Best Friend
Pt14 - Mason
R-M Adult situations
Please Excuse Errors and Enjoy, btw I do not own these characters.
Eighteen months ago
"Ginny this gym is intimidating. I've been coming here with you for a month and I notice now that all athletes work out here."
"Well, you're a physical therapist. It's cool, you work at the college, and you get to work with people who have been in car accidents, but... imagine taking on a client with seven figure annual earnings, or an up and comer. It'll be so good for your resume. Clients will line up for you."
"I don't care about having famous clients. I just want to help people, who need help. I like to help regular people."
"I know Bon, but regular people's salaries won't pay for that amazing condo you've had your eye on downtown." Ginny said, easing her sense of high profile living into Bonnie's ear. "The one with the jacuzzi tub and the twenty-four hour surveillance, double-sided walk in closet. Oh, and remember-"
"Gin, I know. It was beautiful. But I shouldn't live in a high rise, with a baby. When he starts crawling around and wanting to go play outside, I won't have a yard."
"I will say, he won't be playing outside until he's like four or five. So, right now a place that has a twenty-four hour surveillance, guards around the clock, and maid service is perfect for a single mom." Bonnie looked at Ginny and huffed. She drank from her water bottle and walked back to the equipment.
"Okay. I'm done on the treadmill. I need to go do some squats. Come spot me?"
"No can do, I have to head out for a date."
"With the basketball player?"
"Yup." Ginny said smiling. "He's picking me up in two hours, and it takes time to get this body perfectly shaved and ready?"
"Don't have sex with him, Ginny." Bonnie said, giving her the look.
"It's not in the plan. We are going miniature golfing and to the movies."
"Basketball player code for Netflix and chill."
"Let's hope not, I'm so over that. But I mean, a girl has needs too." Ginny stuck her tongue out teasing. "Speaking of which, maybe you should-"
"Don't finish that sentence. I have a four-month-old and that's where my main focus is. Which is why he being in the next room, I can peek in that window and see him. So, let me get my squats in so I can get him home. I'm lactating, and I can feel he's due for a feeding in about thirty minutes."
Ginny spots her agent walking up and decides to introduce him and Bonnie. "Oh, hey... Lockwood, this is my best friend Bonnie. Bonnie, this is my slimy agent... haha, just kidding. This is Mason. He has gotten so many clients, signed and soon to be signed athletes. He's one of the best out there." She says in a talking him up sort of way.
"Ginny, seriously? I'm Mason. I've met you before, right? Ginny's birthday?"
"Oh yeah." Bonnie smiled. "The nice guy who told me I had great calves and quads."
"Gosh, such an asshole thing of me to do. Speak on physique in a party atmosphere. Sorry, you must think I'm a douche bag."
"No. I, just thought it was a cheesy pick up line."
"It must've worked. We danced."
"I may or may not have been coherent." She laughed. He reaches for her hand and shook it. It felt very flirty, Bonnie wanted to ignore it because she thought she was reading into his sparkling green eyes as they peeked at her until she smiled.
"There it is. I was wondering how many seconds it would take to make you smile." He said.
"Did you think I smiled because of you. I smiled because Ginny is standing behind you telling me to grin." She said laughing.
He turned to Ginny, and looked at her, "Really?"
"She's a liar. You fell for it. Hey, I have to leave, but, Bonnie was about to do squats, and she needs a spotter. You're such a pro. Maybe you should help her out." Bonnie rolled her eyes and shook her head smiling at Ginny as if she was unamused.
"Well, if she's up for it, I'm good for a squat spot. Come here, Bonnie." He pulled her to him. He prepped her and explained to her for about three minutes before he changed the weights on the bar. "You ready?"
"Just so you know, I know how to squat, I just needed a spotter." She smiles. Ginny was long gone, and Mason was not in any particular rush.
"Well, do it then. Impress me. I'm not easily impressed."
Bonnie did a squat, after rolling her eyes, and she did about five before she stopped. Every time she went down he went down with her. When she stopped he stood there staring at her. "Well?"
"You did it all wrong?"
"What. Pft. I'm a physical therapist. I help people every day."
"I'm not just an agent, I'm a trainer. Your feet should be facing slightly out. You keep your toes to the front. It can make you tip forward."
"My feet weren't forward. I know how to do a squat."
"Stand there... do it again."
"What?"
"Do it again!" He demanded, and she felt weird, but did it again. She proceeded to squat, and he stood behind her and as she squared, he tapped her back slightly and made her tip a little forward. "See. You can really hurt yourself." He pulled he weights from her hands. "Why don't you let me train you a little. I can make you a better physical therapist in six months. You'll get high profile-clients in no time." Bonnie rolled her eyes.
"What's it with LA people? I don't want high profile anything. I just want to help people. I have a son, and he's my priority. So, I don't need a job that's gonna require more from me than I'm willing to give. High profile clients are gonna be too demanding. And I don't want that kind of life. I want to help people, and develop relationships with my clients where they trust me. I'm not cut out for the high-profile thing."
"Going to."
"Excuse me?"
"You said 'gonna' and I think you meant going to." She rolled her eyes.
"I meant, it's time for me to go now. So, I'm 'gonna' leave." She walked away.
"Hey, you have a son?"
"Yes. And I need to pick him up from child care, so I can feed him soon."
"Oh, he's here?" He asked.
"Yes. But, I should go, before he gets fussy. He's a baby, and I still have a ten minute drive home."
