Chapter 7: Home Sweet Home
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the original story.
Flying is something I always enjoyed but flying with five kids is something I never want to repeat again especially during Christmas time, but unfortunately I have to. The kids behave immensely; it was the fact that I was on edge the whole flight that I rather not do all over again. I continue to look around the plane for any immediate danger just in case we were being followed. The plane was touching down in at the airport in Richmond, while I waited for the seat-belt sign to go off, I listened to Brooke tell my sisters how happy she was to see my home town and how her first Christmas with will go. I smile has I hear her refer to me as her dad as I always do, and frown at the fact that Christmas was around the corner and all the gifts is back at the house. We exited the plane heading toward baggage claim to get our luggage and the dog cages. It was close to 11 o'clock at night and the twins were beginning to settle down. I grabbed everyone luggage and the cages as I carried Wyatt in my arms asleep. I went to the car rental and 'rented' a car before driving to our new home here in Richmond. Brooke invited us in without us setting off any red flags because she was so tired, she didn't think twice about it. As they all got settled in their rooms for bed I went into the study to wait for my sisters so we can talk about the plan for tomorrow.
"So what's up?" Kendall asked as she and Kiara walked into the room.
"I'm going to the boarding house tomorrow so I'm going to need you both to keep the kids occupied. I will be around as much as I can but I don't the kids over at the boarding house they are not safe there." I state getting right to the point. They both nod their heads a little reluctantly but I didn't care because they both knew I was right.
"What if something happens?" Kiara stated the one thing I haven't worked out the kinks on. I begin to think, if something was to happen to my kids I would want them with me all the time but I was I willing to let them come to the boarding house.
"If something were to happen call me and I will come to y'all just make sure you keep them safe. If something were to happen to anyone of them I will not forgive y'all or myself. Is that understood so I advise y'all to guard them with your life?" They just rolled their eyes and nodded their heads because they were used to me threatening them when it came to the kids but they always took my threats seriously. I know they would do everything they can to protect their nieces and nephews, it's just I never been away from them for more than a couple of hours so being away for a day or two is going to be torture. "I don't know y'all maybe I should just take them with me." I say as I sank back into the couch. I see a look of hurt past across their face and I rush to continue. "It's not that I don't trust y'all it's just that I am most likely want be back for a day or two and I don't think I can handle being gone that long from them and Christmas is in three days. I can't let them spend their first Christmas with me, without me." Damn I'm becoming way to sentimental now days, this have to stop before I go to the boarding house tomorrow. I thought to myself as the girls rush to assure me that everything will be okay and that I can call every day and it was not like I was staying away. I nod as I try to think of something else other than leaving my kids for two days after bringing them to the states. "I hope they don't think I am abandoning them. I wanted at-least their first Christmas to be special and I'm ruining it, I even forgot the presents at home in the closet"
"They will be fine, I mean they will miss you like crazy but they will get to talk to you on the phone and we will keep them so busy they want even recognize you were gone so long." Kendall replied.
"Was that supposed to assure me because it just made me sadder?" I asked with a frown on my face.
"They will be okay Damon and they want think you abandon them. So stop worrying so much, get this over with so you can get back to them ASAP, and beside if you're not here Christmas Eve night I will personally kick your ass when I bring them to see you." Kiara said while wrapping an arm around my shoulders and I nod my head while a smile comes across my face. "And I have all the presents upstairs hidden from the kids, so everything will be okay."
"Okay, but call me the minute anything happen?" I demanded still unsure about all of this, but feeling a little bit better.
"We promise." Kendall said with a smile coming to sit on the other side of me.
After sitting there on the couch taking comfort from their words and hugs I rise from the couch. "I'm going to pick up my car from the storage unit, I will be back in a while and I will leave tomorrow after breakfast." They nodded their heads and I walked out the door.
By the time I got back the house was silent. I went through the house and checked on everyone and kissing the kids on the forehead before turning into bed, myself. When came from taking my shower I walked into the room in my pajamas and saw the twins and Jayden laying in my bed waiting for me.
