Hey guys! So I know that I haven't updated in forever, sorry :/

Been crazy busy, and stuck with writer's block, so this chapter may be a little off.

But I'm working through it, and hopefully I won't hit any more kinks for a while!

Will update more soon!

Elena couldn't believe her eyes when she pulled into her drive.

There, right where her car was usually parked, was the Firebird.

She pulled up behind Damon's camaro, taking a moment to register her father's truck, pulled into the yard, with a trailer hitched to it.

She imagined that was how they'd transferred the old thing, but she still couldn't believe her father had given it to Damon.

She noticed both men standing at the hood of the old car, as she stepped out of her own.

Damon looked up first, a smile spreading across his face, "Hey."

She smiled back, coming close enough to plant a kiss on his cheek.

She looked over at her father, "I didn't know you'd be here."

He looked between her and Damon, "It took some convincing, but I know how much Chris liked the car, and it sounds like he could use the distraction."

She smiled a little, before walking around Damon, and giving her dad a hug, "Thank you."

Somehow, she knew he understood that she meant it for more than the car, and his grip tightened.

She pulled back, a moment later, and shot Damon a smile, "Chris is going to be so excited."

Damon smirked, "I'll think he'll be more excited when we get her running."

"And you're sure you can handle the rebuild?" Grayson inclined.

Damon nodded, "When I started on my baby over there, all she had to her was a body and an engine."

Grayson checked the camaro, impressed, "Alright, well I guess I'll let y'all get to it. Elena, call me later; let me know how Chris likes it?"

She nodded, "Of course."

He gave her another hug, then to her surprise, hesitantly shook Damon's hand.

"See you around, Salvatore."

Damon nodded, "Thanks again, Mr. Gilbert."

Elena bit her lip, and stared at her shoes until her dad had gotten in his car and pulled out of the drive.

"Mr. Gilbert?" She teased, once the car disappeared down the road.

Damon shot her a look, as he closed the Firebird's hood.

"You know, the shocked look is still on your face."

She smiled, "That's because I didn't actually think he'd give it to you."

Damon reached for her, pulling her against his body, "I didn't either, at first."

She looked up at him, "So, are you two okay now, or..."

Damon kissed her forehead, "No, not really. He needs time to get used to the idea of us together, but I think he's at least realized that I'm not going anywhere. He also knows that he and I both care about you and Christian, so we have some common ground. Call it a truce."

She rose her brow, "A truce?"

He nodded, "Something like that anyway...so, when does Chris get home?"

Elena checked her watch, "Tyler should be dropping him off in about an hour."

A mischievous glint shone in Damon's eyes, "Perfect."

His lips were on hers then, and she was trying not to smile.

This was certainly something she could get used to coming home to.

April tried to remind herself that her dad's new rules didn't really change much.

She'd still see Chris at school, and she still had her phone to talk to him, so it wasn't the end of the world, but it was enough to bother her as they walked out to the school's parking lot.

Her dad had insisted on picking her up, much to her annoyance.

She could see his truck, pulled off to the side.

Chris squeezed her hand.

She knew he hated this too, and only one of them could be in a bad mood at a time.

She turned to him; her dad could wait two minutes.

"I'll call you tonight," she smiled, "And I'll see you here in the morning, so try and look happy."

He smirked a little, "I'll do my best."

She placed her hands on his side, "Come on, Chris. It'll get better soon. And it's only taking away a few hours from us, so stop moping."

Now he smiled, "I'm not moping."

She smirked, "Sure you're not."

"Fine," he caved, "Maybe just a little."

She brought a hand up to his cheek, "I love you."

With a sigh, be pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, "I love you too, babe."

"Good" she pulled away, "Then smile for me, and promise that you won't sulk around the house today."

He grinned, "I'll try to avoid the ice cream."

A honk sounded, and she knew it was her dad.

"I should go," she sighed, throwing a look back at him, "Text me?"