"Well, umm, listen. I'm not an asshole. I just, have a very type A personality. I think we got off on the wrong foot. Why don't we meet here again? And I'll show you some things, I'm sure you don't know. Give you an edge on your competition."
"I said I'm not interested in-"
"This is LA. if you're not high profile, your nobody. What can it hurt for me to show you a thing or two? Help your career. Your husband will thank me."
"Husband?"
"That ring on your neck? I'm assuming you do that when you work out, to keep from pinching the skin of your finger?"
"I'm not married."
"Well, your fiancé, or boyfriend?"
"Listen, I'll let you help me, but stop trying to hit on me. It's not helping your case." He laughed at her as she smiled cynically. "What's your qualifications anyways?"
"A former collegian ball player, and I was in the NFL for ten years. I decided to become an agent after an injury. I'm healthy enough to go back, but I don't want to."
"Why?"
"Ehh. Booze, parties, women, groupies... it all got old. I'm older now, and I'm ready settle down. This job is a little calmer, and great money."
"First of all, I'm no idiot. I know agents get into just as heavy partying as players. So, don't try to get over on me. But... as for professional tips. I'm okay with that. I'll meet you here again on Thursday. Around the same time, except a couple of hours earlier." Bonnie walked away, and went to check her son out of the gym nursery. When he saw that she had a small baby with her, he followed her out of the exit.
"Hey, its dark out. You shouldn't be walking to your car alone."
"I'm a big girl."
"I bet you say that a lot."
"I used to. Not anymore." She got her son and herself into the car and pulled out.
Three months later
"Bonnie, you're doing it all wrong." He said smacking her arm. "Tighten up. Bonnie focus."
"Mason, I'm doing it exactly the way you told me."
"No, you're not. Come on. If you want to be the best, you must be better than everyone else. I want you to start running. Outside of the gym. I want you to drop ten lbs. Every morning I want you to run three miles... Everyday!"
"Mase, come on, I don't have a sitter. I need to keep my workouts for the gym. There is a nursery there, and I trust the woman who watches my son."
"You have to learn to stop babying him."
"He's a baby."
"I don't mean like that. I mean, he's seven months old now. You must allow him to get used to other people. Or he's going to become very selective. He's at an age, where he's learning to accept other people, and it won't derail him, as he gets older."
"No. Mason! If you don't like it, you can back off. I don't need you training me anymore." She said walking towards the exit of his condo. "And we don't have to work out in your condo anymore. I can just take a break from all of this." Bonnie grabbed her bag, and her son was asleep on Mason's couch. She was about to put him in his car seat.
"Wait, wait. Come back. Babe, I'm sorry. Listen," he pulled her back by her waist and wrapped his arms around her. "I just want to make you the best version of yourself. You are better than the next person. If you don't believe it, how are you going to be successful? I'm going to help get you there babe. I can do it, if you let me. How often will a man come around that wants to help you focus on your career. Most men are selfish in that way. So, I'll tell you what. I'll come by your place, every morning, after my am session. Then I'll just watch Dylan at your place, while you run."
"Mase, that's a lot to ask. I don't need you to-" he turned her around and smiled.
"I'm all about your success. I'm here to make you better. You left home to be successful, right? You came here to achieve, success. I'm going to make you the best."
"I just want you to understand that, my son is my obligation." He smiled and kissed her.
"Our obligation. What's important to you is important to me. So, since you're a single mother, let me come and help you with him. Besides, I should really be getting to know him, since I don't plan on going anywhere, anytime soon. I have a feeling, Dylan and I are going to be very, very close." Bonnie didn't know how to feel about his words. She just, smiled and hugged him. His arms wrapped around her and she frowned into his chest, feeling utter guilt.
Four months ago
"Babe, I've got great news for you."
"What?" She said unpacking her groceries to make hers, Dylan's and Masons dinner.
"I have an opportunity to go to Europe, next Summer. Some pros leaving for overseas opportunities. More money, for us. This could mean, I'm working towards international signing."
"Don't you already do International with the kids who come here for baseball?"
"That's different. They get their green cards, and citizenships expedited. I would actually be traveling, working internationally this way, and it's going to make me blow up. I'll be able to start my own agency." He smiled, taking out the sparkling water.
"So, what's that 'spose to mean for us?"
"Supposed. Not 'Spose."
"What?" She asked angrily as he corrected her.
"Stop saying words that don't make sense. How will people take you seriously using incorrect words that sound like 'spose, or gonna. Come on babe, break those bad habits, you know better. You're educated, act like it."
After rolling her eyes, she kissed him. "Stop being so... on one. Can we literally take a couple steps back today and just relax? I'm making your favorite. Veggie chilli, and roasted cauliflower." Bonnie finally grew to love cooking, but once she met Mason, she had to start cooking healthier, because he was a health nut.
"Where's Dylan?"
"Asleep. Can you lay him in his crib, please?"
"When is, his crib going in his own room?"
"Mase. One thing at a time. I just found out about Europe. Can we not talk about Dylan's independence right now? He's one."
"I'm sorry. I just die for moments alone with you. I spend every morning with Dylan. Then I go to work, then, when I come home, you go to work. Today we get to eat dinner together. Before I head out." He said kissing her neck.
"Going where?"
"New clients. They want to hit up the Viper room. They are from out of state. They asked to see Hollywood."
"There's an awful lot that happens at the Viper room." She said tilting her head. The reputation for the Viper Room preceded it.
"But, I'm good. You know that. I'm a good guy, just trying to sign a client."
