"So, I talked to Klaus" Caroline said as I helped her pack.
"About?" I asked distractedly, counting the packages of baby wipes and diapers.
"About giving Lucas a normal life"
I turned to her and stared at her. She rolled her eyes and continued folding her clothes.
"I know we're vampires, Bella, Klaus pointed out that much"
"So, how do you expect that the son of a hybrid with a werewolf, that by the way, left… Having a vampire as stepmother is going to be normal?" I asked amusedly. "Oh, right! And he's an Original's son!"
"I meant we should be as normal as possible. Like… birthdays, school, and friends…"
"The last item can get complicated considering you and Klaus don't age, so you'll have to move every few years"
"Can you stop shooting it down?" she asked exasperated. "Klaus already said that too, and… I'm getting somewhere with this"
"Sorry" I chuckled turning back to the suitcase.
"So, I told Klaus that Lucas should have godparents… Which he thought it was silly at first"
"At first? So, he didn't mock you for the idea for long?"
"I suggested Rebekah and Elijah, or Kol…" she said quietly. "But he reminded me they had enough reason to spoil Lucas by being aunt and uncles, and if the plan is giving Lucas something closer to a normal life, we can't give them anymore reasons to spoil him" she chuckled.
"I guess you're right. I mean, Rebekah has only seen him through videocalls and she already sent so many toys it's crazy" I said. "Elijah is more down to earth, but that didn't stop him from opening a bank account for 'college fund'… Which everyone knows it's not only for college. And Kol… well, he's Kol" I chuckled. "Elena and Stefan? Klaus liked Stefan and Elena is your best friend…"
"But Elena doesn't approve Klaus" she said. "So, Klaus suggested you… and Damon"
I turned to her and she cocked an eyebrow at me.
"Are you serious?" I asked softly.
"Yeah… you're great with Lucas, he loves you, and it would be a way to make you an official member of this family…"
"Ahn…"
She cocked an eyebrow at me as I bit my lip and turned back to packing.
"I… I really appreciate it, and I really want to say yes… But Damon is… complicated" I said softly. "I don't want to freak him out, and I just know he's on the verge of it. He's nervous every time I'm around the baby and keeps saying he's sorry… I don't want him to think I'm Lucas godmother because I want to be a mother… And putting him as a godfather? Only God knows how freaked out he can get over that"
"Yes, I thought of that… And I did pointed out that he is not a better role model than Kol" Caroline said and I chuckled, because it was true. "But… Well, you can at least rein him in a bit
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I asked nervously.
"Of course! Rebekah and Elena freak out over not being able to have children… Stefan… Well, Klaus is still pissed off about him stealing the coffins and rejecting his friendship, even though he doesn't admit it. And Bonnie… God, Bonnie will rant on and on as soon as she knows about Lucas and my relationship with Klaus" she sighed and smiled at me. "You are so perfect for Lucas, Bella. You're great… And Klaus would never admit it, but he likes Damon, and they both could use a friend…" she shrugged.
I smiled, walked to her and hugged her.
"Thank you, Care" I said softly.
"Yeah, well, Klaus didn't want to ask you and…" she said awkwardly while hugging me back. "I know traditionally, the mother asks but only god knows when Hayley will show up again…"
I pulled back, holding her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes.
"Let's be realistic, Hayley probably won't come back… And if she does, it will be a long time from now…" I said and she sighed. "You're with Klaus, and we all hope that you continue with Klaus, and by the way he's enchanted with you, I don't think he'll let you go so easily… You're helping him with Lucas, you're raising Lucas with him… You're his stepmom… And one day, you'll realize you've done what none of us could… You became a mom" I smiled.
She stared at me, her eyes filling with tears and then suddenly a huge smile broke out.
"That's so scary and exciting at the same time… I feel like we're talking about drugs or first time sex"
We laughed and I nudged her to the bag.
"Come on, we have to finish packing if we want to be in time for the pre-engagement-party-Brunch Alice convinced Bonnie to throw"
"You like it?" I cooed at Lucas.
