Best Friend
Part 16 - Before Goodbye
R-M
Thank you all for your support. Please enjoy this chapter ;)
Mason, was gone. He'd been gone for five days. Sybil too, was gone. The past five days, Bonnie and Damon spent every day together. She and Dimitri slept over at his condo. Every night, the three of them went to bed together. Except the fifth night. The fifth night, Damon put Baylee's crib together. Bonnie smiled, with watery eyes. "I can't believe you kept it."
"Why wouldn't I, baby girl? It was our daughter's." He walked over to his second bedroom. "Come'ere I wanna show you somethin' for a second." He pulled her to the second bedroom. He opened the closet, and everything of hers he'd ever bought her was hanging up. The robe, the different workout gear for every duty station he'd ever visited, or lived at. The souvenirs from ever place he'd been that he'd bought for her.
"Wow, I can't believe, you... bought me somethin' from every place. My daddy used to do this."
"I know. I thought about you every time I went somewhere new. Oh, birdie would love this, or that, or whatever. The Robe was my favorite."
"I've only seen pictures of it. Sybil told me you threw it away." She held it in her hands. The silk felt beautiful against her skin.
"Hell naw. I never threw away, shit. What do you think kept me goin' all this time? Yours and Baylee's stuff. It reminded me that I had a family. No matter how small, we were, we were a family, and she was part of it." He looked around the cluttered room. "I mean, I never really kept the stuff together. Just stayed with me. As you can see this room is a mess. I don't know how to decorate. Besides. This condo is temporary."
"Really Doodle? I thought you were back in MF?"
"I am. But I told you baby girl, I was buyin' a house here."
"Have you found a house?"
"No. maybe you could help me with ideas, seein' as though you and my son will be commin' 'round occasionally to visit me. Right?"
"Yeah, but Sybil is better to help you, if you plan on settlin' with her." She looked at him, questionably.
"Naw. She and I... we ain't right for each other. I mean, she means well. She and I didn't purposely hurt you. We just connected because our divorces. Maybe we leaned on each other in the wrong way, I don't know. But it was toxic. So, I sent her home with enough money for another month. Since I was payin' all her bills. But we ain't... I mean, we can't."
"I get it."
"Remember when we were younger, you wanted a house on the lake?"
"Yeah, I said I was gone make my husband buy me boat, so I could go fishin' in my back yard. Then I was gone teach my kids how to swim. And ride bikes, and give them an endless back yard."
"Right? A yard with a..."
"Flower garden. Tulips. And sunflowers. Weird combination."
"You always liked tulips and sunflowers."
"Remember you planted me that tulip garden, so that you could give me tulips for prom?"
"Yeah. I had Stefan keep it up for years. But now they only grow every spring."
"Really? They still grow?"
"Every color." He was such a romantic sometimes. It started with his eyes then moved to his actions. Not all of them. Just the subtle ones, where he took queues from her deepest desires. Like her favorite flowers, or the robe from Korea. Bonnie likes romantic gestures. Ever since she was younger. Small, subtle, romantic gestures.
"What's in that safe over there? Your stash of millions." She giggled.
"Nah. What I got in that safe is far more, precious, and priceless than any amount of money."
"Really? I'd like to see, if you trust me." She smiled, and he held her soft gaze.
He thought about what he held in that safe, and wasn't sure she could handle it mentally. Her mind in terms of their daughter was fragile. So fragile, that Bonnie, never extended on conversation about her. Ever. Whether it was him, or her mother who spoke of her. Bonnie didn't like speaking about the deceased. Whether it was Baylee, Sheila, or her father.
...
"Damon letting us use his truck is pretty nice. I don't know people like this. Not in my neck of the woods."
"This is the south. A small town at that. People know each other. Besides. I've shot at the enemy for Damon, you think he won't let me use his truck?" Mike laughed.
"So, I thought my date was going to be in Blacksburg?"
"I didn't want to waste time driving there, knowing the wedding is tomorrow. This is the best way to maximize my time with you."
Ginny twirled her loose curls in her finger. "So, we are sharing ice cream?"
"Yeah, why not? It's my date. You owe me. I wanted to share ice cream and take a stroll around the town."
"You sure are a cheap date Mike." She said, as she watched him eat the ice cream. He handed it to her, and his spoon. "No. I don't think so."
"Ginny, you've had my germs in your mouth when we shared that water bottle last week."
"Mike, listen, I make a bad habit with men. I'm not... wanting to make a habit of keeping bad habits as a part of my repertoire."
"You know, you make me laugh, right. All I want to do is share an ice cream. Not get in your panties. Full of yourself much?" He smiled, taking off his baseball cap.
"Oh, my God. Put it back on." She laughed.
"What?"
"Do you comb your hair?"
"Okay, okay. In my defense, I was helping get things set up for the wedding reception. I showered and washed my hair, but I did not condition it. It just so happens, if I don't condition my hair, it doesn't get that luxurious look it normally has. The texture is a little stiffer, and-"
"Wow. Okay. You get a pass. But my date... no. You need your hair done, no cap."
"Why do I get the feeling you are about to be an expensive date?" He laughed, grabbing a small spoonful of ice scream and feeding her without her paying attention. She opened her mouth as he casually spoke to her. "Listen, I'll take you wherever you want, but... you have to wear, something that shows off your legs."
