Stefan's P.O.V.
- Ahh! I wake up this morning with my brother looking down at me and smirking like always. I push him away and stand up to walk toward my desk.
- Bad dream? Do you know how easy it was to get into your head just now? I listen to his questions while grabbing a knife on my desk beside my diary. You really need some human blood. It might even the playing field. Football reference. Too soon, he says laughing. I turn around knowing he's behind me and stab him with the knife in the stomach. Damon groans but pulls it out easily.
- All right, I deserved that. But I just wanted to let you know, they caught the culprit. The animal responsible for killing coach Tanner and all those people.
- What are you talking about? I ask frowning confused.
- It was a mountain lion. Really big one. It attacked a hunter this morning. It's all over the news. "Deadly beast captured. All's well in Mystic Falls."
- Why would you cover your tracks?
- I've decided to stay a while. And I'm just having way too much fun here with you and Elena. And Gillian, she needs someone to watch after her because it seems like you don't recently. My brother's lips curve again into a smirk.
- Can't touch her now. And don't you dare hurting Gillian, Damon, I swear I will make YOU live a living hell, I warn and threat my brother.
- Well, the vervain keeps me out of her head. Maybe that's not my target. Believe it or not, Stefan, some girls don't need my persuasion. Some girls just can't resist my good looks, my style and my charm and my unflinching ability to listen to Taylor Swift, I stare at him angrily when a sharp pain in my chest is feeling. I groan, hurt as I fall on my knees, supporting myself on the desk. Damon just stabbed me back with the knife. He walks a bit farther in the room. And for Gillian, I think you're the one who is hurting her right now. Poor Boo, he says while making a sad face before laughing.
I remove the knife from my stomach and put it on the desk before sitting in my chair and write in my diary. I hear someone passing in front of my room. I look up and watch Gillian going to the bathroom. She looks so tired and her eyes are still red. I call her but she slams the wooden door. I sigh and take a piece of paper to write down a note to my daughter.
- "I'm going to Elena's. If you need me, call me, for anything. I know you hate me but, please, don't think I let you down. I don't. I want to talk to you when I come back home, I think we have some explaining to do to each other. Especially me. I love you so much Gillian."
I sign and fold the paper before puting it on her bed, in the middle of it to be sure she will see it. I exit her bedroom and vamp-speed to my car before driving to Elena's. I park in front of her house and walk to her front door to ring the bell.
- Hi, she says smiling and dragging me inside her home before kissing me passionately.
- Hi, I respond to her, kissing her lips as well. She drags me to her room, still kissing each other which leads us to a make out session on her bed. I kiss her neck furiously when I remark, in the mirror, that my face is transforming. I pull away from her and sit up on her bed, taking quiet, deep breath to calm down.
- Are you okay? She asks kindly and concerned while sitting up beside me.
- I'm good. Sorry, I answer, still hiding my face the best I can.
- Maybe we should press pause.
- Yeah, you're probably right. That was getting a bit...
- Yeah.
- Yeah, I look at her smiling, seeing her light pink cheeks.
- How do you look in a suit?
- I can pull one off, I tell her not getting where this question is going.
- How about tomorrow night? Will you be my date to the Founder's Party?
- They still do that? I ask, jokingly.
- Have you been before? She asks slapping my arm gently and laughing.
- No, the Salvatore's don't get invited anymore, I admit.
- Well, this year, there's this heritage project that meant a lot to my mom. She was really involved in the founder's council, and it was her favorite party. I know it sounds really boring, but...
- I would be honored to accompany you, Miss Gilbert, I respond in the most polite way while smiling. Elena looks down nervous, lightly laughing. But can my sister come with us? She's not feeling well lately and I don't want to leave her alone.
- Of course. The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Salvatore.
Gillian's P.O.V.
