Yay for a fast aaand long update! :)
I loved the responses for the last chapter so I didn't to leave y'all hanging too long!
This chapter covers a lot and has been a pivotal arc in the making, so I hope y'all enjoy!
Grayson Gilbert had just finished dinner and settled into his big, comfy arm chair, when the phone rang.
Miranda was in the kitchen, finishing up the dishes, so he sighed, pulled himself up, and walked across the room to grab the cordless.
"Hello?" He greeted.
"Dad?" Elena's voice was thick, as if choking on tears.
He immediately straightened, "Elena? Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
A million things flashed through his mind, the top of which was the internet article that had been the topic of gossip all day.
He didn't expect her next words to be, "It's Chris...he's at the hospital...we're on our way there now, but, um, if you or mom could-" she swallowed, "I'm scared, Daddy."
Grayson swallowed, looking around for his coat, "Elena, what happened?"
She took a ragged breath, "Chris went after the reporter that wrote that article, Liz got involved, ran the guy out of town, but Chris was still upset. We were trying to explain why he shouldn't have done-," she exhaled, "He just ran out, Dad. April was with him and he was upset and he took Damon's car...they wrecked. Barely missed the Wickery Bridge, but they rolled, hit the water. Someone saw and got them out...But I don't know how bad it is. They won't tell me anything on the phone, and I just..."
She trailed off, sobs taking over, and he heard a rustle as the phone was shifted.
Damon's voice came on the line, "Grayson."
He had the car keys now and had walked to the kitchen, motioning to Miranda.
"Damon?"
"We're almost to the hospital. All we know is that the ambulance took them both in, and then contacted us. Elena's...well, she could really use the two of you up here. The pastor should be on his way as well."
Grayson nodded, "We're leaving now."
Damon thanked him, before hanging up, and he cursed as he threw the phone onto the chair.
"What's going on Gray?" Miranda pressed, donning her own coat.
He motioned to the door, "I'll explain on the way."
Damon's heart was pounding as Elena squeezed his hand.
He couldn't get to the hospital soon enough, but at the same time, he was terrified of what they'd hear.
The description Liz gave them, upon arrival, after the ambulance had left, wasn't good, and neither of the teens had been conscious."
He swallowed down the lump in his throat.
This was his fault.
All his fault.
He'd let Chris walk out the door.
He'd fought with him.
The image of Chris's face was etched into his mind.
The two seconds after he'd walked inside and saw that Damon had returned.
He'd smiled.
He'd been happy to see him.
Why hadn't he enjoyed that moment before jumping into a lecture.
He ran a hand across his face.
His fault.
As soon as they reached the ER and parked, Elena was out of the car door.
He jogged to keep up with her as she bursted through the automatic double doors.
The woman at the counter greeted them as Elena stormed over.
"Christian Salvatore, he was just admitted, where is he?"
"Elena," The woman started, obviously recognizing Dr. Gilbert's daughter, "You're going to need to-"
"I'm his mother," Elena rushed, "I need to see him, now!"
"I know, but you know how this works, I'll need you to take a seat. The doctor will be-"
"I don't want to sit, I want to see my son!" She demanded.
Damon placed an arm on her shoulder, "Baby, hey, shh, it's okay."
Tears pooled in her eyes, as he enveloped her into his arms.
He looked at the nurse, "Our son was just in a car crash. The ambulance brought him in. Is there anyone we can talk to right now about him? Please!"
She nodded, understandingly, "I'll check the file and get the doctor out here."
He sighed.
That would have to be good enough for now.
Luckily, it didn't take long for the doctor, Meredith Fell, who he and Elena had both known since childhood, to come out to speak with them.
"Elena," she called, and Damon released his arms from her.
"Meredith! Have you seen Chris, is he okay?"
The doctor nodded, "Chris is alright. He woke up right after he arrived. He's a little bruised, and has a mild concussion, but he'll be fine. They weren't in the water long enough to cause hypothermia..but I'm surprised to be honest. His worst injury is a fracture in his wrist, and it'll be healed in a few weeks."