"What?"
"And toes."
"Really? Why you have a toe fetish?"
"No, but I like pretty feet."
"Fine." He spoon fed her again.
"You haven't noticed we've been sharing a spoon?"
She grinned, "The key to me, is just doing. Not asking or reminding. Just taking the initiative. If you're respectable."
"That's all I needed to hear. He sat the bowl of ice cream down and moved towards her on the little bench they sat on. He lifted her chin to his face and whispered to her. "I enjoy spending time with you." Then he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Not once, but twice, and the second one lingered a few seconds. She giggled into his beard.
"What's so funny? My beard?"
"No." she licked her lips. "You kidding me. Every man thinks they can have a beard these days. It's just... I taste the pistachio on your mouth, and it caught me off guard."
He rubbed his beard with his hand. Smiling, but confused about the beard comment. "So, I know you must've liked the flavor of my kiss. But, you aren't impressed by my beard. You said every man 'tries' to grow a beard."
"Well, yeah they try. Especially ball players. But just because they try doesn't mean they succeed. Your beard is pretty full. For a two-weeker. Most men need a couple months to get some of that stubble."
"Stubble, huh? Wow." He laughed. "The problem is I can only grow a beard for about two weeks at best. When I sign back in, this is as good as gone, and my face is baby bottom smooth again."
"I'd like to see you, in a uniform, with a smooth face."
"Maybe you will. One day. If you visit me in Blacksburg."
"Maybe I will... but not before you feed me more ice cream." He lifted the spoon to her mouth, and slowly filtered it in between her teeth, until her lips encased the spoon. He watched her eat the ice cream. From her lips, to her eyes, he was pretty taken by her.
"You know, you got everybody fooled as this, man-eater type. But the truth is... you're just a nervous little girl when it comes to men."
"I'm not a little girl."
"That's not what I mean. You have tomboy syndrome. You can hang with the boys. You try to keep up with the boys. But when it comes down to it, you just get scared. That's why you want me to just make a move without asking, because if left up to you, you won't make a move."
She looked away and shook her head.
"And, so..."
"Well, it's okay, to say what you do or don't want. Any man worth half of your time, will respect what you want." She bit her lip and smiled. "Plus the way you bite your lip, lets me know, I'd give you whatever you wanted." He broke the monotony of the conversation by laughing, which made her laugh. "Which, by the way, means, you can take your time with me. No need to rush, anything." She smiled, feeling a pull at her heart strings.
"In that case, Mike Lawson... let's go for that walk now. I'd really like that." She grabbed his hand gently and stood up before him, pulling his bigger and heavier body up to hers. He stood over her, and hugged her letting his chin tap the top of her head.
...
Damon took his time to answer her. "I don't know if you can handle what I got in this safe." She walked to him and stood before him, smiling. "Whatchu think you're doin' bird? You can't intimidate me."
"I'm not trying to. I'm just, trying to figure out your safe code."
"By what, lookin' in my eyes?" He smiled.
"It's always worked before Sinatra. We've always known each other's codes. Until recently. You don't know my phone lock code."
"Ah ha." He lifted his finger, I didn't two weeks ago. When I didn't realize I had a son. But now I know I have a son. I'm willing to bet it's his birthday."
She tilted her head lowering her eyebrows. "You sure 'bout that?"
"Wait, wait... okay... it ain't?" He asked confused. "You told me that mornin' that for the first time, your code ain't had shit to do with us, so I'm guessing it was Dimitri."
"I may have been partially right. My phone lock code, is 0911?" He looked confused.
"Zero, nine, one, one? Strange, I thought you hated September Eleventh."
"No doodle. September eleventh, at that point, was the last time we made love, and the day Dimitri was conceived, the wee hours of the night, after my gram's funeral. She was buried the tenth, but it happened around 2 am the following morning." Damon was shocked. The woman with whom he'd thought hated every thing that lead to a memory of him, really just held onto what she could. He looked at her stunned.
"You remember the date, and time. Really?"
"Really. Why do you seemed so surprised?"
"I'on't know. Just thought you hated me."
"Come on doodle. I could never hate you. I just wanted to see who I was without you. Because I was losin' who I was in our marriage, and in my depression."
"I get it now baby girl. I get why you left." He looked at her sincerely. "But just so you know, September eleventh is no longer the last time we made love. I made love to you twelve nights ago."
"I know." She grinned to herself.
"It probably won't be the last time either."
She looked at him and didn't say anything. She didn't even disagree.
He grabbed her hand into his own kissing the delicate skin of her knuckles. "Well, if you must know... my safe code, and the code to my ATM card, is 0506."
"Zero, five, zero, six?" Significance?"
"Five-six, or five-June. Military date reference. I took your virginity on June fifth. Your prom night." She blushed remembering.
"Crazy. Both of our codes is technically a sexual reference. We are dirty." She blushed dropping her head. He leaned into her.
"Like minds." He smiled. He noticed her blushing. Young Bonnie shining through. "I ain't seen you blush in ages. Why are you blushin' in front of lil ole me?"
"Like you don't know. Doodle, stop it."
"Naw, what is it?"
"You're the only man to ever make me blush. The only one. I've been with three men, and exchanged numbers with several, and none but you can make me feel like a sixteen-year-old again."
"Maybe that ain't such a good thing."