I woke up this morning, tired. I haven't been feeling like that since a long time. I thought that now I was a vampire, I couldn't get tired but I guess I was wrong. It only works for sickness. I stand up and go to the bathroom to take a shower. I pass in front of my dad's bedroom, hearing him calling me but I don't want to talk to him. I slam the door and go under the shower. Half an hour later, I go back to my bedroom and see a note in the middle of my bed. I open it and read it. Of course he would go to her house before talking. Maybe it is better... I don't want to talk right now. I put on some clothes and tell Uncle Zach that I am going to the Grill. I vamp-speed there, taking my favorite hot tea. Tyler is there but I don't think going to him is a good idea. Suddenly, I hear Caroline and Bonnie entering the Grill. They both walk up to the bar, getting their coffee or tea before spitting me at a table.
- Hey Gillian, how are you? We didn't see you at the game, says, Bonnie, while hugging me. She's really cool. Did you heard about Mr. Tanner?
- Hey Bonnie, I'm tired and no, what happened? I ask, playing the ignorant card. I perfectly remember my uncle killing him.
- Mr. Tanner got attack and died in front of the gym.
- Oh my god, I reply, looking horrified.
- I know it's terrible, says Caroline. I look at her. She smiles to me before asking me a question.
- Hey, let's talk about something more happy. Are you going to the Founder's party, it's an heritage project that everyone goes to every years? Questions and explains me, Bonnie.
- No, I'm not, I actually didn't know about it.
- Well, you are now, and you can't say no, says, Caroline, drinking and smiling to me. I nod and smile as well. I can't stop thinking if she is compelled by Damon or if she is herself.
- I will, well, I have to go back home but I'll see you there, I tell them smiling. They smile back and I exit the Grill. I walk a little bit before vamp-speeding to the boarding house. I enter the house and go upstairs when I see my uncle in my dad's room. I walk slowly and quietly to him. Where is Zach?
- I didn't know you were here, I tell him crossing my arms over my chest.
- Just going through your dad's homework. Boy, this country sure has dumbed down in the last hundred years. Why he wants to go to high school is beyond me. I mean, in the seventies, he went Ivy League. Harvard, I understood. Actually, no. I didn't get that either. Oh, I went to yours too before little niece. It is not that good you know. You should learn a bit more to be as smart as your father, he looks at me smirking but I don't move and keep glaring at him. My grades are perfectly fine. Go ahead, purge. Get it out. What's on your mind?
- Why are you here, Damon? I question him sternly. I might not be in good terms with my dad right now but it doesn't give the right to my uncle to go to my dad's private stuff. And plus I still remember what he did to Mr. Tanner before the game.
- Mmh-mmh, it's Uncle Damon for you. How many times do I have to tell you? I don't know how your dad raised you but he didn't do a great job, I roll my eyes aggrevated to his comment. I'm here to spend time with you, Boo. Family's important, he says smirking.
- My dad raised me well. I'll call you uncle when you'll act like one, He frowns. I might not know you as well as my dad or Zach do but I know you always have a motive. So tell me, what is it this time? My uncle gets up of the chair so quickly that I don't have time to react. In a matter of two seconds, I am against a wall, my uncle's hand tightening around my throat.
- You are in no position to question me.
- Uncle Damon, stop, please, I didn't mean to upset you, he was tightening his grip around my throat making me gasping for air. Uncl... Uncle Damon... I can't breath. My uncle smiles with his famous smirk before getting propulse on the other side of the room. I fall on the floor, coughing for air. I feel a hand on my back and I automatically know who it is.
- Woah, nice Stefan. Didn't know you had that in you with all those rabbit blood, laughs, Damon while clapping his hands. But you didn't have to be that violent. We were just having a family moment. Spending some quality time.
- You were killing my daughter, Damon! You're going to regret that move, yells, my dad, staying in front of me to protect me. Damon smirks again and exits the room without saying anything. I watched my uncle leaving the room before letting accidentally a sob out. I cover my mouth, letting the tears rolling down.
- Hey, hey, are you okay, baby? Come here, asks, my father, while sitting on the floor, his back against the wall and me between his legs. I let myself drowning into his chest, tears of sadness, scaredness and pain rolling down my cheeks.
