I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner, here's finally the next chapter.

On the street where you live girls talk about their social lives
They're made of lipstick, plastic and paint, a touch of sable in their eyes
All your life, all your life all you've asked when's your daddy gonna talk to you
But you were living in another world tryin' to get your message through.

No one heard a single word you said.
They should have seen it in your eyes
What was going around your head.

Bon Jovi - Runaway

Chapter 66

Dream come true

2 weeks earlier

The first rays of the morning sun weren't nearly as warm as they had been in California, but I didn't care, I was still going to enjoy my morning ritual: sunbathing in the garden, since we didn't have a pool here, a drink and my blood popsicles. Life wasn't too bad in Mystic Falls, but I had to admit that I missed living in a bigger city. It didn't really matter; I would live anywhere with my family. Papa, Rebekah, Klaus, Kol and Finn too, although I didn't know him that well yet. He spent a lot of time by himself, studying everything he had missed when he had been daggered. Then there were of course Stefan and Damon…

They could both remember me now; I had asked Kol to undo his compulsion on Damon. Kol hadn't been too pleased about it, but he had still done it. I had waited for Damon to come and talk to me, but he hadn't, he was probably still angry about the whole spanking thing. For some reason the thought always made me want to giggle, I couldn't believe that I had actually spanked him. But then again, he had acted like an ill-mannered child. Still it was probably best to leave him alone, he knew where to find me if he wanted to talk. It was pretty obvious that he didn't like my family, but hopefully he knew better than trying to hurt them. The deal Elena had made with Klaus kept him safe, but only if he wouldn't try anything foolish.

"Good morning, sweetheart," papa's voice said.

I looked up and smiled at him.

"Good morning."

He smiled too and bent down to touch my hair.

"You're up early," he said.

"Yeah, you know how much I enjoy sunbathing."

"I do, I'm just a little surprised since you went out with Kol and Niklaus last night."

I shrugged.

"Well, some people just can't hold their liquor, they're probably still sleeping."

"Yes, I think they are. You all slept in the same room?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, they both passed out."

"I see."

Something about his tone of voice made me a little nervous. He was displeased. I stood up and wore a dress over my pink bikini before I moved next to him.

"Is something wrong, papa?"

"What, no. I just…" He paused and sighed. "I suppose I got used to keeping you all for myself when we were alone. And yes, I admit that I'm not very fond of the idea of my brothers taking you out drinking practically every night."

He bit his bottom lip when I stared at him, he seemed embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart; I don't mean to patronize you…"

I jumped into his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck before he could finish his sentence.

"I understand, papa," I assured and kissed his cheek. "I know I'll always be your child."

He smiled at me warmly and pressed me against his chest.

"Yes, you will. But I still apologize and I want you to know that I'm trying to…correct my behavior. After what happened in Chicago…"

"I know and I understand."

We were both quiet for a while, he leaned his cheek on the top on my head.

"My little Eva…" he murmured. He sounded happy. I was happy too for getting him back after so many years. We had maybe lived together the whole time, but he hadn't really been there, not mentally. He had been too obsessed with the whole vengeance thing. Not that I could really blame him, he had thought that he would never see Rebekah again.

"My little girl…"

Yes, little… But I had no reason to complain, everything was finally like it should be. I kissed papa's cheek again before he finally placed me on the ground. Rebekah was in school and Klaus and Kol were probably still sleeping, so I decided to go to my room and get changed. I barely reached the door when I heard my phone ringing. Unknown caller.

"Yes?" I answered.

Silence.

"Hello? Is someone there?"

"Flea?"

I froze when I heard the familiar voice.

"Marcellus?"

"Yeah, it's me. I… I have some very good news for you."

"Hi there…" some man started.

"Get lost," I snapped, I had no patience left.

"Oh come on, baby, let me buy you a drink…"

"I said get lost!"

His eyebrows furrowed and he snorted before turning around.

