Ric told us all of the specifics that evening. Apparently her little boy was adopted out to a filthy rich couple. The way it sounds, the boy is being raised by the nanny because the parents are too busy with their social life to pay any attention to them. Elena has to go to court to try to get custody of him. Since his adoption was illegal and due to the adoptive parents' negligence, Ric believes that the Judge will indeed award custody to Elena.
It's going to be an adjustment for both Elena and especially the child. She missed every special moment of his young childhood. His first steps, his first words, the first time he rolled over. I really feel bad for both of them. I'm sure the child is lonely. The parents probably only wanted him to say they had a child, not because they really wanted one. That's what Ric has told me based on the investigation that the police conducted.
"What are you thinking?" dad asks as he drives me to my doctor appointment.
"I was thinking about how Elena and the boy are going to cope once she gets him back."
"I thought she was going to come with us today?"
"She really wanted to but Ric needed to go over some things with her before they go to court."
"I see. And to respond to the point you just made, I think that both Elena and the boy are going to need our help. Are you up for that?" he asks, glancing at me for a millisecond before turning his eyes back to the road.
Turning to look out of the window, I take a deep breath. "I honestly don't know, dad."
"You're going to have to decide sooner rather than later. Ric and Elena are going to court this week."
"I know."
"What are we going to do about Anna?"
"I don't know, dad. I'm sure she thinks that I abandoned her."
"Then we should go to see her as soon as the police say it's safe for you to go to Happy Dale."
"And on that segue, Carol Lockwood is in custody. From what Elijah and Mikael have said, she's singing like a canary. The police have already executed a search warrant. They're going through that place with a fine tooth comb. I hope some of the girls that died get some justice."
"I really hope so too. Here we are, Damon."
He makes the turn into the parking lot for Dr. Adam's office. Once he stops the car, I close my eyes and take a few shuddering breaths.
"My hands are actually shaking."
Holding out my arms, I show him, my eyes on the fine tremors that wrack my body.
"Calm down. We're going to get some answers," he reassures me, taking my hand in his own. He stares into my eyes for a long moment. Nodding, I release one more breath before taking ahold of the handle. Opening the door, I step outside. Still feeling a shiver, I stand there for a few seconds before finally pushing the door closed. My reverie is broken when I feel dad's hand on my shoulder.
"Let's go inside."
Nodding, I follow him into the building. After telling the receptionist that we've arrived, we take a seat, thumbing through magazines while wait for the nurse to take us into an exam room. My knee is bouncing erratically while my insides are churning so hard that I can almost taste the bile. Finally I hear my name called. Dad and I stand up to follow the nurse into a room. She takes my vitals signs and records them in my chart. I'm sure my pressure is sky high given the state I'm in.
"You blood pressure and pulse are pretty high. Are you feeling okay?"
"Just nerves I think."
"Do you have any allergies and do you take any medication at home, Mr. Salvatore?"
"No allergies that I'm aware of and I only take vitamins, an occasional Advil or Tylenol for headaches but that's it."
"Okay then. Dr. Adams will be in shortly," she adds then walks out, leaving dad and I alone again. Fortunately it doesn't take long for Dr. Adams to join us.
"Hello," he greets us, taking a seat. After acknowledging him, he looks at my chart before raising his eyes to me.
"How are you feeling, Damon?"
"I feel wrecked for lack of a better word. I'm more emotional than I've ever been. I find myself crying inappropriately. I...I.. I don't know what's the matter with me," I blurt out, my voice cracking.
"Well Damon. Someone tried to kill you and came very close to succeeding. I think this is post traumatic stress in all honesty."
"Will I get better?"
"It's still fresh in your mind. You just got out of the hospital a few days ago. I think we need to give yourself a little more time to come to terms with everything. If this melancholy doesn't pass, I will send you to a psychiatrist for further care. Does that sound reasonable to you?"
Lost in my thoughts, I stare at the door, not even realizing that I've tuned out.
"Damon?"
"I'm sorry, I find myself doing that too, zoning out. I have a lot on my plate and I need my head in the game but I can't concentrate. I hate feeling like this," I utter, dropping my eyes.
"I hate to resort to medication already, Damon. What I'm going to suggest is that you take time outs and learn some relaxation techniques. You need to eat well balanced meals. Don't skip them and snack on energy bars, juices that type of thing. Limit the amounts of caffeine and no more alcohol," he stresses.