Damon felt Elena sag against him in relief.
"Thank you, Mer. Really, thank you...And how's April?"
A look crossed the doctor's face, "I'm really not supposed to discuss other patients-"
"Please," Elena practically begged.
Meredith sighed, "She's not doing as good. She's got a broken rib, and a compound fracture in her right leg that she needed surgery on. We're still waiting for her to wake up...if she wakes up."
Damon flinched.
If anything happened to that little girl, they'd lose Chris too.
He cleared his throat, "Let us know when her father arrives, please."
The doctor nodded, "Of course. Now, if you'd like, we can-"
"Mom!"
They all turned to see Chris, gowned, and supporting a cast, rushing toward them.
A nurse, who was out of breath, right behind him.
"Sorry, doctor, he wouldn't stay put!"
"Christian-" Dr. Fell started, but Elena had already pulled him into her arms.
"Baby, oh baby," she whispered.
Chris pulled away, and looked up at his father.
He was a little scraped up, but not nearly as bad as Damon had imagined.
His son's blue eyes watered as his lip quivered, "Dad, I...I'm sorry..."
Damon reached out and gently pulled the boy into his arms.
Chris gripped his shoulders and his head fell, crying into Damon's chest.
Damon hugged him harder, his own eyes stinging as he swallowed, over and over.
Finally Chris pulled away, but was still gripping Damon's arms, "I'm so sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to, I swear, I didn't. I'm sorry about the fight with the reporter, and yelling at you, and saying all that," He was sputtering, in a rush to get the words out, "...and your car, I'm so, so sorry. Please don't leave. Don't leave us. I messed up, I know, but I don't want you to leave, please, don't hate me, I'm so sorry...Mom wants you here too! I didn't mean what I said about us being better without you, I'm sorry. Please don't leave."
Damon flinched at the words, but knew he had to calm Chris down.
He hugged him again, "Hey, shh, I'm not going anywhere. And I could never hate you Chris, ever. Okay? Just take a breath, I'm right here."
His son's trembling calmed, and he met Elena's eyes over his shoulder.
She seemed just as lost, just as sad.
Meredith spoke then, "We injected him with some pain killers, and his mind is probably still in shock from the accident. Give him a few hours, and he'll be back to normal."
Elena thanked her, and Damon nodded, continuing to hold Chris against him.
"But he probably should get back into his room. We need to attach an I.V. I can give him a sedative to help him sleep and recover.
Elena rubbed Chris's shoulder, coaxing him from Damon's arms, "Come on, baby, you have to go back to your room."
He nodded, wiping his eyes.
Then clearing his mind for a second, he asked, "Where's April? Is she okay?"
Damon answered when Elena and Meredith hesitated, "We'll go check on her in a bit. But you need to rest. Let's go back to your room."
Chris didn't protest, so they followed Meredith down the hall.
Elena felt as though all of her tears were drained by the time Chris had fallen asleep.
He looked so small, in the hospital bed, his skin pale and translucent.
It broke her heart.
Damon sat in the foldable chair, across the room.
Throwing another look at her son, she got up and walked over to him.
"Meredith said the medicine would knock him out for a few hours. We should go see if my parents are in the waiting room...or the pastor."
Damon nodded, but didn't move.
Elena crouched down in front of him, and noticed his eyes were on Chris, and still filled with tears.
"Damon," she placed her hands on his face, "Come back to me."
His eyes found hers.
"It's my fault Elena...I'm his father, I'm supposed to keep him safe, and I..."
He swallowed.
Elena forced his head up, "It's no one's fault Damon, it was a messed up situation, and accidents happen."
"Chris was right though. I haven't been there when you needed me...And I can't fix it."
She held his gaze, "That's as much my fault as yours Damon, but you're here now. And he was just upset. He knows that you love him."