"Can we sleep with you? We couldn't sleep." Cattleya asked. I nodded my head and they all three coupled up against me and we fell asleep.
By the next morning my bed was full of kids, somewhere throughout the night Brooklyn and Wyatt joined us in bed. I looked at the five kids and the dogs in my bed and wondered how I got so lucky. The thought of not having them in my life is unbearable. I hold each of them close to me while Jayden lay on my chest, I also didn't want to let them go. It's almost like they know I'm leaving and wanted to put my fears to rest, showing me they will always love me. I fell back to sleep with that thought in mind.
I'm driving towards the boarding house to see what was going on. Leaving was harder than I thought it would be. Between the kids asking can they come with and Jayden crying I almost didn't leave the house, as matter of fact I don't even know how I found the courage to leave in the first place. As I got near the house I could feel that little switch slowly begin to turn off. I have to do something to get through the next two days in one piece. I pulled into the driveway and looked at the house in front of me; I took a deep breath and got out of the car.
I walked into the foyer and the smell of strawberries hit my nose. I would know that smell anywhere, I mean I used to live on that smell but now it brought a sense of dread and the opening of painful wounds that I worked so hard to close. It took three months for me to get to that place and only the smell of the body wash she uses to undo everything I built. I haven't even seen her yet and I knew it was in way over my head. I made my way over to the liquor and pour me a glass of bourbon for the first time in two months. I welcome the sting that it had on my throat making this situation much more bearable to be in. I look around the room looking at the Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree that must have been her idea. This is the most I have seen the house so festive in years, it was almost a welcoming sight, almost. I hear them all walk in and was grateful that I want have any alone with Elena. I pour myself another drink and turn around to be met with the Scooby gang minus one.
"So, where is my illiterate little brother, off terrorizing bunnies I presume? And during Christmas too, it will never be the same again." I say shaking my head in mock disappointment. Elena, Caroline, and Jeremy all let out a smile which caught me a little off guard, I was expecting it from little Gilbert but an eye roll from Elena and a scowl from Caroline was more along of the normal routine, not a giggle. Bonnie gave her expected response, an eye roll, which I was grateful for.
"Hi Damon," little Gilbert said coming over to give me a hug. I let him hug me for a minute and then pulled away looking at him like he was crazy. I want lie l really missed this little knucklehead but I want tell him that. As matter of fact I missed all of them, but let's keep that between us. So instead I look at like he grown an extra head.
"What's up little Gilbert." I reply before addressing the rest of them. "Witch, Barbie, Kit…Elena" I stopped and looked at Elena she looked okay, I reached her eyes and they looked as haunted, as if she was seeing a ghost. Before I could say anything else, she had her arms around me while she cried. I looked around the room at everyone hoping for answers but all I got was smiles. Still confused, I wrapped my arms around her, pushing the relief away from having her in my arms again and did my best to comfort her. "It's okay, he will be back I promise. I mean who could leave you forever. Maybe Stefan just needed time to think." I feel her stiffen in my arms and pull back from my embrace. I looked into her eyes and I saw hurt and confusion but I also love and hope. I wished she was thinking about me when she looked like that but I knew she wasn't.
"So how about we all have a seat and catch up?" Caroline said breaking into my thoughts and the tension that settled after my statement. "So Damon, how have you been? I heard you have a job…" Bonnie scoffed at that part and Elena and Caroline shot her a glare before she continued. "…what do you do?"
"I'm good, living it up in Tuscany and yeah I have a job, I actually own a bar not far from where I live." I say not missing how Elena came and sat right next to me not missing how she was practically almost on top of me but not looking too much into it. I welcomed the present of her body next to mine. "I live in my villa out there in Chianti where I been for the past three months. It's nice to not have to fight for my life 24/7." I smirk looking at Elena and she gave me a shy smile. What the hell is going on? "Enough about me, what's been going on here?" I say purposely changing the subject. I looked around the room waiting for someone to answer, not missing the looks they were throwing at each other.
"Well…" Jeremy started but he didn't get to finish the statement because my phone begun to ring. I pulled it out and saw who was and hurry up and answered the phone.
