Meanwhile on the eastern seaboard, specifically Virginia:
"You have our sympathy, Jeremy," Sheriff Lockwood says, shaking my hand. Your parents were pillars of the community. It's such a shame what happened."
"Thank you and yes it was tragic," I concur, taking my wife, Lexie's hand.
"Jeremy, I'm really sorry," Bill Forbes says, reaching to shake my hand as well. It's a never ending line of well wishers. There is only one person that I wish was here with me. If it's the last thing I do, I'm going to find her. My parent's lawyer, Tobias Fell approaches me next.
"Do you have any idea of where to look for Elena?"
"I haven't a clue but we need to find her." My voice is firm in its conviction.
"Yes, she should be here for the reading of the will."
"Perhaps you should hire a private detective?" Lexie suggests, squeezing my hand.
"Tomorrow I want to go through some of the things in their attic? Who knows, maybe we'll find some clue?"
After kissing my wife's cheek, I turn back to receive more condolences from the townspeople. By the time the last person gives me their regards, I'm dying of thirst. Lacing my fingers with Lexie's the two of us walk to the refreshment table to get something to drink and mingle with some of my old friends. Hoping tomorrow will give me some answers, I just need to muddle through the rest of this day.
Damon in Florida with his father:
"Is this the last of it?" I ask, lifting another box into the back of the U Haul.
"No, there are a few more boxes in the house." I look up, noticing his hands are full with one big box.
"I'm going to miss coming home to this place but I'm really glad that you're moving in with me."
"I know, Damon. I am too."
Nodding, I walk along with him back into the garage to pick up another box to load.
"Well, I'm your dad. With Stefan and Caroline's baby coming, there's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and turn away for a moment. When I open them, he's looking at me, his eyes full of understanding.
"Damon, I'm sorry I wasn't there when everything fell apart. I didn't realize how bad it was till you ended up nearly dying of alcohol poisoning. Can you ever forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive, dad."
"Yes, son there is. You're my oldest child, I should've realized that something was grievously wrong."
"How could you? I never said anything. I wore the mask until I just couldn't wear it any longer."
When I drop my eyes, he puts his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
"There will be no more masks okay?" With his head tilted slightly, he gives me an admonishing look.
"No more, dad. Enough of the mushy stuff, we still have some work to do."
Having finished taking another box to the van, I walk back into the garage to get another one. Once we finish, we walk through the house one last time, leaving the key lay on the kitchen counter for the realtor. Knowing it's the last time I'll step inside my childhood home, I take several pictures before he locks it for the final time. We also take a walk around the house, spending a few moments in the backyard. After dad says goodbye to his neighbors, we get in the truck to drive to the cemetery to pay our respects to my mother. Although I wanted Elena to join us, Stefan needed her to be at the shop. Not wanting to give Stefan anymore ammunition to use against her, she decided that she needed to stay in Texas. I'm aroused from my thoughts when I feel the car stop. When I see that it's a grocery store, I give him a curious look.
"I want to run in and get some flowers for her grave."
As soon as he shifts the truck into park, he gives me a look before jumping out. Even though he's already out of the truck, I nod my agreement, waiting here for him. A short time later, I watch him exit the store, a bouquet in hand. Once we arrive at the cemetery, dad parks the truck and we step out. Feeling the familiar lump in my throat, I take a deep breath and catch up to my dad, walking alongside him to her grave. I miss my mother so much sometimes. I still think about her often.
"Hey sweetheart. I'm here with Damon today. I'm moving to Texas to be with him and Stefan. I'll be back to see you but I don't know when that will be," he explains as if she's standing in front of him. Running his fingertips over her likeness that's carved into the granite monument, he closes his eyes. Knowing that he's caught up in a moment with her, I wait a few moments before stooping down beside him.
"Hi mom. I'm so sorry to take dad away from you but I really need him right now. I hope you understand. I promise you that I will be back. I miss you everyday. Take care of...," I whisper, feeling my eyes start to well up. Willing them not to fall, I drop my eyes to try to maintain my composure. Feeling dad's hand on my shoulder, I turn to look at him, forcing a sad smile on my face.
