Story: Elena's Baby
Chapter: Daddy Damon?
Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries nor do I own the characters.
There comes a time in your life when you have to remember the pain you felt when horrible things have happened to you. That time, just happens to be now. Everything that ever caused a tear to trickle down Elena's cheek, she ran away and hid from it. But now, everything was unwinding and finding its way back towards her, and she doesn't know what to do. She just knows that the pain she felt so long ago, it's hurting ten times more. It's not easy to have 4 years to grow a thick skin and be an expert to defusing hurt, then have the one who caused it all to stand in front of you.
His hair still raven black, this time it was cut a bit shorter. His face still illuminating from the rich oceanic blue orbs in his eyes. His close-to-pale skin tone looking as great as it always did. His black leather jacket from all those years ago still intact along with his choice of attire. Black leather jacket, plain white tee, black fit jeans, and black boots. His arm resting on the door with his head cocked to the side. The corners of his lips began to raise in a smile-no wait, a smirk. His famous smirk that had women drooling all over him. Elena's heart broke just looking at him, it was like looking at the mirror image of his past self. His asshole-type self.
"Elena," Damon said, her name rolling off his tongue so easily and slick. Elena had to suppress the urge to cry when she heard him. His cocky voice was so irritating to her, but, he knows that. Right?
"What the hell are you doing here?" Elena demanded, wiping furiously at the stray tear that fell from the right eye. Damon cocked his head to the side and his smirk widened.
"What? No hello? No welcome home kiss?" He tried to joke, but Elena had to use all her willpower not to punch him right in the face.
"Kol, take Ava away from here. To her room, downstairs with you, I don't care. Just get her out of here," Elena spoke angrily in a whisper to Kol, her eyes never leaving Damon's piercing blue ones. Kol gave Elena a sympathetic look and nodded before giving Damon a death glare.
"If you so much as hurt her, I'll rip you to shreds. You hear me?" Kol snarled at Damon who mock shivered in fake fear. Kol took a sleeping Ava in his arms and began walking downstairs to his new basement apartment in human speed, though not before Damon had a chance to look at Ava. His eyes never leaving Ava until Kol carried her out of sight. He turned back to Elena and noticed she was at the bar in her study and was pouring herself a drink and smirked.
"So what, Kol's your bitch now?" Damon remarked before Elena verbally reprimanded him.
"For your information you snot nosed pitiful jack ass, Kol's helped Ava and I through the roughest times of our lives and is probably going to continue. Seeing as you're here and the only thing that's restraining me is that little girl," Elena said through her clenched teeth before downing her favourite brand of whiskey.
"Ouch Elena, I'm hurt," Damon chuckled before turning serious, "So, who's Ava?" He asked her with serious curiosity. Elena's heart began beating extremely fast as she set down her glass of whiskey. She gripped the desk in front of her with her death grip and closed her eyes. If anyone saw her, they'd think she was about to have a seizure because of the way she was shaking. There was only one problem, there was someone who was watching, Damon. He cleared his throat and Elena snapped out of her bubble, she spoke with such love in her voice.
"She's my daughter," Elena smiled.
"Your daughter?" Damon raised his eyebrow, crossing his arms and leaning his side against the doorway. "She can't be more than 4 years old, who could you have hooked up with in such a short period of time that I was gone?" He spoke. If Elena heard correctly, she could have heard the venom being spat out at her.
"Shut the fuck up, you jack ass. You have no idea what you're talking about," Elena snapped as Damon's eyes widened. He's never seen this side of Elena before. Then out of nowhere, Damon felt the worst kind of stinging pain in his nose. Elena was breathing heavily while giving Damon her meanest death glare. Elena had just given Damon her best punch, she was sure her hand was broken. But she was too numb to feel anything. How could he just insinuate that Elena would ever hook up with anyone other than him, especially in such short time of his absence.
"I don't do I? Is that right?" Damon's eyes were cold and piercing against her hard ones. An epic battle that was being silently displayed, and by the looks of it, Elena was winning. She wasn't backing down without a fight.
"Yeah, you heard me, Damon. You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," Elena spat.
"Of course I do sweetheart, not even a couple of months I was gone and you got yourself knocked up? From who? Obviously not Stefan, he's a vampire. Matt maybe?" Damon snarled sarcastically.
"No you dick, how dare you? Insinuating that I would ever cheat on you? With STEFAN? We already crossed that bridge a while ago Damon, I will NEVER choose Stefan again. And Matt, for your information, has a wife and a daughter. They were already together when you were still here, before you LEFT me. You're such a,a-," Elena shook her head as Damon's ears perked.
"A what Elena? Come right out and say it," He urged her on.
"A fucking jack ass. I won't waste my time on you. Do you realize how broken you've made me? How long it's taken me to put the pieces back together? How much of a life I've had to make for my daughter while you were gone doing God knows what? I thought you were dead, Damon. I thought that you left me because you were killed. I can obviously see that you've left me because you wanted to. Did you leave me because you wanted to? Answer me right now Damon!" Elena ranted, her arms flailing in the air.
"You don't know shit about why I left, Elena." Damon said, fusing.
"That's why I'm asking you to fucking tell me, I'm not just talking to listen to my own voice you dumbass," Elena screamed.
"You better learn how to hold your tongue, Elena. It's very un lady like," Damon reprimanded.
"Fuck that, I've held my tongue for 4 fucking years. Now tell me why you left or so help me God I will stake you where it hurts," Elena threatened, her eyes taking on a new shade of black.