"Whatever. You're gone every night. When I get home, you're leaving. It's weird. Why did we move in together?"
"Because we love each other. I love you and you love me. Together we are living grand and Dylan wants for nothing. He has everything he can possibly need. You, me, and everything in between. I love him, like he's my own." He wrapped his arms lovingly around her. He kissed her with a fever inside of him. "I'm so proud of you."
"Why?"
"You've managed to get him walking. I wish I would've seen his first steps, I hate that I'm always gone. You also found some way to get him to eat Kale. I love it."
"It's called a smoothie. He hates your food."
"Not true. He loves to eat what I eat."
"Keep telling yourself that." He walks her back to their bedroom. Slowly he removes her shirt, and starts kissing her neck. He turns her body around to where her back is facing him and pushes her hair forward, and begins working the back of her neck, massaging her with one hand. His burly arm wraps around her and the other starts taking her clothes off. With a similar fever, she starts pulling down his pants as he stands behind her. Her panties are gone, and he's bending her over the bed. "Oh, I can't believe he's asleep right now." She said worried.
"I know. I've been dying to get my hands on you for a week already." He turns her over and lifts her up.
"Standing? Really?"
"Yeah babe. It's good cardio." He lifted her and entered her body slowly.
"Oh my... You feel so good. How long has it been, a week? Mmmm, gosh." She bit her lip feeling him inside of her.
"Yeah. I can't wait to marry you. I can't wait to call you my wife, and make you Mrs. Bonnie Lockwood. Your almost mine. One more year."
"Mason, shut up."
"Say it." He demanded.
"No. stop talking."
"Bonnie Lockwood, say it so I can feel like the luckiest man."
He thrusted into her in the standing position. His burly strong body liked to get rough. He bounced her body up and down on him. "Bonnie Lockwood." His hands cupped her back cheeks, and she moaned wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Damn babe. Your squats are paying off. Your ass feels amazing."
"Mason, shut up. Just fuck me."
He liked to get rough. He was different from Kol. Kol was sensual. He was different from Damon who was passionate and intense. Damon and Bonnie connected sexually in a way she didn't connect with another man, they fought for dominance which Damon usually won, but it was always to benefit him and Bonnie.
Mason, was rough. He was stronger than he realized. He didn't always make her cum. He made up with his mouth where he may have rushed with his body. But he manhandled her and he loved to do wild positions she had never done before, because he was such a physical man. His sexual appetite was heavy and they usually always had sex after or during a workout, while Dylan was asleep.
He slammed her back into the wall and thrusted like he needed the release.
He did, until they both hit their peaks. Afterwards, she got dressed, and he showered. "Babe, I'm going to jump in the shower. So, I can be ready to head out after dinner. Okay?"
"Yeah, sure." She said. She woke up Dylan to put him in his high chair so she could have company while she cooked. They were in the kitchen alone for about forty minutes until Mason came from the bathroom. Freshly showered and partially dressed. "Here baby boy. Eat some Cheerios. Momma's almost finished."
Mason noticed Bonnie looking melancholy. "I can stay home if you want." He said with a slight bit of disdain.
"No, hunny. It's business I get it. I mean I get sick of going to bed alone at night, but, I've learned to get used to it."
"It's for us, okay? I do this for us."
"Please don't say that. I've heard that too much. There's no such thing. It's business, and money is money. So, I'm fine."
"Okay." He said. "Hey little guy, can I feed you today? Please?" He asked the temperamental child. "Where's his food babe?"
"He has carrots and some macaroni and cheese in his bowl over there."
"This is high in cholesterol. You need to stop feeding him this. Why can't he eat what we're eating?"
"He doesn't have enough teeth to chew cauliflower, and the veggie chili is spicy. He's fine, Mason. He likes macaroni. I also cooked some carrots. He likes cooked carrots. His juice has kale and spinach in it. So, can we chill hunny?"
"Sure. Your ass is lookin' good. I've been bragging about it. Those legs... I feel like I've created a workout beast with you. But you should really focus on that running again. Ever since you stopped running everyday I'm noticing your-"
"Mase, babe. No workout talk. Let's just eat and talk about anything else, before you leave."
"Okay. How about the adoption. Dylan is going to be my step-son. We are getting married next year. We should try getting his name changed. It would make sense. You don't talk to his father. I'm all he knows. Let's make it official. I just want to call him 'my' son. People, will wonder why he has a different last name than us."
"Mason, I told you I'm thinking about it. I need to talk to my momma."
"Mother."
"My mother, will want to know, and I want to ask her for her advise."
"But ultimately, its up to you."
"I know hunny." Her phone buzzes and she checks it.
"Damn, you're so beautiful. Please tell me that damn Kol, isn't still trying to reach out?"
"No. he and I haven't spoken much since you and I moved in together." Bonnie was not in the mood to eat anymore. She needed to get her mind off of things. She grabbed her phone and texted the one person who always made her forget about the men in her life, and happened to just get her, even if she didn't know all of Bonnie's truths, the way they connected, was the best friendship Bonnie has had since her and Damon were just friends.
Bon: Gin. If you're not busy wanna Netflix and chill with me and your Godson?
Ginny replied within a couple of seconds.
Gin: Duh. Be there at 9 with red box and pizza :)
Bon: Perfect, I'll bake cookies. The fattening kind.
Gin: Girl's night then?
Bon: Yes.
