"Your Honor, I'm a victim of circumstance here! I am being accused of bigamy."
Judge Gains bangs his gavel. "Quiet! Quiet!" he yells.
"Pardon me, don't I know you?" He asks looking perplexed.
"Hmm?" I mumble.
The judge glares at me saying, "I said, don't I know you?"
"Well, you married me, Your Honor," I answer with more than a hint of sarcasm in my voice.
"Oh, yes! You're the lawyer. This is a civil court, Mr. Salvatore, bigamy cases are handled in criminal court, not here. What kind of lawyer are you anyway? What school did you go to?" he asks with condescension.
"Brown, Your Honor," I reply.
"I'm a Yale man, myself. Where is the 'kissless' bride?" he asks gruffly.
I'm here, Your Honor," Katherine responds angrily.
"Katherine Salvatore. Hmm. You're sure you're kissless?" he asks skeptically, raising an eyebrow.
"Ask this miserable hunk of excrement that I am married to!" she fumes.
"She definitely kissless, Your Honor," I mutter.
The judge turns to his baliff, "Brown man... explains everything," I hear him whisper.
"I want an annulment," Katherine demands.
"Granted!" he says then bangs his gavel again.
"This is the happiest day of my life!" she says giving me the evil eye. She starts to walk away then stops and turns around. She sashays up close, reels back with her fist, landing a punch to my jaw before storming out of the courtroom.
"You know, I used to know a girl who looked just like her. She sold neck ties..." Judge Gains says to me.
"Your honor, what about Elena Gilbert-Salvatore?" I plead, rubbing my jaw.
"What about her?" he asks.
"Well, you declared her legally dead," I tell him.
"Yes, so I did. Has this Brown man prepared the brief," he questions.
"But I'm not dead, Your Honor," Elena butts in.
"What do you want me to do, reverse myself? Go to the court of appeals; they always insist on reversing me anyway," he replies with a touch of sarcasm and a pronounced eye roll.
"Now, if Your Honor pleases, I can point out the pertinent facts in the brief. Now you see, right here and here..."
"Now, just a moment young man.." he motions for me to come closer.
Suddenly Stefan runs into the courtroom and pulls Elena aside. "Elena? What about it? Will you marry me?"
"Oh, Stefan, thank you so much. But it's Damon." I sigh with relief when I hear her.
"All right Elena. I tried," Stefan says, kissing her on the cheek before he exits the courtroom.
The judge scolds me again. "Mr. Salvatore, get off my lap! I don't need you to show me how to read a brief! You get down there with that woman."
"Yes, Your Honor. Well, you see, I have found a precedent for this case. I cite Mulligan vs. Mulligan-Bender, in the city of San Diego, 1893."
"Are you really going to complicate this thing even more than it already is?" the judge asks narrowing his eyes at me.
"No, Your Honor. You see, the first wife returned after a lengthy, unexplained absence to find that her husband, Mr. Mulligan, had remarried."
"Remarried?"
"But Mrs. Mulligan-Bender, or rather Mrs. Bender-Mulligan, the second wife.."
"I don't understand this at all," Judge Gains says shaking his head.
"Well, it was a sort of a Mulligan stew," Elena says with a giggle.
"Young woman, I could hold you in contempt of court for that remark. Don't make me get after you," he admonishes her.
"Yes, well, Your Honor, when the first wife returned, the second wife immediately sued for annulment, which left Mr. Mulligan free to remarry either the first wife or the second wife, Mrs. Bender-Mulligan. You see?" I plead.
"Well, don't just stand there gawking. What did he do?"
"He dropped dead of a heart attack..." I respond, my voice trailing.
"And they never did find out whether he slept with his feet on top of the covers or under the covers," Elena says trying to interject some levity into this whole sordid affair.
Judge Gains bangs his gavel several times. "Now, that remark is going to cost you twenty-five dollars."
"But, Your Honor, I'm legally dead," Elena teases.
He bangs his gavel again. "All right, you're legally alive and that will be fifty dollars. Pay the clerk. Court adjourned," He announces, voice raised.
"Thank you, Your Honor," I say as I reach up to shake his hand.
His eyes widen and bore in on me. "I want to go home and tell my wife about this case. She mistakenly thinks most of my cases are dull."
I grab Elena by the crook of the elbow and lead her out of the courtroom. When we reach the car, I open the door for her before getting in myself.
"Well, Elena, here you are, alive and kicking and well. Now you and Stefan can get back to nature," I say with more than a little frustration.
"Damon, aren't you ashamed of yourself, saying a thing like that?" She scoffs at me.
"What? An hour ago, I was a bigamist. Now I don't have any wife at all. Not one single, solitary wife."
"It's your own fault. You have no reason to be jealous," she spits out.
"Well, I do have the right to be jealous. Elena, you know, I'll have to think this whole thing over very carefully."
"You do, do you? Maybe then you'll make up your mind to forgive me for not drowning in the South Pacific," she replies sarcastically.
