Cry Wolf

Book: Cry Wolf
Chapter 164 (8x09)
Word Count: 1191

February 11, 2018

Emerson strolled through the front door to the Salvatore house, a smile spreading across her features as she was glad to be home, even if she did miss Paris. Someone must have heard her walk in because footsteps were heard walking through the kitchen and heading towards the front door. Moments later, Samara rounded the corner. Emerson smiled widely at her.

"Bonjour!"

Samara screamed happily and rushed over to hug Emerson.

"You're here! How was Paris? How's Enzo? Tell me you ate all the cheese..."

"And drank all the wine. And bought all the gifts." Emerson reached into her bag and pulled out a gift, handing it to Samara. "But don't open it now. Save it for yours and Stefan's big day. The gift is kind of wedding themed."

"Thank you." But then, Samara focused in on the ring on Emerson's hand, gasping in shock. "Speaking of weddings... is that what I think it is?"

"If you think that it is an engagement ring, then you would be correct." Emerson laughed. Samara grabbed her hand to inspect the ring closer before hugging Emerson again.

"Congratulations!" Samara's phone then rang; Emerson saw that Seline was calling her.

"Why would psycho siren-nanny call you?"

"Apparently she and her sister are fighting." Samara sighed.

"And we care because...?" Emerson rolled her eyes. Samara answered the phone.

"What do you want?"

"My sister's on the warpath. The artifact that she's trying to assemble has the power to kill her. That's why she's after all three pieces of the bell. Lucky for you, I already stole the biggest part."

"Did you want a congrats?"

"You have something I need, I have something you need. I have the bell, you have the tuning fork... and together, we're like chocolate and peanut butter."

"Or peanut butter and garbage."

"Hey, I am trying to make amends. I could've just as easily called Damon. He has the third piece of the bell, the striker."

"What's the striker?"

"It's an iron ball. My sister had him fetch it from the Maxwells. He doesn't even know what it is. Look, I am partially responsible for the damage she inflicts on the world. If I want to make good, that starts with killing Sybil."

"I'm just having a hard time taking you seriously because of everything you've done."

"You don't have to trust me, but I sure as hell am trusting you... with a weapon of terrible power."

"Well, I love a weapon of terrible power. Now that you've wasted my time, I'm helping my friends with Miss Mystic Falls today. Those of us who haven't burnt every single bridge we've ever crossed have obligations."

---

Emerson, Bonnie, Samara, Caroline, and Juliet were checking in the attendees while Caroline wrapped up her phone-call with Matt.

"Hey." Caroline breathed, making her way over to the four girls.

"Hey. Those are the last names on the guest list." Bonnie pointed over to the couple that just passed them.

"Perfect." Caroline nodded. "Once the dance is underway, we can get out of here and find that striker. Hopefully Damon decides to answer his phone."

"Or we could ask him in person." Samara offered, her eyes trailing over Caroline's shoulder. Cassandra and Damon were stood there, Damon in a suit and Cassandra in a dark purple dress. the Salvatore brothers in their matching suits. Damon shot Juliet a smug smirk, causing her to clench her jaw.

"What are you even doing here?"

"I invited them." Sybil spoke up, walking over. "Don't worry. As long as I get what I want, I'll make sure they behave."

---

After the Miss Mystic Falls dance had come and gone, Caroline approached Emerson and Enzo.

"Damon just took Sybil inside. If he's giving her that striker..."

"I think it's time we wrapped up this shindig." Enzo muttered.

"You two get everyone out of here safely. I'll take care of it and get the striker." Caroline then moved to make an announcement. "Hey, everyone. Um, so sorry, but, uh, this year's pageant will have to be cut short due to a gas leak in the kitchen. So please exit quickly, and get home safely. Thank you all for coming."

"But who won?" One contestant asked.

"Um... it's a six-way tie." Caroline then attempted to compel Violet the contestant. "Now, go home."

"No. No, we have to stay." The contestant argued, confusing Caroline.

"Who told you you have to stay?"

"The honorary judge." Another contestant responded. "Cassandra Salvatore."

---

Enzo were walking around that night, lost in his thoughts, when Emerson walked over and hugged him from behind.

"Hello, my soon-to-be husband."

"Good evening, my soon-to-be bride."

Enzo turned around so he could face Emerson, smiling down at her. He reached down to graze his finger tips over her engagement ring, holding her hand and bringing it up to his lips so he could gently plant a kiss to her knuckles, causing Emerson to giggle in amusement.

"I'm the luckiest man on Earth."

"How flattering." Emerson hugged Enzo again. "We get to spend forever together, but don't you ever feel the need for something more?"

"What do you mean?" Enzo asked, and Emerson pulled away to look up into his eyes.

"I mean... when I was younger, I used to dream of growing up with the love of my life and having kids. I'd always wanted twins, actually, because twins were of course always big in my family, just without the Gemini nonsense. Two boys if I got to choose, but I would've also been more than happy with a baby girl."

"What are you saying?" Enzo muttered gently, and he was honestly not prepared for Emerson's next words.

"I don't think marriage will be enough got me, Enzo. I want to start a family. Have kids, watch them grow up. I know what you're going to say... I know we're both vampires, but we could always adopt!"

"I'd want nothing more than to start a family with you, Emerson Parker." Enzo whispered. Emerson smiled, but it disappeared when Enzo spoke again. "But I'd feel more like a family if they were actually ours. If they were our children through blood and not just through paper. I really hate feeling like this... but I don't think I could ever love a child that wasn't biologically mine."

"Oh... that's okay. I still have you, and that's more than enough." Emerson smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "We still have forever, but we will have to make eternity count."

"An eternity with you. Sounds perfect." Enzo said, leaning down to kiss Emerson, before she suddenly got an incredible idea.

"If there was a way for you to have biological children, would you be up to the idea of starting a family then?"

"Of course, but that's not possible." Enzo pointed out, but Emerson's smile didn't falter at all. "You have an idea. Oh, God... what are you thinking, love?" But again, Enzo was definitely not prepared for Emerson's next words.

"What if we both could take the cure?"