PART I
Six months later...
Paris
"As if being forced to go, I still have to wait for hours, for you to get ready!" Damon called out from the living room.
"Shush!" I said walking out of the bedroom. "I have to think what's best for a flight that long…"
"You're fine. Now, come on, let's go" he said turning to the door.
"Do you have your suit?" I asked closing my bag.
"Yes, it's in Mystic Falls"
"But, Damon, we're making a surprise" I frowned at him. "You can't go to the Boarding House"
He groaned as I rushed back in the bedroom. I went through all his suits and decided on the simplest one, considering the risks it would take during the trip. I grabbed a white shirt and black tie from the drawer and put together with the suit, closing the clothing bag and rushed back out. I smiled at him as I gave him the bag.
"Thanks. Even though surprise is futile considering Alice is there" he said frowning.
I kissed him softly and he smiled.
"I feel so normal when we do stuff like this… Packing, getting your clothes, making sure the house is alright… Ignoring the fact that Alice knows we're going" I shrugged.
He kissed me once more and then slapped me in the ass playfully.
"We aren't if we don't get to the airport now"
I called the elevator as he locked the door, and after walking inside the elevator, and the door closing, Damon pulled me to him with a smirk.
"Damon… I thought you were in a rush" I said cocking an eyebrow at him.
"I don't even want to go" he shrugged, leaning down to kiss my neck.
"Don't you want to be there for your brother's graduation, for once?" I murmured.
"Hm… I'm sure there will be plenty more in the future"
The elevator stopped and he sighed, wrapping an arm around me we walked out through the extravagant lobby and into the warm sun shining on the streets.
"But I know you want to go to this one" he shrugged.
I smiled and waved at a cab.
"Thank you" I said and he cocked an eyebrow at me. "For being so perfect… I know you don't want to go, but it's been six months, everything will be fine. And when we get back, we can go to Greece like we planned"
He sighed, gave me a smile and kissed before opening the cab's door for me.
"Bella, what are you doing?" Damon asked worriedly.
I broke the lock and twisted the knob, the door opening to reveal a dusty house that once had been my home.
"Bella…"
I stepped through the threshold and turned, smiling at Damon as I walked backwards, further into the house.
"I left the house for Ric, Ric left it for Elena, but Elena didn't have a will when she died, so… it's unoccupied" I shrugged.
He gave me a small smile as he entered the house and we looked around for some time. It was just like I had left it, Ric hadn't used it, and Elena probably didn't realize the house should have been hers. It was dust and someone would have to invest a good amount of time to clean it up, but I really didn't want to do it. I walked upstairs, noticing Charlie's room door closed and walked into mine. I smiled as I remembered the time Jake and Embry lived down the hall, always barging in my room so could be the judge of some stupid boyish competition tie. The girls visit, Edward's…
Damon walked up behind me, his arms slipping around my waist, his fingers playing with the fly of my shorts. He nuzzled my neck, and gently nibbled on it.
"What are you thinking?" he asked softly.
I smiled, leaning back against him, and rested my hands on top of his.
"When you took off my wedding dress" I mumbled.
"Hm… With so many good memories…"
"Didn't you like that moment?" I asked turning in his arms.
He stared into my eyes and leaned his forehead against mine with a sigh.
"There was too much running through my head in that moment" he said softly. "And… You almost married Cullen" he grumbled.
"But I didn't, because of you"
"Still" he shrugged.
I cupped his face, forcing him to pull back a bit so I could look into his blue eyes.
"Tell me" I whispered.
He kissed me, softly at first, but the kiss grew passionate as he led me towards the bed. When the back of my knees hit the bed, he stopped, his hands falling from my hips. He pulled back and smiled at me.
"I was thinking I couldn't lose you, and I hated to admit, but your plan was a good one" he said.
He gave the dusty comforter a tug, pulling it off the bed, until only the clean, snow-white sheets were revealed. I smiled as I sat on it and he crouched between my knees. He slipped his hands up my legs, and grabbed the hem of my leopard-print top. He pulled it up and off me, and then undid the fly of my shorts.