He stared at her, then closed his eyes, sighing, "He really thought I'd leave him, Elena. He thought this would push me away, He was begging me...I really messed up, not being there this time, when I knew Garrison was still hovering. I should have waited, and-"
Elena shook her head, "No, don't do that, Damon. You went back for the interview and diffused the bomb that this mess could have been. You fixed your contract for your job, and took care of your apartment, so you could be here. Chris is fifteen. He's not going to understand all this right now, but he will. You were just doing what you had to, and you came back."
He took a breath, "I came back. And I'm staying."
She smiled lightly, "I know, baby, I know."
He stood, helping her up, "Let's go see if the pastor's here. I think the best thing we can do for Chris right now is help April."
Grayson loved Mystic Falls General.
He loved the friendly environment, and being able to help people over his years working there.
However, tonight, it was a different story.
The hospital loomed above them as he pulled into the parking lot of the ER, dark and unwelcoming.
Fear for his grandson filled him.
As they got out, Miranda grabbed his hand and he squeezed it encouragingly as they walked through the doors.
He walked up to the front desk, where Sherry, the evening nurse, looked up at him, "Dr. Gilbert."
He smiled kindly, "Hey Sherry. Elena called earlier, said Chris had been admitted?"
The woman nodded, "They're back with him now."
"How is he?"
"Lucky to be alive," Sherry admitted, "But according to Dr. Fell, he'll be fine with some rest."
Miranda covered her heart, "Oh, thank God."
Grayson rubbed her arm, before addressing Sherry again, "Thank you. And will you get someone to tell Elena that we are here?"
She nodded, "Of course."
He led Miranda to the waiting area, "Meredith is a good doctor," he assured her, "She'll take care of the boy."
Miranda nodded, "I know. I'm just so grateful he's alright."
"As am I."
Grayson looked toward the double doors as they took a seat, but didn't see Elena or Damon emerging.
He did however, see Byron Young, pacing to the left of them.
He told Miranda he'd be back, and walked over to where the man was standing.
"Byron," he greeted.
The pastor looked up, nodding curtly, "Grayson."
"How's April?" He remembered Elena mentioning that the girl had been in the car with Christian.
Byron swallowed, "She's...alive. But the don't know much else. They're running test, and trying to make sure she isn't suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage. That's-"
"Bleeding on the brain," Grayson nodded, "Is she conscious?"
"Not yet, but they had to do surgery on her leg," Byron turned to look at him, "I can't lose her, Grayson...she's my little girl...she's all I got."
Grayson could understand that, "I'll see if I can't pull some strings, find more out for you. But I promise, everyone here will be doing their absolute best to get her better."
Byron nodded appreciatively as the double doors opened.
Elena stepped out, Damon directly behind her.
Grayson turned to them, and was joined by Miranda.
"You made it," Elena smiled tiredly, hugging her mother.
"Of course," Miranda assured her, "How's he holding up?"
"He'll be alright," Elena confirmed, "A little bruised and beat up, but they've got him sedated and medicated."
Damon placed a hand on Elena's shoulder, rubbing it, "They're gonna monitor him tonight, but as long as all of the swelling goes down, he'll be released tomorrow."
"Oh that's wonderful," Miranda sighed, "I'm so glad."
"Me too," Elena breathed, "Thanks for coming up here."
She looked at Grayson, "You too, Daddy."
Grayson nodded, holding out his arms, and she walked into them, her arms tightening around him.
He squeezed her close, wishing he could dissolve her pain as easily as he could when she was little.
Elena pulled away soon though, "Did you want to see Chris? Only two can be in the room though."
"Take your mother," he instructed, knowing that Miranda would want to go see her grandbaby.
Elena nodded, then looked up at Damon, "Are you okay waiting here?"
He nodded, "Yeah, I gotta call Mom anyway."
"Okay, I'll be back in a minute then."
She linked arms with Miranda and led her through the double doors.
Damon pulled out his phone as they left, but before he could dial anyone, Byron had called his name.
