'Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty' Thomas Jefferson
Since Elena, Bonnie and Caroline were little girls, they've daydreamed about their weddings or so I've been told. Elena is having lunch with the two of them today to discuss the things she and I have talked about.
We want something simple with just our family and friends. Of course, Mystic Falls being a small town, it'll still be large shall we say. I would like the wedding to be outside in the spring when all the wildflowers are blooming. Of course, Elena's belly will be pretty prominent then but I don't care. I want her to be carrying my name before the baby is born.
I'm happily back at work although I really don't like working in the office that much. My dad and Rose are helping me out with the nooks and crannies of how this side of the business operates.
They're well aware of the fact that I much prefer to be outside with ax in hand. I paid my dues working in the corporate world. I did like it when it was fresh and new but Sage just put a damper on everything. I was a bit naïve, not realizing how cutthroat that world really is. Although I don't miss that life at all, I still help my dad if he has a computer glitch or needs a new program of some kind. I just really prefer being outside. After a long day of cutting wood or planting trees, it just really gives me a sense of pride and self satisfaction that I've accomplished something. When I see the new tree seedlings breaking through the earth, keeping the forest plush and green, I can't describe the feeling I get. Mother Nature is a wondrous thing. The smell of the great outdoors, there's nothing like it in the world.
Elena and I are getting married in the Spring but we're going to take our honeymoon once the weather warms up. I want to take Elena to Yellowstone National Park. Elena is my home, my life. Yet if I had to choose a place that I'd call Nirvana, Yellowstone would be it. The scenery is breathtaking...
Elena:
"Damon wants an outside wedding?" Caroline asks.
"Yes. He wants us to be married either in the park by the waterfall or up in the hills in that meadow. It's so pretty there in the springtime. The falls are pretty year round. I don't know. Since there are paved trails in Falls park, that would be more convenient for my wheelchair but I think Damon would prefer the meadow."
"I think either place would be lovely Elena. You're right about the paved walking paths at the falls. We wouldn't want to disturb the beauty of the meadow but perhaps we could rake an area of rocks and things and lay some kind of runner down. You know like the red carpet at Hollywood events. Someone will be walking down aisle beside you or pushing you. I think we can figure something out if that's the locale you two decide on," Bonnie says, taking my hand in hers.
"I'm so happy for you Elena," she gushes.
I squeeze her hand back. "Me too," I smile.
Soon we're interrupted when the waiter brings our meals. "This cobb salad looks yummy," I say, practically licking my lips.
"They have the best food here," Caroline adds.
After we're done with our meals and getting ready to leave, Caroline runs inside to get some takeout food for Enzo. I'm thumbing through my phone messages to see if there's anything from Jenna. She's supposed to meet the three of us at the dress shop.
With my mind elsewhere, I don't even notice when Matt walks up.
"Elena?"
"Matt! What are you doing here?" I say with a more hostility than I intended.
"I just wanted to talk to you."
I exhale heavily before turning back to him. "What could we possibly have to talk about, Matt?"
"Matt... honey, let's go," I hear a dark haired woman whine while cracking the wad of bubble gum in her mouth.
"April, shut it. I want to have a few words with Elena," he scolds her before turning back to me.
"I wanted to talk about us, me really," he says, his gaze zeroing in on me.
"There is no us. There hasn't been for a long time. I don't know what you want from me? Are you trying to purge your guilty conscience?" I say with more than a hint of sarcasm.
"Elena, please? I did love you but I'm a man and I have needs. How did you expect me to stay with you when you can't feel anything? Our sex life would've been nonexistent. I couldn't live like that. Not to mention all the challenges. My whole life would've had to change," he laments.
I reel back and slap him, hard. "How dare you presume to know what I can and cannot feel? It sounds like all I was to you is a sex object. Do I wish I could still walk, without a doubt, but my life is fuller than it's ever been with Damon. I never thought I'd be grateful for my paralysis but in this moment I am because it showed me what a dirt bag you really are," I seethe before backing up and wheeling away from him. I look back just once to see his mouth agape as he gingerly rubs his cheek where I slapped him.