"And I was thinking that you looked beautiful" he said his smiled growing a bit, but faltering. "Maybe even better than at the Mikaelsons' Ball… And you looked stunning that night"
"You're lying" I scoffed rolling my eyes and raised my hips so he could pull my shorts off. "I had been crying, I was stressed and you looked glad to get rid of the freaking white wedding dress"
He leaned up, kissed me and pushed me down onto the mattress, pulling my legs around him and pressing his body to mine.
"Only because I wanted you to be wearing that for me" he whispered against my lips.
"A wedding dress?" I scowled.
He hummed against my neck and I pushed against his chest. He resisted, but I rolled us over and frowned down at him.
"Damon?" I asked and he opened his eyes with a shrug. My heart faltered. "A wedding dress?"
"Maybe" he said uncertainly. "What do you think?"
"I think that sounds like an awful proposal" I chuckled dryly.
"It's not" he blurted and frowned. "Not now"
I cocked an eyebrow at him and he sighed, sitting up and wrapping his arms around me.
"I like what we have now… And I know I won't want anybody else as much as I want you, ever. And… you feel the same…?" he said awkwardly.
"I love you, Damon, forever" I whispered, my fingers getting lost in his raven black hair.
"Well… I don't know. Maybe one day we could… you know" he shrugged.
"Damon" I chuckled. "What are you doing? You are stammering like a nervous idiot"
"We could get married, one day" he said frowning at me. "I wanted to know if that's something you would like… Because it would suck to get the guts to do it only to find out you don't want to"
"I would like that… one day" I said softly.
"Ok"
"Ok?"
"Yeah…"
"So… soon?" I asked eagerly.
"Slow down, I only asked. One day" he stammered out. "Not now! I mean… why rush?"
I chuckled and kissed him, cutting him off.
"Sorry, I just… The image of you in a suit, wearing a ring that claimed you as mine came into my head and I couldn't contain myself" I said softly.
"One day" he said against my lips.
"One day" I agreed again.
"Meanwhile" he said and rolled over, so he was on top of me once again and smirked down at me. "Let's celebrate"
I smoothed the leather of the shoulders of my dress and slipped into my black Louboutins, checking to see if my hair and make-up was alright. Damon came grumbling as he fixed his tie, and I smiled at him. He took my hand and spun me around before pulling me to his chest. I wiped a bit of dust off his sleeve and cupped his face before kissing him.
"I love you" I whispered. "Thank you for coming"
"Like I would let you come alone to this crazy town" he said.
I slipped my hand into his and we walked out of the house, deciding to walk to the school, since it was a warm day and it wasn't so far.
When we got there, Alice immediately showed up to greet us. She hugged me tightly and even hugged Damon, throwing her red cap and gown at me to hold as I stared in disbelief. When she pulled back she shrugged at my questioning and Damon's stunned looks.
"I'm happy you two are here" she said.
"Bella!"
I turned and saw Caroline rushing to us. Bonnie and Elena were with her, and as soon as they focused on me, they came running too. Edward and Stefan walked slowly to us. Caroline jumped on me in a hug and spun around with me in her arms.
"You're here!" she said.
"I'm here!" I laughed.
"Did you get my invitation?" she asked pulling back with a big grin.
"Yes"
"Then why didn't you say anything!" she complained.
I ignored her as Bonnie and Elena hugged me, and although Bonnie and Caroline practically ignored Damon, Elena gave him a hug as well. I met Damon's eyes over her shoulder, and smiled at him. She pulled back quickly, and stood aside as Stefan greeted his brother. I gave Edward a hug and saw his family a few feet away, waiting for me to get free so we could talk. After giving my gifts to Elena, Caroline, Bonnie, Stefan, Edward and Alice – the last two the most difficult ones to find a suitable gift – I walked to Esme and Carlisle. After greeting, hearing the girls' excited screeches for my gifts, I walked with the rest of the Cullen Clan to the seats. They had gotten seats on the second row, and Damon and I sat right beside Liz.
"I think they liked your gifts" Liz commented, as we watched the girls talking excitedly over the checks and airplane tickets.
"I got Caroline tickets to Paris, I hope you don't mind" I said to Liz.
"Not at all" she said grinning. "Thank you"
"Speaking of Paris" Rosalie said from my right. "Are you enjoying it?"
