Nothing Good Starts in a Getaway Car

Caroline smiled as she pressed send on an email and took a sip of her Sprite, before heading back to the Excel spreadsheet on her laptop that'd she'd been using to plan Bonnie's surprise birthday party. She'd already picked the color scheme, ordered decorations, selected a caterer, and now she was working on the guest list to send out invitations.

Her fingers tapped against her table at the Grill, and she took her AirPods out when she saw Elena Gilbert approaching, with her hair in a messy bun and an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants under her jeans jacket, before she sat down across from her, placing her hand bag down.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. Got held up," she said as Caroline stopped typing. "What's up?"

"Nothing. How you've been? I haven't heard from you since New Years. I was starting to think you went off the grid."

"I'm not, just busy. With work," Elena replied. "How are you?"

"Great, I'm… planning Bonnie's 30th actually and I wanted to see if you were interested in helping," she said optimistically, as the brunette bit her lip. "I basically have everything done, and I know you two still aren't on speaking terms, but she'll be back in three weeks, and I figured this would be good for you two—"

"I don't think she wants me planning her birthday, Caroline," Elena said as the blonde scrunched her brows. "Like you said—we aren't on speaking terms—and I think I made myself pretty clear that I didn't want anything to do with their relationship."

"What, when you slapped him at a rave?" she asked bluntly and Elena didn't respond, "Seriously? That wasn't cool."

"I know. And I'm sorry. I'll get around to apologizing, once he gives me the last ten years of my life back," she snapped, and Caroline sighed. "Why am I here, Caroline? You can't really think that I would want anything to do with celebrating Bonnie and Damon's relationship, do you?"

"This party isn't about their relationship. It's about Bonnie—your best friend of 29 years and it would mean so much to her if you were involved. We always celebrate our birthday's together, Elena. Just because she's with Damon now, doesn't mean things have to change."

"But everything has changed, Caroline… He was my boyfriend… and she was my sister, we were inseparable… And now? They're together. They are quite literally on a honeymoon tour in Italy, basking in the glow of their perfect relationship and what, I'm just supposed to pretend that, that doesn't bother me? Because it does, Caroline. It hurts, a lot. I feel humiliated."

"And I'm sorry about the way that you found because I agree—you deserved to hear it from Damon and Bonnie, not see it, up against his Camaro in her driveway," Caroline said softly. "It's allowed to bother you. Of course, you're allowed to feel something about this, Elena… You wouldn't be you if you didn't."

"But?" she asked, as Caroline took in a deep breath and folded her hands as she met her doe-like eyes. "Because if I know you, I know that there's more to say, so just say it. I can take it."

Caroline lowered her tone, though her voice remained even and firm.

"I know that's it's probably upsetting to hear it but as your friend, I have to be honest about what I've seen, okay? You and Damon…. were a toxic relationship. You hated each other after a certain point. You didn't want to be with him any more than he wanted to be with you, and I get it; he wasted your time and he should've been honest with you from the start about his feelings for Bonnie—he is at fault for that. But you weren't happy either, Elena. You stopped having sex, you didn't go anywhere together, and when you did it was miserable for everyone, because all two you did was fight. It was like you both got off on how much you could hurt each other. So, yeah, excuse me for not understanding why you're so upset about them being together—and being happy; I feel like I'm missing a major piece of this puzzle. Because quite frankly? When Damon dumped you, he did you a favor. Because you are so much better off and so is he and I guess I just think that… the only possible reason why you could still be so upset is because… you still love him; you're still in love with him," Caroline assessed carefully but the second the words passed her lips, she hoped they weren't the truth. "Please tell me you're not still in love with Damon, Elena."

There was a long silence between the two as Elena looked down at her menu; her fingers grazing against the pages for a moment before she spoke in a voice so soft, Caroline had to tune out all of the background noise in the restaurant just to hear her.

"He was there for me, Caroline, when my parents died," she said, swallowing hard and looking up, with heavy dark lashes. "When I thought I lost everything, and I couldn't find a way to get out of bed in the morning after the accident that killed them—and almost me too—I still had him. He kept me going. He made sure that I ate and paid the bills and didn't drop out of my classes because he knew how much I wanted to be a doctor, just like my Dad was… He helped Jeremy with his college applications and convinced him to go for that baseball scholarship, at University of Denver… He knew about all of my hopes and dreams, and how badly I wanted so much better for my brother—I didn't want him to get stuck in this place, and become depressed, like I was. And I guess I just thought it didn't matter how much we fought—how many screaming matches we had gotten into over the years over fucking nonsense—because we had that. We had this bond over our grief, and he made me happy to be alive… He made me want to be alive; I couldn't have done it, without him… So, even after we broke up, I thought he'd always still be there, you know? No matter how much time had passed, and wherever our lives took us, I thought one day he'd come to his senses. And maybe—just maybe—he'd realize I was the one who got away… And he'd finally be mature, and ready to start over again and do things the right way. Because he always came back to me… No matter how far I pushed him away… And because of that I loved him, Caroline. I still do. And I hate that I do—because it makes me feel like a moron. Because he doesn't love me—not in the same way, he was just co-dependent. And didn't like to lose people, after he lost his mom. He didn't keep coming back to me because he wanted to; he did it because I was a bad fucking habit. So, I guess I wasted ten years of his life then too, right?"

There was a long silence between them, and Caroline sighed as she shook her head.

"You're… not a moron, Elena. You fell for someone who was there for you, when you needed it the most… We've all done that. I mean, I dated Alaric after Bill died—that just screams Daddy Issues," she said as Elena sniffled with a soft laugh, and Caroline smiled though a tear rolled down her cheek. "You and Damon—you didn't know any better than co-dependency and you were dealing with pretty fucked up family situations… It's normal to mistake that comfort for something more… And it's okay to be upset, thinking back on it."

"Not the kind of upset that I feel," she revealed, and Caroline pursed her lips. "Because I just… can't believe that all the signs were there—the fact that he was so in love with her, already—and I was just too wrapped up in my own shit to see it… He loves her, Caroline, and there's nothing I can do to change that even if I wanted to. And you know what? A part of me does want to, as fucked up as that makes me—because Bonnie is… She's one of the best people I've ever known and even while being angry with her, I know that she never purposely wanted to hurt me. She never has, in 29 years. And I can't pretend like she's never been a good friend to me, because she has… She's a huge reason why I was able to keep it together, too. She's never given up on me; not even now. She texted me to wish me a Happy New Year."