Grayson noticed that the Pastor's whole demeanor had changed after spotting Damon.
Damon straightened as he walked over, "Pastor Young."
"You want to tell me why my daughter was in that car of yours, with a boy who had no business driving her anywhere?!"
Damon's jaw set, "There's been a lot going on, Byron. I understand why you're angry, but-"
"I'm not angry," Byron protested, "I'm furious! Your son may have damn well killed my daughter, and I want an explanation!"
There were tears in the man's eyes, but his face was sure.
Damon hesitated, then admitted that Chris had stormed out after they'd fought about the evening's events.
Grayson had already heard the story, but he was surprised by the guilt lacing Damon's words.
He had a knack for blaming the man for a lot of things, but Christian's actions couldn't be helped.
The truth was doing nothing to calm the Pastor though.
"I knew that boy was trouble," he spat, "The second she started bringing him around! I knew he was going to ruin her!"
Grayson paled a little at those words, so close to the same ones he'd ranted fifteen years ago, after discovering Elena was pregnant.
He had hated Damon so fiercely, with everything, because it was easy to blame him.
Especially when it was your baby girl in question.
But he'd been wrong.
Damon had done nothing but support Elena and Christian with a maturity that had surprised Grayson.
Damon had shown, over and over, that he'd do whatever his family needed, even when Grayson himself had been blinded by hatred.
"You can tell that boy that he's done! You understand?!" Byron was yelling, "He's never gonna see my daughter again!"
Damon sighed, and with an expression of experience, begged him, "Don't do that Byron, please. Chris loves your daughter. He never meant to hurt her, and if anything does happen, it'll destroy him. And I'm sure she feels the same."
"They're kids!" Byron stated, "They know nothing of it! April was a good girl before we moved back here, and she started hanging around your son."
"She's still a good girl," Damon assured him.
"You don't know her," Byron bit, "And I'm not gonna let that little bastard of yours ruin her life."
Grayson had heard enough, "Byron."
"Don't start," the man turned to him, "I know he's your grandson, Grayson, but he's a Salvatore brat, and you more than anyone should understand why I don't want April having anything to do with him!"
Damon had bit back whatever response he'd been teething, and guilt covered his face again.
Guilt that Christian was once again suffering from his reputation.
Grayson sighed.
As far as he still needed to go to get past his grudge, he knew it could start here.
He wasn't a fan of Damon's past, but he had to admit that the man had changed.
He'd stepped up with Chris, and clearly loved Elena.
He wouldn't have gone through all this trouble if he didn't.
"You're right," he faced Byron, "I would understand better than anyone the situation you're in. But I also know that, like me, you presume a few things that might be wrong. I've seen April with Chris. Maybe it's a silly romance, but they care about each other, a lot. And if April pulls through, she's going to need people that love her to be there for her. Don't make my mistake, Byron. Keeping your daughter close and locked up seems like a good way to keep her safe, but all it'll do is drive her away. And right now, she's gonna need you."
Byron's anger had turned to tears, "I just want her to be okay."
Grayson placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know. And you are in a difficult situation, but this isn't the way to cope. Don't get stuck on the blame game. It's not going to help April any."
"It's just not fair!" Byron declared, "Why is she the one in intensive care? Why does Christian get to check out tomorrow while I have to wait to see if my daughter is even going to..."
He swallowed a sob, and Grayson was filled with pity.
He couldn't imagine being in that situation.
Damon appeared again, then, with a napkin.
He offered it to Byron, who took it, and blew his nose.
"Look," Damon started, "I can't change the past. I wish I could, but I can't. I don't have that ability. What I do have, is money. Lots of it, and I promise that April will get whatever care she needs. I'll take care of the bill."
Byron looked up, a little shocked, and Damon hurried to explain, "You're right, that April never should have been apart of all this tonight, but that's just as much my fault as Christian's. I need to try and make this right, so please, let me help."
Byron stared at him for a moment, before slowly lifting his hand, "For April."
Damon nodded, shaking it, "For April."