"Yes… Thank you for borrowing your apartment"
"It was Edward's, he gave it to Alice as wedding present on the last wedding" Emmett said. "She never used it, kinda refused it. So, I guess the gift is from both of them"
"We can't accept it" I said shaking my head. "But thank you for letting us use it…"
"Well, if someone can't accept, it should be Damon" Esme said.
I looked at Damon who was frowning. His birthday had been a week before, and if Stefan hadn't called, I wouldn't have known. Damon only let me celebrate it because my plans involved a simple home-made dinner, and sex. The Cullens had sent us a package, and with a note they explained they had transferred the apartment in Paris we were staying in to Damon's name, and wished us happiness. I realized then I shouldn't have even accepted the apartment for the time we were in Paris, I should have known it would give the Cullens crazy ideas.
I cocked an eyebrow at Damon, waiting for him to answer.
"I hope you liked the gift, Damon" Esme said softly, smiling that motherly smile and I knew she was doing it on purpose. No one could deny her something when she smiled like that. It was like breaking your mother's heart.
"Yes, I loved it" Damon muttered, forcing a smile. "Thank you"
"So, you'll take it?" Esme asked excitedly.
"Yes" he muttered.
I smiled, shaking my head at Esme, who smiled innocently at me and turned to talk to Carlisle. I leaned against Damon and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"You're a sucker for mother figures aren't you?" I whispered in his ear.
"Shut up" he grumbled.
I chuckled and kissed his cheek, he took the hand that was resting in his thigh in his and gave it a squeeze.
"So… We have an apartment in Paris" he said.
"Yes, apparently we do" I chuckled.
"Well… Ahn, what about our plans?"
"We can still go, the apartment will be there. Maybe Caroline will like to have it all to herself for the summer" I shrugged.
"India first?" he asked.
"Yes… And then Egypt"
After the ceremony, we all gathered at the Boarding House, and I noticed someone had been missing all day. I walked up to Caroline who was getting a drink.
"So…"
"Hi" she said smiling. "Thanks for the tickets…"
"You already thanked me, and I already said 'you're welcome'" I rolled my eyes.
"I was going to ask when do you think it's a good time for me to go" she said.
"Well, Damon and I have been planning on going to India and Egypt for the summer, so you could spend that time in Paris" I shrugged.
"Alright…" she mused, frowning lightly.
"So, where is Klaus?" I asked.
"Hm?"
"Klaus?" I asked smiling at her frown. "Why hasn't he come to graduation? I imagined he would, even if just to get shut down by you again"
She smiled, turning to look at the others and I noticed a subtle blush appearing in her cheeks.
"He's in New Orleans, said he had a problem to solve… He left a message saying he would be here tonight" she said.
"And what is that blush for?" I asked teasingly.
She turned to me, her smile faltering and she bit her lip.
"You can't tell anyone" she said quietly.
"What?"
"I… Well, Elena and the others think I was going to travel with the money I inherited from my father, and that the ticket you gave me would make Paris my first stop…"
"But?"
"Klaus invited me to go with him, travel around the world…" she shrugged. "So, I'll have to talk to him about Paris, maybe reschedule out trip" she shrugged.
"Klaus is welcome to Paris as well, Caroline" I chuckled. "You can take him there, but it would be best to go before Damon and I come back, because you know how Damon can be. You would go crazy with all the meaningful jokes, and I think Klaus would end up killing Damon"
"Right" she sighed.
"What is it?" I asked concerned at the sudden sadness in her tone.
"Do you think I'm making a mistake?" she asked fearfully.
"Care, it's your life, you can be with whomever you want" I shrugged.
"Klaus and I are not together" she frowned at me.
"You aren't?" I asked skeptically.
"No!" she rolled her eyes at me. "I didn't forget who he is!"
"So?"
"We're friends… But I don't think Elena would like that very much, considering Klaus' historic"
"Yeah, they probably won't approve" I said. "But… Well, they accepted Damon and he was a class-A jackass" I shrugged.
She giggled and I smiled, changing the subject to sooth her.
PART II
A couple months later…
India
"How about this one?" I asked Damon, showing him the fabric. "I bet Alice could make a nice scarf"
He looked at red dyed fabric, and I covered half my face with it, smiling at him.