"It ain't a bad thing. Now, let me see what's in the safe."
"Okay, but I can only allow you to see one item in that safe."
"Why?"
"Because, I can reveal more in time. The most important things in my life are in that safe, and each thing, is a carefully planned out part of my life and my future. I'd hate to jinx anything." He said giving her a boyish grin.
"Okay. I'd hate to jinx things. Let me see something, now I'm entirely too intrigued."
Damon walked up on her and pulled her in for a hug. A friendly hug. "Now, before I show you one of the contents of this safe, you need to do me a favor?"
"What's that?" She looked him in the eyes.
"Say it once for me."
"Doodle, you're crazy?"
"Nah. I'm not crazy. I just, miss it."
"Okay. Please let me see what's in the safe... big daddy." Damon bit his lip, and shook his head.
"That'll never get old, baby girl."
"Tell me 'bout it big daddy."
He looked at her and sighed. "Baby girl... I tell you, you're so lucky I respect your relationship, otherwise..." he pulled her into him, putting his face towards hers so close their lips almost touched. They held each other closely.
"Why am I so lucky, you respect my relationship?" She asked as he lifted one of his hands gently and crawled his fingers up to her neck, and let his hand gently caressing the skin around her clavicle, tickling her gently, watching her giggle. Letting his eyes sift slowly, between her lips and her neck, and his fingers on her neck. She kept giggling, while he tortured her with his hand. His lips made their way over to her ears and softly whispered.
"If I didn't respect you, I'd probably want to do things I would've done some years ago." He allowed his lips to caress her ears, and neck so gently, it made her feel things inside of her. Things only Damon could make her feel.
"I suppose I'm lucky, you respect me."
"Yeah." He smiled, and told her, "Why don't you check on our son, and I will open the safe, and figure which one item, I am willing to show you?"
"Okay. I will." She hustled out of the room to check on Dylan and make sure he was okay. She stripped him of his pajamas, because he was sweating. Gently she dabbed he sweat from his forehead, and made sure he was comfortable. When she walked back into the room, she found Damon holding a large sketch. She walked over to him and looked at him, as he opened the other side of the closet pulling out his easel. He opened it in front of a spot near his window where he had a stool set up. Then he pulled the sketch out and set it up. "Are you drawin' again Doodle?"
"I mean, you didn't give me the nickname Doodle for nothin' really, right?"
Her face lit up. She smiled, and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Then she pulled away. "I'm so happy for you. You were ways so good at it. Can I see this drawing?"
"Yeah, baby girl, go ahead and lift the tissue paper." She was nervous. She gently lifted the tissue paper, and she saw the picture of she and Dylan. A picture of them at the park, the day they met Damon there. The day he met his son. Dylan was on top of Bonnie and they were laughing hysterically. He watched her face as she took it all in.
"Oh... my God. How did you do this? How could you possibly have...?"
"I was inspired. That day I'd seen joy for the first time in a long time. It was so pure and innocent."
"This is beautiful Damon. This is absolutely beautiful. You have really taken a precious moment, and made it something I will never be able to forget." Her hand clasped her lips and she just looked at it. She smiled, and fell in love. "And we actually look happy. I don't remember seeing a picture of me and Dylan laughing. Ever. We have professional pictures, but nothing like this. This is so, real and touching." He pulled her to his lap and she sat with him while they looked at the picture.
"I was plannin' to frame it, and give it to you one day."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I'm speechless. This is the most beautiful gift I've ever gotten from anyone."
"More beautiful than that engagement ring you stopped wearin' a week ago?"
"That ring has nothin' on this picture."
He wrapped his arms around her tighter. "See, Baby girl, the things in this life, that make you happy, ain't endin' in no four or five zeros. Matter-fact... everything you love, and care about is in Mystic Falls right now. As we speak. Ain't nothin' you need or can't live without, not in Mystic Falls right now. Every got damn thing, you will ever need is in this town, tonight, at this hour, on this day."
"Damon, you are telling me, that everything and everyone in LA, shouldn't matter to me?"
"No. I'm saying all that you need, and love is here right now, that includes your best friend Ginny." She lowered her head to the side and looked at her feet next to his feet as they were bare and planted near each other on the floor.
"So, is this all I get to see from in the safe? I have a feeling there are more compelling things inside of there."
"There are, but it's one of those need-to-know basis type things." He said sarcastically. "We have two more nights together. Tonight, and tomorrow. Tomorrow is the wedding. I leave Sunday. You leave a Sunday."
"Yeah, I know." She said sadly. Her eyes watered. "This is horrible timing, right? My lies have caught up with me and now... I'm sitting here, regretful and remorseful. I've made lots of promises and broken lots and I'm just... angry with myself."
"We all make mistakes. I've made 'em, you've made 'em. We are human beings Birdie, my love. You can't keep holdin' things in, because it's gone hit you hard... all at once. Like a ton of brick. And trust me when I say it won't feel good."
She wiped tears, and sniffed. "Tomorrow's the big day. I should get some rest. Momma wanted to be alone tonight. Something about my daddy, and needing closure."
