"Dad, do you want to keep this?" I ask, holding up an old stand mixer. He laughs a little, shaking his head no.
"Did you talk to the auction company this morning?" I look at him a moment before continuing to sort out kitchen stuff.
"I did. They've scheduled my auction for a month from Friday so I want to get most of this done before you fly back. I'm going to stay here till then."
"I can arrange for a moving company to bring the things you want to keep to my, I mean our place."
"I'd like that. It's one less thing I need to worry about then. I'm going to have to spend some time at the cemetery with your mom before I leave too," he says, turning to look at me with melancholy clearly visible in his eyes.
"Dad, are you absolutely sure about this? As much as I want you with me and Stefan, I want your happiness more."
"I'm sure, Damon. I know your mom would agree. If she were alive, we'd probably already be living there anyway."
"I miss her too, so much sometimes, a lot actually." Our eyes meet in remembrance of my mom. Putting aside the kitchenware for a moment, I pick up a photo album and begin to thumb through it, smiling widely when I find one of dad helping me learn to hit a baseball while mom is pitching to me. I don't know who took the picture but mom is on the pitcher's mound while dad is helping me holding onto the bat.
"Look at this one, dad." Walking over to where he's standing, I point out the picture to him.
"Yes, I remember this. Stefan was a toddler. We had signed you up to play little league baseball. Mom insisted that we give you a feel for the game before the season started. That was a good day." He gives my shoulder a squeeze as we reminisce.
"I couldn't hit squat at first but by the time the season ended, I had a pretty decent batting average."
"Mom and I were at every game."
"Thanks for everything dad," I add, gratitude in my voice. Taking a deep breath, I set the photo album down to look over it more later. I return to the task at hand and start putting cookware and dishes in boxes to be sold. As the afternoon begins to wind down, I have all the cupboards emptied and boxed up save for a few dishes for dad to use when I leave.
"Are you hungry?" After putting the book down, I turn to face him.
"I am. What sounds good to you?"
"Is that seafood place still open? You know, the one that we all used to love?"
"It is. You want lobster?
"Yeah. Come on, dad. My treat. I'm just going to wash up a bit then we can go. You're driving," I remind him, shaking my head at my stupidity. I'll never drive while intoxicated again. I'll be forever grateful that I didn't hurt anyone.
"Hello Carol. This is Damon Salvatore. I was wondering if I could say hello to Anna?"
"Damon, it's good to talk to you. Are you still in Florida?"
"Yes, I'll be here for several more days. I promised Anna that I'd call her."
"That was really nice of you. I'm going to put you on hold. I'll go see if she's in the main building. Why don't you give me your cell number so I can call you back if I have to go outside to find her?" I read it off to her and then I hear the 'elevator music' in the background so I know that I'm now on hold. Dad and I are taking a day off tomorrow to go to the beach. Honestly, I haven't gone out my surfboard for so long. It's like riding a bike or learning how to drive a stick shift. I already know I'm going to be rusty but I'm looking forward to going out on the water.
When the background music stops in the receiver, I hear a little voice. "Damon?" she says in her sweet little voice.
"Hi Anna. Yes, it's Damon. How are you?"
"Me miss you," she says, her voice soft.
"Oh sweetheart, I miss you too. I'll come to see you as soon as I get home, okay?"
"Okay..."
"How is school?" I ask her, my heart breaking that she sounds so disheartened.
"Ewena help me."
"I'm glad. When I get home, I can help you too. I'm going to bring you a surprise when I come home. How does that sound?"
"Me like that," she yips, finally sounding happy.
"Listen sweetie, I have to go now. I'll come to see you as soon as I get home from my daddy's house, okay?" When I hear a very soft sounding yes, I ask her to give the phone back to Carol.
"She's so excited now, Damon. She ran off when she saw Elena step into the atrium. I can't hear her but I can see how animatedly she's behaving with Elena."
"Elena is there?" I ask.
"Yes, she actually came to visit Anna today too. But I need to go now. I'll see you when you get back. Bye now," Carol says, ending the call.
"It's a beautiful day."
"It is dad. I was surprised to see you bring your surfboard along too?"