"I like the color" he said and leaned closer. "But I want sheets with it, so you can lie on them naked"
I let out a mocking gasp and he paid the man. The man probably never got that much money with just one costumer, and seemed ready to throw a party with the Rupees Damon gave him. We walked hand in hand through the crowded streets, carrying a couple bags, in the scalding sun. Damon was wearing dark green cargo shorts but hadn't given up on black, wearing a black polo shirt. He looked so normal, so easygoing, free… It was refreshing.
"Bella, look"
His voice snapped me from my thoughts of him, and he let go of my hand, walking forward. I pushed through a couple people to follow him, and my smile widened at the sight of the huge elephant. People had painted his forehead and put flowers and other decorative items on him, but he still looked like a frightening animal, his size making me feel a bit insignificant, even though I knew he couldn't harm me. The owners, invited people to come closer, but no one dared to. Damon passed me the bags and walked forward.
"Damon!" I hissed.
He turned to me, smiling, but didn't stop.
"Be careful" I said nervously.
He chuckled and greeted the man before approaching the animal. I sighed, taking the camera I carried with me, and watched as he patted the elephants leg. He dodged the ear as it waved and I laughed, taking pictures of him. He walked in front of the elephant and put his hand on its trunk, slowly and carefully caressing the animal. He looked happy, and in awe at the same time. He looked young, human with the new experience, like a child learning new things. He turned to me, with the biggest grin and his eyes shone in excitement and love.
My phone rang and I saw it was Caroline, so I answered.
"Hey, Care!" I said happily.
Damon turned back to the elephant, listening to what the breeder was telling him.
"Hey, Bella" Caroline said quietly. "How are you?"
"Good, what about you?" I asked looking through the photos we had taken.
"Fine… Listen, would you mind if I went to Paris now?" she asked.
"Ahn… What about college?"
"I… I don't know" she mumbled.
I frowned.
"Caroline, what's wrong?"
"I just wanted to see you" she said.
"Damon and I are in India, we came back after Egypt… But you and Klaus can go, we'll be there in a couple days"
"Not… Klaus. Only me"
My frown deepened and my worry was heightened.
"Caroline, what happened?" I asked.
"I… Klaus and I got into an argument, and I don't think I can travel with him anymore"
"Where are you?"
"New Orleans, we didn't even left the country" she mumbled.
"Care… I can go to Paris to meet you there, but it will take me a couple days"
"No, forget it, I'll go home"
"Caroline, go to Paris. I'll meet you there" I said firmly. "I want you to go, I want to see you and I want to know what happened"
"Klaus and Hayley. They had a thing" she grumbled.
"What?!"
"It's been a few months, but… Before graduation, he found out she's pregnant and has been hiding it from me. I found out yesterday"
"She's pregnant? So what?" I asked confused. "What Klaus has to do with it?"
"Bella. It's Klaus' baby"
"What?" I whispered in shock.
"Can we talk when you get to Paris?" she mumbled.
"Yeah. I'll call my building, tell the doorman to let you in. You have the address, right?"
"Yes…"
"Okay, I'll see you in a couple days"
"Thanks"
She hung up and I put away the cell, my mind in a haze. Klaus got Hayley pregnant? How?
Damon turned to me again, a frown starting to show as he took in my own. I shook it off and smiled at him, shrugging. He smiled again, petting the elephant once more before rushing to me. He grabbed me in an embrace, ignoring the people around us as he spun me around.
"God, I love you and I love this trip. It's been wonderful" he said happily.
As I looked him in the eyes, I understood why I had not only been confused and worried. I had been jealous. Why did Klaus get to have children when all of us were doomed to never know the feeling?
I would never feel what is like to have a piece of Damon grow inside me, what having birth felt like. To love a piece of you and your mate, unconditionally and have that kind of love back. A bond that could never break. Parenthood.
But as I looked into those blue eyes, I understood something else.
It must be close to the feelings I have for him. It's this incredible high, sometimes painful, but so fulfilling, so worth it… A rush that left me breathless and dizzy. A feeling so strong, that it seemed it could rip me apart or make me stronger; it could make me or destroy me. It didn't matter we weren't together for long. Not even close to how long Carlisle and Esme were. My love was just as strong as theirs. I loved him, as irrational as it may be. It was senseless, crazy and completely amazing. I didn't regret it, not for anything in the world.
