "Yeah...I know what you mean."
Caroline eyed her, "What's that look?"
Elena blinked, "What look?"
"That I'm-thinking-of-Mr-tall-dark-and-handsome-but-totally-denying-it look," Caroline smirked.
Elena smiled, "Is it that obvious."
The blond raised a brow, but didn't comment.
"Come on," Elena directed, needing the distraction, "Let's finish setting these signs up."
Caroline nodded, reaching for the next one.
"Then, supposedly, there's this huge mirror maze at the end, where these clowns come out and try to make you get lost because the mirrors are constantly moving and they keep making you walk in circles for like ten minutes, unless you can find your way out," Chris was explaining.
"How are you supposed to be scared if you already know what to expect?" Damon asked, with a smirk, as they loaded the last of the bags into the car.
His mother had a number of things that she'd lacked and had taken the first chance to send them after it, but Damon didn't mind.
It gave him more time to spend with Chris.
"Oh, it's still gonna be freaky," Chris noted, "But the point isn't really to be scared, it's just something to do. And the girls will be freaked, which is kinda funny."
Damon laughed, "You should try scaring your Aunt Caroline sometime. That girl has the loudest scream I've ever heard."
"Yeah?" Chris rose a brow as they got into the car.
Damon nodded, "One summer, a group of us snuck down to the old Lockwood tunnels, and-"
"Wait," Chris interrupted, "You guys used those tunnels too?"
Damon nodded, "Mason, your Tyler friend's uncle, ran around with our crowd. We'd sneak down there a lot after dark, just to party or hang out. They lead back into the tunnels that trace all around the town."
"Yeah, we used to play in them when we were younger," Chris noted.
"They were cool," Damon admitted, "But yeah, so one night we were all hanging out down there, and Mason decides to spin some bull story of how the whole place is haunted by the slaves of the founding families, who were out for revenge. Caroline and your mom were so wrapped up in what he was saying, that me and a friend, Enzo, decided to sneak up on them."
Chris laughed, "How'd that go?"
"Your mom hit me," he chuckled, "But Caroline, man, that girl just about woke the dead."
Chris chuckled, "Somehow that doesn't surprise me."
They kept up the small talk for the rest of the drive, seeing as it didn't take long to make it back to the square.
Damon was impressed with how much had been done within the hour they'd been gone.
Games and booths were set up all around, including giant blow ups of ghosts, pumpkins, witches, and other Halloween creatures.
A giant banner hung over the square's entrance, orange, with big black letter's declaring it the 47th annual Mystic Fall Festival.
Also, the amount of helpers had doubled, and the whole square was now buzzing with activity, including a maintenance team, working to set up a stage.
"I don't remember it being quite this big of a deal last time I was here," Damon noted.
Chris smirked, as they got out of the car, and started grabbing bags.
"Probably because Caroline wasn't in charge last time you were here."
Damon considered this, "They actually let her be in charge?"
Chris shrugged, "More or less. I mean, there's a committee of course, but Aunt Care's running a lot of it."
"Ah," Damon nodded, "Sounds like her."
They finally had everything, and shut the car doors.
"Where's Grandma Val supposed to be?" Chris asked.
Damon shrugged, "She didn't say...but I think your mom's supposed to be setting up the face painting area. Let's go find her. She should know where all this goes."
Chris nodded, and they made their way over to the games and booths.
It didn't take long to find Elena, who was sitting on a fold out chair, under a tented area, writing something on a sign with a sharpie.
"Hey," she greeted them with a smile, after looking up, "You made it back."
"Barely," Chris groaned, sitting the handful of bags down.
Damon did the same, before leaning over and planting a kiss on Elena's cheek.
She blushed slightly, probably because Chris was there, but Damon planned on making this habit, and they'd all have to get used to it anyway.
"So, um, did you find everything?" She pressed, striking the conversation."
"I think so," Damon nodded, taking a seat in the chair opposite to her, "Mom's list was pretty extensive."
"Try obsessive," Chris noted, "I think she gets more paranoid each year."
Elena smiled, "These things are stressful to pull off, but it'll work out. It always does."
They nodded, as Chris's phone beeped.
He checked it.
"April's with Tyler and some others at the Grill. They need help bringing out the catered dishes," he sighed, "I guess I'll catch you later."
Elena smirked, "Just a few more hours and you're off the hook," she promised.
He nodded gratefully, before taking off across the street.
Damon watched him until he disappeared into the Grill's front door.
Elena's throat clearing brought his attention back to her, "Yeah?"
"Where are you taking all of this?" she asked, motioning to the bags.
"Not sure," he sighed, "Mom didn't tell me. I was hoping you'd know where she was."
"Good luck," Elena stated, "She's been running about all morning, right along with my mother and Mayor Lockwood. I swear, the women in this town..."
He chuckled, "Might want to be careful with the words there, sweetheart, seeing as you too, are a woman in this town."
She waved it off, "Whatever. I'll help, but these events aren't my life. Poor Caroline. She's already being sucked into the madness."