Gin: Yay ;)
Present Day
Thanks to her surprisingly supportive ex-husband, she'd used his truck to drive to her current fiances hotel room and explain why she'd lied to him for almost two years. To try and earn forgiveness. Thanks to Damon, Bonnie could plead her case to Mason, and Damon putting himself out there for her, allowed her to see, how he'd grown up over the years. Despite the recent week of ups and downs, he, chose her happiness over his own.
Bonnie stood in front of Mason's hotel room, she'd just spent thirty minutes driving and remembering their relationship. She stared at the wood, waiting to knock on the door. She had braced herself for the hurt that was about to take place. She didn't want to hurt him but she knew it was going to hurt him. She knew he wouldn't let her walk away from this, without understanding what it did to him. She knew, he wouldn't be like Damon. Mason, came into her life, an older man, who was established, and expecting nothing less of her. He groomed her into the perfect physical therapist. He got her high-profile clients. He also, helped her to be what he told her was the best version of herself. He got her in great shape, and held her accountable for staying on track with her goals in LA. Opposite of Damon. Damon expected Bonnie to BE perfect. Mason helped Bonnie to BECOME what he thought was perfect.
She slowly, and hesitantly she knocked on the door.
(Knock knock)
He opened the door and before inviting her in, he looked at her guilt-ridden face. "Hey."
"Hey." She spoke back softly.
"Come in." She walks in and he wastes no time. "How could you do this to me today?"
She turned to him with tears in her eyes. "Mason, I'm sorry. I didn't want to have you find out that way today, but it happened, and I had to diffuse the situation. Before it exploded."
"By exploded, you mean you getting caught in a lie?"
"Exactly." She grabbed his hand and he was reluctant to let her. "Mason, I came home to help my mother. Damon, wasn't supposed to be here. He, was visiting, and we ran into each other. I still hadn't planned to tell him about Dimitri Dylan, but I had some guilt behind it. He had no idea about him. When I told him he was angry. But after avoiding me a few days, we decided he should know his son. It was best for him and Dimitri."
"Dylan." He corrected her.
"Yes, Dylan. And when it was all said and done, we decided that we needed to be friends for them to have a relationship. So the plan is for him to spend as much time with him before we head back to LA." She continued holding Mason's hand and crying.
"So, what did he say about the adoption?"
"Mase... I can't do that to him. He's been through a lot, over the years and that would break his heart. He wants to be apart of Dimitri's life, and I want that for them both." At that point Mason yanked his hand out of Bonnie's and rubbed them through his hair from front to back and stood up pacing the hotel room.
"You can't do that to him? Him? After everything we've been through together? I asked if we could try for a baby, you said... three years. Is it because you love him still?"
"No, it's because, my body should be in perfect health, I can't risk miscarrying. Okay. I just want my body to be perfect. In health and physicality." So Mason helped Bonnie to perfect her body. Even if Mason did it for looks, Bonnie didn't do it for looks, but she wanted to really be the epitome of health, because she had no idea why she had two miscarriages before Dylan. But she hated the thought of losing another child.
"And me? I did that for you. I made you perfect. I did that. It was me, who trained you and got you in top physical conditioning. And look at you. I can tell you've put on some weight since you've been here."
"Mase, seriously?"
"I'm looking at your face. Turn around."
"Mason?"
"Turn around!" She turned. "Look, all of that hard work, and you allow yourself to just let go, because you came back home. Home is like a trigger of comfort for you. Contentment. Babe. I've been working hard on your body for over a year. Are you even running?" He asked sarcastically.
"I run, every morning."
"What about my boy? Is he eating right, or do you have him eating junk?"
"Mason, this isn't important right now. What's important is the fact that I need you and Damon to be able to get along for my son's sake. He's innocent in all of this. Don't be angry at Damon, this is all my fault." He shook his head at her.
"I honestly can't stand you right now. I'm disgusted that you've lied to me for two years."
"I didn't lie, I just didn't tell you that his father didn't know about him. I said nothing. Which is what I've done wrong. Because you assumed, he wanted nothing to do with him. I've omitted important information, and for that, I owe you an apology. I owe you a lot."
"Bonnie don't get too technical with me. You are a liar, point. Blank. Period." She tried reaching for him and he pulled away. "I need to be alone tonight. Seriously, you've got to go. I have a lot to think about."
"Mason... please, let me stay a little while and be there for you. I know I'm the last per-"
"GO BONNIE!" She jumped when he yelled "Please!"
She nodded her head as her tears fell. "Okay. I'm sorry, Mason, I'm so sorry."
"Bonnie leave, please." She slowly drifted out of the room and down the hallway. She drifted all the way to the truck and got in driving back to get her son. When she reached her car, she saw her cell phone, which she'd left inside. She had several missed calls. When she checked the phone, she'd had voicemails from Mike and Damon that Sybil took off and was nowhere to be found. She called Damon to see what was going on.
"I just don't need this shit right now." Bonnie said to herself as she dialed Damon's number.
"Hey, Doodle. What's wrong?... when was that? Okay, but... yes. Wow. So Mike has no idea where she is?... Okay, but why would she leave?... Okay. I think the best thing for me to do is come get Dylan and bring you your truck. No, it's okay. Seriously. You need to go find her. She probably feels neglected, and regardless if I don't like her, all of this is my fault. It was thrown on everyone out of nowhere. So, I'm coming for my son and I think you need to go look for her. Sure. No, yes. I'm fine. Everything's fine. Really. Yup. Okay, see you soon."
