The End

Damon didn’t remember the walk back to his office.

The board was in chaos after Jack's arrest and he was forced to postpone whatever this was and address them once he understands what's going on.

How did the police find evidence on Jack? He was still discussing with Caleb the last time he stopped by his house…

The office door closed behind him. Patrick remained standing a few steps back, hands folded in front of him.

The past few days have been difficult because of Naomi's demise. He had shed a few tears himself, recalling how sweet she had been and how much she brightened the life of his grumpy boss.

Damon crossed the room slowly, dropping his phone onto the desk without looking at it.

He stood there for a long moment, palms resting against the polished surface, head bowed slightly.

Patrick wanted to speak but he couldn't find the right words to say. He'd taken him a lot to get Damon down to the office as soon as he learned Jack had called for a secret meeting.

Now, the issue has been slightly resolved.

“Call Detective Harris,” Damon said at last. “I want to know what happened with Jack. I want to know exactly what evidence they had, who tipped them off, and why this moved today of all days.”

Patrick nodded immediately. “Yes, sir.”

He turned to leave but the door opened before he could.

Damon looked up slowly, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders.

Seraphine walked in first and Victor followed close behind her. Jordan came next, hands shoved into his pockets, jaw tight. Elara lingered at the doorway for a second before stepping in, eyes flicking to Damon’s face with concern. Caleb entered last, quiet as always, staring at Damon dead in his eyes.

“There will be no need for that.” Victor said to Patrick with a smile.

Damon straightened slowly. “What’s going on?” he asked.

They all stare at Seraphine like they had all concluded who would do the talking.

Seraphine glanced at everyone and threw her hands in the air, “Fucking kill me then!”

She made her way to his fridge, "You got any wine?” Seraphine asked Patrick.

“I'll get one right away.” Patrick walks out of the office.

Damon's eyes narrowed in suspicion. His mental state might be screwed but he could see something was up.

Victor stepped forward until he stood across from Damon’s desk. “You don’t need to call Harris.”

Damon frowned. “Why?”

Caleb spoke this time. “Your security systems are pathetic.” He glanced over his shoulder from across the room, “Get new ones.”

Damon's eyes moved from Caleb to Victor, he knew something was up.

Seraphine exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “We handled it.” She finally met his gaze, “We found proof he had something to do with Naomi's accident…Reed sent us something that could link Jack to Aaron's death too..”

Damon’s gaze moved from one face to the next in disbelief.

“You… handled it,” Damon repeated.

Seraphine folded her arms. “Jack had it coming anyway so why not?”

Victor nodded once. “Caleb was able to find the driver and we got his testimony on tape.”

“The media should be broadcasting this by now..” Caleb glanced at his phone screen and flipped it over for Damon to see. He pulled it away before Damon could make anything of it. “He's not getting out of this one easy.”

Damon leaned on his tablet and exhaled, “I was busy losing my shit and you all were working to get him arrested?”

His gaze met theirs, “Why?”

“That's what family does..” Elara said quietly.

Damon chuckled and shook his head. “No.” He said, “We're everything but a family and you know it. We…we grew up different and…and I know it's mostly because of me.”

Victor cuts in, “Rosie put that on you. That wasn't your fault.”

Caleb tuts, “As much as I have your guts..” Damon's eyes met his solemnly, "He's right.” Caleb adds, “It wasn't your fault.”

Damon chuckled, “Naomi would have killed to see this.” he said quietly. He glanced down at the table, “God, I miss her.”

Seraphine inhaled. “Damon…”

“I mean Pearl is safe now and sh…she's not here to take over.”

“Damon.”

He froze, his entire body going stiff. He could hear her voice, like she was here. In this office.

But it sounded too real.

Damon raised his head slowly and his heart leaped in his chest.

Naomi stood by the doorway.

For a second, Damon thought his mind had finally fractured.

She stood there, by the doorway, smaller than he remembered but she was right there. He wasn't hallucinating.