"It isn't that. It's..." I mutter.
"Well then, I've got some thinking to do myself. And I'm not so sure I want you, not with the way you're acting."
"Elena, it's not that I don't love you. but..."
"No, Damon. I'll have to consider this carefully. I'd like to take the children, go away for a few weeks, and that way, we'd get to know each other better, and then I could tell them I'm their mother... and I can think about us."
"Where are you going to go to?" I ask curiously.
"To the mountain cabin," she says with a firm tilt of her chin.
"How do you expect to get there?" I ask.
"Duh, drive!" she says with a roll of her eyes.
"In this weather? Oh, no, not with the kids. I'll drive you myself," I say leaving no room for argument.
"Well, if you want to. I think I'll stay until Christmas. That'll give us both time to make sure we know what we want."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes, we'll leave tomorrow," she says firmly.
The next day:
The kids and Elena pile into the car while I get behind the wheel. Soon we're driving north into the mountains to our cabin. Elena and I used to love spending time there. It's remote and romantic. We used to take long walks along the forest trails. We would go mountain climbing. Elena loved the feeling of reaching the mountain's summit. Those were the best of times. Four hours later, we arrive. Elena wakes the kids and they trudge into the house. I grab their luggage from the trunk and carry it in as well.
"Where did the kids run off to?" I ask.
"They're admiring the Christmas tree. Tell me Damon, when did you have time to put up a Christmas tree here?" she asks, smiling at me.
"I asked the caretaker to chop one down and decorate it for you all."
"Golly, what a pretty tree," Molly yells when she runs into the room.
"There's even a big angel on the top." Andrew says smiling.
"I suppose I better get going if I'm going to drive back tonight," I say reaching for my jacket.
"Daddy, aren't you going to stay and see Santa Claus?" Andrew asks anxiously.
"I don't think your father really believes in Santa Claus, Andrew." Elena tells him while eyeing me.
I shake my head at him, "Lots of work to do."
"Golly, I think I'll get ready and go to bed. Have a safe drive back, Damon," Elena says trying to stifle a yawn.
"I'm so tired. The fireplace looks so warm and cozy.
"It's cold outside, too," I say trying to hint that I'd like to stay.
"You'd better get started. It's a long drive."
"You sure you don't want me to, uh?"
"To what?" she asks.
"Well, stay with the children? Just tonight?" I half beg.
"No room," she replies.
"Well Elena, we are married."
"I thought we agreed that everything is suspended until Christmas."
"Yeah, Christmas," I answer, my voice echoing disappointment.
"It's not quite Christmas you know."
"Yes, yes it is," I answer, the pitch of my voice noticeably higher.
"Good night. And I hope I get back all right..." I mutter.
"I'm sure you will, Damon. Goodbye," she says, waving.
"Yeah. Well, good-bye!" I say giving her one last once over before walking out the door.
ELENA:
I'm on edge. I'm going to tell them that I'm their mommy. Nothing like taking the bull by the horns.
"Molly? Andrew? Can you two come here? I'd like to speak with you."
"We were just going to go to bed," Andrew says with a yawn.
"Well, I, I want you to sit down. You too, Molly. I want to tell you something about your mommy."
"We're listening."
"Well, it's just- Well, we're all staying together and - I love you both very, very much. And that's because I think you're - you're wonderful children and - and, besides, you see... I used to know you a long, long time ago. And, uh.." I blurt out awkwardly.
"Go on, mommy."
"Well you see... Wha...what did you just say?"
"Well, you are our mother, aren't cha?" Andrew says as if it's as normal as the sky being blue.
"You - you knew?"
"We eavesdropped on you and grandma," Molly says sheepishly.
"Come here!" They run into my arms. I hug them with everything in me.
"What an armful the two of you are."
"We love you, Mommy," They say together.
My eyes are welling with tears. "Alright, let's go to bed." I take them upstairs, tuck them in and give each a big kiss on the forehead.
"I love you both so much. Goodnight." I reach over to flip on the nightlight then step out the door.
Hearing a rap on the door, I go back downstairs.
"Elena, It's Damon!" I hear him say through his incessant door knocking. I pull the door open, put my hands on my hips and glare at him.
"I thought you were leaving. Is something wrong?" I inquire trying to keep myself from smiling.
"Car won't start!" he says a bit befuddled.
"Hmmm, are you sure?"
"Darn sure!"
I exhale deeply, feigning exasperation, "I guess you'll need to stay at that hotel down the hill."
"I tried, no rooms left. Christmas is tomorrow you know," he sputters.
"Whatever are you going to do?" I tease.
"Sleep in the snow! Thought you'd like to know that." He says defiantly.
"Maybe I can help."
"Can you, please, Elena?" He pleads.
"I'll go get you a blanket."
"Oh, thank you, thank you."
Suddenly he covers his mouth coughing uncontrollably and unconvincingly I might add. "Oh dear. When did that start?" I soothe, feigning concern.
