A new day for the folks of Mystique Lake and with it a soft rain. The storm did some minor damages on businesses in town and workers eagerly jumped in to clean and repair. Neighbours helped each other to fix damages done to their homes. Fallen trees and cables are being removed from the streets. This was the usual thing to do in ML after a storm to lend a helping hand where needed.
Wiccombs Mansion
A pale looking Stella were seated opposite detective West and detective Harper. The hand that held the burning cigarette trembling uncontrollably. In front of her on the table was gruesome pictures of Edward.
"Help us bring the killers to justice Stella. I am willing to cut you a deal. You won't even have to do jail time. Three years probation at the most. All you need to do is confess Stella. Take the deal while you still can. Because right now my people are searching every inch of your house. We have this nifty very helpful chemical called Luminol. Spray it in a dark room. It will glow blue when there are traces of blood. Luminol can make a spotless room like a massacre took place in there and I'm sure by now my team have found traces of blood.
Stella swallowed hard. "I need to speak with my lawyer first." Stella said in a shaky voice.
You do that Mrs Wiccomb. Come see me as soon as possible." Detective West said and he and detective Harper got up to their feet.
"Please take this with you." Stella said and looked away from the gruesome photos of Edward.
Detective West put the pictures back into his file and left Stella's Wiccombs house with a smirk. He know Stella will take the bait.
The Salvatore Home
Caroline was over at Bonnie. They were seated at the kitchen counter. There was a soft rain falling outside and the day looked grey and gloomy much like Bonnie's mood.
"I'm just so happy this whole thing didn't end in a tragedy. Stephen called me earlier. He said Damon is awake. Screaming for you and the kids. Stephen had to assure him that you and the kids are okay and he warned Damon that he will put him in a coma if he dare gets up from his hospital bed and come home." Caroline said.
Bonnie didn't say anything. She just stared at her cup of tea in front of her.
"Bon? You okay?" Caroline asked softly.
Bonnie cleared her throat and said. "Yeah I'm good."
"I know your not, but for now I'm going to swallow that lie and hope you will talk to me soon. I'm here for you. Always." Caroline said and smiled warmly at her friend.
"I know." Bonnie said and smiled back.
Bonnie's phone beeped. It was a message from Stella.
Mystique Lake Hospital
The young nurses were falling over their feet to see that Damon was as comfortable as possible much to his annoyance. He ordered them to stay out of his room but one by one they walked in bringing new bouquets of flowers. Probably from themselves. He ordered the matron to remove all the flowers from his room. Red from embarrassment the nurses came and took the flowers away. Only the ones from the kids, family and friends stayed.
Rain patters against the window and it look like the weather won't clear up today. The doctor said its a miracle his still alive and not having major injuries. He remembers being knocked over board and hitting his head against a tree log after that everything seemed blurry. One long nightmare that he is not emotionally or physically strong to unravel right now. Damon sigh and closed his eyes.
The Wiccombs Mansion
After a frantic call from Stella the girls was yet again back to listen to Stella losing it again. Sitting in her luxurious kitchen Stella informed them calmly of her cutting her loses.
"At the end of the day I'm standing alone. There is no way a court will convict a pregnant Caroline who happens to be married to a respected world renowned doctor and you Kate, a doctors wife who wins the trophy for most law abiding citizen every year and you Bonnie? Damon have so many contacts that he will get you free just by a click of his fingers and you Olivia you don't even have to lift a finger. I'm cutting a deal with detective West. I'm sorry." Stella said.
The room was silent and if Stella thought that the women were going to start begging her not to do that, was she in for a surprise. Bonnie walked to Stella's priceless stainless steel knife set and took out the biggest knife. "I always admired this set. From Italy right?" Bonnie asked over her shoulder.
Stella nervously fiddled with her pearl necklace. "Yes it is." She said with a dry throat.
Bonnie turned around and nodded for Caroline. Caroline moved to the kitchen door and closed it.
Stella looked at them nervously and said. "What is happening? What are you doing?"
Bonnie walked to Stella and put the sharp blade against Stella's throat. "Cut a deal you say." Bonnie said with a cold smirk.
Stella's eyes went wide with fear. "Bonnie please." Stella looked at Caroline, Liv and Kate for help but they all looked in for whatever Bonnie planned for her.
"Now you listen very carefully Stella. The minute you said cutting a deal with the feds we were all thinking of very creative ideas on how to get rid of you."
"I'm seeing myself standing with a machete over Stella's bloody lifeless corps." Caroline said nonchalantly.
"Kate?" Bonnie asked.
