I had to update quickly after the crappy ending of the last one. this one took on a life of its own, and its all angst pretty much. I dont know how long this is going to go on, mainly because it wasnt planned. I'm just writing whatever comes to my head. despite how angsty it is, I kinda do like the chapter. let me know what you think, and I hope you enjoy it.
PS I own nothing except my original characters and my writing.
Long after Damon left, Elena still sat downstairs with her head in her hands. Aiden and Aurora sat upstairs silently, and the only sounds in the entire house were the breathing of the kids and the soft sobs of their mother. She was sure now that she finally knew how it felt to have your heart irreparably damaged. How had a day that had started out so perfectly end up so disastrous. Finding the strength to pull herself up, she shut off the lights and went upstairs. She walked past Aiden's room and saw that it was empty so she continued down the hall. Perched on Aurora's bed was both her kids huddled together looking visibly upset.
"Are you okay?" she asked then.
"Are you?" Aiden shot back.
"No. I guess that answers my question. I'm sorry about tonight." she apologized.
"It's not your fault mom. Dad overreacted." Aiden defended his mom.
"I shouldn't have needled him. I should have just dropped it and sent you upstairs. Let him work through his issues in silence." she said.
"You got the protective mom instinct. You jump in no matter who is hurting us, even if it is dad. We should have been more careful." Aiden said.
"Where is dad?" Aurora asked.
"I don't know. And I don't know if he's coming back." she said swallowing a sob. She wasn't willing to be weak in front of the kids, they needed their strong mom at the moment. They shouldn't have to take care of her. "But you guys should get some sleep. You have school tomorrow." Elena said softly.
"Okay." Aiden said without argument. He hugged his sister and got up off the bed before hugging his mom tightly. "I love you mom. I just thought I should tell you that." he said as he walked past.
"I love you too." she replied
"I love you too mom. Everything will be okay. It always is." Aurora said standing up and hugging her mom. Even past the strong facade she was trying to put on for her kids, they still saw through it.
"I know. I'm going to bed." Elena said.
"If you need anything mom, I'm right here." she whispered knowing her mom could hear her.
"Thanks sweetheart. I'm your mom and I'm right here too." she said walking out of the room and closing the door. Elena walked back down the hall and shut herself in hers and Damon's bedroom before carrying herself to their bed. The bed that they had made love in just this morning. Veering away from the bed she pulled a couple blankets off the bed and settled in on the small couch in the small sitting room, not being able to sleep in that bed without him.
Damon went to the Grill and started drinking.
"What are you doing here Damon?" Alaric asked seeing him plop down on a bar stool. It was clear to the human that he had already drank a lot before coming here.
"Drinking." he said.
"You never drink like this unless something is bothering you. So spill." he commanded.
"You're awfully perceptive tonight. Something is bothering me. But I am not telling you." he said.
"Good God. I should get you home." Alaric said.
"No. I don't live there anymore as of tonight. That is so over." he said.
"What the hell happened Damon? This isn't the past where you could come and go as you please, or fight with people then choose to leave. You have a family Damon and you had better have a damn good reason for leaving them." he ordered.
"I don't want to talk to you." he said aware of his drunken petulance.
"Fine. I'm calling for backup." he said pulling out his cell phone. Damon shrugged his shoulders not caring. Right now the alcohol was the only thing that made his unbeating heart stop aching. Was it wrong that he already regretted leaving? That's how it always went, he regretted it once he left and he went home that same night. Not this time. She was on her own, and she had another thing coming if she thought he was just coming home. Alaric was on the phone for like two minutes before he hung up. Minutes later Stefan walked in the doors of the Grill.
"What's going on Damon?" he asked sitting next to his brother.
"Nothing. I just want to drink and have fun." he said.
"You're drunk. We have to get you home." he said.
"I don't live there anymore. If you take me anywhere. Take me to the boarding house." he said.
"I'm not going to ask until you're sober. But fine, I'll take you to the boarding house." he said pulling Damon to his feet.
"Thanks Stefan." Alaric said.
"Not a problem." Stefan said as he walked with Damon out to Damon's Camaro. He would come back and get his car after.
Stefan helped Damon into the house and up to the bedroom that was his when they had lived here. The bedroom was never used by tenants because that was where Damon and Elena stayed whenever they needed a night together alone.
