Chapter 8

EPOV

I rushed home and ran up to my room. Grateful that my Aunt was already asleep as well as Jeremy. I crashed on my bed confused as hell when my phone starts to ring. "Hello?"

"Hey honey, it's Steffen."

"Oh hey, what's up?"

"Are you still coming over tonight?"

Tonight? Oh! Earlier I told him I'd stop by and we could fool around so he would leave. What a huge mistake that was.

"Oh well I don't know I just got home and I'm super tired."

"Oh…yeah I understand. Maybe you should tell Mr. Salvatore that you need a break."

"Yeah you're probably right…. Hey Steffen maybe we can get together tomorrow for lunch?"

"Think he'd mind that I go over there?"

"Probably but I can talk to him."

"Alright just let me know. Sweet dreams love."

"Sweet dreams."

I hang up and quickly fall asleep.

EPOV

Morning. Time for me to get ready for babysitting.

DPOV

I woke up extra early. I could hardly sleep last night. I know this is crazy. I'm probably going insane.

EPOV

I dress myself in a yellow tube top and a yellow skirt. But just because of what happened last night and what will never happen again, doesn't mean that I can't have fun watching him squirm. I know it's cruel. I know that dressing like this and what not is wrong. But I want to see that I have some kind of hold on him even though he won't be able to get a hold on me.

Yeah I know…. I'm letting this amazing man go. But that's the thing. He is a MAN! I can't go there. My Aunt won't let me go there. And not to mention that Katherine will most likely kill me. And I kind of want to keep my life.

As I pull up in the massive drive way I see the curtain move to the side and a flash of blue eyes stare at me. My stomach tightens and my heart stops.

I walk up the steps and the door opens with Damon standing there with Bryan. Oddly enough seeing him hold another girl's baby makes me even more attracted to him.

"I didn't think you were going to come."

I look into his eyes and I see them swimming with worry. "I almost didn't but…."

"But what?"

"I know Bryan needs a babysitter and well…."

At the mention of Bryans name his head shoots up off of Damon's shoulder and looks at me. He automatically smiles a huge smile and reaches his arms out for me. "Ewena!"

I laugh and go up to the guys in my life. I scoop Bryan in my arms and hold him to my chest.

"Well we should go in. Come on."

I follow Damon as he goes back in the house and I hold Bryan closer to keep myself calm.

When we get in the living room I couldn't help but feel my cheeks warm at the memory of the almost kiss.

"Damon…."

"Hey I have to get to work right away. So I'll see you before you leave." He interrupts me and then goes upstairs. What the hell is his problem! He's all hot then in a flash he's cold! No we are dealing with this now. He doesn't walk away from me.

I put Bryan in his play pen and rush upstairs. When I open his office door and I see Damon on the phone. "Ric you have no…."

He looks up and quickly says he has to go and stands up. "What is it?"

I subconsciously feel my eyes go in slits and venom comes out. "What do I want? Well let's see…an explanation would be great! Can we not act civil for the sake of Bryan for crying out loud. You are acting like something happened. And news flash, nothing happened."

Damon calmly walks around his desk and stares into my eyes. "I agree. Nothing happened. Which means you should go back to calling me Mr. Salvatore." And right there, I can't see anything in his eyes. There is no emotion. Nothing.

"Fine. Mr. Salvatore. Maybe you should go to the office today to do your work. I think some fresh air will do you good."

"Maybe you are right. Now may you please get out of my office. There is a crying baby downstairs who needs his babysitter."

I slam the door on the way out and feel anger course through me. That egotistical ass.

I go downstairs to meet a red face baby and lift him up in my arms. "It's okay honey. I'm here. Everything is going to be fine."

I'm not sure if I was trying to convince myself or Bryan.

DPOV

I cringe hearing the echo of the door slam. She chose to act this way so I'm just giving her what she wants. Fuck her. Immature brat.

Oh shut up! You very well know that just by her actions she is mature enough for anything. Especially with her parents death. The voice in my head reasons.

I put my head in my hands and breathe. It's probably for the best. But I have to stay detached. I can't get sucked into her charm, her whit, her doe eyes, luscious lips, curves that are connected to long toned legs, that laugh….

You don't have to be a jerk to her though. She doesn't exactly deserve that. Plus if you really do want her, which is obvious that you do, then show her that you are perfect for her. That you are better than that bunny boy. Just be civil Salvatore.