"Well, let's go get our son and cuddle. I'm gone miss it when ya'll leave." He leads her out of the room and turned out the light. Then he walked to his bedroom and started to undress, he had on briefs, and he walked into his dresser grabbing his pajama pants. When he turned around, he noticed she was in the bathroom, after seeing the light on in the hallway underneath the door. He realized the bedroom door to room number two was reopened. So, he shut it again. When she came out of the bathroom, he looked at her, as she donned the beautiful silk robe he got her from Korea, for the first time. She turned the bathroom light out, and hadn't noticed him watching her.
The robe was short, and showed much of her body. He couldn't contain himself. "I'ma... I'ma go ahead and get some cold water, you want anything?"
"No. I'm just, gonna get in bed and get comfortable. I love this robe doodle. Thank you." She turned around in it, showcasing how it fit her.
"Yeah, yeah, it looks beautiful on you." He walked away promptly trying to keep himself calm, and she hopped into bed. He drank some cold water, and slowly walked back into his bedroom feeling nervous. He looked at her and looked at their son's crib. He walked over to the crib to grab Dylan. In his mind, he'd slept with his son on his chest for five nights in a row. It helped him sleep sound. When he leaned down to grab Dimitri, Bonnie looked at him, "Doodle, maybe we should lie alone tonight. He's a little over heated. He doesn't sleep well on the chest when he's too hot."
"Oh, okay." He was disappointed. Not because he didn't want to lay alone with Bonnie, but because he knew having his son on his chest would help to tame his libido, while his wife lay next to him.
"Are you disappointed?"
"Naw. I'm just... you know, layin' skin to skin with him, was very comforting."
"Well, we can lay skin to skin. I'll help you sleep Doodle."
"Awww, Baby girl, you are askin' me to behave layin' next to you. That's gone be hard." He shook his head rubbing his palm over the back of his scalp. Laying next to her and not making a move, would really prove some changes within Damon Salvatore as he never could keep his hands off of her since the first time.
"Come here Staff Sergeant Salvatore." She smiled before turning the light out and guided his body down to the bed. Once he reached for her hands, he climbed over her and moved to the other side of her. She removed her robe, and he felt her body warmth next to him. "Relax. I'm wearing a sports bra and shorts Doddle." She laughed.
"I ain't afraid of you baby girl." He lied. Then he pulled her body all the way into his. "You don't have to sing tonight. Just let me hold you. Like this. This is all I need." His arms wrapped over hers as she held him. And they lay stomach to stomach as he tried sleeping. She felt him inhaling her hair. "I miss smelling your coconut shampoo at night. This smell always makes me feel safe and home." He said quietly. She looked toward his chest in the dark, since that was the part closet to her eyes. She nuzzled into him more, smelling his skin. She always loved his natural scent. They laid that way a few minutes, before Bonnie started to hum against his chest. He was asleep within minutes. They held each other until the morning.
..x..
Bonnie left Damon's early the next morning. She left their son with Damon, and went to help her mother get ready. "Momma, let me finish your make up so I can take your hair out of these rollers." Abby hurried and sat down in her slip. Bonnie had everything laid out in grams' room. The first time she'd been in there really, but it gave her space to get her mother ready.
"You look awfully chipper this mornin' baby. What's gotten into you?"
"What do you mean momma?" Bonnie was in go-mode. "I'm fine."
"I know. The past week you've been very happy. The happiest I've seen you in years."
"I don't know. I suppose being able to watch Damon and Dimitri just... it's been a beautiful week momma. My son and his father in two weeks have become inseparable. I don't know how I'm gone head to LA and put this wedge between them. It breaks my heart."
Abby looked on. "I suppose, there's always visiting each other."
"Right. Oh yeah, Doodle is coming to LA in about three weeks to see him. So, I've been excited to plan that and get him ready for a tour of LA."
"What Doodle in LA? He swore, never." Abby laughed.
"Well, turns out I was wrong about him. Being a father has changed him for the better. I mean momma you should just see him. He plays with our son. He sings to him, and helps put him to sleep. He lets Dimitri sleep with us-"
"Us?"
"I mean, ya know, when I sleep there, we all sleep together."
"You and Doodle, haven't-"
"No. Momma. It's been about our son, and helping Doodle sleep. Also, we drive him around, and I've helped him behind the wheel some. You know his sleep problems and his anxiety behind the wheel have created problems."
Abby shook her head. Knowing and understanding, something deeper was happening and Bonnie didn't realize it. But Abby saw it. "So, when we're you gonna tell him and everybody else about Europe?"
Bonnie's face dropped. "What? How did-"
"Your fiancé seems adamant about making Europe a family thing." Bonnie wanted to avoid the topic, Abby could tell.
"Yea, well, momma, it's not really decided so..."
"Except, Mason has it dead set in his mind, and somethin' tells me when he's made up his mind, he don't give you much of a choice."
"Well, that just ain't true, momma."
"Really? Then why whenever he is around you talk different. Become a robot and act like a step-ford wife?"
"Really momma?"
"I ain't the only one to notice. Everybody sees it baby. I just, I'm your momma. If I don't tell you, how will you know?"
"Well everyone, who apparently sees it, should say somethin' 'stead of talkin' behind my back."
"It ain't like that, stop it."
"No, I'm just the butt of yall's joke? Because I'm trying to keep my family together. Going to Europe means me and Dylan won't be left alone. Like me and you whenever daddy was gone. Can't you see that momma? I don't want to have a long-distance relationship. My son will pay for it. He'll be questioning himself, like I did. And still do."