"Come on, get into bed." he said urging the drunk vampire into his bed. Damon obliged him and rolled over onto his side.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" he asked.
"Giuseppe is back in town and the kids have been seeing him behind my back for a little while now. I snapped, Elena defended the kids. So we had our biggest fight to date and I left, and I told her I wasn't going back. And I'm not." he said.
"Wait, Giuseppe is back?" he asked.
"Yeah. And he's being a grandfather apparently. You know, I can handle Elena being mad at me, and I can handle the kids being mad at me. But I cant handle them being a afraid of me. That's probably why I drank my body weight in bourbon tonight." he said.
"I don't think they're afraid of you Damon. You're their dad and they love you." Stefan assured him.
"You didn't see their faces when Elena sent them upstairs.." he said before rolling onto his side and closing his eyes. Stefan knew that was all he was going to get out of him tonight so he shut off the light and left the room. He used vampire speed to get back to the Grill to get his car before going home again.
"Do you think maybe dad will come home today?" Aurora asked as she and Aiden ate breakfast the next morning. They tried to be quiet, they didn't want to wake their mom. She needed her rest. Both teenagers perked up considerably when they heard the front door open and close softly, but both were disappointed when they saw it was Caroline.
"Oh, its you." they said simultaneously.
"I'm kind of offended. I'm your awesome aunt Caroline. Why so glum?" she asked.
"Dad left, for good this time, I think." Aiden explained.
"What? No. No! I'm planning the wedding. I've put thousands of hours into this. I've spent date nights and quality time with my husband planning your parents wedding. No. This is terrible." she said real tears coming to her eyes.
"Yeah. Totally feel your pain. Our dad left us possibly for good. And you're worried about the wedding." Aiden said sarcastically.
"I'm sorry. I'm just in shock. I mean if your mom and dad don't make it together, then what's the chance for any other couple making it. They were so strong." she sighed.
"I know. It's our fault too." Aurora said.
"Now I know that's not true. What happened?" she asked staring at her god-children.
"We've been seeing our grandfather. Dad's dad. Behind his back. He caught us last night and snapped. Mom defended us and they had the biggest fight I've ever heard. Then he just left and he hasn't come back yet." she explained.
"Oh. I'm going to go see your mom and then how about we all carpool to the school together. Since after all I'm the best teacher you have." she said trying to plaster a smile on her face.
"I don't even have you. You teach drama and your the cheer leading coach." Aiden said.
"True. But if you did have me, I would be the best." she said walking up the stairs towards Elena and Damon's room. She opened the door and seen Elena asleep on the couch. She kneeled in front of her and woke her friend up.
"Caroline? Are the kids up?" she asked frantically.
"Yes, they're ready for school. I'll take them today, figure we might as well carpool since I'm here. They told me what happened." she said. Elena didn't answer just looked away.
"I'm a terrible mother. I should have went and got him last night. Or not let him leave. I should have been more soothing and not just automatically taken the kids side. I should have played referee and not chosen sides." she said.
"Don't blame yourself." Caroline insisted.
"It's kind of hard. I lost my husband." she said a fresh wave of tears filling her eyes.
"It's okay. Just rest today, maybe it will all make sense later on." she suggested. Elena nodded and Caroline stood up after hugging her best friend tightly.
"I love you Lena, if you need anything call me immediately." she said.
"Thank you. I love you too Care." she said hugging her back with all her limited strength. The continuous sobs and heartache took away all of her strength. She didn't want to do anything. Caroline left the room and went downstairs where the kids were waiting by the door.
"How is she?" Aiden asked worried about his mom.
"Broken." was Caroline's only answer. The kids nodded knowing what she meant.
Damon woke up in the morning and got out of bed. He was still dressed in the clothes he wore last night. He thanked God he was a vampire for a moment because if he hadn't been, he would have been incredible sick right now. He drank a lot last night. Running a hand through his hair he left the room and walked downstairs. He found Giuseppe in the kitchen where he had found him last night.
"What the hell are you still doing here?" he demanded pouring himself a generous glass of bourbon.
"Waiting for you to get out of bed" he answered.
"I have no intention of talking to you. I no longer have a family thanks to you." he said swallowing the entire glass.
"Then don't. I care for those kids Damon. You're kids are my humanity. Don't take them away. I've been steadily changing since you forbid me to ever see them. I would never hurt them." he said.
