On a shameless night
In a nameless place
I thought that love was a hopeless case til I found you (til I found you)
Lived a wasteful life in a hateful city
The world's no love just pain and pity til I found you (til I found you)
And I don't know how you saved me
And you don't know what you gave me
And I don't know how you saved my life
14 weeks and 6 days pregnant.
Thursday December 8th
It was two days ago, I saw my little baby and heard its heartbeat. Things have been the same. And along with Damon and my dad force feeding me the shakes I have gained 2 pounds, which Damon nearly jumped up and down about. We've been talking about me visiting his parents since he said they're dying to see me. He said anytime that works for me, would work for them. So I plan on telling him after school, that I want to do it today. I want to meet his parents. He has been so nice to me putting up with my angry brother and judgy dad that I want to return the favor.
Damon spends every day after school at my house, we plan and talk things about the baby as well as getting to know each other. You know since this was all from a one night stand. Does it still count as one night stand if we went at it like five times that night…anyway it always seems like a fairytale with how smooth things are going I just know it won't last long. Yeah that sounds negative, but come on, I am sixteen and pregnant and things are perfect? Yeah, no. I am loving it while it lasts though. I do have my snappy bitchy pregnant moments, but during the other times I am glowing and smiling. Jeremy still hates Damon but what news is that? My dad is actually liking Damon more and more. He told me the other day he can see Damon being a good, responsible dad and he regrets judging him so soon. Me and him both. As for Katherine, the bitch is still staying clear but she keeps giving me weird looks. I don't like it. It's almost making me paranoid like she has something up her sleeve but I brush it aside.
I walk very fast out of the school and to the parking lot. I want to tell, Damon that I want to meet them. Tonight. Well if they are free. And I hope they are. I want to meet them. Somehow, Damon is always already in his car, the only way he could do that is to leave class early, which I have no clue how he does. I quicken my pace and plop into the passenger seat as we take off towards my house.
"Damon?" I ask and break the comfortable silence.
"Hmm?"
"I'm ready to meet your parents…is it okay if we do that tonight?" I ask shyly.
He almost jumps.
He looks at me with his eyes widened a bit and then pulls off a small smile. "Y-yeah. They would love that." He stutters.
"Okay good. Sorry it took me so long. I know you have been hinting at it. I was just nervous before, but I really do want to meet them." I assure him.
"They will be over the moon." He laughs before focusing back on the road.
When he pulls into my driveway, I notice my dad's car is home. Must have gotten off work early. I am a little bummed, because I like spending time with Damon alone. I sigh and get out of the car and head inside.
"Hey 'Lena." My dad calls from the kitchen.
I walk into the kitchen with Damon on my heels and see my dad eating a sandwich.
"Get off work early?" I ask getting a glass of water.
"Yep, hospital is dead. Pun not intended." He says.
I nod and go to fill my glass with water but Damon shakes his head and pulls one of my shakes out of the fridge. I scowl at him. But fill my glass with that anyway.
"I won't be here for dinner." I tell my dad before taking a big gulp of my shake, which earns a proud look from Damon.
"Where are you going?" My dad asks confused.
"Meeting Damon's parents." I tell him, taking another sip of my shake.
"I want to go." My dad says firmly.
I freeze. "Why?"
He gives me a stupid look. "Elena, I will be seeing a lot of them in the future. I want to meet them. They will be in our lives forever I really do want to meet them. Always have. I would have suggested it soon enough" He shrugs.
I sigh. I guess he should meet them. And I might feel better with him there. We don't need him to meet them on the babies first birthday or the delivery room. I've seen Stefan before at parties and with Caroline. Might have talked to him a few times. But we've always been just acquaintances. I feel like I only know him because Caroline gushes over him constantly.
"Okay." I nod drinking more.
"So, Damon what time should we head over there?" My dad asks while finishing his sandwich.
"Well anytime. They are taking a break from working for a couple weeks so they are home a lot." Damon explains.
"Good. You two work on homework and then we can head over?" Grayson asks.
Damon nods. "Sounds good."
I finish my shake and feel full from it so I start to head upstairs with Damon behind me. We both grab our bags and head to my room. He has been in my room a couple of times, not much. Usually only if my dad is home and we don't want hovering stares. I shut the door behind me and head to my bed.
"Ugh homework." I groan.
"I never did homework before, well until I found out about…you know." He laughs lightly.
"Well when you have a doctor as a father you are almost forced to do it." I joke.
"Yeah well my parents were never around…" He trails off and begins doing his homework.
"Damon…" I stop and don't know what to say. "Who raised you?" I whisper after a moment.
