Reckless Minds

Resolutions

I stand in Damian's kitchen chopping up some spinach about a week later. I put it into the bowl then I taste the sauce to test it. I pull it off the stove then I feel his arms around me.

"Technically we're supposed to be studying for our history test on Monday." I giggle.

"I figured that we could take a break. And I figured that Chinese takeout was good for about 3 days." He laughs then presses his lips to mine. I deepen the kiss then I jump back.

"Dad!" Damian flips around and groans.

"I'm really not good at this." He comes toward us.

"Mom said 1 week. It's been a week."

"I'm not ready to go back yet!"

"What are you making?"

"Ghiocci."

"You know how to make those?"

"I'm a Salvatore. Didn't Grandpa on your side come over from Italy?"

"Yup. You're Dutch too."

"What are you doing here, Dad?"

"I'm taking care of you. I'm still your father."

"And I'm still pissed."

"So, what? Are you going to choose some boy over your flesh and blood?"

"Didn't you?" I snap.

"Didn't you betray Uncle Stefan and fall for Mom? That's what I heard. Maybe that's where I learned it from."

"Your Mother and I have nothing to do with you and a guy you've known for a week. You just-"

"I LOVE HIM!" I shout, taking him by surprise.

"You can't love someone you just met."

"Haven't you ever heard of love at first sight? I know that Mom felt that way about you when she first saw you. But no. You compelled away the memories."

"Now isn't the time to talk about compulsion."

"Do you want to know something better? He's a vampire. He was born, just like me. We can spend eternity together if we want to." He gulps.

"Ember, please. I am willing to negotiate on this. I want to. Because I want you to be as happy as I am one day. That's all I want for you." I look over at Damian.

"I'll meet you in the car."

"Okay." I turn to him.

"That's not exactly the way I wanted to tell you." He smiles and pulls his lips to mine. When we pull away, he wraps his arms around my waist and I wrap mine around his neck.

"I love you too, Ember." I stare at him in disbelief.

"You love me?" I whisper.

"I do. I love you." I kiss him gently.

"It's time for you to go home. I want your parents to like me. In fact, get your Mom over here. We'll have dinner with your parents and I can tell them that I love you because I do." I smile then I go outside.

"Call Mom. I don't want to waste the brilliant work of culinary art."

"Alright. Then we're all going home." I nod. I go back inside.

"I can't wait for you to meet my Mom. She's a lot more subtle." After about 15 minutes, Dad pulls back up with Mom. I open the door and Damian links our fingers together.

"Don't be nervous. They're going to love you. And even if they don't, I do, so there's nothing they can do about that." He kisses me quickly then I run down the steps to hug Mom.

"Hey Emmy."

"Hey Mom." We all head inside and I put the dinner out.

"Wow honey, it smells great."

"Thanks Mom." We all sit down and we start eating.

"So, Damian, you like any sports?" Dad asks.

"I like playing football but I think just watching them is boring. I don't like any other sports."

"Good. Neither do I and I don't want my daughter to have a boyfriend that talks non-stop about sports." I kick him under the table.

"So do you live alone?"

"Yeah." I text him under the table.

Me: DO NOT TELL THEM YOU'RE 15, LET ME TELL THEM

Damian: Okay :) I love you.

Me: Aww, I love you too.

We pay attention again.

"So where did you two first meet?"

"Tess and I were talking and we accidentally bumped into one another."

"Cute." Mom smiles at us.

"So what happened to your parents?"

"When I was younger, a vampire hunter killed them." Mom chokes a little.

"Wait, you were born? And you're a vampire?"

"Yes. My Aunt is Meredith Fell."

"Wow." He nods a little. After dinner, we sit on the couch and we talk.

"So how old are you exactly? Because you don't look 13." Damian looks over at me.

"He's 15. He went into kindergarten late and he took a year off when his parents died which I think is honorable." Damian sighs then leans forward.

"I'm just going to cut to the chase." He looks at me again then takes my hand.

"I love your daughter. I never thought I could be loved or if I was capable of loving someone. I thought I was damaged goods. But I know that Ember loves me and I love her. So if you don't like me, go ahead, keep us apart. It doesn't change the way I feel about her or the way she feels about me. It'll do more harm than good." Mom looks up at Dad.

"Does he remind you of anyone, Damon?" He looks down at her then nods a little.

"I felt the same way Damian. Elena dated my brother before she was ever in love with me. And since I have done many bad things in my life I didn't think I was capable of being loved or loving someone either. But then when she fell for me it's like the world stopped spinning and when she told me she loved me for the first time, all those bad times came tumbling down and I fell with it but then there was someone to help me back up." She smiles at him.

"So we do not condone the fact that you are 13 and he is 15, Ember. But we approve of the relationship." Damian smiles at me and I smile back. He pulls me closer than they wait in the car while we say goodnight.

"I love you Ember."

"I love you too Damian." He presses his lips to mine and I wrap my arms around my neck as he wraps his around my waist, pulling me closer. I'm 13. Yes, not many girls are in love at 13 but when you have a guy as special as Damian, you can't help but love him.

We pull away from the intense kiss then we keep our hand in each other's for as long as possible until it drops to the side. I get in the car and when we're at a safe distance, I sigh then flop down on the seat.

"He's amazing."

"We agree."

"Thank you Mom." I grab my Dad's hand.

"Thank you Daddy." He smiles at me then we pull up to home. I fall asleep wondering how exactly I got so lucky.