Best Friend

Part 19- Date Night and a Toddler

R-M Thank you all for your support! Happy Reading ;)

Damon, never slept in the bed with Bonnie. He knew she shared the bed with Mason. After their encounter the day before, where he pleasures her senseless, they decided against sleeping in the same bed that night. They spent the entire day together with their son, being lazy in her condo. After he attached himself to her hip, she couldn't bear the thought of him ever, letting her go. She welcomed his subtle touches, and cheek and neck kisses throughout the day.

They wanted to play it cool. Their friendship was in a great place and it worked out for the best when it comes to their son. Taking their time made sense right now. When they woke up the next morning, they were acting like teenagers around each other. "Hey, how'd you sleep?" She asked him.

"Uhh, I slept alright. I kind of tossed and turned."

"I'm sorry, Doodle. You should've called me into the room to help you." She said with concern.

"It wouldn't have mattered."

"Oh, why not?"

"Because I couldn't sleep, because I just kept thinking about holding you and touching you. I kept wondering, what would happen, if you did come into the room. Would I have been able to contain myself? Would I have been able to hold back, and be the gentleman you deserve? I laid there thinking about how I wanted to touch you, and how much I missed it, and I couldn't sleep."

Damon in his pajama pants, and shirtless body walked up to her and put his nose in her hair, and smelled it. He was barely pressed against her, but she felt him with everything inside of her. His nose rolled in and out of her hair, and to her cheeks. She was so short, he had to lift her body up to the countertop in the kitchen. The two watched one another. The eye contact was a conversation between them of unspoken truths. One of the most important conversations they'd ever had for as long as they'd known each other.

Damon reached behind Bonnie and unbraided her hair. He put his hands into her scalp and ruffled her hair, making it look wavy. He looked at her in the robe he bought her. She couldn't have been wearing much underneath. Maybe some panties and a tank top. Dylan sat in his highchair and played with Cheerios, and ate one every few minutes.

"A month ago, no one could've told me, I'd be standin' in front of you, like this... with our son, sitting next to us, and while I visit you in LA, of all places." His hands gently sifted through her waves and the pads of his thumbs stroked the highest point of her cheek bones. "You must make good money, living here?"

"I make good money."

"You pay for this place alone?"

"No. He pays half. When he asked me to move in together, it was his idea to get a place worth twice as much as the condo I already lived in."

"Is he coming back?"

"No."

"Where does that leave us, baby girl? You and me... are we playin' a game here, or are we doin' this?" He asked, leaning into her body as she sat before him on the countertop.

"It's hard to say. I have a career here."

"Do you love your career here?"

"I mean, I don't necessarily love my career here, but I love my career and my clients depend on me."

"I get it baby girl. So... so, what if I moved to LA?"

"What?" She asked astonished.

"I mean it. I'll, umm... I'll look for a place in LA."

"Doodle, you wanted to buy a house in Virginia. It's your dream."

"What's a dream, if you can't share with the people you love?"

"You mean it Doodle? You'd move here... for us?"

"I would do anything, to not lose my family again." He looked at her sincerely. Her lips shook, the nerves bounced around like she was going to cry. Then he moved the padding up his thumb to her lips and his fingers gripped her face and he pulled her in for a kiss. "I'm not losing you and my son."

Her tears fell, but she wasn't sad. She was relieved. She was happy.

"When I go back to Georgia to officially be done, I can come back here and spend the summer. I do want to get a house built in Virginia. I found a perfect plot of land. But I'd come here for you." Bonnie had a lot to think about. Damon willing to give up his dreams to make her happy, and be willing to put her needs before his own, showed how much he'd grown up.

"Doodle, I don't want you to-"

"Stop." He whispered into her face. "I want to. I'll come here for the summer. Get a smaller place on the outskirts of LA, and we can decide at the end of the summer what we wanna do. Matter fact, I don't mind stayin' near the beach."

"Really, Doodle? I mean, those beach houses are very expensive."

"And I'm smart with my money, despite the sports car I bought. The B.I. makes me good money every month, and I have saved, a good amount of money. Plus, I'll get a job. I'll be fine. I told you I was pricing out the cost of livin' out here. Well, I was doin' that, because I've given it some thought for a while now." Bonnie's face lit up before she bit her lip. "So, what do you say, baby girl?"

"And the B.I. Doodle? What are you gone do about the Brandin' Iron?"

"I'll fly out once a month. Plus, I'm still doin' all the paper work, and making all of the business decisions. Stefan manages the bar. Baby girl, B.I. pays my rent in Georgia, and Virginia, plus it paid for Sybil's well bein' for some time. If I get rid of both of those apartments, and stop payin' Sybil's way, which I've already told her, I'll be good." He smiled sweetly, "So, can big daddy buy you and Dylan a house by the beach?"

"Oh, gosh, it's a lot to ask." she was nervous for his offer.

"I'm offering. Don't crush this country boy's dreams."

"Okay, we can start looking at places after you clear in Georgia."