"You also need to get enough sleep and also to make time to work in some exercise. I want to see you again in a couple of weeks. If you're not feeling any better, I'll refer you to that psychiatrist."
Staring at him, I finally nod my acceptance. He then stands up to examine me, listening to my heart and lungs, checking my reflexes and so forth. When finished, he writes a few things in my chart before leaving us. Shortly thereafter, his nurse comes back in the room with pamphlets about dealing with stress. I thumb through them before getting up to follow the nurse out as she leads us to the reception desk to make a follow up appointment.
After handing me an appointment card, I follow dad outside to the car. Sliding in the car, I buckle my seatbelt before dropping my head in my hands. Feeling completely overwhelmed, I just don't know what to do. Truth be told, it feels like my life is unraveling and I'm unable to do anything to stop it. Having zoned out again, I look up when I hear dad's voice.
"I wish I could offer you some comfort, Damon. I wish I could tell you that it's going to get better. Will you do what the doctor suggested over the next couple of weeks? I mean, I'd hate for you to have to take prescription medication but if that's what it takes to help you out of this funk, then we'll do it okay?"
"I'm willing to try anything dad. I can't be like this."
"I know, son. I know," he says softly, reaching over to give my leg a squeeze. I acknowledge him with nod and then he starts the car and begins the drive home.
"How did you doctor appointment go?" Elena asks when dad and I get home. I don't know what I'd do without my father. With my mind caught in a maelstrom, I don't begin to know how I'd cope without my family. I know no other way to describe all these things that are whirling around inside my head.
"He thinks it's post traumatic stress. He wants me to try some non-medicinal methods of coping with stress. If they don't work, he's going to refer me to a psychiatrist. I have a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks," I explain, dropping onto the couch beside her, again burying my face in my hands. I turn my head towards her when I feel her gentle hand begin to massage my neck.
"That's nice. Thank you, Elena."
"I want to help you, Damon. I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better," she whispers, leaning forward to press a kiss to the side of my face.
"You being here helps immeasurably." She's so beautiful and her smile is the one bright spot in my day.
"What did Ric have to say?"
"We go to court the day after tomorrow. Basically he just talked to me, you know, going over things that he suspects the Judge and the opposing counsel will bring up. Do you think you could come with me?"
"I wouldn't be anywhere else."
When I hear footsteps, I raise my eyes, meeting my father's when he walks into the living room to join us.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to go down to your office to see if I can help Stefan."
"If you don't mind, I'll go with you, Owen."
Elena takes my hand in hers and continues, "You and Stefan have been really great about giving me time off. But I'll need off again on Thursday for our court appearance so I think I should put in a little time at work. Will you be okay alone, Damon?"
"I'll be fine. I'm not suicidal, Elena," I blurt out, my voice sounding strained.
"Okay then," she remarks, standing up.
"I'm sorry, Elena. I didn't mean to sound so harsh. I... I..," I mumble, shaking my head.
"Don't worry about it. I didn't take it personally. I'll see you later," she says, lifting a kiss from my lips before walking away to grab her bag.
"We won't be gone long, Damon," dad adds, giving me a terse smile. As soon as Elena comes back downstairs, the two of them take off, leaving me all alone in my thoughts.
I sit on the couch for quite a while. Feeling fatigued, I get up and walk upstairs to take a nap. When I get in my room, something draws me to my dresser. Closing my eyes for a moment, I pull open the drawer, reach inside and pick up the photograph. Tears start to fill my eyes when I look at myself, so happy once upon a time. I run my finger tips over the glass, specifically the face. I'll never get over this loss. It's too deep, too profound, too life altering. I just stand here frozen till I feel my cat rubbing against my legs. Sighing heavily, I put the picture back inside carefully and push the drawer shut, stooping down to pet him. Picking him up, I walk over to my bed, plop down on it and curl into a ball, my beloved cat in my arms. It takes mere moments for me to drift off to sleep.
"That's right. We have to bait the hook and then cast out the line," I explain, demonstrating what I'm talking about.
"Like this?"
"Yes. I'm so proud of you."
When I see that smile, it lightens up my whole day, filling my heart with overwhelming love.
"I caught one," I hear an excited voice yell.
