Disclaimer; I do not own the characters in this story.

Chapter 2

"Wake up mommy, wake up!" Elena felt her blanket being tugged away from her face, she groaned in frustration. Her biological clock was still adjusting to the time difference; on top of that, her chat with Miranda ended so late the night before. She shut her eyes tighter; hoping to go back to sleep but apparently her new alarm clock was on repeat, "mommy….mommy….mommy…"

'Mommy?…who's mommy?' the wheels in her head reluctantly started turning when suddenly a heavy mass, weighing like a 3 year old, dropped on her stomach causing her to sit upright quickly. 'Oh it's me, I'm mommy'.

She fully opened her eyes moments later to see a pair of big blue eyes staring back at her. It was full of hope and happiness, too intense for her to receive especially when she didn't deserve it. This was not her place, she was not his mom, and she can't lie to a child, thoughts racing through her mind, stacking themselves on top of each other. Elena ran her fingers through her hair; could this all be a dream?

"I miss you mommy…" a tiny voice said. Looking deeper into Adam's eyes, she really did wish this was all a dream so that this boy would still have a mother and she would still have a sister and Miranda would still have her other daughter.

The difference between them was that she and Miranda are heartbroken and Adam was not. Elena couldn't bare the thought of breaking his heart and hopes. Adam wrapped his tiny arms around Elena's neck and small giggles filled the room. He must not have seen Katherine for awhile now and it was clear that he was craving for her attention, longing for his mother.

He was too young to understand anything, so naïve and oblivious. To keep him protected, Elena decided he needs to stay exactly that way. Her voice came out shaky when she replied;

"I missed you too sweetheart".

The whole family shared breakfast together that morning on the patio. Adam hopped on and off Elena's lap, almost like he was making sure she would still be there when he comes back from playing with the dogs. Elena fed him some cereal before he ran off again and caught her family staring at her.

"What?"

"it's not fair. Took me months to get that close to Adam…" Bonnie rambles alone, "I had to bribe him with jelly beans, gummy bears, M&M's, it was a long process" sighing loudly when she's done. Jeremy just chuckled "he's growing on you, Elena. It's great…" He continued spreading jam on his toast, "…it's like nothing has changed"

Realizing what he had said, Jeremy cursed himself silently and Miranda cut in to repair the damage. "Jer, Elena is not here as Kat's substitute. She's here as 'her'. Things will never be the same, but at least we're here together to get through this."

"Sorry Elena" Jeremy patted Elena's arm lovingly.

"That's ok Jer, we're all…adjusting…" Adam came back to her, pointing at the orange juice.

The glass barely touched his lips when he suddenly jumped off her lap and ran towards the driveway. "Where is he going? Adam!" Elena stood up abruptly, realizing that she was way too worried, her heart was racing. Miranda quickly put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Calm down honey, it's just Damon" she found Elena's concern a little hilarious.

"God Elena, protective much?" Bonnie mocked and Elena sat herself back down, wondering why the hell she acted that way.

Damon gave Adam a piggy back ride from the car to the patio and let him down gently when they reached their destination.

"More, more…" Adam cried.

"Later buddy, I gotta say hi to everybody first..." Damon hugged Miranda and was about to reach for Jeremy's hand when his eyes fell on a very familiar face.

Those deep brown eyes he thought he'll never see again and that soft curve of delicate lips… He froze for a moment, as if time had frozen along with him, before glancing at Miranda. His heart was pounding in his chest, desperate for some explanation.

"Damon, this is Elena. My daughter, the one I told you about. She just flew in from Manchester last night" Elena stood up with the introduction and their eyes met. A surge of mixed feeling ran through Damon's body and his jaws tightened. Elena looked so similar to Katherine that he was wondering if it was a joke of some sort. He mentally slapped himself for not being able to tell any difference.

The only obvious difference was that Elena had straight hair while Katherine had curly hair; apart from that they were identical.

Damon stared at her for what seemed like eternity when he finally offered a hand shake. Elena awkwardly shook his hand, not fully comfortable with the way he was looking at her and worst, she could not read his expression. Elena too was frozen in time, deep in his hypnotizing blue eyes. He had strong, square jaws and the most inviting pair of lips.