"Yeah, plus, that's Mike's house, so I'll give him notice to find another renter. It's nothin' to have Stefan get my shit out of my place in Virginia. When I leave, I'll be gone three or four weeks. So, you have three weeks to find us a new place. I'll send you money for whatever deposits. We can stay in a temporary condo for the summer, and use the whole summer to find the perfect house. Then by the end of the summer, we will have a home."

"It'll be harder than it seems. California reality is expensive, and the business side of things are complicated."

"I don't care, it'll be us doin' it together. I'll climb any mountain wi and for you. And the best part is I'll be back before Dimitri turns two."

She looked around her place. Her beautifully furnished condo. "Well..."

"Aye, I know you don't wanna downsize, I'm sorry I'm not rich-"

"Stop. It's not about the money. It's just, I'm surprised is all. This is big for you."

"Naw, baby girl. It's big for us."

"Is this too good to be true? I'm happy, and relaxed. I feel safe, and I feel an overwhelming amount of joy for the first time in a long time. When is the sky gonna fall?" She wearily laughed. His lips met her in several small kisses, and he smiled.

"The sky won't fall. For once, the sun is shining on us." She hugged him tight.

"Okay, well, today... is the Long Beach aquarium. I still say we do Disneyland instead." She smiled.

"He's not even two. He don't give a shit about Disneyland yet. He can't ride nothin' so we'd be payin' out the ass to eat funnel cakes and-"

"Meet Mickey Mouse. His favorite." She said, like it was more of her dream than Dylan's. He grinned at her.

"Baby girl, it's a complete waste of money. He loves animals, and water. The Long Beach aquarium is perfect. But I promise, when he turned three... I'll take you to Disneyland. I'll buy you mouse ears. I'll even have us those cheesy family shirts made for the three of us."

"Really Doodle? Wait, I think I should stop callin' you Doodle. It's a childhood nickname. Maybe I should be calling you baby. Can I call you baby?" She flirted placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

"You can call me anything you want, long as you call me!" He kissed her again. His lips worked her from her neck to her cheeks, then back to her lips. They felt like they were in love all over again.

"Oh, baby. Baby, baby, baby." She squeezed the moan out of her lips, when his lips attacked hers. "If we don't stop, we gone end up doin' things, two people ain't got no business doin' in the place they chop vegetables and fruit. We should make breakfast quick. We have an hour drive and we still need to get ready."

"Right." He breathed out, not wanting to stop making out with her like a teenage boy, but knowing their son was about to love the Aquarium. "Let's start our day then. I have a feeling this day is going to be unforgettable."

...

Mike stood in Ginny's kitchen. He had his headphones on and he was listening to some random playlist of a mixture of music. He moved his arm back and forth with the spatula, to the rhythm of the music. The lyrics flew out of his mouth as he scrambled eggs and dropped bread into the toaster. He let out a screech and did his best imitation of Steven Tyler.

"Walk this way. Talk this way.

Walk this way. Talk this way."

He played air guitar and leaned back into the space getting ready to quote RUN DMC lyrics, but just as he felt the moment, Ginny walked into her apartment. She just came from the gym and heard him singing in the kitchen. She walked towards the area and saw him dancing around with the spatula, and two glasses of orange juice were poured and sitting on the table. Two plates sat near the frying pan, and she watched at four pieces of toast popped up from the toaster.

She watched on in amusement, waiting for the moment he would spot her. He was really getting into playing it like he was in concert. His air guitar, and she watched as he fell to his knees and started to sing louder...

"Walk this way. Talk this way.

Just give me a kiss..."

In all his embarrassment, he stopped and paused. She looked at him, shirtless and watching that v-line leading to where his basketball shorts hung low. She bit her lip, then noticed the almost burning toast, the scrambled eggs, and then the beautiful set up of sliced fruit on her table. He was still stuck, and he waited for her reaction. She looked at him with a straight face, then laughed.

Mike jumped up and when she saw that he was embarrassed, she ran and he ran after her. He grabbed her from behind and bear hugged her in a playful way.

"Ginny-Gin, I know what you saw in there, but you better not mention that to anyone."

"Or what, Michael James Lawson?" She laughed.

"My government. Really? You callin' me by my government?"

"No, your Government is Sergeant First Class Lawson."

"Ooh, you remember? You get points for that one."

"Do I get points for keeping your embarrassing moment hush hush?"

"Yes. As long as you keep it tight lipped. Plus, you said you weren't going to be here for another fifteen minutes. You are early."

"Yeah, well, I missed you and Bon wasn't at the gym today. I remembered Damon is there, and they are taking Dylan to the Aquarium today."

"That's, right."

"Also, I volunteered to watch my Godson tomorrow night so they could have a date night. Meaning, he's having a sleep over with us tomorrow night."

"Well, I have never watched a kid overnight. Have you?"

"No, but I've stayed the night with him and Bon plenty. I know what to do. Besides, it'll be fun for auntie Ginny and uncle Mike to watch a toddler."

"Yeah sure. Him vs. us. What's the worst that can happen?"