Bonnie hung up her phone and put it in her cup holder. She didn't cry. She lost a part of Mason today. She saw the look in his eyes, and remembered how she felt the first-time Damon lied to her about joining the Army. She felt Mason's pain, and knowing she caused it, changed something inside of her. She drove in the quiet, listening to her guilt, and her pain, and just swallowing it. She didn't hide it or compensate. She accepted it.
...
She pulled up to the Salvatore household and Damon was sitting on the porch waiting for her. He walked up to her helping her out of the truck, and hugging her.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine. Where's Dylan? I should get to my momma's house so you can go find crazy pants." She walked towards his parent's house, and he pulled her back.
"What's goin' on?"
"Nothing. I've made a huge mistake and I just need to fix it. So, you should go look for Sybil. I'm sorry for havin' your truck." Damon could tell that something changed in Bonnie today. He felt something different.
"We can talk about it tomorrow? If you want Bird..."
"Yeah, maybe..."
..x..
Bonnie was up early making breakfast with her mother. Nik was reading a newspaper, and Dylan was watching Baby Einstein in the living room while he played inside of a gated area.
"Bonnie, why don't you invite Damon, Mike and that woman over for breakfast, have Mason over. Give everyone a chance to get to know each other."
"No. I'll tell Mike to let Damon know. But not Mason. He isn't too happy with me. Neither is Damon. So I'm almost positive he's going to be dealing with Sybil. I'm sure Mike would love an excuse to get out though." Just then she heard Ginny walking down the stairs. "Gin, you 'bout ready for that run?" Bonnie called out as Ginny walked down the stairs with her pajamas on.
"Run? It's 7:30... I usually don't run til around noon."
"I asked you last night. It's fine I can go alone. I made breakfast."
"Bon, why are you...? Ginny looked at Bonnie like she was the energizer bunny. This was familiar to Ginny. She was watching a different side of her best friend. She was watching the woman she recognizes in LA. Bonnie seemed to turn off her comfortable self and turn back on the on the go, all work version of herself she was back in LA. "Bon? Why don't you sit and eat with us?"
"I can't. I've put on some weight, and I need to run. I've been eating poorly and it's reflected in my body. I feel the difference." Abby and Ginny looked at each other.
"No, you haven't, Baby. You look exactly the same, as whence you came."
"Momma, you would say that, because you don't know any better." She started making everyone's plate. As she piled potatoes and bacon and eggs on plates, she poured her smoothie into a glass, and drank about four sips. Then put it in the fridge.
"You ain't gone finish that, baby?"
"When I come back. I can't cramp up. Just needed a little boost before the run."
"What's in it?" Abby asked. Ginny answered for Bonnie.
"Spinach, kale, lime juice, alfalfa, broccoli, wheatgrass, green apples and banana." Abby's face turned up. "It's the suicide smoothie. She trying to cut weight." Bonnie looked at Ginny and shrugged her shoulders.
"Why? You are perfect." Abby said.
"I'm not trying to cut weight, I'm trying to tighten up."
"You get anymore tight, you gone pop." Abby said laughing. "What not funny? At least Ginny laughed."
"Bonnie, darling. You're in top physical conditioning. I mean I ran with you last week and I felt like my legs were going to fall off." Nik said.
"Well, I just don't want to slow down. I've been eating terribly and, it's best I try not to get too comfortable."
As Bonnie walked out of the house adjusting her headphones, Ginny spoke to Abby. "Ms. Abby, can I confide in you a minute?"
"Of course, Gin. Come on in the living room so I can change Dylan's diaper."
Ginny followed Abby and squatted on the floor as Abby sat on the couch changing Dylan. "I've come to know and love Bonnie, as is. She's a little uptight, but for the most part she and I connect. But, she has become this different person in Mystic Falls that I'm not used to. Not in a bad way. She's really, so much more... down to earth and all around easy. Not that I don't love her in LA, but I know now, that's not entirely her. Now that I've been here and seen her in her element."
"Well, Bonnie likes to hide from problems. She's not big on conflict, so when things get tough she runs, literally and figuratively. I wish I could say I didn't play part in that, but I did."
"She's got to slow down. She moves so much in LA, she never sits long enough to think about things. I just found out about her baby girl being a still born. I just found out about Dylan's father. To be honest, up until we got here, I didn't think Bonnie felt pain."
"Really? She's such an emotional creature. She just... keeps it all in. She holds it in, until she can't." Abby wiped poopy bottom, and Dylan laughed. "Nana's stinky man." She laughed. "Well Ginny, between us girls, she's got a lot of anger inside. I think she's angry at herself right now. A lot can be directed at me also. I do know that she values you, and your opinion. A lot."
"So, should I confront her?"
"I think, that if your concerned, or feeling like you need her to be truthful, you should definitely pull her to the side and talk to her."
"Okay. Thanks Ms. Abby." She looked at the happy clean baby. "I'll take him now." She smiled grabbing her God son and putting him in his high chair and feeding him as she ate. She looked outside and saw Sarah, driving up to the Salvatore's place again. She walked straight back to Stefan's house, and there was no telling if she went in, because the views were scurried by a gigantic tree. Ginny didn't think too hard about it. She didn't want to become attached to Stefan. Even if she liked him, her career wouldn't let her make any commitments to anyone. When she worked at the B.I. last night, they had a friendly conversation about everything, and they came to a friendly understanding, that it was best for them to be friends.
Just then Damon's truck pulled up to the Bennett house. Mike got out alone, and walked to the front door.
..x..
...An hour ago...
