"Here we are," I utter as I pull my car in front of Elena's house. After turning off the ignition, I jump out and go around to Elena's side of the car to help her out. Once she's on her feet, I push her door closed before opening the back door to get Jeremy out of his car seat and carry him in the house. I pull him into my arms then set him on his feet. Immediately he takes off running only to tumble to the ground when he trips on something and falls. He's sprawled out partially on the sidewalk, partially on the grass. I let go of Elena's hand and run to him. Stooping down, I help him up and wrap him in my arms. Once his cries calm down a bit, I loosen his grip so I can look him over. Both of his knees are scraped up and bloody. He wails even louder when he sees that he's bleeding.
"Shh, shh, you're alright," I say, trying to soothe him a little bit. Standing up, I lift him into my arms. "Let's go in the house and get you doctored up okay? Does mommy have some bandaids in the house?" With his lower lip sticking way out, he takes his little fist to his eyes then bobs his head.
Laying his head on my shoulder, he turns his eyes to Elena when she catches up to us, "Mama, ban aid?" he sniffles.
"Mama will get you a bandaid," she reassures him before turning away to stick the key into the lock. Push the door open, she steps aside to let me and Jeremy walk in.
"I'll just take him to the bathroom to clean up his knees," I tell her, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"Thank you, Damon."
"No worries," I tell her softly.
"Jeremy are you hungry?" she asks.
"Me hungy."
"I don't think there's anything in the kitchen. We need to go to the grocery store."
"Um, remember when you gave me the keys a few days ago so I could mow the lawn?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I may or may not have bought a few groceries to stock the cupboards," I tell her before turning around to take Jeremy into the bathroom to clean his owies.
"There you go champ," I tell him after I finish putting the bandaids Elena gave me on his knees. After I lift him down from the sink, he takes off like a rocket yelling for Elena.
When I reach the kitchen, she's bent down to his level fawning over his now bandaid clad knees.
She looks at me for a moment before turning back to Jeremy. "Maybe Damon will take you outside to play in your sandbox?"
His mouth drops wide open. Clapping, he runs over to me and grabs my hand, pulling me to follow him as hard as he can. "Okay little man, I'm coming." I chuckle.
"This is a pretty nice place," Ric mentions before tipping his bottle of beer to his mouth.
Since Elena wanted to spend some alone time with Jenna this evening, I invited Ric to go to the Grill with me for a few hours. Although she's still guarded around me, I think she's beginning to come around. She's been home from the hospital a couple of days now. I've stopped in after work the last couple of nights. When we watched a movie last evening, she didn't stiffen when I put my arm around her shoulders. She has no idea how much that meant when she didn't pull away. Ric and Jenna have to go back to Texas next week. Elena wants to get in as much Jenna time as possible till the inevitable goodbye comes. How can I fault her for wanting to spend time with her only living relative.
"Damon?" Ric asks.
"Sorry, they have pretty good food here too. Listen, I invited my brother to join us," I mention just as Stefan steps in beside me.
"You made it. Stefan, this is Elena's uncle Ric. Ric, this is my big brother, Stefan," I say, stepping back when Stefan extends his hand to Ric.
"Nice to meet you, Ric."
"You too," Ric replies.
"Let's get a table. I'm hungry. How's your hand?" I ask him, noticing that he still has a dressing on it.
"It's tight when I try to make a fist. I misplaced my discharge instructions. When can I have the stitches removed?"
"Tell you what, come by the hospital tomorrow and I'll take them out for you. If I'm in the middle of surgery or some other emergency, one of the nurses can take them out."
"How about I text you first. If you don't respond, I'll know you're tied up with more important things."
"Good idea."
"Are you guys ready to order?" Vicky asks as she steps up to our table.
"Hi Vicky, I guess I'll have the bacon cheeseburger, fries and another beer. Ric?"
"I'll have what Damon is having. Thank you," he tells her handing her his menu.
She turns to Stefan to take his order. "Hi Vickie. I'll have the chicken bacon sandwich but I'd like to have Provolone instead of American cheese. I'll have coleslaw instead of fries. Thanks Vicky," he says.
"Did you want another one of those?" she says, pointing to Stefan's bottle of Dr. Pepper.
"Sure, I'll have one more."
