Chapter 44: A Beautiful Calm
The days passed with peace and ease.
No fights.
No murderous vampires.
No curses.
Nothing at all.
Just that wonderful calm.
Salvatore House – Late Morning
The scent of pancakes and something burning filled the kitchen.
"Damon!" Elena's voice rang from the hallway, sharp and sarcastic. "You left the toast in the oven again!"
Damon called back from inside, flipping a pancake with a dramatic flourish that sent it flying into a cabinet:
"I got distracted! And who needs toast when my world-famous pancakes are on the table?"
"Pancakes no one's actually tasted yet," Stefan commented, seated at the table sipping his coffee calmly. "The last batch was raw in the middle."
Alexander walked in with his usual quiet composure, a faint smirk on his lips.
"So this is how your mornings start? No wonder Mystic Falls is always in chaos."
Bonnie followed him in, laughing lightly.
"Don't let appearances fool you. He had a mini breakdown this morning when he couldn't find his jacket."
Alexander muttered while reaching for a strip of bacon:
"I thought you hid it. You're great at tricks like that."
Caroline came in next, her hair messily tied up, sipping orange juice from a wine glass like she was starting the day her own way.
"You know what's really deceptive? Stefan acting like the brooding health nut, then eating half a cake at midnight."
Stefan shot her a shocked look over the rim of his mug:
"Traitor."
"Oh, please," Damon said mockingly. "You're all acting like you're not disasters. I'm the only one here with taste, charm, and actual cooking skills."
Elena pointed toward him as she opened the window:
"The oven's still smoking, by the way."
Damon waved a kitchen towel dramatically as if putting on a performance:
"It's part of the flavor! I call it 'Smoky Passion.'"
Alexander chuckled quietly, shaking his head. It was strange… like a dream. After everything—curses, battles, heartbreak—moments like this felt stolen from a life that was never his.
And yet, he loved it.
Bonnie leaned in and whispered:
"You're smiling."
"I'm not."
"You totally are," she teased warmly.
"I think I preferred when you were scared of me."
"No, you didn't."
His smile widened, despite himself.
---
Backyard – A Bit Later
A long wooden table had been dragged out into the garden. It overflowed with mimosas, pancakes, and a suspiciously tilted fruit platter—courtesy of Damon, of course.
Elena sat beside Damon, leaning gently on his shoulder. Across from them, Caroline was shamelessly stealing blueberries from Stefan's plate. Bonnie and Alexander sat at the end of the table—Bonnie barefoot, her feet resting on his shoes like they belonged there.
The air was warm. Quiet. Filled with laughter.
Caroline poked Stefan's arm with her fork:
"When are we going on a double date? You and me, plus Mr. Broody Darkness over there and his adorable witch?"
Alexander raised an amused eyebrow:
"Adorable?"
Bonnie sipped from her mimosa and said:
"Take the compliment."
"I feel like I'm going to regret this later."
Damon pointed his fork excitedly:
"No, no—triple date! All of us. Embarrass Stefan at a karaoke bar—"
"I don't do karaoke," Stefan interrupted firmly.
"—and then watch Alexander panic over ordering something other than coffee."
Alexander groaned:
"I hate you all."
Bonnie smiled softly:
"But you love us."
He tried to hide his grin. Failed again.
---
Later That Afternoon – Living Room
Alexander sat on the couch, half-asleep, his head tilted back, arms crossed. He wouldn't admit it, but brunch had wiped him out.
Damon and Stefan were at opposite ends of the couch, watching an old movie in relative silence—until Damon suddenly said:
"You know, we're disgusting."
Stefan blinked:
"What?"
"We're in relationships. Acting mature. Hosting brunch and planning double dates, and—I almost suggested to Elena last week that we adopt a cat."
Stefan laughed:
"You're just bitter that Alexander got the quietest girl of us all."
"She's not quiet," Damon muttered. "She's deliberate."
Alexander opened one eye lazily:
"She's standing right behind you."
Bonnie walked past, holding a book:
"He's right."
Damon jumped in place:
"Stop doing that!"
Caroline burst in suddenly, tossing a pillow at Stefan:
"Let's go out into town. I want coffee."
Stefan caught the pillow:
"You've had three cups already."
"I want a different kind."
Elena leaned from behind the couch:
"You're all hopeless."
But no one moved.
Not yet.
They were too comfortable. Full, happy, wrapped in the warmth of this strange little family they'd built.