"Why? I'm not that ancient," he scoffs, giving me a wink. Shaking my head, I stare out of the window watching the scenery roll by. My mind drifts to Elena till my reverie is broken when I hear dad utter my name. Sucking in a breath, I turn to him, staring for a few seconds.
"Dad, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," he says, glancing at me for a millisecond before turning his eyes back to the road ahead.
"It's about Elena. I really like her dad."
"And..?"
"I think there's something very sad in her past. I think there's more to it than the fact that she was in Happy Dale for six years. I just have a hunch that there's something deeper?" I muse, looking out of the window again this time at the cloud shapes in the sky. I smile a little when I see one that looks like an elephant.
"I know you're my dad but you're only fifty two. Have you ever been out, been with anyone since mom died? I mean, she's been gone for eleven years already."
Hearing his heavy sigh, he reaches over with one hand and squeezes my arm for a moment. "Damon, your mother was and will always be the love of my life. But to answer your question, yes, I've gone out with other women since she died. I didn't have any interest in dating or even thinking about dating for two, three years after she passed away. I hope you understand," he says, his voice a little unsure.
"Dad, don't feel bad. I understand. Elena and I we started to... but then she stopped me. She said she had things to tell me first. I don't know if she's afraid that I won't want her after... I feel good when I'm with her. Does that make any sense?"
"Of course it does. I want you to find some happiness again Damon. If this girl does that, then I'm on your side. Just take it slow. I mean, she needs time to adjust to living outside of Happy Dale too. I can't tell you how proud I am of you for stepping up and helping both Elena and Anna. I miss her by the way," he adds, turning to look at me when we stop at a red light.
"Thanks dad. I was thinking maybe we could take Anna out for another day or even an overnight. She's really fond of Elena too. Perhaps the four of us could do something together?"
"I'd like that, Damon," he says, just as he parks the car, ending our conversation for now. Taking a deep breath, I step out of the car, my mind turning to Stef for whatever reason. He was supposed to fly here to help dad and I out with the packing. He flew in last weekend, hooked up with some of his old friends then flew back to Texas, claiming the business demanded one of us be there to take care of things. I haven't asked Elena if he's treating her any better yet. I didn't want to have a war of words with him in front of dad. If he's still misbehaving around her, he and I will talk and he will apologize to her.
After I lift both of our boards out of the rear of the car, we carry them down to the beach. We both slather sun screen on before walking out into the surf. Once I'm in about three feet of water, I slide onto it. Laying on my belly, I use my arms to paddle out into deeper water to try to catch a few waves. Dad is a few feet away from me. He taught Stefan and I how to surf when we were kids. Mom actually used to surf too till she hurt her back when she stepped wrong, falling down the stairs.
When I see a wave rolling in, I paddle out and backdoor the wave, riding it to it's completion. Raising my arms in a cheer, I turn my board around and head back into the waves. Once I see another one that I want, I drop in to the wave my dad is riding, following behind him. After we ride it out, I grab his hand and pull him in a for a guy hug.
"I'm really glad we decided to do this," I tell him as the two of us walk out of the water. We're both sunburnt by the time we decide to call it a day. Without warning, Dad turns into the McDonald's drive through telling me he's thirsty and wants a little something to eat before we drive home. I buy us each a drink and an ice cream cone. He pulls into one of the parking spots to eat it before taking off for home.
"Thank you son. This is good."
"Their ice cream cones really aren't bad," I tell him, taking a big lick of my own ice cream. When dad finishes his, he starts the car, pulling back onto the highway to drive us home. He lives approximately ninety minutes from the beach. It was close enough for us to be able to come to the ocean frequently but far enough away to avoid the summer tourism madness.
"Damon?"
"What?" I ask, looking around as I try to get my bearings.
"Relax Damon," dad says, "I just wanted to tell you that we're home."
"I love the water but it really wears you out sometimes."
"That it does. Let's go in the house," he says. I nod, unbuckle my seatbelt, opening the car door and getting out. After taking out surfboards out of the vehicle, I put them away before walking into the house. I drop down onto the sofa, my head falls back and soon, I'm sound asleep again. I don't know how much time passes before he's waking me up again to tell me that I have a phone call.
"Hello?" I say, trying to shake off my fatigue.