"I know right. What's the worst a toddler can do?"

.. one day later ..

Damon and Bonnie stood in Ginny's entryway. Before Dylan took off to her living room, Bonnie peppered him with pecks and hugs. He giggled, and smiled and then Damon gave him one big kiss and they both hugged him. The toddler knew she had lots of throw pillows and always liked to throw them on the floor when he was at her house. So, he ran straight for pillow city. Leaving four adults to discuss the care of one almost two-year-old toddler with wild hair and piercing eyes.

"It's five-thirty, if you play your cards right, he'll be sleep in two and a half hours." Bonnie said.

"Okay." Ginny said.

"He can't have sweets past six, and he really shouldn't have sugar anyways. But if he needs a little, he can have some ice cream. Please don't forget, to make sure he does not over eat any type of dairy though. He very lactose intolerant. He will have a tummy ache. Should he get a tummy ache it's best to strip him to his diaper and just hold him skin to skin and rub his belly."

"Skin to skin?" Mike asked.

"Yes, as in take your shirt off and take his shirt off and hold him in your lap. It soothes him, and makes him relax. Then rub his belly gently. Oh, and he sleeps better on his tummy. But if he turns to his back keep an eye out for choking. As well, watch for his face if he sleeps on his stomach." Bonnie said. She was watching every move Dylan was making already as Damon put him down on the ground with a few toys.

"What happens to his face?" Mike asked again.

"We don't want him to suffocate Mike. He can stop breathing," Ginny said.

"Oh gosh, Lord knows I'd be a terrible parent." Mike laughed making Ginny laugh. Bonnie looked at them both in shock, and discomfort. "No, I mean he's in good hands, right? Because Ginny knows what she's doing, I'll just be here for support." Mike said nervously.

Damon walked to Mike, "Listen brother, you got my baby girl paranoid. She don't wanna come back and find anything done happened to baby boy."

"Oh hell no. He's gone be fine. Bird, I promise." Mike said. "Plus, we both know CPR." He grinned, making her smile nervously at him.

"Bon, I won't let you down, I swear." Ginny said hitting Mike's shoulder.

"His dinner," she continued looking at Mike concerned, "is bananas and peas. He eats 'round six. Just slice the bananas and watch him carefully, and he likes to eat the peas with his fingers. But he stuffs his mouth so pay attention. I know you both know CPR, so-"

"Oh god, little people choke? I thought their food was mushy." Mike asked nervously. Damon looked at him, like he really needed Mike to get a clue quick before Bonnie changed her mind.

"Mike, maybe you shouldn't speak from here on out, unless your singing to Dylan." Ginny said shaking her head at him.

"Good idea."

"Listen, Lawss, let Ginny handle the food part. I need a favor, right at 6:30 play with him for a good forty-five minutes. Solid playtime. Then, give him a luke warm bath." Damon said. "The water can't be too high, make sure it only goes to his belly button, and Mike sit with him the entire time, you can't leave a child alone in the tub, a lot of of terrible things can happen."

"Okay." Mike said watching Damon's penetrative blue eyes. Mike was storing everything Damon was telling him in his memory bank.

"Then play with him a good twenty minutes. Wash him take him out. Dry him, lotion him, and after you dress him, read to him. He should fall asleep by eight. If he don't, then sing to him. Quietly. He loves it. Whatever you do, don't let him fall asleep before eight."

"Why?" Mike asked.

"Because, he'll be up for hours and won't go to bed." Damon said. Bonnie and Damon walked to Dylan and gave him a hug and kiss. They were lost, like deer in headlights.

"Bon, why don't you guys leave, while he's calm. Before he starts to cry. I have Mickey Mouse club house on. Mike, go sit with him in the living room and watch a little tv." Ginny said then looked back at Bonnie and Damon. "He'll be fine I promise. Enjoy your night." I know he wakes up at eight a.m. hungry. No gym for me tomorrow. I will be up with him and we will go on a morning jog after he eats. You brought his jogging stroller?"

"Yes. And Ginny... another thing. Please don't hesitate to call me. I won't be angry. He may just need to hear my voice, or we may need to pick him up, I promise, we won't be mad." Bonnie said nervously.

"Baby girl, why don't you go catch the elevator and hold it for me, I wanted a second alone with Ginny."

"Okay." She said, building up a tear in the corner of her eye. "Ginny, I swear we won't be angry." She said she hugging Ginny. "Call me at any time." Bonnie walked away slowly while Damon waited until her ears couldn't pick up his voice.

"Ginny, Bird calls you her best friend, which means she trusts you with our son, which means I trust you. Listen to me, do not call us unless it's an Emergency. I trust you will have it under control. The key to Mike, just tell him what to do and he'll come through. He's a robot when it comes to parenting, but he's like the energizer bunny, he will keep going and going." Ginny laughed. "Put some batteries in him at six and he will tire Dimitri out. I told y'all that stuff about his bath for his momma, truth is, just play with him for a good forty-five minutes he'll knock out. If you don't bath him, it's okay. I trust you Ginny. Please, just... I need this night with her. I done planned a special night, and I just... I ain't had a moment alone with her in years. We need this, real bad. But again, don't hesitate to call. For an Emergency." He laughed.

