Forever the One

Eight

Clara sighed as she looked through her files. She has been working as her sister has been avoiding Stefan. Mara-Belle was sound asleep when Elena walked in. "You have no rights to do that to Jeremy." She says not looking up from the desk.

"I did it to protect him. Like you. You need to be protected."

That was what had her putting her file down and standing up. Walking over to Elena, Clara glared. "You are not the boss of me. I'm older than you and your damn guardian. Jeremy has rights just as well as we do to know what is out there. I knew longer than you ever did." She tells her. "You don't come in here telling me that Damon should have compelled me when he won't."

"Why won't he?"

"I don't know." She tells her. "You are close to getting smacked if you don't leave and I won't do that because of my daughter." Looking at Mara-Belle, Clara looked back at Elena. "Think twice before speaking."

Elena watched as Clara went back to work on her files. She knew her big sister was right. She shouldn't have had Stefan compel Jeremy, but she thought it was the right thing. Yet, Clara is older and is the hunter. She knows more.
~~~
Clara went to the school to drop the files she had taken home to return. Damon saw her and followed her. "Hello, Clara."

Stopping, she looked at him. "What, Damon?"

"Can't come and see the beautiful guidance counselor?"

"You don't know me for one, two, you targeted one of my cheerleader's, three, you turned Vicki, and finally, you won't leave Bonnie alone." She says as she got in his face. "Why do you want that amulet knowing that something is going to happen to it on the full moon."

"I want Katherine out."

"I for one think the bitch played you." She tells him as she moved away and over to her desk. "Katherine doesn't care about anyone, but herself. You may be in love with her, but she doesn't love you the way you think. Stefan told me she compelled you two, but you were more willing because you saw a pretty face."

"Clary was my first love..."

"That Katherine killed." She tells him. "Trust me, Stefan told me everything and I believe him as well as you. If you just let someone in and help you see that you deserve love, a life, everything that you wanted." She sighed as she laid the files down. "That's all I ask."

Damon watched as Clara walked out. He seen a calendar with today's date on it. It's her birthday.
~~~
Later that night, Clara smiled as her and her daughter went to dinner. Damon saw them and walked up to them. "Since it seems everyone forgot the mother's birthday, I would like to celebrate it."

Giving him a strange look, the oldest Gilbert had to ask. "Why? It's been me and Mara-Belle since my parents died."

"I would like to know you."

Mara-Belle reached out for Damon causing him to pick her up. Clara sighed as she knew she can't say no because her daughter likes Damon. Damon put his arm around Clara and guided her inside.
~~~
Stefan was hunting for Damon after he killed Lexi, but stopped as he saw Damon laughing with Clara Gilbert and bonding with Mara-Belle. "What are you up to, Damon?" He mumbled. "I won't let you harm Clara and Mara-Belle."

Damon looked outside to see Stefan watching them causing him to turn around smiling at Clara who was goofing off to her daughter. He had plans, but he doesn't know if he will be able to go through with the plan as he feels something for the mother and daughter.