Took Me By Surprise

Chapter 3 - Taking it slow

Chapter Rating T

A/N Sorry it took so long, But I have been working on some plots adjustments, thanks for your requests.

· I do not own these characters Please enjoy this chapter

Bonnie and Matt had been enjoying each other for a few weeks now. Every Saturday he took her on a hike. The plan was to work their way up to the hike at the Falls. Bonnie's stress level had dropped tremendously. Matt told her the hikes helped to produce adrenaline which reduced stress. She was hoping one day to take Brenna on a hike, because the melodramatic girl could use some nature in her life.

While Bonnie sat at working watching the clock move slowly, she was anticipating her date tonight with Matt. They would be going to a movie in the park. It would be a nice change of scenery from a typical movie theater, and it was beautiful weather outside to enjoy a nice lay out on the blanket. The movie was Dirty Dancing and it was Adult Date Night at the park, which was sponsored by Matts Job at the Sherriff's Department. The time could not have gone by any slower when she finally got off and agreed to meet Vicky Donovan at the Starbucks near the Newspaper Bonnie worked for. Vicky and Bonnie had been in connection for a couple of weeks thanks to Matt. Bonnie offered to help Vicky get back on her feet. After dealing with her mom for so many years, she believed she could help Vicky too.

"Bonnie, you sure are enthusiastic about life today." Vicky says as she walks up to Bonnie who is staring out of the window and looking like she's in deep thought.

"Oh, hey, Vicky." She smiles and gets up to hug her old friend. "I -uh, decided to use the little bit of brain power I have left for the day and think about what I am wearing on me and Matt's date tonight."

"Well, that doesn't sound too hard. I can help you, where are you going?"

"Adult, date night at the park."

"Oh the movie night that the Sheriff's department is hosting? My brother told me about it."

"You should come with."

"Ahh, I can't ruin your date, maybe if I had a date it would be different."

"What about Tyler? I know you have been going through a lot lately, but you should really try and get yourself back around people again. I know Tyler had asked me about you when I was picking Brenna up from school. He was picking his son up as well. I guess Matt told him you and I have been in touch."

"Really? Wow. Well, I'm not sure Bon. I haven't exactly been in a place to commit to anyone. You know that. I am a recovering addict. No one wants to deal with that."

"It's not about committing to anyone, it's about getting you around people who love and care about you. I won't force you, but I will just tell you, it would be good for you to use the distraction."

"Umm." Vicky hesitates biting her lip. "Well, I have nothing to wear."

"Perfect neither do I. We can rummage around my closet and you can borrow something of mine, and help me decide what to wear as well."

"Okay, sure. Sounds great."

"Gosh, that would be great to be there with other people I know. You know since I've been back I really haven't connected to anyone."

"I know about what happened with Elena, but… Didn't you and Caroline, use to be close?"

"Yeah, but once everything happened, I didn't want to put her in the middle of it all ya know? Then eventually she and Stefan started dating a few years later, now they are married. So they are all practically family and you know how it is with family."

"That's crazy. Caroline actually cheated on Matt with Stefan, while Stefan and I were dating. Small world, huh? What are the odds that two of his exes are married to the Salvatores?"

"Geez, I never thought about it. How the hell did that end up happening?"

"We all hung out a lot together at the time. I think they just became close and Matty and I were too stupid to see it."

"Ahh, the stupid bug. Don't feel bad. I was hit with that one by Elena and Damon. Now we both have kids the same age, by the same man. Isn't that some bullshit?"

"Yeah, well, the good thing about it all, is you are a part of Matty's life now, and I'd much rather it be you than Caroline."

"Well, I won't lie. It's very scary, and new to me. I have never connected with another man besides Damon. Ever. But Matt really give me this feeling of just being happy. I haven't felt this feeling in so long with a man, and it scares me. It really does."

"So in a sense you and I are both scared of the world right now."

"Yeah, you can say that. So just know I am here for you, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks Bon."

..xXx..

"Brenna, this is Vicky. She is Matt's sister, and we all went to school together?"

"So you went to school with my dad?"

"Oh, no. I went to school with your uncle Stefan. Actually we dated for many years."

"Really? Wow. And my dad was a high school dropout, or what?"