"Don't worry, Papa Doodle," she laughed, "I got him, and I got you. You two deserve this. Have fun."

He bit his lip and put up his prayer hands. "Thank you." He kissed her hand. "So much." They both smiled, then he ran to the elevator just in time to catch the elevator down with her.

Ginny turned to close the door, excited she could help them and the first thing she saw was Dylan knocked out in the middle of her living room floor. Mike looked up at her. "He was like this when I walked in here."

"Crap, the car ride must've got him tired." Ginny said.

"What do we do? They said do not let him sleep before eight? Do we wake up a sleeping toddler?"

"I don't know, but one thing is for sure. We cannot call them."

...

Bonnie drove them back to her place. They were going to get dressed and call a car to have a night on the town. Bonnie poured a glass of wine. "Would you like some Bourbon, Mr. Salvatore?"

"Naw. I want to be very alert during the drive."

"That's the purpose of calling a car. We can drink a little."

"Yeah, but, I just, can't take a chance baby girl. My paranoia is probably worse when a stranger is drivin' and I just need to have all of my senses intact."

Bonnie puffed her lip out. "Let's just relax, I just, I want to enjoy the night with you. What can I do to persuade you to have a drink with me?"

"I'll have a drink, when we get to our destination. I promise."

"Fine party pooper." Bonnie had two glasses while she got ready. He waited for her as it didn't take him long to get ready. He stood in the mirror of her hallway adjusting his clothes. They were both slightly dressed up. Nothing fancy, just a casual dinner. When Bonnie emerged from her room, he lost his train of thought. She wore a small black dress, that stopped high to mid thighs. Her heels were high, and the best set of legs were full for a complete view. He didn't want to leave anymore. He just wanted to stay with her. Her skin was so soft and smooth and her hair was down in loose curls of a shoulder length bob, as her face was natural with bronzer and toner. She had a slight pink tone to her cheeks and her lips were glossed. She looked up at him and smiled. "Ready? The car is downstairs."

"Yes." He said unable to take his eyes off her. He wore a dark grey, long sleeved, button up, with jeans and his boots.

"You gone wear your hat?"

"Naw, I don't wanna embarrass you."

"Pft. You could never. Put it on, you country stud, you." She grabbed his hat and put it on him, kissing his cheek. They walked out.

...

On the car ride, Damon couldn't stop staring at her. "You look so beautiful. I've never seen you so..."

"Grown up looking?" She laughed.

"I guess you can say that. I mean we got sorta dressed up for hoedowns. Oh, and the military balls were real formal. But we ain't never gone on the town like this. You, just, I can't take my eyes off you."

"Well, I'm fighting my eyes to quit looking at your handsome face, because it just makes me wanna slide my panties off in the car, and bury your lips in my pussy. I want you to lick me, right now" She said unabashedly. The driver, looked through the rear view and tried not to pay attention. Bonnie's two glasses of wine were setting into her system now.

"Baby girl, you can't talk to me like that. I'll have him, turn this car 'round. But I owe you a date night, so be a good girl." His fist clenched in his lap, and he tried to keep her words out of his head. He was so turned on, he could've tasted her on the spot, but he knew he had all night, as long as nothing happened to Dylan. When they finally arrived, everyone was staring at them. He didn't like the attention, because he was such a low-profile guy.

"Doodle, don't be shy. We are together, who cares about everybody." When he stepped in the Restaurant he took his hat off, out of courtesy, and because he had exceptional manners, like a true southern gentleman. Women were drawn to this outsider. It made him uncomfortable. But Bonnie held his hand tighter as their reservations took them to their seats.

"This place is crowded. I didn't realize it would be so crowded, or I wouldn't have picked this place." He said.

"Relax. It'll be great. They will grill the food at our table. You're gonna love it. And we'll both drink some Sake."

"I just, hate crowded places."

"I'm not looking at anyone but you. Screw everybody." She smiled. She reached up and kissed his lips, and his eyes were locked on her face. "God your handsome. How'd I get so lucky?"

"Darlin', I'm the lucky one."

...

Damon and Bonnie enjoyed their night. They watched the chefs cook, and they flirted, laughed, drank lots of Sake and just acted a way they'd never had a chance to act. It was hard not to watch them. Any and every one took several glances at them throughout the night. They were a beautiful couple and they looked at one another like they were in love.

"If I feed you, will you be embarrassed?" He whispered

"No. Put it in my mouth baby." She smiled, at him flirtatiously.

"Damn baby girl. What are you doin' to me tonight?" He bit his lip, in temptation.

"Nothin'... yet. But if you're a good boy..." She took the fork full of food, he fed her and ate it. He smiled at her, because it's been so long since they were flirty. "Your eyes are so beautifully blue." She kissed him passionately. Her soft lips suctioned his, and the heat they projected made the people around them want to become suddenly, romantic. When they pulled up, they caught a family sitting behind them. "Oh, sorry, we just... we have a son and... this is our first date night, and..."