Kate cleared her throat and said softly. "I will invite Stella over for a cup of coffee and baked muffins. That will be her last meal on this earth."
"Poison. Deadly and affecting. Good idea Kate." Caroline said cheery.
Stella gasps in shock.
"Liv?"
Liv looked long and hard at Stella and said. "I would burry her alive."
"Now that's what I'm taking about. Hardcore." Caroline said laughed.
Stella didn't know if they were bluffing or were they serious.
You cut a deal with the feds then I'm going to personally hunt you down and cut you up into tiny pieces." Bonnie said menacingly. She moved the sharp blade to Stella's lips. Bonnie smirked coldly. "Starting with your fake lips. Let's see how you look on the bench testifying against the women who helped you, without lips."
Caroline chuckled and said. "The newspapers will have a field day with her ass."
"Stella we need to stand together can't you see what this detective is doing to us? He is choosing the weakest link. He wants you to crack." Kate said softly.
Bonnie scoffed and said. "All I'm saying is that I don't want to go to jail. I like my freedom too much, I want to grow old with my children, but if that don't happens and low and behold you rat us out. I'm calling dips on your ass Stella. You will be my prison bitch and you better know how to braid my fucking hair and clean my shit properly or else I'm pimping your ass out to some hardcore prison bitch nicknamed Bladder Ripper." Bonnie said and swing the blade in front of Stella's face.
Stella swallowed hard and nodded.
"We good Stella?" Bonnie asked and put her arm around Stella's shoulders.
"Yes ... Yes we good." Stella said and swallowed hard.
"Did you say anything to detective West?" Liv asked.
"No I did not. I only said that I want to speak with my lawyer." Stella said in a shaky voice. Pale in the face.
Liv just nodded her head.
...
Liv, Kate , Caroline and Bonnie walked to their cars parked in Stella's drive way.
Liv laughed and said. "Bladder Ripper?"
"I had to bit the inside of my cheek not to laugh." Caroline said and giggled.
"Think we should put her under surveillance?" Kate asked.
Liv smirked. "That won't be necessary. She's already under surveillance and we just jumped on the radar." Liv nodded her head to a black SUV parked opposite Stella's house.
"Well smile for the camera and say fuck you bitches." Caroline said and waved at the SUV with a bright smile. Bonnie waved too with Stella's knife in her hand.
Kate gasps and laughed. "Bonnie?"
"What? She said I can keep it." Bonnie said nonchalantly. The women laughed and walked respectively to their cars.
The Salvatore Home
It was evening and the kids were excited to go visit their dad in the hospital. Zoe made her father a get well card.
Alex found his mom in her room.
"Mom can we talk before we go to dad?" Alex asked. There were deep regret on his face and he felt ashamed for how he behaved the other day.
"Mom, about the other day. How I behaved, the things I've said to you. I should have known better. I am so sorry. Please forgive me mom." He looked so lost and hurt that Bonnie's heart went out to him.
"Come here." Bonnie said softly. Alex hugged his mom. "Your my rock and yes it did hurt but you came and you apologized. Stay that sweet mannered kid I know because the one I saw in front of me the other day was not my kid. I love you and you know I only want the best for you right?"
"Yes ... I know mom." Alex said and hugged his mom.
Mystique Lake Hospital
Zoe and Dylan ran to their dad's hospital room. Jumping on his bed and hugging him tightly. Damon wrapped his arms around them and laughed happy.
Alex, Kenzie and Bonnie came in seeing the two happy kids on their father's hospital bed.
The kids were so happy to see their dad and they could not stop asking him questions. Alex cleared his throat and said to them. "Guys lets step out so that mom can greet dad."
Zoe kissed her dad on the cheek and left the room behind the others.
"The doctor said I can leave tomorrow if everything checks out. He said I'm lucky to be alive." Damon said and tried to smile. He couldn't read the look on Bonnie's face. Is she still in shock? He thought to himself. He reached out his hand to her and called her name softly.
Slowly Bonnie walked to him and took his hand. Damon visibly relaxed when he felt her hand in his. He kissed her softly on her hand. "This whole nightmare made me realise how short life is and how precious the tiny moments are that we get to spend together as a family Bon. I want to spend every waking moment with you and the kids. I love you and the kids so much that I don't want to miss a thing. Can I please come home babe?" Damon had tears in his eyes by the time he was done talking.
Bonnie closed her eyes briefly. "The kids will want you home Damon." Bonnie said and at that moment the door opened. It was the kids eager to see their dad again before visiting time is over. Bonnie smiled and waved them in.
...