"I was forced to go! Do you think I left you because I didn't want you anymore? Did you think I left you because I wanted to leave you? Do you not know anything about me? It was either I flee or you die, that was not a chance I was willing to take. You remember Sage? Well, she's a hell of a lot more demanding than Katherine. Not to mention a hell of a lot older than her too. She told me that if I didn't leave you, she would kill you. She told me she would kidnap you and put you through the most painful agony you could ever imagine. So I left. I would rather die or be the bad guy and let you hate me if it would protect you, God damnit! Don't you understand? It wasn't in my best interest that I left, it was in yours. All I have ever done has been for you. But what do I get in the end? Hurt and confused. Not to mention broken," Damon snarled at her. His eyes began to shine from the crystal like tears forming behind his eyes but he was determined not to let his bravado down.
"Damnit Damon. You could have fucking said something. You should have told me! You didn't have to let me do this alone for four years. Four whole fucking years. To fend for myself? To raise Ava all by myself and leave here because I couldn't stand the pain anymore? If you had told me I would have helped you find a way out of this!" Elena snapped. She picked up her now empty cup of whiskey and threw it into the wall.
"What the hell did you want me to do? I did this for you. I didn't just leave you to run off with Sage. I was FORCED to leave you, Elena! I wouldn't be able to live without you. You know what? You're such a hypocrite. You would have down the same thing, you're a stubborn self righteous martyr for God's sake! Don't you dare tell me it was the wrong thing to do. And to take care of yourself? You're a big girl Elena, you can take care of yourself. You don't need me with you all the time. And as for Ava, had I been here you wouldn't have slept with whoever it was that you slept with and gotten pregnant with her in the first place. You obviously don't need me to help you take care of some other man's baby," Damon ranted. Elena was so enraged she began throwing books from the stocked shelves at his body.
"Don't you dare talk about her that way you asshole. She would have still been here if you left me or not!" Elena screamed while continuing to throw books at Damon's head and body.
"You're telling me you would have cheated on me whether I was here or not? Are you kidding me? After completely yelling at me for leaving you to protect you? Of course, I'm such an idiot. You don't love me. You never did. You just used me. You weren't happy with me, you obviously wanted something else. Well congratulations Elena, I hope you and your baby daddy are happy with your new found family!" Damon yelled at Elena. She finally gave up on throwing books at him and wiped her eyes before sobbing uncontrollably.
"Do you hear yourself when words escape your mouth? You impulsive, enraging dick! Don't you dare twist my words around to make yourself seem like less than a hurtful jack ass! Of course I love you! Of course I loved you! Obviously I was happy with you! Don't you understand why I'm so angry Damon? Don't you have a clue? Do I have to fucking spell it out for you? Ava, is, yours!" Elena screamed at him before staring at his confused face.
"Really Elena? We're playing this? The whole 'get me back by telling me I'm the father of your child'? That may work on a human, but I'm not an idiot. Vampires can't procreate. Try that again," Damon's cold and hard eyes piercing into hers.
Elena was absolutely shocked at his words. He actually thought that she was just lying to him to get him back? She didn't even know she needed to get him back in the first place. Elena angrily went to her files and found Ava's birth records and pictures of her. She pulled out her birth certificate, a couple of pictures of her, and Elena and Katherine posing at the Boarding House while Elena was pregnant. She gave him a cold stare as he looked at her confused. She shook her head and spoke.
"She's yours, Damon. Born May 21st 2008, approximately 9 months after the last time we were intimate. Approximately 8 months after you left me. Katherine, Stefan, anyone could be able to tell that your her father. Look at her, Damon. Her blue eyes that look exactly like yours? Her place skin just like yours? Her raven black hair like yours? Look at this and tell me that you're not her father. Look me in the eye after looking at this evidence and tell me you're not her father," Elena cried.
Damon looked at her evidence and gulped. He never felt as guilty or as upset in his whole life. He shook his head at Elena and looked in her eyes. "Why am I only finding out about this now? Why didn't you tell me when you found out? For God's sake you were pregnant before I had left! Any other surprises you want to throw in my face? Like you had twins and the other one's just upstairs?" Damon fused.
"You have no right to be angry with me you jerk. If anyone's allowed to be angry, it's me. I'm not even angry that you left us to be with Sage. I understand why you left me. But don't you dare get mad at an innocent child. If you think of her as some kind of abomination in your life than get the hell out of my house. Go back to wherever you came from if you're going to think that way about my baby because she's too good for your remarks. She's the most special and best thing that has ever happened to me, if you can't accept that then you've come to the wrong place," Elena spat.
"That's not what I meant, I'm just shocked. I never knew vampires could have kids and then this gets thrown in my face? For God's sake, this isn't Twilight! Give me some time," Damon spoke softly before picking up one of the pictures of Ava having Stefan in a headlock. He smiled slightly at the picture before watching Elena from the corner of his eye. He watched as she put her jacket on and her boots and blurred in front of her.
"Where do you think you're going?" Damon demanded.
"I'm leaving. I'm going to clear my head and walk around. If you're still here when I'm back, God help you Damon. And if you follow me, I will stake you and not think twice about it," Elena reached for the door.
"That's it? You're going to drop a bomb on me and then you're going to leave me? Are you that shallow?" Damon's eyes widened as she pushed him against the wall. She got right up to his ear and spoke softly.
"I've waited a long time for you, Damon. I've waited for you because I love you. I haven't given up on you because it would kill me to do that. But right now, I just need some time to myself. You can't just expect me to welcome you with open arms and kisses just yet. I need time," she backed away and a tear fell down her cheek.