"We're awfully sorry kind folks." Damon turned to Bonnie and laughed. "Oh Lord, baby girl, you gone get me in trouble." They drank and laughed for a couple of hours. A car was there to pick them up two hours later. They sat inside holding each other remembering they left their son with their best friends.

"I wonder how Ginny and Mike are doin' with Dimitri. I should call them and check-"

"Naw, baby girl. They'll call if they need to. I'm sure he's fine." Damon said.

"Okay, I can at least text her."

"Fine, but just a text." He pleaded.

"Okay."

Bon: Everything okay Gin? Should we come get him tonight?

...

Dylan was all over the place. Mike and Ginny were stuck, because it took thirty minutes to decide whether or not to wake up him up. To which they woke him, but at that point he'd napped for thirty minutes. A thirty-minute nap, for a toddler is considered a power nap. He was everywhere. All over the place. He was fussy, and he was anxious, because he was totally off schedule.

Ginny decided to get his dinner ready while Mike tried entertaining him. Mike had done the hot dog dance several times, prompting some heavy giggling from the young child. He also gave countless piggy back rides. It was seven before you know it, and Ginny was ready feed him.

"So, we are behind schedule. It's cool. We got this." She told herself. Mike walked into her kitchen breathing heavy.

"How do they do this every day?"

She looked confused. "Your guess is as good as mine. His dinner is ready." They tag teamed the effort and wrestled the restless boy to his high chair, to which he was in no mood for bananas and peas. "I don't know what to do. He won't eat this. But he should eat before he goes to bed."

"Bird said something about ice cream. Maybe we should give him a scoop of ice cream."

"He's lactose intolerant."

"He needs something." Mike asked confused.

"Fine. Grab the ice cream." She rubbed the sweat from her forehead. Of all the times, she's baby sat, for Bonnie and Mason, they were home within three hours. Dylan was usually calm. She realized that letting him take that thirty-minute power nap was a bad idea.

After a scoop of ice cream, and two hours of playing, Mike put Dylan in the bath, around close to ten pm hoping it would calm him. Ginny got a text from Bonnie, asking if everything was okay, and If they needed to pick Dylan up. She knew Damon and Bonnie needed tonight. So, she replied.

Gin: Everything is all good girl :) Promise. Have fun!

...

Bonnie finally got a message back from Ginny. She could relax now. Her and Damon were shamelessly flirting and she giggled all the way to the next destination. He took them to Corona Del Mar, a private beach, hidden by a bed of large rocks, and where no one could see them. All there was, was waves crashing in hues of deep, sea blue, and White Sea foam. The stars sprinkle the moonlit sky and Damon paid the driver handsomely, to sit in the car, giving them a couple of hours along on the private beach.

He took several steps down the thick layer of jagged rocks, and held her hand leading her carefully. It took them more than ten minutes because somewhere in the middle, she had to remove her slinky heels, and hold them. Her bare feet pressed into the gritty rock and she squinted each step, heading down. "Oh gosh, baby, I'm... I'm not sure-"

"Do I need to lift you?"

"No. I got it." Her soft giggle, caught him off guard, and in that moment, he stopped and kissed her softly, making her dizzy. Then he continued leading her downward. When they finally made it down, they walked through the sand, and he laced their fingers.

Bonnie was tipsy and glowing. "Is it bad that I don't want the night to end?"

"Naw. Why would that be bad?"

"Because, we have a son, and I want more than anything to grab and hug and kiss him right now. But you and I haven't been this way in so long. I just miss it. My life has been so crazy Doodle. I just... anytime I think the sky is clear, it turns grey."

"I won't let it. I refuse to. But if, for some reason it does... I got an umbrella big enough for all of us." His sincerity pulled at her heart strings. He's always known the words that, weakened her.

She looked at him as they walked. Feeling safe, secure, and loved. She grabbed his arm, and reached it up and over her shoulder and laced their fingers once more as his hand hung over her shoulder. He took his hat off and put it on her, and they let the water hit their feet.

"Ahh, its cold." She screeched. Backing up and he turned her putting his arms around her waist. They caught a glimpse of each other's eyes and froze. There was tension so thick in the air. Sexual, emotional, yet a tranquil feeling overcame them. The gentle glide of his hand up her arm made her shiver, when he released her waist. Exactly the way he'd done it the day before, he sifted his fingers through her hair, and rubbed her cheek bones with the padding of his thumbs. Her cheeks felt like the inside of petals of roses, to his rough hands. She closed her eyes, feeling the man she loved, touch her once more.

"I miss your lips." He let out in a deep whisper. He pulled her face to his allowing their lips to connect in a subtle way. Her fingertips gently gripped his sides, and they shared an intimate moment. When she looked up at him, she felt the passion between them ignite again.

"Staff Sergeant Salvatore, let's find a spot and sit in the sand and chat a while." She flirted.