"If a man makes you or your son question where you are in his life, he's not the man for you."
"Mason puts us first momma."
"Does he?" Abby asked making Bonnie side eye her. "Because when I talk to him there's a whole lotta "me" in his "we" when he speaks. All his thoughts, his dreams, his goals. Even when you are concerned, he seems to put a lot of effort into making you in his image."
"So, a man can't just love me? A man can't just want me to succeed? When I was with Damon, my life was about Damon. Your life was about daddy. Nik has helped you become independent. Supported your need to quit working for him and venture out into your own work. He wants to succeed with you along your side. Mason does that."
Ginny walked into the room at this point. "I'm sorry, just thought to let you all know guests are slowly starting to trickle into the church Mike said. We should maybe head over in a few."
"No need, to be sorry. I'm finishing up. My momma just thought she'd let me know my relationship is a joke, and that Mason doesn't really care about me."
Abby stood up. "Okay. Close that door Ginny." Ginny went to leave, and Abby didn't let her. "No, no, you are her best friend, right? Stay. Now, I never said, he don't care about her or love her. I simply said Mason has an agenda, and he molds her to fit into it. She doesn't see it, because he's older than her. He's damn near a few years off my age. He's a smart man Bonnie, he's making you in his image, and you deserve better."
"Stop it momma!"
"No. I love you Bonnie. Don't do what I did with your daddy. Okay. You want the truth, why I didn't travel around from place to place with your father. He didn't want me too. I'm sorry to tell you this, but your daddy wasn't no saint. He cheated on me. It was easy to keep me at home with you, doing right by you while he sent money home and did what he did. I never intended to tell you this. I don't want you thinkin' differently of him, because, he's your daddy. But it's the truth. I was the image of what he wanted to marry. A preacher's daughter, a good girl, so he could go be a... a... I don't know. The male equivalent to whore."
"A whore." Ginny said.
"What? Momma..." Bonnie almost didn't seem surprised. Certain aspects lead her to question that. But still hearing it made her hurt for her mother.
"I'm sorry I never told you, but it's true. I have letters to prove it. I have pictures of women, and pictures of him with women."
"Why did you stay so long momma?"
"Because, my momma was a preacher. She stayed and my daddy cheated on her. I was honoring my vowels. So, when your daddy died, I was alone all those years. The only man I'd ever been with and loved. Twenty years. Then that's why G and I became so close because he was the first man aside from your daddy I'd ever really... anyway, what G and I had was temporary. Just comfort. We weren't meant to be anything more than that. Then there's Nik. The man who just makes me happy."
"And, what? I don't have that with Mason?"
"Baby, Mason, is the same type of man your father was. Controlling. Wanting an image of a wife. Unrealistically, no matter how much it may hurt her, to benefit himself. You don't see it now. But you will. It took me years. I don't want that for you. I'm not sayin' he's cheatin' or nothin', but he's controlling you, in his own way. Bein' someone's wife ties you to that person forever. Make sure, you choose a man worth bein' tied to." Abby didn't know Bonnie and Damon had gotten married.
"No one is ever gone be good enough for me momma. Not in your eyes."
"Not true. I just think, I was so hell bent on you not being like, me, I became my mother, when it came to you. But baby, I'm telling you search with your heart. Not with your fear. The man that loves you, is the man, that makes you happy. He will want what's best for you, and he will want for you to be happy, and he'll do what it takes to make sure you are happy."
Bonnie looked at Ginny. "So, let me guess, you don't think Mason is for me either?"
"I won't say he's not for you, but where is he today? On this important day?"
"You think I'm not pissed? I am. What can I do? It's his finances we are speaking of."
"Nothing is more important than family." Abby said.
"Bon, don't get mad, but I have no idea about relationships. How they work. You know I screw every relationship up. Hell, I don't even have relationships. I have dates. Before we came to Mystic Falls, I thought you and Mason were... this awesome power couple. In my line of work, I see horrible relationships all the time. Athletes cheating on their wives, or husbands, so you and Mason just seemed right to me. The way you work together. Until we got here and I saw you with Damon, your mother, Stefan, and Mike. I just saw a different side of you. You were easy going, and happy, and relaxed. You smiled, you cried, you yelled. But you were this passionate person suddenly. You are totally different with Mason. I realized, LA you, is different."
"Different like how?"
"Kind of like the energizer bunny. You go and go, and don't sit. And not for nothing. Mason doesn't let you. He always has some new work out for you to do. He always has some, thing to make you this "better version of yourself, but really, he's never satisfied with you as a person. Watching Damon with your son, I've never seen Mason do those things. I mean don't get me wrong, Mason loves Dylan. But every second he's putting a ball in his hand or talking about some expensive preschool. Damon just plays with him. Reads to him, sings to him. Loses himself in the time he is with you and Dylan. It's like what he's meant to do. Mason wants this perfect family and life and that's fine. But I just think you deserve what you want too."
"You were one of those people too Ginny. Who wanted me to have the perfect life for Dylan. The sky rise, the preschool, the rich clients."
"I just... I don't know another way of life, but coming here changed me. A lot. I love you Bon. Enough to tell you that, you should really think about everything, before you make any marriage plans. Go to LA, and see if what you have there, is what you want."
Bonnie finished her mother's makeup and hair. All the women finished up and she hugged and kissed her mother.