Another doctor came out then, who Grayson recognized as one of the specialist for surgery, and called out for Byron.
Excusing himself, the Pastor left to talk to him, and Grayson suddenly found himself alone with Damon.
However, the younger man looked so beat as he sat down, that it didn't seem to even register.
Grayson could at least understand that.
"It's difficult, isn't it?"
Damon looked up at him with Chris's eyes, "What is?"
"Worrying about your children," Grayson noted, sitting down across from him.
Damon exhaled, "Difficult is one word for it, I suppose."
Grayson studied the man's face, swallowing, "You know, when Elena was about five, I'd bring her up here on the weekends as I did my rounds. She'd follow me to each room, wearing my stethoscope, and never failed to make each patient smile. She's always been like that, though. Like a sun who brightens the day of anyone she comes into contact with, and she means the world to me, Damon."
Damon leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.
"I know, that, Mr. Gilbert, trust me. And maybe I'm just starting to understand it myself, but I know that you've only wanted the best for her."
Grayson nodded, "I did. And I still do. But more importantly, I want her happy. And you make her happy."
Damon rose a brow, and Grayson exhaled, "I was so worried about protecting her that I never stopped to see how it was effecting her. Somehow, I missed the bridge between the little five year-old, that played doctor with me, and the woman with endless dreams, who'd grown to love you."
Damon didn't interrupt, so he continued, "I read that article, Damon. As I'm sure you know, it drew some mean conclusions about you and Christian."
"I read it," Damon nodded.
Grayson leaned forward, "Now, I'm not saying it's all false, but the way the reporter described Christian was out of line and mostly it was ridiculously theorized. I can't help but wonder how many articles I've read over the years did the same about you."
"Probably a few," Damon admitted, "But I'm not trying to act as if I'm a saint either. I've messed up before. I've made some regrettable choices, but as I've told you before, I'm not the same teenager climbing out of Elena's window. I grew up, and I love Elena and Christian more than I've ever loved anything. I was given a second chance with them, and I'm not taking it for granted."
Grayson nodded, finally able to appreciate the man sitting in front of him.
"You're right, Damon. You did grow up. I'm just sorry it took this long for me to realize it. Maybe if I'd been more understanding, Chris wouldn't have felt like-"
He trailed off, "Yeah, well, anyway, I guess this is me apologizing. You didn't deserve the judgement I passed on you."
This was the last thing Damon had expected from Grayson Gilbert.
More blame, maybe. Declarations of his failing at parenthood, perhaps.
But no, the man was apologizing.
"Thank you," Damon said sincerely, thinking of how much this would mean to Elena.
Grayson nodded, and the two fell silent.
It wasn't long before they were joined, once again, by Pastor Young.
They both stood as he walked over.
"What's the news?" Grayson asked.
Byron smiled a little, "Looks like you get to make good on that promise, Salvatore. The surgery was successful, and she's awake."
Damon let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"So she'll be alright?" He asked.
Byron nodded, "They said her chances of a full recovery are very good. They're moving her to ICU, then I can go see her."
"That's great, Byron."
Grayson patted the man's back as the double doors opened, Elena and Miranda walking up.
Sensing the lift in spirits, Elena looked at Damon, "What's going on?"
"April's awake, and for the most part, in the clear."
She smiled, "That's great! Chris will need to hear that."
Damon nodded, pulling her into his arms.
"Everything's gonna be okay now."
He'd make sure of it.
He looked up, and met Grayson's eyes.
For once, they weren't filled with disgust or disapproval.
Now Damon didn't consider himself to be a big believer in fate, but as he reflected on all that had gone down, he couldn't help but wonder if, just maybe, everything did happen for a reason.
Like I said, a LOT going on! Lol
I'm so excited to hear what y'all think!
Especially since this is the chapter that kinda tied everything together.
Soo, Chris breaking down, Grayson standing up for and working on letting go of his animosity towards Damon, April and Chris live!
Opinions please! :)