"Okay baby girl." He smiled but it was wiped from his face quickly as he was glued to her hips, when she led him to an area to sit. He wanted to be a gentleman. Aside from their one night a month ago, he'd not really touched her for two years. He was stuck on her body, and her face. His eyes were glued on her every move, when she turned towards, him, pulling him backwards by the hands.

"Baby, you look so handsome tonight. I miss seeing your face every day, and smelling your scent."

"My scent?"

"Yeah, you're natural smell. I used to smell it every night as we slept. Right into your chest."

"I miss your smell too." He finally sat on the sand, as she pushed him down.

"Do you?" She blushed.

"Yeah. And I missed your taste, and the feel of your skin," he said rubbing his hands up her thighs, while she still stood before him.

"I miss what you feel like inside of me." She said quietly looking him in his eyes. His fingers still traveling slowly up her thighs.

"Baby girl, what are we doin' right now?" He asked while she started to unzip her dress. "This ain't a good idea. You're a little tipsy, I don't wanna take advantage."

"Damon Dimitri Salvatore, don't be shy with me. I've missed your touch for two years. No man, has ever touched me the way you."

He hated the words other man, but he loved that he was the one who knew her body the way he did. "Ain't no other woman, ever felt as good as you, smelled as good as you, kissed the way you do, or made me want them the way you do."

Her dress fell to the sand. She wore black lace panties and bra, with his cowboy hat. Her womanly curves always brought a dominant side of him out. Yet, he gulped his sanity, and was now feeling a slight loss of control. Her legs straddled either side of him, and she lowered herself to his lap. Her lips started tracing his neck with kisses, softly. He pulled her face up from his neck and looked at her. She smiled and nibbled at his lip.

"Baby girl, let's not do somethin' you gone regret."

"I have never regretted you. You gave me my son, my daughter, and you are the only man, I've ever been in love with." She palmed his cheek and hovered his mouth with hers in the heat of the love-struck moment.

"What about the man you were just engaged to?"

"Damon, lovin' someone and bein' in love are two different things. I know, you know the difference, because you weren't in love with Sybil. Maybe you had love for her, the way I did for Mason, but... being in love with someone is different." She reached to the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Her fingers crawled over the skin of his abs, watching him breath. She allowed her fingers to move about his tight body, while she spoke. "Have you ever felt, with another woman, the things you've felt with me?" As she spoke, she tickled his back with her fingertips.

"Never."

"Neither have I."

"I ain't never loved no one the way I love you. I just don't wanna make a mistake that pushes you away." He looked up at her. Her body was commanding him to. His hands felt her skin under his fingertips, and he felt like he was touching her for the first time.

"Baby, I want you, in every way. I want you as, my best friend, the father to my son, and my lover. I just don't want you to hurt me, and I don't wanna hurt you."

His large hands held her small back and pulled her to him. Their bodies respond to one another. "From this day forward, all I wanna do, is take care of you and my son, and make you both happy." Her lips locked in on his and she held him with her hands as her body pressed against his. He calmly unsnapped her bra, then one shoulder at a time he pulled her straps off, savoring the look of her shoulders against the backdrop of the night sky. The moon kissed her skin and he couldn't look away. "Let me take this hat off, so I can see all of you." He pulled his hat off her and sat it on the sand near them. "Much better." He smiled. His piercing blue eyes, reflected the moon, and she was lost, like a sixteen-year-old girl again.

Both naked on top, he was determined to solve the rest of the riddle, of what happens next.

He turned her over, and lay on top of her. His mouth made its way to her breasts, and he gently tugged her nipples with his tongue and lips knowing how much she loved it. She started to unbuckle his pants and push them down his body. Feeling his skin against hers, was forcing her to tense up. "You scared baby girl? Of me?"

"No, but you do make me nervous."

"Really? Because I'm feelin' nervous too?" He admitted.

"Oh gosh, Damon, are we making a mistake?"

"No, hell naw. We just, for the first time, we ain't actin' on passion, we are makin' the conscious effort to be two adults in an adult relationship. We want the best out of this and each other. We ain't just gone have sex. We ain't gone just, make love. Baby girl, we gone connect, and be intimate. For the first time since I touched you, and the first time since we had sex, this time, it's gone be different. Cause we're inside of each other already. I'm in you and you're in me, and, everything negative, that's always been between us, is gone now. It's me and you now. Not your momma, not G, not the Army, not the accidental pregnancy, or the anger, not the pain, he loss, not the fears, not Mason or Sybil, nothin' baby girl. For the first time, it's me, and you and our love, and that's it. Everything we ran from, that made us run back to each other's arms, is gone. So yeah, it's nerve-wrecking baby girl, because we gone be completely naked in every way. But I'm finally ready for this." He spoke as their almost naked bodies really lay together.

"You're right, I feel so naked. For the first time, I feel so bear. This is crazy." She was nervous.

