The Vampire Diaries: He's The Air She Would Kill To Breathe

Road Trips and Windows

Damon happily packed an overnight bag for both Elena and himself and threw it into the trunk of his electric blue 1967 Chevy Camaro. He even put a few of Ian’s clothes in the bag and packed his stuffed bunny, which he called “Bun-Bun”, and his favorite white and blue polka dotted blanket. Elena came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him.

“You’re packing Bun-Bun and Blankie?” She asked in a half-hearted sigh. He reached behind him and took her hand, rubbing it gently.

“We’re gunna find him, Elena. And when we do, I know he’s going to want them…especially that damn rabbit, I swear it’s the best five bucks Stefan ever spent. Ian doesn’t go anywhere without it…” He trailed off, wondering how his son was doing. He was worried about how he was sleeping, he normally wouldn’t go to sleep without his bunny, blanket, and without Damon and Elena singing to him.

“You okay?” Damon shook his head to clear his thoughts and then turned to face Elena, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

“I’m fine, Princess. I’m actually in a good mood today, I love going on road trips with you.” He said with a flirtatious wink. Elena blushed and reached up to peck Damon’s lips before getting in the car.

“Makes me wish we were going to Georgia.” She mumbled. Damon climbed into the drivers seat with a goofy grin on his face.

“Georgia happens to be my favorite road trip destination, as you should know. Maybe I’ll take you back there once we get Ian back…I bet he’d love it there, it’s a beautiful state.” Elena watched Damon in awe as he drove her and Alaric to Chicago and talked about all the places they could show their son once he was a little older. Being a father had definitely changed him, he was still her sarcastic bad-ass, but he had such an instinctive fatherly nature about him now…and she adored it.

They arrived in the Windy City around four PM and Damon pulled into a Motel.

“Alright Ric, any ideas on where he might be staying?” Damon asked as both he and Elena turned to look at him. Alaric looked down a paper in his hands.

“He’s supposed to be staying in a hotel on 10 South Wabash Avenue, somewhere near that big metal bean sculpture you see when you enter the city.” Damon smiled and nodded.

“Great, I know exactly where that is. The Silversmith Hotel…I stayed there once when I visited Stefan in the twenties.” Elena suddenly seemed very excited.

“We really are going to find him, Damon.” Damon leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“I told you, Princess. You’re the best, Ric.” Damon got out of the car and went around to open Elena’s door. When she got out Damon put her on his back and was gone in the blink on an eye.

“Damn it Damon…this is the second time you’ve done this to me! You could have at least let me out first…there are only two doors!” He didn’t even know why he was still yelling, Damon and Elena were long gone. While Alaric was trying to climb over the passenger seat, Damon and Elena had just made it to the Silversmith Hotel.

“Damon I feel weird…” Damon raised an eyebrow.

“Why? Don’t, baby, I’m not going to fail you. We are bringing him home tonight if it’s the last thing I do.” Elena shook her head.

“That’s not what I meant…I mean my instincts and senses feel sharper than usual, like they did when I was pregnant with Ian.” Damon rubbed Elena’s leg, who was still on his back, and smiled.

“It’s probably because he’s in danger. Good mother’s have that strong sense of worry for their children, makes them more alert. You’re a very good mother, Elena, that’s why.” She blushed and nuzzled him as he walked into the hotel lobby. Elena hopped off his back and grabbed his hand and they walked to the reception desk. A tall bubbly blond in a navy blue uniform smiled and took out a large notebook.