"No, Sweetie. Daddy was older than us." Bonnie laughed.

"So mom. You like older boys."

"Mom, was sixteen when she and daddy got together, and daddy was 20, believe me, our dates were supervised for the first two years by Grandpa Rudy."

"Really, mom? Bummer."

"Yeah, I thought so too, but daddy, was…" She paused. Her eyes got watery. "He was really great about it all. He was patient and loving about it all. He never pressured me in anyway. He was in college and he met me, on Stefan's sixteenth Birthday party. Ugh. God. I am a wreck. Excuse me. I need a minute. I'm sorry."

Bonnie walked out of her room and into her bathroom where she had a moment of tears to herself. She didn't like anyone, especially her daughter to see her become emotional about her ex. A soft knock on the door interrupts her thoughts.

"Mom?"

"Brenna, I'll be right out."

"Can I come in… Please Mom?"

"Not right now, hunny. Okay?"

"Please, mom. Let me in."

Bonnie opens the door and walks back to the counter to rinse her face.

"Mom, it's okay, ya know?"

I know sweetie. I just…"

"Mom, I mean it's okay to cry. I know you hide when you're sad, especially when you think about my daddy. I just think you should stop crying alone. Okay. You have me."

"Oh Bren, it's not your burden to hold on to, I am fine."

"Mom, it's okay. I want to be there for you, because even if it makes you sad now, one day I think it'll make you happy and these are just things we need to go through, in order to toughen us up."

Bonnie looks at her mature ten-year-old, and smiles. "How did you get to be so darn wise at a young age?"

"Easy, you're my mom. Plus, you have told me that before. I know if you said it, it must be true."

"Sometimes, I forget how smart you are."

"Sometimes, you forget how smart you are too, mom." Bonnie hugged her daughter and smiled.

"I'm so grateful for you, Bren." She kisses her softly on the head. They walk out of the bathroom. "Uh, Vicky, I'm totally sorry. You must think I'm a wreck. A bitch. Crying about… you know who. I'm sorry okay. I am new at this all. Brenn, will you excuse us, sweetie?"

"Sure mom.

"Bon, no worries, okay. I think I can understand as much as you the effects of the Salvatore man betrayal. I am still dealing with things. It's like people swear everyone deals with heartache the same, and we don't. We process things differently, and it takes longer to really work on it, when you block it out with other coping mechanisms. Like drugs or, in your case work."

"Right? It's like when it first happened, I was devastated. Then I left and raised my daughter. And I thought I was fine. Until two years ago when he contacted me again to have a relationship with her. He just came back and disrupted my whole life. But he's her dad, so I knew I had to be stronger for her, sooner or later."

"It won't be easy Bon, because you still love him. Eventually, you will have to let him go. It won't be easy to move on. I think Matt understands that. Just be open with him. I know Matty will be willing to move as slow as you need. He's never been a man to rush into anything."

"Yeah, you're totally not plugging your brother?" Bonnie says as they both laugh. "So tell me this Vic, why are you giving him such a hard time, while he tries to help you?"

"Bonnie, he, doesn't understand that I am not my mom. He thinks I need twenty-four-hour surveillance."

"In all fairness Vicky, your mom is very sick and in the care of a nurse around the clock now. My mom got lucky and lived through addiction, but she is in and out of other bad habits. So he and I understand what it means to be afraid for a loved one. You should understand as well. You are all of the family he really has. Your mom is really ill."

"I know, Bon. I just need him to ease up off of the Sheriff Donovan with me. He pushes me away when he does it. He didn't even realize that I put myself in a program for the past five months."

"I'll talk to him about it, okay? I will make sure to set aside some time to talk to him about it."

"Ok."

"So you say I wear these ripped jean shorts? And Bren's Goonies shirt?"

"Yeah, totally casual, plus you remember how much we all loved the Goonie's movie."

"Yeah."

"Matt swore he was Brad, because Brad was the Jock." Vicky rolled her eyes.

"Girl, that man's body puts Brad's body to shame these days. Whew. I need a shower after every time we hang out."

"Gross. Bon, that's Matty. Eww."

"Yeah, well, my Matty is different from your Matty. My Matty is a manly man, with a truckers mouth out of this world when it comes to bedroom talk."

