With the okay from dad, I invited Stefan to go along with us to see the 'Washington Nationals' baseball game. Not wanting to drive back to Mystic Falls after a late afternoon first pitch, we're staying in Washington DC overnight. After the game, we decide to go to a sports bar to get something to eat and have a couple of beers.
"Can I get you gentlemen something to drink, perhaps some menus?" the waitress asks.
"Sure. I'll have a tomato beer. Put this all on my tab," I instruct the waitress.
Returning shortly after, she hands Stefan a glass of soda then hands each of us our beer as well as a menu. "I'll be back in a few minutes to take your orders."
"That was really a great game. Thanks for inviting me to come along," Stefan says, eyeing my dad.
"I'm really glad you were able to get the day off so you could join us," dad tells him, laying his hand atop Stefan's.
"Thanks dad."
"And how lucky were you to have caught a fly ball!" I say, high fiving my dad.
"It practically fell in my lap."
"Now aren't you glad I told you to bring your baseball glove a long?"
"Yes, Damon. That was an excellent suggestion," dad says, rolling his eyes.
"Gramps, it feels really good to spend time with you too," Stefan says, looking into papa's eyes.
Raising his glass of beer to his lips, papa responds. "I've missed you too, son."
"Are you ready to order?" our waitress asks, pen in hand.
"Dad?"
"Yes, I think I'll have the ribeye, medium rare, with a baked potato." She then turns her eyes to papa.
"I'll have the New York strip, rare. I'd also like a baked potato."
"Stefan?"
"I'll have the steak and shrimp, steak medium, please with the garlic mashed potatoes."
"And you sir?" the waitress asks turning to me.
I hand her back the menus then continue, "I think I'll have the filet mignon, medium rare. I think I'll also have the garlic mashed potatoes."
We all smile approvingly when she brings our food along with a generous helping of freshly made bread and butter. Grabbing the knife, I slice a generous piece for myself and take a bite.
"This is delicious," papa says, stuffing another bite of steak into his mouth.
"I think this is one of the best steaks I've ever eaten," dad concurs.
"We'll have to remember this place the next time we go to a ball game," I add.
"How's your food, Stefan?" dad asks.
Swallowing what he has in his mouth, "it's excellent," he replies.
Once we finish our meals and have an after dinner drink, we walk back to our hotel. Dad and papa are sharing a room. Stefan and I are sharing the other one. After saying goodnight to dad and papa, Stefan and I retire to our own room.
"Stefan, I'm just going to step out for a moment to give Elena a call."
"Elena? Someone you're interested in?"
Smiling, I turn to him for a moment. "Very much so."
"I'm happy for you Damon. I'll just call April while you step out."
Nodding, I step out into the hallway to talk to her in private.
"Hello?"
"Hey. I just wanted to touch base with you," I tell her.
"I'm glad you did. How was the ballgame?"
"It was great. My dad actually caught a foul ball. We went down to the field a little bit after the game so he could get it autographed. Both he and papa had a terrific time. I'm so glad that we decided to do this."
"It's really great that you're so close with your family. I'm happy that you're having a wonderful time."
"Maybe sometime you and I can get away to go to a ballgame or something? Do you like baseball?"
"I actually do. My dad was a fan. He taught me how to score a game. I still watch a ballgame on TV sometimes but it seems that most everything has had to take a backseat to raising Jeremy, you know?"
"I understand but do think about it. I have no doubt my sister would watch Jeremy for us if we can work it out."
"I'd like that, a lot."
"Listen, it's late. I'll let you go to bed. I miss you."
"I miss you too. Goodnight, Damon."
"Goodnight," I whisper, ending the call.
When I go back into the room, Stefan is splayed out on his bed watching TV, remote in hand.
After pulling my tee shirt off, I step into the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth. After stepping into a clean pair of boxers, I come out of the bathroom. Looking around, I see Stefan staring out of the window. When I walk over to him, he startles a little bit.
"Sorry Damon. I lived a pretty shady lifestyle for awhile. There were times I had to watch my back, literally. I made some pretty unsavory acquaintances. I startle easily now."
"No worries, Stef. Are you okay, really?"
Turning his eyes to mine, he smiles tightly. "Yeah, I really am. I didn't lie when I said it's been two years since I used anything. It'll always be a struggle though you know. Just like an alcoholic I would imagine," he says before turning his eyes back to stare out the window.
