Enzo lifts the bottle to his mouth, finishes what's left, crumples it up, and tosses it in the garbage. Looking at Damon, who's cleaning off the weight lifting bench with disinfectant, he asks, "Are you ready for this?" he gestures with his head to the front door where kids are gathering.
"As ready as I was the last time," Damon chuckles and moves to the next one, quickly wiping it off. He collects his cleaning supplies to put away just as the kids begin to pour into the building. As he's walking to the office, he notices a very special person in his peripheral vision, stopping him in his tracks. He looks up and as if drawn by magnets, she does too, their eyes meeting from across the room. The corners of his mouth lift and he gives her a subtle nod before stepping over the threshold.
Moments later he returns to greet the kids. "Hi guys, it's good to see you again."
"Thanks for agreeing to let us return," Elena interrupts, nodding at Enzo.
"How could I refuse you?" Enzo offers his hand, shaking her gently. "Somehow I have a feeling you've already been introduced to my assistant, Damon."
Very adept at maintaining her composure, Elena doesn't blush when she replies. "Yes, we've met before," her gaze drifts, meeting her husband's.
"Since it looks like we have a bigger group this time, I think we should break up into smaller ones, maybe six kids in each," Enzo starts pulling kids aside to separate them. Damon takes a group over to the weight machines, and instructs them to put on the belts to protect their backs, he demonstrates the proper technique and steps aside to let them have a try.
Enzo takes his group on the mat, separating them into sparring partners. Having been scolded the last time, there are no "I'm going to kill you" uttered this time. The group takes their turns and then moves on to the next piece of equipment while Damon's group moves to the mat. Elena follows them, again smiling at Damon with her eyes when he happens to notice her. Enzo likes what he sees, catching the subtle interaction between the two. Nothing would help Damon more than a bit of encouragement and security from the girl he loves. With a smile and renewed enthusiasm, he turns back to his group. And immediately it crosses his mind how to enliven the event for them. While the kids are on stationary bikes and rowing machines, Enzo pulls Keelin aside to ask her a question.
"Do you think you guys would be interested in using some of our gymnastic apparatus, I have uneven bars and a beam, he points to the corner of his gym. "If Miss... um, you know, your teacher approves?"
"You mean Mrs. Salvatore?"
"Mrs. Salvatore," he turns his head till his gaze lands on her, fighting the urge to open his mouth in shock. She's watching her students, standing near Damon. "Ah ha..." he chuckles. "You know, I was a gymnast when I was a young boy, you want to get on the beam?"
"Can I?"
"Yeah, I'll stand beside you so you don't get hurt," he leads her over to it, tells her to rub her hands in the talc, and lifts her up. "Toe to toe, spread your arms out to balance yourself." He keeps a close eye, his arms are poised to catch her should she tumble but the kid is a natural, even doing a handstand on it before jumping off.
"That wasn't your first time on a beam was it?" He laughs, knowing he's been had.
"Not exactly. You're not mad are you?"
"No," he ruffles her hair and then they walk back to join the group.
"Listen guys, we need to get back to school, Mr. Henry has another field trip that he needs the bus for," Elena announces then turns to Enzo. "Thank you Mr. St. John for allowing us to come, they really love this place."
"No, thank you, Mrs. Salvatore, they're an absolute delight which is a good reflection on you as a teacher."
"You know my name?"
"A little birdie who flies on the balance beam told me."
"It's no secret," Elena shrugs it off. "I'm just going to say goodbye to him," she gestures at Damon with her head. Enzo sweeps his arm aside and bows slightly causing her to snort.
As she approaches him, she sees a hint of what looks like a tattoo through the gap in his sleeveless shirt when he turns just the right way.
"Damon," she speaks to get his attention.
"You leaving?"
"Yeah, we have to go, I just wanted to say thank you, they had a wonderful time."
"They're good kids, Elena. I never doubted your ability."
"Is that a tattoo?" she lifts the left armhole enough to see it. A gasp leaves her lips at the words, 'When reality is finally better than your dreams'. There's an elegant E over his heart with the words beneath it.
"I got it when I left that place."
"Damon," she whispers, she can't help but touch him, laying her palm against his heart. She can actually feel it beating. The position of her body shields the intimate gesture from any onlookers.
The spell is broken when a "Mrs. Salvatore, we gotta go," comes from behind her.
"I'm coming. Bye Damon, I'll see you soon."
"You will," he nods and watches the door till he sees the bus pull away from the curb...
"So, that was Mrs. Salvatore..." Enzo waits for him to start speaking.
"I know what you're thinking, why didn't I tell you the extent of our relationship..." Damon moves to pick a towel off the floor. "Honestly Enzo, I'm not sure I still have the right to be calling her my wife, not after everything I've done."
"Damon, I've been around a long time, I loved Maggie but if I'm honest with myself, I know it was toxic, we were co-dependent on each other, and gave each other excuses to drink. I wish I had seen it before it was too late but I can't change the past, all I or anyone else can do is learn from it."