Damon was driving, with Klaus on the passenger seat, relaxing, and Caroline and I were on the backseat with Lucas on his car seat between us. She fell asleep as soon as Lucas quieted down when we reached the highway.
I dangled my charm bracelet at Lucas and he reached for it with both hands, giggling. I tickled his tummy while he continued to reach for the bracelet. He wiggled and grabbed my fingers. The sun shone on my ring, the diamonds reflecting the light on his face. He stared at it, pulling on it. I let him slip it out of my finger. He pulled it to his mouth and sucked on it.
"Uncle Damon gave it to me" I cooed. "But I don't think it was meant to be a pacifier"
"As long as he doesn't swallow it" Damon muttered.
"You shouldn't have said anything, mate" Klaus mumbled.
"I'm not stupid, Damon, I won't let him swallow a damn ring" I frowned and the baby squealed. "Yeah, Uncle Damon is silly, isn't he?"
"If there's one thing I've learned this month" Klaus muttered. "Don't ever doubt women's abilities with babies, it's given that she'll be mad if you do"
"Go to sleep, Klaus" I said amusedly. "Damon, if you need me to drive just say it… It's been more than ten hours"
"I'm fine… And hating to say 'I told you so', but we should have taken a flight" he said.
"Lucas could be an issue" I said slipping my ring back after he got bored of it and continue to play with his hands. "But rethinking it… probably not. You're such a good baby… Gosh, could you be more perfect?"
"Yeah… if Caroline was his mother" Klaus mumbled sleepily.
After a day of Damon and I driving, which Klaus and Caroline enjoyed it to catch up on sleep, we finally reached the mansion the Cullens had bought on the outskirts of Providence. Bonnie had said she had planned on living on a small apartment close to Brown to make things easier, but Edward could be very persuasive and had convinced her to live with them. Unlike most of the Cullens' houses, this one was not modern and didn't have their favorite floor-to-ceiling windows. As I parked the car, I felt like I was back in France, looking at a miniature of Versailles. The garden was full of white and red roses, their scent permeating the air to a point I had to concentrate to catch the scent of one of the Cullens.
"They can't do anything without… style, can they?" Damon asked amusedly.
He tapped Caroline's shoulder, and she rubbed her eyes, yawning as if she hadn't slept enough. Damon and Klaus went to get the bags and I got out helping Caroline with the baby car seat. I saw Alice skipping down the front steps. She greeted the guys with a 'hi', and hugged Caroline tightly. The sound of her squealing made Lucas giggle and I chuckled as I pulled him out of the car seat. When Alice turned to greet me, her gaze softened.
"Oooh, he's cute" she said tapping his nose gently.
"Of course, he's my son" Klaus said smirking.
"Can I hold him?" she asked Klaus and Caroline softly.
"Of course" Caroline said smiling as Klaus nodded.
I passed her the baby and her smile widened as he was settled on her arms.
"Gosh, Alice, what is taking so long… I'm desperate to see them…"
Bonnie froze on the front steps, with Elena and Edward on her heels. She stared at the scene, and Alice turned to give Caroline the baby.
"What is he doing here?" Bonnie deadpanned.
"Nice to see you as well, Bonnie" Klaus said sarcastically.
"Bon…" Elena said softly.
"Caroline?" Bonnie asked frowning at her.
"Hey, Bon… Congratulations" Caroline said awkwardly rocking the baby.
"You show up with Klaus and a baby in your arms…" she said staring at Lucas. "And you say 'Congratulations'?"
"Let's not make a big deal of it again" Damon said walking ahead. "I just want to check out my room. Can I sleep through brunch while you girls talk it out?"
Caroline looked at me with a look that clearly showed she still had no idea what to say to Bonnie, even after thinking it through a million times.
"I'll help Klaus settle with Lucas" I said softly.
She gave me Lucas and Alice led the way into the house. As we passed the foyer I saw Rosalie and Emmett carrying plates and glasses and they both froze as they saw the baby.
"Bella…" Rose whispered.
"What did you do?" Emmett asked frowning.
"It's Klaus'" I shrugged with a smile as we Damon and I followed Klaus and Alice up the staircase.
