Cousins: Planning A Wedding

62: Face to Face! 'Thanksgiving'

"Hey, baby, can um, can I borrow you for a moment?" I asked, slowly stepping into the small room where Damon, Kol, Tyler, and Ric all were.

"Yeah," Damon answered. He put his bottle of beer to the side and met me at the doorway. His brows furrowing with cover, "you okay?"

"Yeah I just... I just have news," I said and he nodded. He took my hand and we found ourselves heading out to the backyard to be alone. It was a little chilly out so no one was outside today. Everyone inside, dinner done already.

"So what's wrong?" Damon asked as we sat down side by side on the steps off the back porch deck.

"Um, well, Derek just offered me a job," I stated. I didn't want to beat around the bush. My brother and I were just talking alone. He gave me a proposition and it sounded really nice to be honest. But--

"That's a good thing, right?" He asked.

"Yeah and no...He's on break from his hit dancing tv show. And he got a deal for this new idea. He's going on tour."

"A tour? That's great--No. Wait. Did he ask you to go?" He asked.

"Co-headline. Derek and Skylar Gilbert, choreographers, dancers, siblings. On a world tour is the idea."

"Wow. Um, I don't know what to say, baby."

"I know, and I'm sorry," I apologized, taking his hand. "I didn't know what to say either. I told Derek I'd have to talk to you of course."

"But you want to do it?"

"I don't know," I admitted. He frowned and sighed, kissing our joined hands. "It sounds nice. Gives me something to do, you know. I'd be famous-ish," I chuckled.

"Sky... I don't want to tell you no. I want you to do what makes you happy. I do. But a tour? A world tour? Do you know how long you'll be gone?" He asked me.

"It's a lot. I know. A lot to take in. A lot of time of me being on the road. But I'd want you to come with me--"

"No."

"What?" I frowned.

"Baby, I can't. I'm starting work here in Mystic Falls at the high school. I'd have no problem, dropping that gig, but we have a home here. We have three dogs, two cats, and a horse. We can just lug them around. And I will not give any of them away."

"I'm sorry, you're right. I haven't thought about the details other than me being away from you to travel, which I love. And dance, which I love. With my brother, who I love and will make sure nothing goes wrong. It's not anything sketchy, it's a legit deal... And it seems like fun. If you can't go with me as much, or basically not at all. I don't think I can do it. Hell, I've barely been dancing the last couple of years," I ranted.

"You wanna do this? Tell me the truth."

"Yes and no, Damon. It's not like I desperately want to and I'm afraid to hurt you. Yes, I would love to dance again. No, I don't want to be thousands of miles away from you. Or our pets. Or my friends. And I have no idea what happens if I say yes."

Damon licked his lips and pulled his hand from mine, only to toss his arm around my shoulder. I cuddled closer, closing my eyes. "I don't want you to be away either," he whispered.

"Derek offered me a three month deal. His main goal is a world tour. But he said he wouldn't do that without me..."

"He wants you to do it, huh?"

"Yeah. Think he's overwhelmed with the idea but he has a dream."

"And what's YOUR dream?"

"Nothing...This. Us. I wasn't really looking for more. I am so happy. But I don't know...This is just--A great opportunity being dangled in my face. I don't want to just say no."