- No, I'm not, I answer between sobs. Dad grabs in of my hand to squeeze it tightly. And neither are you. How many more people have to die before you see that? Huh, dad? I ask him, getting off his chest and on my knees to face him. First he wanted to see me exposed, now he tried to killed me then what? I'll die poisoned? beheaded? My dad shakes his head and wipes my tears off before hugging me even tighter against him. Quick footsteps are heard in the corridor.
- What happened? What is all that noise? Gillian, are you alright? questions, Zach with worry while helping me getting up. I nod. My dad explains that Damon almost killed me a minute ago and now they are fighting.
- If you see it Stefan, why aren't you doing anything about it? Are you waiting for her to be dead by your brother? asks, Zach, frowning madly.
- I can't, Zach. I can't. It would take human blood. It's the only way that I could stop him, and I can't do that.
- The vervain could weaken him if he ingested it. It would help get you the upper hand.
- Vervain hasn't grown here since 1865. Damon saw to that. The little I had, I gave to Elena. I roll my eyes remembering that he gave my necklace to her. Zach looks at my father with wide eyes and with an exasperated expression. What? Zach gestures us to follow him which we do. I pass in front of my father and the three of us walk down to the cellar. Zach opens the door letting us discover the room full of growing vervain. They've been growing it for ages but nobody knows it. Wow! Damon better not be aware of it or we're all dead. Zach gives a little bottle to my dad and closes the door.
We walk back upstairs and I go prepare myself for the Founder's party. My father tells me that Elena invited him and I but I explain him that Caroline and Bonnie already did it. He tried to talked to me about the necklace and what happened with Damon but I stopped him not ready to talk about it. I go to my room and look for a dress. I take out a floral one and put it on before applying make up.
I put on a natural make up and go downstairs where my dad was waiting for me. He is talking with Uncle Zach in the living room and drinking a glass of Scotch together. The both of them turn around to look at me after hearing me coming.
- Look at you, Gillian, you look amazing, compliments, Uncle Zach, taking me in his arms.
- Thank's Zach, I tell him, smiling. I look at my dad who looks at me too.
- You look gorgeous, Lilou, he says smiling but seems a little bit discomfort. I thank him, the awkwardness building in the room.
- Well, see you later, Uncle Zach, I kiss his cheek and exit the boarding house. Dad follows me and goes to the driver side.
Twenty minutes later, my father parks in front of Elena's house and goes to her door. On our way to Elena's, neither my father or I talked. I just looked outside, the trees, the road, the birds flying,...
Elena and my father come back to his car so I go to the back. I greet Elena. She compliments my dress which I thank her and compliment her back. Dad drives us to the Founder's party in less than a quarter of an hour. The tree of us arrive in front of the Lockwood's residence, where the party takes place. I follow the couple and enter after them. Mrs. Lockwood talks with Elena and my dad. I remark my uncle at the opposite of the room watching my father and Elena with jealousy. I hesitate walking to him since what he did earlier to me but I don't know anyone here and I don't want to stay with my "supposedly" dad. He is more like a brother recently. Good for him, that's what he wanted. I walk slowly to Damon, looking at the things around the room at the same time. I stand next to my uncle who is still watching the couple.
- That's Caroline that you should look at like that, not my dad with her, I tell him, doing the same thing as he does.
- You don't like her, do you? he says and looks at me smirking. I don't answer him but I think he understands what my eyes are saying. Why?
- What? I ask, looking up at my uncle with a confused frown.
- What makes you hate her?
- Why are you nice to me? You almost killed me an hour and a half earlier, I whisper to him so only Damon can hear me.
- Just answer my question, Boo, I sigh and look back at the couple.
- It's not her that I hate. It's her doppelganger which is supposed to be my mom. The woman who should have raised me with my dad but she left. I don't even know why. I don't know if I was a mistake or a burden, I don't know if she didn't want me, I don't know nothing. I, then stare at him, a slight pain flashing in his eyes. I frown lightly. Anyway, I can't stop thinking that she's my mom but I know she's not. I just can't control it. I feel uncomfortable around her. I guess it just takes some time for me to adjust to her in our life, he nods and looks quickly down before gazing back at me.
