Here's Where I Belong

Chapter Seven

Elena tossed her hair into a bun, before stripping out of her work clothes. She tossed them into the dirty laundry, before pulling on an a loose muscle tee, and a pair of yoga pants. She wiped all of her makeup off before she headed down the stairs to grab a bite to eat. Just as she was putting the skillet on the stove, the doorbell rang.

She quickly turned the stove off, and padded her way to the door. As she opened it, she was greeted by Elijah. He stood with his back to the door, staring at the street. His hands were buried in his pants pockets, and the arms of his shirt had been rolled up.

"Hey, what's up?" She asked, leaning against the door frame.

He turned to her, offering her a small smile. "May I come in?"

"Sure," She nodded, stepping back, giving him the room he needed to walk in.

"Were you busy?" He asked, following her into the house.

"Not too much. I was getting ready to fix some dinner. Have you eaten?" She asked, jerking her head for him to follow her.

"I have not, but that's not why I'm here." He said, shaking his head.

"Is everything okay?" She asked, as she turned the stove back on. She pulled a bag of red skin potato fries out of the freezer and pouring a good bit on the cookies sheet sitting on the counter.

"Yes, I just wanted to discuss your offer." He said quietly, watching her movements.

Elena turned to him, raising an eyebrow. She was honestly surprised that he was here for that. At the grill, he hadn't seem to want to even discuss it really.

"If you are still willing, I think that Ava would love for you to babysit her. She's taken a huge liking to you."

It was true. For whatever reason, his daughter had taken an almost instant liking to her. She'd cooperated for Elena when she wouldn't for anyone else. She seemed to snuggle into Elena, enjoying her presence.

"I would love to." Elena grinned before turning back to the stove. "Would you like a grilled ham and cheese sandwich? I'm afraid I'm not making too much tonight. Jer is hanging out with some friends at the grill, so it's just me."

"I don't want to-"

"Impose, yeah I know. White or wheat bread?" She asked, smirking at him over her shoulder.

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Elijah couldn't help but chuckle internally at this woman. She was a total mother hen, always taking care of everyone else.

"White." He said, shaking his head slightly.

He watched as she reached over the counter, to the breadbox sitting in the corner. As she did, he noticed her shirt for the first time. It was a muscle shirt, and the sides came down to her waist, giving him a clear view of her tanned skin, and lace bra underneath.

He quickly adverted his gaze, rubbing his eyes with his fingers as he tried to avoid glancing in that direction again. What it was about her, he didn't know. But he knew that he wouldn't try to bed her, simply to appease his sexual attraction to her.

"Whatcha want to drink?" She asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Tea is fine. My sister insists that sweet tea is a southern thing, and that I'd better get used to it." He said, stepping around the counter and taking the empty glasses out of her hand. "And what do you want to drink?" He asked, turning towards the fridge as he pushed the glass against the ice dispenser lever.

"The same. And yes, tea is a southern thing. But there are still some people who don't like it. My ex would not drink it. He legit hated it."

Elijah noticed how she stiffened slightly at the mention of her ex. He didn't know much about the situation, except what Klaus had mentioned in passing, and that had just been that her ex had been a real ass. He'd not stated why. Elijah chose not to comment on her ex, instead he stuck to their regular conversation.

"I don't mind it so much, it's just different than what I am used to." He said, placing their glasses on the island.

Elena nodded and finished their sandwiches, pulling the fries out of the stove as the timer beeped. She split the portion, sliding the friend onto the plates beside their sandwiches. She placed his food in front of him, before sliding into the seat beside him.

"So, I can give you a copy of my schedule every week. And I can watch her just about anytime that I'm not at the grill." She said, popping a fry into her mouth.

"Okay. Caroline offered to help, but she's already really stressed out. Niklaus texted me earlier to tell me he walked in on Caroline asking Ava her opinion on seating arrangements."

Elena tossed her head back, laughing. "I can totally see her doing that."

"So I hear you're going to be her maid of honor."

"Yeah, I think she just asked me because she knows I don't lose my cool like she would. And Bonnie would try to make everything vegan."

Elijah laughed, taking a bite of his sandwich. He nearly groaned as he chewed. He hadn't ate since lunch, and he had actually been quite hungry.

"So, where'd you learn to cook?" He asked, after he'd swallowed.

"My mom taught me. She always told me there were three things that would make me a 'good wife'." She said, air quoting the words good wife. "A clean house, a good meal, and well made bed."

"Seems like sound advice," Elijah laughed, his eyes catching hers. She blushed slightly before looking away and taking another bite of her sandwich.

"So...what was Ava's mom like? I mean Rebekah told me that she left a week after Ava was born, but..." Elena trailed off, tilting her head to the side as she looked back at him.

"Her name was Hayley. She wasn't so bad at first. We met at the law firm I worked at in New York. She pursued me for a good five or so months before I finally agreed to go out. She was very career driven, and I respected that. But I didn't realize just how career driven. When she found out she was pregnant, she wanted an abortion. She said she didn't want a child to derail her life. I begged her not to. I wasn't exactly ready myself, but I couldn't imagine..." He shook his head before continuing. "So she didn't. I supported her for her entire pregnancy, but it was just...bad. She turned into an entirely different person."

Elena frowned, reaching out and squeezing his arm softly. Elijah offered her a small smile.

"After Ava was born, I knew she wouldn't stick around. She wouldn't even hold her when she was born. So I gave her an out. I told her that if she wanted to leave, she could. That I would raise our daughter, and never ask for anything from her. She agreed, going as far as to sign over legal custody to me. As far as the law is concerned, she's not her mother."

"Elijah, I'm so sorry. That's...terrible. I don't see how anyone could ever..." she trailed off, blinking away the tears that threaten to fall.

"It is in a way, but at least she didn't wait until Ava was older. This way Ava won't miss her. She'll just miss the idea of her, as she grows older." He said softly.

"Elijah, Ava is so lucky to have you. You are an amazing father, don't forget that. You're doing everything you can for her, and that means a hell of a lot more than some woman who couldn't be bothered to care for her own child." Elena slid her hand down to squeeze his own.

Elijah squeezed her hand back, staring at her. Her face was full of compassion, and her eyes were shining. "Thank you." he whispered.

Neither moved from that spot for a while as they sat facing each other slightly, their hands clasped.