The Hybrid's Ex

Chapter 32

The Salvatore mansion buzzed with warmth and laughter as friends and family reminisced about their pasts.

The reunion was in full swing, with plates of food and glasses of wine scattered around as old friendships rekindled.

Stefan clapped a hand on Damon’s shoulder, shaking his head in amusement. “I still can’t believe you’re playing host. It’s like we’re in some alternate universe.”

Damon smirked, gesturing around at the bustling room. “Don’t get used to it, brother. This was all Sofi’s idea. She’s the real reason I’m tolerating this many people in my house.”

Sofia chuckled, rolling her eyes as she handed Caroline a glass of wine. “Oh please, he secretly loves it. Besides, it’s been way too long since we were all together.”

Elena laughed, giving Sofia a playful nudge. “I bet this is a breeze compared to dealing with Klaus and all that... drama.”

“Speaking of Klaus,” Bonnie interjected with a knowing smile, “how’s everything since that ‘closure’ talk? I heard he got a bit sentimental.”

Sofia sighed, glancing at Damon with a fond smile. “Sentimental might be an understatement. But yeah, we’re good. He’s part of the past now, and Damon and I…” She paused, her hand finding his. “We’re moving forward, without any ghosts between us.”

Enzo grinned, leaning in. “So, you two are officially done with the ‘epic love’ vibe then?”

Damon slipped an arm around Sofia’s waist, giving Enzo a look of mock offense. “Just for the record, this was always her epic love. Klaus was just the... detour.”

Everyone laughed, the comfortable atmosphere warming the room even more. Caroline raised her glass with a grin. “To moving forward—and to you finally getting rid of all that Klaus baggage!”

Everyone laughed, clinking glasses, but Enzo shook his head in mock disbelief. “Klaus getting sentimental? I’d pay good money to have seen that.”

Damon rolled his eyes, clearly enjoying the moment. “Believe me, Enzo, it was something. Klaus is lucky I didn’t kick him out the minute he started his ‘epic love’ speech.”

Matt raised his glass, grinning. “Sounds like you’ve finally grown up, Damon. Imagine that.”

“Oh, I’m still the same me,” Damon quipped, sending a wink Sofia’s way. “I just have a slightly softer edge these days.”

Caroline laughed. “And a lot more dad jokes, apparently. I swear, you’re already a full-fledged family man.”

Damon chuckled, looking over at the kids playing in the other room. “It’s a role I’m getting used to, I guess. But don’t tell anyone—I have a reputation to uphold.”

Alaric leaned in, chuckling. “Reputation? Damon, I think you lost that a long time ago.”

Josie and Lizzie ran over, excitedly pulling Caroline and Alaric’s hands. “Mom, Dad, come dance with us!”

Caroline laughed, holding up her hands in surrender. “Alright, alright! But don’t blame me if my dance moves are rusty.”

Lizzie smirked, hands on her hips. “Mom, your dance moves were always rusty!”

Everyone laughed, while Caroline rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Lizzie. Always great for my confidence.”

Meanwhile, Bonnie and Enzo were reminiscing about the old days with Sofia.

Bonnie smirked, looking over at Enzo. “Remember when you saved the day back in 1994?”

Enzo chuckled, nudging her. “Ah, those were the days. Locked in a prison world, surviving on magic and sarcasm. Simpler times, weren’t they?”

Sofia nodded, smiling. “It’s incredible, thinking about how far we’ve come. From being hunted down to hosting family reunions.”

Bonnie glanced at her daughter Sheila, who was playing with the other kids. “It’s surreal. But I’m grateful. We finally have a life worth living.”

Just then, Matt nudged Alaric.

“Remember when you and Damon used to barely tolerate each other?”

Alaric laughed. “Barely is being generous. I think we went straight from grudges to grudging respect.”

Damon shrugged, smirking. “It’s the beginning of every great bromance.”

As the conversations flowed and laughter filled the air, an overwhelming sense of warmth settled in the room.

Old rivalries had faded, replaced by bonds that only years of shared history could build.

But then, the laughter died down as the heavy oak doors creaked open.

The joyful atmosphere turned to wary silence as Lucifer strode into the room, dagger glinting menacingly in his hand, a dangerous smirk on his lips.

All eyes turned, the room going still.

Damon instinctively moved closer to Sofia, his hand tightening protectively on hers.

Lucifer’s voice cut through the silence, smooth yet deadly. “Well, well. I do hope I’m not interrupting. After all, this wouldn’t be Mystic Falls without a little... chaos.”

The reunion had suddenly taken a dark turn, and every heartbeat in the room seemed to hold a shared thought: This is far from over.