"I can't lose you again, Elena. It's been too long. I don't know if I can stand another minute without you," Damon sighed before wiping Elena's cheek free of the tear that had just fallen. She backed away and looked him in the eyes.
"I'll be here tomorrow, please Damon, just go home. You can come over tomorrow and we can discuss whatever it is that we need to talk about. I just want some time to think," Elena spoke sternly. She decided that she wasn't going to take a walk right now. What she needed was Kol and Ava. She could talk to Katherine and Stefan tomorrow if she needed to. She began taking off her boots and jacket and saw Damon still standing there by the door.
"Do you want something?" Elena retorted, agitated as to why he wasn't obeying her and leaving, respecting her wishes.
"Why is Kol with my daughter downstairs?" Damon's eyes narrowed into slits and Elena put her head in her hands, shaking it.
"Kol is downstairs with MY daughter because she's trying to sleep but she has a too good sense of hearing, something she obviously inherited from you. He's trying to keep her company, like I said, he has been here for us when you weren't. Show a little respect, Damon," Elena rolled her eyes.
"I'll be back here tomorrow by 11am. We obviously have a lot to discuss," he said before opening the door. Before he left, he spoke to Elena once more, "Oh and Elena? Not yours, ours," he spoke before shutting the door and walking out into the darkness.
Elena walked into the library and began fixing up the books, it was a complete mess. She didn't even recognize herself there for a second when she was flash backing to when she broke the glass, punched Damon, and threw all the books at him. She shuddered when she began thinking about how badly she treated him. Of course, she had her reasons for doing what she did but she never used violence. Damon brings out the worst in Elena but when thinking back, Damon also brings out the best in Elena as well. She sighed as she picked up 11 books, she had her book shelf stocked in alphabetical order. After putting in the last book, she grabbed a broom and dustpan to pick up all of glass from her whiskey cup.
When all was cleaned up, Elena went to her bedroom to change into her long sleeve pajama t-shirt and matching pajama pants. Elena walked down into the basement and peered into Kol's bedroom. She smiled as she saw Ava curled up into a ball on the left side and Kol on the right side, both of them having their backs toward each other. Elena didn't want to sleep alone tonight and felt as though she needed comfort. Considering her only two comfort people were down in Kol's bedroom, Elena felt the need to sleep here with them too. She didn't want this to look inappropriate but she didn't care who walked in and saw, she needed the comfort. She walked over to Kol's side of the bed an looked down at his sleeping form. His mouth slightly ajar, his hair ruffled and messy, his head on the pillow while his arms were under the pillow. She climbed in to the further left side and pulled the covers over both her and Kol. She turned he back to him and felt him groan slightly and shift under the covers.
"Sup Baby Mama, what are you doing here?" Kol smiled and propped himself on his elbows and Elena turned around.
"I had a fight with Damon upstairs, I just didn't want to be alone in my bed," Elena frowned. Kol pulled Elena into his arms and kissed her hair. She snuggled into his chest and let him wrap his arm around her. She smiled when she heard him begin to snore softly. She was happy with the relationship she had with Kol. He never asked any questions that didn't need to be asked, he isn't ask too much and he didn't ask too little. He understands her and she was grateful. He doesn't like when she announces that he's a good guy because it hurts his 'bad boy rep' but to Elena he was a sweetheart and to Ava he was her favorite person in the world aside from Elena herself.
"Goodnight Kol," Elena snuggled closer to him and drifted off to sleep. Before darkness over came her, she heard the faintest words from Kol.
"Sweet dreams Baby Mama," he said.
Damon walked into the Salvatore Boarding House and was immediately thrown against the wall, a strong and aggressive hand wrapped tightly around his neck. He groaned and opened his eyes to see Elena staring at him with her face full of vampire features. He flinched and his head was thrown back against the wall. He then realized that it wasn't Elena who was viciously attacking him, it was Katherine. She threw Damon on the floor and blurred on top of him, pinning him down once again. Stefan came running through the corridor and was shocked to see his girlfriend strangling his brother.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Damon yelled at Katherine before kicking the area behind her knees and pinning her down on the other side of the floor. She punched his abdomen and blurred over to Stefan, her fangs still protruded.
"Me? What the hell do you think you're doing in this house? We thought you were dead, you left us. You left us all! I want a damn explanation before I run a stake down your throat and into your heart!" Katherine threatened. Stefan put a hand on her shoulder and she calmed herself down. She smiled over and Stefan who did the same and they both gave menacing glares to the estranged brother in the middle of the room.
"Sage. She threatened to kill Elena, right before my eyes. I wasn't going to take that chance, she had already killed Jeremy's girlfriend in front of me, I was certain she wasn't going to hesitate to kill Elena. So I left with her and now, I'm back," Damon explained before walking over to his little mini bar and grabbing a glass of bourbon.
"Are you kidding? Then why was it so hard to find you? And how did you even get back?" Stefan exclaimed while Katherine was angrily sharpening a stake.
"I'm not kidding you, Stef. I'm not fucking joking. You think I would leave Elena for Sage of all people? You need a reality check. It was obviously hard to find me because her witchy friend put a spell on both of us to stay hidden from all creatures. Witches, vampires, werewolves, hybrids, all those sorts. I'm back because my deal with Sage is over. That was the deal, I help her out for 5 years and then she lets me go," Damon said.
"You expect us to believe that she just let you go after 5 years? It hasn't even been 5 years since you left us all, there's no way in hell I'm believing you," Katherine yelled harshly.