"I love you momma. I'm really happy for you and proud of you."
Abby cried. "Proud of me? I ain't done nothin' but make a lot of mistakes and question myself for almost forty-four years."
"No, you raised me. You protected me in any way you could, even if you thought I'd hate you for it. You weren't always right. In fact, when you were wrong, you were wrong. But... You really dealt with me alone most of the time, accept the few years you had grams here. You were practically a single mother. You're human, like me. You're amazing momma. You are. And I love you, more than anything." She reached in and hugged her mother. Squeezed her mother. And they cried a bit. "Don't mess up your make up." She kissed her mother one more time before the ceremony.
..x..
All the guests sat quietly at the church, Ginny and Mike sat next to Damon and Dimitri. Stefan slowly trickled in with Sarah, hand in hand. He and Ginny made friendly eye contact, to where she nodded, he nodded, and it wasn't even uncomfortable. A little awkward to Mike, but nothing he couldn't handle. He put his arm around Ginny, and kissed her temple. Stefan sat on the other side of Damon, and held his nephew, until Lily and G came in, to where Lily scooted Stefan over and sat next to Damon, so she could hold Dimitri.
"That wasn't awkward." Mike whispered to Ginny.
"Good. I'd hate to think, I can't enjoy myself today because of Stefan's and my friendship."
"Oh hell no. I meant, it ain't awkward, for me, but maybe it was for him. Because, I can handle it." He looked at her making her laugh.
"Shut up Mike." She leaned in a kissed his cheek. "By the way, you look really handsome today. With your shiny conditioned hair, and neatly trimmed beard. I must say, if you had a good month, it would be pretty beardy and full."
"Beardy? Stop making up words."
"Says the awkward feeling man."
Damon turned to Ginny, "Say, is Birdie doin' alright? This mornin' she left in a hurry, didn't even wake me up."
"Well, she said you looked peaceful."
"Okay. Everything else okay with her?"
"Well, Mason didn't show up. He really disappointed her."
"Hmm, I forgot about him." He said making Ginny laugh. "You know, she ain't even called to check on our son, and I know, normally, she gets very paranoid."
"Yeah, she's good. I'm guessing she doesn't feel the need to call and check on him, when he's with his father." Ginny smiled and winked.
"Touché Ms. Baker. He's in the best hands with me." He winked back. As the church grew silent, the wedding began. Nik stood at the front of the chapel with the pastor. Abby had no family in the front where Nik's family sat opposite side. Damon looked at his row of people, and got up and moved to the front row with his son. He turned to look at everybody, "We are her family. We are all she has." Then, G, and Stefan stood up as well, and sat next to him. It made sense. For years, it was G and the boys, and Abby, Sheila, and Bonnie. Sarah, and Lily kindly scooted next to Mike and Ginny on the second row as the rest of the town filled the rest of the isles. When the music started, Rebekah walked out with Elijah. Then Bonnie with Kol next as the maid of honor and the best man. Damon rolled his eyes at Bonnie and Kol, jokingly making Bonnie laugh.
As the ceremony preceded, Abby walked down the isle alone. She had no one to give her away. Dylan got overly excited and yelled, "Nana!" Abby smiled, joyfully. As the almost two-year-old jumped down and ran to her. Damon stood up. And ran to grab him and noticed her crying. "You alright, Ms. Abby?" He whispered.
"I just never thought of realized how nerve-wrecking it would be to walk down this isle alone." He looked at her as she stood in the back of the alter alone. This wasn't a typical wedding with a veil or a wedding dress. Abby wore a beautiful pink colored dress, that hung, modestly on her body. She had pink flowers in her hair, and a hair full of curls. It was her second marriage, as she was a widow. She looked like herself, but a dressed-up version. She hated making a fuss of clothes, but today, Bonnie made sure she was nothing short of a goddess. Damon grabbed his son, and looped his arm though his mother-in-law's.
"I ain't nobody special, but you are like a mother to me. If you'll have me, I'll gladly give you away?" He said with the most endearing, face. When Lily walked out on them years ago, Abby was the mother figure who cooked them dinner and made sure they ate for years. While their relationship grew rocky with his missing Baylee's funeral, she loves and respects him, and he loves and respects her.
"Damon Dimitri, if I'm bein' honest, I would love that. I know it's taken some years, but I truly adore you. And I love you like a son, I really do. It would mean the world to me, if you gave me away." She smiled as they walked down the aisle and whispered to him when they made it to the front of the chapel. "Please don't give up on her." She kissed Damon's cheek and he looked at her.
"I never have." He said as he looked over to Bonnie whose eyes were red from crying. She bit her lip and looked at the ceiling to avoid looking at him and getting more emotional.
Abby made it to the front, where Nik almost couldn't wait to make eye contact with her. She almost cried, but she wanted to keep her make up intact.
"You're absolutely stunning, you know that right?" Nik gushed as he took Abby in. When it came time for the pastor to ask who gives her away, both Bonnie and Damon spoke. As the ceremony proceeded, the actions of Bonnie and Damon showed how they'd been taken back to their small ceremonial court room marriage.
...Seven years ago...
Bonnie and Damon stood across from each other gazing hopelessly, and romantically at one another. Two young, unknowing people. They almost didn't hear the official. He kept touching her five-month pregnant belly, and she kept holding back tears. Until one fell and he wiped it. They stood in the small room with grey walls and they had never felt so grown up.