He sighs, still writing things down. "We had a nanny till I was 14. She passed away and my parents didn't see the point to hire another one, since we were teenagers and could handle ourselves so that's just what happened…" He shrugs.
"How often did you see them?" I manage to say.
"It depended. Sometimes once a week and sometimes once a month or less. Depends what deals they had to sign or oversee. My mom stayed a few times but my dad couldn't be away from her for long so she always went with him despite it paining her. She did call every night or video call so I was still very close with her."
"What about your dad?"
"He is good deep down but can come across as mean or abrupt. He pushed me away a lot growing up, for reasons unknown to me, and has snapped at all of us and has made mistakes. Let's just say he won't be winning the father of the year award anytime soon." He shrugs again still working on his homework.
Whenever Damon tells me about his family I almost always want to break out in tears. It is so sad. I have always had close relationship with my parents. Strict sometimes, but good. Until my mom died of course, but family wise I have been lucky. It makes sense more and more why he wants to be there for the baby. He doesn't want to be his parents and he doesn't want his kid to have the same childhood. If that isn't sweet or selfless I don't know what is.
"Will they like me?" I ask.
He drops his pencil and looks at me dumbfounded. "Of course! They constantly ask about you, making sure you are eating good. Elena, trust me. Don't worry." He assures and picks his pencil up again.
I nod and smile and start my homework. We both get in a better mood helping each other with homework. Damon is actually a pretty smart guy, he just has a little attention problem. He helps me with my algebra, science and history, who knew he was such a nerd when it came to the Civil War. I help him with English. One of the few things I love in school.
"Damon, Elena, it's almost five, lets get going!" My dad calls from downstairs.
"Oh god." I say and stand up.
"Don't worry, I texted them and they are excited." Damon comforts.
I breathe in and out trying to calm myself. I know I shouldn't be too nervous but I am. I feel like I am meeting my in-laws which is weird. And I am sure everyone will be starting at my bump for the entire dinner. Can't wait.
I go to my bathroom and touch up on my makeup and run a brush through my hair. I return to my bedroom to find Damon lounging on my bed. He looks like a Greek god just lounging there. Focus, Elena.
"Is this outfit fine?" I ask nervously gesturing to my leggings and sweater.
"Yes Elena, it's fine. Your dad is getting impatient so let's go." He hastily says.
"Wait…." I pause and go to my mirror making sure I look alright.
"Elena…you look amazing" He says softly. "Now let's go."
I blush and nod. I grab his extended hand as he leads me downstairs. My dad is waiting next to the front door with a tired expression.
"What took so long." He breathes out.
"Sorry." I say and look down. Me and Damon are still holding hands. He notices too and tries to hide the smirk but fails.
I get into Damon's camaro with my dad on our trails. I feel myself sweating and fidgeting which earns more looks from Damon. He seems to think they will love me, but you never know. We pull up to his driveway and I have been here once before on a hazy night for a party but now I take it in. The house is huge. A mansion. It looks pretty old but it's beautiful.
"Wow." I breathe out.
He shrugs. "It's nothing." He says and gets out.
I follow him feeling my nerves take over again. My dad makes small talk as we walk to the door but I ignore it trying to get my nerves under control. We reach the door and before my dad has his hand on the door it opens revealing Damon's parents.
His mom is very pretty for her age. Black long curly hair with bright blue eyes. I now know where Damon gets his from. His dad has grey hair with some bald spots and is a little on the plump side but he has amazing green/hazel eyes. But i find myself wanting our kid to have his mom's eyes. They are so beautiful, a child with them would be incredible.
"Hi you guys! Come on in." She smiles and we walk in. "I'm Helen and this is Giuseppe." She introduces, as we hang up our jackets.
"Hello, I'm Grayson." My dad shakes Giuseppe and Helen's hands.
I stand behind Damon, too scared to say anything. Damon nudges me forward and I stumble a little. "She won't bite, Elena." He smirks.
"I might just a little, kidding! Hi, I'm Helen" She says peeking around Damon.
I stand to the side of him now and smile. "Hi, I'm Elena" I say and shake her hand but she pulls me in and kisses both of my cheeks.
"Trust me we know." She laughs and pulls away from me with a beautiful smile on her face.
We all walk to the parlor and sit down. With me, Damon and my dad on one couch and Helen and Giuseppe on the other.
"So while dinner is cooking, why don't we talk?" Giuseppe asks bluntly.
My dad nods. "That's a good idea. Lots to talk about." My dad laughs.
"So Damon has been updating us on the baby and from the ultrasounds it looks good. I am just concerned about what he said about you, Elena. Are you doing better? Gaining weight?" Helen asks worriedly.
