The room is quiet, filled with a tense silence. This is it, the last few minutes of freedom before Damon has to take his place at the altar and watch Katherine walk down that aisle. The wedding planner just left the room after informing him that the ceremony is scheduled to begin in less than fifteen minutes.
Instead of downing a celebratory shot of his favorite bourbon, all he gets is Stefan staring at him.
"You look like you're about to make the dead man's last walk. You know, the debt all men pay..."
"You would look the same if you were marrying that shrew," Damon scoffs sarcastically.
Stefan sighs deeply. "I love Dad, but this isn't his life you're throwing away, it's yours."
"I don't want to talk about him."
Stefan walks toward him with a determined look in his eyes. "You give me the word and I'll put an end to this charade and smooth things over with Dad. I don't want to see you miserable for the rest of your life." He rests his hands on Damon's shoulders. "It isn't rocket science, Damon. Say the word."
All of the guests are seated downstairs waiting for him and Katherine. With ease, he removes Stefan's hands from his shoulders and steps back. "I appreciate the offer, but it's too late to call it off now."
"You're wrong. It's not too late till the 'I do' leaves your mouth."
A knock on the door jolts Damon, and his head jerks around just in time to see his father stick his head in and say the words that would "It's time."
Stefan grabs Damon's arm and said, "You don't have to do this."
"Yes, I do, Stefan," Damon gives him a nod and follows his father out of the door where they take their place at the altar as the orchestra begins to play and the soloist, Honoria Fell steps up to the microphone.
I love you truly, truly dear
Life with its sorrow, life with its tear
Fades into dreams when I feel you are near
For I love you truly Truly dear.
"There's our cue," Walter Pierce sticks out his arm for Katherine. "Can't you smile?"
"You know I wanted to get married at Moraine Farm. You've had everything else your own way. I should never have given in to Damon on this. It'll be the last time," Katherine scowls as the solo ends and the bridal march begins.
With everyone's attention on the festivities, no one notices Elena and her father slip into the Pierce Mansion. They stop at the doorway as Katherine and her father begin to walk down the aisle.
Grayson winks at Elena. He waves his arms and summons a ruthless gale. It hammers through the house with the strength of a hurricane. People are screaming and clamoring. They're tossed around violently as if they're nothing more than toy soldiers.
Fangs of wind rip at Damon as he clings to the staircase banister. "Shut the door," he yells above the melee and braces against the violent gusts as he goes to help them.
"What was that?" Damon asks when he and the others manage to push it shut.
"My veil is ruined!" Katherine screams as she glares at Damon with frosty eyes.
Damon approaches.
"I'm terribly sorry, everyone. There will be a short delay," Walter states as the men begin to pick up the overturned chairs and set them upright. "Music, music! Sing something, Honoria," he demands.
The woman nods and starts to sing with the orchestra.
I love you truly, truly dear
Life with its sorrow, life with its tear
Fades into dreams when I feel you are near
For I love you truly Truly dear.
"That's all I needed: a hurricane on my wedding day," Damon remarks as he and his father climb the stairs to return to the room.
"Never mind about that. She just blew in!" Giuseppe states harshly.
"What?" Damon asks incredulously.
"I saw her in the doorway."
"Maybe this is a sign," Damon shakes his head as he opens the room's door. His mouth is agape to find Elena and an older man inside.
"Damon, this is my father," Elena smiles as she introduces them.
"Delighted, Master Salvatore," Grayson offers his hand and shakes Damon's.
"You're not supposed to be here..." Damon looks at Elena.
"It's rather crowded downstairs, and a bit windy. Be seated, Master Salvatore. I should like to have a talk with you," Grayson points to a seat as he sits down.
"I'm getting married in a few minutes."
"I understand those were your plans," Grayson smiles at Elena.
"What do you mean, were my plans?" Damon retorts curiously.
"Would you excuse us?" Grayson nudges Giuseppe out of the room.
"Hurry up, Damon," Giuseppe scolds as the door is pushed shut.
"You see, Father? He's just like a Greek god," Elena swoons as she lays her head on Damon's shoulder.
"My little one tells me she was your overnight guest."
"Not at my invitation," Damon counters nervously when he catches the outline of a gun in the older man's pocket.
