Stefan sat on the back deck watching the kids play in the pond. Jordan took his hand and they smiled at each other. He loved his life, loved his family. They had endured so much together over the years. The last year had been quiet, which was making Stefan nervous.

The annual New Year’s trip to Ireland brought all the kids together again — with a lot of them fighting or hiding their feelings for each other. As usual, Stefan and Jordan renewed their vows on the beach and then made love until dawn.

The couples were still strong; he never had to worry about them. Mark and Paul always made him smile when he saw them together. Their undying love for each other just radiated.

His eyes fell on Sergio and Stefan’s heart ached. His job was his whole life. He needed someone in his life but he couldn’t get past the abuse he had suffered and it had made him hard and unfeeling. Stefan had approached Vince for help but Vince had told him that it would take someone special to knock down Sergio’s walls. Until then, they had to sit back and wait.

Stefan smiled as Jordan squeezed his hand. “Look at what we have, babe. Is there anything else better?”

“No, there isn’t.”

 

The entire group traveled to Florida for spring break. Lily was watching the guys play volleyball on the beach. Damon was still gorgeous; his blond hair was short and he had a tan from the Florida sun. She felt Katiana nudge her and they both watched as Sergio and Landon ran out onto the sand.

“Oh, holy hell, Kat. Check Landon out!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you guys. I was watching Sergio’s ass.” Lily deadpanned.

Sergio stopped and turned. “I heard that Lily.”

Lily blushed crimson. “Ooops, forgot you can hear everything.”

Sergio smiled. “Thank you, anyway.”

Lily laughed as he ran into Landon, knocking him into the water. Joshua took off and jumped on Sergio’s back only to be thrown into the water seconds later. He came up spitting seawater and laughing.

“Damn, you are going to have to teach me some moves, Sergio.”

Sergio put his hands on his hips. “What is wrong with you, dumbfucks?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Damon demanded.

“You have girls who love you, want you, and what do you do? Sit around and twiddle your thumbs.”

“That’s not fair! I tried!”

“I’m in the ‘just friends’ zone,” Joshua explained weakly.

“I’m —” Landon stopped. “Hell, I don’t know where I am.”

“You guys are hot. Check out all the women looking at you.” Sergio looked around.

“Yeah, I think they’re looking at you Sergio. What are you? Six foot ten?” Joshua laughed.

“Ha ha, Joshua. No.” Sergio pointed at him. “You are in love with Katarina. Jesus, just kiss her!”

“Sergio.” Tanner rolled his eyes.

Landon watched a bunch of girls heading their way and he nudged Joshua. They all turned and smiled as they got closer. The tallest one, a blonde with nice curves, was looking at Sergio.

“Mind if we join the game?”

“Not at all.” Sergio smiled. “Pick your side.”

Landon smiled at the shortest one, a small brunette who looked as if she wanted to crawl into a corner. “Would you like to be on our team?”

“Um okay, but I’m kinda short.”

“No problem, what’s your name?”

“Madison.”

“I’m Landon.” Landon shook her hand and smiled when she blushed.

Katarina smacked Katiana’s arm. “Ow! What was that for?”

“You have competition.” Katarina nodded at Landon.

Lily watched Damon with another one of the girls. He was smiling and the girl was doing everything she could to touch him and get close to him. Bile rose in her throat and Lily excused herself to get drinks. The drink tent was packed and a lot of the college guys were hanging around and drinking. She squeezed in between two of them and got the bartender’s attention.

“Can I get five bottles of water, please?” Lily turned to see one of the guys right in her face.

“Well, hello! I’m Eli and this is Brice. What would your name be?”

Lily tried to ignore them; they were drunk. “It’s Lily, nice to meet you.” She turned back around and felt a hand on her ass. “That’s not a good idea.”

“I think it is. I’m just having fun, sweetheart.”

“Yeah? Well I’m not.” Lily threw her money on the bar and grabbed her bottles. She hadn’t made it halfway to her friends when Eli blocked her way. “Please move,” she said, her voice like steel.

Eli let his eyes roam over her. She had nice tits. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her into his chest. “What are you here for if not for fun? Girls don’t turn me down, honey.”

“Really? I just did.”

Lily pushed him hard and tried to get out of his grip. He grabbed her arm and pulled her closer, clapping his hand over her mouth when she opened it to scream. Suddenly, Lily’s eyes widened at the sight of Damon running full force at them. She tried to get out of the way. The next thing she knew, Eli was flying and Damon was all over him.