I nod. "Yeah, the shakes are helping I have gained almost 3 pounds in just a few days." I smile.
"That's good. Though, like I told Damon, not much to worry about. Salvatore's are always born over 9 pounds." Giuseppe jokes lightly.
"What about school dear?" Helen asks sweetly.
"Well uhm…I plan on finishing till I go into labor which should be around June…then the summer will give me a few months off with the baby then I can hopefully jump back into my junior year." I explain.
She nods. "Good plan. Damon told us he is going to take a gap year from our family business, for the baby." She nods proudly.
I look over to him and raise my eyebrows. He never told me this. He said he would take some time off in the beginning then go into business, but a whole entire year?
"Damon you don't have to do that." I tell him.
He looks intently into my eyes. "Yes I do. I am not missing out on its life. It's not happening." He shakes his head stubbornly.
"That way the first year you two will have a babysitter. And if Damon can't do it, I am more than willing to help." Helen smiles. "I have always wanted a grandchild. Been a dream of mine for a long time."
"Bet you didn't expect it this early." My dad laughs.
I feel embarrassed and hide in Damon's shoulder. Count on my dad to embarrass us.
"Nothing to be shy about. What happened has happened. Oh dinner is ready." Damon's moms jumps up and we all follow her.
We walk into the kitchen and it looks like those ones from the movies. So nice and clean and…Big.
"So why didn't Jeremy come tonight?" Helen asks while getting a giant turkey out of the oven.
"That kid is always busy getting into trouble" Grayson laughs lightly.
I am sure everyone in town knows what Jeremy is up to. He gets in trouble all the time, I am sure Helen asked out of courtesy. Jeremy has been in the local news a few times as well as the newspaper though he has never gotten in big trouble with the law, it's usually him just being stupid. He is smart and knows how to stay away from the law. And i don't ask why or how. No one does. Though he is a nice guy still has manners but once you cross him, you might as well move because he will make your life hell.
"Stefan should be here soon. Said he was going to his girlfriends but should be back any second." Helen adds.
Our parents make small talk while Damon and me are in the corner of the room watching cautiously.
"Aren't you nervous about them talking?" I ask Damon quietly.
"Kinda, yeah." He admits.
"They could say anything embarrassing, at any second." I hiss.
"Nah can't be that bad, I mean, we already had sex." He smirks.
I glare and smack his shoulder.
I swear the only thing on this boys mind is sex. How he doesn't have more kids running around is beyond me.
"Hey Mom. Sorry I'm late." Stefan says walking into the kitchen. He walks over and kisses his mom on the cheek and then spots me.
"Hey Elena." He greets warmly.
"Uh-Hi." I give a little wave. He comes over and kisses my cheek. Italians. Much to Damon's displeasure.
When the food is prepared we all sit in the dining room with Damon on my right and my dad on my left. Damon's parents are across from us and Stefan next to them. Their dining room as you can guess is like the rest of the house. Amazing. Wood paneling, glass windows with incredible detail. The dining room table is very long though we are only using a quarter of it. The middle is filled with a feast of food. Reminds me of thanksgiving. If this is what a normal meal is like here, I am coming over more often.
"Well lets dig in." Giuseppe says.
I look around at all the dishes and I'm not sure where to start. I let people pick their food first, not sure what to eat. There are so many options. Turkey, casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetable soup and garlic bread.
"Eat, Elena! I bet you're starving." Helen laughs.
I nod and laugh meekly. "Yeah, sorry just so many options." I say and pick some turkey and mashed potatoes to start with.
"So how was your time with your girlfriend?" Giuseppe asks Stefan.
"Good, good. Her mom wasn't home, so we got to spend quality time together."
Damon coughs. "Hope you used a condom."
"Damon!" Helen scolds.
Damon holds his hands up as if he was surrendering. "Just trying to prevent another little Salvatore running around." He says innocently.
"Sorry, but not all of us have sex when we're alone, Damon. Some of us, like to just spend time together." Stefan smiles coldly.
Damon is about to intercept when their dad glares at them signaling for it to stop.
I look down at my plate trying not to smile. Before I would find it rude of Damon, I am sure, but now I seem to laugh at all of his jokes. Damn him. My dad is almost fighting a smile. Us Gilberts are falling for the Salvatore's. Or maybe just me.
"Oh, I forgot the fish." Helen all of a sudden says and leaves to the kitchen.
"Oh, no." I whisper knowing what is about to happen when she enters the dining room.
She comes walking in with some sort of fish on a platter and sets it down. "Almost forgot about it, it came a little late, no worries if no one eats it."
The smell hits me and I stand up so abruptly that my chair almost falls over. I clamp my hand over my mouth but have no idea where to go. Damn unknown house.