"Bon! Ugh. Okay. Last time 'we' talk about My brother's body."

Bonnie looks at her, "What a pity." And laughs. "Okay, what shoes?"

"The couture combat boots. You'll look retro, pop-punk. And leave your hair wild. Oh my gosh. I love it."

"Matt is going to look at me like I'm someone else."

"Keep it spicy Bonnie. It's exciting."

"Okay. You're right. Now for you. I liked the sun dress. I never see you in dresses. Let's do the long sun dress with the halter ties."

"Then I'd have to go braless."

"I see you braless all of the time."

"I don't want Tyler to get the wrong impression."

"Oh, okay. How about the strapless dress? I have a strapless camisole you can wear under it."

"You don't think a dress will make me look desperate for a date?"

"Hell no. It's inviting for company, but not necessarily pleasure. Let your guard down Vic. You've known Tyler, for years now."

"Yeah, but I haven't been around in years. I'm different."

"Vic, Matty and I will be there. It won't be so uncomfortable. Group thing okay?"

"Don't tell Matty it's not a date. He's told all of his department buddies, he's bringing a date. Willing to bet he's showing you off tonight."

"So if he's showing me off, why am I going retro punk?"

"Because, it shows you're young and fun still. Adventurous."

"Girl, I am trusting you with my love life today."

"Relax, he'll love it."

"Okay, then trust me when I say wear the dress. It's simple and pretty on you. Plus, you have your hair in a braid. So let's accent that neckline. You have the bone structure of a model."

"You think so?" Vicky blushed.

"Yes."

She checked out her bone structure in the mirror then looks back at Bonnie. "Ugh. I'm nervous."

"Yeah. That's a good thing. Nervousness is a sign of growth."

..oOo..

"Oh, my my! Bon, this is like my naughty punk girl fantasy come true. You look smokin' hot Bon." Matt grabbed her into a tight hug and allowed his large heavy arms to roam her body for comfort. He swallowed her whole when they hugged. His chin rest over her head and she loved being buried in his pectorals.

"So you like this new look?"

"I mean I never thought I'd see you wear something like this, but it's kind of turning me on."

"Mr. Donovan. You naughty boy." She elbowed him softly. "Well thank Miss Vicky, for helping me to pick out our 'date night' outfit."

"Uhh, thanks Vic, for making me want to leave this thing before it starts."

"Ahh, of course big Bro. What are kid sisters for?"

"So, Umm, Tyler just text me. He's parking. He's excited to see you Vic. He's been bugging me a while about you."

She rolls her eyes. "Ugh. So much pressure. Bon. I thought we said no pressure, fun thing."

"Relax Vic, it is. Trust me." Bonnie looks at Matt. "Stop making her nervous. She's already a bundle of nerves about being back in Mystic Falls. Like me." She looks back to Vic who is focused on her thoughts, quietly biting the skin off her lips from nervousness. "Vic, Hold my hands. Listen. Fun, okay? I am here with you. Big bro Matty is here, and Tyler is just going to feel like a breath of fresh air. I promise."

Vicky's nerves get the best of her as she sees Tyler approach. "Oh my God, Bon, he's coming. What do I do? What do I do?"

"Just relax babe. He's Tyler, the knuckle head we grew up with. If anything he's nervous to see you. I promise. So you are not alone in nerves. Take a few deep breaths. I will stall for a few minutes so you can compose yourself. Jump in the conversation after a minute or so. I promise it'll give you the advantage over him. Okay?'

"Whew. Okay."

"Ty, my man. What's up?" Matt give Tyler a typical greeting that a grown man would give his grown man best friend and after they pull out of it, Bonnie reaches for a hug.

"Bon Looking very punk. I like. I like."

"Tyler, looking very…. Much like you've been hitting the gym with Matt. You two men need to stop trying to prove how much you both get better with age. You are making us women have to work twice as hard to keep up with you."

"Aw shucks, Bons. You make a guy feel like a million bucks."

"Well, I only call it like I see it." She kicked her foot back at Vicky to hint for her to jump in.

"Hey Ty. Long time no see." She chimes in quietly."

"Vicky Donovan, it's been a few years. Haven't really seen you since you and Salvatore broke up."

"Yeah, I kind of needed to get away after that. Ya know… just get my shit together."