"Mom understands, Damon. I'd like to spend a moment alone with her. I'll meet you back at the truck in a few minutes."
Knowing that he wants to say goodbye privately, I nod my head, stand up and walk back down the path towards the vehicle.
Dad and I take our time driving back to Texas. Even though I'm anxious to see Elena, I want to get back safely so that I can indeed see her again. I've called Stefan a couple of times to make sure he's treating her right. It was me who was surprised when he praised her work ethic. We finally pulled into my driveway early this afternoon. Dad and I unloaded what we could but we decided to get Stefan and Ric's help to unload the heavier boxes. Our backs are still hurting from loading the truck back in Florida. We decided to give it rest for the day since we've worked hard for the last couple of weeks getting his things packed. Plus we had the auction to rid of things he didn't want to bring with.
Dad changed his mind, deciding not to sell the house just yet. His realtor is going to rent it out for the time being. He will collect the rent checks and take care of things as needed for my dad. Plus he can keep an eye on the property since he's here and we're in Texas. Dad and mom built that house shortly after they got married. I just think her spirit still lingers in the house and he couldn't find it in himself to say goodbye to it forever. After telling him that I'm going to go to see Elena, I walk over to her house.
"Hi," I blurt out when she opens her front door. Unable to help myself, I clasp her face with my hands, kissing her urgently.
"Wow!" she gasps when I let her go.
"I missed you," I breathe, pressing another blistering kiss to her lips. Needing to breathe, I pull back. It's only then that I notice her front door is hanging open. Smiling, I turn away from her to push it closed. Then my lovely Elena surprises me, taking my hand as she leads us into her bedroom. Once inside, she pushes the door closed. Turning to stare at me sensuously, she steps in front of me. With a little smirk on her face, she starts unbuttoning my shirt, pushing it off of my shoulders after she releases the last button. As her hands caress my bare chest, I run my hands under her tee shirt, nudging her forward till she's flush against my chest. With a little swagger of my own, I lift her over my shoulder and drop her onto the bed.
Since she's barefoot, I press a kiss to the inside of one ankle and then the next before crawling up her body to rest between her spread legs. When I hear a breathy moan escape her lips when I press my groin against her core, I reach between us to unclasp her jeans. Using my fingers, I trail them up her belly till I reach her bra, singing her praises for wearing one that hooks in the front. After freeing her breasts, I sit back on my knees. Raising her arms to help me, I smile as I tug her tee over her head and arms before flicking it behind me, not caring a whip for where it lands.
"Mmm, beautiful," I whisper, lowering my mouth to capture one of her nipples between my teeth. Teasing it with my tongue and nipping gently with my teeth, I let go of it and move to pay homage to her neglected breast. The delicious noises that spill from her lips go straight to my dick. Feeling it get impossibly harder and knowing I can't wait much longer, I pull back long enough to take first her jeans and panties off. After pausing for a moment to admire the sheer splendor of her body, I drop my own, kicking them off of my feet quickly. With a tease of my eye thing, I settle between her legs, using my tongue to taste her heated flesh. Laying my hands on her belly to still her, I continue to lap at and coerce her beautiful body to let go. When she lowers her eyes to peer into mine, I plunge two fingers inside of her, my eyes never leaving hers. As my tongue and fingers work continue to coax her core, I gently bite her clit before using my tongue to soothe it. Immediately her body seizes and shakes, one hand buried in my hair forcing me to keep my mouth where it is.
As her body relaxes, I press a kiss to her center before slithering upwards. Wanting her to taste the pleasure that she gives me, I slam my lips to hers, letting her taste herself.
"You take me places I've never been before...," Lowering my mouth to her neck, I trail kisses down to her heaving breasts. Needing a breath, I raise up on my elbows, one on each side of her face. When our eyes lock, I join us together with a thrust of my hips. Cradling my face with her hands, she pulls me forcefully to her lips, pushing her tongue inside to tangle with mine. When she raises one of her legs around my hip, I surge impossibly deeper, my pelvis rocking against her clit with each bend of my hips. Her eyes widen when I give her wink and flip us over, letting her take charge. Lust shines in her eyes, taking my breath away.