"I was a horrible person, Enzo. I treated her abysmally. I don't deserve her."
"Listen to me," Enzo places his hands on Damon's shoulders, forcing him to look at him. "The power of love is fierce. It brings hope, yet at times the steps toward it cause pain. We are born to love and with all the necessary courage to walk the path to it, no matter the roughness, no matter the hardship. And what I saw from her today, that was love, there's no doubt in my mind."
"Sometimes my heart beats shallow, sometimes it beats so strong I think my chest will burst, but always it beats only for her."
"That, my friend, is the very definition of love. And just so you know, Elena showed up here before... I think her visit had nothing to do with the kids..." Enzo smirks and drops his arms. "Come, let's have a celebratory root beer."
"You're the boss," Damon chuckles and follows him into his office.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Salvatore, one registered letter for you today...," he hands her the mail with a smile and Elena almost gasps at the change.
A very welcome one.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Salvatore," she returns. She'd gladly kiss him right here and now. She won't. But she feels ridiculously giddy.
He watches her sign the form and considers how to ask...
She looks up expectantly and he can't not. "Are you... possibly free on Saturday?"
"Yes," she almost stops breathing.
"Let's say...," he miraculously finds his groove, "if it's alright, I'll come around 2 pm and we can... well, we can do whatever you want?"
"Let's make it an hour earlier, I'll make us lunch and we can... talk if you feel like that. Or we can just go hiking for a few hours like we used to?"
"Okay," he nods in a daze. "I'll be here. I promise," he adds quickly and hopes it will be enough.
"Okay... and if you can't, if something comes up, please call me?"
He nods again and knows nothing will stop him from doing so. He gathers his things and moves a few steps backward. "I have another session on Friday."
She knows he wants to let her know he's still trying. Giving him one last smile she quickly goes back inside or she won't be able to let him go.
Saturday can't come soon enough. The week's moving slowly, he wishes he could sleep through the days and get it to go by faster. If only...
"Damon, it's been a while. Do you want to stop by for dinner?"
He was considering going to the gym for a few hours, it'd help him calm his nerves but it's true that he's been dodging family evenings for some time now and they're just as much of a distraction as getting a beating from Enzo.
Yep, that was definitely sarcasm.
"Sure Dad, will it be just us, you, me, and Mom, or...?"
"Kat's here and Stefan may stop by, lately Rebekah's stomach doesn't tolerate the smell of certain foods and he doesn't want to add to her misery, so we thought he might pay us a visit whenever he likes to keep his belly full."
Yeah, he certainly needs it. He rolls his eyes, his erstwhile brother should instead stick with his wife and give her some comfort. Is it just him or does his father sound tentative? Maybe he isn't a fan of Stefan's approach either.
"Okay, Dad, I'll be there in an hour, just need to hop in the shower and I'll be on my way."
Looks like he's in for a fun evening.
The smell when he enters the house is unmistakable. It's his favorite salmon recipe, it gives him a good feeling that tonight his mom's cooking for him. Screw Stefan and Katherine.
"I'm so glad you showed up, I'm making...," Lily gives him a warm hug and he squeezes her tightly for a moment.
"Garlic butter baked salmon with asparagus, I know, and it smells heavenly," he carefully releases her from his arms and follows her into the kitchen. "So, is Stefan here?"
"Yes, they're all in the living room, you can join them."
"I'm in no hurry, Mom, I'd rather keep you company."
He helps her with the finishing touches and then goes to gather the rest of the family.
"She's a sweetheart but I'm worried I might say something, the wrong thing, she's a little oversensitive these days...," his brother's just saying when Damon enters the living room. He fights the urge to roll his eyes. Katherine, luckily, is nowhere in sight.
"Maybe she's trying to hide the fact she feels sick every time she's in the same room with you," Damon quips.
Stefan raises his eyes and frowns. "I didn't know you were invited?" He turns to their dad for an explanation.
Giuseppe decides rather to ignore their antics and reaches for Damon to give him a proper hug. "Hello, son. You look good."
"Thanks, I try. Dinner's ready, Mom says we can have it outside."
"I'm glad you still go to the meetings, Damon, it will do you good." It's after dinner, they're still sitting outside and Stefan makes a point of demonstratively declining a beer.
How thoughtful.
"Yeah, I'm glad I can make you happy, brother."
"You don't have to be sarcastic all the time, Damon. And it's not for me, it's for your own good."
"Your point? Of course, I'm doing this for myself. And for Elena," he adds, he doesn't even know why.
Stefan frowns, he does that often. "Speaking of... I've been planning to ask you," he clears his throat and it's obvious he's not eager to talk about whatever has him tongue-tied.
"Yes?" he asks when nothing comes from his brother's mouth.
"I was wondering if you'll be wanting your house back, now that you've returned... or at least some sort of compensation?"
"What are you talking about?" Damon isn't sure where this is heading but suddenly, he experiences a sense of dread, inherently knowing he won't like where Stefan's going with this.