The atmosphere wasn't ideal, but they were being what they thought were, grownups, and in love. Yet, so young and in love. To really know what it meant, wouldn't come for another decade almost, for both of them.
"I Damon, take you Bonnie, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. And hereto, I pledge you my faithfulness."
"I Bonnie, take you Damon, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part. And hereto, I pledge you my faithfulness."
He slipped the simple gold band with a small round cut diamond on to her finger. It was small and inexpensive. It was simple, and she loved it, more than anything. Her hair was filled with loose curls, and she wore a white simple dress. She looked at her hand, and smiled. She put his solid gold band onto his finger and they held hands whispering to each other.
"I love you so much" she cried.
"I love you more than anything."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Damon held her gently with her rounded belly, and wrapped his arms lovingly around her as he gave her, his first kiss as her husband.
...
Bonnie watched Nik and Abby hug and she used her fingers to rub the ring that hung on the necklace around her neck. The gold necklace he bought her for her ring, before she went to visit her mother and grams the first time when she was pregnant. The necklace she never took off, with the very first ring he had ever given her. She was lost in her own thoughts, as he watched her rub her necklace. She didn't realize he was watching her. His eyes watered, watching her, as she was emotional, and soon the ceremony was over. Everyone was at the Bennett household for the reception.
...
G happily danced with Abby during the father daughter dance. He thought it was hilarious seeing them in this moment. "Darlin' you look beautiful and happy and I couldn't be happier for you."
"Thank you, G, It means a lot. And you and Lily? Y'all seem very happy. Happier than in the past."
"We are. We realized we took some things for granted. This time around we've done a lot better of a job of listening to each other."
"Good. You both deserve the utmost happiness." She smiled. "Hey turns out I really was going through menopause. Funny, right? Well not really? I'm too damn young for menopause, but you can't control Mother Nature. So anyway...I can't give my husband a baby. It's just awful."
"Thought he wasn't worried about children."
"He's not. He says if we really want we can adopt. But honestly, I have Dimitri, so... I'm going to enjoy that for now but I would like some more grandchildren, if she ever decides to give me some more." She laughed.
"Yeah, look at them. They are good together. They look like they've been a family for years." G said of Bonnie and Damon with their son sitting down at the main table eating.
"I know. I suppose, I should probably let them figure it out on their own." She said disappointingly.
"Damon's visiting them in California in a few weeks."
"So, she's told me. Hmmm. I'll be looking forward to hearing about it. She's really enjoying him and Dimitri. He's a great father."
"He's a natural." Giuseppe said.
...
"So, city girl," Stefan walked up to her. "May I have this dance?" He asked as she sat alone.
"Certainly, country boy." She walked to the dance floor with him where slower music played. "You and Sarah, are a lovely couple."
"She, is the girl I mentioned before... the one I thought wouldn't give me the time of day."
"Yeah I put two and two together. What happened? What changed her mind?" She asked swaying with him.
"Nothin' changed her mind. I suppose her reasoning was very just though. She has a son. He's near Dimitri's age. She is a single mother and was worried I wouldn't want to deal with her past the one night we spent together. So, she ended things before getting attached. But, when she saw Bird at church one day with Dimitri, I guess she was inspired to talk to me. I don't know exactly. She just thought to let me know about her son, and asked if I was still willing to try, then so was she."
"So, where's her son?"
"Spendin' spring break with his daddy. It I get to meet him next week. So, wish me luck."
"Wow. Stefan, that's great."
"For the record, Ginny, I really did like you. A lot."
"I liked you too Stefan." She did. It just wasn't our time." She liked him a lot, but realized he needed more than she knew how to give. She glanced over to the table where Mike was sitting and watching her sweetly. Having a drink and some conversation with... some stranger. "Well, I should let you get back to Sarah." Ginny said kissing his cheek.
"Thanks Ginny for bein' such a city girl."
"You're welcome, country boy." Ginny walks to Mike and its with him. She looks at him and sighs, then laughs.
"Was that as painful as it looked?"
"Haha. No. It was pleasant. He's going to be a step dad, sort of."
"Eeeeek. Wow! That was quick." Mike said scrunching up his face making Ginny laugh. "I'm not ready for that. But good for him." He raised his eyebrows, and turned to Ginny who was dying of laughter. "What?"
"It's crazy, because I was thinking the exact same thing. I knew I could count on you to make me laugh about it." Her laughter made him laugh. "Mike, what am I going to do with you?"
"Take me out to that dance floor, and sweep me off my feet. I mean, did I tell you how pretty you look?"
"This ole thing?" She joked, but really, she was wearing a brown colored lace dress, that covered all of the important parts. Yet showed a lot of leg. She did that on purpose, knowing he'd love it. She also wore brown double trapped heels, and her hair up. She stood, flirtatiously in front of him, and he let his eyes trickle from her toes to her thighs slowly.
"You wore this on purpose, didn't you?"
"This? No. I simply decided, I liked to show my legs and toes today." He stood up and grabbed her closely.
"Luckily, I'm a gentleman, and all I want to do is show you off. Because if I reacted on my natural instincts, I'd take you downtown to the hotel, and not let you leave for the next two days."