"What?!"
"And Hayley's!" I rolled my eyes at them.
"Oh…?"
The guest room given to Klaus and Caroline was beautiful, of course. It looked more like a 5 stars hotel room, especially considering the mini fridge on their bedside.
"I got it because I thought you might need with Lucas" Alice explained and walked to the closet. "And I got this, so he'll be comfortable as well"
She had hidden a crib inside the closet. I chuckled, walking to put Lucas on it.
"You never do things less than perfectly, do you?" I said and Klaus stood beside me watching Lucas. "Relax, this one…" I tickled his tummy. "There isn't a heart that wouldn't melt with him"
As I had foreseen, and Alice of course, the issue quickly died. As soon as Lucas landed on the person's arms, they would stop judging Caroline. Sure, Bonnie had concluded that Caroline was enchanted by the baby and not Klaus, but the couple didn't even bother to argue. Elena was much warmer this time and I joked with Klaus he should have had Lucas sooner, it was much easier accepting him when Lucas was part of the package. The Cullens had set up a table at the back garden, and we all ate, drank and talked, catching up. Bonnie was loving to study History in Brown, and she had finally convinced Edward to let her perform the spell that made him more human. Esme revealed the house was actually Rose's, which explained the palace-like extravagance. The only person missing was Jeremy, who had claimed being too busy but had assured he would be present at the wedding at least. Elena seemed torn. She was happy for Bonnie and Edward, but at the same time worrying about her brother's feelings on the subject.
"So, who's next to take the plunge?" Bonnie asked amusedly.
I turned to Caroline who scoffed.
"Right. Klaus? Marriage?" she chuckled. "Don't think so"
"Oh, come on, he's whipped by you" I said.
"I resent that" Klaus frowned at me. "I am not whipped"
"Elena?" Caroline asked.
"Ahn…" Elena frowned focusing on her food.
Stefan chuckled and shrugged, putting an arm on the back of her chair.
"I lived a long time… But Elena has not" he said.
"Bella?" Bonnie asked amusedly.
Damon and I looked at each other and both shook our heads.
"Nah" I said. "I'm really not worried about it. We have forever, and we're together. What will it change?"
"Everything" Alice and Rosalie said.
"How come?" Elena asked curiously.
"It's just…" Alice sighed, shifting on Jasper's lap. "It's like the icing of the cake. It just completes us, and makes everything better"
"And they just love to enjoy honeymoon" Emmett said. "It's like wedding is a drug that makes them high on sex"
"Emmett" Esme scolded as we all laughed.
"Well, I might consider it more carefully now" Damon said jokingly.
"I think even though you both say 'no', you'll be the first ones" Elena said to us. "And considering how you both agree on the subject, it raises suspicion on if the matter has been discussed"
"Ooooh, I can see the ceremony already!" Alice said excitedly.
"Really?!" Elena and Caroline asked excitedly while I rolled my eyes.
"No. I mean, I can just see how I'll do it" she turned to me, her black short curls bouncing. "Because I will plan it for you, won't I?"
"We'll get married in Vegas" Damon said.
"New York, tops" I said amusedly as she stared at us with horror.
"Maybe it's a good idea, and then later you can do a ceremony" Elena said. "Third is the charm, right, Bella?"
As we all stayed silent at the joke she frowned.
"I'm really bad with joke timing apparently" she muttered.
I chuckled and shrugged.
"So… Bachelorette party?" I asked Bonnie.
"Thank God, I thought no one would mention. We need a bachelor party" Damon said. "I'm serious need of a strong drink and woman and baby free night"
"Geez, he's so sweet" Bonnie said as I chuckled. "How do you stand him?"
"Well, she loves me" Damon said and smirked. "And I'm great in bed"
"Ooh, can we see if Bella gets drunk and reveals the dirty secrets on Edward and Damon?" Emmett asked grinning.
"Very funny" Edward deadpanned.
"Anyway" Bonnie said rolling her eyes. "Alice, Edward and I were thinking of taking the wedding to Canada"
"Canada?" Caroline scowled.