"You did, now reel it in. Just like this," I add, showing how to do it with my own fishing rod. Reaching into the water with the fishnet, I lift it on the boat.
"I'm so proud of you."
I wake up in a cold sweat when I feel the cat's claws pressing into my arm, trying to get out of my embrace. Letting it go, I lurch upright, wiping the sweat from my brow. Glancing at the clock, I've only been asleep about an hour and a half. I'm utterly amazed that the cat stayed in my arms as long as it did. Throwing my legs over the side of the bed, I sit up long enough to get my bearings before going into the bathroom to do my business.
Thinking that maybe a shower might feel good, I strip off my clothes and get in and turn the hot water on full blast. Pressing my palms flat against the shower wall, I stand here and let the water pelt against my body. I stay this way for quite awhile before release the wall to grab a bar of soap to clean myself. After shampooing my hair, I turn off the water and get out.
Reaching for a towel, I wipe off my face and fluff my wet hair before wrapping it around my waist to go back into my room. Once I have some clothes on, I decide to try to do something productive so I go to the kitchen to do some baking. Grabbing all the ingredients I need to make some homemade bread, I begin. Just as I slide the pans into the oven, I hear the door open and close. Minutes later dad and Elena walk into the kitchen.
"What are you making?"
"I thought I'd try to do something, anything so I made some homemade bread. I'm going to make supper too. It helps to keep my mind occupied. Does anything sound good?" I ask as I start to put the bread ingredients back into the cupboard.
Although he has a smile on his face, dad looks like he's contemplating something. "How about lasagna?"
"That actually sounds really good," Elena agrees.
"Lasagna it is then." I open the freezer and pull out some hamburger. Fortunately I have ricotta and mozzarella cheese. I grab some onions and garlic out of the bottom of the refrigerator and get started. Both of them offer to help but I want to do it myself. With a nod, they both walk out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more.
"I thought maybe I'd find you here when I couldn't find you downstairs," Elena remarks, walking into my bedroom. She stoops over to give me a kiss before going into the bathroom. My eyes practically pop out of my head when she comes back in wearing nothing at all. The confidence she's displaying gives my libido a much needed shot in the arm. It's been sorely lacking since I got out of the hospital too. She slides in next to me, slapping her lips to mine in a languid kiss. I gasp when her little hand works its way under the elastic of my boxer shorts, taking a hold of me. Taking advantage of the opening I gave her, she thrusts her tongue inside my mouth, tangling it with mine. When she pulls away, she drops her lips to my ear, telling me to lie down in bed.
When I do, she gives me a smirk before sliding down my body. She takes ahold of my boxers and pulls them down my legs when I raise my hips to help her out. Once they're off, she throws them behind her before slithering back up, her tongue landing on the slit which almost immediately sends me to paradise. When she takes me into her mouth, a needy groan escapes mine. She starts to work my length, her head bobbing up and down. With a mind of its own, my hand finds its way to her hair. Tangling my fingers in her tresses, I push and pull matching the rhythm she's using so effectively. Feeling her teeth scrape the underside is my undoing because I erupt like Krakatoa, spurting my release. I'm completely shocked when she swallows every drop, licking her lips when she finally releases me.
Panting so hard my chest is heaving, I'm literally speechless. When I can feel my body again, I whisper, "Come here."
After giving me a lascivious look, she crawls up and lays on top me. Able to finally raise my hands, I cradle her cheeks and pull her lips to mine. At the same time, our lips are fused, I roll her beneath me. She spreads her legs open to make room for me. Grinding my hips to her center with my once again hard cock, I close my eyes, reveling in how it feels to be with her like this. Reaching between us, I take myself in hand and rub the head along her moist and hot lady parts till she's the one moaning aloud.
"Please Damon," she whimpers when I press the head at her entrance. I push inside of her at the same time our eyes meet. Closing my eyes for just a moment, I revel in the feel of being inside of her. There's never been anyone else that fit me so well. It's like we were made just for each other.
"Move," she whimpers, shimmying her hips as she urges me onward.
"Okay baby," I pant, pulling out and slamming back inside of her beautiful and perfect body. Soon we're working together, give and take as she raises her hips to meet my thrusts. Lowering my mouth, I capture one of her rosy-colored nipples in my mouth, lapping at it and biting it ever so gently as I suckle like a newborn. I pucker my lips and suck on it, pulling away to release it with a plopping sound. Then I turn my attention to her other breast, paying it homage all the while my hips snap into hers, the sounds of our lovemaking filling the room.