"Well, to put it succinctly, we live in your house..," Stefan admits, squirming. "Do you want it back? Or..."
"You have our old house?" Damon needs confirmation, he had no clue. "And you didn't pay Elena for it?"
"It was too big for Elena and you didn't seem to be in any hurry to get back here," Katherine delivers dramatically as she enters the room, Elijah behind her. His nephew immediately smiles and wants to run to him, Katherine, however, dampens his enthusiasm by laying her hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Yeah, and it makes sense we're starting a family now, our old place was too little," Stefan supports her. "You two aren't even together," he adds defiantly.
"Let me get this straight," Damon gives them both a look. "So, you moved into our house, Elena was tasked with finding herself a new one and you didn't pay a cent for it? Whose wonderful idea was that, may I ask?"
"Don't make it a big deal, Damon. Elena agreed it was too big for her alone and she didn't want any money. Why would he pay her anything, anyway? It was your house, she was just a student who moved in when you bought it. We do make the mortgage payments."
"She was... and is my wife. And not exactly, I signed over the rights to the house to her when I entered the facility. It's her house now."
"Are you mad? You're saying Stefan's house is..."
"It's never been Stefan's house!" Damon gives his brother a hard look. To say both of his siblings are in shock is an understatement.
Katherine tries to save her face, switching the topic.
"Anyway, you and I have something else to discuss...," She quickly bends to whisper in Elijah's ear and the boy runs away.
Damon's fuse is lit as he watches the boy disappear.
"Not in front of him, I told him to see what grandma has for him in the kitchen. You and I," she gets back to what she was saying, "have things to discuss. I thought we were family. And then I find out from my son that my own brother consorts with my... with the man that abandoned his family? What kind of brother betrays his only sister?"
This evening turns out to be more challenging than he's willing to accept and lets loose. His temper rains down on her with all the fury of a hail storm. "You mean the sister that does everything in her power to ruin my marriage? The same one who doesn't even blink when forcing Elena out of her home and endlessly gets on my nerves? And you want me to believe that Nik was the one who betrayed his family? He's a man, damn it, not a fucking kid that needs to be lectured to all the time and I'd lay odds that you do to him the same as you do to me. If you weren't my sister, I wouldn't have any reason to even listen to you. I may be a disappointment but I own my mistakes. Can you say the same?"
He gets up, fuming inside. He shoots daggers at Stefan, "You and I will be having a conversation about the house soon...And you..," his gaze falls on Katherine like an act of violence, a glare with the power to stop her heart. She doesn't dare utter a peep, "Until you realize you can't treat people like dust under your shoes, I'm - done."
Giuseppe, who left to help Lily with dishes earlier and now's bringing ice cream returns to see his youngest son once again storm out of the house.
Feeling mutinous, Damon drives around for a half hour, finally ending up at the gym. It's early yet and the open sign is still lit up in the window. After parking his car, he jogs across the street and goes inside. Enzo looks over his shoulder and nods when Damon points to his office.
Opening the refrigerator, he grabs a can of Mt. Dew, pops the top, and moves over to the window, staring at the street lights while he waits for his friend. Twenty minutes pass before he hears the door creak, looking over his shoulder, he nods at Enzo and moves to sit down.
"That look on your face is the same one you had when you barreled into me that night. I take it as great progress that we're sharing a soda instead," Enzo remarks, grabbing one for himself.
Damon laughs and clinks their cans together. "I'm far from perfect, Enzo, but I don't deliberately go out of my way to stir up trouble. Katherine's never liked Elena, never. I'm seven years older than her, the day we got engaged, I brought her home to celebrate and it couldn't have backfired more spectacularly. I love my siblings but there's only so much a man can take."
"Obviously I don't know Elena well, at all really but I get the impression that she's a great lady."
"She is, Enzo, she's the kindest, most forgiving, most compassionate person I've ever known. I've only ever been in love with her."
"So why do they dislike her?"
"Because I'm a lawyer by trade, she was a "mousy brunette" who follows her own path. Mostly though, I think it all boils down to the fact that Elena doesn't allow them to walk all over her."
"You need to think of yourself and Elena, that's the most important," he takes a swallow. "Don't let their meddling push you over the edge."
"There was a time, I would have drank a bottle of Jack just to forget, but right now, that's the last thing I want to do because you're right, "Elena's wellbeing and my own have to be my priority..."
"Now you're talking," Enzo says encouragingly, lifting his can to his mouth again.
Damon smiles then drops his eyes to his lap where his hands are cradling his soda. He realizes it's been years since he stood up to someone, sure about himself. He knows who he is now. It feels good...
He still has the AA meeting tomorrow then he can finally see her.
Thank you all! You're amazing.
Thank you, Eva, Kate, and Sarah. You're all awesome.
There are still a good number of chapters left to post. I'll probably cut to one chapter a week in December as I'll have the holiday story running, too. I don't want to put this one on hiatus again.
Have a wonderful weekend.