"Well, Bonnie wants a day wedding, and our guests can't sparkle in front of Bonnie's" Edward explained. "Besides, we have house and family in Canada"
"It would be the same trouble of bringing people from Virginia anyway" Bonnie shrugged.
"So, bachelorette party in Canada?" I asked.
"No" Bonnie grinned.
"As my gift, we'll be going to New York before going to Canada" Rose smirked.
"Bachelorette party in New York?" Caroline gasped. "Gosh, I'm jealous"
I was awoken with soft touches trailing up my sides, lips against my pulse point leaving sweet kisses and a sweet smell permeating the air. I moaned, opening my eyes and found Damon on top of me, his hair dripping wet, his skin his skin with droplets of water, and only a towel around his hips. It was a nice way to wake up. I looked down and frowned as I saw I was only in bra and panties.
"What happened to my dress?" I asked, running my fingers through his hair.
"It was in my way" he said nibbling on my neck. "I got rid of it"
"Damon" I whined.
"But I got you something to compensate" he said and looked up at me with a smirk. "Well, besides what I'm doing…"
"The house is full with vampires that can hear us" I said softly, but didn't stop him when he unclasped my bra.
"So? I think they already found out we have sex frequently"
"God…" I gasped as he flicked my nipples. "You're incorrigible"
"And you love it" he said and sucked on my left nipple.
I pulled him to me and kissed him roughly, while his hands slipped to my hips, slowly tugging on my panties. Lust rushed through my veins, my heart beating painfully fast. Damon groaned into my mouth as I clawed at his back, holding him against me. He hissed and pulled back abruptly. I realized my nails had dug into skin and flesh, and pulled my hands away, staring at the blood in my fingertips.
"I'm all in for animal sex, just don't rip my spine off" Damon said amusedly.
He took my hand and sucked on my index finger, his tongue swirling around my finger cleaning off the blood. I pulled my hand back and licked my fingers clean, my face changing and my throat burning. Damon smile slowly faded, turning into a frown as he looked me in the eyes. My flickered around the room as I heard a heart beating, pumping warm, sweet blood. I shot up, pushing Damon off me but he had caught me before I reached the door, his arms wrapping around my waist from behind tightly, and holding me as I growled and struggled.
"Stop, Bella" he groaned with the effort.
Edward burst into the room with Alice on his heels and held my arms, stopping me from scratching Damon's arms raw.
"Bella, calm down" Edward said soothingly.
"Bella, easy" Damon said. "God, I forgot you haven't fed…"
Alice came to me and cupped my face and my wild eyes locked on hers.
"Shhh… It's Lucas. Can you hear? It's just Lucas, he's sleeping…" she said softly. "You don't want to hurt him, you can control yourself"
I saw over her shoulder, Klaus at the door, blocking it with a defensive stance, eyeing me. I blinked a few times and my skin tingled as my features came back to normal. Edward hesitantly let go of my arms, and I sagged against Damon.
"I believe you brought blood bags?" I heard Edward ask.
"Yes, for Caroline" Klaus answered. "It's in our room"
I heard Alice and Edward walk away, keeping my eyes on the ground as I took deep breaths.
"Klaus, she's under control" Damon said quietly.
I looked up and saw Klaus had stayed, still watching me with a clenched jaw. My eyes watered, and I looked back down. I heard him walk down the hall to his room and Damon turned me around in his arms, reaching behind me to close the door. He embraced me gently, and pulled me to bed. I sat on the edge and he crouched in front of me, wrapping me in his leather jacket. He wiped my tears and cupped my face.
"Sorry, I didn't realize it has been some time since you fed" he said softly.
"I was going after Lucas" I sobbed.
"Yes, you lost it for a bit, but you got yourself under control once you realized it was Lucas. It's fine, sweetheart"
"I was so wrapped up in Lucas and helping Caroline that I forgot I had to feed… I forgot blood bags are not enough for me" I mumbled wiping my eyes.
He sat beside me, pulled me into his lap and bit into his wrist.