- Come on, he says and takes my hand. What is taking him? Did someone cast a spell on him? Compelled him? I follow Damon to a small room and where Stefan and Elena are. They're looking at an old paper where names are written on it. Elena reads it.
- "The founding families in Mystic Falls welcomes you to the inaugural founder's council celebration." Wow, look, it's the original guest registry. Look at all these familiar names : Sheriff William Forbes, Mayor Benjamin Lockwood. Is that Damon Salvatore? And, Stefan Salvatore? She asks confused and looks at my dad with a frown.
- The original Salvatore brothers, answers, my uncle, stopping in front of them with me beside him. Dad stares at his brother and I's hands which makes him frown. Damon still has mine in his. I take back my hand. Our ancestors. Tragic story, actually.
- We don't need to bore them with stories of the past, replies quickly, my dad.
- It's not boring, Stefan. I'd love to hear more about your family, answers, my mom's doppelganger, while watching the brothers and I.
- Well, I'm bored, says, Caroline, who joins the group. I want to dance. And Damon won't dance with me. Damon shook his head. Could I just borrow your date? she asks Elena. The trio exchanges glances.
- I don't really dance, replies, dad.
- Oh, sure he does. You should see him. Waltz, the jitterbug, the moonwalk. He does it all, says, my uncle, with a smirk.
- Well sorry, but I'm not going to take no for an answer, responds, Caroline.
She grabs my father's hand and drags him to the dance floor. I let my uncle and Elena alone and go to the bar. I ask for a glass of champagne and drink it slowly while looking at everyone dancing, having a good time. I wonder where is Jeremy though. It's been a while since I saw him. I finish the glass in one gulp and ask for a new one. My dad and Caroline come to me. I smile to them. My dad's eyes shooting me a warning. Caroline and him take a glass as well before Damon and Elena join us. This is so awkward. I ask for a third glass but my dad says no to the bartender. I sigh and smile at the same time before excusing myself. I walk to a table where Bonnie is sitting by herself. She seems bored... And lonely.
- Hey Bon, what are you doing here by yourself? Why aren't you dancing? I ask her smiling and showing the dance floor as I sit on front of her.
- Hey, you look beautiful in this dress. Dancing isn't my thing, she smiles and shakes her head as well.
- Thank you, you too! You're a cheerleader and dancing isn't your thing, she laughs and a candle blows off. Bonnie and I look at it and it re-ignites. Wow, you... You did that? She looks at me with wide eyes and scared.
- Don't tell anyone, please. I don't even know how I do it, she whispers more scared than ever.
- Hey, it's okay, I won't. That is so cool though, she nods and smiles lightly relieved. I lightly laugh before turning my head to look at the dance floor. I see my dad and Elena going there, hand in hand. The two of them start dancing a slow but she quickly leaves my dad by himself. She looked mad. The two brothers exchange glances. Damon looks happy and proud of himself while dad looks down, sad. Bonnie stands up and leaves me to run after her best friend. My father looks so lonely and sad that it breaks me. I know we are still fighting but he is my dad. I stand up and walk fast to him. I grab his hand because he was beginning to walk away and pull him. Can we dance, dad? I whisper so lowly that I'm not even sure he heard me.
- Of course, baby, he answers, smiling to me. I miss that smile. I miss our father/daughter moment. Dad rocks us from left to right before spinning me around. I laugh again, happy which caused dad to grew his smile. However, it doesn't stay long and is quickly replaced by a sad frown. Gillian, we need to talk you know?
- Why are you ruining this dance? Why are you trying to ruin everything we had? I question him, sighing annoyed as I look away, my happiness flying away.
- Gillian don't take it that way. I just want to explain myself to you, can I? I sigh when I remark my uncle and Caroline walking away. I frown confused and worried for the girl. Elena comes back to my dad, furious. I step lightly away as he turns to face her.
