Title: The Crow and the Butterfly.
Rated: M
Characters: Damon/Elena (brief Tyler/Caroline)
Summary: Damon and Elena have hated each other ever since they were set up on a blind date by their mutual best friends three years ago. What happens when they become caregivers to their orphaned goddaughter after her parents die in a car crash? Can they set aside their differences to honour their friend's wishes? Based on film 'Life as we know it.' Rated M.
Disclaimer: I do not own the material; I'm just playing around with the characters for my own enjoyment, naming it after the idea that Damon was a crow in the first episode! I wrote this story on a previous user, so I am not, in any way, plagiarising anything, I just forgot the password and so here we are! Enjoy!

I'm incredibly sorry that I haven't posted in some time now! College is crazy right now and I've had so many essays and assignments to complete that I just haven't had time! Thank you to those who are reviewing and favouriting and following, you're all amazing! Keep 'em coming and I'll try to keep the updates regular!

Enjoy!

Chapter Three

The clock on the mantelpiece told Elena that it was well past midnight, but she still couldn't sleep; a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach keeping her awake.

Trashy TV and an incessant amount of junk food had partly distracted the somersaults, but the niggling feeling was ever-present. Elena couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something unimaginable, terrible; something that would change her life forever. She just couldn't pin point it. Sighing, Elena flicked through all the channels again and stuffed another handful of popcorn into her mouth. She wanted to call Caroline and tell her about her crappy day at work, but it was Date Night for her and Tyler and Elena didn't want to distract them; after having Esme, they didn't get much alone time. She thought about finishing her column for the paper publishing next week but her thoughts were all fuzzy and her eyes were sore, so instead, Elena settled for pouring herself another glass of wine.

She was just dropping off when the one o'clock news started, its opening tune ringing in her ears. Too tired to even move a muscle, she let it run its course, snuggling deeper into the sofa. Finally, slumber claimed her, blocking out the rest of the world; she didn't hear the news reporter gravely informing the audience of an accident on Clumber street, didn't realise her whole world had just fallen apart.

Her phone's cheesy ringtone jolted her awake a few hours later, at 3:21 to be precise. Elena fumbled through the darkness for it, sighing when she saw Damon's name on the screen. If he was booty calling her again she was going to block his number for good. "Damon," She yawned into the speaker. "It's-" She glanced at the time, and sighed in frustration. "20 past 3. What do you want?"

He hadn't been drinking this time; she could hear it in his voice. The sinking feeling in her stomach returned and she held her breath as she waited for an answer. "Elena." He breathed in a broken voice. "It's Caroline… And- and Tyler," There it was again, the bile rising in her throat. "They were in an accident."

Elena heard words like 'car crash,' and 'impact,' and the whole world suddenly stopped. This can't be happening; she thinks as she sits up and searches for her shoes. No. No. This is a dream. Caroline and Tyler are fine. They have to be.

"If you're messing with me, Damon," Elena warns, fat, hot tears starting to roll down her cheeks. "Then I am going to kill you. This isn't- this isn't funny."

Damon sobbed through the speaker, the first time Elena had ever heard him cry. "They're gone, Elena."

"What?" Elena's legs gave way mid stride towards the front door. Her keys dropped to the floor, her phone following. The screen smashed, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Gone? Her best friends were gone? Sobs ripped through her body, tears flowing like a waterfall in streams down her cheeks. Caroline's face materialised in her head, the bubbly blonde laughing and smiling like she always did, before it faded away and Tyler's handsome face appeared. In one frame, they were together and happy, in the next, all Elena could see was a flipped car, and all she could smell was gasoline and within the next second, she felt the flames lick at her skin.

She heard Damon's voice calling out her name from the speaker of her phone, but she didn't reach for it. Instead, she curled up in a ball and cried until there were no more tears.

"Elena?"

Elena didn't know how much time had passed, but when she opened her eyes, Damon was kneeling beside her, his bright blue eyes lit up with concern. It didn't take long for the brunette to burst into tears again once a familiar face comforted her. "Hey," Damon cooed, pulling her into his arms. He stroked her hair softly, noticing how cold she was. Had she slept there all night? "Jesus, 'Lena, you're freezing."

Elena sniffled, curling her fingers into Damon's jacket. She was glad he was here, holding her; she felt safer with him. Damon enveloped her in a bear hug, pulling the throw from the sofa down to wrap around them and rested his chin on Elena's head as she snuggled back into him. Suddenly, she jerked away, wide brown eyes filled with horror. "Esme! Was she- was she in the car with them?" She began to cry again, her heart constricting as she thought about their goddaughter being in the car, too.

Damon shushed her softly, holding her tighter. "Esme's fine. She was with a babysitter at the time."

Elena untangled herself from the blue eyed man she'd convinced herself that she hated and rose to her feet. She began to pace, pulling her hair away from her face and wiping away the remnants of tears from her cheeks. "Where is she now? I need to see her."

Damon placed his hands on the brunettes shoulder to stop her pacing. "She's with a temporary foster family right now."

"Well, we need to go and get her. She should be with us."

Damon shook his head. "That's not for us to decide, Elena."

"We can't leave her with complete strangers, Damon!"

"I know, but there's nothing we can do right now. Not until Caroline and Tyler's will is announced."

Elena's shoulders fell. She felt so small, so helpless. "They're really gone aren't they?"

Wordlessly, Damon wrapped his arms around the tiny brunette and held her close.

So this is short, I know. I just wanted to get something out there for all those who took the time to review. I feel like I'm letting you down or something because it's taken me so long to update. So here it is!

Hope you liked it,x

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