"I'll be back with your food shortly. Let me know if you need anything," she says before walking away.
"How's April?" I ask Stefan.
"April is my wife," he says, looking at Ric. "She works at the convenience store on Main and Birch streets. It's close to our place but I still go to walk her home when she works in the evening. I just don't like her walking home by herself at midnight. Mystic Falls is a pretty safe place but it's not crime free either."
"My wife is on maternity leave right now. Our son, Charlie is eight weeks old," Ric mentions.
"So how is dad doing with having a baby in the house?" Stefan asks, smiling.
"Are you kidding? He adores kids. Dad can lift him despite the fact that his shoulder is still on the mend. He's not supposed to lift more than fifteen pounds."
"How is Elena?" Stefan asks tentatively.
I can't help but notice how Ric turned his eyes on me when Stefan mentioned Elena. Shaking off a bit of a chill I feel at the intensity of Ric's stare, I turn back to Stefan. "She's lost a lot of weight so she needs to gain that and her strength back but she's over the moon to have Jeremy in her arms again," I tell him, taking a swig of beer.
"Well little brother, you know what you have to do..."
"I know Stefan. I'm working on it, believe me," I tell him, smiling. When he tilts his soda bottle towards me, I clank them together before we each take a swallow.
Elena and I are moving slowly but steadily forward. It's been about ten days since she got home from the hospital. I've been spending almost all of my free time with her and Jeremy. A couple of days ago, I brought Annabelle over to their house with me so she could spend some time with him. She told me she misses having her 'little brother' in the house. I almost melted when she told me that. Elena and I haven't gone 'there' yet but at the same time, she doesn't flinch or try to push me away when I wrap an arm around her while we're watching TV or if we're sitting on the deck watching Jeremy play in the backyard.
Ric, Jenna and Charlie have to return to Texas the day after tomorrow. Everyone is off work today so dad decided to throw a farewell barbecue and get together. Everyone is coming including Stefan and April. I'm a bit squeamish about it since dad had a meltdown the last time Stefan set foot in the house. Dad insisted that he wants to try though, something about getting back on the horse and all that. I haven't told Elena about that part of my family yet. Eventually I will.
Dad and Jenna have become fast friends. He and Annabelle took all three of the Saltzman's to Fort McHenry in Baltimore to see the historical site. The significance of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historical Shrine is the part it played in the successful defense of Baltimore in the War of 1812. The inspiration for this defense gave rise to our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner' composed by Francis Scott Key.
In September 1814 the British attack on Baltimore lasted several days, ending in a withdrawal of British forces after the unsuccessful bombardment of Fort McHenry. The Battle of North Point and the attack on Fort McHenry are now known together as the Battle of Baltimore. Annual celebrations to honour Defenders' Day and the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during this fierce assault send you back to 1814 as you hear the roar of cannons and the rattle of musketry echoing across the harbor. It's really quite spectacular to witness. Needless to say, Ric was just in awe from what dad told me.
When I pull up in front of dad's house and park the car, I release my seatbelt and jump out. I walk around to the passenger side to help Elena out of the car.
"Let me help you."
"I can do it, Damon. I'm not helpless you know," she tells me firmly.
"I know you're anything but helpless, but I like to help you," I tell her, pouting.
Although smiling, she rolls her eyes and extends her hand to me. I'm practically beaming when she steps out and presses a kiss to my lips.
"That's very nice. Can I have another?"
Laughing, she places her palms on either side of my face as I wrap my arms around her middle then pull her body flush against mine. "Mmm," I murmur, gazing into her eyes for a long moment before lifting a torrid kiss from her lips.
We're interrupted when suddenly we hear Jenna's voice. "Elena?"
Smiling, I release her just as Jenna reaches us. She hugs Elena then links their arms together to walk her into dad's house. Shaking my head, I chuckle a bit before closing her door. Pulling the back door open, I help a still sleeping Jeremy out of his car seat. "Hey little man," I whisper, fingering the hair on his forehead before lifting him into my arms to carry him into the house.
"Damon?"
"Hi dad."
"Well hello, Jeremy," he says as he walks to stand beside me. Jeremy is barely awake, laying with his head on my shoulder.
"Hi," he says softly in his little boy's voice.