"I love you" I said softly, not sure how to voice it all. It was too much, and words would never be enough.
I didn't tell Damon about Hayley's pregnancy, not knowing his reaction, only told him Caroline was going to Paris and that she needed me. Thankfully, he didn't make such a fuss of it, only commented that it was bound to happen.
"Blondie and Klaus?" he scoffed. "Of course she would get burned sometime"
We got the first flight to France, and in less than two days we were in Paris. We hadn't packed much, buying clothes as we needed them, and in our bags only souvenirs and essentials. The doorman greeted us, asking if our summer had been pleasant, and I asked if Caroline was there. He said she had arrived the day before and hadn't left. She was on lockdown apparently. When we entered the apartment, we could smell food. Lots of it. Damon and I walked into the kitchen and found Caroline eating a brownie as she stirred something.
"Hey, Care" I said softly.
"Bella!" she exclaimed with relief and her eyes widened, tears in them. "You're blond!"
Only Caroline to comment on my new hair color while clearly upset.
She ran to me and hugged me tightly, burrowing her face in my shoulder. Damon walked into the kitchen and turned the stove off, and then disappeared in our room. I guided Caroline to the couch and made her sit down and tell me exactly what happened.
"I ignored all about college, I thought about taking the year to get to know the world" she said. "Klaus had offered to take me, and although mom was not happy with it, she let me and gave me the money dad left for me so I wouldn't depend completely on Klaus…"
"But you didn't travel" I clarified.
"No… He went back to Mystic Falls as promised, on the night of graduation, and after a week, we left. No one had seen him around town, so no one knows I left with him. He took me to New York, and then L.A., and suggested we did a road trip back to New Orleans. Now I know he was only stalling" she huffed. "Once we got to New Orleans, a month had passed and our rhythm slowed down. He showed me bit by bit why the town was one of his favorites, introduced me to some of his acquaintances..."
"Care, now you're stalling" I said apologetically. I wanted to get to the core of the problem.
"Right, sorry… I met a witch, Klaus was solving some stuff, and I was alone. She had a bar, and it reminded me of the Grill, so I started to hang out there. Hayley showed up and I got mad, and demanded to know what was she doing there and if she was following us. She frowned at me as if I was the intruder. I got a bit angry, and the witch attacked me. She protected her" her frown deepened. "She said I should be more careful or Klaus would kill me for touching the baby"
"And…"
"I heard it, Bella, its heartbeat" she mumbled.
"So… it's real" I mumbled.
"Klaus is half werewolf and she's a werewolf, so… yes, for them it is"
"And what Klaus said?"
"Well, I had to confront him about it, what made him edgy… He said he wasn't happy with it either, and that the witches were trying to manipulate him with the baby… I was angry that he didn't tell me. I mean, how long would he stall on New Orleans? Why didn't he just tell me he couldn't travel because Hayley was pregnant and he couldn't leave?"
"Care, even though you are right…" I said softly, pausing to choose my words carefully. "You know Klaus is complicated, and you shouldn't have known trouble wouldn't stop only because you were with him…"
"But it's a child, Bella!" she said exasperated. "He got exactly what none of us can have and he's treating it so lightly, it infuriates me! I mean, how would he hide the child when it was born? He doesn't want it, he doesn't even deserve such miracle and he's such an asshole to treat the situation so callously"
I had to admit Caroline was right. But she chose not to see why it bothered her so much. It was the same feeling I had when she told me, only stronger. Jealousy, envy.
I told her to get ready, I would show her Paris and clear her mind a bit. She went to take a shower and change and Damon walked out of the bedroom. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, brows furrowed, and stared at me.
"Eavesdropping?" I asked teasingly.
"Klaus is having a child?" he retorted dryly.
"They're werewolves, Damon" I shrugged, getting up and going to the kitchen.
He grabbed me by the arm, turning me around and his worried eyes pierced through my soul.
"I'm fine, Damon" I smiled.
"Are you sure?"