"I know you'll still have to feed, but at least it will help you through the party. Once it's over we can go into town and feed" he said.
I pulled his wrist to my lips and letting my face change, I sunk my fangs into his flesh, drinking greedily. Being grateful that he understood the urgency of getting the thirsty under control so I wouldn't hurt people I loved.
When Damon wanted to make up to me for something, when we really wanted to, he didn't hold back. His gift was a new dress, it was a swan-print, with square neckline and spaghetti straps, with under-the-knee pencil skirt. When I first looked at it, I got suspicious. Damon, wanting me in such well-behaved dress? That was until I saw the slit that went until the top of my thigh. The dress was tight, and I didn't know if I should be thankful, for any looser than that would cause me to flash people with the slit. On the other side, I felt like if I moved in the wrong way, the top of the dress would rip. Damon was buttoning up his blue shirt when I walked out of the bathroom, putting on my earrings. He smirked at me through the mirror and grabbed his tie walking to him. He turned around and put his hands on my hips, letting me put his tie and fix his collar.
"Well, don't you looking deliciously stunning" he said.
"My eyes are up here" I said amusedly following his gaze to my cleavage. "And I thought the dress was quite well-behaved for your standards"
"I think is a very nice dress… Don't you?"
"I do" I said finishing the knot and tightened until he gripped my hands to stop me with a frown. "But if you buy me another dress like this one, for an engagement party, I might tighten your ties to the point of death" I said with a smile.
I let go of the tie and he loosened it.
"You didn't have to wear it" he said.
"I know I didn't" I said walking to a corner of the room where the sunset light didn't reach, and exchanged the lapis bracelet Damon had given me for another one. "But I thought you would love it if I wore it tonight…"
"I do" he smirked.
I put my right leg a bit forward, and his eyes focused on the slit.
"I thought so" I laughed.
I walked out of the room and knocked on Caroline and Klaus' room. They took a minute to open the door, and when Klaus did, he stared at me and over his shoulder I saw Caroline with Lucas on her arms, away from the door.
"I'm in control, I swear" I said.
Klaus stepped aside and I walked inside. Caroline gave me a smile and put the pacifier down.
"You look great" she said.
"So do you" I said looking at her red dress. It was well-behaved. Damn Damon.
"I just have to finish my make-up" she said shifting Lucas in her arms.
Klaus stepped forward, extending his arms, but she had already given Lucas to me, and walked into the bathroom. I took a minute to relax, Klaus staring at me as if I was a rabid dog about to bite the baby… I rocked on my feet and focused on Lucas, not breathing. Although I didn't need to breathe, my lungs burned a bit, my instincts telling me to breathe to know what surrounded me. But even so, Klaus didn't stop watching me. After a couple minutes, I sighed and walked to him.
"Here, take him" I mumbled. "You'll be more at ease"
He took the baby silently, and as I walked to the door, I saw Caroline walk out of the bathroom with a frown. I rushed out of the room and downstairs. The house was ready to receive the guests, and all the Cullens and Stefan were in the garden, talking, with the band Alice hired on the background, getting ready.
"Hey" I said reaching them.
"Hello, dear" Esme said softly. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you" I muttered.
Elena had gone to pick up Bonnie's dad from the hotel, Bonnie was getting ready, and Damon had gone God knows where. Slowly people started arriving, college friends and vampire friends. I was talking to Kate, one of the Denali clan, a cousin of the Cullens, when Klaus and Caroline came out of the house. Klaus frowned to Caroline as they walked in our direction, but Caroline gave him a hard look and he sighed. They stopped and when none of them said anything, I decided to break the ice.
"Kate, this is Klaus and Caroline" I said. "This is Kate, one of the Denali clan, a cousin of the Cullens…"
Kate glared at me, and I chuckled.
"Oh, don't worry, they are vampires as well"
"Oh" she mumbled.
"Hi" Caroline said smiling. "So, are you the one that had a crush on Edward?"
"Oh, no, that was my sister…" Kate trailed off, her eyes focusing on the bundle in Klaus arms.
