Lost

Mystic Falls

Note: Timeskip from August 25th 2007 to June 1st 2009. Emilia is almost 22 now.
—

The moment Emilia had returned to the United States from Budapest and turned her phone on, she received a voice-mail from Elena, Jenna, and Liz Forbes. 

Her heart sank further as she listened to each one. Emilia immediately rushed to her room and packed anything she would need for her time in Mystic Falls. 

"Where are you going?" Natasha asked as she caught Emilia about to leave their apartment. 
"Mystic Falls. My family— they need me, Nat. I have to go."

"We'll go with you." Natasha responded. 

"You don't have to do that. . ."

"But we do. No refunds, remember? Go sit down while we get ready, clear your head, and then we'll get going. . . Okay?"

"Okay. . . Pack your best funeral attire, you'll need it." Emilia said as she went to sit on the edge of a chair. 
Natasha frowned slightly but nodded and went to her room. 
Clint squeezed Emilia's shoulder as he walked past to go to his room. "It'll be okay." He told her. 

"I know." She responded, forcing her tears not to fall. She knew she'd have to be strong for Jeremy and Elena. They weren't her parents after all. 

Emilia didn't know how much time passed before Natasha pulled her from the couch and out the door with their things. 
"I'll drive and Clint will be right behind us. No arguments, just let it happen, okay? Let us be there for you." Nat said as she placed their bags in the trunk and backseat. 

"Just this one time." She responded. 
As the car pulled out of the apartment building parking lot, Emilia held on to the locket around her neck that contained a picture that'd been taken Christmas morning of '08.
On the floor sat Seth, Jeremy, and Elena between Clint, Emilia, and Natasha. Behind them on the couch sat Grayson, Miranda, Bella, Leah, and Jenna. Standing behind the couch was Charlie and aunt Sue. 

They were all smiling without a care in the world. It'd been a good day. 
That was the last time everyone had been together in the Gilbert's living room. 

Emilia didn't notice when they pulled into the all familiar driveway. "Hey." Natasha nudged her. "We're here."
Emilia snapped out of her trance and nodded. She hadn't intended on zoning out for 3 hours. 

As they stepped out of the impala, the warm air and cool breeze was much appreciated. They took full advantage of the moment before Clint pulled into the driveway right behind them. 

"I'm surprised you're not bent over puking your guts out from how fast Natasha was driving." Clint remarked as he got out of his newish truck. 

"I'm sure you'd just love to see me bent over, huh Clint?" Emilia shot back without even thinking. 
Natasha grinned. 
"There's our girl. . . Now that she's back, let's get inside that house."

-

"Seriously Jenna, I don't mind cooking. It gives me something to do and I look mighty fine while doing it." Emilia said and Jenna snorted at her statement. 
"Are you sure though? I can't cook worth a crap but I do know how to make sandwiches." 

"Jenna, sit down. I'm cooking and we're going to eat a nice hot meal and then we're all going for ice cream because we know tomorrow is gonna be a shit day, and the least we could do is make today be a good one."

Jenna sat down at the island and produced another glass from a cabinet on the side. "Would you accept wine, since you're cooking?"

"Yes, yes I would. . . It's been a long day." Emilia responded.
"Yeah, tell me about it. I have no idea how I'll be able to do this. Taking care of the kids. . . She made it look so easy." Jenna sighed. 

Emilia grabbed her glass of wine and took a long sip. "She did, but you won't be alone. You have me, Natasha, and Clint. We're not much, but we handle much bigger things than two temperamental teenagers."