"Hi Damon," I hear her say, immediately bringing a smile to my face.
"Elena, hi. I'm sorry I didn't call earlier. Dad and I went surfing so I'm completely wiped," I tell her.
"No worries. I just wanted to tell you that I miss you."
"I miss you too. I'm coming home Sunday. My flight is scheduled to arrive a DFW at two thirty seven. My flight number is 804. I'd love for you to be there?"
"I'll pick you up unless you have other plans that is?" she says, her voice a little hesitant.
"I'd love that Elena," I say softly.
"Anna was so excited that you called her. I went to see her you know."
"I do know that. Carol Lockwood mentioned that when I was done talking to Anna. I got her a stuffed dolphin. Do you think she'll like it?"
"Of course she will. She loves her stuffed animals."
"I also picked up a baby doll for her. My mom loved dolls. She collected them. Dad won't part with them so they'll be displayed in my house at some point. Don't you tell anyone." I tease.
"That's sweet. Why would anyone care if you choose to honor your mom that way?" she scoffs.
"No one will. I was joking," I laugh.
"Listen, I have to go now. I'm actually going to a movie with Caroline. She invited me because Stefan won't go with her to see 'Cinderella'."
"Is he treating you any better?"
"He's not overly talkative but I would say that he's not as short with me as he was. I think he's coming around," she tells me.
"I hope so. I'll let you go. If she has to wait for you, she'll have my ass when I get home. Bye now," I whisper, pressing a kiss to the receiver. I actually hear her say it back with a kiss just before the phone call ends.
"Thanks for taking me to the airport dad. I'll fly in so I can help with the auction okay?"
"I would really appreciate that son," he tells me, wrapping me in his arms. "You call when you get home so I know you got there safely, okay?"
"I will, I promise."
"I'll see you in a couple of weeks."
"Bye dad. I love you," I tell him softly, setting my bag down to give him a hug. After telling me that he loves me too, he gives me one last hug before walking out of the airport. After sitting in the airport for an hour and a half, we're finally allowed to board. Once I get on the plane, I settle into my seat and thumb through the magazine that's in the seat pocket in front of me. As soon as the plane is airborne, I pull my baseball cap down over my eyes and let sleep consume me. Next thing I hear is the flight attendant tell us to buckle up that the plane is making its final decent into DFW. I can hardly wait to see Elena. I've been gone nearly two weeks. Maybe I can talk her into flying to Florida with me when I go back in two weeks for dad's auction.
After disembarking, I make my way through the airport to the baggage carousel assigned to my flight. I grab my suitcase and just as I turn around, I see a beautiful brunette running towards me with a smile on her face that matches my own. Dropping my suitcase I open my arms, wrapping them around her as soon as she's within reach.
"Hi," I whisper. Without waiting for her to say a word, I crash my lips to hers, pressing and molding and sliding our mouths together till I hear some guy rudely say, "Get a room," right next me.
Pulling back, it's like only the two of us exist for a long moment.
"Wow," she gasps, pressing her fingers to her lips in awe.
"Yes wow," I add, stealing another one.
"I was wondering if you could come over unless you're too tired that is?"
I can't help but notice that she looks a little on edge.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. I just want you to know me, Damon. All of me."
"I want to know all of you and I want you to know me too, Elena. Let's get out of here."
When she nods, I lace our fingers together and the two of us walk out of the airport hand in hand.
"Thanks for making supper for me, Elena. It was really good. How did DC behave for you?" I ask as I dry the plate she hands me. I'd get her a dishwasher but she said she likes getting her hands wet. To each his own I guess, I shake my head slightly.
"DC is such a handsome cat. He likes to snuggle." Her eyes are full of mirth while she pets him.
"And what's that face about?"
"DC can be pretty aloof. He likes to snuggle for a little bit and then he goes his merry way. This face," I utter, pointing my index finger at myself, "is thinking about a dishwasher and how you said you liked washing dishes." I shudder as I put another plate away.
"Please," she scoffs.
"What's wrong with a little manual labor?"
"Not a thing, sweetheart." Leaning forward, I capture her lips in a heady kiss.