"She hasn't given up, Elena, and that's why you should talk—to get all of this out in the open, so you two can understand each other better. And get back to a place where you trust one another. I know it sounds impossible, but things don't have to end here—"

"But they should. Because she shouldn't trust me," Elena said, and Caroline's heart pounded at that and she shook her head as she followed Elena's eyes. "Because if they broke up tomorrow, and he came running, I know what I would do… I would still take Damon back, in a heartbeat."

"Elena…"

"I can't lie. And I can't be happy for them, Care. I can't be friends with Bonnie knowing that her boyfriend just might have been the love of my life, but I lost him... because I never really had him to begin with."

Caroline frowned at that and she grabbed Elena's hands from across the table as she rubbed them softly. She couldn't deny how defeated she looked, as the usually well-put-together girl before her resembled somewhat of an acute mess, at just 4 o'clock in the afternoon. She was still beautiful—she always had been so effortlessly gorgeous—but it was clear to tell that whatever had been going on in her head since seeing Damon and Bonnie hooking up that night hadn't stopped, because she looked like she was still haunted.

But before Caroline could respond, they were greeted by a bubbly brunette with bright green eyes, who slid into the seat beside her with a clipboard and briefcase in hand as she issued them both a smile and set her things on the table. Elena gently pulled her hands away from Caroline's and cleared her throat as she still followed her sullen eyes.

"Hi ladies, sorry I'm late. I've been working my ass off trying to get people to sign this damn petition to get Bonnie her job back before the Fall," Nora said, before she slid the clipboard in Elena's direction with an expectant look. "Speaking of which—I still need your John Hancock, Ms. Gilbert."

Elena looked at Caroline, who stared at her just as expectantly and Elena sighed before she wordlessly picked up a pen and signed it, much to Nora's delight, before she took it back and flipped through the pages of signatures.

"How many more do you need to get her suspension lifted?" Caroline asked in a hopeful tone and Nora exhaled a deep breath.

"For them to take me seriously? About double what I have. Alaric's doing his best as well, trying to rally the men on the faculty for a protest but… I guess we'll see what's going to happen... Anyway, what have I missed? Are we still working on the guest list for Bonnie's party? I'm excited."

"We are, and I am too," Caroline started with a optimistic smile that immediately dropped when Elena stood up and grabbed her bag. "Hey… where are you going?"

"It looks like you and Nora have got this covered. I'm gonna go home—I'm not feeling well. Good luck with the list," Elena said as she walked off quickly and Nora met Caroline's eyes with a confused stare.

"What was that all about? Aren't you guys like a little trifecta?"

Caroline sighed as she pushed her blonde waves back and found her glare. Nora had only been friends with Bonnie for a little over year or so, since she came to Mystic Falls from California and started at Whitmore. She was one of Bonnie's good friends are as far co-workers went but even after the fight between Damon and Enzo, Nora was still pretty clueless because no one had briefed her on how Elena was involved in this mess, too, and she figured if the girl was about to help her plan a party, she might as well be filled in on all the dirty details of the truth. She could consider this Nora's official inauguration into the group.

When the waiter stopped at their table, Caroline ordered two martinis and Nora cocked a brow, as she closed her laptop and let out a deep breath before she faced her.

"I guess I might as well get you caught up on everything that you don't know about all of this... Do you have a few hours to spare?"

XXXXX

"Which one do you think I should wear tomorrow? This one," Bonnie held up a simple but chic black cocktail dress, "Or this one?" she asked, as she held up a sexier but also sophisticated, cream off the shoulder cashmere one. "I still cannot believe that Matt's gonna propose to Sarah," she said giddily as Damon unbuttoned his shirt eh. "It's sweet that he talked you about it with Giuseppe and Gail—he was probably super nervous, wasn't he?"

"He was, I almost felt bad… I thought he was gonna burst a blood vessel at the breakfast table," Damon recalled that very morning, when Bonnie and Sarah decided to go out on the town for the day at Matt's urging to spend some quality time because low and behold, he was planning on proposing to his sister tomorrow, on their final night here before heading back to the states, and he wanted to talk to her family about it beforehand.

Bonnie was right—Matt was batshit nervous as he asked for their permission to ask for Sarah's hand in marriage, but he did well, considering there were no objections between the three, and he even revealed—mostly to Damon—that he was officially putting in his two weeks with the bar, because he had passed all of the tests and had gotten into the Mystic Falls Police Academy; he would be starting as a deputy in training, shortly after returning home from Italy, and Damon was going to have to hire a new bartender when he opened back up.

Damon had to admit, he was happy but also a little bit saddened; he would miss him around the bar as much as he annoyed him because Matt was a good guy, who'd come from a rough upbringing, with an absentee dad and mother who passed away, leaving him to care for his younger sister Vicki, his entire life growing up. The two had, had some deep conversations and had undoubtedly gotten closer thanks to this trip, and Damon related to him in some ways because he understood the pressure of how much it could be on one kid to be basically parenting for another. But he also knew Matt had been through far more trying experiences than he had, because the Salvatore's had at least always been privileged enough to always have a roof over their heads and food to eat, while Matt got a job at 14 years old to help his father pay the bills and make ends meet.

It had—secretly—been one of the reasons why Damon paid him so well and even promoted him to a shift manager at the bar; because the kid was a hustler, and always found a way to make something out of the little that he had been given. Matt had the work ethic, drive, and most importantly the morals to be someone who could go far in his life and Damon was proud of him, despite all of the shit he'd given him—and Sarah, for dating him— because Matt helped him put his own life into perspective. He may have loved to bust his chops but ultimately, he was honored and happy he hadn't been able to scare him off. Sarah deserved the best, and as much as he hated to admit it, Matt was it.

And he was happy he was going to have another brother after all of this. One who didn't actually fucking hate him, this time.

Bonnie's voice drew him slowly out of his thoughts.

"You almost felt bad?" Bonnie snorted and Damon shrugged.

"What? It's still Donovan. I can't go completely soft."

"You're an asshole," she said shaking her head and he smiled before pointing at the cream-colored cashmere dress, and Bonnie nodded as she held it up in front of her. "Yeah? This one?"

"Absolutely. You're gonna look like a sex-kitten and I personally can't wait."

"The idea is to not take the attention off of your sister," she replied, and Damon scoffed as he unzipped his pants and folded them quickly before tossing them with his things as well. "Maybe I'll find out what she's wearing first and then I'll work around that."

"Or maybe you can just accept the fact that you turn a lot of heads, anywhere you go, whether you're in a two-piece string bikini, or a burlap sack, because you're beautiful," Damon said and Bonnie pursed her lips at that as she bit back a smile and he plopped onto the king size guest bed at his parent's house. "So, like I said—go with the sex-kitten look. You know you want to drive me crazy."

