Okay first, sorry about the wait!
And second, sorry that this chapter is a little short, but it will all unfold, I swear! Lol
Anyway, I really hope y'all enjoy, and I can proudly say that the song Damon sings is completely my creation.
And I've waited a long time for it to be "played". So I really hope y'all like! :)
Elena's hand was still covering her mouth.
She'd been watching Damon on the screen for the past 20 minutes, and he'd actually done it.
Told everyone about Christian.
She had to admit though, it was all done very professionally, and shed in a positive light.
She could almost the see excitement on Damon's face as he further explained his son to the world.
"His name is Christian. And he's really a great kid. We've had a few rusty moments, but like I said, we're working through them, and uh, it's been an experience, I can say that much."
The woman across from him smiled, "Children always are. But still, this must have been quite a shock for you. You said that your son is fifteen?"
"Yes, to both," Damon allowed, "It was a bit of a shock at first. His mother and I were practically kids ourselves the last time we'd seen each other, and we'd both made decisions we'd thought were for the best at the time."
"And this included keeping your son a secret?" The woman asked, and Elena flinched, but Damon was all too ready with his defense.
"I know how it looks," he admitted, "But as I said, we were both in a different place back then. We'd split up before Elena found out about the pregnancy, and I had already moved away. The entire thing was messy, and mistakes were made on both sides. Mistakes that we are trying to rectify now. All that's important is that Elena and I are making it work, I love her, and I'm getting to have a relationship with my son, which is making me happier than I've ever been."
"You're right," the hostess nodded, "That is all that matters. Family, and parenthood is an amazing thing, as I'm sure you're learning. Are there any experiences you've had in this time that you can share with us?"
Elena let out a breath as Damon started on about him and Chris, about beginning a relationship, building the Firebird, and avoided all the personal drama.
She eased some when the audience began to laugh along with him, and started to think that everything would be okay.
The hardest part was over, and she had to admire how calmly Damon had executed the bombshell.
Hopefully this would nullify whatever that dick reporter wanted to put out.
She heard the rubble of the camaro's engine, and knew Chris was back.
She turned the TV off, not wanting him to have to think about everything yet.
However, when we came through the door, April in toll, she had a feeling something much worse had happened.
"Chris?" She started, as he shut the front door, "What's wrong, sweetie?"
His chin was set, "When is Damon coming home?"
"Um, Tuesday, at the latest. Depends on how things go in LA. What's wrong?"
"That idiot reporter," Chris huffed, sitting down on the sofa.
"What happened?" Elena demanded.
April answered, moving to sit as well, "He kind of bombarded us in town. And he had a camera guy with him."
Chris sat forward, "Any idea how long it's gonna take for all this to blow over? I mean it's pretty bad if I can't go into town with my girlfriend without having to deal with that asshole."
"Chris," Elena chided.
He mumbled a half hearted apology, and she sighed.
"You're right though. That is ridiculous, and over the line for him to do that."
She thought for a moment, "Okay, here's what we'll do. I'm going to run April home while you change. Then we'll go talk to the sheriff, let her know about this reporter and see what she can do, okay?"
Chris looked at April, then nodded, "Okay."
He went into his room as she and April exchanged concerned looks.
This was getting out of hand, and she'd be damned if this guy was going to harass her son every time he was out.
She sent Damon a quick text, asking him to call her, then grabbed her keys.
Seconds later, she was dialing Liz Forbes number.
April was nervous for the Salvatore's, and for Elena.
As Chris's mom drove her home, tension rolled from her in waves.
It had been mostly silent, until Elena asked, "Are you alright, Sweetie?"
April nodded, "Yeah, I'm just worried about Chris."
"You and me both," Elena assured her, "But he's tough, and stubborn. He'll pull through."
April sighed, "I know, but if those pictures end up in the paper..."
She shuddered to think of her father's reaction.
Elena looked at her, while remaining concentrated on the road, "Is there something I should know?"
April blushed slightly, noting that Chris probably wouldn't want her to say anything, but if they did get out, it wouldn't matter anyway.
Everyone would see them.
Besides, she trusted Elena.
"The pictures that the reporter took," she swallowed, "They were a little, um, suggestive."
Thankfully, Elena understood without further explanation, "Oh. Well, that's..."
An exhale.