"Can we talk?" she asks, looking a little apprehensive. Nodding, I take her hand and lead her out to the couch, taking a seat beside her.
"I don't know where to start?" I can tell how anxious she is given the way she's twisting in knots in her lap.
"Elena, sweetheart, just relax. Nothing you're going to say is going to make me run." Attempting to reassure here, I place my hand atop of her knotted ones, giving them a squeeze.
Sucking her lower lip into her mouth, she stares at me for a few seconds.
"When I was fifteen, I got involved with an older guy. I was a freshman, he was a senior. I told him that I wasn't ready. Um... there was a party one weekend. I remember he gave me what he said was a lemonade. And it did taste like it but I don't remember anything after that. Several weeks later, I started getting sick to my stomach all the time. Certain smells would really set me off. My best friend at the time asked me if I was pregnant. I told her that I couldn't be because Mason and I hadn't done it yet."
Looking scared and anxious, she reaches up to wipe the tears that are starting to leak from her eyes.
Although I'm certain I know where her story is leading and despite the dread I feel for her, I slide over, close enough to pull her into my arms. After inhaling a deep breath to calm my own nerves, I press a light kiss to her temple before letting her continue.
"When my symptoms failed to let up, my girlfriend bought me a couple of pregnancy tests. Believe me, no one was more stunned than me when they came up positive. Mason had to have drugged that lemonade." Her tears fall a little more freely, I hold her even tighter when I feel her start to quiver in my arms.
"My parents were the movers and shakers in my home town and couldn't bear to be stigmatized by a pregnant teenager. When I told them what happened, rather than go to the police and bring unwanted attention to themselves, they sent me away," she says softly, reaching for another tissue.
"They sent me to Happy Dale and washed their hands of me." Sucking in a deep shuddering breath, she pauses for a second before continuing.
"My son was born on a dark stormy night, at three o seven in the morning. My memory of that night is so fuzzy, I could have sworn I heard him cry, at least I thought I did but then they put something in my IV... I don't remember anything after that."
I lean over, pressing a kiss to her cheek, capturing her tears with my mouth. Elena looks in my eyes, raising her hand to palm my face.
"When I woke up the next day, they told me he was stillborn. They showed me his death certificate. I must've imagined hearing him cry but it's sounded so real."
"I'm so sorry, Elena." I gently in my arms as I ply the crown of her head with kisses.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you stay at Happy Dale after he was born? I mean, why didn't you go back home?"
"My parents know a lot of important people. They got a Judge to declare me mentally ill after I insisted that I heard him cry. My fifteen year old mind couldn't believe he died and I retreated into myself. I wouldn't talk to anyone. I was depressed after everything that happened, I just wanted to die. Although I'm ashamed of it now, I did contemplate suicide but I could never actually act on it."
"Elena, I'm so, so sorry." My heart breaking for her because I know how it feels to lose someone so important. Turning to face her, I kiss her tears away while holding her close. I can't even begin to imagine how scared and alone she must have felt when she realized that her boyfriend drugged and raped her. Then on top of that, her own parents betrayed and abandoned her. This Mason should be languishing in prison for raping her. My heart is breaking inside for what she's had to endure. If holding her like this brings her some semblance of comfort, I'll gladly hold her this way all night. She's still shaking and my tee shirt is wet from her tears but I won't let go. After what feels like hours, I feel her breathing even out and her muscles beginning to relax as the tension slowly evaporates from her body.
When she gives my hand a squeeze and scoots in even closer, I reposition a little when I feel her hand accidentally brush over my groin. A slight groan escapes my mouth when she looks up at me with hooded eyes, wanton eyes. Sucking her lower lip into her mouth, she continues to stare while at the same time uses her hand to take swipe at my growing bulge causing a shiver to surge up my spine. I take a deep breath then slam my lips against hers. Reaching up to cradle her face, I tilt her head just enough to deepen our kiss, hanging on till the need for air forces us apart.
"Damon?" Fisting her fingers into my shirt, she uses it for leverage to bring our lips together again. After planting my hands on her hips, I pull her onto my lap, letting her straddle me while greedily returning her kiss. I missed touching her and the taste of her lips as they slide against mine. When I feel her hands grip the hem of my tee shirt, I pull back, raising my arms allowing her to tug it over my head. I moan aloud when her hands caress my chest and stroke my nipples. My lips latch onto hers melding them with mine till we're both breathless and panting. After nodding her approval, I finger the hem of her shirt and pull it off.