"Oh, no, Father. The poor sweet didn't want me to stay," Elena confirms as she runs her hands over Damon's chest.
"Were I an ordinary man, Master Salvatore a horsewhipping would no doubt be in order. But I am not an ordinary man. While examining your dwelling, I came upon... this," Grayson pulls the gun out of his pocket.
"What are you doing with that?" Damon points at the pistol as a frisson of fear rockets up his spine.
"I have my reasons."
"You can't force me to marry Elena."
"What a banal mind you have. You may hold the weapon," Grayson extends his hand to Damon.
"What do you want?" Damon looks at him curiously and takes the revolver.
"It's very simple, here is a bruised flower," Grayson points to Elena who's clinging lovingly to Damon's arm. "I am her father."
"It's getting hot in here." Damon loosens his tie.
"Master Salvatore, you don't know what hot is. I am told one of your forebearers made a hobby of bonfires. What a pity he cannot be here to see his descendant burn."
Elena scowls at her father, wondering what he's up to.
"Watch his descendant burn? What is this all about?" Damon states incredulously as he sets the gun down on the end table.
Grayson smiles deviously as he drops his eyes to the gun. "Pistol, pistol, let there be murder in the first degree."
Damon watches in shock as the gun turns by itself and fires. His eyes barely register the flicker of light before the cracking sound strikes him like a slap. The burning smell of powder wafts through the air. In the sudden silence following, he freezes until he remembers to breathe.
"What's happened?" Giuseppe bursts into the room.
"It...it was an accident! The gun fired by itself." Damon looks at his father in shock.
"Oh, he's frightened you." Elena tries to soothe Damon. "He told me he'd help me."
Damon lets out an anxious breath. "How is he?" he asks as his father stoops down to check the older man's pulse. And as Grayson lays his fingers on the old man's neck, a white plume of smoke rises unseen.
"He's dead."
Elena brushes off his concern. "It doesn't matter."
"Doesn't matter? Your own father!" Damon looks at her aghast.
Elena shakes her head. "Darling, that's not my father. It's just a body he picked up."
"I didn't do it, Father! You'll be my witness!"
"I didn't see it." Giuseppe counters as he glares at Elena.
Damon groans as he hurries out of the room and down the staircase.
As the orchestra begins the bridal march, Giuseppe leads him to the altar to wait for Katherine.
With her father at her side, the brunette scrunches up her face as Walter nudges her forward...
Elena gives the old man's body a shove. "Empty! I thought I saw smoke come out." She begins to pace the room. "I know you're here somewhere. How could you, Father? You know I love him!"
"That's exactly why I've disposed of him."
"Where are you?" Elena fumes as anger rises in her like the incoming tide.
"For tonight I'll merry, merry be. For tonight I'll merry, merry be. For tonight I'll merry, merry be, tomorrow I'll be sober," Walter cackles as Elena notices the smoke-filled bourbon bottle.
"Come out of that bottle!" Elena demands.
"I could float here forever," he laughs infuriating his daughter even more.
Elena picks up the gun and aims at the bottle. "Well, you're not going to..."
The reverberating sound of the gunfire fills the room.
A woman shrieks loudly and faints while others duck, taking cover.
Damon eyes snap to the second-floor doorway.
"Damon, don't go up there," Giuseppe cautions.
"What if she killed herself?" Damon calls over his shoulder as he mounts the stairs, two at a time.
"What's wrong with him?" Walter demands to know as a disgruntled Katherine looks on.
"I think we'd better call the police." Giuseppe pulls his handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes his brow.
"What's he done?" Katherine demands an answer.
"It's the old man," he clarifies.
"What old man? What are you talking about?" Walter counters as his face reddens in fury.
"The one in the chair. Keep calm. I'll be right back," Giuseppe hurries up the stairs.
Simmering with anger, Katherine slams her bouquet on the floor and storms out of the room.
"Katherine!" Walter calls aloud as he points at Honoria before chasing after his daughter.
I love you truly, truly dear
Life with its sorrow, life with its tear
Fades into dreams when I feel you are near
For I love you truly Truly dear.
"Now, you get back in that body!" Elena demands as she stares at the smoke plume hovering in the air.
"No. I didn't like it. It's an old, fat body."
"Then I'll tell Damon what we are," She threatens as she narrows her eyes at him.