And for once…I'm agreeing with the voice in my head.

I walked down the stairs after 5 hours of bossing people around, getting an organization ready, and setting up a meeting in a couple of weeks. I turned into the kitchen and was met with Elena feeding Bryan, moving the food around in the air while making a plane noise.

I smiled to myself and grabbed things for a sandwich.

"You know Damon I love this job. I love Bryan. But I can't do this if my own boss won't talk to me."

I finished putting my turkey sandwich together and went to the table and sat in front of her. I looked into her eyes and said, "I know. And I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. This isn't me. So I apologize."

"It's okay."

Elena gets a blush and gives Bryan another spoonful of food. "So we are friends again?"

NO!

"Yeah we can do the friend thing. But I warn, and this might come to a shock for you, but I don't have many friends."

"That's not a shock for me."

"What?"

"You don't seem like the kind of guy to have friends. I'm guessing you have…one."

"For your information I have three."

"Oh and they all must me women."

I wanted to tease her of jealousy but decided against it. "Nah. Just two to of them. The other one is a guy. One of them, Caroline Forbes, is the guidance counselor at your school actually…."

"Wow how…weird."

"Yeah weird…."

There was an awkward pause but before it could get more awkward I told her that I was going to a lunch meeting and be back in a few hours. And by work I mean ask Caroline all about Elena Gilbert over lunch!

EPOV

After Damon left for a lunch meeting with a friend, I put Bryan down for a nap, and then my phone vibrated signaling that I had a message.

Steffen: So can I come over?

Elena: Hold on I haven't had time to ask him, I'll call him now.

Steffen: He's not home?

Elena: No he went to lunch.

Steffen: I can just show up and then leave before he comes over.

I ignored his message and called Damon up.

"Yes Elena?"

"I'm sorry to be ruining your lunch but I have a question…."

"You're not ruining anything. What do you need?"

"Look I know you don't like Steffen…but can he please come over to have lunch with me. Bryan is down for a nap and I'd like to have someone here while you are gone."

There was silence on the phone for a long time and I heard a girl voice that sounded a lot like Ms. Forbes, but I was only getting a bit of the sentence. "Damon…her do…trust me."

Damon gave a heavy sigh. "If you need company I will come back. I can leave now."

"No you don't have to do that. You're with a friend of yours."

Again that voice spoke up but I could hear her clearly now. "Damon please stay, we really need to finish this conversation."

Huh what conversation! Another secret girl?

Another heavy sigh and then Damon shocks me, "Yeah that's fine. Just…please be smart."

"Is there worry in the all-time famous Damon Salvatore's voice?"

"Maybe. Look, listen for Bryan too okay? Don't get too distracted and I'll be home soon."

"Thank you Damon."

"Right. Tell Bunny Boy that if I come home and he's not being…a gentlemen then he's never invited over again when I'm gone."

"His name is Steffen."

"Yeah…I don't care." And with that he hung up and I couldn't help but let a laugh out.

Elena: You can come over.

Steffen: Good cuz I'm already here.

DPOV

"Why did you make me agree to that Caroline!" I stare at Carolina with her green eyes and her blond hair in ringlets. Wearing a white tank top with low rise blue jeans and black flats.

"Damon calm down. We really need to talk about this."

"She's 18. I let her boyfriend go over there when I'm not there. With my son just upstairs asleep!"

"Damon…."

"I need to go home Caroline. I don't like this idea." I stand up and reach for my jacket.

"Damon!"

"What?"

"Sit."

I sit down and rub my face.

"Damon look I'm Elena's guidance counselor…and from this point of view I think the feelings you have for her is wrong. Everything about this is…wrong."

"You don't think I know that!"

"Calm down!" She takes a deep breath and continues. "But from your best friend point of view, I'm totally for it. Elena is…mature for her age with everything she's been through. Her Aunt Jenna is so young and she has to take care of a teenager and a five year old. So it's stressful and Jenna goes out with her boyfriend Ric sometimes. And…."

"Wait Ric? As in Alaric Saltzman?"

"Yes…."

"What! My best guy friend is dating Elena's, the girl I'm literally falling for, Aunt! And how in the world has he not met her before and this is just…crazy!"

"Well…I've talked to Jenna before. She keeps her personal life a secret because she doesn't want to rush into putting a male figure in their life right away."

"Okay…well Ric doesn't know Elena and Jeremy exist."