"I'm proud of you, Stefan. I know dad is too. He's so happy to have you back in our lives. All three of us are. Just please, don't make us regret it."
He turns to face me again, staring at me for a long time before he pulls me into his arms for a quick hug. "You have my word, Damon," he whispers into my ear before he releases me.
"I'm going to hold you to that. I need my big brother," I tell him, trying to discreetly wipe a tear that I feel forming at the corner of my eye.
"So anything good on TV?" I ask, dropping onto my bed.
"North by Northwest' is on. How do you feel about Cary Grant?"
"I like 'Hitchcock'. Put it on. Do you want a soda? There's a pop machine a little ways down the hall."
"Yeah, Dr. Pepper."
Grabbing my robe, I put it on, grab some change out of my jeans pocket and the ice bucket before walking down the hall. When I get back to our room, I hand Stefan his soda then plop down on my bed to enjoy the movie.
Elena:
Caroline invited Jeremy and me to go shopping with them. There's a very nice play area cordoned off in the mall for young children and toddlers to play in. Annabelle and Jeremy are having the time of their lives crawling over gigantic pieces of bacon, eggs, French toast and waffles. Just as he starts climbing the waffle wall, Jeremy falls and lands on his butt. When he starts to sputter a little bit, Annabelle helps him up. In no time, he's laughing and clapping again.
"So, I'm really glad you two could come along," Caroline tells me, squeezing my forearm. "I can see why my brother is so smitten," she teases.
"I'm kind of smitten too," I tell her, feeling my face heat up. "He really doesn't talk about himself. He hasn't shared much. I mean, I don't know what he likes in a woman. I will tell you that he's been incredible with Jeremy."
"Damon is complex," she exhales.
"He absolutely is. I see how some of the girls at work fall all over themselves to get his attention. One day Mrs. Starr came up to our floor. She didn't even try to hide the fact that she was trying to seduce him. She's married. To his credit, he wasn't the least bit interested."
"She's something else entirely. Usually Damon is more the 'friends with benefits' type," she says, shaking her head.
"There was one girl that Damon was completely and defenselessly in love with," Caroline says, her voice trailing for a moment as if she's deep in thought.
Turning her attention back to me, she continues, "I was never actually that fond of her. He absolutely refused to hear me out when I tried to tell him that she wasn't serious. I'm not badmouthing her, really. She wasn't cruel to Damon, she didn't cheat on him. It's just that she kept him on a string till he started talking marriage. That's when she confessed that she couldn't marry someone she wasn't in love with. I think she just didn't realize how deep his feelings for her ran," she explains, running a hand through her hair.
"Oh dear, I've opened my mouth again. Please don't tell him I told you all of this. It'll light his fuse, shall we say," Caroline utters before taking her straw into her mouth to take a sip of her soda.
Knowing full well that Damon has a reputation, none of this is a surprise to me. He's been so good to me and Jeremy so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt right now. Raising my eyes to Caroline, I reassure her that I won't say anything to Damon.
"Mama, me go down slide," Jeremy squeals as he runs towards me.
Stretching my arms out, I lift him onto my lap when he reaches me. "I did see you go down the bacon slide. Are you having fun?"
He bobs his head up and down approvingly. Placing his little palms on either side of my face, he presses a wet kiss to my mouth then wraps his tiny arms around my neck.
"Thank you Jeremy. You know how much I love your kisses," I tease, giving him a squeeze back.
"Mommy, can I have swallow?" Annabelle asks Caroline.
"Sure honey," she replies, handing her the soda.
"Well, I suppose we should get going. Annabelle has dance class. It's been wonderful spending some time with you, Elena. Can we do it again?"
"I'd like that."
"Oh good. I'll give you a call. Bye Jeremy," Caroline says. After taking Annabelle's hand in hers, they walk away.
Damon:
"Jeremy, your mama and I are going to go bye bye for a little while. We'll be back to pick you up in the morning. You get to have a sleep over with Annabelle."
"Me scared," he says, dropping his head on my shoulder.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, little man. You know Annabelle. She's going to play with you. Do you remember my papa that bought you an ice cream cone in the park? He'll be here too and so will my daddy. Doesn't that sound like fun?"