- I'm sorry. I take it all back. You're completely right about Damon, she sounds scared and angry.
- What did he do? asks, my dad, concerned.
- There are bruises all over Caroline's body. Bite marks, and he has her all confused and messed up in the head, she looks at the both of us. My eyes cross my dad's one. You don't look surprised.
- Um... I'm handling it, answers, my father, trying his hardest to cover our secret.
- Handling it? Stefan, you should be having him arrested, tells, Elena, seriously.
- Elena, please. I... I don't expect you to understand, I back away a bit more, letting them some more private space.
- I don't understand anything, Stefan. So why don't you just clear it up for me? Questions, the brunette, shaking her head.
- Look, there are things that you don't know, okay? Things that I want to tell you, but I can't. And I may never be able to. And I just need you to trust me, he tells her while puting his hands on her shoulders.
- Trust is earned. I can't just magically hand it over, I look behind the couple and see Damon and Caroline going away from the party. Dad seems to see them too.
- I'm so sorry. I have to go, says, my father before letting Elena alone. He starts running in my uncle's direction. I walk in front of her, making her look at me.
- Elena, she looks at me with glassy eyes. My... my brother loves you a lot. And even if it hurts me to tell you this... I look at her and bite my lower lips. Don't hurt my brother. He'll do anything to make you happy, She doesn't say anything nor moves. I nod before letting her alone as well and walk to where my dad ran.
I see dad hiding behind some bushes, watching Damon and Caroline a bit farther away. Caroline is facing my uncle. She's scared, I can see it in her eyes. Uncle Damon goes behind the blonde girl and wraps his arms around her waist. Her breathing is uneven. Dad and I listen to their conversation when, suddenly, he bites her neck. The both of them fall on the ground. Uncle Damon lays on his back unwell and weak. Dad gets out of his hide and walks up to him with a smirk. I follow behind.
- What the hell? questions, Damon to my father, looking weak.
- You know, I couldn't spike your drink... So I spiked hers, admits, dad to my uncle. I help my father grabbing his brother and the three of us vamp-speed to the boarding house, letting Caroline laying on the grass. She'll be fine.
When we arrived at the boarding house, Zach came and I hand him my place so he can help my dad. The two men bring my uncle to the cellar and lock him in. I didn't follow them, instead I went to my room to put on my pajama. I am tired of that night and those tensions between the brothers and people that are surrounding us everyday. I grab my wooden box where the necklace is supposed to be and sit on my bed with my legs crossed. A knock is heard on my door. I don't look up knowing it's my father. He walks to my bed and sits in front of me.
- She loved that box, I look up at him. The night before she left, your mother put it on our bed with the necklace inside. Katherine, I wince when he said her name, she wanted you to have it.
- But you gave it to Elena, I whispered feeling my throat tightening.
- To protect her from Damon, I'll give it back to you, I promise, baby, tells me, dad, touching my leg and rubbing it.
- We both know that we can't take back a gift, dad, I say while looking at him with tears in my eyes. My dad takes my head with his free hand and I let him pulling it against his shoulder. Dad sits closer to me as he passes his hand on my back, leaving my leg. Tears fall down one by one on my cheeks. Why did she left us, dad? Was I not wanted? A mistake? Was I becoming a burden? Tell me dad, please, I want to know, I say lowly, my voice unable to go higher and still crying on his shoulder.
- No, no, baby, your mom loved you. She just had her reasons and it's better like this, trust me, he answer, still blurry about the subject.
- You would never leave me, right? I look up at him, my lips shaking from my crying.
- No, of course not, why would you think that, sweetie? He says bringing me onto his lap. I sniff sadly as I play with my hands.