He nodded, "Of course."

She leaned on her tiptoes to kiss him, and he grabbed her chin, "See you tomorrow."

She nodded, "Tomorrow."

He let her go then, and she reluctantly turned to her dad's truck.

He didn't say anything as she climbed in and shut the door.

But she knew there was something on his mind.

"What?" She finally asked, as they turned onto the road.

Her father sighed, "I thought we decided that you and the Salvatore boy were going to get some space from each other."

She rolled her eyes, "No, you decided. I told you that none of this was Chris's fault and you keeping me away from him is stupid."

"April," he chided.

"I'm just saying," she reasoned, "This whole thing is stupid. Chris can't help that Kol was an idiot."

"But if that's the kind of company he keeps-"

"What happened to forgiveness?" She shot, "And being non-judgement?"

"I'm just trying to keep you safe," he assured her.

She scoffed, "How? By taking away social contact? Watching everything I do, and keeping me locked up? What's next, are you going to start coming to my classes with me too? Lord knows those have to be dangerous!"

"Enough," he commanded, his voice harsh, "I understand that you aren't happy with this arrangement, okay, but I'm doing what I need to do to know that you are safe. You were nearly raped, April, and I didn't find out until the day after it happened. So forgive me if I want to keep you close for now."

She sighed, "Okay, I'm sorry. I just don't think you should blame Chris for it."

He didn't answer, so she let the conversation drop. It really wasn't worth arguing over.

At least, not right now.

Damon had performed on a hundred different stages, in front of thousands of fans, and had still never felt this nervous.

The Firebird was the first gift he'd ever given his son, and he wanted Chris to be happy with it.

Elena must have sensed his nerves, as they waited on the couch for the bus to drop Chris off, because her hand came down on his shoulder, "You okay?"

He nodded, forcing a smile for her, "Peachy. Why?"

She narrowed her eyes, "Because you look lightheaded."

He smiled softly, "Just worried."

She leaned against him, and he opened his arms for her, "You shouldn't be. He's going to love it."

Damon kissed her head, "I hope so."

"He will," she assured him, "He'll be getting his license soon, and that car is all he's wanted since the first time he saw it. You don't have anything to worry about."

His only response was laying his head on hers.

Elena sighed, "You don't have to buy his approval either, you know. Chris wants you here. Car or no car."

Damon smiled, "Am I that obvious?"

She looked up at him, "No, but I can be pretty observant."

He kissed her again, just as the bus could be heard coming to a stop in front of the house.

Seconds later, Christian was bursting through the door.

"Is it mine? Please, please tell me it's mine and that this isn't some twisted new version of parental torture."

His bag hit the ground as he hurried over.

Damon and Elena stood, not being able to contain their smiles.

"Your mom may have mentioned that you had a thing for old cars," Damon smirked.

"A thing?" Chris scoffed, "Try obsession. I've had the collective models shelved since I was eight. The Firebird is my dream car!"

Damon grinned, "She may have mentioned that too."

"So seriously?" his eyes widened, "The Firebird in the drive is for me?"

Damon smirked, "Only after we get her running again. You up for it?"

"Hell yeah!" Chris grinned, and Elena gave him a stern look.

"Sorry, Mom," he laughed, not sounding sorry at all, but she let it slide.

Whatever it took to keep that Salvatore grin on his face.

"Should be drivable by the time you get your license," Damon noted, "You should also probably call your grandpa and thank him."

Chris nodded eagerly, "I will, I swear! But could I just..."

His head twitched toward the door and Damon smirked, "Go check her out."

Chris was outside in a blink and Elena shook her head.

"It's been awhile since he's been that excited over something."

Damon grinned down at her, his eyes proud.

She kissed his cheek, before taking his hand and leading him outside to watch their son, thinking that she really did love that Salvatore smile.

Might seem kind of short! Again, sorry, but future chapters should be better lol.

Please review anyway ;)