When I'm sure he can't see me, I let the tears fall. Did I really mean so little to him all along? I think to myself.
"Elena? What's wrong honey?" Bonnie asks, concern visible on her face.
"Matt! Why won't he just leave me alone? You wouldn't believe what he had the gall to say to me. I'm angry yet so hurt at the same time. He said he couldn't stay with me because 'I can't feel anything' and he is a man after all! Do you believe the nerve of him?" I huff, wiping away my tears because he doesn't deserve them.
"I'm pissed just hearing about it, what did you say to him?"
"I slapped him."
Bonnie laughs, "You go girl," she says raising her palm for a high five.
"Thanks Bonnie"
"Are you up for looking at dresses? Caroline went to bring the car around."
My smile erupts as I nod then start wheeling myself to the exit with Bonnie beside me.
Damon:
"Hey you," I tell her when I walk into the house, pressing a kiss to her lips. "How did the dress shopping go?"
"Don't ask. They had some pretty ones but none of them spoke to me if that makes any sense."
I chuckle a bit. "Yes, sweetie, it makes sense. Have you looked online at all?"
"Not really. I'd like to be able to try it on. I'll do that though, maybe it'll give me some idea of what I want," she says, her tone lackluster.
"Is something bothering you?"
"I just ran into Matt at the restaurant today. I wish he'd just leave us alone," she says softly, shaking her head.
"I took care of him though, I don't expect he'll be darkening our doorstep again any time soon."
"Good. But I will say this. If he continues to harass you, I will be having words with him," I caution her.
"You have my permission if he accosts me again," she says smiling.
"Deal," I tell her grinning.
"You know the drill Elena," Charlotte, Elijah's office nurse tells us.
We're here to have another sonogram to see how our little bean is doing. Elena is now sixteen weeks into her pregnancy and is progressing nicely. We've been very fortunate in that she hasn't really been afflicted too badly by morning sickness. She's has had little spurts of nausea but she has never actually thrown up. We're both grateful for that.
"Hello Damon, Elena. How's our little mother doing today?" Elijah asks jovially. "Your blood pressure and weight are stable. It looks like you've gained about eight pounds all together, Elena.
I've talked to my friend in New York City. We need to watch you carefully for blood clots because women have increased blood volume during pregnancy. You need to go to the emergency room if you have any sudden shortness of breath, swelling or pain in your legs or chest pain," he instructs us.
"I haven't noticed anything like that but I am having more muscle spasms. Is that normal?"
"Yes, I've read that some women do report an increase in their spasms. Are you doing okay with medication? You could take some Tylenol if you'd like," he replies.
"I am having some trouble with catheterizing myself because of my belly. Damon has been helping me with that. I really don't want to have an indwelling catheter because I think my chances of developing a bladder infection are more if I have to go that route," Elena tells him, turning her eyes to me.
She was so embarrassed about it. At first she was really hesitant to ask me for help. I take her hand in mine, returning her gaze. I think she thought I'd be disgusted by the thought of catheterizing her. Once I assured her that wasn't the case, she walked me through the process. I was so proud of myself when I got the catheter in her urethra the first time I tried. I will admit that I was anxious myself but I'm a pro at it now. I return her gaze, taking her hand in mine and squeezing lovingly.
Elijah smiles and nods approvingly. "As long as Damon is able to help you, I think you should keep doing what you're doing. Do you have any questions, Damon?"
"What about some stool softeners? Usually her bowel program is pretty routine but she's struggling with it lately. I know she's embarrassed but her prenatal vitamins are constipating for her. I know there's a lot of iron in them. That's why her stools are dark right?"
"That's right Damon. Iron does make stools dark."
He then turns to Elena. "Please don't be embarrassed Elena. That's really quite common. You should add more fruit and other high fiber foods. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water. There are over the counter stool softeners that are considered safe to take during pregnancy. I'm going to step out and see if we have any samples. Why don't you help Elena lay down on the exam table so we can get a look at baby Salvatore," he says to me.