- Because that is what you're doing since we arrived here. I already told you that but you didn't understand anything of what I'm telling you, I say louder than I thought I would. I shake my head and stand up from his lap. You're almost friend with everyone, and me? I have Bonnie, Jeremy, maybe Matt and that's it. I don't want to follow you everywhere you go but I want at least to spend some times with you, like before. When we were going to the cinema and then a restaurant or when we were going swimming or even playing games together. Have some father/daughter time. Do you even remember those time that we spend together before we came here? I scream to him, out of sadness. I sob as it starts to become hard to talk and cry at the same time. I miss my dad like crazy! And of course to add more things to that there is my uncle who tried to exposed me to the whole town and then almost killed me I yell, sobbing beforr falling on my knees, tired and weak. Dad vamp-speeds to my side, his hand on my shoulder. I push him away but he stops me. I punch his arms, struggling against him who tries to grab my arms. However, I give up and let him embrace me tightly. The hot tears won't stop streaming down my cheeks. I hear the fast steps of Uncle Zach in the corridor. My dad's right hand leaves my back, probably gestures to Zach that it's okay. I hate pretending being your sister, I sometimes want to scream at people, telling them that you are my father but then, I can't stop telling myself that you don't even remember being my father and it hurts. I love you so much dad but also hate you for your acts. I feel so lonely, I keep sobbing uncontrollably. I feel like that's the only thing I do those past few days... Crying.
- Gillian, I'm your father and I know that lately I haven't really been present for you and didn't act like I should have been as your father. I know, I should have though. But I want to scream at people sometimes too, especially to the boys who are around you. I keep crying but laugh lightly when he mentioned the boys. I hate seeing you near a boy because I don't want you to be hurt and I hate seeing you drinking but I can't tell you anything because it is not my job as your "brother" to tell you that. Everyone has to believe that we are "brother and sister" but believe me, I don't forget being your dad. Lilou, look at me, look at me sweetie, I look up at him, feeling his thumb wiping my cheeks. Dad stares into my eyes with his showing sadness but also seriousness and sincerity. If I have to yell at you for something you did, I will, brother card or not, because that is my job to keep you in the right way. It hurts me knowing that those tears are mostly because of me. But I don't want you to doubt about my love for you, baby. Ever. You're my daughter, my blood. I'm so, so proud of you, he whispers, faintly smiling and still rubbing my cheeks. You're the best thing that ever happened in my life, baby. Any of your problems become mine, if you're happy, I'm happy, if you're sad, I'm sad. That's how I work. I know Damon isn't the perfect uncle but I will never let him hurt you, I nod and look at my left, feeling a single tear rolling down. Will you forget me for letting you apart, for lying to you, for giving your necklace to Elena?
- Of course, I forgive you dad but don't do it again, it hurts so much you can't even imagine, I whisper back, nodding lightly. He nods and smiles before letting a single tear rolling down his cheek.
I thought dad was going to embrace me again but, instead, I feel him picking me up and throwing me on my mattress. I laugh, amused as I grab my pillow under my head to hit him with it. He takes the other one and a pillow fight begins between us. It feels good to laugh and play with my dad again. It might be childish but I don't care. That's how we are happy. That's how we deal with sadness. Half an hour later, we lay on my bed, telling stories to each other. My head is on his shoulder while he strokes gently my hair.
Stefan's P.O.V.
Seeing Gillian crying like that makes me weak. I know something happened to her, I know I hurt her and I wish that nothing would have happened but I can't. And I can't go back in time either. Hearing her laughing is my happiness. My daughter deserves every happiness in this world. She might be a vampire but she's more human than I, Damon or any vampires.
After our little party fight with the pillows, we lay down on her mattress and talk about our awkwardness moments, our best and worst memories, our life. It's in those moments that I know, I would be and do nothing without my daughter now. She brings joy and light to my life. She is my greatest achievement. I look down at her head on my shoulder, when I remark that she's already asleep. She looks peaceful and beautiful. I smile and place a kiss on her forehead before closing my eyes and falling asleep few minutes later.
Heyy guys!! How are you? 😁 New chapter here! What did you think of it? 😊 Thank you for reading this new chapter! 😁 I apologize for the mistakes! 😏 Please, feel free to vote and/or comment! 😘😘