"And you are more beautiful in this moment than you ever been to me." He gently touched their lips with his, and he was suddenly intimidating to her, but she welcomed it. She pulled his body to hers and pulled his boxers down, then turned their bodies over and climbed on top of him again, while he quickly got rid of her panties. He was hard as a rock, and nervous, because this time was different. This time they were two wounded people, starting over, having stripped themselves of every defense, and allowed themselves to be completely vulnerable.

She used her hips to find his manhood, and he used his hand to direct it into her center. The anticipation inside of her rose, watching his face while she slowly slid down his shaft. He was beyond excited to feel her again. Her body felt like warm, tight, perfection. She was slow and steady, watching every pinch in his face and every lip bite, every time he said "fuck." As she slowly lowered herself. She looked him in the eyes feeling him inside of her and wanting to never let the feeling go. He was the best feeling, he was the only feeling that made her forget everything else.

She lifted his body to hers, so they were sitting up, then wrapped her loving arms around him, rolling her hips back and forth on him. He gripped her waist, feeling absorbed by her motions. Their eye contact was unwavering. She looked down upon him and he gazed at her feeling every bit of her vulnerabilities, while the moon hit her skin. He gently nibbled her lip again, making her smile. They sat up for a while, making such intimate, mental connections, while she worked him flawlessly. But, soon he grabbed her and turned her body onto her back, guiding her arms above her head. He connected to her fully, kissing passionately, and only letting up on her lips when he was thrusting himself inside of her with his need for pleasing her. Because he wanted to hear her moan into the open sky while the sound of the waves held their bodies conversation. She managed to get one hand loose and crawled it down his body, grabbing the firm muscle of his posterior and squeezing his skin between her fingernails, pulling him into her.

"Oh God." She cried. "Baby, you feel so good."

Her nails made him thrust harder, and she braced herself for his roughness. "Do I feel good inside of you? Huh, baby girl. Did you miss big daddy's dick?"

"Yes. You feel better than good. You're so deep." He let her other hand go so that both of her hands could grip his muscular behind, pulling at him to thrust more. "Oh yes, baby. I don't wanna lose this. I need this. Oh, yes. You fuck me so good, big daddy." He dug his fingers into the sand getting a tighter grip so he could get as deep as possible. He looked in her eyes, and held her gaze.

"Who fucks your body like me?" He used every muscle in his core, to penetrate her, deep.

"Nobody." She looked him in the eyes and he waited for it. "Nobody, fucks my body like you. Nobody ever will."

"I'm never gone let you go again. You hear me? I love you, so much, baby girl. You're everything to me." His assurance made her let go of everything else. The entanglement of her legs and arms, which wrapped around his body, gave him a feeling he had yearned for. Her needing him. He knew he needed her, but he wasn't sure how much she still needed him. Then it was clear. She needed him, more than she's ever needed him before. He made love to her on the beach, under the moon. Exasperating every ounce of need he had, and gave it to her body, until they both peaked, and let everything else go.

All they held on to, was the love they had for each other.

.x.

Around midnight, at Ginny's apartment. She walked around picking up toys. A bag full of toys, that Dylan emptied into the large open space. He ran around putting everything, everywhere throughout the night.

Bless Mike's heart. He tried his best. He jumped. He danced. He sang. He skipped around the couch. He even ate almost a half-gallon of ice cream, trying to keep Dylan happy. Dylan only had a scoop, but for whatever reason, he enjoyed feeding Mike. Since it made him happy and quiet, Mike let Dylan feed him for a good thirty minutes. Mickey Mouse clubhouse was no longer playing in the back ground, instead it was Baby Einstein Beethoven. The classical music finally slowed Dylan down around eleven-thirty.

It took Ginny and Mike realizing her apartment was too hot, which made him irritable after eating ice cream. He became gassy and Mike took his shirt of and sat with Dylan the way he was told and rubbed his belly, but Mike may have been too hairy. Not that he was overly hairy, because he wasn't too hairy, but he wasn't nearly as smooth or soft as Ginny, so Ginny also had to remove her shirt, keeping her sports bra on, and sat Dylan against her and rubbed his belly. Once he started to get heavy eyes, Mike laid out his favorite blanket on the living room carpet, and they laid him on his stomach. They both rubbed his back until he was softly snoring.

Now, around midnight, Ginny walked around cleaning up and staring at what her life had become. Dylan lay, tummy side down in just a diaper, and Mike lay tummy side down near him, in just some basketball shorts. She watched every few minutes how Mike would move his hand to Dylan's back to feel him breathing. But he dares not move another muscle as Dylan exhausted him. The two cutest guys in the world lay in front of her, on her living room floor. One little hot mess, and one big hot mess, and her, the medium hot mess.

It was a tough night. Two grown people, babysitting a toddler. The toddler was running the show. She leaned against her wall and laughed to herself. Then she put a blanket on them both, shut the television off, turned a fan on, and lay on the floor next to them, nearest Dylan to keep him from rolling on his face. "What an eventful night, little man."