And for a moment, none of them were vampires. Or witches. Or cursed.
They were just... people.
And maybe, that was the greatest impossible miracle they'd known.
---
The Next Day – Per Damon's Strict Orders
A triple date.
Meeting place: A sunny field beside the lake.
They picked the quiet meadow near Mystic Falls' lake—a place that pulsed with the simple beat of life, like it came out of an old memory. Damon was the first to arrive, holding Elena's hand. She looked both amused and mildly annoyed by his oversized sunglasses and his shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest.
"Wow, Damon. Really," she said dryly.
He replied confidently while sipping from a metal flask—likely filled with bourbon:
"I prefer to call it fashion evolution."
It wasn't long before Stefan and Caroline arrived, hands intertwined, glowing with quiet affection. Caroline wore a soft pastel dress, and Stefan looked at her like she'd strung the stars across the sky.
But the moment that stole everyone's attention was when Alexander arrived, walking beside Bonnie. He wore a dark shirt and jeans that somehow suited him perfectly—thanks to Damon's intervention. Bonnie had on a light dress that swayed with the breeze, laughing at something he whispered.
Damon blinked, then turned to Stefan:
"Am I seeing this, or am I dreaming?"
Stefan replied coolly:
"Apparently, Bonnie likes guys who come back from the dead."
Alexander just smirked.
"Don't blame me for being alive and magical."
A Nature Outing
They spread out blankets, laid down snacks, and opened Caroline's terrifyingly organized picnic basket, which included everything from fruit skewers to gourmet cheeses. Bonnie brought homemade cookies, Elena brought drinks, and Damon—well, he brought sarcasm... and bourbon.
Caroline looked at Alexander with a mischievous grin:
"So how'd you get Bonnie to agree to this date? Hypnosis? Dark spell? Sacrifice?"
Bonnie choked on her lemonade, laughing:
"He asked nicely, for the record."
Alexander smiled proudly:
"See? Who knew manners worked."
Damon leaned back, eyeing his younger brother:
"We need to check you. Where's the brooding warrior who growled at people and stared at sunsets like it was the end of the world?"
Bonnie teased:
"He kissed me at my doorstep."
Stefan covered his face:
"I'll never get that image out of my head."
After eating, they headed to the lakeshore. Damon challenged Alexander to skip a stone across the water, saying it was a rite of passage.
Alexander picked up a stone, studied it like it held the universe's secrets, then threw it hard—it skipped once... and disappeared into the woods.
Damon deadpanned:
"Congratulations, you just killed a squirrel."
Alexander grinned:
"Your turn."
Stefan threw his—three perfect skips. Caroline clapped. Elena's stone sank instantly.
She raised her hands:
"Don't judge me!"
Damon feigned sorrow:
"No judgment. Just eternal disappointment."
Bonnie's stone skipped twice, then she turned to Alexander:
"Try not to gloat this time."
He smiled confidently and skipped his stone four times.
Caroline gasped:
"Cheater! His arms aren't even human!"
Later, the group scattered across the field. Damon and Elena sat beneath a tree, leaning into each other. Stefan and Caroline walked barefoot along the lake's edge, whispering and laughing softly.
Bonnie and Alexander stayed on the blanket. Alexander looked calmer… less broken. Bonnie rested her head on his shoulder.
He said quietly:
"I never thought I'd be sitting like this."
"With me?" she asked.
"With anyone."
Bonnie smiled:
"Well, here you are. And you deserve it."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently:
"Thank you… for bringing me back."
They didn't speak for a while after that… just enjoyed the sun… and the beautiful silence.
---
Later That Night – Mystic Chalet
Their day ended at the Mystic Chalet. Pool table. Drinks. Karaoke.
Yes… karaoke.
Elena challenged Damon, and he took the mic like a sword, singing Don't Stop Believin' like it was a rock opera.
Stefan and Caroline danced to the jukebox's tunes.
Alexander sang too—pushed by Damon and very strong encouragement from Bonnie. His voice was deep and rough, and he picked Demons by Imagine Dragons.
The place fell silent for a moment. Not out of fear or awe—but with joyful surprise at seeing Mystic Falls' saddest man enjoying life.
And when the night ended, they walked home under the stars… laughing… trading jokes… so many jokes.
Damon looked at his brothers and said:
"Guess this is our version of normal life."
Alexander nodded:
"Not bad."
Stefan smiled:
"It's perfect."
---
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