A life in the shadows

64

Matteo, Damon, Stefan, Siobhan and Lily were in another room.
"How?" Damon asked.
"Mom's a vampire. She was imprisoned in an alternate world because she was too ruthless and drained too many people."
"You knew she wasn't dead?"
"Well, yeah."
"And you didn't tell us?"
"Don't blame Matteo. There was nothing you could have done." Lily said. "And I deserved it. I ruined so many lives. Took so many."
"So did Stefan and I-"
"Not like this, Damon. I was out of control. Like Stefan, I was a ripper. Only much worse. I knew no remorse. I was evil." She explained.
"So what, we just give up on family, now?"
"Damon." Stefan put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Not today."
"Let me see you." Lily said, standing in front of Siobhan, with a warm smile. She narrowed her eyes. "Don't I know you."
"Guilty." Siobhan shrugged. "1891."
"France. You stopped me from killing that nobleman."
"And the rest of the town."
"Right."
"You sent Siobhan to mom?" Damon asked ludicrously.
"Well, yeah."
"How many others?" Matteo sent him a look. "Right. You won't say."
"Sorry to break this family reunion, but everyone's waiting on you." Kaia poked her head through.
"Oh of course!" Lily exclaimed. "This is a wedding, we shouldn't be in here all night." She ushered everyone out.

Once back in the ballroom, Lacey found her way to Damon.
"So.. your mom?"
"Yes. Would you like to meet her?"
"You know, I think it might be a little early for that."
"Then think of her as Matt's mom, instead of mine."
"You're brothers." Lacey stated as Marry you by Bruno Mars started to play. Matteo and Siobhan were out on the dance floor and they all watched, mesmerised. When the song ended, I'm yours by Jason Mraz started and Damon held his hand out to Lacey, who took it. Damon looked to his side, to see Stefan asking Elena to dance.
"Is this your way of telling me something?" Lacey smirked.
"What, we can't dance now?" Damon retorted.
"Just saying." She shrugged.
"And what if it was?" Damon asked.
"You're an asshole." She stated.
"I'm aware."
"You're bad."
"Yes I am."
"But there's something there. For some reason, I can't help but be drawn to you."
"Oh."
"And now its more."
"So I'm a bad asshole but you're more than drawn to me?"
"Basically."
"Well, you're annoyingly good, but I do know my brother so I don't blame you. And you're innocent. But I'm also more than drawn to you too." He replied.
"So we're more than drawn to each other. I'd even go as far as more than like each other?"
"You'd be right."
"Right."
"Why is it so hard to say it?"
"You're not very in touch with your feelings and I'm afraid of have my heart broken again."
"Well, don't we make a wonderful pair." Damon said sarcastically.

"So Damon seems happy." Elena remarked to Stefan as they danced.
"He really likes her. He's acting like a dork which Damon never does. It's like he's a totally different person."
"I'm glad he's found someone to put up with him."
"Don't speak too soon." Stefan laughed.

Meanwhile Caroline was dancing with Klaus.
"Only for tonight." She narrowed her eyes.
"Of course." He smirked.
"She looks happy." Caroline commented.
"She does. And so does he."
"Have you ever felt that way about someone?"
"I don't really believe in love."
"Of course you do. Or you'd hate the idea of this wedding."
"I don't believe in it, but my sister does, and seeing them today gives me hope. Of course, if you tell anyone I said so, I'll deny it."
"Of course." She chuckled.
"That's Alaric. With Kaia." Caroline stated watching the two slip out of the room. "Everyone's happy today."
"Which makes you very happy."
"Just look around. Damon with uh, what was her name- Lacey. Stefan and Elena. Matteo and Siobhan. Even your siblings are dancing."
"Yes well, today's an exception."
"Tell me that doesn't make you feel something."
"Not really. What makes me happy is that my sister has forgiven me and that she gets to spend the rest of her life with an honourable man I know will be good to her. No one else really matters."
"Well, being happy for your sister is a start." Caroline sighed.

Once the dance floor had been cleared 'More I cannot wish you' by Paul McCartney started to play. Finn walked up to Siobhan and held out his hand. She accepted and they danced.
"Thank you." She smiled. "I love you, Finn."
"Of course you do. I'm your favourite brother." He teased. She scoffed as he laughed. "I just hope today is everything you dreamed of. I know you'd want Henrik here, but just believe he's looking over you, watching over you."
"He'd want me to be happy, I know. And I think he'd like Matty."
"It's hard not to." Finn told her. "He's lucky."
"Thank you, Finn." She said as the song changed and Klaus came to dance with her.

Siobhan danced with each of her brothers that night. Then Damon walked over to her, showing her that he accepted her as his sister and Stefan was after him. Matteo danced with his mother and Rebekah and Kaia, too. Kaia had been a sort of mother to Siobhan, there for her since she was fifteen. That night everyone forgot about being enemies. That night two families became one, and they all celebrated the union. They could figure out the particulars later, but this night was about Siobhan and Matteo. Lily knew she'd be sent back to the prison world the next day, but she kept silent. It wasn't about her. She was grateful having the chance to be able to see her eldest again. Those years in the prison world reminded her of what it was like to be human, of her love for her children.
And with Esther and Mikael out of the way, there was no danger to the Mikaelson family. Kaia had sensed the darkness around Alaric's soul earlier- the reason they'd left together. She'd purified him, and he was normal- not that he had the chance not to be.
Damon was happy with Lacey. She'd be in town a lot more now, and though their relationship would be quite tentative, it would work out.
Everyone was happy. And why wouldn't they be? Enemies were now family and love was in the air. What more could anyone want?