"Don't talk to me. You have to talk to their mother. I'm no longer involved." he said.
"When did she get downgraded from your wife, or the love of your existence to their mother?" he asked.
"Last night, which inevitably is your fault too. So forgive me if I don't give a fuck what you do at the moment. Elena is on her own when it comes to those kids." he said.
"You still love them. Elena included." he said.
"That's right I do. But I'm done with it. If you'll excuse me." he said walking out. He walked out to his car and got in. He drive around and found himself driving by the school. He slowed down considerably wanting to see if the kids were there. Just because he wasn't actively playing a part in their lives at the moment didn't mean he didn't want to check in. Seeing Aurora and Aiden sitting at the same table together made him smile involuntarily. Usually they stayed as far apart as they could while in public but today they were sitting together. It was probably because of what happened last night- strength in numbers and all. He drove past the school seeing the kids were safe and to the house intent on grabbing some clothes and other essentials. He paused at the front door, unsure of how to proceed when he was in the process of moving out. Deciding he didn't really care he just walked in and towards the stairs. His goal was to avoid Elena, he didn't want to see her again at the moment, mainly because he didn't want to fight with her. He walked into the bedroom and didn't see her so he rushed to the closet and pulled a few shirts and a few pairs of jeans out before going into the bathroom to grab his shampoo and other essentials.
" What are you doing?" she asked from somewhere behind him. He spun around and saw her standing in a pair of jeans and a t shirt that looked remarkably like on of his, with her hair in a ponytail. She had no makeup on.
"I need a few things. But I have to go." he said quickly. She looked beautiful, even with the trace of tears evident in her deep brown eyes and on her face.
"You're really serious about moving out aren't you?" she asked.
"It's the only option. I have to go. I have things to do today." he said brushing past her, unable to stay in that room with her for another moment. The longer he stayed the more likely that it was that he would just give in. She let him pass and heard him go down the stairs and the door shut softly behind him. He rushed from the house as fast as he could and drove away. He couldn't stay, he knew she was going to cry again and he couldn't be there for that. He went back to the boarding house and locked himself upstairs with a precious bottle of bourbon not willing to see anyone.
After school the kids went home and when they walked in Stefan was sitting at the dining room table with their mom.
"Hi." Aiden said.
"Hey. So I'm here to tell you guys a bit of a story." he said.
"How long is it? We both have to work tonight." Aiden said.
"It shouldn't take too long. But your mom already called Matt and said you might be a little late. It's the story of your dad and Giuseppe." he said.
"Oh." they said sitting down across from Stefan.
"Okay first you have to know that your grandpa always hated your dad. He blamed Damon for the death of our mom when in reality she died giving birth to me. He never treated Damon well, of course I don't know what happened before I was born. But after he blatantly chose me over Damon at every opportunity. He hated your dad because he looked like our mom. Exactly. Same blue eyes and dark hair. The same as you guys. He outwardly mistreated Damon his entire life. Gave me things that he wouldn't give Damon. Katherine came and the three of us began an affair with her, which is creepy. Neither of us knew Giuseppe was with her too, but she fed all of us her blood. And all three of us died with her blood in our systems. Except Damon and I died first. Giuseppe shot us. Then I killed Giuseppe during my transition turning him into a vampire. For the next century or more Giuseppe hunted for me. Wanting me back. Needing his son, and in order to do that he tracked Damon, mainly to let it sink in that I was still the preferred son. He would find Damon tell him to tell him where I was and then leave. Sometimes they would fight. But you're dad has spent the last 16 years making sure he was nothing like Giuseppe and keeping you safe from him. Maybe Giuseppe did change, but your dad is not willing to let you be the test subject for that. Giuseppe was bad and he wounded your dad in more ways than you can imagine. I can imagine not being accepted at all from your father would hurt. When he was younger he tried so hard to be accepted by our dad, he did things that Giuseppe approved of, only to be reprimanded. It affected him to this day. I just wanted you to understand that. I know your dad has told you some of this before, but I thought that you should know why he reacted the way he did." Stefan explained.
"It makes sense now. We never knew a lot of that. I didn't know he mistreated dad his entire life." Aiden said.
"Try to understand that, when he does the things he does. He loves you more than his existence. But I'll let you get to work." he said.