"More," she grunts. I stop what I'm doing and press my lips firmly to hers, kissing her like there's no tomorrow. When I release them, I gently bite on her lower one, sucking it into my mouth. Giving a flash of my eye thing, I let go again.
"On your knees," I tell her, my voice husky with lust. The moon light illuminates her pupils, brimming with as much lust as I feel. Dutifully she gets onto her hands and knees, looking over her shoulder, she gives me a seductive glance. I answer it by slamming inside of her. The slapping sound as our skin meets is music to in my ears. I will never tire of this sound. Placing my hands on her hips, I push in and pull out before letting go and letting her take over, impaling herself over and over on my length till I finally feel her body convulsing along my dick. She drops to her elbows, her body tremoring as she screams her release with my name on her lips. I thrust not once but twice more before I let go, wave after wave of the rapture pulsing through me as I reach the mountain top before wafting down to the valley below, collapsing on top of her. When I can breathe again, I roll off of her and pull her into my arms.
Afterwards, we lay quietly, just enjoying being in each others arms. Elena is drawing circles on my chest with her finger, raising her eyes to mine every few moments.
"Is something bothering you?"
"I'm scared. I'm scared to get him back. I don't know anything about being a parent. What if he doesn't like me?"
"Oh sweetheart. I think it's only natural to be scared, given your 'unique' circumstances. You have to remember that he's going to be scared too. He doesn't know you from the man in the moon. It's going to take a lot of love and a lot of patience. I expect that he'll act up sometimes. You'll just have to take it one day at a time."
"But... but, what if hurt him? What if taking custody messes him up?" she whispers. Her eyes are glistening with tears when I look at her. Already wrapped in my arms, I give her a tighter squeeze and drop a kiss to the crown of her head.
"He's only five years old. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. There's no doubt in my mind that there will be tough times. That's exactly why you're going to have to be patient with him. There are innumerable ways for you to show him that you love him. I'll do whatever you need me to do, Elena."
"Thank you. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here, Damon."
"I never intend to let you find out," I add, using my hand to raise her eyes to mine so she knows that I'm being sincere.
"I love you too," she starts to say but it's interrupted by a big yawn.
"Let's go to sleep," I whisper, tipping my head down to kiss her lips. She stares at me a few seconds before giving me a subtle nod. I watch as she closes her eyes and snuggles in flush against my body. After pressing one more kiss to the top of her head, I whisper that I love her before closing my eyes, letting sleep pull me under.
"Are you ready?" I ask, my fingers laced with hers. We're here at child services with Ric and a court appointed child advocate to meet and take custody of Elena's son. I feel sorry for the boy, not because of Elena but because he's going to be uprooted. It's going to be quite an adjustment for a five year old and for Elena too. She's really good with Anna though so I hope she doesn't get overwhelmed. Things are different when it's your own child.
After introducing ourselves, the receptionist takes us to a large room for us to wait in while they go to get the boy. His name is Christian David Blake. Elena is a nervous wreck. She keeps looking up at the clock as the minutes pass slowly. Getting up, I walk over to her and pull her into my arms, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. Suddenly the door opens. I can feel Elena's body tremble harder as the door opens ever wider. Standing there in the doorway is a little boy. His brown hair and eyes, exact copies of his mothers. Elena gasps and pulls out of my arms. Dropping to her knees in front of the boy, she shakily raises her hand to touch his little cheek with her fingertips.
"Christian, I'm your mother," she whispers. And miracles never cease because he wraps his little arms around her neck and gives her a hug. When Elena's tear-filled eyes meet mine, I smile because in this moment, all is well in the world.
Thank you so much, Eva. You know I love you and would be lost without your endless supply of brilliance.
Thanks so much to all of you who have taken those extra few seconds to leave me a review. I appreciate it so much.
Chapter title: 'State of My Head' by Shinedown
'Dig' and 'Angels Fall' are still in progress too.
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Working on chapter 18 of 'Nothing Left to Fear'. I will give you a tease when it's closer to completion.
Stay safe and have a wonderful weekend. Thank you all again.