I don't own the vampire diaries and I don't own the characters.
This takes place after the events in my fanfic Soulmates always find a way.
The POV's will be from Damon and Elena.
Enjoy.
Feedback is appreciated.
Read and Review. Next chapter should be up tomorrow. =]
Chapter 17- Moving on
Elena's POV
"Bonnie. You kissed Damon?"
I didn't need to ask her again and I didn't need to hear her say yes or no. I could tell by her expression that she did. When Damon turned to look at me I didn't know what expression was on my own face but I saw his eyes and that told me enough. He didn't kiss her back. I took a few deep breaths and got up from my chair. I walked away even though I had no idea where I was walking to. I sat down on the couch in the living room as I heard people leaving and then I heard the door slam. Jeremy had sat down next to me at some point and we both looked up when Damon and Bonnie walked in the living room. There was a wide gap between them and Damon actually looked like that gap wasn't far enough for his liking. That was when the yelling started.
"You kissed him Bonnie!" Jeremy was standing on his feet now. "He's my sisters FIANCEE! Your MY girlfriend! Did you temporarily forget all of that?!" She didn't answer him. I had my eyes glued to my brother. This wasn't like him, well it was but now I could see the vampire side of him. His emotions would be heightened which meant that he could do something he might regret. I had been there myself before. He shook his head and walked away from her. "Just please tell me you don't have feelings for him Bonnie. Please tell me that."
"But I do Jeremy. I like Damon."
I look at her and my first reaction is to hit her. I may not be a vampire but I'm still protective of what's mine and with Damon wearing a band on his finger that's enough proof that he's mine. Before I can take one step to her though my brother has her by the shoulders and I could see his fangs come out and his eyes had changed. I had to stop him, that's the only thought that went through my head. "Jeremy! Stop! You don't want to hurt her, I know that!" I grabbed his shoulder and I pushed Bonnie's until they were separated. I grabbed my car keys from the dish on the coffee table and handed them to him. "Jeremy. My car should be in the garage okay, go get it and I'll meet you outside in a minute. Please Jer." I give him 'the puppy dog face' or that's what our parents used to call it. He nods and is out of the room at vampire speed. I decided to talk to Bonnie first, that would be the easier conversation and the shorter one.
"Bonnie. If it wasn't clear that was my brother breaking up with you. I know you think I have no right to say that but I have every right. He's my brother and I know when he's hurting which is right now. He loves you Bonnie. Loves as in present tense even though he may not like you right now. But as for where we stand, I don't know." I shake my head as I walk the length of the room.
"Elena. I'm sorry I am but Jeremy's changed so has Damon and so have you. Yeah, I didn't used to have feelings for Damon but now...it's different. I can see what you see in him now. I still love Jeremy I always will but I don't know it's different. I don't want this to come between us, I really don't Elena."
The whole time she's talking I'm thinking about each and every word. Everyone has changed that's a true statement, we've been through a lot the past few years and we've been through it together. I've always seen the human side of Damon, the side of him that he spent so long hiding from people that he forgot it was there. The part of him that was romantic, funny, and insecure. I love all those things but I also love what he showed everyone else. His egotistical, cocky, sarcastic, flirty, dangerous, take no crap from no one vampire side. "Oh my God. I get it now." I didn't know why I hadn't seen this before.
"You get what babe?"
Damon's voice pulls me out of my realization and back to the present. Had I said those words out loud? I decide to just follow my gut and blurt the words out before I chicken out completely. "You're not a vampire anymore. Jeremy is. She said it herself Damon that things have changed, that you and Jeremy have changed. You're human, she can see all the things that you only showed to me when you were a vampire. Jeremy's a vampire and while he is still in touch with his human side I know it must be hard for him to be with her while constantly fighting to keep himself in check. If you add in the fact that she's a witch and the fact that witches think vampires go against nature it all makes sense." I end up stopping my pacing in front of Bonnie. "You love my brother but you hate that he can't be human with you like Damon can with me now. Do you really have feelings for Damon or do you just want to be able to be with someone who can kiss and hug and play with you without sprouting fangs?" She glares back at me and I can tell that I've hit exactly the right nerve. "Admit it Bonnie. You don't like the fact that my brother is a vampire. But honestly he hasn't changed that much, he's still Jeremy! The only thing that has changed is that his love for you has been magnified while you are slowly pushing your love for him away. Admit it, admit that I'm right Bonnie!"