Damon sat up in his bed watching Sybil. When they found her she was at the B.I. drinking. Stefan wasn't working, Matt and Zack were. Damon received a call that she'd been there drinking and flirting with every man she could get attention from. He had Mike drive him to get her. The last time she was drunk, she made him crash.
"Why did you feel the need to do that again? Run off so I can chase you?"
"Damon, I'm sick of you and your denial. That woman, she had that baby to trap you. She did it, to take you from me."
"This ain't about her. This is about you and me." He stood up from the bed and walked to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. She lay there, staring at his ceiling. She waited for him to come back in, and he took his time. Mike passed him in the hallway, and asked to borrow his truck.
"Buddy, Bonnie texted and said she made plenty of breakfast at Abby's house. She said we were all welcome for breakfast. Y'all wanna go?"
"No." Sybil said loud enough to make it awkward. Mike laughed.
"Well, do you mind if I borrow the truck?"
"No brother, go ahead." Damon grabbed a towel from the linen closet and dried his face. He was wearing jeans and nothing else. He hadn't slept at night. Which was nothing new for him. His sleep apnea and insomnia were taking a toll on him.
Mike whispered. "Want me to bring you somethin' back?"
"Yup." Damon said with a straight face. Mike walked out and left Damon and Sybil alone to talk. "Sy, what is it, about this, can't you handle? We are not together. We are feelin' things out. You are makin' it damn near impossible to like you right now."
"She left you. She went to LA and left you."
"She went to school, and we were technically taking some time apart."
"But, I give you everything. I'm even willing to give you a baby. Don't you want that? A family, and a wife? Because that's what I'm willing to be for you." She sat up and didn't bother shielding her body from him. "We make love every night."
It was more like sex, and Damon was usually drinking. Not that she wasn't attractive, because she was. But she made it hard to want her the way he used to with all of her antics. And at this point he cared for her, to the point, he feared she'd do something stupid if he left her. "Sy, I try with you. But you are so damn worried about Bird. Why?"
"Stupid question, stupid."
"And that! Stop callin' me shit like that. I'on't like it. You call me stupid, bum, and everything in between. It don't make me sad, but I mean, it's disrespectful." He said. "One point, we got along well. You and I."
"Until you cheated on me with her." She started to cry.
"And I felt terrible, and I proposed to you. Because I thought we could make each other happy. But then, you started actin' crazy. Gettin' belligerent in public, drinkin' like a fish, flirtin' with other men in front of me. The worst part is when we are sittin' at home and you just start, tryin' to act like her. You just got to a point where you really, got destructive and careless." He sat in front of her and looked at her with sincere eyes.
"You know, this problem you have, that makes you a head case in the car, I deal with it. Your nightmares, and your sudden breakdowns, I deal with it. Why can't you deal with me?"
"I don't ask for this. Is that what you think? I want to be a fuckin' head case? I don't ask for it. But you... you ask for problems when you create them. We can be fine one minute, and the next you're startin' an argument to get attention. Sometimes I just need a break, and you don't give me space. Or air. You don't let me breath. How can I build with you, if you can't just let me be sometimes? You want every single minute of my time. You ain't even my wife, but I support your entire lifestyle. I pay for your apartment. I pay your utilities. I buy your clothes. Hell you ain't my girlfriend either. Not no more. I do everything for you, to make up for the fact that- that..."
"That you don't love me."
"That's not true. I have love for you, but, no... I'm not in love with you. In you're devilish little way, you have managed to push every wrong button you possibly can with me. You know I have sleep issues, and you'll leave late at night, like last night so I can go lookin' for you. That is what happened the night of the crash. I hadn't slept in days, yet you knew I'd come lookin' for you worried."
"So what, you don't sleep, what did you have better to do?" She asked sarcastically. "At least when I take off you put all your energy into finding me."
"But I don't want or need the kind of relationship where we just keep bein' volatile with each other."
"Volatile, we don't hit each other."
"Right, we don't physically hit each other. But we do emotionally. And I love how you're there for me, because I'm there for you. But the second I'm not a hundred percent focused on you, you show your ass. Sy, your thirty-five years old. I take care of you in every aspect of your life. I'm in the military, I don't have that kind of money. You got me dippin' into my savings to fund your life. It stops now. No more. I will pay for another month of you're rent and utilities. This gives you an opportunity to get a job and take over. I'm emotionally and physically drained with you. It's not healthy for me or you."
"I'll make you love me. Watch, I can show you exactly what you need." She started to pull him to the bed and ravage him.
"No, Sy. Stop it. Stop. Damnit!" She kept pulling at him, to be sexual. "Sy! Stop it. I'm attracted to you yes. You are beautiful woman. You are beautiful on the outside, but the inside is ugly. It takes more than sex now, Sy."
He walked away from her and to the cabinet in his second bedroom where he had a safe. He locked himself in the second bedroom, and opened the blinds in a dark room. He unlocked his safe, and pulled out some sketches. He hadn't looked at his old sketches in a while, and no one knew he was drawing again. He looked at a rough sketch of Bonnie when she was about five months pregnant. He looked at her body as she lay in their bed asleep. She was naked and laying on her left side. Her right hand holding her belly, the other arm sprawled out and resting underneath the left side of her face. A sheet covered her lower half, and the pictures showed her breast, her belly, and her resting face. Her hair was curly and she was so tired her mouth was ajar. He could tell she had been snoring, because of the way he drew her. The sketch was black and white, and the most beautiful memory of her and Baylee.