"Let's just say I was let off the hook a couple of months early. Good deeds and all," Damon smirked and downed the last of his bourbon. He stood over the bar and poured himself another glass of amber liquid and walked over to a wall beside the fireplace. There were new pictures that Damon had quickly noticed. They were of Ava. Ava and Stefan, Ava and Katherine, Ava and Katherine with Stefan, Elena with Ava, and also one of all four of them together. His heart broke at the sight of his daughters face. It was Elena's happiness with Damon's face on it. Of course he felt guilty about leaving Ava and Elena but what was he to do? Let Sage kill Elena right when she was pregnant with Ava so that both of them would die, or run off with Sage for 5 years and come back to his loving family?
"I take it that you guys are close?" Damon asked, his eyes never leaving the pictures.
"Yeah, of course we are. Someone had to be there for them while you were AWOL," Katherine hissed. He had to admit, that stung.
"Do you know about her?" Stefan said softly as Damon turned his head at him and nodded silently. Stefan bowed his head in understanding and walked over to Damon, he put his hand on his shoulder.
"How is she? What's she like?" Damon asked softly, taking comfort to the arm Stefan placed on his shoulder.
"She's great. She's absolutely amazing. She's well mannered thanks to Elena but she has her snarky moments. She's exactly like you, only a little more polite thanks to Elena. She's the smartest 3 year old I've ever seen, literally. We think it's because she matures faster than any normal human baby because she's a half breed," Stefan explained.
"Tell me about her, is she human? Is she a vampire?" Damon pleaded softly. Katherine walked over to them and looked up to Damon's oceanic blue eyes.
"As far as we know, she has a heartbeat. Ava can't exactly compel people right, and she doesn't drink blood. She eats regular human food and she doesn't have fangs. Also, she doesn't heal quickly when she gets hurt. But she's strong. Strongest 3 year old we've ever seen. When I mean strong I mean mentally, emotionally, but most importantly, physically. She runs incredibly fast, almost as fast as us. Her hearing is impeccable, it's way more effective than ours. She can hear better than an original can," Katherine smiled. When Katherine mentioned original, Damon shuddered. Remembering how Kol was taking care of HIS daughter and then he began remembering Klaus and all the other originals.
"Originals? Klaus? Rebekah? Elijah? Kol? Finn? What about them? Have they been a danger to Elena or Ava?" Damon asked with worry and curiosity in his voice. Katherine looked over at Stefan for some help and he just stared back at her. Damon's eyebrows raised at the two of them.
"Damon, they're not a danger to us anymore. Rebekah and Tyler are together and even though she is still an evil conniving bitch that I absolutely hate, she and Ava are on good terms. Rebekah isn't a threat to us, Ava actually refers to Rebekah as 'Aunt Rebekah'," Katherine explained quickly.
"Are you kidding? My daughter refers to Rebekah as Aunt?" Damon's eyes widened in horror.
"Yeah, and she does that with the rest of them too. Finn's gone though, he had a fall out with Klaus a couple of years back. Klaus was on a rampage one day and demanded that Elena hand Ava over to her when she was born because he wanted more hybrids but Elena refused. Elena proposed the idea that if the hybrids impregnate a human woman then there would be no use for her blood, much less the blood of Ava's. Klaus didn't think it could work but Elena told him that if you, a vampire, could get her pregnant, then so could a hybrid. Klaus admired her for her suggestion and spared their lives. After Ava was growing up Klaus and Caroline got together and his 'evil mask' came off. He's the exact opposite of that when it comes to Elena and Ava now a days. He's actually protected them a few times now. Ava refers to him as 'Uncle Nik'," Katherine smirked.
"I don't think I'll ever get passed that. That evil bastard wanted us all dead before I left, I don't think I could see him as anything different. You're all completely naive," Damon's eyes widened with doubt and horror once more.
"Don't be so quick to judge, Klaus actually tried searching for you for 3 years. After that he gave up. He couldn't trace you anywhere, we thought you died," Katherine's smirk deflated.
"And Elijah? Kol?" Damon's curiosity spiked.
"Elijah is the same old same old. He's a big softy. He and Ava are on good terms, along with Elena as well. Kol on the other hand. He's such a bad kid but with Ava he's the biggest sweetheart. He's like a big brother figure to her, they're best friends. He's a complete and total asshole when he's away from them but with them he changes into a sweet kid. He's always helping Elena with whatever she needs. Elena told me that he's going to be living there with them for a while in the newly finished basement apartment. He's not the same kid who's neck you snapped at the ball that one night, he's different now," Katherine smiled.
"Great, he's taking the 'daddy' spot from me now. That jackass," Damon whispered to himself as Katherine punched his gut. He groaned in response.
"Listen, just because you left for a legitimate reason doesn't mean that you can be a dick. Kol's been there because you weren't and we're all grateful for that. Please, don't screw anything up. No one is going to accept you with open arms just yet. Be patient. The only one who's probably going to welcome you with open arms is Ava, but don't take advantage of that because Elena will probably kick your ass, got it?" Katherine said before walking over to Stefan.
"Your room is still upstairs, no one's touched it since you left. Except for Elena who's cleaned it but that's it," Stefan said before he and Katherine walked over to their room. The guilt in Damon's body starting to sink in as he blurred into his room and took a shower.
Stefan knew his brother was beating himself up over everything that was going on, he knew Damon like the back of his hand. Katherine had just finished giving him a beat down and all Stefan did was watch. Sure, in theory, Damon deserved a hell of a lot more than what Katherine did but just watching it made him shiver. He walked up his stairs and called out Katherine's name, and heard the water running. He walked into his room and seen heard Katherine in the shower so he turned the corner and began talking. Knowing that she could hear him with her vampire hearing.
