The Vampire Diaries

Prompt: The House That Built Me- Miranda Lambert

Post 1x6, between 1x12 and 1x22

While looking through old photo albums, Stefan and Elena share stories about their childhoods and find answers along the way.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one- I hope the characterization seems consistent, and the story as a whole doesn't seem unrealistic. It's a little shorter, but I love this song and the lyrics and felt it really applied to Stefan and later Elena. Just an FYI, many of my song prompts will be in the country genre- I LOVE that type of music and encourage to check out the songs on YouTube. There are some truly fabulous artists out there.

I am taking any songs suggestions into consideration- right now, I'm being inspired left and right, so I'm going to let my muse flow until it stops.

The reviews were WONDERFUL. I felt so flattered and love that people seem to be enjoying my trips into TVD-land.

xo bells

I know they say you can't go home again

I just had to come back one last time

Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam

But these handprints on the front steps are mine

"1857? So you were-" Elena paused to do a quick bit of mental math.

"Around thirteen," Stefan finished. He pointed to the figure next to him. "That's Damon- he was eighteen, and my father. It was when we moved back into the original Salvatore house, after my mother died"

They were sitting is Stefan's room, curled up under the covers, old photo albums strewn across the bed as the rain poured down outside. Elena found her boyfriend's life fascinating- the rich collection of history yes, but also learning more about his human life. Stefan was only to happy to share.

"Damon just wanted to leave- he was dating the apothecary's daughter, who was waiting for him in the stable," Stefan said. "I walked in on them later. Another reason my brother drives me insane: he scarred my childhood."

"Some people never change," Elena said with a laugh. "But look at you! So cute, with your little suspenders."

"Yeah, I don't miss 1800s clothing," Stefan grimaced. "Although you in a corset..."

Elena playing hit his bicep. "Stop it!" She paused and bit her lip, adding in cute voice, "We'll see."

"Tease."

"Anyway," she said, quick to change the topic before her mind swayed in a different direction. "Tell me more about the house. I really didn't get to see much. Not that the ruins aren't lovely."

Stefan rolled his eyes but said, pointing at the columns framing the doorway, "Damon and I carved our names in, and the date one night. Father nearly whipped us when he found out. But when I came back for the first time, after the change, the markings were still there. Sentimental moment."

"That's sweet," Elena agreed, snuggling closer to him. "When did you go back?"

Stefan thought for a moment, going back through the century and a half's worth of memories. "Probably around the turn of the century. I went in the middle of the night- didn't mean to, but I just had to go back. The first few years are always the hardest, trying to give everything you once knew up. Damon had split off by then, and I was just making my way around when I stopped. Thought no one would notice until I heard this voice from above me-" he pointed to the window on the second floor, adjacent to the right of the column- "and saw this little girl looking down. Distant cousins had moved in and this little girl, no more than five, was just watching me. She asked why I was there, and I told her I had lived there, a long time ago."

"And then you erased her memory," Elena guessed. Stefan nudged her playfully in the side. "Way to ruin the poignance of the story."

"Sooooory," she replied, kissing his cheek quickly. "Was it hard, to go back? After everything?"

Stefan shrugged, and tightened his grip around her. "It was home. Good or bad, it was where I was comfortable."

Elena nodded, understanding. "It was so hard to even pass by my parents' bedroom after they died. It hurt. I didn't want to go in, to touch anything, because they were the last ones to have had too. But after a few months it become comforting, knowing it was their memory kept alive."

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it's like I'm someone else

I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in I swear I'll leave

Won't take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me

"When the fire came, it was hard, knowing it was the last tie to my human life gone," Stefan admitted. "But after a while, you begin to realize its no so much-"

"The house that's home, it's the people," Elena finished, looking over the grainy face of Mr. Salvatore. "It must have been hard to loose both." She leaned her head against his shoulder in comfort.

"The pictures help keep the memory alive," he admitted. "And now, the boarding house is my home more than that house ever was." He tilted her chin up to kiss her, his lips broadening into a smile as he added, "Most of my happy memories are here."

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years

From Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Plans were drawn and concrete poured

Nail by nail and board by board

Daddy gave life to mama's dream

Elena nodded and leaned back into Stefan's chest. "When my parents got married, and bought the house, it was my mom's dream come true. All she ever wanted was to have the husband and the white picket fence and the 2.5 kids, to the be soccer mom and have all the fundraising parties...it's sentimental, but sad, sometimes, to look around the house and remember." Her voice broke and Stefan pressed a kiss to her temple as she took a deep breathe to calm herself. "My parents were so in love- they had created the perfect life. Growing up, I always wanted to find that for myself. And then things with Matt started to go, then they died, and I kind of just let go of that dream." She tilted her chin up toward him. "Until you."

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can

I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am

Stefan nodded in agreement, kissing her lightly, smoothing her hair back off her face as he said, "The last fifty years or so, I've just felt lost. It wasn't until I came back home and met you that I felt like I had a purpose again. No matter how many bad memories this town may hold, it's still home. And more importantly, it's where you are."

"We're sounding like one of those totally cliche couples," Elena whispered as her forehead rested against his.

"Cliches became cliches for a reason," Stefan reminded, reciting the standard response to the comment.

"In that case, welcome home." Elena smiled. For the first time since even before her parents had died, she finally felt content.

R&R!

xo b