"Here, here" Damon says, ushering me down the hallway and into a small bathroom. I let it all out the first chance I get, while Damon holds my hair back. Not much comes out because it was just from the smell. My morning sickness is gone but apparently my sensitive smell isn't. I stand up shakily, and wipe my mouth with toilet paper.
"Sorry" I whisper.
"Elena, it's fine. I knew once she said she was bringing out fish this might happen. I should have warned-"
"No, no. Don't blame yourself. It happens. No big deal. Come on lets go back out there." I force a smile.
He smiles and nods.
We head back out there hand in hand even though mine is a little clammy. We hear small talk and when we reach the dining room again it stops. The fish is gone from the table (thank god) and everyone has concerned looks on their faces. Great. If there is one thing I don't like it is pity. I got a lot of it around the time my mom died and i hated it then and i hate it now. It is definitely a pet peeve.
"Elena, dear, are you okay?" Helen asks.
I smile and nod. "Yeah, sorry about that." I say shyly.
"Don't apologize! What happened? You should be over morning sickness, right?"
I nod. "I am over it, but I am sensitive to smells, especially fish." I explain.
A look of understanding crosses her face and her mouth is in a 'o' shape. "Oh god, honey, I am so sorry." She says sincerely.
I wave her off as I sit down. "It's fine. Really. Happens all the time. My dad cooked tacos the other night and the smell of the meat made me throw up. Not much you can do." I smile.
"That's unfortunate. So any kind of meats?" She asks.
"No, just depends on the day. Like today the turkey didn't bother me but the fish did" I shrug. "It's all at random."
"So, what do you think the baby is, Elena?" Giuseppe asks, changing the subject.
"Uhm I have a feeling it's a girl. I always have since the beginning." I smile eating some more turkey.
Damon shakes his head."Nope. Salvatore's have boys. It will be a boy."
"Yep." Giuseppe agrees.
"Hey, it could be a girl." Helen encourages.
"No." Stefan says. "They are right. The past four generations have all been boys."
"Well, I will have to bet against you guys, because I have a really strong feeling it's a girl." I say proudly.
"Grayson, what about you? What do you think?" Helen asks.
"I think it's a boy" He laughs.
"Dad." I laugh. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"Sorry hun, if the past four generations have been boys, the facts are on their side. Plus I have a feeling it's a boy."
"Okay, then me and Elena, will think it's a girl, while you men think it's a boy." Helen bets.
We all nod and agree. Bet's on. I am the mom. You think they would side with me since it's in my belly. Sucks for them.
I rub my belly. "Well it's a girl. Joke's on all of you." I smirk.
"I can't wait for this appointment. We should all go!" Grayson decides.
"Elena what do you think? Will that be alright?" Helen asks.
I nod. "Oh yeah. More than fine."
She smiles brightly at me. And I feel like my mom is staring at me. Helen's love for her children and now maybe me, reminds me of my mom and I suddenly miss her. I wish she could be here to see all of this and meet her grandchild, though it will never happen, but I'm happy the baby has Helen. I can already see her spoiling it.
"Hey mom, I'm going to go upstairs and work on my homework and call Caroline." Stefan says and grabs his dishes.
"Okay. Good night."
"Nice meeting you Stefan." My dad says.
Stefan smiles and nods then leaves the room.
"So, Elena think of any names yet?" Helen asks cheerfully after a few moments of us eating.
I shake my head. "Not yet. I am still kind of wrapping my head around it and I might wait till I see the gender before I make any decisions." I explain.
"Good thought."
I don't say it but I can't wait to name my baby. One of the things I am looking forward too. Just creating a life for it. The best way I can. I really do hope it is a girl though I would love it either way, a girl has always been one I have wanted first since I was little. Dressing it up, Talking girly stuff to it while it grows up. Definitely something I wanted and still want. Plus I feel more comfortable with a girl since I can relate more to it and know more. Maybe it is just my safety option. In the end though I just want a healthy baby like any mom. I always found it weird when people said that when I was a kid. Like why do you want healthy if you could choose between a boy or girl? But i get it now. Totally get it. I just want it to be okay. That is all.
"So are the two of you together?" Giuseppe asks bluntly gesturing between us after a moment.
Oh no.
Did not expect this.
Me and Damon freeze and look at our plates both blushing. For some reason both embarrassed by it.
"What? U-uhm-I-no-uhm-no-nope" I stutter like a complete idiot.
"Nope." Damon says dismissively.
"Well anyway how about some dessert?" Helen says quickly trying to break the obvious tension.
"Give them some time Helen." Giuseppe says softly.
"I'll take some." My dad says.