"Babe?" He called out. She turned around and raised her eyebrows in a way that asked 'yeah?'
"I think that we should cut Damon some slack, he's obviously going through a rough time as it is. It's not every day that you find out that you left a daughter behind while you were kidnapped," Stefan began to reason with her. Though taking it cautiously because Katherine had quite the temper.
"Are you kidding? That jerk deserves more than when he's got. Let him wallow in his sorrows and guilt. Let him feel what Elena's been feeling for 4 years. He deserves all of it," she narrowed her eyes at him. Stefan sighed as he washed his face and put on his shirt for bed.
"Yeah, but, don't you think we're being a little rough on him? Sure Elena's been miserable but she had Ava to make up for it and Damon was out there to save their lives. Without that we wouldn't be here where we are today. Together. I'd still be a brooding mess and you'd still be a ruthless and dangerous person," Stefan said as Katherine turned off the water and cocked her hair to the side, her jaw slack and her head shaking side to side.
"What?" Stefan raised his arms up to show his confusion.
"You just called me a ruthless and dangerous person," Katherine huffed.
"You were, can you blame me? You were dangerous and a psychotic woman too," Stefan chuckled.
"I still am, just don't be so blunt about it. It can hurt a woman's feelings you know," Katherine smirked as she reached out and put a towel around herself.
"It's okay, makes up for great make up sex later," Stefan smirked and kissed Katherine was such passion and desire. She smirked and kissed him back just as passionately, loving the whole 'Sexy Stefan' and 'Blunt Stefan' rolled into one.
Elena groaned as her eyes fluttered open. She was taking in her surroundings and noticed she was in her basement apartment. She looked around and noticed an arm wrapped around her mid section. She chuckled as she remembered where she was and why she was here. Elena got up and walked over to the door, turning it slightly and walking out. Leaving a peacefully sleeping Kol and Ava in the room. She looked at the clock on the wall and noticed it was 7:47 am. She knew she had work today so she ascended the stairs and walked into the kitchen to make breakfast for the three of them. Remembering how Kol 'demanded' breakfast, French toast to be exact.
She pulled out the ingredients and began making breakfast. Not long after, she had a plate of French toast set on the island table. She put two pieces on Ava's plate and four on Kol's. Kol usually eats a lot, so she put twice of what Ava would eat. Elena put the rest of the French toast, which consisted of two pieces, on her own plate. She pulled maple syrup, cinnamon, powdered sugar, and fruits from the refrigerator and placed them on the counter. Elena poured some cinnamon, powdered sugar, and maple syrup on all of the pieces of toast before cutting up fruits for Ava and Kol. Such as, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries. She put a couple of blueberries on her own French toast and poured them all glasses of milk. When she was done, she did a basic clean up before calling Kol and Ava to the table.
She went downstairs and woke up Kol who groaned in protest and put his head under a pillow, muttering for her to go away.
"Fine, then you won't get any breakfast. No French toast for you," Elena smirked and woke up Ava. Ava smiled and wrapped her arms around her mother.
"Morning Momma," Ava said tiredly.
"Good morning to you too, Baby. C'mon, breakfast is ready on the table," Elena smiled as Ava's face brightened, she ran towards the door and dashed up the stairs. Kol, sensing Ava's presence to be gone, took the pillow off his face and looked at Elena.
"Breakfast?" Kol smirked sleepily.
"Yeah, you told me you wanted French toa-" Elena said before Kol cut her off by blurring up the stairs. She laughed and shook her head as she walked up the stairs to join them. They ate and joked around during breakfast before Elena checked the time. It was 8:45 am and Elena jumped.
"Kol, can you do me a favour? I have to go to work today, I have to manage the Café today and I gotta be there by 11. Can you clean up and watch Ava while I get ready please?" Elena pleaded while putting her plate and cup in the dish washer.
"Yeah sure, go get ready. Do you want me to babysit her today? I can bring her by the Café at lunch?" Kol suggested to her while Elena was half way up the stairs.
"That would be great, thank you!" She exclaimed as Kol shook his head and began loading the dishwasher with all the dishes they used during breakfast. He got Ava to help him clean up downstairs as Elena was getting ready upstairs.
Elena finished showering and began walking out of the shower wrapped in her towel and slippers. She dried herself off before wrapping her hair in a towel and sauntered into her closet and pulled out her clothes for work and set them on her bed. She walked into the bathroom and began blow drying her hair until not a strand of hair felt damp, then pulled out her flat iron and curling iron. She straightened her hair to make it silky smooth and ran a sweet smelling cream through it with her hands, making it shiny. She pulled her hair into a professional looking pony tail and curled the pieces of hair hanging down out of the pony tail. She applied light makeup; a creamy brown Smokey eye look, foundation, blush, and a nice shade of red coloured lipstick. On her bed were her clothes and shoes on the floor. She put on her see through black stockings, a short black pencil skirt, a small and thin red belt that looped through the skirt, a thin red turtle neck sweater that was tucked into the skirt, black leather boots with heels an inch or two off the ground, and a black leather trench coat on top.
Elena walked down the stairs to find Kol and Ava having a friendly argument about what to have for dinner. Elena chuckled as she walked over to her daughter and gave her a big hug and kiss.
"I'll see you at lunch time, mommy will make you something at the cafe. I'll make you grilled cheese and fries or something, okay baby? Be good for Kol and I'll see you soon," Elena said as Ava nodded.
"You got it momma, and don't worry, I'm always nice to Kol. I love you mommy, see you soon," Ava said and gave Elena a big kiss on the lips.