He looked at countless sketches. Sketches of Bonnie. His muse. Sketches of what he imagined Baylee to look like. He imagined her having brown hair like Bonnie. And green eyes. He imagined that when she smiled it would be slightly crooked like her mother's, but that she'd have the intensity in her face of him. So he drew the lines at the top of her nose bridge. He also imagined her cheeks would be so puffy, she'd look like she was chewing with her mouth closed. He had so many rough sketches of what Baylee would look like in his eyes. Bonnie thought he didn't think about Baylee. She didn't think he realized how much of a loss it was, but he did. Every time he looked at the pictures he broke down. His world. Bonnie, Baylee, and now Dimitri. He took a look at his most recent sketch. His photographic memory of his son and Bonnie laughing at the park the day they played the tickle game. Dimitri's wild black hair, and deep blue-grey eyes. Not as bright blue as Damon's, but blue enough to know where they came from. Damon still doodled. He still did the one thing he was passionate about, and because of the people he loved, it lit a fire under him to submit his work and he looked at the bottom of all his sketches, they were all signed, Doodle.
He smiled at the pictures of his family. He fell in love again. With all of his art work. His family made him want to be better and do better. It started with Bonnie years ago, making him want to be to be better and do better, now her plus his kids, were all the reason he needed to make some major changes. Ending even his friendship with Sybil forever was one of those things. He had to safely end things with Sybil. But how?
..x..
"Hello, Mike, right?" Ginny asked as she let him in.
"Yeah. Ginny?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, hey Mike. I made you a plate. I wasn't sure if Damon or his friend were coming." Abby said.
"No. they won't be. Thanks. This looks delicious. I used to go to Damon and Bonnie's place for breakfast on Saturday's back in Georgia. I miss sitting with family and having breakfast."
"Right?" Abby said. "It's a lost tradition."
"Especially in LA." Ginny said.
"Where's short stuff?"
"Running. She should be back in about thirty minutes."
"Oh okay. Well, I was lookin' into something everyone could do today. Maybe, we all take Dimitri to the state fair. I hear it's in town a couple more days. The weather is good. I was thinkin' it'd be a good ice breaker, for the current circumstance."
"Ya, know that's a great idea. Nik is headed to work, he should be back around five. I'm sure Stefan and Damon can go a few hours before they go to the B.I."
"Yeah. I'd love to go to the fair. Fair food is the best." Ginny said.
"Yeah, I could go for a deep fried oreo myself." Mike laughed.
"Hey, Mike... how long are you in town for?"
"I'm transitioning. I leave in a week. But I'll be up the freeway at Blacksburg. Which is a little over an hour away. So, I'll be in and out as long as Sal and Bird are here."
"Oh okay. Blacksburg? I'm not familiar."
"Virginia Tech. College town."
"Nice, sounds fun."
"Fun and lonely. Welcome to military life. Where all you do is travel, alone. From place to place. No place is home, because every place is home." She sighed heavily and agreed.
"Sounds like ball life. Athletes and Military have a lot in common in that way. I mean the traveling and feeling alone. Obviously my life is far more glamorized. But you are the real hero. You guys deserve so much more."
"Yeah, well, we don't do what we do for glamour. We do it for pride, respect, and love of country."
"I should really treat you to a drink sometime. I bet we could pick each other's brains about interesting experiences." He was confused, because he remembers Stefan subtle, yet quiet way of letting Mike know he was hanging out with Ginny at the B.I.
"Uhh... sure." He spoke hesitantly.
She picked up his hesitance and retorted, "Or maybe not. Sorry. I just thought, we're both visiting and-"
"I just thought you and Stefan... were...?"
"Oh, we are friends. That's all. I just like having a good time and meeting people. I'm not asking you to marry me Mike." She laughed.
"Naw, I mean... how about I buy you a drink sometime and pick your brain, and then we can trade some interesting stories?"
"You opposed to a woman buying you a drink?"
"Oh hell no. I'm all for equal rights in the drink buying department, so long as you don't take advantage of me." He made her laugh. "I become vulnerable when I drink." He teased.
"Yeah, well... right now, I don't have the strength to take advantage of anything but a deep fried Oreo. So... I guess we should be getting ready for the fair. I'll text Bon, and you text Damon."
"Sounds like a plan." They smiled at each other.
..x..
Mid-run, Bonnie's phone rang. She was entering the park, so she stopped to answer it.
"Mase, hey. Umm, you okay?... Good. I'm glad. I am. Right now as we speak, I'm running. Yes. No I haven't eaten. I have a smoothly waiting for me at my momma's house. No, I meant to say momma. I don't call her mom or mother. I never have. Whatever. I'm not particularly hungry... No. Mason, I'm... I'm utterly apologetic for all of this. I can't begin to-... at a park. Yes. I won't be able to finish my run if you come pick me up. Sure. Your style cardio, my not be what I need this morning. Although, I do miss you and want to see you. No, I'm not turning you away. I promise. I just, maybe we should talk about everything. I'm in trouble for running from my problems. We can't cover up what's happened, and ignore it. What? Mase? Sure I'll text you the directions."
Bonnie hung up and texted him directions to her. She waited about ten minutes. He sped to her. She was stretching when he pulled up in the parking lot. "Get in." He said pulling up in his rental. A cherry red corvette. She huffed at his choice in car. He was too flashy sometimes, and Mystic Falls wasn't a flashy place. So that red corvette was going to stick out like an eye sore.
"Really?"
"What?"
"This is a small town Mason. You couldn't have got a regular car? This car will have the whole town staring and wondering."
