Chapter 8 "I am scared Daddy"

Days became weeks and already it had been a month since Elena had left. Damon and the kids had fallen into their new found routine and the kids seldom asked for their mother. After what Caroline had told him that famous night, Damon had decided to have a heart to heart talk with his children. He was worried about them, but more so about William. Sophia was the blunt little girl who held back nothing. She would always speak her mind and heart. It was a different matter with William who preferred hiding his heart out, which worried Damon more and more.

Flashback

Damon watched Sophia as she ran around with her newfound friends in the park. William refused to play saying he was not interested in what he called "game for babies". He was sitting next to his dad on the park bench and seemed to be in deep thoughts.

"So, Will, Caroline told me about what you said concerning your mother not loving you. Do you really think that son?"

"Yes" was all William answered.

Damon could see that William was clearly trying to avoid the subject – His son was becoming more and more like him and that was not a pleasant thought for him.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right William? Your my son, I love you and I am here always. I know you don't want to talk about it and that you will not want to believe me, but I know your mother. She is in pain and is angry with me because I hurt her badly but, he loves you and your sister. I promise you." Damon tried to reassure his son and to get rid of his thoughts about his mother not loving him.

And Damon believed in every word he uttered at that very moment. He was angry with Elena for walking away from them, for not calling or writing. He resented her for not giving them a chance to work out their problems together. He did not comprehend her harsh decision of simply walking away with only a letter behind. He questioned himself often about their marriage. Hell, he felt that she did not love him anymore. But if there was one thing he was sure of was that Elena had never stopped loving their children. Even if he did not comprehend at all why she did not even call to reassure the kids, he knew that she loved them more than anything. This was why he was trying to make sure none of her kids would end up hating her for all that was happening. If there was anyone to blame, it was him.

"You are hurt too dad, you're still here. Why does she never call if she cares?"

"William, sometimes, in life things get so complicated that we do things without wanting to hurt anymore but we end up doing that. I know you're hurting because she is your mother. And you miss her. You have the right to miss her son. Just know that I am here and you don't have to be afraid to tell me anything."

Without saying a word, William hugged his father as strongly as his 10 years old grip could.

"I am scared daddy." William whispered.

Damon looked into his son's eyes and it pained like hell to see these two pure innocent eyes full of tears and fears.

"What scares you son?"

"I am afraid you won't be home too when auntie Caroline drops us home after school. Mommy already left us when she said she never would. Will you leave too one day daddy?"

Damon realized that all this time, William was expecting he would leave too.

"Look at me William. I PROMISE YOU I will never ever leave you. And if ever I had to leave, you and your sister would be on board with me. And your mother left me. Not you. She loves you and would give her life for you. I don't want you to be afraid anymore son. I am not going anywhere." Damon said, hugging his son closely and tightly.

They were his strengths, his everything and he would no more let anything hurt them.

I really wanted to have a father-son 'talk' here… Something tells me we'll be hearing Elena soon ;)