Chapter One-Ten Years Later 2015

Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep. My alarm went off at six am; I shut it off then turned over. Why had I set my alarm in the first place? I asked myself and then I saw the huge white garment bag that hung on the back of my bedroom door and a huge smile spread across my face. It's my wedding day.

Without a second hesitation I jumped out of bed and down the hall to the kitchen, putting on the coffee machine, setting the day in motion. My wedding day breakfast at the Grill with Jennie was at eight, so I needed to be ready to leave the house at quarter past seven to walk to Jennie's and then the grill.

While the coffee was brewing or whatever it is that is does, I went for a shower. Ten minutes later I was walking down the hall dripping wet barely able to keep myself from sliding on my bum on the wooden floor. I managed it though, didn't want any bruises that Jennie would have to cover up later.

I made it to the kitchen in one piece and poured myself a coffee; I was surprised at how awake I actually was, especially for six, half past in the morning. Must be the nerves, I said to myself. Even though I would be having breakfast in a bit I was really hungry so I pulled some pop tarts out of the cupboard and popped them in the toaster while I went back into my room to get dressed.

I was ready by ten past seven so I put on my boots, picked up my keys and phone off the side bored, flung my bag over my shoulder and headed out the door and into the bright morning air. Locking the door behind me I sighed as it finally sunk in that my mother wasn't here to see me get married.

For this week, I have been staying in my parents old house, I lived here for a while on my own until I started dating Damon, which was when I started spending most of my time over at the Salvatore Boarding House, eventually he asked me to move in and I never had to courage to sell this place, comes in handy now.

At first I didn't notice, as I walked along the streets to Jennie's house as I was so engrossed in my thoughts, that everyone would stare at me then whisper to whom ever they were with. It was like I was the talk of the town, of course it's my wedding day, of course everyone would be talking about me, I tried to assure myself, however, there was nothing warming about their stares and nothing kind about the manner of the whispers. These were not hushed congratulations, they were hushed insults.

I picked up my pace as I walked past a group of middle aged woman who I had known all my life. I have lived in Mystic Falls for twenty-three years; people have talked, like all small town community's do, but nothing like this. Not like this at all.

Finally, Jennie house, next to the Donovan residents, come into view and I paused for a moment to calm myself. This was my wedding day; I should be happy and not paranoid. As I opened her gate and walked up her path, out of the corner of my eye I noticed movement in the Donovan's front window, I looked and saw Vicky there, I waved just before I knocked and entered Jennie's house, I didn't give her time to wave back or run from me, I didn't even give her time to register the fact that I had even noticed her before I ducked into the safety of my best friends home.

"Happy Wedding Day, Miss Duncan!" Jennie bellowed from the kitchen, knowing immediately, like always, that it was me.

"Why thank you Best Friend Bollands."

"Urgh, why can't I have a nick name that has something to do with 'Maid Of Honour'?" she asked as she moved around her kitchen table to give me a huge hug.

"Maid Of Honour Bollands'? Nah, it's doesn't go, besides, you are my only maid. . ."

"Automatically promoting me, to Maid of Honour status,"

"I'll demote you in a minute if you don't hurry up and get dressed." I said as she chuck the tea towel that was in her hands in my face and darted out of the room before I had a chance to chuck it back. I laughed to myself as I folded it over the cooker handle and sat down at the table.

"What shall I wear?" she called from her room.

"Dose it really matter as long as you wear the dress later, we are only going to The Grill."

"Yeah but Matt is going to be there."

"Yeah and you and Matt ended along time ago."

"No need to remind me." She said with a scowl on her face as she poked her head round the door frame so that I could see her expression.

"Babe, you were his re-bound, five years ago I might add. Please just get over it and get dressed already." A few seconds later, Jennie was walking out of her room with her blonde hair pulled back into a neat little pony tale, minimal make-up and a long glittery top and some short shorts. She headed towards the shoe rack next to the door and I turned out the kitchen light as I walked down the hall to meet her.

"Did you not get the memo about the breakfast at The Grill?" I asked as I pulled open the front door and felt the sun on my bare arms.

"Yeah," she looked at me blankly when she stood up from doing up the buckles on her sandals.

"Then why are you dressed ready for a night club." I said and ducked out the door before she could hit me on the arm. I wasn't quite quick enough as I felt her fingers graze me. I laughed and pulled her in line next to me after she locked up. I linked my arm through hers and we were still laughing when we hit the side walk together heading for the grill.