Bonnie licked her teeth at that as she placed both dresses down on the chair and approached him in her pajamas. She lands both hands on his bare chest and smoothed down to his abs, as Damon looked at her knowingly before he grabbed her firmly at the hips. His thumbs slowly caressed her against her skin, beneath her flannel shirt.

"Is that an order? You know how I feel about you getting bossy."

"You fucking love it, you little freak," he whispered, and she laughed at as she bit her lip and Damon pulled her in even closer, as his lips pressed to ear. "You hate when I tell you what to do in real life but in the bedroom… I'm inclined to say you are kind of a submissive, Bonnie Bennett."

Bonnie scoffed at that as she shook her head and pulled back slightly.

"Hold up— I am not a submissive. Ever. From what I recall, you've let me tie you up a few times. And I'm on top a lot... And have you seen the bruises and scratches I've given you?"

"Yeah, because you know that I like that... You're very eager to please," he said, and she furrowed her brows. "What? It's not a bad thing! I mean personally, I love a good bossy lady—which you are, in regular life situations—however in the sack you're different. You like a little bit of pain and some punishment… You like to lose control but also be controlled. And I'm totally into it, just so you know. I have never spanked someone, so much in my life, and it's fucking hot—"

"Take it back," she nudged him with her index, as she spoke between her teeth and Damon snorted with a roll of his eyes. "Seriously—"

"No way! I'm the dom, you're the sub, it's just the circle of life and the way that it is—"

"You know, Caroline told me months ago I should've had this conversation with you," Bonnie folded her arms. "She said you would assume you were the dom because of all of the things I let you do in bed."

"Because I am, duh, also… you talked about this with Caroline? You know she's my sister-in-law, right?"

"Yeah, well, she's also my best friend, so I get dibs. She knows everything."

"Everything?"

"Everything," Bonnie verified with a wink and his mind flash backed to some of the freakier moments in bed with Bonnie and he scratched his jaw as he tried to think if there were any that were particularly obscene—there were definitely a few he chuckled at, himself.

"So…. Everything... Like the fact that I went down on you ten times in one day and you came—every single time," he said and Bonnie rolled her eyes at the unfortunate truth but she nodded, and Damon's cheeks formed into a gloating smile.

"She was thrilled. She knows how hard that was for me, in all of my past relationships," she said, because it was true; Damon had made her orgasm more in the past few months than she had with the six other guys combined… "She's a fan of the fact you always make sure that I'm satisfied," Bonnie quoted, and his gloating grin expanded even more. "Honestly, you're so annoying."

"I know I am. So, tell me more," he inched up and Bonnie sighed with a smile as he pulled her in again.

"Like what?"

"Like… Blondie knows that we're having sex without condoms and I don't pull out anymore so, we're basically serving up the cream cocktail—pun intended—"

"I think I just threw up in my mouth—"

"… To have a kid, even though neither one of us wants kids right now," he finished, and Bonnie bit her lip and nodded as his eyes went wide in disbelief. "Wait, so she knows, and hasn't arranged for my vasectomy? What gives?"

"She thinks we are insane for not taking more precautions, but… she also thinks that we would deal with whatever happens, when it happens… right?" she asked softly and Damon focused his eyes on her at that, as Bonnie swallowed hard. "I just mean, because I'm religious—or whatever—and I think every woman has the right to choose… But I wouldn't not have it—"

"I know," he said softly, and Bonnie's lips pressed shut as a long silence passed between them and he looked down briefly before looking back into her eyes. "I wouldn't expect you not to keep it, I… think you'd be a great mom, Bennett," he added, and Bonnie didn't say a word in response, as his fingers slowly pushed back her wavy curls and she watched his soft pink lips. "And me, as a dad, I mean, I'd probably suck—forget the baby at the supermarket, or Target, or something—"

"You wouldn't suck, Damon," she shook her head offered a calm and supportive smile. "I think… you'd actually make an awesome dad."

"Me?" he asked in disbelief. "I drink a lot. I'm impulsive, I tend to overthink things, I'm reckless, as all hell—"

" But you're patient when you want to be—I mean, you waited for me, for 12 years… and you never stopped loving me that entire time even when I was about to marry someone else; your love is unconditional, Damon, and… You can put other people first… You do so with me and Stefan all the time…You're protective—like how you are with Sarah. And you… have a softness, Damon, that I don't think that you realize that you have… I saw it the other night, when you talked to your dad," she revealed, and he gulped down and didn't say a word. "He felt so bad about himself, because of how much you took onto your plate as a kid. But you forgave him… You showed him kindness, when he just wanted to take the blame and he needed that… He needed you to forgive him… Just like you needed to hear that he was proud of you," Bonnie said as her hands smoothed up to his cheeks and Damon's eyes continued to stare straight into hers; he hung on every single word that fell from her pretty and perfect lips. "That's… why I am not scared, Damon—and I'm willing to let whatever will be, just be… Because, I know you. And I've gotten to know even more about you, these past few weeks, though I wasn't sure that it was possible… I know that you would make an amazing father, if we had a family someday… If that's what we both want," she said and Damon leaned in and kissed her at that, immediately nodding his head.

"I do—I want everything with you, Bonnie."

"Because I want that, or because you want that?" she asked as she pursed her lips. "Because as much as it pains me to say it, that was the one thing my dad was right about…that you have to want this stuff, as much as I do if we're gonna continue this—if we're gonna make it work. Otherwise you'll resent me, one day… And I don't want to lose you; not as my best friend, and certainly not as the love of my life," she said, and Damon bit his lip at that as her eyes grew serious. "I love you Damon, so fucking much, that it scares me, sometimes. And the idea of losing you in any capacity literallymakes me sick—"

"You won't ever lose me," he shook his head as his thumb tilted her chin up and he smiled earnestly, while his voice remained soft. "You will never lose me, because I'm not going anywhere. You're my future, Bonnie—I can say that with certainty that I know that I will be with you forever... I've never been so sure about something in my life," he said, and she sighed with soft relief as he continued to stroke her chin. "I'm going to marry you, because I can't think of a better way to start my journey to forever than with you, as my best friend… My future wife," he said, and she smiled at that. "And kids? I mean, I could manage to have a couple of rugrats around. I'd love to have a family with you because you're perfect, to me, and it would be cruel not to procreate with somebody as fucking hot as you," he added and Bonnie giggled at that as he smiled.

Her fingers smoothed through his hair, as they kissed again, and Damon moaned against her lips before she departed; his lashes fluttered softly, and she smiled genuinely when her forehead pressed to his and they just remained there silently for a while, basking in the glow of the existence of a love this strong, it could transcend space and time, through any universe, no matter what happened and they would both feel just the same.