"Fine! Fine Elena! You're right okay! I hate that Jeremy is a vampire. I hate that he can't be with me like he could when he was human. I hate the fact that you and Damon have this epic love story that has spanned centuries even if you both forgot some of it, because you found your way back to each other without having to remember it. I'll admit one more thing, I don't have feelings for Damon but I want to. I want to because I've seen the way he looks at you, the way he touches you, and even the way he makes you laugh. I like Damon as a human, he's fun and romantic and everything a girl would want. I kissed because I wanted to know if he could ever feel anything for someone who wasn't you."
She admitted it. I never expected her to actually admit to it. I was still running on instinct so I grabbed her arm and led her out the door. I walked to my car and made a split second decision. I put her in the passenger side and told Jeremy to drive her home. I know he heard everything by the way he was looking at her. I went back inside, Damon was leaning against the back of the couch.
"Damon." I jog to him and hug him tightly around his waist.
"Elena. I know you're not done talking at least not to me so why don't we talk." He pulls away from me and we sit down on the floor where he had proposed to me months ago. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Bonnie I was going to but I wanted to do it when we were alone. I love you so much."
"I know. I love you too but we do need to talk." I didn't know how to start this conversation. It was something I'd been thinking about for a while now, ever since he got his do over and asked me to move in with him. "I know this is going to sound like it came out of no where but I've been thinking about it for a while and..."
"You want to move? Have a house of our own?" He raises an eyebrow at me and smiles that cute boyish smile that instantly takes away any worries I might have.
"How did you know?"
"I know you Elena plus you talk in your sleep. I knew before I proposed that you wanted to move but I have no idea why so if you don't mind my asking...why?"
My first instinct is to tell him that I'd be fine staying here. This is his family's house I shouldn't ask him to move just because I can't move on past certain things. "The memories." I glance up and meet his eyes. After a few deep breaths I continue my explanation. "This house it has so many memories. Some are good and I want to hold onto those but..."
"Others are the ones you don't reminders of. I get it Elena. I do."
How is he so understanding with me? "We don't have to move. I know this is your family's house and I know that you like it here."
He laughs and stands up. "Follow me Elena." He waits as I stand up and follow him to the computer room. I watch curiously as he turns on the computer. He sits down and pulls me onto his lap. "You want a house that is ours right? Preferably in Mystic Falls but you wouldn't be completely upset if it were about 20 minutes outside of town. Tell me am I right so far?" He pushes me up and turns the computer screen as he signs in and starts searching the web for something.
I sit on the edge of his desk patiently. I know he's planning something but I honestly have no clue what, he's always been very good at surprising me. "You're right. How did you know all of this? And don't say it's talking in my sleep because no one goes that in detail in their sleep."
He turns the screen around and I see a beautiful house. It's three stories and it's got a big front yard and looks like it would be a nice place to raise a family. "Because I know you Elena. I know what you like. I know what you want. I know that you love this house just by looking at the screen and I know that you will love me even more than you already do when I tell you I bought it for us."
My jaw hits the floor and my eyes pop out of my head. He bought us a house? "Damon. You just said..."
"That this is our house? Yes I did. We can move in next month. I've even been furniture shopping with your mom and dad." He pulls me back into his lap and whispers in my ear. "The reason they had to leave so soon when you woke up was because they were closing the deal for me. They knew I wouldn't want to leave your side so they went for me. Don't be too upset that we kept this a secret from you. I wanted it to be an early wedding present. Now, lets show you the virtual tour."
I had known something was up with my parents. I knew that no amount of work would make them leave me in the hospital but if they were doing something for Damon and I, that just might. I watch as he clicks through the pictures. The house is very beautiful. It's a beige color on the outside and it's got a balcony around the whole third floor outside. The living room looks huge and the kitchen is about the same size as the one here. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
"This would be our room, the master bedroom and the only one with an en suite bathroom. It's on the first floor and it's bigger than it looks." He clicks once more, "Asher has claimed this as his bedroom. It's the farthest away from us and on the third story. He's picking out his own furniture because everything I suggested was too old he said. Pfft kids." He rolls his eyes and clicks again. "This would be the baby's room. It's on the first floor right across from ours and it too is pretty good size. You can decorate this room if you like. The other rooms will be guest rooms."
I look at him. "If Asher is living with us who is going to live here? You can't sell the boardinghouse."