She hissed at him, and I stood in front of them, as Klaus passed Lucas to Caroline and his face changed, glaring at Kate.
"Kate!"
A blond woman rushed to us, a brunette and a man right behind her, and held her by the arm. But glared at us.
"Tanya" Carlisle said calmly, reaching the group and laid a hand on the recently arrived blonde's arm. "Please, it is not what you think. They are werewolves"
Tanya's head snapped to him, and frowned.
"I can see his face, Carlisle, do not lie" she hissed.
"I assure you, I have not broken any laws Aro thinks he can impose. Not that they would apply to me" Klaus said. "Now… take your eyes of my son"
"Niklaus?" the man asked, glancing at Carlisle, who nodded.
"Mikaelson" Klaus added.
"Come, Tanya, Kate, I'm sure Carlisle can fill us in on what is going on" the brunette, who I guessed was Carmen, said.
They walked away with Carlisle, the blondes looking back with frowns.
"What the hell?" Caroline asked frowning.
"They thought we broke the Volturi's laws, created an immortal child. Transformed a child" I said.
"We might have this issue when meeting with cold ones" Klaus told her.
"You're a hybrid and the mother was a werewolf" Caroline said. "Lucas is normal, so… it's not that big of a deal… right?" she asked nervously.
"No, it will be fine" Klaus said, taking Lucas.
"It might be wise to delay the Volturi's knowledge" I whispered and he nodded. "With them, any information is a liability"
"Here take him" he said to me and gave me Lucas. "I'll join Carlisle's conversation"
And with that he strode away, leaving me with the baby he hadn't trusted me with until an hour ago.
The party went on, things were definitely going smother after the beginning, people were having fun… And I, as godmother, was left babysitting Lucas, since my date had disappeared. I sat, nursing and playing with Lucas, looking around for Damon. Two hours had passed and no signs of him. I loved Lucas, but staying alone with him on a party was starting to get boring. Klaus was having fun, showing off to Caroline all the dance moves he learned through the centuries. Elena had gotten Stefan on the dance floor, and even unwillingly, he was having fun. Edward and Bonnie were alternating between greeting people and dancing, apparently, Bonnie was much better and more willing to than I was and that made Edward even happier. Alice had sat with me, going on and on about bridesmaids dresses and wedding decorations until Jasper took pity on me and pulled her away. Now I regretted begging for his help with my eyes and emotions.
"Your godfather is a really asshole, yes he is" I told Lucas who stared at me as if he knew what I was talking about. "He buys me the dress, makes me wear it, only to leave me sitting alone. If I find some blonde distracted him, we might need to look for another godfather for you, because I'm gonna chop him in pieces"
"Do you think that topic is an okay subject for children?"
I turned and returned Bonnie's amused smile.
"Well, it's true, he is gonna need a new godfather" I shrugged and smiled at Lucas. "Sure, the new one might not be as fun, but he might turn out to be a better role model, right, Luke?"
"Well, that's a given" Bonnie chuckled sitting next to me and cooing at him.
I offered him to her and she took him hesitantly, and rocked him.
"When I thought I would hold Caroline's babies, I thought we would be much older and… well, normal" she chuckled.
"Dance with me"
I smiled at Edward and reached for Lucas, but Edward grabbed me by the hand and pulled me up.
"I meant you" he chuckled.
"Oh"
He dragged me to the dance floor, spinning me and pulling me to him, a hand on my waist and the other holding my hand.
"We don't really dance like this since…"
"The school dance before the wedding" he said nodding. "You're much more willing now"
"Well, my coordination has gotten better" I smiled.
I stepped back, letting go of his shoulder, he pulled me back, wrapping his arm around me, and when I pulled away again, we returned to our original stance. I rested my chin on top of my hand on his shoulder and he squeezed my hand.
"So much has changed" I said quietly. "Things seemed much simpler then, even though they are easier now"
"Klaus was trying to kill you and Elena. Now, you're Klaus's son godmother" he said amusedly.