Lifting his head, he looks into my eyes with that intense gaze of his before nodding his head.
"Good boy," I tell him, then take Elena's hand as we walk up the sidewalk to Caroline's front door.
"Can you push the doorbell?" I ask him, taking his hand and putting his finger on the button. "Push it."
In mere moments, Annabelle pulls the door open. "Hi Uncle Damon. Hi Jeremy," she squeals happily.
"Hey Princess. You up for helping your mom watch Jeremy tonight?"
Bobbing her head up and down, she steps aside so Elena, Jeremy and I can walk in. When I set Jeremy down, Annabelle takes his hand and leads him into their family room.
"Damon, Elena, hi," Caroline greets us, throwing a dishtowel over her shoulder.
"Do you have time to come in for a few minutes?" she asks.
"We can't sis. We have reservations."
"That's fine. Have fun," she says as she walks Elena and I out to my car. Once Elena gets in the passenger side, I shut her door before walking around to the driver's side.
"Thank you, Care. I really appreciate the fact that you're keeping him overnight. I owe you one," I tell her, pressing a light kiss to her cheek.
Shaking her head, she scoffs, "You don't owe me anything. You've babysat with Annabelle more times than I can count."
"You know how much I love my princess."
"Go have fun and impress your girl," she says with a wink.
Stepping into the car, I roll down the window, waving goodbye as I pull out of her driveway.
"I'm so full, I could burst," Elena says as I unlock the door to my house to let her in.
"Oh please, you didn't even eat that much," I reply, laughing.
Taking her hand in mine, I lead her to my living room so we can sit down on the couch.
"Why don't you pick out a DVD to watch? I'll go get us something to drink. Would you like a glass of wine?"
"That sounds lovely, thank you."
Carrying two glasses and a bottle of wine, I walk back into the living room and take a seat beside Elena. After pouring her a glass, I watch as she takes a sip.
"This is good," she says to me, her eyes darkening when she focuses them on me.
I take a sip of my own, set my flute on the end table then pull her into my arms. When she wraps her arms around my neck, I press my lips to hers lifting a bone melting kiss from her lush lips.
When I pull back, her eyes are glazed and her chest is heaving. "That was some kiss," she utters, sucking in a deep breath.
"Do you want to watch something or...?" I ask her, feeling myself harden.
"I want to be with you, Damon. I'm not very experienced. I've only had one boyfriend, I'm practically still a virgin," she says, her voice shaky.
Taken aback, my eyes widen for a moment, "But you have a child?"
After shaking her head no, she tangles her hands, twisting them together nervously, before looking me in the eye.
"He's mine but I didn't give birth to him. He's my half brother. Jeremy was an infant when our dad and his mom died. I adopted him because my stepmother's parents were trying to take him away from me. I've raised him since he was barely a year old. He has no memory of them, so yes, he does call me mom," she whispers, turning away.
"What about your mother?" I ask, my eyes peering intently at hers.
"My mom died when I was twelve. She was killed in a car crash when she skidded on some black ice, flipping the car over."
"Elena, I'm sorry."
"It was a long time ago," she whimpers, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
Without even giving it a thought, I pull her into my arms for a few moments. When she pulls back, she gives me a shaky smile, "I'm sorry, I'm really not a crybaby. Sometimes it still hurts when I think about my parents. You've been really patient with me and I appreciate it. I really want to be with you too."
As my smile reaches from one ear to the other, I stand up, bow and tip my imaginary hat to her. "Dr. Damon Salvatore, 'repairer of broken hearts', at your service mam."
I extend my hand, when she takes a hold, I pull her up and wrap my arms around her, using my palms to caress her back.
"Take me to bed," she breathes, pressing her lips to my ear.
I pull back and look deeply into her eyes. Knowing she wants this sends tingles through my body, unlike any I've ever felt before. I lift her bridal style into my arms and carry her into my bedroom.
Gently, I drop her onto the bed and lower my body onto hers, pressing my lips to hers feverishly. When I need a breath, I pull back, staring at the beautiful woman staring back at me. Ever so slowly, I reach down to start unbuttoning her top. Placing her hands atop mine, she nods then lets go. Once I get the last one undone, I pull her forward against my chest so I can take it off of her and also unclasp her bra. She pulls away from me so I can slowly pull the straps down her arms.