"Alright." Aiden said as Aurora remained silent beside him.
"Thanks Stefan." Elena said.
"Its no problem." he said hugging his sister in law.
"Matt knows we're going to be late right?" Aurora asked her brother as they drove towards the Grill.
"Yeah. What do you have in mind?" he asked.
"I want to go see Giuseppe. Tell him we know what he did." she said.
"Okay. Let's make it quick. I'm the manager on duty tonight and Matt should be able to go home almost on time." he said.
"Okay." Aurora said liking her brothers dedication to his new job title. They walked into the boarding house and called out for their grandpa. Giuseppe appeared shocked to see them.
"Is my dad here?" Aiden asked.
"No. He left a while ago." he said.
"Good. Stefan told us what you did to dad." Aiden said.
"I know. I knew you would know someday. And I promise you I regret that more than anything." he said.
"We're not going to see you anymore." Aiden said and Aurora stood stoically at his side.
"Just because of what I did in the past? What about how I am now?" he asked.
"My parents marriage is in shambles because of you. Well because of us technically. But we're going to change that. The fight was about us seeing you, so we're going to stop. Maybe then mom and dad will get back together. I've never seen mom more broken and I haven't seen dad." he said.
"I guess I can understand that. Maybe I should just leave." he sighed, his blue eyes filled with hurt.
"That would probably be a good idea. Maybe in the future we can meet again, but not now. Meeting you has destroyed my family." Aiden said.
"But we have to get to work. Goodbye grandpa." Aurora said as her and Aiden walked away and back out to their car.
"We're sorry we're late Matt." Aiden said rushing into the restaurant with Aurora right behind him.
"That's fine. You're mom told me you would be." he said.
"You should get home. You've been here all day." Aiden said as Aurora assumed her position as hostess.
"I'm going to hang out for a little while." Matt said.
"Okay." Aiden said walking around the restaurant doing his beginning of shift inspection. Matt seen Damon sitting down at the end of the bar watching the kids with a small smile on his face.
"You alright? You've been here for quite a while and you haven't ordered cake." he said.
"I'm not going to be. Probably not for a while at least. I'm partially moved out of the house. I'm living at the boarding house." he said.
"What happened?" Matt asked.
"Two words. Giuseppe Salvatore. The old bastard is still ruining my life." he said.
"I'm not even going to ask. It sounds serious though." he said.
"Oh it is. I'm usually home by now." he admitted.
"Well good luck. Elena is nothing if not forgiving." he said. Matt clapped him on the shoulder and said goodbye to Aiden and Aurora before leaving the restaurant.
"Dad's here." Aiden said to Aurora who was standing beside the hostess stand.
"I know. I don't know what to say to him." she admitted.
"Me neither. I was hoping you would, you're better at that kind of thing than I am." he said. Aurora nodded and turned to her brother.
"We can just wing it. We cant avoid him forever."she suggested. Aiden nodded and walked with Aurora over to the end of the bar where their dad was sitting.
"Hi dad." Aurora said, Aiden stayed back letting Aurora take the reins on this one.
"Hey." he said throwing back another drink.
"How are you doing?" she asked.
"Not bad." he answered.
"Mom's a mess." she said hoping that would make some sort of emotion cross his face. He was far too composed to make Aurora feel comfortable.
"That's not really my problem at the moment. She made her choice." he said.
"It wasn't really a choice dad. She didn't like how you were speaking to us." Aurora said her temper flaring up.
"And who's fault is that?" he asked staring right at them.
"You're right. It was our fault." she said dejected. She walked past to the hostess stand and Aiden followed her. He had never spoken so coldly to them before. It was shocking. When they looked back he was gone.
Damon went back to the boarding house and slammed the door. Giuseppe appeared out of the other room with a suitcase in hand.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I'm leaving. The kids came by to speak to me. And they took your side. They said they couldn't see me anymore and thought that I should maybe just leave town." he said.
"They did?" he asked.
"Yes. You have some good teenagers there Damon. Keep them safe." he said as he walked out of the house. "Shit." Damon said to himself. He was just fucking things up right left and centre.
The kids walked into the house after their shift was over and Elena was waiting up for them.
"How was work?" she asked.
"Fine. Dad was there." Aurora answered.
"And?" she asked.
"I don't think he's ever coming home." she said breaking down into her moms arms.