"A couple? I thought you'd want like one."

"If we're having kids, we're going all out," he said with conviction as Bonnie grinned. "I'm talking an entire football team—or cheerleading team. Or any team. I have no gender preference. But we've got to have enough to stack into a minivan. Or a minibus. A tour bus—" his eyes widened imaginatively, and Bonnie shook. "What if we just have enough kids to have our own traveling circus?"

"Maybe you should start wearing condoms again," she joked, and he smiled as he found her eyes. "But in all seriousness, Damon… That's all I needed to hear—that this isn't just about me; but it's about you, too. I want to, one day, do those things… for the right reasons. I just want to make sure we're on the same page."

"I know," he nodded as he kissed her nose, "Anything you say to me never falls on deaf ears, Bennett. You know that much is true."

Bonnie grinned and bit her lip as she followed his eyes and smoothed her palms down his chest again, to the waistband of his boxer-briefs. He closed the distance between them and kissed her again; her eyes fluttering shut when she felt his tongue slowly creep into her mouth and his hands rise from her hips to the back of her hair, while he kissed her longingly—holding her in place, with a firm grip to her scalp. Within seconds, she pushed his back onto the bed and climbed on top of him. He lifted a brow as he felt her slowly grind her hips on top of his until she felt him get hard and he let out a gentle groan when her mouth sucked on his neck, until she finally spoke. Her voice was as light as a feather.

"So, when I say that I'm the dom…"

"Goddamn it, I knew that was a trick," he mumbled and Bonnie laughed as she slid off of him and back to her feet as he scowled, though his dimples were already shining through from the smile beneath it. "Where you going?"

"I'm gonna go get some water. You should probably jerk off in the bathroom before I get back," she said, and he scoffed playfully before he leaned in for one more kiss, before he plopped his head back on the pillow. "Do you need anything?"

"You, to hurry back. So, I can fuck the shit out of you—"

"Not happening."

"Fine. Hurry back so we can be wholesome and cuddle," he said.

"I can do that,"she said as she walked out and he smiled, as Bonnie shut the door behind her with a smirk and tip-toed down two flights of stairs to the kitchen on the main floor.

When she walked and headed towards the cabinet, she nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Giuseppe was already there, sitting at the table. Bonnie clutched her heart but smiled warmly, as did the man, when their eyes met in the dark and she flipped on the light switch, illuminating the spacious kitchen in an instant as she exhaled a deep breath.

"Sorry—I didn't mean to interrupt," she apologized and stopped when she noticed a hoard of different pills on the table, as Giuseppe continued to smile at her silently. "Are you okay?"

"Yes just… my nightly ritual," he said evenly, and Bonnie folded her arms at that but didn't budge when she noticed something heavy beyond his normally stoic eyes.

Bonnie had known Damon's father since she was born; their parents had been friends growing up, and though Giuseppe never really let anyone get too close to him—not even his own kids—he had always been kind towards her. She wouldn't say she had warm memories of him, because he wasn't particularly a warm person, but she didn't have any bad ones, either, as Mr. Salvatore regularly let her come over for playdates and often dropped Damon off at her Grams', so they could spend the weekend playing video games and learning to cook with Sheila. His father had always been supportive of their relationship—and her—as she recalled him attending her graduation for her masters, and coming to the football games when they were in high school, as he sat with Damon in the bleachers and applauded her on when she got onto the field in her cheerleading uniform the first year she finally made captain.

She remembered going to the aquarium, because there was a period when she was obsessed with whales and Damon convinced his dad to take them all the time, despite the fact that it was a two hour trip out of town, they had to spend the entire day there, Giuseppe had so much work at home to do. He'd take them ice cream, often, even though Damon's mom hated it, and warned them that too many sweets would make their bellies ache before bedtime. She was right, but his dad let them have it anyway, and she always appreciated the fact that it had become their thing when they were hanging out with him. As much as he hated to admit it, he had a soft spot for his son. And one for her too, even if she wasn't his kid. And making them happy, made him happy.

He was genuinely a good person, even after the loss of Damon's mom, that turned him into even more a workaholic to numb himself to the inevitable feelings of grief and pain following her death. Bonnie knew he was dealing with it, deep down, though he didn't want to show it, because he was trying to be strong for his kids. He was trying to raise strong men, and she knew it was one of the main reasons he never let his emotions show, because to him, it would make Stefan and Damon weak. And they were already damaged, from losing their mother too soon, to an unforgiving sickness that gave them less than 3 months with her once she was diagnosed, because it progressed so quickly. They barely had a chance to say goodbye.

Lilian had been the first person that Bonnie knew who died, when she was 8.

Later, she'd lost grandparents on her Dad's side, and her grandfather on her mother's. After that, death didn't come again until they were all rocked by it when Elena's parents died in a boating accident the summer before college; one that had almost claimed Elena, too, when the coast guard found her unconscious and hypothermic, nearly lost in the rip current, before the EMT's brought her to the hospital and back to life.

But as a kid, at 8 years old, she didn't really understand it yet, and wasn't sure Damon did either, because even after watching his own mom pass away, it was almost like he couldn't grasp it that she wasn't ever coming back. It didn't really sink in for him, until a couple of months later, when he noticed his father was drinking more, and his mother just never came home, despite how long he waited up for her at night, singing himself and Stefan to sleep, with her favorite lullabies, just like she had always done.

His father was a good man—but he didn't know how to process his own grief, so he certainly didn't know how to deal with Damon or Stefan, who both reacted to it in completely different ways, but ultimately just needed their dad, even though he couldn't be there for them in the way that they deserved. And that was when Bonnie realized that this unshakeable force was human, just like the rest of them. And she needed to be there for Damon, because if she wasn't? Who knew what would happen?

She didn't want to think about what could've happened.

She eased out of her thoughts as Giuseppe juggled a couple of his pills in hand, and she bit her trembling lip as it wordlessly sunk in that it was happening again; the heavy, inevitable, calm before the storm was happening right now, in front of her, and she knew there was no way that Damon knew, because they would've talked about this. She had a feeling no one knew, except for Gail, and that suddenly choked her up a little bit, when she finally sat down in the seat beside him and looked into his eyes. Giuseppe offered her a grave but silent smile.

She had no idea what to do. But she had to say something.

"You're sick," she said, and he nodded, as Bonnie exhaled, not wanting to ask what she knew should come next. "Are you going to get better?"

"The doctors think I'm beyond that," he answered honestly, and she felt her eyes well up immediately.

"How long do you have?" she asked, feeling two feet tall, and Giuseppe pursed his lips—his eyes never dropped from hers.