"Where is Miss. Bossy-pants?" Damon inquired, looking around.
He was almost sure he'd find her with Elena, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"She had to go help Carol with some catastrophe with the band's speakers. I don't know. She said she'd be back later and that I just needed to make sure these signs were readable."
She glanced down at her creation and Damon smiled.
It was nice, seeing her like this.
Helping people had always been her thing, and she was definitely in her element now, surrounded by the buzz of their home town, the sun getting higher in the sky, and the chilled breeze blowing through her hair.
He wondered when the last time was that he'd actually set back and observed the beauty of life around him.
It was easy to do with Elena in the picture.
On top of such a perfect fall day.
Casually, he reached over, taking her hand.
Her head lifted, as she stared at their intertwining fingers, then her eyes met his.
He smirked at her, "Happy Halloween, Elena."
A smile graced her lips, "Happy Halloween, Damon."
Chris balanced four trays of halved sandwiches on his arms, as he followed April and Tyler across the lot.
This was supposed to be the last of them.
Once reaching the table, April sat down her handful first, before turning and grabbing his, stacking them neatly in order.
He wasn't sure if she did this because Caroline would behead her if she didn't, or because unlike the guys, she actually enjoyed these crazy town events.
"Is that all of it?" Tyler asked, stretching his arm out.
April nodded, "I think so, unless your mom mentioned anything else we needed to do..."
Tyler shook his head, "Nope. We set up the tents earlier, and that was the majority of what she needed us for. The rest of today has been odds and ends that the adults are dishing out in a rush."
Chris leaned back against one of the poles that were holding a tent up, "It'll be over soon," he reasoned, "They're sending everyone home at noon. Then the workers are coming back at four."
"What time are we leaving for Grandville?" Tyler asked.
Chris shrugged, "I told the boys that we could meet here, in the square at six, decide whose all going and what vehicles we need to take."
Tyler nodded, "Okay cool. And we can crash at my house after."
Chris considered this, "I'll have to run it by my mom, but yeah, that sounds good...what about you?"
April sighed, "Amber is insisting that we all go to her house afterwards. Her parents rented a ton of scary movies, and we're having a girl's night."
"Sound's like fun," Tyler interjected, "What time will ya'll be sneaking out to join us?"
April laughed, moving Chris's arm so it hung on her shoulder, "We wont be tonight. Sorry, but it's strictly girls only, after midnight."
Chris smiled at her, "Well, I'm sure you'll have fun."
"Most likely," she agreed, "But I'm really looking forward to this haunted house."
"Yeah, it's gonna be kick ass," Tyler agreed, "I talked to Carter Leighton, who went last week, and he said it was pretty fucked up. You girls are gonna be screaming your asses off."
"Oh please," April shot, "We have to stare at you everyday. What monster can measure up to that?"
"Haha, very funny," Tyler snarked, "I guess if all else fails you could just insult them to death."
She smirked, "Is your ego really so delicate that you found that insulting?"
He smirked, teasingly, "I find your tone insulting...and slightly bullying."
She laughed, "You gonna go tattle on me then? I think your mom's around somewhere. We could go explain how the big bad girl is picking on her poor wittle football star."
Tyler pursed his lips, "You think you're cute, don't you."
She shrugged, "Not hard to be cute while standing next to you."
Chris laughed as Tyler huffed, "Chris, better get your girl, man."
"What can I say," Chris chuckled, "She's opinionated."
"She's mean," Tyler pouted.
April only grinned, "Remember that next time you want to pick on me."
Chris was sure that Tyler wanted to stick his tongue out at her, but wouldn't stoop to such a thing in public.
"Yeah, yeah, Young."
April brushed it off, and leaning into Chris's shoulder.
Tyler had pulled out his phone and was fiddling with something, when April exhaled.
"Chris...is that your parents?"
He followed her line of sight, and noticed Stefan, talking to his mom and dad.
Only, Damon's hand was wrapped around Elena's waist, almost casually, and his mom was leaning into him, her head against him.
The smile on her face was huge, as they laughed at something, and Chris couldn't help but smile in return, just glad to see her happy.
"Yeah, that's them."
April smiled too, "They look happy."
His grin widened, and he couldn't help but squeeze her a little tighter into him, "I think they are."
She looked up at him, "Are you?"
He tilted his head, meeting her crystal blue eyes, "Of course, babe. How could I not be?"
He placed a quick kiss on her lips, then glanced back over to his parents.
They did look happy.
Really happy, just to be holding each other again.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen his mother look up at a man the way she was staring at Damon now, and wasn't sure if she ever had.
It kind of reminded him of the way April looked at him sometimes.
He leaned his head against hers, happy to stand here, taking in the scene forever.
Happiness.
That was definitely what he was feeling.
Happy.
I will bring some smut in soon, I promise! Lol.
Sorry about the tease!
But other than that little streak of meanness, what did you think?
Damon/Chris bonding, Caroline/Elena.
How do you think the night will go?
Chris's thoughts at the end?
Please review! :)