"I know." He smiles down at me. "My mom will live here. Along with Jenna and Ric. Ric's apartment lease is up and Jenna doesn't want to live with your parents and Jeremy anymore. They'll move in here with my mom, the house is plenty big enough. Our room will still be our room for when we want to visit."
We sat there for a few more minutes as he showed me the rest of the pictures. The house was exactly where he said it was 20 minutes outside of town and the neighbors would be far enough away that we would have privacy. It wasn't until we were in bed that I heard the song In The Ayer by Flo Rida start playing.
"Jeremy." Damon told me as he picked up his phone. "Long story about the ring-tone...it was also the quarterbacks ring-tone before...well I'm gonna take this. Go to sleep lovely." He gets up and walks into the bathroom where I can't hear him. I close my eyes and try to fall asleep but really I'm just pretending to be asleep.
Damon's POV
Oh hot damn, this is my jam
Keep me partyin to the A.M.
You all don't understand
Make me throw my hands in the
ayer, ay, ayer, ayer, ay, ayer
I heard the ring-tone and I knew it was Jeremy Gilbert. I don't pick up until I'm in the bathroom where Elena can't hear me talk to him because I have a feeling what's coming. He is a vampire and he's hurt, he probably lashed out. As much as I don't want it to be true it most likely is and Elena doesn't need to know about any of that.
"Jeremy. What's up?"
"Damon. I need your help."
Ah shit. "What happened baby Gilbert?"
"I need to know how to turn it off completely. I don't want to feel like I did when I heard what Bonnie said. She hates me or she hates what I've become and I can't...I don't want to feel that."
I let out my breath. At least he hadn't killed anyone, he just wanted to turn off his humanity. I still couldn't let him do it. He needed to remember what it felt like to feel all these emotions. I didn't want him to become what I had once been, cold and heartless. "Where are you Jeremy? I'll come talk to you. I'll help you." Probably not the way you want but I don't give a fuck. I think the words that I can't say to him because not even I want to piss off an already severely pissed and depressed vampire.
"I don't know. In the woods."
"You'll have to be more specific. There's a lot of woods Jer."
"Near the tomb in the old church. I'm not walking so you should be able to find me if you want to."
"Stay put Gilbert. I'm on my way."
I hang up the phone and walk back into the bedroom. I know Elena isn't asleep but I don't tell her where I'm going. I kiss her forehead and whisper the words 'I'll be right back'. She doesn't need to see her brother like this it would kill her. I pull back on the shirt I had discarded earlier and grabbed my car keys from the bedside table. Once I was in the car I floored it and made it to the church in record speed. I go to the tomb but he's not there. "Jeremy?" I don't need to yell I know he'll hear me. I get no response but something tells me to check the place where Anna had first kissed him. For some God forsaken reason I remember him telling me exactly where it was. I stop when I see him sitting on the ground in front of a tree with an empty 24 pack of bud light next to him. "Well Gilbert, drunk doesn't suit you. Now, what did you need to know?" I sit down across from him and his eyes look troubled when he meets my gaze.
"I want to turn it off. You once said it was easy, you just flip a switch and poof you don't feel shit."
"Yes, but I also said life sucks either way."
He laughs at me. "Life sucks and then you die. I'm already dead Damon!"
Clearly he's heartbroken even though he won't admit it to me. I've never been good with conversations like this, I was never good at being the big brother. The only person I really ever listened to talk about their problems is Elena yet I knew I was going to try my damnedest to help Jeremy. "Why do you want to turn it off?"
He gives me this look like I'm fucking crazy. "My girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, hates me. I love her. It sucks and it hurts and I want it to STOP!"
I nod. "Good point. What about Elena? Do you want to forget how much you love your sister, or how about your parents, Jenna, Ric, hell even me?" I have to push him because I know the tough love is what will break him and snap him out of this, or at least I hope so.
"I wouldn't forget that. I just want to forget the pain that Bonnie did to my heart. I don't want to feel this way again. First Vicki, then Anna, and now Bonnie. I can't...there's only..."
"So much hurt a man can take?" I raise my eyebrow at him and he stops talking with his mouth wide open. "I've been there Jeremy and believe me if you turn off your humanity it will only make it worse. You'll wind up becoming a ripper like Stefan was or cold and heartless like I was, take your pick. Know if you do this though, flip the switch, I'm not going to sit around and watch you kill people. I won't let you hurt your sister and I will drive a stake through your heart if you so much as think of becoming a fucking ripper. I don't want that life for you. You're better than that Gilbert. You can be a good vampire and I can help you. On one condition."