"I love you too sweetheart. Kol, you remember how to drive, right?" Elena said with caution as Kol let out a guttural laugh.
"I'm not that dumb, you taught me a while ago. I've been driving since you taught me. Don't worry, everything will be fine. It's 10:30 right now so you better get going, I'll bring her by after we get ready and we'll be there for lunch around 12," Kol said as Elena smirked. She walked over to the counter and picked up her keys before examining them. She made sure that she had the house keys garage door key, the car key, and the multiple cafe keys. Elena smiled at Kol and Ava and kissed Kol's cheek.
"Bye guys, I love you. See you soon," Elena said before stepping out into the January air and into her car. Considering the fact that they live in Mystic Falls, they don't receive much snow like most other places. The drive way was huge, bigger than the one at the Salvatore Boarding House. Elena's car was parked inside of her creamy coloured garage doors because it was winter. She owned a black 2012 Porsche Cayenne SUV with leather seats. Elena unlocked the doors, got into the car, and drove off to her Café.
Elena parked her car in the parking lot she grabbed her purse from the backseat and her pulled out her phone to check the time, it was 10:58. It's not as if she has anyone to report to if she's late, considering it's her Café and she owns it, but she doesn't like breaking promises to her workers. She locked her doors and set forth to the Café. Just as she entered the door, Lucy, an employee, came walking towards her.
"Girl, you look stunning," Lucy smiled as Elena blushed.
"Thank you. The jacket is new," Elena responded. She took pride in her Café because the Café was something Elena felt she had complete control over and something she could have complete authority over. She made the Café look like home. It was a medium sized lot within a large amount of stores beside it and it was the coziest Café anyone's seen around town. The entrance was beautiful. There was a glass door with white italic cursive painted onto the door saying "Elena's," and it was even better inside. After opening the door there is an open path to the front counter, tables to your left and tables to your right. There were booths against the walls and many open glass windows. Bar stools lay at the front counter and further to the right of that counter was a register. The place was beautifully lit by the outdoor lights during the day and extraordinarily beautifully lit during the evening. There were pots lights in the ceiling all around and stringing lights on the ceiling as well. The wall colour was a relaxing caramel colour and the floor was made of soft and smooth white oak.
Elena insisted that it was made of fake white oak because she didn't want her original friends to feel uncomfortable in her Café, she wanted everyone to feel welcome.
There were beautiful black and white pictures on the walls and wall stickers of black trees emerging from the walls and a flock of birds that were painted to look as if they were trying to fly peacefully to the window. There were lone tables with just one chair for people who just want to come here to do their work and have a coffee by themselves as well.
Elena walked over to the back and put her coat and purse in her office before locking up. There was plenty of people at the cafe today as always and plenty of charming employees working. Klaus and Caroline were having lunch here as well, waiting for Elena she assumed. Elena walked over to the couple and Klaus's face lit up.
"Elena, love. We've been waiting for you," Klaus said warmly as Elena smiled brightly and tied her apron around her waist.
"Elena, Oh my God. We have something to tell you, I'm not sure how you're going to take it," Caroline spoke quietly. This peaked Elena's interest so she scooted over beside Klaus and listened intently.
"Okay, I was talking to Stefan and Katherine this morning. You're never going to believe who's in town as of last night," Caroline screeched.
"Damon, I know. Strolled through my house yesterday, prick," Elena scoffed.
"What happened? What'd he say?" Caroline encouraged Elena to continue.
She began thinking back to last night. The arrogant attitude, the disrespect towards Ava and Kol, the punch, the distorted room, the accusations that Elena was just kidding around about Ava being Damon's daughter. While Elena began thinking back she remembered that Damon was supposed to be at Elena's house by 11 sharp.
As if on purpose, Elena's cell began vibrating in her pocket. She picked up the phone and stared the iPhone right in the screen. The number still makes her heartbeat as fast as a cheetah running, Damon. She decided to let it go to voicemail.
"Who was that?" Klaus raised his eyebrow.
"Damon," Elena sighed, "I'll call or see you guys later, I really need to get back to work. I need to help serve people and then I have work to do in my office and then I have Kol and Ava coming over for lunch."
"We understand, we're going to stick around for a while actually. We have a feeling something's going to go down," Caroline replied. Elena gave her a suspicious look but because she needed to get back to work she decided not to push it.
Elena walked over to Lucy and offered to take her place as she took over the register, Lucy agreed to Elena's proposal and took over to man the register. She started serving people and taking their orders, talking to them about irrelevant and non important things like the weather and how wonderful Elena's cakes were when the bell rang at the door. Someone had opened the door to the Café. Elena didn't bother looking because it wasn't unusual for people to walk through the door at this time an it wasn't 12 yet so it couldn't be Kol and Ava.
Elena began to take over the register while Lucy was on her break. She was giving change to a customer when a man with black fit jeans, a grey tee, and a black leather jacket came and sat at the bar stool at the counter beside the register.
"Why haven't you been answering my phone calls?" the man had asked Elena.
"I'm working Damon, I don't have time to answer your phone calls while I'm at work," Elena groaned.
"I told you I was going to be at your house by 11 sharp. You didn't think to tell me that you would be here and not there at 11? I had to find out that you work here from Stefan and I had to drive my ass all the way over here," Damon glared at her.
" Yes, I work here. I have to obviously provide for my family somehow," Elena glared back. Giving change to a customer who was paying at the front.
"That was a low blow, Elena," Damon's eyes narrowed at her before he glanced around the Café.