Elena, you're breathtaking," I whisper reverently, nuzzling her neck with my lips as I nudge her back onto the mattress. Spread out and wanting for me, I palm her breasts with my hands and use my thumbs to stroke her nipples. When I feel them pebble up, I lower my lips to one, suckling softly but firmly. I smile against her breast when a moan escapes her mouth.
Pulling back, I reach for the button of her pants. This time she doesn't stop me. Slowly I pull them off of her svelte legs along with her panties. I give her an appreciative smile before disrobing myself and crawling back on top of her.
"You're so beautiful," I whisper reverently as I pepper fevered kisses all the way down her body. When I press my mouth to her intimately, I can't help but smirk when I notice when the flush that covers her face. Using my tongue, I work her into a frenzied pitch till she stiffens as a look of sheer, unadulterated bliss covers her lovely face. Unable to help myself, I feel giddily happy that I was able to launch her into a metaphorical stratosphere. Her mouth is agape, she's panting and her chest is heaving as I pull myself back up to her face, lowering my lips to hers.
Her eyes are glazed and brimming with lust, her mouth is still agape when she turns to look at me. "I've never felt anything like that before," she pants.
"I aim to please, Miss Gilbert," I tease before kissing her again. Spreading her legs to make room for me, she reaches over and pulls me atop her body. Reaching between us, I take a hold of my girth to get into position. I stop for a moment to gaze into her eyes. When I see a subtle nod, I join us together for the first time. The feeling of her body cradling me so intimately almost feels ethereal. She feels unlike anyone else I've ever been with. So much so that I feel like a teenaged boy, losing his shit with one stroke. Taking a deep breath as I try to regain my control, I press a kiss to her forehead. Our eyes lock, never straying from each others even as I pull out and thrust in again and again. Without leaving her body, I roll us so she's on top. When she looks a little unsure, I hold onto her as I sit up, pressing our bodies together so that our skin is flush against each other as much as possible. Placing my hands on her bottom, I help her raise up and down. Her hands reach up to cradle my face, pressing a torrid kiss to my lips. Just then her head falls back as she screams my name, her voice full of passion. I raise my hips, surging into her a couple of more times before I tumble off the precipice right after her, my body alight, shuddering with aftershocks.
When we both are able to feel our limbs again, I pull her into my arms, caressing her back as I press a kiss to her crown.
"My God, Elena, I don't have any words," I whisper as I continue to stroke her bare back.
When she doesn't reply, I turn my eyes down only to see that her eyes closed. I can't help the feeling of pride that engulfs me knowing it was me who made her so blissfully sated that she fell asleep in my arms. My feelings for this girl are so intense already. I swore after Ivy, I was going to stay clear of women like Elena. I don't know what it is but something about her sucks me right in. Some of what I feel scares me but another part makes me feel like I'm the luckiest man on the face of the earth to have this woman in my bed and in my arms. After pressing another kiss to her hair, I close my eyes, letting sleep consume me.
Here's just a tiny snippet from 'Shatter Me'...
"Damon?" Ric asks as I make my way over to him, having climbed up the steep embankment to reach our newest crime scene.
"What do we have?" I ask as I look over the remains.
Ric, who's looking around farther up the hill, turns around to face me. "We've only found the skull so far," he informs me.
"Come here," I say, motioning with my arm for him to join me.
"Captain Salvatore, I would say this person has been dead for a couple of months based on the condition of the skull. The bones have been scattered obviously because we can't find any of them," Matt, one of our crime scene investigators tells me.
"Do you think maybe it could be the Alexander girl? I mean look at the teeth. According to the missing person's report her dad filed, he said that she had near perfect teeth."
"I think you're probably right Damon but we'll have to compare her dental records to confirm it positively."
"Now we have had five girls reported missing, two of whom are known dead. Now we have this skull too. "Can you tell if this is a female skull?" I ask.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Much more to come. Thank you Eva. Thank you all for your reviews, follows and favorites. I posted the final chapter of 'Breathe' yesterday but 'Pieces of Eight' still has a little left to tell. I hope to start posting 'Shatter Me' soon. I'm working on the final chapters now. Happy Mother's Day to those of you who are mothers.