"Lesbian…"

I couldn't have cared less about what he thought. Gloomily I stared at my glass, it was almost empty. I definitely needed another drink. And what good would that do to me? My life still sucked. I hadn't been in this adult body even a week and everything had already gone wrong. Klaus and Kol had acted like jerks, to Rebekah I was a helpless child she needed to coddle and to papa I was a freaking Rapunzel. It was only a matter of time before he would want to lock me up to some tower where no man could ever see me. I was a helpless little girl who needed to be protected. And these clothes… I would fit in perfectly to a nunnery. I was so tired.

Sure Klaus and Kol had tried to apologize, but I had nothing to say to them. Sure I had tried to discreetly tell papa and Rebekah that I really wasn't helpless, but they didn't want to listen. I really couldn't bear to see the hurt in Rebekah's eyes. And papa… I couldn't sit on his lap anymore or even hug him, not without sensing his discomfort. It made me feel guilty and it hurt my feelings, I couldn't deny that. Wasn't I his child anymore? I definitely couldn't go to Kol or Klaus and curl up against them, not to mention sleep in the same bed with them. We couldn't have fun together anymore. All because of this body. Was this really what I had dreamt for all these years? I sighed and emptied my glass, I should probably go back home before someone would notice that I had sneaked out…

"Eva?"

I looked up and saw Damon, he was staring at me.

"What do you want?" I asked rudely, I was in a very bad mood.

He stared at me for a moment before he managed to speak.

"It's true then…" he murmured.

"Yeah, yeah," I snorted. "A dream come true."

He was clearly confused.

"You're not happy about this?"

"Sure, why wouldn't I be?"

"You don't seem happy," he stated.

"How is this any of your business?" I snapped. "Don't pretend that you would care, just get to the point. What do you want?"

"Well… It seems that I've really angered you."

I crossed my arms and looked away.

"Why would I be angry? I considered you my family and you haven't bothered to contact me even once after you got your memories back."

He was quiet for a moment before sitting down opposite me.

"What was I supposed to say? Sorry for breaking your neck? Sorry for keeping you chained in the basement?"

My eyes widened in surprise.

"What? I thought you were pouting because of the whole…spanking thing."

He looked more than uncomfortable; he cleared his throat before replying.

"Yeah, that… Could we not talk about that? Ever."

"Fine by me. And I'm sorry about that."

The corners of his mouth were twitching.

"You know… I've been naughty lately; maybe you should spank me again…"

"Shut up," I huffed, but I was smiling.

We were both quiet for a moment, but the silence didn't feel uncomfortable.

"Can I buy you a drink?" he asked.

"Sure, why not."

I didn't really feel that I was in a hurry anymore.

"So… What's bothering you?" he asked after ordering us drinks.

"It's a long story," I murmured.

"Right… Family issues?"

"Something like that. I just…"

I had no idea how to continue. Fortunately he didn't pressure me, we both concentrated on drinking.

"How about you?" I asked. "Problems?"

He shrugged.

"More or less. Nothing I couldn't handle."

"I can believe that," I muttered. "You're definitely not my baby vampire anymore."

He grinned.

"I have no problem being your baby if that's your thing…"

"Again, shut up. Pervert…"

"Yeah, guilty as charged. But seriously speaking, you look very nice, Eva. I hope you can solve your problems and enjoy yourself. I know how much you wanted this."

"Yeah…" I muttered.

He was right; I had wanted this for so long. Why couldn't I enjoy myself? What was stopping me? I had every right to enjoy this gift I had been given. Davina would want me to enjoy this; she had risked her own wellbeing for helping me. We had got to know one another pretty well during the days we had spent together and I considered her my friend. All she and Marcellus had asked for return had been my silence, I couldn't tell anyone about Davina. I had given them my word and I was going to keep it. The thought of going back home felt less and less appealing.

"Listen, can I ask you a favor?" I asked.

"Sure," Damon replied.

"Do you have any cash on you?"

"Yeah, I think so. Why?"

"I need a loan."

If I was going to run away, I couldn't leave any trail. Surely I was nothing but selfish and ungrateful, but right now I didn't care. I was finally going to enjoy myself.