Chapter 13 "I don't care anymore"

"I will Care. I will. They are my everything."

"Damon, she's been here for a 3 days. And she's been crying herself to sleep on my couch every single night. It high time, you guys have a talk like adults. You're married for god sake."

Damon listened to the ramblings of the blond woman in front of him, occasionally glancing at his brother who seemed to be pretty much captivated by her. He smiled knowingly. He knew his brother by heart and it was clear that Stefan was totally into Caroline.

"Damon! What in the hell are you smiling at? I am telling you that your wife is back in town, at my house, totally in bad shape, and you are smiling? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Damon smile faded at the mention of Elena. Caroline had called Stefan three nights ago telling him Elena was back in town. Stefan had lost no time in calling his brother, even if it has been about 3 in the morning.

Flashback

Damon groaned as he heard his phone ringing in the far distance. He was finally being able to have some sleep lately, and his phone ringing at this time was no good news, he could tell.
He groaned and covered his head with his pillow hoping that whoever was calling would just give up; apparently not.
It was Damon, who gave in and groggily. He looked at the phone screen and saw it was his baby brother.
" This better be important Stefan or I will kill you myself." Damon muttered on the phone.
"Caroline just called me. She is back in town Damon." Damon froze at his brother's words. He had not heard from her after the text message he had received and had thought she had just change her mind. It had reassured him in his decision about not allowing her to see their children. He had thought that she had just turned her back, just like she had done before.
"Damon? Are you still here?" Stefan voice through the phone brought Damon back to reality.
"Yeah I, I'm here."
"She is here Damon and from what Caroline told me, she is determined to make things right. Maybe that's your second chance to both of you Damon." Stefan, said, hoping his brother would not let his stubbornness get in the way.

Damon sighed loudly at his brother's words. He was not expecting her to come back. He did not know what to do with that new situation. In fact, he was not even sure if he wanted to do anything.
"Goodnight Stefan. And brother, next time you decide to call me at 3 in the morning, please make sure it's important." Damon coldly said to his brother before hanging up. He would not allow Elena Gilbert to break him again, or affect him in any way. He had loved her, even if sometimes he failed to show it, but he did and she had turned her back on him. He would not make the same mistake twice, he thought. But as those thoughts rushed through his mind, Damon knew deep down he would never be able to stop loving her, and he was not sure if he had it in him to resist her. But he would, he had to. He would not listen to his heart again, he thought.
And just like that, all sleep had left him and he just sat there on his bed, wondering what next wave would come his way.

Back at Damon's house (With Caroline and Stefan)

"Blondie, I like you, and I am grateful for all you've been doing for the kids and all. Really. But as for your friend – my so called wife – you can tell her to go to hell."

Both Stefan and Caroline stared in utter shock at Damon's words. What shocked them even more was the cold calm that seemed to punctuate his every word. He was shutting himself and that meant nothing good for what's next.

But both Damon and Caroline knew that it was no point in arguing with Damon when he was in that state.
Unaware of the bombshell effect he just had on those two, Damon stood up nonchalantly, "Now, lovebirds, if you'll please excuse me, while you're busy trying to save my marriage, I am going to make some serious planning for my daughter's 6th birthday. And oh, Caroline, tell your friend she is so NOT invited."
Stefan and Caroline looked at each other. Stefan seemed to be profoundly worried about his brother while Caroline had this amused smile on her face. Stefan looked at her quizzically. Caroline rolled her eyes, "Lovebirds? Is it that obvious already?"
Damon overheard Caroline comment and couldn't help but smile genuinely. He was happy for his brother. And he was going to make his daughter's birthday queen-like. Elena Gilbert could wait meanwhile.

A/N: I hope you guys have enjoyed this chapter. I feel like something is missing though. I wanted to depict Damon's denial and his way of dealing with things after weeks of unrequited hope, waiting for Elena. I wanted to show how bitter he had become though he denies it.
And the birthday ^^ I thought that would be good for some drama… ;)