"Most likely a few months," he said, and Bonnie's breath hitched. "I was having this chest pain, for a while and Gail finally convinced me to see someone about it one day, after I collapsed... When they discovered the tumor, the doctors said that I was already in stage 3 of my lung cancer," he added, and Bonnie's eyes blinked softly as she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Surgery isn't an option at this point, so I've been undergoing chemo radiation. The medications are to help with the pain… Gail also has me going to a support group, can you imagine? Me, in a group, talking about my feelings," he said teasingly, and Bonnie smiled, though a tear rolled down her cheek. "I've… been waiting to talk to both Damon and Sarah about it—Stefan, as well. But I just can't bear to hurt them like this… Especially with Matthew proposing tomorrow. It's supposed to be a happy day… So, I'm trying to be strong, for them."

"I get it—you don't have to explain it to me—"

"I do, Bonnie… because you're the love of my son's life… He's going to marry you, someday. I know it. And I may not get to see it," he said with a smile as Bonnie bit her trembling lip. "But you'll have to be there for him, once he finds out about me… You'll have to help him stay strong, just like you always do. Because I won't be there to remind him," he said as she nodded and wiped her tear stained cheeks. "This is going to break his heart the most—even more than Sarah and Stefan… It's why I've had so much trouble saying it. Because I know it will destroy him, if he lets it and he might… He's come a long way, from how he was when Lilian died, but… I—"

Bonnie leaned in and wrapped her arms around him tightly at that; her tears fell onto his shoulder and they remained in the quiet embrace for the next few minutes before she finally nodded her head and spoke gently, though he heard her just as clear as ever.

"I'll take care of him. I promise… But you have to tell him Giuseppe, before it's too late."

XXXXX

Elena moaned as she gripped tightly onto the hair of the man in front of her; her lips colliding with his, over and over again, as their naked bodies slapped against one another and she ground in lap, with his firm hands guiding her hips. Her pink lips separated from his long enough for her to throw her head back in pleasure and she heard him groan in response as she continued to bounce up and down on him feverishly. His palms slid down to her ass and grabbed it firmly; the coldness of his wedding band chilled her bones.

"I'm coming," she said into the air, as her messy bun slipped out of her hair tie, and her locks tumbled down his shoulders, "Oh my God."

And she exploded—all over him, and the blanket on her couch—as she fell into his strong arms and he continued his pace in an effort to finish too, to which he did within seconds of feeling her dripping all over him. He sighed as he kissed her again; his hand firmly holding her hair, before he finally released his grip and her hips. She stood up and he watched on as she took a deep breath, before pulling on her t-shirt over her breasts and retying her hair back into a messy top knot, as he pulled off the condom.

"Water?" she asked breathlessly, and he nodded as she walked off quickly to the kitchen to wash her hands before she poured two glasses from the pitcher in the refrigerator.

When she walked back into her dimly lit living room he was already dressed in his boxers again as he thanked her and took a sip. Elena sat on the other end of the couch with her knees to her chest as she watched him, checking his phone and scratching his fingers throughout his dark hair.

"How was your talk with Caroline?" he asked, as he felt her eyes on him and she sighed as he looked up; brown eyes meeting hers. "That bad, huh?"

"It sucked," Elena said without a beat of hesitation, putting down her glass. "She wants me to think that she actually cares about how I feel in all of this, but I know that she doesn't… It's Bonnie, after all. I don't know what I expected, anyway… I've always been the outsider in their friendship," she said, and he frowned at that as she cleared her throat. "Anyway, thanks for coming over, again. "I… promise to stop calling you to hook-up then bitch about my friends. I'm sure you could care less—"

"On the contrary, I care—because we're friends. Also, it's not like I've got much else to do now," he said with a soft smile. "This doesn't always have to be so… transactional, Elena. You know that, right?"

Elena sighed at that and before she could answer, the doorbell rang; her brow lifted at that because she wasn't expecting any more visitors—or booty calls—and she flashed him an apologetic look and he nodded in understanding, as he grabbed his clothes and quietly dipped off to her bedroom upstairs.

Elena pulled on her sweatpants that lay on the ground and adjusted her bun one more time before she got to the door, and pulled it open; her eyes widening in confusion when she saw the 5'4 woman standing in front of her, with familiar electric green eyes as Elena stepped out onto the porch and drew the door in behind her.

She probably should've put on a jacket, she realized, as she moved her arms over her chest and offered a tight smile.

Her nipples could probably cut glass right now.

"Hi Elena, sorry to drop by like this, but I wanted to check in on you—make sure you were okay after the Grill," Nora said with concern laced in her voice and Elena's brows rose. "Caroline… told me everything. I… had no idea Damon was your ex-boyfriend," she said, and Elena took in a deep breath and nodded. "Holy shit."

There was silence between them before Elena sighed and followed Nora's piercing green eyes.

"Yeah, Damon and I… were together, for a very long time," she said pursing her lips as the girl. "So, there's obviously tension now that he's dating my former best friend," Elena said, and Nora frowned, looking even smaller in her long, dark blue peacoat.

"Are you really never going to speak to her again?" Nora asked lightly and Elena shrugged but remained wordless. "Because that's no way to end a friendship, Elena, trust me… The way Bonnie talked about you, at work—she admires you, so much… She was in awe of the way you survived all that you'd been through, and I'm… extremely sorry about your parents by the way. I-I know that I'm just a stranger to you, right now on your porch but… I can tell that you're broken. And I also know from experience that things can get better, if you let them… But you shouldn't let go of the people who care about you and want to be there, especially with how quickly any of us can be gone, in the blink of an eye," Nora said as Elena swallowed hard, still standing rigid.

"I appreciate you stopping by, Nora, I do. But I just think… Bonnie and I's friendship being over is for the best. You could probably even replace me in the friend group, if you wanted. I've heard Ric singing your praises over the petition you started… It's getting a lot of traction," Elena said, and she was being honest.

Everyone in Mystic Falls had been talking about this bold British bitch who had the nerve to start a campaign to get Bonnie Bennett her job back at Whitmore, after calling out the President and the board of trustees at the college for their blatant sexism, implicit racism, and tone-deaf victim-blaming when it came to their female employees not receiving the same support as their white-male counterparts, when undergoing scrutiny aimed at their personal lives. Nora penned a powerful essay for the town newspaper, the Mystic Falls Examiner, and she was being regarded as a feminist hero by other women who began to come forward about their own experiences with unfairness in the workplace.