My eyes are glued to her breasts, slapping against her body with each rise and fall of her body, taking all of me inside. Feeling the familiar heated tingling in my lower belly, I start to raise my hips in tandem with her movements. Suddenly she stiffens, throwing her head back as her body shakes as her inside undulate along my length forcing my own release. I come with a growl of her name on my lips. Wrapping her in my arms, I hold her tightly to my chest till my body wafts back to earth. I want to stay like this forever but I know I can't. Even though I don't let go, I roll over so we're laying her front to mine.
"That was magnificent," she whispers, her eyes barely open as she makes circles on my chest with her finger tips. When she quiets and I feel her chest rise and fall evening, I know she's asleep. Smiling, I drop a kiss to her head before closing my eyes, hoping that having her in my arms will keep the bad stuff away.
Jeremy:
"Jeremy, come here. Look at this," Lexie says excitedly, staring at a piece of paper that she's holding.
"What is it?"
"It's commitment papers. It seems your parents had your sister deemed incompetent. Why would they do that?" She looks just as perplexed as I feel.
"Elena was a good kid, Lexie, really. I don't even know how she got pregnant, I wasn't even aware that she had a boyfriend. She studied hard, got good grades in school, she never caused anyone any problems. However, our parents would not allow themselves to be stigmatized by scandal. A founding family member's teenaged daughter having an illegitimate kid was not something that they were prepared to deal with so they shipped her away. You know, out of sight, out of mind. I never knew that they went this far though." I'm stunned to learn that my parents could be so duplicitous.
"Maybe we should talk to Mr. Fell about this. He was their lawyer. Maybe he knows where she is?"
"I agree. It's too late to call him today so let's keep looking through this stuff to see if anything else pops up."
She and I continue to go through boxes of documents. Also I find a jewelry box full of my mother's bling. Our parents were more concerned with material things than their own children. I think they had us because they wanted the Gilbert name to live on. I practically raised Elena by myself, making sure she got to school on time and that she had food in her belly.
I won't say I didn't love my parents, they were my parents after all but I will admit that they weren't very likable. I just wish I had known about this scheming against Elena. I never would've let them dispatch her like that had I known. I mean, I knew she was pregnant. Obviously that can only be hidden for so long. As soon as her little bump was visible, she was just gone. I didn't even know she was dating anyone. She was only fifteen at the time.
"What are you thinking about?" Smiling tightly at me, she gives my hand a squeeze.
"My sister, more than anything else, I just want to find her," I admit, shaking my head.
"Let's go get something to eat and then we can look through some more of these boxes. You never know?"
Nodding, I stand up, taking her hand, walking downstairs together. Once we finish eating, we take the time to change into more comfortable clothing before heading back into the attic. We've looked through several boxes without success. Almost ready to admit defeat, I decide to go through one more before calling it a night. It's when I open the last box that I find a file marked Elena. Opening it up, I begin to sift through the papers. It's when I find the last one that my eyes practically bulge out of their sockets.
"Lexie, come here quickly," I gasp, shocked by what's right in front of me.
"Oh my God, Jeremy. Do you know what this means?"
"I never would have believed they would go to these lengths to keep Elena's baby a secret. I'm stunned by the weight of all of this. We have to find her."
"We will, Jeremy. We will," my wife assures me, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
"Did you know about this Mr. Fell?" His eyes widen when I shake the document in front of his face.
"Calm down Jeremy. Yes, I knew about it."
"How were you able to get her declared incompetent? She wasn't mentally ill. You and I both know that."
"You're right. She wasn't. But your parents were powerful people with connections in high places. It didn't take much to get the judge to agree to their wishes," he explains, running a hand over his bald head.
"Why would they do that to her? She was their child for Christ's sakes. She was/is a good person, Tobias."
"I don't know why, Jeremy. I did my best to reason with them. If I had it to do over again, I would've demanded that they get a different attorney to do their dirty work. But that's water under the bridge now. How can I help you?" he asks, seemingly sincere.
"I want to find her. I need to find her. Do you have any idea where to look?"
"She was sent to a mental health facility in Texas with the stipulation that she would be released when she turned twenty one. If I'm not mistaken, her birthday wasn't that long ago. Am I right?"
