Cousins: Starting Families

51: Face to Face! 'Memory Lane'

~I was gonna split this into 2 parts cause it's longer than usual. But I didn't, so this ones kinda long, kinda a lot. Hope you enjoy though 😊

"Skylar!" Damon called. I gasped, realizing he was finally home. He had to work late tonight. I got out of bed, grinning as I spotted him from the top of the staircase, standing at the bottom with a frown on his face.

"What's wrong? Did you get my text?" I asked him and he furrowed his brows.

"Your text?

"Yeah. I texted you that--"

"Oh, oh, yeah," he smiled weakly.

"You don't seem happy," I frowned. He sighed, heading up the stairs to me now. I waited until he got to the top, his hands grabbing my hips.

"I'm sorry, baby."

"Sorry? For what? Have you suddenly decided you don't want--"

"No. No. It's good news. And I'm excited. I can't wait to find out if you're pregnant. But... I have bad news."

"Bad news? What type of bad news?"

"Like Elena showed up to my job bad," he said and my eyes narrowed.

"She what? When? I talked to you on the phone and I texted you only an hour after that? And you never--"

"She got there at 5 when I should've been getting off. After your call. And your texts, baby," he cut me off, explaining himself.

"What did she want?" I asked softly, placing my hands on his chest, laying my palms flatly against his upper torso.

"She um... she wanted to talk to me," he said, letting go of my hips finally.

"What did she say?"

He grabbed my wrists, holding them gently as he said simply, "she loves me."

"She what?" I spat.

"She said she was in love with me."

"And what did you say?" I asked, my hands balling up into fists.

***

(Flashback: Damon's POV)

"Elena? What are you doing here?" I asked, excusing myself from talking to a tech guy. I spotted her waiting in the doorway.

"I um, you're not leaving?" She asked timidly, hands playing with the bottom of her shirt.

"I have to stay longer tonight," I answered her, furrowing my brows. "But what are you doing here? You shouldn't be he--"

"I have to talk to you," she cut me off. "When else am I supposed to? I can't call or text you--"

"Elena, you should go," I sighed, going to walk away but she grabbed my arm. I frowned, stopping and turning to face her again. "Just say what you need to say," I gave in.

"I--I don't know what to say... This just... it's not right, Damon."

"Elena--"

"No. You know it's not. And maybe you're fine with it but I'm not. I don't have any reason to accept not being able to have you as a friend. It's not fair to me, I'm just shut out. If you've had a problem with me hanging out with you then you could've--"

"Elena. I didn't. I don't. I don't have a problem with you, okay? But right now, isn't a good time. Sky and I are in a really good place. And it's too soon for me to bring up you to her," I said. "If not for me, for you guys. Your cousins, your close. I don't want to be the reason you guys have problems."