"I'm not complaining, because you are back. You look… Beautiful."

"Thanks." She smiled shyly.

"As a matter-of-fact, you and Bon don't look a day over 21 years old. It must be in the Mystic Falls water system. Growing up here was like a fountain of youth or something."

"So, I'm surprised you want to see Dirty Dancing." She didn't know what else to say to him.

"What? Who doesn't love this movie?"

"When we were kids, me and Bon used to practice the lift in the falls like Johnny and baby." Matt said.

"Oh, my… gosh. I remember that. I can't believe I forgot all about that Matty. We sure did. How funny were we back then?"

"Just like your shirt. We loved that movie. Remember..."

"Goonies never say die!" They all said in unison like some group of teenagers. They all laugh which broke some great tension for Tyler and Vicky.

"Vicky, want to walk with me to get some popcorn?"

"Sure Ty. Uh, Bon, I'll be back."

"Take your time sweetie. We aren't going anywhere." She watches Vicky nervously walk off. Matt walks up behind her and grabs her by her waist, bringing his lips to her ear and speaks with his deep, country boy voice.

"You look like a teenage fantasy today. I feel like quarter back Matt, and you are that cool punk chic that every guy secretly had a crush on. I know we have decided to take things slow, but I just had to let you know you are giving me something to take home with me when I need a good release in the shower."

She gives a flattering smile and blushes. "I'm just bein honest little Bonnie Bennett. You do things to this man."

Bonnie turns to Matt and kisses him. "You make me nervous more and more. Believe me, it's hard keeping my hands to myself when I am around you. But, it's best right now. Until I can get my mind wrapped around us."

"I know Bonnie. It's okay. I'm a patient man. When the time is right, it's right. The build-up will be worth it. But I don't just mean in the physical sense Bonnie. You do things to me in every way. You amaze me. You have been so great with Vicky. You have been accepting of my wayward bedroom mouth. You flatter me and my flirty ways. I love that about you."

"What can I say, I love a confident man, and a man, who cares about more than just the physical part of me." She leans up and slowly places her lips to his. Two sets of soft lips meet in an exchange of gentle suction and Matt's arms squeeze Bonnie and pick her up off of the ground. She gets caught up in the moment wrapping her legs around is full body. Her short legs almost didn't meet in the back. She loved how wide and burley he was. They were kissing and talking to one another very low to where no one else could hear them. Flirting with one another and smiling. They looked perfect.

"Hey hey, get a room." Jeremy said walking up.

Matt ignored him, just being lost in Bonnie was all he was concerned about.

"Come on Matt, put me down before they kick us out." She said smiling and giving him one last peck on the mouth.

Matt slowly let her slide down his body while he looked at her like he wanted to rip her clothes off. She turned to look at the voice in question.

"Hey Jerr. Long time no see." She gave him a big hug.

"Yeah, what's it been nine-ten years? I heard you were back but I didn't believe it. You are still a site for sore eyes." He says making Bonnie blush.

"Thanks Jerr." He lingered on her body for too long, just staring.

"Isn't she though?" Matt said as another person walked up to them.

"Jeremy, I thought you said you were getting some more popcorn? Oh, hello, Matt. Who is your... Lovely friend?" This new person looked at Bonnie skeptically.

Matt rolled his eyes a little, "Oh uh, this is my date, Bonnie. Bonnie, this is Rebekah. One of the dispatchers. She and Jeremy helped put this together."

Bonnie smiled openly and friendly. "Wow, this is great guys. I've never been to one of these. I had no idea you worked for the Sheriffs department Jer."

"I am a man of many working traits. I'm a member of the city council by day and by night I dispatch, so I just like to keep busy."

"Yeah, same here. I'm surprised I got here tonight. Matt and I usually save our dates for Saturday mornings."

"Really, why not Friday nights, Matt?" Rebekah asks really snide.

"Come on, Bon, let's go find a good seat, show starts in ten minutes right? When Ty and Vic come back we'll get our own popcorn."

Bonnie looks at Rebekah and Matt weird as Matt pulls her by her hand away. "Uh okay, it was nice meeting you Rebekah. Bye Jeremy." She was speaking while Matt pulled her along. "Matt, what was that all about? Why are you acting strange now?"

