Awake

Thirty minutes later, Elena knocked and entered her room.

Elena took Bella’s hand as she began, “Let me tell you a story, a short one. There was a girl once, deeply in love with her best friend. They grew up together, inseparable. Then one day, her father arranged her marriage to an older man. She wept herself to sleep at night.  But when the day came and they married, she slowly realized he wasn’t as terrible as she’d thought. He was kind to her. A woman’s heart is as deep as the ocean, and the secrets it holds are hers alone.”

Elena’s gaze drifted, lost in the past. She sighed softly. “Now, my dear, could you set up the IV for my son? And he will apologize for his behavior.”

“No, it’s really not necessary,” Bella insisted, standing. She followed Elena to Damon’s room.

He was on the phone, yelling at someone, but his tone shifted the moment they walked in. He hung up and glanced at his mother.

“Mom, I’m fine. Why do you insist on making it your life’s mission to annoy me?”

Elena laughed. “Ungrateful child,” kissing his cheek. His eyes, however, stayed locked on Bella.

“Fine,” taking off his jacket and shirt. Bella prepared the needle as he lay back on the bed. She sat on the edge, inserted the needle, and let the fluid flow.

“Just an hour. I’ll be back to check.”

“No, you stay. Mom, please, no more surprises. I love you, but if you pull that again, we’re going to have problems.”

Bella settled into the chair across from the bed. Elena kissed his forehead, then left, quietly closing the door behind her.

Damon reached out, pulling her toward him. She settled onto the bed, her body collapsing against him. "I’m sorry," his voice low. "I had to sell it." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his hand absently stroking her hair. Her palms rested on his chest; her ear pressed to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"I want you," he whispered, his other hand still tangled in her hair. "Are you even listening to me?"

She propped herself up, glancing down at him. "Of course. Just... absorbing you," her head returning to his chest. He closed his eyes, exhaling sharply. "Fuck," "I’m in deep, and for once, I don’t care. I think I love her. This is insane." Damon pointed to the drawer.

Bella pulled open the drawer and took out the box. She opened it to find a necklace with a blue flower pendant. She looked at him in surprise. "Is this for me?"

"It matches your eyes," "Yes, it's for you. I've never given anyone something like this before." She kissed him softly. "Thank you,"

"Damon, don’t ever leave me. I can’t breathe without you. I love you."

He smirked, his chest rumbling under her ear. "Of course, she said it first," he thought, then chuckled. "She’s mine. Only mine."

"Bella," he said aloud, his tone shifting. "I need to figure this out. I’ll explain it to my brother, he’ll understand. No one’s touching you. I’ve killed for less. For this? I’d go overboard."

The IV finished, and she changed the bandages. Once everyone left, the house fell silent. He tugged her back into bed, peeling her clothes off slowly, savoring every moment like a predator relishing its prey.

The door cracked open slightly, the faint click of a camera snapping pictures unnoticed. Damon’s mouth was on her chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her. The door closed just as quietly as it had opened.

He pulled her into his lap, her moans echoing in the room. He tried to muffle them with his mouth, but she arched against him, coming undone. Her breath hitched as she collapsed against him, spent. He held her there, his hand sliding down her back before giving her ass a sharp smack. She gasped, then moaned.

"Damon, I’m tired," she protested weakly.

"Oh no," grinning. "You liked that, didn’t you? You’ve got me going now. Can’t stop." He smacked her again, her moan louder this time.  "You’re into this?" Her whimper only spurred him on, the chaos between them growing hotter.

Eventually, Bella’s body gave out, and they fell asleep. He woke up to a sharp knock on the door, jolting upright. "Coming," he growled, pulling on his pants. Rafael stood outside.

"What?" Damon barked, barely opening the door.

"Boss, your parents are on their way."

"Thanks," Damon said, slamming the door in his face. He returned to the bed, his hand sliding over Bella’s skin as he kissed her back.

"Let me sleep," she mumbled, half-conscious.

"My parents are here." Bella shot up, panic flashing across her face. She dressed in record time, planted a quick kiss on his lips, and bolted out the door, heading straight for the shower.

As Bella descended the stairs, she found everyone gathered in the foyer, their faces alight with excitement.

"Bella!" Elena rushed toward her, clasping her hands. "Wonderful news, Lucas has regained consciousness."

Bella forced her lips into what she hoped resembled a smile, her gaze drifting to Damon. The desperation in his eyes made her stomach clench.

At the hospital, they filled Lucas's room, Elena, her husband, Damon, Giana and her spouse. Bella perched on the edge of the bed.

"Welcome back,"

Lucas's fingers touched her cheek. "This brush with death has changed everything," "I want to make our marriage work. I wasn't honest before about my feelings for you. Will you give us another chance?"

Elena dabbed at her eyes while her husband placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. Across the room, Damon's expression burned with barely contained rage.

"Lucas, I…" Bella began.

"Let me sweeten the offer," Lucas interrupted. "A honeymoon, anywhere in the world you desire. My treat."

Bella bolted from the room. Footsteps pounded behind her, Giana's, then Damon's.

Giana reached her first, thrusting a phone into Bella's face. "Accept his proposal, or everyone sees these photos,"

Damon approached, trying to figure out what Giana had shown her. Bella's shoulders slumped in defeat. She wiped her tears, brushed past Damon, and re-entered the room.

"I believe you deserve that second chance," she told Lucas, her voice hollow.