"Well…he does know of them."

"He hasn't mentioned anything when I brought Elena up. He…oh God he better not tell Jenna."

"He's your best friend Damon. He won't. But be careful who you tell these things to."

"I just need someone to help me out here. I have no idea how I'm going to handle this situation Caroline."

Carolina grabs my hand and hold it tight. "Don't think too much about it Damon. She is young and things will work out for the better and I know I've told you this a thousand times but Katherine doesn't deserve someone as good as you. There has to be a way to keep Bryan safe without marrying Katherine."

"There is no way to do that Caroline."

"Do you want to find a way? Do you want out of that god for saken relationship?"

"More than anything in the world."

"Good."

"But Caroline…Elena. She is amazing with Bryan, that means he is attached. She can't just be out of his life now. It will crush him and my son if finally getting the motherly love he's never had. It'll be cruel to take that away from him, which means…she will always have to be a part of my life. And she gets me and she puts others above herself. She's…the complete opposite of Katherine."

Carolina looks at me with sympathy. "Be careful Damon. This is a small town…maybe in New York this wouldn't be so bad. But then again you are the CEO of a huge company. She is in high school. You are engaged. You have a son."

"Caroline I know all of that!"

"I'm just reminding you Damon! I don't want you to decide to go for this and not know what the consequences are going to be. Or decide to stay with Katherine and regret it for the rest of your life. I know how great Elena can be. I know you deserve someone like her. And I know that she's great with kids. And you're right; she is the complete opposite of Katherine. Someone I've always imagined you going for. I just wish that is was better timing."

"You and me both Care…you and me both."

I stand up and kiss the top of her head. "I'll call you later alright? I need to get home. I appreciate you not flipping out about what happened between us."

"Of course. And Damon some advice?"

"That's what I'm here for."

"If you ever want to get in her good graces, stop calling Stefan Bunny Boy."

"Right…."

"And follow your heart." She patted my chest, picked up her purse, and then started to walk away.

EPOV

I went towards the door and opened it up for Steffen. "What would you have done if he said you couldn't have come over?"

Steffen walks in and grabs me by the waist and pulls me towards him. "I would have come in anyways."

"Well I'm not sure that would have happened."

"Oh well there are other ways to getting you alone."

"I'm not exactly alone Steffen. Bryan is upstairs."

"Then I guess we have to be quiet."

"Hmmm maybe."

Steffen looked me up and down then I suddenly remembered what I was wearing. SHIT!

"What are you wearing?"

"Clothes."

"Okay why are you wearing that while you are babysitting?"

"Stefan chill. Trust me okay?"

"I do trust you. It's him I don't trust."

"He's a really cool boss Steffen."

"Right. Look I don't wanna talk about him." He pulled me closer.

"What do you…?" Then he kissed me.

It was sweet and I could feel the love in it. I could feel him trying to make it all hot but it wasn't…. I kissed him back…I mean it's what a girlfriend is supposed to do. He licked my bottom lip and I gave him what he wanted.

He pulled me over to the couch and I didn't feel okay about this at all. I tried to push it to the back of my mind as Steffen started to kiss my neck while rubbing his hands over my exposed stomach.

Steffen pushes his hips against mine I feel his hard on hit me. I think of my personal McSpicy and that's when I start to get turned on. How wrong it is to be making out with my boyfriend while thinking of another man to get me turned on. How wrong to tell him to trust me. How wrong to only accept dating him to try and get over someone else.

I see car lights hit the window and I push Stefan off of me and straighten myself up. Steffen stands up and then seeing his predicament sits back down and I turn on the TV and act like I was watching it the whole time while Damon walks in.

"Elena?"

"In the living room!" I yell back.

He walks in and my heart races. I turn off the TV and look over at Damon. "How was lunch with your friend?"

"It was…exactly what I needed. How are things here?"

"Good."

"And Bu…Stefan. Are you enjoying yourself?"

Steffen looks over to Damon and gives him a smile. A smile that says he won. "Oh yeah. More than you'll ever know."

My mouth hangs open and look at Steffen in shock. He did not just say that!

I turn to Damon and see a murderous look in his eyes. Oh shit….

I grab Steffen by the arm and pull him up. Not surprised to see that he is still horny. But when I look over to Damon and see him close to the edge at what he sees I pull Steffen towards the door. "I think it's time you leave Steffen. I'll talk to you later okay?"