"Oh, chest. Doesn't mean anything."
"Well, if it doesn't mean anything, goodnight."
"It's cold outside. The fire is cozy... I bet the bed upstairs is comfortable too," he says longingly.
"Yes, it is very nice. Goodnight Damon."
"What about me?" He sputters indignantly..
"What about you?" I reply trying to maintain a straight face.
"We.. well, what about me staying?" he huffs.
"Where?"
"Here, of course."
"Oh, no. Couldn't do that."
"I wouldn't be any trouble."
"Well, it's the principle of the thing," I tease.
"I could even sleep on the floor."
"Could you now?"
"I'd be no bother, none at all."
"Come in then."
"Thank you, Elena," he says as relief washes over his face.
"Well, now. The, uh, the floor?" he asks.
"You can make yourself comfortable. I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning.
"I snuck Andrew and Molly's presents inside. They're in that closet near the kitchen. You can put them under the tree. Tomorrow is Christmas. Goodnight Damon."
I do give him a peck on the cheek before I go to my room, put my pajamas on and crawl into bed. I'm just about to turn off the bedside light when I hear a soft rap on my door.
"Elena?"
"Hmmm?"
"Are you comfortable?" he asks.
"Very," I reply.
"I'm cold. Are you cold?"
"No, I'm not cold. Go to sleep, Damon."
"I can't. The floor is too hard," he says.
I can almost see the pout on his face. "Come in. You said you weren't even sure if you want me?" I say coyly.
"Elena! You know I want you. I'm absolutely certain of that."
"Come here but be quiet. I wouldn't want to wake the children," I admonish. I pull the covers back so he can crawl in. Smiling giddily, he strips down to his boxers then jumps in. He leans over to place a tentative kiss on my lips. After waiting a moment for my reaction, he pulls me flush against him and drops his lips to mine, taking my breath away with a sweltering kiss. I pull back breathlessly, running my fingers down his beautiful chest. I drop a kiss to his nipples as my hand reaches lower. His head drops to the pillow when I wrap my hand around him. I watch as his eyes roll just as his breath hitches.
"This will be over before the fun stuff starts if you keep that up." He lifts my hand from him, pulls my nightie off and rolls on top of me. He wraps his lips around one nipple, suckling me before he pulls back with a plop. His eyes lock with mine while he moves his fingers to massage 'that spot'. This time it's my eyes that roll back into my head when he joins us for the first time in seven years. My eyes begin to glisten with tears when my emotions overcome me. He notices my tears and begins to kiss them away.
"It's okay Elena. I'm here. This is real. This is us," he says planting kisses all over my face. I feel all the love he has for me as I gaze into his scorching blue eyes. When I feel his thrusts becoming chaotic, he pulls my body flush against his once more just as we reach nirvana together and waft gently back to earth.
"I love you so much, Elena. I never stopped. I lost a part of myself when I thought you were gone forever. Andrew and Molly kept me anchored. If not for them, I wouldn't have survived losing you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for finding your way back to me."
"I love you too. Merry Christmas, Damon."
CHRISTMAS DAY:
The next morning we're startled awake when Molly and Andrew jump on the bed right on top of us.
"Wake up mommy and daddy. Santa Claus was here. Hurry. Come on." Andrew says tugging on me while Molly tugs on Damon. We all run downstairs to see presents sprawled out under the tree and beyond. Damon and I sit on the couch to watch our beautiful kids tear into their presents. The kids spend the afternoon playing with their toys. Damon bakes us a magnificent turkey dinner. After we finish our pumpkin pie with ice cream, we all retreat to the family room. Molly is playing dress up with her doll while Andrew is making revving noises with his new toy truck. I'm overcome as I take it all in. Finally I'm home right where I belong. I reach up to wipe away a tear.
"Are you crying?" Damon asks softly.
The dam breaks and tears begin to cascade down my cheeks. Unable to speak, I just shake my head. He pulls me into his arms and smothers kisses on my temple and cheek. He places his lips against my ear and whispers, "I love you, Elena."
I turn to face him when Molly and Andrew jump into our arms. Damon wraps his arms around all of us. Suddenly, inexplicably the fire intensifies, the draft causing the bells on the tree to ring.
Molly turns to both of us, "Daddy, Grandma says every time a bell rings an angel gets it's wings."
"That right sweetheart," he says with an ear to ear incandescent grin. Damon, his eyes bright and full of mirth, squeezes us together tightly before whispering, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."
Fin
I couldn't help but give a little nod to "It's a Wonderful Life". It's one of my favorite Christmas movies. I'm sad to say goodbye to this. I had so much fun writing it. A special thanks to my brilliant beta and friend Eva. I want to thank every one of you for reviewing, following or making it a favorite. It really helps fuel the urge to write more. I am working on a new story as we speak so... Please do give 'The Fugitive" a read. There are several chapters left on that story. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and a knockout 2015. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CLICK THAT REVIEW BUTTON.