"What's wrong?" I asked getting up going by the window, completely ignoring the looks everyone shot me.
"What no greeting…"she said.
"Hi…now from your sarcasm I think it's safe to say nothing is wrong." I say. "What are you missing me already it's only been a total of six hours" I teased completely missing the pain that flash across Elena's face.
"Ha ha, no I do not miss you I will miss duke before I miss you. But apparently someone else doesn't feel that way, are you alone right now so y'all can talk?" Kendall teased back and I can hear giggling in the background and let my first smile cross my face since this morning. I look at the group in the room who was glaring and Elena wouldn't me my eyes, which confused me more but shrugged it off to happy to care about what they think.
"Excuse me y'all this is important call, I have to take it." I say not looking for a reply just walking out the front door to talk to my favorite people in the world. "Hey cookie monster…"
Back in the house…
I tried my best not to let the tears come to my eyes. "I waited too long." I whisper as everyone looked at me with pity.
"You still the love his life, you can tell by his eyes, I mean let you practically sit on his lap this whole time. Maybe you're not too late, so suck it up and get your man. Damn it; do not let that bimbo reap the benefits of the man you created." Caroline stated, more like demanded and I let a smile grace my lips at my friend's antics.
"He is happy Care, I can't take that from him." I replied.
"Yes you can…" She exclaimed.
"What Caroline means sweetie," Bonnie said glaring at Caroline. "…is that it won't hurt to at least try to tell him and let him decide on his own."
"Yeah that's all I meant." Caroline said coming to sit down beside me. "Don't close your heart to Damon honey, you see where that got you the first time around." I nod my head at her words knowing what she was saying was true. I can't give up now, him and I have history, a complicated history but history none the less, and this girl is some new bitch that just came to the picture that can easily be gone when I want her to be. God, I sound like Katherine. I sigh and get up off the couch.
"I'm going to turn in I think I had enough for one day." I say making my way up the stairs to Damon's room to take a shower and head to bed.
A couple of hours later the bedroom door opened and I knew who was coming in, I waited for him to realize I was there. He cut the light on and was in the middle of taking off his shirt before he finally saw I was in the room.
"What are you doing in here?" he asked looking at me while I lay under the covers.
"I been sleeping in here for the past few months." Was all I could get out because I was to focus on his abs that seem to become more dominant over the past four months.
"Oh," was all he said. "I will find somewhere else to sleep." He said about to leave. I had to think fast I didn't want him to leave, not yet, not ever.
"Stay!" I have yelled stopping him in his tracks. "Lay with me, please"
He hesitated for a second before sighing cutting of the light after putting on pajamas and coming to lie in bed.
"Well you have to move your fat ass over so I can get in." he tease and smiled in relief as the tension left the room. I moved over just enough to let him in bed before curling in to him laying my head on his chest. I know shouldn't but I couldn't help myself and I sighed in relief when he finally wrapped his arms around me.
"Did your phone conversation go well?" I asked. "Was everything okay?" as an afterthought when I felt him tense up.
"Yeah everything was okay, nobody was dying" he said not going into detail about who was on the phone and I didn't push it.
"I missed you so much Damon" I say placing a kiss on his chest before wrapping my arms around his body pulling him as close as I could get him to me, entangling my legs with his completely ignoring how he tensed up at my kiss. I was too happy for getting my Christmas wish early to let that deter my mood.
"I missed you to Kitten" he finally replied after he relaxed putting me closer and kissing the top of my head. I smiled at the nickname I used to loathe but now would give anything to hear him call me that every day.
"I love you Damon Salvatore" I whisper as I begin to drift off to sleep.
"I love you too Elena Gilbert" I swear I heard him say and I wanted to lift my head and give him a proper kiss and show him just how much I missed and loved him but I continued drift into dreams of the man lying next to me. I was glad to finally to feel at peace, at home. He was my home, home sweet home; maybe there was hope for us yet.
There is is guys chapter 7, what do y'all think. Its about two chapters left and the epilogue so tell me what think of this chapter.