"Am I? I just don't wanna waste my time talking to work people, when I've got you a couple of hours before you have to be home to Brenna, and I see these people all of the time."

"Are you sure that's all Matt?"

"Yeah, babe. Let's sit here. Can you take my back pack off I put a blanket in there?"

"Sure sweetie." Bonnie pulls off Matts backpack and opens it. "Oh my gosh, this is the same blanket, we used to use to make forts in your bedroom when your mom would tell you to clean your room. We totally ignored her."

"Yeah, I love this blanket I could never get rid of it?"

"When I left Mystic Falls I feel like I forgot about all of this. Being back has really been a series of dream sequences I pushed to the back of my mind. You know I feared coming back here for all of the bad memories. But Matt you are such a remnant of all of the good that came of my childhood. Besides my mom being on drugs and my dad over working and always being gone, you, and Caroline, and Vic, were good memories. I just love how you and I have gotten to this place."

"Bonnie, you coming back has actually brought good back here. Look at Vic, and Ty. Me. Bren seems to be coming around."

"Yeah, she's adjusting with her sisters. She's even spending more time with Damon and Elena. So, it's good for me that my daughter has her father, no matter how hard it is for me to look at the two of them. I'm happy she's adjusting. I'm her mom, it's my job to do what's best for her, even if it's not best for me. But... I can say that my job, and my Matt have both been beautiful distractions."

Just then Vic and Ty walk up with enough popcorn for everyone, and some drinks. "Here, the movie is going to start, and we didn't want you guys to have to go back to the long lines so we just got enough for everyone."

"Aw, thanks Tyler."

"Yeah, thanks Ty."

"Okay, well this blanket is big enough for us all. So let's just get ready to watch the movie."

"Is this the blanket we used to make forts?" Tyler asked.

"Yup."

"I'm pretty sure I made out with Stefan on this blanket. Sheesh, it's amazing the things I remember when I'm sober." Vicky said. "Sorry, side affect of rehabilitation, is my blunt mouth sometimes."

"I'm just happy to see you here." Tyler said, "Without Stefan!" She laughed.

"We all are." Bonnie says. "I'll take that blunt mouth any day of the week."

They were disrupted. "Mind if we sit with you guys?"

"Sure Jer. I don't think there's enough space on the blanket, but we can try." Bonnie says.

"No worries, we have beach chairs." Rebekah says. Matt avoids them altogether and focuses on Bonnie.

"Cute and cozy. You guys are a lovely couple." Rebekah mentions.

"Thanks Beks." Matt says trying to keep Bonnie from talking because then he'll be sharing his date more than he wants to. "Come on Bon." He pats his legs signaling for her. Vicky and Tyler both sits straight up next to one another and Matt tries to compact he and Bonnie's space to make more room for Tyler and Vicky.

Matt sits on the blanket and opens his legs making way for Bonnie to sit between his legs. She tucks herself into him and nestles under his frame. She leans down a bit with her legs stretched out before her and crossed. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his protective grasp. When he whispers in her ear she blushes. "I love this, holding you on a date night. You feel like mine. And you will be, one day." He kisses her cheeks and she kisses his hands which are wrapped around her holding her at the shoulders.

Date night went perfect. It made Bonnie feel guilty about sleeping with Damon a month ago. She has sense cut off their sexual relationship, and kept it purely about Brenna, so she can figure out if she wants to go to the next level with Matt. She just sits in his arms, realizing how hard it was to cut of Damon. But since she did, she's been enjoying Matt a lot more.

..oOo..

Bonnie answers the door as Damon drops off Brenna.

"Hey, little bird, don't you dare go to bed without giving me a hug and a kiss."

"Sorry daddy. I almost forgot. I was so excited to go upstairs and use my new iPad."

"What?" Bonnie asked.

"What, she didn't have one, and her sisters do, so it wasn't fair. I had to get her, her own."

"Damon, without talking to me about this? It's a big responsibility."

"Not really Bon, get with the times. She's ten, it's about time she has one."

"I'll be up in a few sweetie. Go wait for me."

"Good night, daddy. I love you." She hugs and kisses him.

"Damon, you can't just step in and do things like that. You make me look bad and you look good. It's unfair of you as a father."