"You went to college to be a waitress at a Café, really?" Damon's eyebrow raised.
"No, I went to university to be the owner of a Café. It's mine, it's my business. Not that your mind could understand, you probably didn't see the sign on the door or on the roof. The big, 'Elena's', on it?" Elena rolled her eyes and gave a smile to Mrs. Flowers who had just asked for a piece of pecan pie. She took out a slice and gave it to her as a grin came onto her face.
"I want to talk about Ava," Damon blurted.
"What do you want to talk about?" Elena's eyes narrowed to Damon's.
"I was talking to Katherine, after getting my ass kicked, and she told me about Ava's abilities. Her speed, and strength," Damon spoke quietly.
"Damon, what you have to understand is that I'm not an expert on vamp-doppelganger babies. I don't know what she is except for my baby. I'm happy with just that," Elena sighed.
"Happy without me?" Damon asked, eyebrows furrowed and mouth slightly ajar. Elena's breath was caught in her throat, tears welled in her eyes as she shook her head and sighed. Lucy was coming back to the register so Elena walked into her office and wiped her tears. She wouldn't cry in front of Damon, she just wouldn't. She grabbed a tissue from the box of tissues on the desk and began dabbing her face of the tears as Damon walked through the door. Damon gave her a sympathetic look and reached out to hug her. She was so weak that she gave into the hug. He embraced her with such love and longing as she returned it with the same affections.
"I'm sorry Elena, I really am. I don't know how to act anymore. I haven't seen us have this much angst between us since you and Stefan were together. I'm not expecting you to welcome me home with open arms but I want that more than anything. I'm no expert to babies either. I spent so long hating kids, I just don't know how to act around them. You're not the only one who's scared," Damon confessed.
"It wasn't easy for me either you know, I'm still scared. I'm sure you'll be great with Ava, you'll just need to warm up to her and her to you," Elena said. She looked up at him with doe eyes that he hasn't seen glisten since he saw her those many years ago. He smirked down at her and leaned closer, just inches away from her rosy red lips.
"God I've missed you," Elena spoke breathlessly and pulled him in for a kiss. Their lips almost touching when Damon heard footsteps and backed away. She looked rejected and appalled that he would just back away from her when she was about to kiss him. He shot her a sympathetic look before hiding in her coat closet with a smirk hidden on his face.
"Elena, your daughter is here," Lucy said after she opened the door with a gigantic smile on her face.
"Thanks Lulu. Can you tell Kol that I'll be out in just a sec? I just have to file something and I'll be right with them," Elena explained, fixing her desk as Lucy gave her a smirk.
"I will, say hi to Damon for me," Lucy chuckled as she shut the door. Just then, Damon came out of the closet. No pun intended. And smiled at Elena.
"Witchy works for you?" Damon asked.
"Yeah, she asked me for a job because she ran into trouble with money down south and had no education," Elena explained as she filed her paper work and stood up beside Damon.
"Ava and Kol are out there. Now could be a good time to get to know her," Elena smiled softly.
"I don't think so, Kol is there. I don't want to bond with my daughter when Kol is right there watching me," Damon inwardly growled.
"Be nice. Kol has done a lot for Ava and I. And as of right now he lives in my basement apartment," Elena warned him as she walked out of her office and into the Café. She noticed that Klaus and Caroline were making their way out of the Café. Klaus saying goodbye to his brother and Ava as Caroline hugged them both and said her goodbyes as well. Ava saw Elena and beamed herself out of Kol's arms and onto the floor, running towards Elena. She chuckled as she picked up her daughter. Ava nestled her head on Elena's shoulder as her arms joined around her neck. Ava looked up and saw Damon's face. She smiled greatly and waved at him. But a few seconds later her smile dropped and she shut her eyes quickly, shivering in Elena's arms. This alarmed Elena so she quickly brought her to the back where Elena's office is and sat her down on the desk, her eyes still sealed shut.
"What's the matter, baby? Are you okay?" Elena asked with her worrisome voice. Her hands grabbing Ava's arms, neck, and face. Ava's eyes sprung open and she looked down at the floor.
"He said I was his daughter," Ava shuddered, "What does he mean by that?" Ava's innocent eyes bore into Elena's. Just then Damon and Kol walked in, Damon's face frozen.
"Way to be discrete Damon!" Elena hissed. Damon's eyes fell upon Elena's.
"What on earth are you talking about? I didn't do anything," Damon said.
"You said I was your daughter," Ava said to Damon. Damon's eyebrows furrowed and he stared into her eyes.
"I didn't say a word to you," he said.
"Yes you did, I heard you. You said 'my daughter, she looks exactly like me,' you said I was your daughter," Ava clarified. Damon's eyes widened and he blurred right in front of her kneeling down to her level.
"Try it again," Damon said. Elena and Kol's eyes stared at each other before turning their confusion to Ava and Damon.
"What the hell is going on Damon?" Elena demanded an answer.
"What did I say?" Damon asked Ava. She smiled at him and blushed, picking at the ends of her sleeves.
"You said I'm the most beautiful baby girl in the world and that my eyes are like looking into a reflection of your own," Ava smiled timidly. Damon's face broke out into a smile as he just began admiring her beauty. She was his little girl after all.
"Damon, answer me!" Elena squealed, completely oblivious to what was going on.
"Ava can read people's minds," Damon stated. Ava looked at Damon and opened her arms wide for Damon to accept. He grinned and picked her up, hugging her along the way.
"What are you talking about? She can read minds?" Kol's eyebrows furrowed.
"She read my mind," Damon smiled.