"Wait what? How about you come with me."

"I'm working Steffen."

"Oh right. Well I can come pick you up."

"I drove here. So I can drive back."

"Right. Well I will call you later." He gives me peck on the lips and walks out the door.

I close the door and walk back to the living room. Damon still in the same position. "Damon…I'm so sorry. Stefan…I don't know what's wrong with him."

He rubs his face and looks over at me. "It's fine. I just don't think him coming over anymore is a good idea."

"You're absolutely right. Never again."

"Really? No fight?"

"He was out of line. He had no right. You were nothing but nice and he threw it in your face that…that…yeah."

"That what Elena?"

I ignored his question and just aplogized. "I'm so sorry. It won't happen ever again."

"That's a lie. It will happen again. Just not here. Maybe at your house. Or his. Or his car. Anywhere…."

I felt Damon right in front of me and I look up into his blue eyes swimming with sadness yet hope. He reaches out and I prepare myself for what's about to happen. I close my eyes and feel his hands on my skin and his lips close to my ear.

He twists my shirt a little and then says, "Your shirt was a bit twisted."

Damon backs away and I feel my heart drops as I see disappoint in his eyes.

"Damon please believe me when I say I'm sorry."

"I believe you."

I hear static and then, "Ewena! Ewena!," coming from the baby monitor.

"I'll go get him." Damon says.

"I don't know. He's crying my name."

I start for the stairs with Damon right on my heels. "You don't need to go every time."

"Well it's my job."

"Right but I'm his dad."

"I know that Damon. I didn't mean anything by it, I just figured it'd be quicker to calm him down if I went in there and got him."

I opened Bryan's door and caught sight of him standing in his crib with a red face. "Oh honey don't worry. I'm here. Shhhh."

DPOV

Elena picks up Bryan and I'm reminded of how she will never be able to leave our family now since he's so attached to her. I rub my little guy's head and look down at Elena. "You can never leave us now."

"What?"

"He's so attached Elena. I will not let you walk away from him…us…so easily. He will be devastated. He wakes up at night screaming for you and it takes me forever to get him back asleep. Sometimes he has to cry himself to sleep. You can't leave Elena."

Elena looks up at me after my speech, "I won't leave…unless I have to."

"And what do you mean by that exactly?"

"That means…I'm a senior this year Damon. I'll be going to college."

"You're not going to the one here?"

"I'm not sure. I'm young. I have so many options."

"What would you like to be?"

"A teacher. For little kids, kindergarten."

"You can do that by going to the college here."

"I'd love to see the world outside of this little town."

"You can do that after college."

"Damon…by the time college is over I'm hoping to be getting married or already married."

"Why so young."

"Damon I'll be 23 by then."

Then I had a sudden flash of Elena with Stefan, married, with their own children and I'm filled with such jealousy and anger. I don't like the idea of her being with another guy. Any guy. Especially when marriage is in the picture.

"Right…."

"But I can't have my life revolved around Bryan."

"And why not?"

"Because he's not mine. As much as I'd love to have him as my own. To love him the way Katherine can't. But that's just not in the cards for me."

"But if you do leave out of state for college, you will be coming during holiday right?"

"If I can get away. And even then I'll spending time with my Aunt and brother."

"You know we still have time to get into that. Don't have to talk about it now."

"Damon you can't seriously think I'll be around all the time do you?"

"I was hoping."

"Why?"

I rub my thumb across her cheek. "It's nice having a decent conversation with someone for a change.."

"Damon…."

"Elena." I whisper and cup her face in my hand and she reflexively puts her face in the palm of my hand. I bring my face close to hers. "Damon…I'm not the cheating girl."

"And I'm not the cheating type either."

"Then we shouldn't do this."

"Well like my friend Alaric said, 'Nothing is official if you're not married'. And I believe in what he says."

"Technically you are married."

"I have no ring on my finger."

"Katherine does."

"Out of pity."

"What?"

"Elena I swear another day I will tell you how I got myself into this mess but for now lets play with Bryan."

After a few hours of playing with Bryan I head home. "You know Damon if you ever need help with Bryan crying at night, I don't mind coming over. Just call me and I'll be there."

"Sure."

I give Elena her money and open the door for her. I watch as she gets in her car and drives away. Only when I don't see her car anymore is when I turn back into my house to watch a movie with my son resting on my chest.