"What's unfair is we barely speak anymore. Whatever you want Bonnie, I'll give you. But quit cutting me out. We were friends once upon a time. I haven't spoken to you much in over a month. Since we slept together and you left me in your bed."

"Damon, I told you it's hard on me to be with you and you are married, and I have Matt."

"Right, Donovan."

"But I can't even sleep with him, Damon. Not that it's your business. But I'm having a hard time adjusting to this. You are the only man I've ever slept with. Damon, this is hard for me."

He didn't know what to say.

"I'm alone in this Damon, and I'm okay with that. I've been alone in this. I just don't want to be alone in this forever. I want to be happy with someone Damon."

"I know. You deserve that." He tells her as she looks at trendy watch on her wrist. "Thats different. You wearing a watch."

"Uh, it's not just a watch, it calibrates my heart rate and daily steps and calories burned. Matt got it for me since we started going on hikes."

"God, Matt's really putting in effort isn't he."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

Nothing. It's just that, seeing you and him is weird is all."

She didn't want to be rude and cut him off so she invited him in. "You can come in and sit down Damon. I need to get Brenna tucked in. She's already up too late. I'll be back down."

He walked into her house and sat down, looking a pictures of she and Brenna when they lived in DC. How much he missed, realizing he should have left Mystic Falls a long time ago with her. Now he has two children he loves with a woman he has never been in love with, and the one woman he loves, he messed it up by not leaving when she was ready. After ten minutes she comes back down.

"It was beautiful." She said, watching him look at the picture of she and Brenna at the White House, when Bonnie was doing a story.

"Yeah. I see. I missed so much." He looked regretfully at her.

"Well, ya know, you had a big mission here with the twins."

He says nothing. "Yeah, but Brenna, my first born. I missed eight beautiful years. I missed your successes in DC, everything. I just- I missed a lot and it was my fault. Not yours. I always try to make you feel that way, but it was me Bonnie. Being afraid to leave and start over, was stupid. Now I lost you... So. What can I say? Nothing but, I'm sorry."

"Thanks Damon, it means a lot." She lets a few tears fall as he gets up to hold her. She lets out and cries some and he also lets out some tears with Bonnie. "I was going to watch a marathon of I Love Lucy tonight on Hulu."

"Yeah I should probably go."

"Okay. Umm, thanks for taking Brenna so I could go in this date."

"Anytime Babe. I don't like it, but ya know, I can't stop you." He says as she smiles.

"Well goodnight Damon."

"Say... you have ice cream? I remember you used to love watching it when you were pregnant and eating ice cream."

"I do. Would you like a bowl?"

"Ummm. Yeah, sure. Elena doesn't buy ice cream."

"Such a shame, she's missing out."

"God, I miss your ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and root beer floats."

"Sucks to be you." She laughs.

He can only shake his head and smile at her. "You're lucky I love you Bonnie Bennett."

"Okay. We can sit together, right? Innocently. Watching tv." She asks.

"Yea, I can manage as long as I can at least hold you."

"Uhh. Fine Damon. But you can make me my ice cream while I get some pjs on."

"Yeah, this new look on you, is..."

"Shut up."

"No, I kind of like it. It's kind of hot Bonbon."

"Okay, I can't wait to get in my pjs. So make my stuff and I'll be right back."

When she came back down they sat laughing and talking about their favorite episodes together. Damon fell asleep there, on the couch, innocently holding Bonnie as she knocked out also.

..xXx..

Matt receives a knock on his door around midnight.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"So that's her?"

"Listen Rebekah, you know what this is."

"Yeah, I do. I just never thought you'd bring her to a work event."

"I care about her. I'm hoping we get serious soon, and if we do, then I'm gonna have to stop what you and I do."

"Then why don't you call her at night?"

"She's not ready, and I'm not going to push her. So it is what it is." He says with a serious face. "Anyways are you coming in?"

"Sure thing. I'm not staying the night tonight though. My shift starts in three hours."

"That's plenty of time." He says closing the door behind her.

A/N. Bonnie, still loves, Damon, but is learning how to care for Matt and let Damon go. She will continue to struggle with this. As for Matt. Matt Donovan, is not the same boy from grade school. He is a little more complicated than that now.