"Me too." Damon say quickly.
"Elena? What about you, dear?" Helen asks me nicely.
I shake my head. "No, thank you. I am extremely full that I might burst." I laugh.
"You sure? You are all skin and bones you need some meat o-"
"Mom." Damon pleads.
"Okay, okay. Just want to make sure my grandchild is fat. I remember when Damon was a baby he was huge," She laughs. "But once he was able to walk, he ran from me whenever I tried to feed him. Smart boy." She reminisces.
I look at Damon and smile. I can imagine him as a cute little chubby baby running from his mom. He did tell me once, since both his parents are Italian they have always shoved food down his throat. I suddenly find myself hoping I have a cute little chubby baby.
We all make it to the parlor, and I am curled up next to Damon despite the weird looks everyone give us but we don't even care. It's natural to us. We small talk about the baby and laugh. I haven't felt this close to people since my mom was alive. It feels nice and Helen treats me like her own. Most families might make their kids feels like crap about this situation, but everyone in this room makes me feel good about it, and I feel so much love, for me, and this child. Once he or she is born, it's going to be the most spoiled baby I have ever seen.
"Well, Elena, we should head home its almost nine…" Grayson says.
I sigh. I know he is right but I don't want to leave. Ever.
"Yeah…"
"We all know you need like 12 hours of sleep to be decent the next day." He laughs.
True.
I get up and stretch from sitting for so long.
"Well, I will call you when the appointment is and we can all go and see who wins. I don't think we will find out till she's eighteen weeks though, but I'll call you." My dad explains.
"I meant to ask you, Elena, how are kids treating you at school now? Damon told me awhile ago it was bad. Better now?" Giuseppe asks sincerely.
Why did Damon ever think he was an asshole? He seems so genuine. Nice. Mental note to ask him.
"Uhm, a lot better now. At first it was unbearable but Damon and my brother helped a lot. Thanks." I smile.
"That's good. Don't let it get to you. Kids are horrible in school. I was tormented a lot for wanting to start a business and was told by them I would fail, but look at me now." He smiles reassuringly. "Besides I am sure they're doing far worse things." He smiles.
I nod and smile shyly.
"Here, I will walk you outside." Damon smiles tightly. Seems like he wants me to get out of the room. Weird.
My dad sticks a little longer to probably talk about us. Gossip...
We walk outside and the air is cold. Figures. December, now. And to think a year from now I will be shopping for my child's first Christmas presents. So weird.
"Sorry about my dad. He is all weird lately. He didn't use to be like this. Still weird for me." He laughs lightly.
I smile and put my hand on his shoulder. "He might have always been this way, it just took something to show it." I encourage.
"Yeah maybe…"
"Damon you said he was a asshole…he actually seems…nice?"
He laughs. "I guess deep down, he was always a good guy and had my best interests at heart but sometimes, he can be hot headed and impulsive. A lot like me, I guess." He chuckles.
"Hey it's fine Damon. And he seems like an amazing guy. Try to give him a chance." I whisper.
He nods.
Damon seems to shut out his father. I mean I can understand why. His dad alienated him growing up and pushed him away while traveling across the world. I get it. But I can tell Giuseppe wants to change that by just spending the dinner with them. He might have made mistakes in the past but I believe people deserve second or even third chances. I want Damon for his child, and most of all for himself, to forgive his dad and try again. At least while he is still young. He can change so much now. I don't want him to have his dad on his deathbed and regret it. Nobody wants that.
I hear my dad walk out the front door and I drop my hand from Damon's shoulder.
"Okay, ready cupcake?" My dad asks.
I nod and smile.
"Bye Elena. See you tomorrow." Damon smirks.
"Yep." I say and wave.
I get in and we drive away. I still see Damon watching our car go out the driveway.
When I get home, my dad leaves me alone after the amazing/nervous night. It was incredible meeting his parents. I never thought it would go this well. Damon was right. They loved me. And I loved them. Instant connection. I can see a family built in the future. Me visiting them with their grandchild. It makes me smile. I sit down and write my thoughts in my diary.
Writing in my diary opens up my thoughts. I can be in denial a lot, or not think things through but writing helps me sort them out. I don't know where I would be in my mindset about my pregnancy without my diary. I would probably be panicking still.
As I am writing I stop. I feel my heart stop. I drop my pen and gasp.
Oh no.
Writing brought up another thing I wasn't ready to face.
I am falling for Damon Salvatore.
Review for next chapter!
Thanks to Anna Banana for editing ;)
I was going to write a spoiler here but...It is too risky ;)
Thanks to 29 reviews last chapter! Amazing! Thanks! Inspires me a lot!