"Look, sweetheart, don't worry about this, okay? I already set up a meeting with the sheriff, and we'll figure out what to do."
She wished it was that easy.
"My dad's going to kill me."
Despite the stress, Elena chuckled, "I've been there. He's not going to kill you. Grounded for life, maybe, but you'll live."
"I'm more concerned with what he'll do to Chris," April admitted.
Elena winced, "They're that bad, huh?"
She nodded, "Unfortunately."
They pulled into her driveway then, and she exhaled, before humming the Jaws theme song.
Elena smiled, patting her shoulder.
"It'll be okay, April. As a parent, I promise you, you're dad will be more worried about the reporter slandering you, than the slander itself."
She nodded, opening the door, "I hope so. Thanks for the ride, and call me when you find out something?"
"Of course," Elena assured her, then waved as she closed the door, heading for her house.
Damon smiled as the cheers rang louder when the band was invited to the stage set up.
He thanked Monica again before walking over and adjusting the mic they had set.
A crew manager handed him his guitar.
As his guys set up, he spoke to the audience, "Hope you guys don't mind the surprise concert here."
Their screams of excitement broadened his grin.
Hopefully everything would be okay now.
He checked the band, making sure everyone was in place, before starting up one of his older, familiar songs.
The majority of the crowd sang along.
He had to admit that it felt good to perform, despite the absence of his family.
Maybe he could do some sort of duet with Chris in his next performance.
The kid was damn near as good as he was.
And now that everyone knew...
He strummed out the last chord, and applause filled the room.
"Is it okay if I try out a new song with you guys?" He asked, knowing fully the reaction he'd get.
As expected, there were no complaints, just a lot of loud encouragement.
He winked, then looked over to the camera.
"Elena, I hope you're watching sweetheart, because this is for you."
The music began for his newest song, his fingers and the instrument working together in perfect harmony.
He allowed every memory of Elena Gilbert into his mind.
Her smile, her hair, the adorable way her forehead creased when she worried, and let their special moments become the melody.
"They say there's a song in the south
It picks you up, let's you know what's what, tells you what you're all about.
I guess when you're young, it's easy to hear, easy to see
Every line, every key, every beat of that sweet melody
They say that it's clear, it'll keep you straight.
Like the roads I took, that took me away
Yeah there's a song in the south, and I can hear it play.
Playing as I drive away.
Damon smiled, wishing he could be singing directly to his love, but knew the words were true either way.
"It's words are the warmth of your arms, wrapped around me tight.
The tune is the beat of your heart, that sings me to sleep at night
You're everything I hate to miss
Dark skin, soft heart, whispered name, and the breath of a kiss.
You're the song that plays in my heart, brings me back where I belong
You're the song that calls me home."
It hadn't taken him long to get the words right when he'd created the lyrics.
It had been the only way to describe Elena.
Though everything they'd fought against, and lived through, they'd found their way through it.
She'd given him a family.
She'd brought him home.
"They say with age comes a knowledge, I never thought I'd see.
You were the small town girl next door, just a little too good for me.
Fire in your eyes, glued to my side
Back when I knew everything
When the music played loud and clear all day and we didn't have a thing to lose.
When dreams were strong, the nights were long
and my only song was you"
"It's words were the warmth of your arms, wrapped around me tight.
The tune was the beat of your heart, that sang me to sleep at night
Baby, you know I still can't figure out,
How'd I let you go, walk away, forget so long,
the song I'm all about...
You're the song that plays in my heart, brings me back where I belong
You're the song that calls me home.
Cause it's words are the warmth of your arms, wrapped around me tight.
The tune is the beat of your heart, that sings me to sleep at night
You're everything I hate to miss
Dark skin, soft heart, whispered name, and the breath of a kiss.
You're the song that plays in my heart, brings me back where I belong
You're the song that calls me home.
You're the song that calls me home."
Damon finished the song with a smile, sure that his face resembled a mess of mushy sap, but he could care less.
He was in love, the audience was cheering, and his family was waiting for him.
For the first time, despite the drama ensuing, he had everything.
So excited to see what you guys think!
This is obviously the song that ties up into the title and I was pretty happy with how it turned out!
Again, sorry it was short, but it needed to end there.
Love you guys! Can't wait to read the reviews! :)