"Are you my daddy? For real?" Ava smiled timidly before clasping her hands together and looking him dead in the eye. Elena began crying and she smiled.
"Yeah baby, he is," Elena said carefully not to cause Ava any trauma. Ironically she linked her arms around his neck and hugged him sweetly. He returned the hug and kissed her head. A tear falling out of his eye. She backed away from him and smiled at his face.
"Hi Princess," Damon grinned as she wiped his tear off his face with her tiny thumb.
"Hi Daddy," Ava smiled and gave him a kiss on his cheek before looking at her mom who had tear stained cheeks.
"Why you crying Momma? You should be happy! Happy happy happy! Daddy's home!" Ava squealed as Damon gave Ava to Elena.
"These aren't sad tears they're happy tears. I'm so happy Daddy is home," Elena rested her head on Ava's shoulder and began to stop crying. They hadn't realized that Kol had left part way through their family time, and because of it she was grateful. Elena quickly wiped her tears and made sure her eyes were not puffy and red before settling Ava on her hip.
"Momma, I'm hungry," Ava sighed and rested her head on Elena's shoulder. Elena smiled and kissed her forehead.
"I'll get Abby to make you something. Maybe she'll make you grilled cheese and French fries!" Elena squealed as Ava chanted 'yay' three times. Damon couldn't help but smile at his family. What's better than coming home to this? What else could he ever ask for? They began walking out of the office and into the Café together, Ava sat down on the bar stool by the counter with Damon on her other side. Elena ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and fries for Ava as Abby made it top priority that Ava has her meal before anyone else. Not long after Elena was working at the register and Ava was eating lunch, Damon just giving his family loving looks.
"Hey Elena, I'm going out tonight. Don't wait up too late, okay?" Kol said after emerging from the restroom. Elena looked at him suspiciously before smirking.
"Why are you staying out so late?" Elena asked. Ava turned around out of Damon's lap and looked at Kol with her innocent smile as she stuck a couple of fries into her mouth.
"Yeah Kol, why are you going to stay out late?" Ava smirked with her mouth full as Kol smirked back and stuck out his tongue. Elena gave him a stern look that told him not to teach or encourage Ava to stick out her tongue because it was impolite.
"Ava Marie Salvatore what did I tell you about talking with your mouth full. Mind your manners young lady, especially in public," Elena scolded as Ava pouted and shrunk closer into Damon's lap and murmured a small apology and continued eating. Damon eyed Elena as she raised her eyebrows questioningly.
"Are you always this strict about manners?" Damon said in a hushed voice as Elena's eyes narrowed on his. She scowled before answering his question.
"Yes Damon, I am very strict on manners. I don't want people to talk about how she is not properly mannered and criticize her upbringing because of it. I will not have my daughter, or actually, our daughter, being impolite and rude. She's got enough of you as it is, let her just be a well mannered young lady," Elena's eyes narrowed on Damon's silently pleading that he respect her wishes and pursue her wish that Ava constantly be reminded of her manners to learn them for when she grows up. He threw his hands up in surrender and smile when she loosed up. Damon looked around and saw that Kol went outside to his car.
"What time does your shift finish?" Damon asked.
"It finishes whenever I want it to finish. I was going to go to my office and do some property taxes and sort out the financial things after 1 and then leave around 3. I can get Abby to close up for me tonight though, why do you ask?" Elena responded while smiling politely at the elderly lady paying for her meal. Elena gave the woman her change and thanked her, sauntering out the door and on her way before Damon responded.
"I just wanted to know because I wanted to know if you wanted to go over some stuff. Like living arrangements or visiting hours or whatever it is you want to do," Damon said in a hushed voice because he didn't want Ava to question them.
"What's a living arrangement, Daddy?" Ava asked sweetly.
"It's where two adults figure out what their plan is going to be when or if they live together, sweetheart," Damon replied as Ava smiled.
"Mommy, is Daddy going to live with us now that he's home?" Ava asked her mom, her eyes twinkling as she stared into her mothers' eyes.
"I don't know, baby. Daddy and I have to talk about this later," Elena said giving Damon a stern look. She pulled out her cell phone and told Kol he was on babysitting duty until Elena was done work and not even 8 seconds later Kol had Ava in his arms.
"Say bye to Mommy and Daddy, Ava," Kol smiled and walked towards to the exit door of the Café with Ava wrapped in his strong and muscular arms.
"Bye Mommy, bye Daddy!" Ava waved before blowing her mom a kiss and laying her head tiredly on Kol's shoulder. It was close to her naptime so Ava had grown quite tired. Damon smiled at his daughter and looked behind him, Elena was walking to the back to her office.
"Damon, we can discuss living arrangements tomorrow or something, right now I just want to talk to you," Elena sighed as she shut the door when Damon walked in. He looked at her and gave her an expectant look to encourage her to continue and that she did.
"I love you, but right now, I just need time. Spend time with Ava whenever you'd like, but us, you and me, I need a few days to figure it out," she said before giving Damon a hug. He hugged her back and nodded.
"Take all the time you need, baby. I'm not going anywhere," he assured her. Just then, Isobel walked through the door like a mad woman. Damon took a protective stance in front of Elena and Isobel just growled at him.
"Now is NOT the time Damon. I have news," Isobel warned and gave Elena a quick look with mixed uneasy emotions. Elena sprang forward and asked her what it was.
"I'm not sure you're going to like this, and I'm not sure how you're going to take it," she rambled as Damon gave her a warning look and told her to spill the news before he got impatient. Isobel gulped and looked her daughter in the eyes, mentally embracing her.
"It's about Ava."
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