Just as I'm done helping Elena get positioned on the exam table, Elijah walks back in and hands me a couple bottles of the stool softener. He takes the Doppler and locates my baby's heartbeat. There is no sound like it in the world.
"Have you felt movement yet, Elena?"
"No, not yet?" she says sadly.
"Your spinal injury was in the lower lumbar region so you should be able to feel some of your baby's movements and not just with your hands. You should also be able to feel some labor when we get to that point. We'll have to watch carefully for autonomic dysreflexia. There are signs and symptoms that we need to watch for, including severe headache with increased blood pressure occurring with your uterine contractions. Some women may also experience a decrease in heart rate with goosebumps and sweating. We'll have to avoid Pitocin since it may make the problem worse. There is evidence that AD may cause fetal distress. Proper anesthesia or anti-hypertensives can treat the problem but immediate delivery of the baby and placenta is imperative. I don't want to scare you two but we need to be on the alert for such things when the time comes," he cautions us.
"Wow, that's a lot to take in," I reply, taking Elena's hand in mine.
"Let's not jump ahead of ourselves though. Yes, these things are a possibility and we need to plan accordingly but Elena may have a perfectly normal labor and delivery. Don't worry. I just want you to be aware of your body, Elena. You'll know if you're feeling different or if something isn't right," Elijah says attempting to calm us.
"Alright, it's show time," he teases, squirting the gel on Elena's belly. Once he caresses her tummy with the transducer, our baby comes to life on the screen. The detail is brilliant.
"You can see the heart blipping along. There are the four chambers of the heart. The spinal cord looks normal as do the lungs and kidneys. Your baby looks perfect. Have you decided about learning what the sex is?"
"We don't want to know, Elijah. We want the surprise," I smile then bend over to kiss Elena's belly.
After he finishes taking measurements and looking at everything he needed to, he leaves the room so Elena can change into her clothes.
Once we're in the car on our way home, I glimpse at Elena, frowning when I see her wiping some tears. "What's wrong sweetheart?" I ask.
"Nothing, I'm just happy," she blubbers taking my hand in hers.
Elena and I are having supper at the Grill. She was a little tired and didn't want to cook tonight. She's now twenty weeks along, her belly prominent and I'm proud as the proverbial peacock..
"What would you like to drink?" Rebekah is busy so I'll just go up the bar and get us something.
"Lemonade actually sounds good. If they don't have any, just some Sprite," she tells me, her eyes fixed on the menu.
Ric is at the bar so I stay and visit with him a little before asking him if he'd like to join Elena and me. I can't help but chuckle when I see Donovan standing there, slack jawed and staring at Elena's belly.
"I'm going to have a few words with Mr. Donovan so if you'll excuse me, Ric," I utter before walking over to Donovan.
"Matt, how the hell are you?" I turn to Elena, winking when I see her brows raised.
"See that, that's my kid in there. I have to thank you though buddy. If you hadn't been such a moron, that baby wouldn't be there right now. I'll tell you a little secret, Elena's actually the best I've been with," I whisper, rubbing it in.
"Matt... I'm waiting for you," I hear his wife say, her bubble gum popping. Unable to help myself, I break out in mocking laughter, shake my head at him then return to Elena.
"I love you," she whispers pulling me into a smoldering kiss.
Two chapters left. Thank you Eva and thank you for all of the wonderful reviews. I know I repeat myself ad nauseum but they really do mean the world to me and I appreciate them so much. Please take a look at 'Nothing Else Matters' and 'Pieces of Eight'. Both of those were updated yesterday. Hashtag #DE's love is timeless. I think my favorite DE video on you tube is called 'Timeless Love" by ShatteredxDesires. Morvamp brought it to my attention a long time ago and it's still as beautiful now as it was back then. Hope you all have a lovely day. Until next time, stay safe and be happy, Carol