"Yeah. Her birthday was a couple of months ago. Do you have any idea of where to look for her now?"
"You can try going to the facility. Also I would suggest hiring a private detective. If she has a job, anyone worth his salt should be able get a ping on her social security number."
"That's where I'll start. Can you recommend anyone?"
"Will Parker is someone I've worked with before. He's based out of Richmond. Would you like me to give him a call?"
"Please do." Lacing my fingers with Lexi's, I turn to face her and give her hand a squeeze. Once he talks to Mr. Parker, we leave Mr. Fell's office to drive to Richmond, hoping that maybe something in this whole sordid affair will be easy.
Damon:
"Elijah, Mikael." Standing aside, I use my arm to gesture for them to come into my house. Dad is in the kitchen with Ric, who arrived a little while ago.
"Mikael," Ric greets him, standing up to shake his hand.
"Would either of you like some coffee or something else to drink?" I look first to Mikael and then to Elijah.
"Sure," they both nod. After pouring them each a cup, I pull the creamer out of the refrigerator, setting it along with some spoons and sugar on the table before sitting down myself.
"Um, so were you able to glean anything from Miss Starr?"
"I did indeed, Damon." Before beginning, he lifts the cup to him mouth, taking a deep swallow.
"It seems there have been rumblings about Happy Dale for many years already. I believe I told you that. The authorities have mostly just brushed it off as coincidence or urban legend. Some very powerful people run that organization. There have also been rumors of selling babies on the black market. Too many pregnant girls have gone in there and come out empty handed for it to be mere coincidence. It seems the modus operandi is to tell the girls that their baby was still born. They were all given Midazolam and Propofol as an anesthetics so they wouldn't remember anything about the birth," Mikael explains, looking around the table to see us all with our mouths hanging open.
"This is all pretty damning and specific. How does she know all of this, Mikael?"
"She told me that she has a very reputable source inside the organization. She also told me that her source hasn't been discovered and this person still feeds her information. Although she's not ready to go public with what she knows yet, she's still trying to put the story together. After she did a few investigative reports on the place before leaving Dallas, she was threatened. That's why she left Texas to move to Oklahoma City."
He looks around the table at all of us before putting his mug to his mouth again, taking another swallow of his coffee.
"Her new husband is an attorney who works in the DA's office. He's also trying to do a little digging under the radar. They are proceeding with utmost caution and who can blame them?" he asks, picking up his cup to take another swallow.
"Could that have happened to Elena's baby too?"
"A friend of yours?"
"My girlfriend. She was just released from the place. She told me that her parents had her committed when she was fifteen because she got pregnant. Apparently they didn't want the stigma of a pregnant daughter. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess."
Pausing a moment, I refill everyone's coffee, taking a big swallow of my own. Once I swallow, I go on to tell them what Elena has confided in me.
"Anyway, she told me the same thing, that her baby was stillborn," I add, my palms clammy, realizing the repercussions of this. When I raise my eyes, everyone is looking at me.
"If what Miss Starr told you is all true, how do we put some sunlight on the place? You know the old adage about sunlight being the best disinfectant?" Looking around the table, I look at everyone before focusing my attention on Mikael once more.
He stares back at me for a few seconds before dropping his eyes to his hands that are clutched around his coffee cup. Dad gets up to refill everyone's cup. After Mikael takes another deep slog, he turns to me, pointedly asking, "That Damon is the million dollar question."
The plot thickens...
Thank you so much Eva. I love and appreciate you so much.
Thanks so much to all of you who took those few seconds to review.
Chapter title: 'Dangerous' by Within Temptation
I did post the first chapter of 'Dig'. I'm anxious for you to get acquainted with 'Indiana Salvatore' and 'Best-selling adventure writer, Elena Gilbert'.
I posted the final chapter of 'Rainy Days and Mondays' yesterday. It would be nice if those of you who never review would take the time to do so just once...
'Angels Fall' updated on Wednesday. Please have a look at it as well.
Do remember to click that *REVIEW* button. They are what keeps me writing #DE stories.
Hope you all have a safe and fabulous weekend. Until next week.