"I wanted to become a vampire, and now I am one, a hybrid and I was not willing"
"I thought that after resisting you, I wouldn't ever taste human blood again. No temptation would be bigger… And then I ran away and rebelled"
"We were going to get married… I was going to be with you forever" I mumbled.
He lowered his head a bit, his breath tickling my neck.
"Do you regret it?" he asked quietly.
"Do you?"
He spun me around as the song ended, but pulled me back for the next song.
"I love Bonnie" he said after a minute in silence.
"Yes, you two get along much easier than me and you" I said smiling. "I was too stubborn for you"
"Oh, Bonnie is too, it's just that it is rare for us to disagree"
"And of course, her modern soul balances your old one" I said.
He nodded against the side of my head, and I rested my forehead on his shoulder.
"I just can't help but think of all the suffering we could have avoided…"
"I'm sorry what I made you go through when I run away and got out of my diet" he mumbled.
"It's not that…" I chuckled mirthlessly. "My mind today was on the 'what if' setting. What if we had gotten married? Would Charlie be alive? Jenna? John? Would Ric be alright and alive? Elena? Would the curse still be intact? Would Klaus had given up? Would Tyler still have cheated on Caroline? So many possibilities…"
"Would Lucas exist? Would Caroline and Klaus be together? Would Tyler be happy with the life of a werewolf and not of a hybrid? Would the Volturi have backed off? Would Jacob find Rebekah?" he paused. "Would we be happy? Would you still be thinking of Damon? Would you still be in love him while married to me?"
"You're right" I said smiling and blinked, fighting tears. "I just… I miss Charlie. He will never see me get married. And Elena, she won't have anyone to give her hand to Stefan… And Damon will struggle to find a best man without Ric…"
His hand that was on my waist slid across my back, his arm wrapping around me, as he pulled me into an embrace. I rested my head on his shoulder, thankful that his shirt was black and no one would notice the tear stains.
"Mind if I cut in?"
Edward shook his head, and let go of me, passing me to Stefan. I wiped my eyes quickly and took his hand for a dance.
"Wow, a dance, and I didn't even have to beg" I joked.
"Well, I kinda eavesdropped" he said smiling sheepishly.
"Hasn't most of the guests?" I chuckled, rolling my eyes.
"Not really… In my defense, Klaus stormed off, and Caroling thought it might be because of your conversation, so, I decided to know what it was about"
"Klaus?" I frowned.
"Guilty conscience, I guess" he shrugged.
"Oh, god" I sighed.
"Hey, it's nothing that wouldn't have came up later, don't worry"
"So, you decided to lift my spirits by giving me the rare honor of a dance?" I smiled.
"I came because I thought you might need a friend" he said smiling. "And people were starting to stare at the groom dancing with a bridesmaid longer than usual"
"Oh, the horror!"
We chuckled, and I squeezed his hand.
"Thank you, Stefan" I said sincerely.
"You're welcome. It's the least I could do… You're like a sister to me"
"Well, if your brother doesn't show up soon, I might kill him and you will have to rethink that"
"Not because of Damon" he chuckled looking at something over my shoulder. "Because you were a good friend, always trying to protect everyone, and I felt like someone had to protect you… And you, well, you were my Lexi 2.0 when I went off with Klaus"
"Thanks" I mumbled. "You're a great friend too, even as an asshole ripper"
He chuckled.
"And, well, if you would like… I could walk you down the aisle. I know I would like Damon to do that for Elena if she wants or needs" he said.
I smiled at him.
"I would love to… Even though we are speaking of Damon, and by the time I walk down the aisle, you might have changed your mind" I chuckled.
"Well, we're here forever, so it doesn't matter" he shrugged with a smile.
Half an hour later, Damon finally showed up. I put my drink down, excused myself from the conversation I was having with the girls and walked to him. He was standing in the steps that led to the party, his hands on his pockets, looking around. The image of ease, as if he hadn't disappeared for hours.
"Where the hell have you been?" I snapped crossing my arms.
"Hey" he smiled stepping forward.
"Don't 'hey' me" I said angrily. "You stood me up!"
"I'm here" he chuckled.
"No, you weren't. You just arrived, and the party is almost over! Where the hell have you been? What were you doing?"