"Bed?" Nodding, she stands up to take my hand. Using both of her hands, she tugs at mine till I'm standing in front of her. I lace our fingers together and whip her flush against my body to nuzzle her neck. When I let release my lips she takes my hand again, leading us into her bedroom. Fortunately she picked a nice big bed. While our lips are molded together, with deft hands, I reach up and unclasp her bra, sliding it down her arms when she pulls away to suck in a breath of air.
Using both hands, I cup her breasts, flicking her nipples with my thumbs while leaning forward to nuzzle her neck with bites and wispy kisses. Using my mouth, I trail my lips down her neck, capturing one of her nipples in my mouth. Scraping first one then the other with my teeth, I'm spurred onward by the beautiful sounds that escape her mouth from the onslaught of my mouth on her skin.
Taking a breath, I reach down and start to unbutton her jeans, pulling away so I can slide them and her panties down her svelte legs. Seeing her spread out like a delicacy, I crawl onto the bed and begin feasting on her center, feeling emboldened when her hands twist in my hair while my name spills from her lips when she crescendos. Using my tongue, I help her ride it out before letting go and stalking up her body. When she opens her eyes, she wraps her palm around my neck, dragging our lips together in a long sensuous kiss as she tastes herself on my lips.
We continue to kiss passionately albeit slowly while I savor having her back in my arms. "You're wearing too many clothes," she tells me, her pout adorable. I slide away long enough to shimmy out of my jeans and boxers before crawling back to the cradle formed by her spread thighs, eyes closing with a grunt when my tip rubs along the wet moist folds of her womanhood. With one more sultry kiss, I sink inside of her, pausing to let her adjust as I know it's been a very long time for both of us.
"Damon?" she asks, tears forming in her eyes.
"It's okay, we're okay," I whisper soothingly, taking a moment to tenderly finger her hair from her forehead as I stare into her burnished brown eyes.
"I'm ready."
With a nod, I press my lips to hers, deepening the kiss and surging farther inside of her till I can't push in any deeper. When I hear her delicious moans and whimpers, I pull out and push back in. She holds on tight, raising her hips to meet my thrusts, joining me in our lovemaking, making me feel alive for the first time in forever. Accelerating our pace, I push and pull even harder till I feel that familiar spot in my belly tighten. Finding it harder and harder to hold back because being inside her is exquisite so unlike anyone else I've ever been with, I work my body even harder.
When she comes with a cry of my name on her lips, I splinter into a million tiny blazing pieces of white heat, holding on tight as waves of ecstasy crash over me. The way her body grips my length is intensifying every pulse and shudder as my body quivers chaotically with aftershocks. Once my orgasm finally wanes, I collapse on top of her, completely boneless while still buried deep inside of her.
Her fingers run up and down my sweat dampened skin, holding me to her. With a shaky hand, I reach up to push a strand of hair off of her beautiful face. After tucking it behind her ear, I lift a quick kiss from her lips before rolling off her, detaching my body from hers. Laying to face her, I pull her into my arms, pressing kiss after kiss to the crown of her head while her fingers gently rub circles on my chest.
"Can you stay?"
"I'll stay," I reassure her.
"Go to sleep now, baby. I'll be here when you open those beautiful eyes." After lifting one more smoldering kiss from her lips, I close my eyes, reveling in the feeling having this girl in my arms.
Thank you so much for everything Eva. Love you lots. If not for your brilliantly fertile mind, I wouldn't be here.
Thanks so much to all of you as well for the reviews. I appreciate them so much.
Chapter title: 'Winds of Change' by The Scorpions
I have begun to post 'Angels Fall'. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
'Rainy Days and Mondays' updated yesterday. We are nearing the end on that one.
'Dig' is coming along. I have a bit of it to write yet though.
And before I forget, a round of applause for P. She submitted a fundraising idea for ISF and had it was accepted almost immediately. Congratulations my friend.
As always, have a safe and lovely weekend. We'll see you next week.