“Damon!” Lily screamed.

Brice saw the fight and jumped in to help his friend. The guy on Eli was strong as fuck and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t pull him off. “Jesus, dude!”

Tanner turned when he sensed rage. “Oh fuck! Damon!”

They all took off toward the fight. Sergio was impressed. Damon was taking them both on at this point and kicking some serious ass.

They all joined the fight and pulled Damon off. It took all of them to do it and Brice helped Eli to his feet.

“You don’t ever put your hands on her!” Damon screamed, trying to get loose.

“Jesus Christ, Damon! Calm down!” Sergio was trying to hold on but Damon was in such a rage he was finding it hard to keep a grip on him.

“Damon!” Lily got in his face, but didn’t help and that’s when she decided to go another route. She grabbed him and kissed him.

Lilly’s lips on his shocked him out of his anger and he went limp. Sergio let go and Damon grabbed Lily in his arms, sweeping her up and kissing back. Sergio motioned for them to fall back and Tanner smiled at his brother kissing Lily.

“Well, that’s one way of doing it.” Sergio smiled.

Damon had his hand wrapped in her hair, moaning into her mouth as she whimpered into his. They broke from the kiss and Damon looked into her eyes.

“Why did you do that?”

“I wanted you to calm down.” Lily blushed.

“Well, I’m no longer angry but now I’m something else.” Damon ran a hand through his hair. “What does this mean?”

“I just wanted you to calm down, Damon; you were losing it.”

Damon could tell Lily was visibly shaken by their kiss. “You can’t keep doing this, Lily. I want you, I always have. I’ve made it as clear as I know how that you are the only girl I want. So until you can tell me you want me and you want a relationship —” Damon shook his head.

“Damon.”

“I may flirt but I want you, Lily. When will you understand that?” Damon sighed and walked back toward the group.

“Lily.” Katiana took her hand.

“Why can’t I just be with him?”

Katiana hugged her. “I know.” Her eyes met Landon’s and she sighed. “Trust me, I know.”

As Phoebe waited for her name to be called, she looked around the stadium full of people. One person was missing. Stefan hadn’t come to her high school graduation. They had barely spoken since that day in the boardroom. She missed him, she loved him, and she always would.

“Phoebe Greystone.”

 

Paul and Mark wove through all the kids and found Phoebe laughing with her friends. She smiled when she saw Nico with them and her uncles.

“Thanks for coming.” Phoebe hugged Nico tight. “Stefan?”

“Working.” Nico gave her a sad smile.

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“We’ll talk later.”

They had a huge party at Stefan and Jordan’s and, of course, all the kids were laughing and playing in the pond. Nico’s eyes found Tanner and he looked at how much he had grown since their last encounter. Their eyes met and Tanner smiled at him.

He went back into the house and hugged his grandfathers.

“It’s good to see you.”

“You’re not getting away without talking to me.” Phoebe grabbed his arm.

“You can’t have it both ways, Phoebe. He’s either in your life or out and he can’t take it anymore.” Nico nodded toward her newest boyfriend. “Is that fair? You expect him to be a priest and yet you get to date whoever you want.”

“I just — I miss him you know?”

“Yeah, I do.” Nico watched Tanner walking toward the house and he smiled at Phoebe. “I have to talk to him.”

Phoebe watched him leave and new she was going to cry. All this time, she had been so stubborn in not forgiving Stefan that he was finally moving on with his life.

James hugged her tight. “Congrats.”

“Thanks. Where’s your man.?”

“Right there.” James smiled at Theo playing with the kids.

“He is… so… Wow.” Phoebe sighed.

“I know, right?” James agreed.

“Don’t wait to tell him how you feel, Uncle James. Sometimes it’s too late.”

 

Nico smiled at Tanner. He got taller every time he saw him.

“Hey.” Tanner hugged him hard.

“Hi.”

“You’re leaving again, huh?” Tanner took his hand.

“Just came for the day. I miss you.” Nico palmed his face.

“Until next time?” Tanner smiled.

“Come on, Tanner.” Aidan grabbed his hand and pulled him away.

Nico watched Tanner get farther away; their eyes met when Tanner looked back. Nico gave him a little wave. He dragged himself out to the car.

“She looked good.” Stefan rested his head against the headrest. “With her boyfriend.”

“Stefan.” Nico took his hand.

“Let’s get out of here.”