Her hair was pulled back loosely, a few strands escaping around her face. She wore a simple dress. Her eyes found him.

They didn’t look like the eyes of a ghost.

They looked tired and painfully delighted to see him.

Damon didn’t move, didn’t breathe, didn’t blink. His heart slammed violently, then seemed to stop altogether.

Naomi took a step forward.

“Damon,” she said again, her voice trembling.

He stumbled back a half step, one hand gripping the edge of the desk as if the floor had tilted beneath him.

“No,” he whispered. “No..”

She covered the distance between them quickly, ignoring everyone else in the room. She reached for him, her fingers brushing his wrist.

Her hands were warm.

Damon gasped.

His hand came up shakily, hovering inches from her face, afraid, terrified that if he touched her she would disappear.

“Don’t,” he breathed. “Don’t do this to me.”

Naomi’s eyes watered instantly.

“I’m here,” she said, voice breaking. “I’m really here.”

She took his hand and placed it against her cheek. Her skin was warm.

His knees nearly buckled.

Damon pulled her into his arms with a force that startled everyone in the room, crushing her against his chest like he was trying to fuse her back into his body. His hands trembled violently as they wrapped around her, fingers digging into her back, her shoulders, her hair, anywhere he could reach.

She was breathing.

She was alive.

A sound tore out of him. He buried his face in her hair, his entire body shaking as weeks of grief collapsed into relief so overwhelming it hurt.

Naomi clutched him just as tightly, tears soaking into his shirt. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”

He shook his head against her. “I watched them pull your car out of the river,” he choked. “I thought…”

She held him harder.

“I know,” she whispered. “I know.”

Seraphine cleared her throat softly.

Damon didn’t let go, but he lifted his head slowly, eyes red and glassy. “Someone explain,” he said hoarsely.

Seraphine stepped forward. “She got out of the car that day and saw Jack paying the driver. She knew if she came back then, Jack would finish what he started.”

Victor continued, “We hid her. We gathered proof and..”

Caleb added, “The timing had to be right.”

Damon looked down at Naomi, his hands still gripping her. “You were alive,” he said, stunned. “All this time.”

She nodded. “I wanted to come back every day.” she sobbed, “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..”

He hugged her again, his face buried in the crook of her neck. “I don't care. I don't care. You're here. You're here…God, if this is a dream..” his voice cracked.

Seraphine smiled, tears pooling in her eyes, “I can swing a bat your way if that would help.”

Naomi planted a kiss on his lips, a smile on her face as tears rolled down her cheek, “Does this feel real now?”

Damon pulled her back into his chest, pressing his forehead to hers. “I'm so glad you're okay. I couldn't imagine…” he murmured. “Life without you would have been hell..”

Jordan let out a shaky laugh. “Well. This is one hell of a way to end a day.”

Elara wiped at her eyes. Victor exhaled deeply. Even Caleb seemed to have a small smile on his face.

Naomi went very still. Her hand pressed against Damon’s chest.

“Damon,” she said faintly.

He stiffened immediately. “What’s wrong?” he pulled away, hands on her shoulders as he scanned her face.

She swallowed hard. “I…”

Her face paled.

She pulled away slightly, one hand flying to her mouth.

Seraphine frowned. “Naomi?”

Naomi shook her head once. “I think..”

She gagged, covering her mouth fully now.

Damon caught her instantly. “Hey. Sit. Sit down.”

Seraphine walked closer. “She needs to go to the hospital. She's been throwing up for a few days now.”

Naomi’s breath came shallow. “I feel sick.”

Elara glanced at Seraphine, “A few days?”

Seraphine nodded.

Elara stared at Naomi for a long second, then slowly said, “Are you… pregnant?”

The word landed like a gunshot.

Naomi’s eyes snapped up. Damon’s breath left him in one sharp exhale.

The duo glanced at each other and then down to Naomi's stomach.

“I'm going to be an uncle?!” Jordan shrieked.