I sighed and he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"I'll admit I envy Klaus, but I had already come to terms with vampirism, and the fact that that window was closed to me" I said and cupped his face. "I don't need a baby, Damon, I have all I need right here"
He kissed me softly.
"I'm sorry" he whispered.
"Join us on the tour through Paris?" I asked changing subjects.
"Caroline isn't my #1 fan, so it might not be a good idea"
"Alright" I kissed him softly. "I'll see you later then; maybe we all can go out to dinner"
Caroline was enchanted with Paris, and completely distracted from what caused her to be there and not in New Orleans. The three of us went out to dinner, Damon chose one of the best restaurants to show her the French cuisine, and then we went to a jazz bar where we could sit, have drinks, talk and dance. It was so nice to see Caroline and Damon getting along. They weren't even close to being best friends, but they were friends, as if all the shit Damon had done to her was forgotten, and as if Caroline had never been against him. Of course they bickered over the silliest things, but all good-naturally.
Damon kissed my cheek before going to the bar to get us more drinks, and I smiled watching him go.
"You two are so happy" Caroline commented.
"We are" I smiled at her.
"This time away has been great for you… It's like none of that shit happened… You only have eyes for each other, there's no stress, no resentment… Only love"
She had a wishful tone and my smile faltered. A familiar song started and when Damon came back with the drinks, he gave me a smirk, extending his hand.
"I hope you don't mind if I take my lady to dance for a bit, Caroline" he said.
"Of course not! Have fun!" she said shooing us with a grin.
He pulled me out of the booth and pulled me through the crowd to the dance floor. I put my hands on his shoulders and he gripped my hips tightly, smirking down at me.
"Don't even think about it" I said smiling.
"Why not? I remember you enjoyed it" he said huskily.
Last time we had been to that bar and that song played, I was tipsy, and horny, so I dragged him to a quiet, dark corner and had my wicked way with him, our mouths muffling our sounds, and the risk of getting caught having sex in public making the it even more thrilling.
"Caroline is here, that's why" I chuckled. "She might catch us"
He pouted and I kissed him. He hummed, his arms wrapping around me and his hands resting above my ass, pulling me against him. I pulled back and frowned. He frowned back, confused and I sighed.
"Tell Caroline I'm in the bathroom and invite her to dance" I said.
I pulled away from him and he followed my gaze. Klaus was by the bar, looking in the direction of our table. Damon went to get Caroline and I walked to Klaus. He smiled at me and pushed a glass of scotch to me.
"You screwed up" I said and downed the drink.
"Yes" he grumbled downing his.
"So why are you here? Don't you think she's quite upset as it is?!"
"I need to make things right" he shrugged.
"Klaus… how?" I asked exasperated. "How exactly will you fit Caroline into the mess that your life is turning into?"
He looked to the dance floor and I looked over my shoulder to see Caroline laughing at something Damon said as they danced to an upbeat song. I looked back at Klaus and he clenched his jaw, before staring at his glass.
"I didn't exactly plan this" he said quietly. "Elena is a vampire, the Petrova bloodline is over, so… of course my curiosity was peaked when I found out there was another way…"
I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and growled at him. He stared at me in shock.
"You are talking about your baby, Klaus, not a hybrid factory!" I snapped.
"I know" he said angrily pushing my hands off him. "I fucking know. And that's why I can't say I would go back on it, even though I hate that Caroline is hurt!"
"Klaus, you can have something none of us can… Enjoy that and forget her, it will be best for everyone" I sighed.
"I can't forget her…" he said, his eyes filled with so much emotion my own watered. "I can't let her go, and I can't choose between them. I can only hope…"
"And Hayley?" I asked sitting in a stool.
"She's not very excited… She's young, and alive. I don't think she has understood the magnitude of this. I told her she's free to do whatever she wants, as long as she doesn't endanger the child" he muttered sitting beside me and waving at the waiter.
"She'll take off, won't she?" I asked quietly. "You know that…"
"As things are now, I can say I won't count on her presence for much longer after the baby is born" he said in a clipped tone.
"And how would this work? Caroline would be its step-mom?" I chuckled.
"I don't fucking know!" he snapped glaring at me. "What is this interrogation? Are you her mother now?"