Who was this dark stranger that had played such an important role in her family while she was away? Everyone else was comfortable with Damon, treating him like family. She studied his handsome face a little longer hoping she could figure him out. Not wanting to let her thoughts run away with her, Elena snapped out of her trance and let go of his hands.

After he was seated, he never looked her way again, avoiding eye contact at all cause. This also made her as uncomfortable as she was puzzled.

"How was the business trip?" Miranda asked moments later.

"Same old, same old…thinking about this guy the whole time" Damon snatched Adam who sped past the table. He laughed when Damon tried to tickle him.

All the topics they chatted about excluded Elena. She didn't know who was running for mayor in this town, or which school was best for Adam, or who was the new neighbors, so she just sat there listening. Damon didn't seem interested enough to ask about Manchester or about her.

When Adam came back to the table, he brought a flower in his dirt covered hands.

"For you mommy…"

Elena smiled, took the flower and quickly wiped his hands clean.

"Is that from my garden?" Miranda shouted and they all broke out in laughter except for Damon, whose expression suddenly turned cold. He leaned back in his seat and finally looked at Elena but this time his eyes were dark.

"Miranda, if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to Elena for a while" Damon suddenly said, his eyes were piercing Elena and she grew nervous.

When they were alone on the patio; Damon braced himself on the wood railing, looking far into the distance. His mind was racing, his heart was pounding and he felt on edge. He was being tortured by the illusion that Katherine was still alive and he hated it. As if being fooled, he wouldn't want Adam to be fooled too.

"About Adam calling you mommy…." Damon started without even turning around. Elena sensed tension in the air and she carefully took a step closer to him. Veins were popping from his forearm from gripping the railing so tightly. He was definitely troubled.

"Yes…" Elena's voice came out softer than Damon had expected and for a split second, he forgot what he was angry about. He watched Elena lower her gave and nervously fiddled with the hems of her floral blouse. There was something about her that if Damon paid close enough attention, will show how different she is from her sister. Damon shook his head and focus on his sole purpose in life now, Adam.

"I don't like it…" Damon was direct. It was important to set things straight especially when it involves his son's affection.

Raising her head, Elena showed no emotion, she had expected this reaction from Damon. He had every right to be angry; Adam obviously means the world to him. Elena tried to imagine what Damon must felt; he was practically raising Adam on his own without much help from Katherine. An aunt was not comparable to a real mother, not even close. What can she offer Adam besides the false pretences? More than that, she was like a stranger that blew in overnight and decided to put herself in such a crucial, influential position in Adam's life. It wasn't fair.

"He is just a child, he doesn't understand anything" Elena stood not far behind Damon. She was trying to read him but it was useless, the man wore a thick mask. She forced Damon to meet her eyes, trying to convince him with reason. She was not sure of much, Elena felt she was no more than an outsider but what she was certain is her growing love and a sense of protectiveness for Adam.

Damon studied her eyes, losing himself in them. They taunted him, just like Katherine's did. It was her biggest weapon against him and she will usually get her way. Damon snickered at the thought and caused Elena to frown.

"I don't think you really understand the consequences of what you're doing….Elena". Her name rolled off his tongue slowly, finding it difficult to get use to.

"You're admitting to be Katherine, Adam's mother. It's not a role you can just quit when you get tired…" Damon said raising his eyebrow. "…I will not let anyone hurt Adam"

"I understand how you feel Damon, but he's my family too and I care about him. I will never hurt Adam; he doesn't need to grief like we do. I just want to protect him…please let me" Elena pleaded with the compassion in her eyes and Damon's expression softens.

He didn't expect to lose this argument so quickly, even with Katherine he would put up a good fight but would cave due to her threats. But Elena paved her way with tenderness and sincerity that was too transparent to deny. Damon had a sudden urge to touch her delicate face, knowing its softness would match her heart. But he restrained himself, giving a weak nod instead before entering the house. And with that, the biggest decision for Adam was made and unknowingly a life changing one for Damon and Elena too.

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