~Chapter 20

Damon POV

I waited patiently in the car as Elena slowly climbed down from the car and into the house. I gazed lovingly at my son's sleeping form. I could not believe that he was truly mine. Also, how was it even possible that I could have such beautiful people surrounding me? I did not deserve it.

Then I heard her scream my name.

"ELENA!" I yelled back as I instantly jumped out of the car. I looked at my son who was in his car seat.

"I'll be back soon, your momma needs me," I whispered breathlessly to him before I locked the car and raced into the house. I went into the living-room and then into the kitchen, where I found her lying on the floor beside a blonde haired woman who was beside a puddle of blood.

I inhaled sharply as I recognized the body. It was her aunt Jenna. I felt a pang of remorse as I remembered how much I used to insult her about Jenna. Then I shut my eyes hard and concentrated about helping them, before it was too late. I shook her aunt's body fiercely and checked her pulse.

She was dead. There was nothing I could do to help her.

"Elena…" I whispered as I tried to shake her. I immediately grabbed Elena's cellphone which was sticking out of her jeans, and quickly called the ambulance's number. After I gave them all the required details, they advised me to stay calm and try to get Elena back on her feet. They also said not to move Jenna from where she was as it was a crime scene. So I dragged Elena's unconscious body away from the kitchen and into the bathroom.

"Wake up…" I told her softly as I placed a damp cloth on her forehead.

"Elena…" I whispered again as I lightly slapped her cheek in attempt to wake her up.

A few minutes later I heard the ambulance's siren and heard footsteps coming into the house.

"In here!" I yelled and a second later a nurse entered and asked me to hand her Elena. I stared at her for a long moment, then at Elena and then back at her before I put Elena in her arms.

I entered the kitchen slowly; saw the medical attendants nodding to each other. I figured they realized she was dead because they picked up the body and placed it in a stretcher, covering it. Damn, I thought, the realization of her death sinking in, as I pinched the bridge between my eyebrows. Elena could not deal with this.

About 10 cops came rushing in, and they started immediately to examine the scene. One of the cops said that from what they could tell, it was a robbery. As there were a lot of things out of their place and no money in Jenna's purse could be found, or anywhere else.

"NO! Nooo!" I heard her scream from behind me. I saw her half-conscious in the nurse's arms, pale white, trying to reach Jenna's body, but she obviously could not.

"Elena… Shhhh..." I whispered as I marched up right beside her and shushed her.

"It's going to be alright," I told her, but I knew it was not.

"How could this happen again?" I heard her murmur under her breath while sobbing.

"Shhhh…" I shushed her again as I kissed her deeply on her forehead.

"Take me. Away. From. Here," she whispered in a low, broken voice.

"Let's go," I could only say as I picked her up bridal style from the floor. I whisked her out of the house as fast as I could, placed her in the back seat just beside Alex's still sleeping form and started driving, away from this madness.

"Elena…" I whispered as I shook her as lightly as I could. She yawned softly and rolled over in her seat.

"We're here," I told her again a little louder this time, seeing that she was starting to wake up.

"Where's here?" she asked in a hoarse voice.

"A little motel just outside of Mystic Falls. Let's get a room and stay here for the night," I told her in a soft voice as I patted her on her knee.

"Stay here while I go and book us a room," I told her again before opening the driver's door, locking the car and went into the small motel. I walked to the receptionist.

"A room with two single beds and a baby cot," I ordered as I looked around. It seemed like a not bad motel.

"Name?" the male receptionist solemnly asked.

"Salvatore. Damon," I shot back as I handed him my visa as payment. I tapped on the desk as I waited impatiently.

"Here," the receptionist said glumly as he handed me my visa and my room card.

"Room 105," he said moodily again, "This level, just walk to your right and you'll see it," he continued before he slumped back in his little chair and went back to reading some comic book.

"Some fucking service," I mumbled under my breath before leaving the reception area to go and get Elena and Alex.

"Here we are," I whispered to her with a little grunt as I had managed to hold Alex in my arms, his huge bag, and some clothes Elena had packed for me before I was dispatched, her bag and herself.

We all entered the motel room and I slumped all the stuff on the floor, while I held a sleeping Alex in my arms.

"You alright?" I asked her as I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes, I'm fine," she snapped immediately at me. I sighed; obviously she was nowhere near fine.

"No, I'm not," she replied back, softer this time.

"Go get some rest Elena; we'll talk in the morning," I told her softly as I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her on the forehead. She simply sighed and held on to the wrist of one of my hands.

She looked at the clock saying that it was 4 in the afternoon then I heard her murmur something about a bottle, and stood up. She fetched Alex's things and started making his bottle. I watched her closely, so I would know what to do next time.

"I'll give it to him," I interrupted her as she was about to head over to me and lift Alex from my arms.

"Thanks," she replied numbly as she robotically marched towards the bathroom.

I slowly caressed Alex's rosy cheeks as I gave him his bottle. About ten minutes later, Elena emerged wearing one of my shirts and some sweat pants. She still looked as beautiful as ever, with a little amount of make-up and her dark long hair curled up in a messy bun.

She walked towards the single bed which was opposite to mine, buried her head in one of the pillows and turned her back on me. I stared at her back, heaving up and down from the breathing.

"Goodnight Lena," I whispered to her as I stood up and tried to put Alex to sleep.

Elena POV

I heard him softly wish me a goodnight. I had turned my back on him as I did not want him to know that I was still awake. He walked past me as he paced around the room, desperately trying to put Alex to sleep. I could tell he was trying, serves him right for all those things that he did to me. Then I sighed, I should not be thinking about that. I already forgave him and gave him another chance.

I gazed at Damon as he finally placed Alex in that little cot and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"I love you so much son," I heard him whisper as he caressed Alex's cheeks, before heading back to the bed opposite to mine.

He exhaled loudly before he slid in his bed and turned off the lampshade's light.

"Damon," I softly called in the darkness.

"Yes?" I heard him say back in his low deep voice. I didn't say anything back and I heard him slowly turn over in his bed. I gently removed my sheet and tiptoed to his bed.

"Can I sleep next to you?" I asked him, whispering as I sat next to him. He didn't respond, he just made some space just enough for me to fit in. I slid in and snuggled beside him.

I could tell that he was not sure about what I was doing. His body felt stiff and although I had my head on his chest, there was not any other part of his body that was touching mine. So I reached out and grabbed his wrist and placed it around my neck.

"I love you," I whispered before I found myself drawn into a one peaceful sleep.

A/N: A nice little declaration :) Hope you liked it! I just uploaded a poster for this fanfic on my tumblr (which you can find the link, on my profile). There's not much to say, other than to review and review! :)

Shannon x