"I'm her friend and I'm worried… Because she can deny it as much as she wants, but it's clear she got attached and she's confused"
"I want to talk to her" he said more softly. "I want to make things right, I want her"
"This will end badly" Damon commented quietly.
We were sitting in the bar and watching Klaus and Caroline talk at our table. She had been angry, had gotten quiet as he gave a speech, she had cried – what made Klaus all awkward and edgy – and now they were talking quietly, a smile slowly tugging at her lips. Klaus took her hand in his and looked into her eyes, saying something that made her nod and suddenly she hugged him. He was surprised but was smiling.
"Why?" I whispered. "He's good to her. He cares for her, and we know Klaus can go to extremes for those he cares about"
"Like daggering them?" Damon said skeptically.
"I think she balances him. She makes him a better person, and he changes her too. He challenges her, surprises her, makes her question everything, her life, her beliefs" I smiled at him. "I see a lot of us in them. They can be the best thing for each other, or the worst. But there a lot of potential there"
"Did you turn into a cheesy romantic during this vacation, Isabella?" he teased, with that carefree smile I came to love.
"No… This time only enabled me to see how strong love can be"
PART III
Months later...
Paris
"I don't know, Care" I said uncertainly.
"Come on, I haven't seen you in months! And it's Christmas!" she argued.
"But… There's the sire bond issue between Elena and Damon. It's been only half a year, and although things seemed good at graduation, I don't think it's good to keep in touch so much…"
"And don't you miss her and Stefan?"
I did. A lot. Stefan and Elena would always be my family, it didn't matter what our issues. Because of the distance, and the sire issue, we had barely spoken in the last months, and I missed them terribly. I kinda missed that time before my wedding, when Elena and I were practically glued, Caroline and Bonnie as well, with wedding plans. On the other side, that was a time Damon and I barely spoken, so I didn't really missed it. I smiled at my silliness, my naivety to think everything would be fine as soon as I was a vampire.
I stopped in the corner of the building's street and took a deep breath.
"Care, I will have to talk to Damon" I said.
"What are you doing?" she asked and I could hear her frown. "You aren't with Damon, and I just noticed you are breathing heavy"
I laughed, and controlled my breaths.
"I was running, enjoying the nearby parks" I said.
"Why? Can you get fat?"
"I don't know, but I don't want to find out… And it's mind-numbing… Sometimes I decide to visit the museums or the tower"
"You are so lucky" she mumbled.
"It's not a big deal"
"Living in Paris is not a big deal?" she screeched.
"Well, in the first months, yes. But I got used to it" I said shrugging and greeting the doorman. "What are you complaining about? I thought Klaus was showing you the world?"
"It has been fun, but he's avoiding Europe… Probably so we won't be too far in case something happens. Elijah doesn't leave New Orleans, but I think it's cute Klaus is worried about Hayley's pregnancy" she said. "South America was wonderful, but… Paris!"
"I got it" I said. "Look, I'll talk to Damon about the Christmas thing, which I still am not convinced…"
"Bella…"
"But, Christmas or not, you can come to Paris. We have a guest bedroom ready for you, and I would love to have you here"
"But you have to come to the Alps!"
"Maybe next year, we'll see" I said.
"Please, Bella. Elena still doesn't know I'm traveling with Klaus, and… Stefan is pressuring me to tell"
"Why didn't you tell them when you left?" I frowned.
"What would I say?" she asked. "Hey, guys, I lied. I'm not going to travel with the money I inherited from dad. Klaus, the psychopath hybrid, is taking me. Oh, and he will be a daddy soon! Yeah, I could see how that would go"
"Well… How are things with Klaus by the way?" I asked amusedly. "Still resisting his charms?"
"Hm…"
"Caroline"
"Well… We… He got really pissed off a month ago, and we fought" she mumbled.
"Caroline, I know you've been dying to gossip it to someone, just spill it" I rolled my eyes.
"We kissed" she said. "And… I… think we're dating?"
"Do tell me, does Klaus enjoy that uncertainty?" I teased.
"We're dating" she chuckled. "I guess" she added a moment later.