.x.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Damon and Bonnie made it back home. That driver made enough money to not have to drive anyone else, for a couple of weeks. They went home, showered all the sand of, and eventually, lay entangled into the sheets of her bed. Her body was wrapped around his and her fingers played on his chest. He held her close to him, feeling the happiest he's felt in years. "That was beautiful." She whispered. As the incandescent lighting of candle filled the room dimly.

"Every time we make love, it's been beautiful, but this time was different."

"It was." She smiled.

"Baby girl, I'm curious, have you thought about kids?"

"Mason wanted kids, but I told him I needed time."

"Whys that?"

"I had a lot of reasons that I wasn't sure. Mason and I had a complicated relationship. What about you, and Sybil?"

"Same. We'd spoken of it. She was adamant about givin' me a child, but again, our relationship was complicated. I think there's a reason, you and I have come back together."

"Why's that baby?"

"B'cos p, whenever you're ready, ain't no rush, I would love for us to try again. But on purpose this time." Bonnie smiled while she crawled her fingers over his chest and abs.

"Really, Baby?"

"Yeah, but, whenever you're ready. You. Okay, baby girl? I'll wait for as long as you want. I got no complaints, I love my son. Bein' a father is the greatest gift, next to bein' your husband."

"Doodle, Dimitri was an accident. That's no surprise. I was so afraid the during the pregnancy I was gone loose him the whole time. Ginny was there, but she had no idea about Baylee. My momma visited me a few times. But, it was scary. You wanna know some truths?"

"Yeah, baby girl. Talk to me." He squeezed her tight.

"Well, every time I sang to my belly, I cried. I thought about our daughter. And I thought, what if... I sing, and the same thing happens. So, around month seven months, the same amount of time I carried our daughter, I stopped singing, fearing the worst. I stopped singing for about two weeks, because of my fears. For those two weeks, I tossed and turned every night, because he was not happy that he hadn't heard me singing. So, I started singing again, and he started sleeping through the night again. At that point, I realized, I had to be strong for my son. I had to be strong no matter how hard it was." She sighed. "I made a vow that day, to protect him from anything and anyone." She looked up and heard him sniffing.

"Even me." She turned to him and sighed.

"I'm sorry. If I could-"

"No. I get it. It's done now. I'm just happy we are here now." He cupped her face with his hand. Then pulled her face to his and once again kissed her. She climbed over his body and they were skin to skin. His arms held her protectively. "I'm gone spoil you with a beautiful house. Whenever you're ready to have another child, we'll have more than enough space."

Bonnie smiled and reached for his face, placing a tender kiss to his lips. "I love you, so, so much."

"I love you, so much more." She lay her head on his chest, her body on top of his, with his arms around her, and they fell asleep that way.

.x.

Ginny and Mike spent the morning vacuuming Cheerios, and bathing Dylan. When they finished, they took him on a jog with them in the morning and by the time they got back Damon and Bonnie were there.

"Hey guys. Back so soon?"

"So soon? It's noon." Bonnie said, causing Damon to roll his eyes sarcastically.

"Ginny, it took everything in her not to call ya'll." He laughed. "But, after a while, I got her to drop the paranoia, and relax." He looked at her and smiled lovingly, making her blush.

"Well, all that matters, is you guys had a good night. Because, for us, it was a good night. We had fun." Ginny said.

"Really?" Damon looked at Mike.

"Sal, it was fun. Scouts honor." He laughed.

"Well, I don't see no scratches." Bonnie joked.

"Really?" Ginny and Mike said.

"I mean, on you two, I thought for sure you two would've gotten hurt in the process." Bonnie said. They all laughed.

"Haha, very funny. How was your date night?" Ginny asked watching them hold hands like two love-struck teens.

"It was very, very good." Damon said. He winked at Bonnie and kissed her.

"And that is what I like to see." Mike said. "That makes sense." He hugged them both.

"Well, we took enough of your time. Enjoy the rest of your time this weekend. We'll head out, with Dimitri." Bonnie grinned and hugged Ginny.

"Thanks brother." Damon hugged a Mike. "Thanks Ginny."

"You're welcome anytime. They all hugged and parted ways. Bonnie and Damon had gone, and Ginny turned to Mike. "You think they believed us Mike?" She asked.

"Not a chance in hell Ginny-Gin. That kid, no matter how cute he is, bested us." He laughed, making her laugh. "I need a beer."

"Me too." She hummed. "And maybe a nap. We'd suck as parents."

"Not really. We don't make such a bad team. You feed and I sing. We both dance." He grinned.

"I guess we weren't so bad together. But, we make better baby sitters."

"Damn right. Let go have a beer now, and a nap."

"Amen to that."

Excerpt Part 20:

Bonnie was awake with her fussy son. He didn't feel well, and his fever was barely breaking. He was taking small naps throughout the day but hardly sleeping. Bonnie was feeling the remnants of his cold infiltrating her system as her head was beginning to ache. She walked around singing to him and trying to calm him down, when her phone rang. At two am, this couldn't be good.

The adventures of Ginny and Mike… trying to tag team a toddler. Damon, and Bonnie solidifying their bond. I hope you enjoyed this update ;)