"Um, are Stefan and April here yet? I didn't see their car."
"No, they're not here. He did call though to double check if I really wanted him to come over. Damon, I hate that he feels like that."
"I know dad. It's not like you were faking it. Maybe you should take one of your pills before he gets here?"
"That's a good idea. I think I will. I just don't want to react like that again. I want my son to be able to come into my home without freaking out."
"I know dad," I tell him, draping my around him to squeeze his shoulder for a moment. When I release him, he looks at me with his father, son gaze. "Is papa here yet?"
"He's in the backyard with everyone else. He's completely smitten with your Elena. Come see," he tells me smiling.
Elena is sitting on the picnic table beside him. They're both laughing so hard, I can almost hear them in here. Had he met Elena before?" dad asks.
"Yes, he met her one time when he and I were at the park with Annabelle."
"She's a beautiful young lady, Damon. You chose well," he teases.
"I did choose well," I say, agreeing with him. "Do you need some help in the kitchen?"
"Sure, I can use a hand."
"I'm just going to take him to Elena. Then I'll come and help you, okay?"
"Sounds good, Damon," he says, smiling at me before turning on his heels to walk into the kitchen.
"Here you go," I tell Elena as I carefully place Jeremy in her arms. "Hey Care, when did you get here?"
"Hi. We got here about a half hour ago. Do you want to sit down with us?" Caroline asks, patting the seat beside her.
"Later, I'm going to go help dad get the steaks ready first. Where are Ric and Papa? I thought I just saw them?"
"They just stepped outside of the gate. They went to get some beer and some non alcoholic drinks for Stefan and for Jenna because she's nursing Charlie," Care tells me casually as if saying the sky is blue. Just then I hear a car's ignition firing to life. Turning my eyes to the driveway, I see Papa pull out with Ric in the passenger seat.
"Okay then, time for me to go," I utter, pressing another kiss to Elena's head before walking into the house.
"Stefan, April, come on in," I tell them when I open the front door for them.
"Are you sure it's okay for us to be here, Damon?" I really don't want a repeat of the last time we were here."
"I don't either April. He wants you here. We'll just have to play it as it comes."
"Damon?"
"Elena, come here," I say to her as she walks into the foyer. "You remember Stefan and his wife, April?"
"Yes, we met for a few minutes at the carnival. It's nice to see you again," she says, extending her hand.
"Where were you going?" I ask.
"Just out to the car to grab my light weight sweater. My arms are a little chilly."
"Oh, okay. I'll walk out with you." After retrieving Elena's sweater, we walk back into the house. When we walk into the kitchen to grab Elena a bottle of cold water from the fridge, we can't help but notice that dad seems a little on edge. Stefan is sitting at the kitchen table. "Everything okay?" I ask, the tension in the room as thick as fog.
"I.. I'm okay, Damon," dad says timidly, his eyes on Stefan.
"Dad, I'll just go outside, okay?" Stefan offers.
"No Stefan. I'm fine. I just needed a minute," he utters, turning around so his back is facing Stefan. I can't help but notice how his hands are gripping the sink's edge so tightly that his knuckles are white.
"Dad?"
After taking a couple of deep breaths, he turns around. "It's fine, Damon. Come Stefan, let's go join everyone outside. Damon, when you come out, please bring the steak sauce. It's in one of those side compartments of the refrigerator." I notice dad take another deep breath then he gestures to Stefan to follow him outside.
"Um, is everything okay?" Elena asks.
"It's a long story, Elena. I promise I'll tell you all about the skeletons in my closet, just not here. Is that all right?"
"Yes, it's alright," she replies reassuringly.
"Thank you," I tell her before pulling her into my arms. I hold her for a long moment. Resting my head on the top of hers, I just hold her for a few minutes. I let go of her and take the steak sauce out of the refrigerator. "Here, would you take this outside?"
"Sure," she says, smiling before taking it from me and walking outside.
"Goodnight Elena," I whisper as I walk to her front door after helping her get Jeremy ready for bed. He's already sound asleep.
"You don't have to leave yet, Damon."
"I do. I have to go to work the first thing in the morning. Then we have to take Ric and Jenna to the airport tomorrow afternoon. But I just wanted to thank you for coming with me today."