"So, you embarrassed of me? We have money baby. We work hard. We like nice things. This is me. Why is this always such a problem for you? I've always been this man, and you always have something to say."
"That's not true Mason. I just- money doesn't matter to me. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"I guess for every grand I dropped on your engagement ring. So, in other words, you can say it a lot and it won't change who I am." He put the car in gear and high tailed it out of the parking lot. And with all his talk, he hadn't known she hadn't been wearing her engagement ring, both days he saw her.
"Please slow down. This is a small town."
"Sorry baby. I'm not used to this. I'm from California. I drive like I'm from California. I'm sorry. I'll slow down." He said as she held her seat with one hand and covered her face with the other, shielding her face from the town to save herself the embarrassment.
"Thank you."
"Are you embarrassed of me babe?"
"No." she sat quietly until they got to the hotel, downtown. When they got there, he valet parked and grabbed her by her hand walking her, into his hotel in her scantily clad body. She had on her running shorts, and sports bra.
"Come on, let's go to my room. For an hour, and I'll take you back to your moms."
"You're not going to stay at my momma's house?"
"No, babe. I think it's best if I stay here. But I want to see Dylan. So, when I take you home can I have some time with him?"
"Of course,. Let's talk about this. I know your angry, and-" he interrupted her as he pulled her into his room. He shut her up by covering her mouth with his. She pulled away. "Mason, we need to talk. If this goes unresolved it's going to blow up in our faces. Trust me. I've been through this before, blocking out problems. I don't want to do it anymore."
"I'm not interested in talking. I haven't felt your body in over two weeks." Her sports bra was gone and he was removing his shirt. "Take your shorts off." She took her shorts off, hesitantly.
"Mason?"
"What? Bonnie! I don't want to talk. You fucked up and if I keep thinking about it, I'll take that ring back."
"If you feel you need to do that, then do it, but talk to me. I can't fix it unless we talk. I messed up. Be angry, please. Say something... yell. Please don't block this. This is important, and we need to address what I've done." He pulled her into a kiss then started pulling his pants off and looked her in the eyes.
"We are going to Europe in few weeks. We will be there for the summer with our son, Dylan. Then we are coming home and getting married in the Fall. We are getting the condo of your dreams, and then I'm buying us matching Range Rovers. One white and one Black. I'm starting my business, and then we are going to extend our family, and you're going to mother the rest of our children. I'm going to give you the perfect life. The life where you never have to worry about anything, because I am going to take care of you. Everything you want will be at your disposal. We aren't derailing our plans because you fucked up. Get on the bed."
"Mason?"
"The perfect life Bonnie." He reiterated with a straight face.
"For who, me, or you?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes."
"Bonnie, this is what we've always talked about. You're going be the perfect wife. I'm going to be the perfect husband. I'm going to give you and Dylan everything."
"What about... Happiness?"
"You are happy." He told her she was happy, leaning into her face. He didn't ask her if she was happy. His lips connected to hers and she looked at him. Her feelings for Damon had her questioning everything she had built with Mason. For the first time, she wasn't sure if Mason was what she wanted. As he kissed her mouth, and her neck and worked his way down her body, she felt like she was betraying Damon. "I'm going to finish working you out. Forget the run today." He said.
Mason entered her body, with his own. He didn't look at her, she didn't look at him. It was detached. As he tried to ignore their problems she felt how much he was angry at her. She felt how much he wouldn't talk about it, but he would just continue to deal with his emotions through sexual connection. Bonnie wanted to be anywhere but where she was right now. After coming home, and making love to her ex-husband, things were different between her and Mason. She didn't like his touch the way she normally accepted it. This time, she felt completely detached, and she had to figure out how to get Damon out of her head. His face, his words was trailing every move she was making where Mason was concerned.
Finally, it was finished. It was kind of quick, she almost didn't realize it was happening. But when Mason was mad, he was a selfish lover. He did what he had to do, until he was finished, not worrying if he took care of Bonnie or not.
She didn't care today. She wanted to get up and shower, and get the hell out of there. When she got up to shower, Mason noticed her distance. He realized he had been selfish. He pulled her body back to him and held her. "Let's, just forget about this one mistake." He said. "As long as you don't have feelings for that guy, I can move past this. I love you, and I won't share you with him. I'm ready to go see my boy today. I've missed him."
He got up and kissed her forehead. She smiled dimly and before she realized, she cheated on Mason with Damon.
Excerpt Pt:15
"I miss bein' a teenager with you. So just bite this cookie, and tell me you don't love it." She opened her mouth slowly, and let him put the cookie in her mouth. He took his time and his eyes stayed on her mouth as she wrapped it around the cookie, and her eyes stayed on his eyes, as his eyes watched her lips. She bit down slowly and licked her lips, getting any remaining crumbs. Except the corner of her mouth, where he used his thumb to wipe, and then suck his finger.
Mason is who he is by default. He's been this way since before Bonnie. He's goal driven and he is older than Bonnie by more than ten years. So, he almost has this dominant mentality, and because he's so into making her succeed, she loves the fact that he cares about her career. Because no one has ever put that time into her success before He's not a bad guy, but he's not what she's used to. So, with Damon, he sees where he may have messed up, because Masons differences are both good and bad. And for the first time in Damon's life, he's observing Bonnie as an independent woman. He's learning to really respect her. He ended things with Sybil because he can't fully prepare himself for change if she's still in the picture. He is learning how to respect Bonnie's choices, since he realizes he took them from her years ago. The next chapter is more bamon and bawson. Hope you guys like the bawson.