"Knowing what would then happen to you?" Grayson retorts acerbically.
"Yes!" Elena hisses.
Grayson calls her bluff. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh, wouldn't I?" Elena counters as Damon and Giuseppe rush into the room.
"You're all right? Thank God," Damon grips her arms as he scrutinizes her, not noticing the puffs of smoke that enter the old man's body.
"Damon, darling, there's something I must tell you."
Damon glances at the chair and gasps when Grayson winks at him. "I thought you said he was dead!" He looks at his father.
"A fine way to take advantage of a father's affection," Grayson bellows drunkenly as he rises to his feet. "Now harken to a father's curse. I'm going to turn you into a frog." He raises his finger at Damon.
"Frog, frog, sitting on a log," he pauses as he searches his mind for the rest of the spell. Grayson glares at Damon. "You wait till I sober up." He stumbles back toward the open French doors. "You'll be sorry." he threatens as he tumbles over the railing and lands on the soft grass below.
Elena and Damon run to the French doors and look down as cops are tossing him a squad car. "If I could remember the words," he slurs, "I'd turn you into kangaroos," he yells as they slam the door closed and drive away with him.
"They're taking him somewhere," Elena gushes as she smiles happily at Damon.
"Why didn't I have them take you too?" he mumbles, watching until the police car becomes smaller in the distance.
"Perhaps because you're beginning to love me?"
Damon stares at her. Elena is simply stunning as if her features have been carved by angels. Her eyes melt him with the facade of rich chocolate but in truth, they're the rocks against the shore that destroy ships. He shakes himself out of the trance at the sound of her voice.
"Damon! I thought Father would be friendly. I wouldn't let him or anyone else harm you," Elena grips the lapels on his tuxedo. "Last night I was your enemy, but now I've changed. I love you. I'll always love you. If I could die, I would do that for you."
Elena wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him closer. Just as their lips are about to meet, Giuseppe bursts into the room.
"Hey, they're ready," he announces as he stares at Elena with contempt.
"Goodbye, Elena," Damon follows his father to the door.
"Where are you going?" Elena grabs onto his arm to stop him.
"I told you before."
"But I thought that now, after all, I've done for you."
"Elena, you're amazing and beautiful, but now I'm going downstairs to marry Katherine..." Damon lingers another moment before walking out of the door.
Damon stands at the altar. He sees all their family, friends, Walter's political connections, and others who are here just to be able to say they attended the "Wedding of the Year."
His tie feels too tight, the large room feels like it's closing in on him. He glances at Stefan.
Damon thinks about his relationship with Katherine and how it has never felt right, not even with all the encouragement from his father as he and Walter pushed them together.
He catches a glimpse of Giuseppe who is beaming and yet suddenly everything feels wrong now that he's met Elena.
Before Damon has time to consider more, the parlor doors open and the music begins. He forces all thoughts out of his mind and watches the flower girl scatter rose petals as she marches down the aisle and is quickly followed by the bridesmaids.
The temple of the music kicks up as Katherine and her father begin to approach him. Damon feels an explosion of anxiety creeping up his chest. His hands are sweaty and a weight settles over his lungs. As he struggles to suck in a breath, he wonders if this is what drowning feels like.
As the bundle of white comes toward him, Katherine's face morphs into that of Elena. As he stares at her, Damon finally understands that Katherine was never the right choice for him, nor is he the right one for her.
His mind snaps back to the present as Katherine draws closer. She's beautiful, but in his mind, it's Elena he wants to see dressed in white and standing beside him.
Katherine's fake smile hardens as she takes in Damon's face. It's like he's staring right through her. She steps beside him and glares angrily as he turns to face her.
"I'm sorry," a whisper leaves his lips and he sees fury burning in Katherine's eyes.
"Don't you dare!"
"You don't love me anymore than I love you. This is for the best...and you know that, too. I'm truly sorry, Katherine," Damon whispers one last time before he turns and practically leaps out the side door. The shocked gasps echoing aloud fuel him to move faster.
He needs to see Elena.
Lots of love and many thanks to you all, especially Eva, Kate, O, Sarah, and Jarka.
Chapter title: Witchy Woman by The Eagles.
So I went to 'Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny'. I can't say I hated it but I can't say I liked it either.
Have a wonderful day everyone.