"Hmmmmm, Mike Lawson... you literally kill me with sweetness. After we dance, I say, I take you to that bar and buy you a drink." They were in the back yard of the Bennett house with a large canopy over the beautifully decorated dance floor, that Nik hired a company to design just for the day. The contracted wedding decorator along with Ginny and Bonnie's help, laid a beautiful floral motif around the oak stumps at the corners of the dance floor. Four natural oak stumps that had been in Bonnie's backyard as long as she could remember.
The drinks were free, as Nik paid for an open, bar. "Yes, buy me a drink. I may drink you out of your wallet tonight."
She looked him in the eyes. "Shut up and kiss me." He locked eyes with her and sighed.
"Phew... I thought you'd never ask." She reached up to his mouth and when their lips locked, she moved her arms around his neck and interlocked her long fingers behind his scalp. Feeling his freshly, conditioned hair. She played with his hair a bit feeling the softness of it. He put one hand behind her neck and the other on her lower back, and dipped her, pulled her back up never letting his lips leave hers. When they finally separated, he spoke first. "Damn."
"Yeah. Wow."
"I mean, so... we are going keep in touch, after all this, right?" She nodded her head heavily and smiled.
"Yes. Yes. Definitely."
"Good." He pulled her back in for another kiss and this time, he didn't stop to speak for a while.
...
Abby had taken Dimitri and started taking pictures with him and Nik, and introducing him to people. She was the happiest she'd ever been and Bonnie watched on, feeling like her mother, for the first time, truly was happy. Bonnie had never seen Abby like this, in all her life. Nik, made Abby feel as if she were everything he ever needed. And the best thing about Nik and Abby, was they started as best friends. They were actually, quite admirable in her eyes, the more she reflected on them over the years. She sat with her legs crossed and lifted the champagne flute to her mouth slowly, having her fist drink since the night at the B.I. She sipped slowly, allowing the champagne gave her the tingles.
She felt a chill up her spine, it hit her like lightening, making her wiggle in her seat. Slowly, she felt Damon step from behind her. "I still give you goosebumps." He smiled, held his hand out, and she stood up, finishing her champagne. "Come on, let's dance baby girl."
Got to give it up, by Marvin Gaye came on. Damon started walking with a bit of a bounce. He snapped his fingers and walked her out before swinging her around and pulling her to him.
"You are, incorrigible, Doodle." He had her smiling and giggling like a school girl. The two of them laughed and danced as if it was natural. They did this for the duration of the song. When it was over he grabbed them both another flute of champagne from the caterers. They just two-stepped a couple more songs before the music slowed. He sat their flutes down and pulled her to him.
"Tonight, is our last night together."
Her eyes watered. "Don't remind me Doodle." She tucked her face into his ear, beginning to cry.
He pulled up and wiped her eyes. "I'm gone see you and my son in three weeks."
"I know."
"So why cry?"
"I don't know. I'm just. Something is different."
"How do you mean?"
"I'm just... suddenly I have this ... this ache. Leaving Mystic Falls feels different. My son, I mean, our son, he's been sleepin' good this past week. You've been sleepin' better. I love the time we've been spending together. I-I don't want to go back to feelin' lonely."
"You feel lonely baby girl?"
"I mean, I do sometimes. Especially when Ginny is trainin' and gone for weeks at a time. Dylan, Dimitri... he sleeps with me. But it's a journey sometimes, getting him to bed. Because I sing to him a while, or wrestle him to the pillow. But, you manage to help me get him to sleep so easily."
"Yeah, he's a playful boy. He tires himself out. All I do, is help him. He loves to play." He laughed.
"Doodle, his birthday is in a couple months."
"Good. I'll go to LA again, and we can celebrate."
She wanted to tell him about Europe. She wanted to let him know she was supposed to leave for three months. But she couldn't. She decided to tell him when he comes to California. "Yeah. We can do that." She smiled, and cried. He continued wiping her tears.
"Baby girl, don't cry, I'm gone do what it takes, to be there for my son. Ain't nothin' I won't do for him or you." She nodded her head, then rested her head on the front of his shoulder, right at his chest. "Look at me baby girl."
She looked up. Her eyes were filled with water and redness. He put his thumb and index to her chin and rubbed gently, then gave her a peck. "It's gone be alright." She again nodded her head letting him wipe her tears.
"My momma and Nick are goin' to leave tonight. Headin' for Hawaii."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I believe Mike was going to stay the night with Ginny. Innocent though."
"Really? That's good for them."
"Yeah." She smiled. "The caters will get their food cleaned up. And then Stefan will be here Monday to let the crew in to take care of all of this stuff."
"So, you and I have tonight, alone with our son at my place?"
"Yes."
"Let's, make the most of it."
She nodded her head. "Okay." And continued dancing with him, ending the social part of the night, with him on the dance floor.
Excerpt Pt 17:
She walked towards them and when Damon saw her, he was taken aback. She was different. Already. She had changed in three weeks. He was speechless. He just looked at her. She became nervous and didn't know what to say but, "Welcome to LA." She held her arms open and he put his son down and picked her up, squeezing her. He held her tight, and smelled her hair. The coconut smell he loved and missed. He gripped her body, embracing her like she was his.
"I fuckin' missed you guys." He whispered in her ear. Bonnie teared up again, squeezing her eyes shut into the crook of his neck. He always felt like home. He always felt right.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this!