"Nothing"
I narrowed my eyes, fighting not to change my face.
"Who were you doing?!" I snarled.
"Geez, calm down, woman" he rolled his eyes.
"Don't. Tell. Me. To. Calm. Down!" I said between slaps on his arm. "What were you up to?"
"I told you it was nothing"
I turned around and looked around. I strode to the party, and Damon followed me, grabbing my arm to stop me.
"What are you doing?" he asked frowning.
"Looking for those blonde cousins of the Cullens" I snapped ripping his hand off me. "I'm gonna rip you both apart if I don't find one of them here"
"Stop being ridiculous" he chuckled.
My face changed and he stepped back.
"I'm not in a good mood. I'm hungry. You stood me up. I was bored. I was emotional. And you are all secretive, so, I suggest you to start talking or start running" I growled.
He just stared at me and I let my face change back, before turning around. Maybe it was Tanya, she sure liked to hit on my boyfriends…
"Bella!"
I turned around after a few steps and Damon stepped forward, nervously looking around. He rubbed the back of his neck, took a drink from a passing waiter, downed it, and gave the glass back.
"What?" I hissed, glancing at the guests that were staring.
"Oh god" I heard Alice mumble.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Elena asked, approaching, looking between us with apprehension.
"Fine, since you won't be rational" Damon sighed.
"You son of a…"
I trailed off as he got down on one knee.
"Oh" Elena mumbled staring at him with wide eyes.
"Owww" some of the guests said quietly.
"What are you doing?" I asked Damon, staring at him.
He had lost his mind.
"I got the guts to do it, so, I went to look for a ring before I changed my mind" he said fishing his pocket for something. "And then I found out it's really fucking hard to choose a ring"
He took the small blue velvet box and opened it, revealing a ring, with a big opal stone in the center, surrounded by yellow and white diamonds. The opal was a yellowish white, and with my vampire sight I saw hues of green and light pink, even a bit of blue. The stone was semi-transparent, and the lights of the garden diffracting on it.
"I could say something really sappy as… 'it shines colors like you shone into my life'" Damon said and I scowled. "I know, where I got this the man gave me the idea. I almost called him gay"
I chuckled and he smiled.
"What convinced me, it's the fact that it's Australia's national gemstone. And we were so happy when we were in Australia, I didn't want to leave, ever, I wanted to be that happy forever…" he glanced at the human guests and cleared his throat. "So… Marry me?"
I cocked an eyebrow and he mirrored it.
"Really? 'So, marry me?' That's your proposal?" I asked.
"I didn't plan anything" he shrugged.
"Damon"
"I love you. I want to make you my wife. I want your surname to be Salvatore. I… I want to see you wear a white dress… I want all the sappy things. I'm stealing the engaged couple's thunder for you. So, marry me"
Elena scoffed, rolling her eyes and I heard Alice groan in horror. Stefan and Klaus were laughing somewhere, and Caroline was protesting it was 'kinda cute'. I felt my smile widen into a huge grin, until my cheeks hurt.
"Bella?" Damon asked hopeful, "Can I stand up now?"
"Yes" I chuckled. "Yes!"
He stood up, walked to me and kissed me softly.
"You'll pay for embarrassing me like this" he whispered amusedly.
"Shut up" I mumbled.
He slid the ring into my finger and I looked up to his grinning face.
"What?"
"Nothing… I was just thinking that more effective than that ring, would be tattoo 'Salvatore's property' on your forehead" he smirked.
"Asshole" I chuckled.
"I love you too"
AN: He proposed! So not Damon, right?
Polyvore set for ring and dress - link to collection on my profile.
The story is coming to an end, a few more surprises... Well, not really surprises, they are really obvious.
To those of you who read my other story, Bittersweet Fame, well, it's on hiatus, because I have a huge block for it, and I found the original story, which personally, I think it's much better than the one I posted. I might post a few chapter of the original one.
Those who like X-Men, check out my first X-Men story, it's just a tryout, so tell me what you think :)
REVIEW!
xoxo Luuh