Title: It's A Wonderful Lie

Summary: It's Christmas in Mystic Falls! The time for shopping, shoveling, mistletoe, snowballs, and evil plots. Merry Christmas and enjoy!

Merry Christmas in seven days!

I'm writing a fanfiction set around Christmastime!

WARNING: This first chapter starts off a little...mushy so bear with me. It's part of the plot. :) You know, gotta get things set up.

Enjoy!

Things were as peachy as ever in the quaint town of Mystic Falls. Elijah checked in every so often at the Gilberts, Damon and Stefan took turns guarding Elena, and Caroline helped Tyler through the next couple moons. The snow had fallen leaving a white creamy mess on top of the layers of ice. It looked like someone had spray painted the ground, trees, and houses white.

It was on one particularly snowy day in December that it happened: Elena stepped out of her house. She wrapped her rainbow scarf tighter around her neck, rubbed her gloved hands together, and breathed out. Her breath was white with steam in the chilly winter air. Her chocolate brown double-breasted coat was just made for quick runs outside. She couldn't be outside for too long or she'd freeze. She looked cheerful and anxious, anticipating a normal night out with her boyfriend.

She wasn't alone. Her boyfriend suddenly appeared at her side. His car was parked-and running-in the Gilbert driveway.

Stefan looked stunning in this gray and black plaid single-breasted coat. His blue-gray scarf was swung around his neck so casually he looked like a model. Stefan's chiseled features stood out with the snow-white background.

"Hey," he greeted breathlessly.

"Hey," Elena leaned into Stefan's arm and they walked to the car.

"All ready? Got your list?"

"Mhmm." Elena nodded, "Jenna added some last minute items to the list for Ric's parents." Elena chuckled as did Stefan.

Stefan opened the passenger door for Elena, helped her inside, closed the door, then walked to the driver's side, and they took off on their way to the store.

The sliding glass doors opened to the hand-in-hand couple who strode in. They picked and pushed a cart together as they went up and down the aisles and pilled in the items as they crossed them off the Christmas list.

"Elena," Stefan chimed as he pretended not to notice how she picked up of a bag of Doritos and tried to sneakily put it in the cart. "What would you like for Christmas?"

Elena, however, knew she had gotten caught. She pretended to think. There weren't any immediate dangers in town. Klaus had no idea where she was. And she was together with Stefan. She couldn't think of much she wanted. "Right now I really want two bags of Doritos." she smiled. "I really don't know, Stefan. I have all I want right now." she rubbed his arm.

"That's no help." Stefan grinned as he played with her hair.

"Well, what would you like for Christmas?" she stopped and back away, a determined look on her face.

Stefan hesitated. "I don't know what I want either. As for me...being who I am (vampire), material items lose their value and significance if they don't mean anything to me over the years. If they have memories attached to them, I like them all the better and put them in my room. Money isn't an issue obviously since we don't need much-" he lowered his voice, "other than blood." Then he cleared his throat, "I want you to be safe for Christmas, and I want to spend Christmas with you."

Elena hugged Stefan; he was such a romanticist. "Oh, Stefan, I want to spend Christmas with you, too."

"So what else is left on the list?" Stefan let go.

"Hmm," Elena looked down the list, ticking off a few more items they'd forgotten to scratch out. "A video game for Jer and a Christmas outfit for me."

"That last thing wasn't on the list." Stefan crossed his arms and pretended to be serious.

"It is now and if you don't want me venturing out on my own just to get something nice for Christm-"

"How about I get the video game and you go try on whatever clothes you like. Then...you can...model for me." he laughed.

"Watching too many chick flicks, Stefan?" Elena teased.

"I can't help it if someone makes me." Stefan teased back tickling Elena at her sides until she quickly broke free and made for the clothes area.

Elena had quite a selection of clothes splayed out in the dressing room. Not all were Christmas outfits, but some clothes were on sale for 50% and she couldn't refuse. She walked out of the room, hoping another outfit might appear on the racks. A white knee-length dress stood out. It hadn't been there before. It looked like a dress made for a Roman goddess. The folds were so intricate yet simple. Elena glided over to it and reveled at the fabric: velvety soft to the touch and as smooth as satin.

She didn't even bother looking at the price tag as she gently carried it to the dressing room. She closed the door behind and saw herself in the mirror.

Then, there were eyes.

"You know you love Damon Salvatore. Show it to him more. He can protect you better than Stefan." the eyes commanded. Elena's necklace was dangling from the compeller's eyes...the vampire had ripped it off. "Oh, and forget I was here." Then, the vampire was gone.

Elena blinked. What was her necklace doing in her hand? Had she taken it off to try on the dress? Or had it fallen off? She shuddered and put the necklace back on. She'd ask Stefan about it later. She was just too excited about the dress.

So...what did you think? Christmas-y enough? Don't worry; there'll be more Christmas goodness in the next chapters! :D

Reviews are like snowflakes; each unique and inspiring. Just even a quick "Neat-o!" would be heart-warming during this holiday season.