"Ok, so… I'll talk to you later about Christmas" I said unlocking the apartment. "And you have to come to Paris. You want to, and Klaus can't make any excuses, you even have a place to stay… So, that's an order"
"Alright" she said happily. "I had a hard time convincing him about Christmas, but considering Hayley is pissy on the last months of pregnancy, she didn't care if he was across the word… But once the baby is born, we'll definitely go!"
I smiled at Damon as I dropped my keys in the table and said goodbye to Caroline. I yanked the headphones off and threw my phone in the coffee table as I approached him.
"How was your run?" he asked frowning at the laptop on his lap.
"Good" I said kissing his cheek.
"Caroline?"
I unzipped the light jacket I had on and jumped up, grabbing the upper door-post and started pull-ups.
"Christmas is coming" I said.
"Is she sending me a gift?" he asked sarcastically. "Don't change the subject, I hate it"
"I didn't" I said and did another pull-up. "Caroline wants to spend Christmas with us, Stefan, Elena, Jeremy and maybe Matt, if he lets us pay for his tickets"
"You mean we would spend a few days with Blondie, Psycho-Dad-to-be-Hybrid, Ripper, Sired-Doppelganger, Potential-Hunter, and a human?" he asked amusedly, turning on the couch to look at me. "Where did she get the idea from?"
"Well… She heard Tyler will be back to Mystic Falls to spend Christmas with his mother. So, she doesn't want to go home. Elena and Stefan were considering going back to stay with Jeremy, and Matt was checking if he could afford to go back and forth from Charlottesville, apparently, he would be working on Christmas. But, Klaus has a house in the Alps, and a snowy Christmas with everyone gathered sounded good to Caroline… She has a hard time convincing him to go across the world from Hayley so, we might as well appreciate her effort…"
"It's a bad idea"
"I miss them, Damon, maybe…"
"Bella…"
"I'll pay for Matt's and Jeremy's tickets, as Christmas gift, and you could pay your brother's and Elena's. Klaus has the house. It's practically done, we would only have to go"
"Bella, I thought we agreed we would stay away from Elena for sometime" he frowned.
"I miss her, even though I hate to admit it. We can see how it goes"
"We'll spend Christmas with Klaus" he said skeptically.
"He's… a friend" I said.
"Right" he scoffed.
"Well? I told Caroline I would call her back on it"
He narrowed his eyes at me and walked to me. I pulled my body up once more and when I lowered myself, his hands slipped up my legs and settled on my hips. I looked down at him.
"You pouted, that's not fair" he murmured stepping closer. "You know it's irresistible"
I smiled and he kissed my bare stomach.
"Stop, Damon" I wiggled. "I'm not done and I need a shower"
"Oh, you are done" he said huskily, his fingers tracing the edge of my sports bra.
I let go of the door-post, falling on him. His arms wrapped tightly around me as I wrapped my legs around his waist, my sneaker-clad feet pressing against the back of his thighs.
"Have we christened the new dining room table?" he asked huskily.
"Damon, if we break this one…"
"Shh" he said carrying me towards said table.
"Damon, I mean it!" I said giggling.
"I'll be gentle" he said and I looked at him skeptically. He grinned. "Maybe"
AN: Hi!
It's been quite some time since I left a note in the end of a chapter... So there's a lot to catch up to. People complained that I had said I wouldn't follow 4th season's plotline... I admit I did it, but only because:
1. I wanted to get rid of the Hybrids and have a good reason why Leah and Tyler would leave.
2. The Hunter, The Five, and The Cure, gave me a way to reveal Bella's sire bond to Elijah, show how deep her love, for Damon and friends was (by going after the cure...) and I saw in "We All Go Mad Sometimes" an opportunity to create a friendship with Klaus. (Because he's irresistable and I wanted him inside the gang 3 )
3. As you now can see, I also liked the twist "The Originals" gave to the plot, with Hayley getting pregnant... And to those who are mad at Klaus for the Klayley affair, I'll let you know that as always, Caroline was fighting her attraction, pissing off Klaus, and denying even friendship to him, so in my mind, he's forgiven. Hayley and the baby will have a big role in this story.
That's it :)
I assure you, surprises are not over, I have a lot of them planned, but for you to know... Stay tunned! :)
I hope you're enjoying...
Photos of the apartment in Paris have a link in my profile, and as always Polyvore sets.
REVIEW!
xoxo Luuh