A/N: Hi readers, here is the update. Enjoy

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters used in this story.

Chapter 13

It was so odd. After what happened that night in his living room, Elena had not seen Damon for days. He was always at work. He didn't even take medical leave for his injuries. When they talked on the phone, it was brief and straight forward.

Besides all that, Elena was still bothered by the fact that she was in love with a man who was in love with someone else.

"What is wrong with me, Adam?" she glanced at the little boy in the passenger seat, chewing on some crackers. They were from the mall and were on their way to Miranda's one afternoon.

"Are you sad mommy?" Adam looked at her with his big blue eyes. He looked worried and it was the most precious thing in the world.

"No honey….I'm a little confused that's all" she gave him a loving smile just as they pulled up in front of the house. "Come on let's go see grandma…" she carried him through the main entrance.

A box full of her old books had just arrived from Manchester and she unpacked them, neatly arranging them on a bookshelf only to be put back into the box by Adam. He carried the books and dragged some of the heavier ones back into the box as Elena watched, shaking her head in amusement.

"It's always opposite day in Adam's world…" Miranda giggled. She gave her grandson something else to play with so that things could get done.

"I think he wants me to unpack my things at Damon's house instead" Elena smiled but there was something hidden behind it, something only a mother could spot.

"Is there something you wanna talk about sweety?" Miranda patted Elena's arms gently.

Elena felt uneasy about being around Damon or in his house after she found out how he felt about Katherine. The 'almost kiss' incident got her mind spinning even more and she wondered if Damon saw Kat every time he looked at her. She can't stop thinking about it; she tried to forget it but failed miserably.

She also kept thinking about his eyes, his smirk, the way he looked at her that night, they way their lips almost touched and most importantly the way he loved. His tenderness was proven through the way he took care of his son and caused her feelings for him to grow every day. And no matter what she did, he was all she thought of. She needed to make it stop.

"I think it's time I move back here with you" she muttered under her breath.

"Why? I thought things are going well over there…" Miranda looked a little disheartened.

"I moved there to help Adam, well clearly, he is ok now. So, there is no reason for me to stay there anymore" she avoided her mother's eyes, afraid that she will read her like a book.

Miranda simply sighed. She loved that Adam had a normal, functioning family unit. It was a flourishing environment for kids his age. There were noticeable improvements in his behavior ever since Elena moved in 3 months ago. Miranda also saw how happier Damon was and how Elena was more spirited. They were a perfect match, as if they were meant to raise Adam together.

She studied her daughter intently, her face brooding. No matter how much she disagreed, Miranda knew she could not force Elena into doing something she does not want to but instead, nodded silently. "What about Adam?"

"He could spend time with me here and with his father there, we'll take turns. I still want to be there for him… after all…I'm his mommy now." Her emotions hung somewhere between sorrow and hurt, and she felt torn. But Elena knew this was the best thing to do before her emotions make things more difficult.

It was better if she backed away now, not wanting to risk the balance they had already achieved so far; an effective tango of responsibility, a well coordinated tag team and an all round mutual agreement that was vital to Adam's growth.

They were great guardians to Adam and that was the best they could give him. Because of the way she and Damon felt, anything more will surely be disastrous. She took some books and her mails before heading back to the apartment, hoping to see Damon tonight, so she could tell him her decision.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Elena glanced at the clock hanging on the wall for the hundredth time. It was almost midnight. She flipped through the magazine, words and pictures are just blurry blobs to her now. She was getting aggravated and her patience was wearing thin. She hated waiting around for him like a sad housewife, and tossed the magazine aside.

She rehearsed her speech earlier but now she had completely different things to say to the man, mainly using words starting with the letter f. Moreover, the notorious box under his bed was thudding like a damn Jumanji board game, taunting her.

She was pacing back and forth in the hall way when a knock came at the door. Rushing to the door, she swung it open furiously, ready to shout but ended up swallowing her words when she saw Jeremy's alarmed face.

"Ermm, is this a bad time?" he looked mortified by her fuming expression.

Elena calmed herself and took a deep breath. "No, come in Jer…sorry I wasn't expecting you."

Jeremy felt scared for Damon if that was the way Elena normally greeted him from work. He still looked doubtful when he entered the house;

"Sorry I didn't call first. I'm here to pick up some stuff, Damon told me to come earlier but I just got back from the library"

"Library? In this hour?" Elena mocked her little brother but he just shrugged at her.

"Yeah sure, help yourself…take whatever you need" she strolled back into the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of juice. She watched him enter Damon's room and came back out with a black box she recognized and grew to hate.

"What are you doing with Damon's things?" Elena crossed her arms and approached him curiously; wondering if Jeremy knew what was inside it. Maybe Jeremy knew that Damon was still in love with Katherine, maybe her mother knew…she could still very well be out of the loop and kept in the dark just like before about Adam. Maybe Matt knew and that's why he was angry with Damon.

All this 'maybes' were driving her insane and she landed her forehead on the kitchen counter, feeling her brain throbbed.

"These things belonged to Katherine. Damon helped cleared her desk in her office. Mom's going to put this with the rest of her things in her old room" Jeremy explained. He stopped in front of her to take a sip of her drink but was suddenly smothered by a huge hug. He had unknowingly lifted a huge burden off her shoulder.

Elena was so relieved; she felt as if she could breathe again.

That picture of Katherine did not belong to Damon,

he wasn't keeping her picture,

which means he was not in love with her.

Elena's heart soared, her face beaming with unconcealed happiness. Jeremy simply looked puzzled "You're acting weird and….I'm leaving now, bye"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She contemplated what to say to Damon when she sees him the next morning. She finally had the courage to confront him about what happened the other night. The way she pulled away and rejected him must really confused him or even offended him and she owed an explanation.

Elena sprung out of bed early the next morning to the sound of pots and pans clattering in the kitchen. Damon was cooking in the kitchen, and it was her chance to talk to him.

She stepped into kitchen where Adam was eating in his high chair, his eyes fixed on the television. "Good morning" Elena passed by him, kissing the top of his head. Damon had fixed him a sandwich and was doing the dishes by the sink. "Great, you're up…I gotta get to work" he wiped his hands dry on the kitchen towel, careful not to get his crisp white shirt wet.

"But it's barely 7.30am…" she stood by Adam, wrapping her arms around him, wondering why Damon had suddenly became a phantom. They saw very little of him lately. He left for work so early in the morning and come back so late at night.

"I know, I'm helping Alaric with something at the office…"he let his words hang, picking up his suitcase from the table. He kissed Adam goodbye and Elena sent him to the door, holding it open as he was about to leave. "Damon I was wondering if we could talk…" she ran her hands through her hair nervously. He gave her a quizzical look but she carried on; "What time will you be back tonight?"

Damon took a deep breath, turning his face away from her; "I'm not sure…I'll probably be late tonight. Can it wait?" the coldness in his voice threw her off. Elena swallowed convulsively as anger washed over her. He was distant. Gone was the warm affectionate man who she thought cared for her and the passionate man who took her in his arms a few nights ago. In his place now was a cold, defensive stranger.

Elena felt as if her face was on fire. 'Oh I just wanted to discuss with you about the simple matter of how I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you and perhaps the prospect of us sharing a life together if you're interested…and after that we can talk about what a jerk you are being' Elena thought to herself, rage pouring out her when Damon obviously does not want to talk to her, refusing to even look at her.

"Yes! It can definitely wait….!" She slammed the door so hard that the pendant light above the entrance swung and shake.

Oh, the drama! Things are getting complicated...

The finale is coming soon...

Leave your comments in the review box.