She was getting people fired up—and rightfully so—because she was impassioned to do the right thing by Bonnie Bennett; the first person who even talked to her when she came Whitmore as a Women's Studies professor. They were always immediately typecast as scary, so everyone avoided them, but Bonnie didn't, and the two became great friends who regularly went out to Happy Hour and read Women's Lit novels on break together, when grabbing a coffee. Hearing that Elena and Bonnie were no longer speaking over Bonnie's newfound happiness with her ex-boyfriend upset her because she didn't like to see anyone feel like they were alone, and that was why she stopped by, despite barely knowing her and maybe only meeting Elena a handful of times. Bonnie was her friend—probably one of the best and realest she'd ever had, considering she was living in L.A the past few years, where most of the people were even faker than their spray tans—and by extension, she cared about the people that Bonnie cared about too.

She was happy for Damon and Bonnie as well; she'd always seen the sparks between them when he joined them for Happy Hour and when Bonnie told her about her engagement and invited her to her wedding, she had even automatically assumed it was to him, because, well duh. But being happy for Bonnie and Damon didn't mean that she had to hate Elena. And she hoped to show Elena that she could learn to forgive this and let bygones be bygones, because at the end of the day, their friendship wasn't worth throwing away over a man. Of course, it made things tougher when Caroline revealed that Elena told her she was still in love with said man. But Nora didn't believe that to be true, after the blonde also explained how toxic their relationship had really been.

She believed Elena thought she still loved him. But it sounded like it was mostly about comfort. She was comfortable with Damon for so many years, because she knew what to expect. And when he pivoted, and did something inherently different, by falling for Bonnie and not coming back for her, it bruised her ego. But that didn't mean that she loved him, in the way that she believed that she did. She was just possessive over him. And Nora knew a thing or two about possessive partners in relationships.

After all, she'd dated her ex, Mary Louise, for 8 years and their break-up was the reason why she left L.A. She was now the expert, and the authority on recognizing and calling out jealous and resentful behavior when she saw it. It was how she'd had Enzo pegged so early, too, when she met him. The guy reeked of an alpha male aura that seemed to be equalized by his intelligence and charm, but Nora had never been fooled. And she knew it was only a matter of time until Bonnie left him. She just hoped it wouldn't take 8 years, like it did for her.

"I'm not here to take your place, Elena, this isn't some type of Mean Girls tactic… I think you're just in need a friend," She said and Elena swallowed hard at that as Nora held out her hand. "Give me your phone."

"Why?"

"Just do it," Nora said, and Elena sighed as she pulled her iPhone out of her pocket and handed it to her, as she watched her type quickly, before giving it back to her and a smile crossed her lips.

"Your phone number?"

"Yes, Elena, my number. And you didn't have to work for it—so, call me, anytime… We'll go out for a drink. You don't have to feel like you're so alone," Nora said, and Elena exhaled and nodded at that, as she slid it back into her pocket. "I'll… let you get back to whatever it is that you were doing. I'm sure you're having a riveting Saturday night, thinking about all of the ways you're going to avoid me, from now on," Nora joked, and Elena's lips inched into a smile at that before she shrugged.

"You caught me. You're good."

"No, I've just been ghosted way too many times," she replied with an easy smile and Elena's smile remained, as the girl spun on her heel and began to walk off. She stopped when she looked at the white Jaguar F-Type R in the driveway and she scrunched her brows as she looked at Elena. "Sports car? I never pegged you for the type."

"What do you mean? You can't see me doing 180 down your local highway, all James Bond-ish, with a hot girl on the passenger side? That's sexist. And as the fearless, feminist leader of this shitty town,I expected better…"

"First off—assuming the hot girl wouldn't want to be the driver, is sexist, but I'll let that one slide because you're well, hot… Secondly, it's not my fault you give off more of a… broke-down, station-wagon type vibe," Nora smiled, and Elena scoffed as the girl continued to make her way down the stairs. "I guess when we get that drink, you'll be able to change my mind, then."

"Maybe I will," Elena said with a smile and Nora walked away at that, as she got back into her car and in moments was gone, just as quickly as she had arrived.

Elena chewed her lip at that and locked the door.

When she turned around, there he was again, almost at her heels, with the same charming smile that got her into this mess in the first place, as he slipped his black jacket on and grabbed the keys to his Jaguar off of the coffee table. Elena shut her eyes when his lips landed against her cheek softly; only reopening them again to meet his gaze when she inhaled the scent of his woodsy cologne and suddenly felt naked before him, even though she was fully clothed.

Minus the fact that she still wasn't wearing a bra or any underwear.

"You're leaving?" she asked, and he nodded, as she tucked a strand behind her ear. "I didn't know you had plans."

"I do. Sybil called, while you were outside. She wants to try this new Parisian place, downtown and talk about investing in my museum… I'm sure we won't get to the second part, but a man can pray. So, until next time, Ms. Gilbert," he said, and she nodded quietly as she walked past her and made his way over to the door; her voice suddenly stopping him in his tracks.

"There… probably shouldn't be a next time, Enzo," she said carefully, and he nodded in agreement as he spun around and met her round, perfectly round brown eyes.

"Trust me, I know."

"So, why do we keep… doing this? Especially when we've established there's nothing else between us. If you're looking for the physical, you can get that anywhere. It's just sex."

And it had been, since he returned from Boston, after the New Year, and she reached out to see how he was doing, after hearing about everything that happened at the gala from Jo, who heard from Alaric. She should've hated Enzo, after hearing about what he had said to Bonnie, and finding out she'd been suspended from her job because of it. They made plans to meet up for a drink to talk about it because even if Bonnie wasn't her friend anymore, she felt like she owed her that much. Elena could attest to how hard she had worked for her career. And watching it all go up in flames, in seconds, the minute Enzo called her out in front of everyone at her job was horrific, and he deserved to know.

He needed to know that he was wrong.

So, he came over. And she handed his ass to him, for about ten minutes straight, and she was angry and frustrated because she had no idea why she was getting involved in the first place when she promised herself she would be better than that. She vowed that she was not going to get herself wrapped up in their shit.

But the next thing she knew, she was fucking Enzo—right there against her kitchen counter, before either of them had even had a drop of alcohol in their system and she couldn't quite understand why. At the rave, she'd been able to blame the palpable chemistry on just that—chemistry, literally; because they were both drunk, high, and overly flirty due to the MDMA—and whatever the hell else was in those pills . She'd seen him with Damon moments before and she was sure he'd told him to stay where he was and far away from her.

And maybe that was why she did it, she convinced herself. Because she wanted to piss Damon off.