"I had a good time. Your dad and grandpa are great."
"Yeah, I'm pretty lucky in that respect. I was really proud of my dad. You could see that his nerves were piquing when Stefan got there, he really tampered them down."
"There's a story there, Damon."
"There is but that's for another day. I really need to go home and you need some rest yourself," I tease. Taking a step forward, I embrace her, pulling her flush against me. "Do I get a good night kiss?"
"Well...,"
"None of that Ms. Gilbert. Now, give me a kiss," I demand playfully.
Standing on her tiptoes, she presses her lips to mine weakening my knees at the intensity of it all.
"God, I love you," I mutter into her ear after pulling back from the kiss. Although grinning like the Cheshire cat, she says nothing at my confession. "I'll pick you up around two so you and Jer can ride along to the airport with me okay?"
Nodding, she follows behind me to the door. I take her into my arms and lay one more steaming kiss to her lips before letting go. "Goodnight Elena," I whisper then turn around and walk outside. When I hear her lock the door, I jog down the sidewalk, get into my car and drive home.
"Goodbye Jenna. I'm going to miss you so much," Elena says while embracing Jenna with almost a death grip.
"I promise we'll come back soon," she reassures her, smiling at me from over Elena's shoulder. "I like this little town so does Ric. And you, young lady have a lot of people that care for you. Who knows, maybe Ric and I will end up here sometime too."
"Oh my gosh, Jenna. That would be so great."
"Don't start making plans yet. We'll have to find jobs and things like that before we can even consider it."
"Just as long as I know it's a possibility, I'll hang onto that," she tells Jenna, pulling her into another hug.
Jenna releases her and walks over to me. "You take care of her, do you hear?"
"Yes mam," I reply with a mock salute.
"You better or you'll have me to answer to, okay?"
"I promise, Jenna."
"I trust you Damon. I can see how much you love her and Jeremy." After staring at me for a few seconds, she wraps her arm around my neck, pulling me into a hug. I press a kiss to her cheek when she pulls back as Ric steps in beside me.
"Damon, it's been a pleasure. Thank you so much for helping us get here. I don't know how we'll ever thank you."
"Please Ric, it was nothing. I just wanted her to be happy. The money was well spent. Please don't give it another thought," I tell him, extending my hand to shake.
Grabbing my hand, he pulls me into a guy hug. Releasing me, he picks up Charlie's car seat. After saying our final goodbyes, they disappear to find their waiting area.
"Hey you," I greet when she picks up her phone.
"Hi," she replies softly.
"I just stepped into my house."
"You've had a busy day?"
"I have. There was an ATV wreck, a couple of kids. Thankfully they're both still alive. I hate having to put children back together," I whisper.
"Damon?"
"I know. The reason I called, I'd like to invite you and Jeremy over for supper tomorrow evening. Dad and papa will be here too. I'm a pretty good cook, really," I tell her, unable to keep the hint of neediness out of my voice.
"That sounds nice. We'd love to Damon. Thank you."
"No, lovely lady, thank you. I'll pick you up around five thirty. Is that okay?
"Perfect," she says, her voice trailing off when suddenly I hear crying in the background.
"Listen Damon, I have to go. Jeremy is crying."
"Good night Elena, I love you." There's silence on the other end of the phone line for a long second or two.
"We'll talk tomorrow. Bye," she whispers then clicks off the phone.
After clicking off my phone, I exhale deeply. That long pause of hers has me feeling a bit on edge. Knowing I need to work off some of this restless energy or I'll never get to sleep tonight, I run upstairs and change into a pair of shorts and tee shirt. After putting on my running shoes, I take off down the street, hitting the pavement hard with each step.
Thank you Eva. Thanks to all of you as well. 'What if I Was Nothing' updated yesterday. 'Shatter Me' updated today too. Please give them a look. I'm hard at work on 'The Unforgiven'. I'll give you a sneak peek when it's closer to being done.
Happy 239th Birthday America. "...But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Excerpt from 'The Declaration of Independence'.
'It will be celebrated with pomp and parade.. bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other' John Adams
"I know not what course others may take, but as for me, Give me liberty or give me death." Patrick Henry
*Reviews Are Love*... Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans. Hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend. Until next time.