Cousins: Planning A Wedding

13: Face to Face! 'Alone Time'

"Having fun?" Damon whispered in my ear, suddenly coming up behind me and wrapping his arms tightly around my waist so he hugged me. "Hmmm?"

"Yes, so much. You?" I asked, smiling. He slowly let me go so I could turn to face him.

"I'm happy if you're happy."

"Mhm," I smirked. "Where have you been?"

"Front porch," he shrugged. The party was happening mainly in the backyard and definitely in the living room.

"With Ric?" I assumed. Just like every year really. Those two were sitting on that railing drinking and talking.

"Yeah. Ric and Nikki, Enzo, Stefan, Kol, Elijah, and Rebekah," he listed.

"Oh, you have a whole gang now," I gasped mockingly and he rolled his eyes but a smile tugged at his lips.

"Sorry grown ups only," he teased, tapping my nose. "Hey, come with me. I'm fetching drinks from the kitchen."

He took my hand and tugged me away, to the large and surprisingly empty kitchen. "And how drunk are you Miss Gilbert?" Damon asked, grabbing two empty shot glasses from the cabinets.

"Well, let's see. I did 3 shots with Elena, Dylan, and Lily. Had maybe two beers while hanging with Matt, Ty, Bonnie, and Care. Elijah and I did a shot together. I had four Jell-O shots though with Hails and Vanessa. And one cup of whatever is in that big pitcher... So I'd say pretty buzzed, and it's all gonna hit me soon," I smirked.

"Well, can your fiancé be apart of your alcohol consumption?" He asked and I grinned.

"Definitely," I said, placing my hand on his arm as he went to fill the glasses with vodka. He raised a brow and I slid my hand up till it pressed to the side of his face. "I love you."

He grinned widely, "I love you too, Sky."

He pressed his lips to mine for a simple and short kiss. Then I let him fill the shot glasses. We knocked them back. Then he made me carry the vodka bottle and a six pack of beer bottles outside while he loaded up a plate with slices of pizza and carried two bottles of bourbon.

"And we've arrived with food and more booze!" Damon announced.

"Oh, look at the birthday girl!" Kol cheered. I stuck my tongue out at him and helped Damon set everything down on the brick railing that surprisingly no one sat on. They all just sat on the porch in a circle.

Damon started passing things out while I sat on the railing, holding the bottle of vodka. Same bottle as every year, well brand. This is what gets me really drunk. Especially when Damon practically has me chugging it. "You good, darling?" Damon asked, stepping between my legs while his hands rested on my lower back so I didn't fall off.

"Yeah. Of course," I smiled, running a hand through his soft hair. "I didn't ask. How much have you had to drink. Where you at?"

"Past tipsy," he winked. "But I won't be getting totally trashed tonight. That's all for you, miss finally 21. And I need to care of you when it happens."

"You're the best," I whispered. "Now. Before I let you get back to your little grown ups drinking circle, you gotta come dance with me. To at least a few songs."

"Whatever you want, baby," he said before abruptly lifting me off the railing. "I'll be back."

Everyone waved him off except for one, Nikki. She stared at us with narrowed eyes, as we walked to the door, hand in hand. I only noticed because I was looking at Ric sat who was on one side of her, whilst giving Damon orders to bring this and that when he did return. I shrugged it off, also ignoring her burning gaze.