But she knew Damon didn't care, really. And she also knew using Damon as an excuse could maybe explain the why the first time, but it'd happened again, since then. In fact they were now up to 3 nights just this week with this rendezvous, and though she told herself every time was the last time, she couldn't control the sensations he made her feel, when he slammed her against her bed, or fucked her right there against the wall, because he was impatient and she was horny and it made for a deadly recipe. They were putting misguided efforts into each other, though they ultimately knew it wasn't right or what either of them really wanted.

After all, she'd spent the afternoon bawling her eyes out over Damon and a bottle of prosecco after she made it home from the Grill because she'd finally admitted it to Caroline—and herself—that she still loved him, despite how fucking wrong he did her. And Enzo clearly still wanted Bonnie—he was still wearing his wedding band, for Christ Sakes—though Elena was now his third rebound since finding out her affair with Damon, and she wasn't quite sure what to make of that.

She was worried this was going to become a thing, but then later felt reassured when she found out she wasn't the first person he'd slept with since then. Because apparently, there had been a Sybil, who was a client at the museum that he spoke candidly about with her, the second time they had sex. The woman wasn't shy about calling him even when he was here; blowing up his phone for hours until he finally answered and cut the night short, to go see her and take her to dinner, as she had requested.

And there was also a Valerie, in Boston, who was his friend Julian's sister—they were the ones he'd gone to visit—and it turned out she had harbored a crush on him for a century or so, before he had finally decided to put her out of her misery on New Year's Eve and sleep with her, because she was artsy and attractive, though she was nothing like Bonnie from the sounds of it. And that just didn't do it for him, unfortunately.

But fucking Elena did. Probably because it was wrong, vindictive, and vengeful. She wasn't at all his type either, but they had mind blowing sex together and that was enough for now.

"Well Elena," he walked in closer, as his hands met his suit pockets. "I suppose it's what your little friend at the door said… No one should have to feel like they're so alone… I've spent too many years of my life that I'll never get back, being alone," he answered, and she exhaled softly.

"You heard that?"

"Every word… She's inspiring."

Elena couldn't deny that.

When he left was when she felt it again.

The deafening silence and loneliness, as she stood there contemplating opening another bottle of wine. The internal battle was short-lived because she did, as she poured the pinot noir into a glass and sat down at her kitchen table, unconsciously taking her iPhone out of her pocket and typing a message quickly before she hit send. She tapped her fingers nervously against the table.

So, what made you think I was a broke-down station wagon type vibe?

Her phone pinged immediately in response—almost a second later—and Elena instantly smiled when she read it.

Because you dress like a bum. A cute bum. Which I guess is just a hipster these days, huh?

XXXXX

"Hey, you okay?" Bonnie heard and she looked up from her cacio e pepe cavatelli pasta, as Damon leaned into her closely and spoke in a soft whisper. "You haven't touched your food."

Bonnie smiled, before popping a forkful into her mouth and swallowed it as Damon lifted a brow. She immediately grabbed her wine to wash it down and squeezed his hand softly beneath the table, as he continued to suspiciously follow her eyes.

"I'm fine, just tired," she nodded, and he kissed her hand before finally smiling as well and lowering his octave even lower.

"I know it's been a long day, but it won't be too much longer," he said, and she nodded. "I promise to have you tucked in by midnight."

She could only hope for that, as they sat at the table across from Giuseppe, Gail, Sarah, and Matt, at a beautiful contemporary restaurant for dinner, and wine, after spending the entire day with the family, having a catered breakfast, going to the vineyards, having lunch, heading back to the mansion to change, and now they were here and this was finally it. They were having Matt and Sarah's last sit down dinner before they took off back to the states, and Bonnie wished she could say she was anxious, because of the looming proposal that was set to happen after this course, but she knew the worry brewing in her stomach had nothing to do with that, because she'd been off the entire day, since speaking to Giuseppe last night.

When she finally found herself back in the guest bedroom after crying her eyes out for a half hour, Damon was already fast asleep—and thankfully so—because it would've been hard to explain to him why she went downstairs for a glass of water and didn't come back until 30 minutes later. She'd already had a hard enough time explaining why she wasn't in the mood for sex this morning, when Damon woke her up with a trail of sweet kisses down her neck and his hand in her underwear, before she gently eased him away, and told him she was too tired. Cut to breakfast, lunch, and now dinner, where she'd barely eaten anything—because she was so terrified she couldn't hold it down—and Giuseppe had successfully been able to go about as if nothing happened; as if he hadn't basically told her that he was on his death bed and she hadn't told him he needed to inform his son, before it was too late.

That wasn't gonna happen tonight. After all, it was Sarah's night—though she didn't know it and Bonnie couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful she looked, in her long sleeve royal blue dress, and she knew Matt felt the same because he nearly cried when he saw her, though Damon politely urged him to keep it together—at least until he gave her the ring.

Bonnie had—unexplainably—been a quiet mess all day too, and Damon was starting to take notice, because she hadn't been able to stop eating since coming to Italy, but suddenly she had no appetite?

She shoved another forkful into her mouth and smiled again, as he still held her hand.

She really was going to have to get better at this if she was expected to keep this secret for however longer Giuseppe decided she needed to, before he could tell his son.

Bonnie was pulled out of her thoughts when the elder man cleared his throat and raised his glass, as they all followed his lead, while he offered a smile.

"I'd like to propose a toast—to every person here. You've all made this incredible night possible and I can't thank you all enough for coming here to see Gail and I… This family means the world to us. It always will. And because we're family, we must always stick together—through anything life throws at us… whether it's good, or whether it's bad," Giuseppe said as he met Bonnie's eyes and she swallowed hard at that. "I know that I'm not always the most forthcoming when it comes to you both, Sarah, and Damon… and it's not because I don't trust or respect you… but it's because as your father, I've only wanted to do what's right for you… and right now… I need do what's right."

Damon's brow lifted at that as he turned to face Sarah who looked just as confused but remained silent. Bonnie gripped Damon's hand even tighter beneath the table and she was sure she was going to fracture every bone in his body because she was holding on so strongly.

"That was cryptic," Damon said first as he followed his dad's blue eyes and Giuseppe's face remained stoic. "What do you have to do?"

Bonnie's heart pounded out of her chest as she bit her lip when the table grew silent and focused their attention on Giuseppe as he faced both Damon and Sarah silently, before opening his mouth to speak.

"Bring us together as a family… All of us," he said, and Damon's brows scrunched and Sarah's mouth dropped as she immediately shot out of her chair at the sight of none other than Stefan, walking through the doors of the restaurant, dressed in a nice suit, with his hands in his pockets when his eyes met theirs; offering a simple but sure smile before Sarah leapt into his arms happily.