I watch him as he absorbs all this information. It's silent for a long time so I check the time on my cell phone, 12:30. "Look it's late and Elena needs me too. She just got home and I need to be there for her. If you want my help you know where we live and you're welcome anytime. I'll help you, Elena will help you, hell you can live there too if you want. Take a 5 minute time out and just have fun, open liqour cabinet, rap music, rock music, whatever. Maybe I'll even party with you like at the lake house when it was just you, me and the quarterback. See ya later Jer."
I stand up and walk back to my car. He'll come by the house. I know he will, or at least I'm hoping that he will. He's so close to giving up and I really don't want him to. I don't want to watch him go over the edge like Stefan had done so many times yet I had no clue how to help him, just like I never had a clue how to help Stefan. Or Elena. My mind throws the words at me as I remember that she too turned off her humanity and went on her own short killing spree, that is until I used to sire bond to 'order' her to turn it back on and stop killing people. I got home and was pleasantly surprised to see Elena sitting in a chair facing the front door with a scowl on her face.
"One to ten, how much trouble am I in baby?" I try to look as innocent as I can and give her my best pouty face. She doesn't soften her gaze. Shit, not good.
She takes a deep breath then answers me. "Depends. How's Jer? I know you went to see him. I know my brother Damon."
"I think he'll be okay. I gave him the tough love treatment and told him he could stay with us if he wanted to. The only thing we can do it wait until he reaches out to us. He's hurt Elena. There's only so much hurt a man can take and between Vicki, Anna and now Bonnie...he's at his breaking point."
I see her nod and she's finally softened her gaze towards me. I put my arm around her shoulders and put my mouth next to her ear. "So, Ms. Gilbert. How about you and I go upstairs and I'll give you some tough love treatment too?" I wiggle my eyebrows at her and she laughs at me.
"Okay okay. No need to do that eye thing that you always do. I'm already in love with you and engaged to you."
She walks away and I grab her by her waist and start kissing her neck. Somehow between her giggles and my hands roaming her body and my lips kissing every inch of her neck we make it upstairs to my bedroom door. She opens the door and I stumble into her as she stops suddenly. I look up to see what stopped her and I roll my eyes.
"Baby Gilbert. You couldn't use the front door? I have plans little boy."
He grimaces and fakes puking. "Yeah I heard. I just wanted to let you know I'll be staying in the room downstairs. I'm accepting your offer. I expect you in full on lake house party mode tomorrow Damon. Hell know I need to get drunk and have a time out from life. Good night you two." He walks out and shuts the door behind him.
Elena starts laughing uncontrollably. All traces of her being turned on are suddenly gone and I'm left hard as a rock. "Something funny about that cock blocking brother of yours?"
She shakes her head. "No, I just can't wait to see party mode he was talking about at the lake house. If it had anything to do with your rap song ring-tone for him I'm sure I'll enjoy seeing you dance like a gangster."
She is already on the bed so I jump on it to straddle her. "You think that's going to be funny do you?" She nods and bites her bottom lip. "Well it won't but I'll give you something to laugh about." I start to tickle her and she tries and fails to get me to stop. After a while it stops being a tickle fight and becomes more intimate and sexual. We both are under the covers and I'm quickly in my favorite place of all time. Inside Elena, not only her womanhood but her arms as well. I'm home. She's home. It's fucking perfect. Now if only we didn't have so much to deal with tomorrow I think we'd be content to stay just like this forever but we know the inevitable is about to come.
Once I pull out of her and pull her next to me I'm ready to sleep but she's not. "Damon? I need to tell you something. I forgot with everything that happened today."
"Hmm?"
It's all I can say. I'm already half asleep but I try as hard as I can to concentrate on her words.
"Before I left the hospital Meredith came and did an ultrasound. Our babies are fine."
My eyes pop open and the hand that was rubbing her back stills immediately. Babies? As in more than one. She looks up at me and smiles that 1000 kilowatt smile. "Babies?"
She nods and rolls over to her bedside table and shows me an ultrasound picture. "We're having twins Damon."
I take the picture from her and my heart does at least a million flips in my chest. We're having not just one baby together but two. Normally I would have been freaking out but looking at her and looking at this picture, I've never felt more hope and more alive in my entire existence.