He laughed as he embraced her tightly and Bonnie's glance immediately shot to Damon, who had an incomprehensible expression on his face, as they all heard Sarah babbling on excitedly in his arms, while the rest of them watched; Giuseppe wearing a satisfied smile. Bonnie for sure thought he was going to tell them about the cancer but this? It was almost more shocking because they had no clue Stefan was coming to Italy, and Caroline hadn't said a word in her email from earlier, so she was thoroughly confused. Was she here too? And if so, where?

Bonnie could use her best friend right now, and she wanted nothing more than to see her face if she was in fact in Italy, right now, with Stefan because she needed her. She needed Caroline's advice so badly.

It seemed he was going to get the answer to her question though as he finally made it to the table, still holding Sarah's hand, as she smiled excitedly.

"Caroline's sad she couldn't make it. We couldn't get our nanny, so last minute, but she wanted to tell everyone that she said hi, and she misses you. Especially you, Bonnie," he looked to her and she nodded with a soft smile. "I didn't even know I'd be here, until a few hours ago—dad called me last night; he'd already booked my flight and my stay… I-I couldn't say no. I wanted to be here with you all," he said as his eyes met Damon's and his brother ticked his jaw but didn't say a word.

Sarah filled in the silence with another shriek as she held him tightly and brushed his hair back with her hands.

"What are you doing here? Not that I don't want you here—but seriously, dad? The last night of my trip? That's not nearly enough time to catch up," she pouted, and Stefan bit his lip at that as Giuseppe cleared his throat.

"He's not here to catch up, sweetie… He's here to be a big brother, alongside Damon, during one of the most important moments of your life," Giuseppe said and Sarah's brow lifted at that as she glanced at the family and Stefan let go of her hand slowly, with a smile.

"Why are y'all looking at me like you're the Children of the Corn? What's going on?"

"Sarah," she heard Matt say, and when she turned around, he was bended down on one knee and her hand immediately covered her mouth in shock, as his baby blue eyes looked deeply into hers and she held her breath for the words he was going to say next.

Bonnie's anxiousness multiplied again; but this time, in a good way, as she pursed her lips and her cheeks expanded into a huge grin as Damon looked back at her, with an intoxicating smile and squeezed her hand once more beneath the table, as they both listened on.

"Sarah, I… love you. I have known that I've loved you since you walked into the bar for the first time, and ignored me, because you saw a jukebox machine in the corner, and you insisted on playing 'Two Princes,' by Spin Doctors on repeat, even though that song sucks, and I seriously contemplated how a woman who was so beautiful could have such awful taste in music… But then I remembered Damon's your brother and his Spotify playlist gets a little hairy, on the late-night," he said, and they all laughed, as Matt cracked his knuckles. "You are the most free-spirited, happy, lively individual that I've ever met, and I know that we're young. And people say we have time to figure this kind of thing out—that's there no need to rush it, if you know that it's right. But I do. I know, that at 22 years old, I'm ready," he said and Sarah watched on as he pulled the ring box out of his pocket—the entire restaurant was now watching, when Matt opened it slowly. The white gold, marquise-shaped, 3 carat diamond glittered so brightly, they were sure the people up on the balconies could see it; Damon was also sure Matt had spent all of his bonus—and then some—on it. "Sarah Gladys Salvatore—will you make me the happiest man on this planet, and do me the honor of being my wife?" he asked, and Sarah nodded gleefully, without hesitation, and dropped her hand away from her mouth long enough to say "hell yes, I'll marry you," as Matt laughed and slipped the ring on her finger before standing up and taking both of her hands into his.

"Good, because it would've been awkward when the music started, then," he said and she raised a brow but instantly started laughing as the restaurant overheard began to play Two Princes from the speakers and she immediately threw both of her arms around his shoulders and kissed him happily as the patrons cheered, whistled, and howled on.

The 90s song continued to play loudly as both Sarah and Matt began to sing and dance along.

And he probably should have known it sooner but that was the moment that solidified it for Damon that this knucklehead was perfect for his sister. Because only Matt Donovan would have the guts to ask a Michelin rated restaurant in Florence, Italy, to play this cheesy-ass pop song that made Damon want to blow his brains out, just because Sarah loved it—she was the only person who did, he was sure—as she belted out the lyrics proudly, while dancing in Matt's arms and flailing with excitement over her ring.

Damon leaned in and gave Bonnie a heartwarming kiss, as both of his hands landed against her cheeks, and he inhaled her deeply; breathing in the taste of Tuscan wine on her lips and on her tongue, before he pulled away slowly and met her eyes. She was teary, and he immediately placed his thumbs to the corner of her lashes to stop flow from ruining her makeup, because he knew she wasn't wearing waterproof mascara.

Honestly? Who the hell had this trip even turned him into?

"Thank you," she sniffled, before shaking her head with a smile. "I'm just… weird today."

"I've noticed—and I haven't wanted to be pushy but…you sure you're fine?" he asked, and she nodded quickly, as she fixed his tie and his hand smoothed back her long-spiraled curls. "You'd tell me if something was wrong, right?"

"Of course," just not this, her mind reminded her, and she was thankfully saved by a screech when Sarah spun around on her heel and faced them with a huge grin, as she remained in Matt's arms, and pointed at Damon, Bonnie, and Stefan with a devious stare as they followed her eyes.

"We're going out to celebrate. Mom and Dad are going home because—Old AF—but we're going drinking. And I am getting sloshed," she said firmly, and Stefan smiled as he looked to Damon and Bonnie simply.

"Anything you want. Right guys?"

Damon looked entertained, as he turned to face Bonnie and whispered onto her ear.

"What do you say? Just a few hours, to appease her?"

Bonnie instantly nodded with a smile and looked into his eyes.

"Yeah, just a few hours."

But she already knew how that would go down.

So much for getting tucked in by 12.

A/N: Another fast update, because I'm a messy bitch who lives for drama, lolol. Hey everyone! I hope you guys enjoyed the latest and as always, thank you for putting up with my shenanigans because—phew—there were a lot this chapter. I hope it took you on a wave of emotions as we discovered just what Elena and Enzo are up to, how bad Giuseppe's diagnosis is, how Nora's been holding it down for our girl back home, how Bonnie's now a ticking time-bomb ready to blow, and surprise! Pepe got Stefan to make it to Italy, because SARAH IS ENGA-YAY-YAGEDDDDD. IDK how y'all feel about long chapters (I know I am wordy AFFFF) but I don't like to tell a story with JUST quick dialogue so I hope this was a good read! Do we think Bonnie's actually going to keep this secret? How will Stefan and Damon's first talk go? Who is excited for some partying in Italy and do we think that'll end badly? Most likely lmao. Read, review, share, whatever. Thank you for your continuous feedback. It means the world. Xoxo