Jennie noticed the people staring and talking as well although she never said anything, she probably already knew how on edge I was about it, that plus the fact, even I could feel the tension rolling off of me. We were just walking past a huge group of people who all stopped what they were doing just to watch us walk past when she spoke up again, trying to diffuse the tension I believe.

"So why are you so desperate to get to The Grill on time?"

"Damon wants to go in as well, to talk to Matt and to Tyler, as he is in town for the wedding, but he can't if we are there."

"Why not? You two fallen out or something? Oh, does that mean I don't have to wear that stupid dress anymore?" I hip bumped her then saved her ass she nearly fell onto the road and into the path of an oncoming car.

"No you crazy bitch, with a suicidal wish, my hip bump wasn't that hard. Anyway, Damon can't see me before I walk down the isle, its bad luck."

"Oh my best friend the crazy traditionalist." She said as she opened the door to The Grill for me.

"Bite me." I said as I walked past.

"How can I when that's Damon's job?" She said as I turned to glare at her then to where I was going before I walked into some old lady who was staring at me. I dodged out of her way as it was clear that she didn't intend to move for the bride. I looked up and saw Matt looking at both me and Jennie, I waved and he pointed to a booth to our left, I smiled my thanks and headed that way.

"So," I said as I took my seat and noticed Matt disappear into the kitchen. "I'm getting married and have become the talk of the town it seems."

"Yeah well, think about who you are marrying." Jennie replied as she took the seat opposite.

"Yeah Damon, and so?"

"Alyssa, you're marrying a Salvatore, and it's not Stefan."

"Ah, right. I'm marrying the bad brother . . . and what?" I demanded, finally making the connection.

"And what?" she repeated disbelievingly. "He tried to kill you, Alyssa."

"Yeah, ten years ago, Jennie!" We paused for a moment while some dark haired waitress delivered our food, full English breakfast, with fried bread, Matt knew me well.

"That is not the point," she continued after the waitress had gone and then proceeded to shove a fried potato in her mouth discovering that food that has just been cooked reckons to be hot.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you to blow your food?" I asked trying hard to stifle my laugher and being reamed unsuccessful. Jennie simple glared at me over the hand what was wafting air into her mouth. When she finally managed to swallow the food and after she had a drink, she spoke again.

"Back to the topic at hand," she said and I groaned, "The fact that it was ten years ago that Damon tried to kill you is not the point, Alyssa."

"Then what is?" I snapped and slammed my fork down on the table.

"I don't know but are you sure you are doing the right thing?"

"Jennie, please? You know how much I love this man. You know how much Damon means to me. You have seen first hand how happy I am around him. So please just be happy for me." I begged and reached across the table to grab her hand and she smiled at me.

"You dummy. Of course I'm happy for you; ecstatic actually, if anyone deserves the life that is coming your way, it's you. This conversation was really just for you to understand why everyone keeps staring and talking about you."

"You bitch." I breathed as her word sunk in and she just laughed in my face. I could have slapped her, but I didn't because she is my best friends and no matter how much she winds me up, I love her. We laughed together as Matt came over to clear our table. "Thanks, how much?" I asked reaching for my bag. Out of no where he put the plates back on the table and lifted my bag out of my reach. "Hey!" I protested.

"It's your wedding day; do you really think I'm going to let you pay?"

"Erm . . . yeah! Matt gives me my bag!" I said as I tried to get it back. I was so close and then my phone started buzzing on the table behind me. I turned to pick it up but it was already in Jennie's hand as she sat staring at the caller I.D and then to me, imitating biting: Damon. I snatched it off her and answered.

"Hey,"

"Good Morning, are you still at The Grill?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said still reaching for my bag. "But not for long, as soon as I get my bag back off Matt and pay for our breakfast, we'll be outta here."

"Nope." Matt cut in.

"What?" I looked at him puzzled.

"This one is on the house." he smiled as he passed my bag to Jennie who put it behind her back.

"But . . ." I started to protest but Damon cut across me.

"Don't argue with the dude Alyssa, if he wants to give you a free meal, take it, it's probably the only one you'll ever get." I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Fine." I said stubbornly at them both and sat back in my seat.

"See you at the alter," Damon said.

"I'll be the one in white,"

"I love you, Miss Duncan."

"I love you too Mr Salvatore. Bye."

"Bye." He said and hung up the phone.

Matt had disappeared with our pots and didn't take my cash; I stared grumpily after him hoping that he would turn round and see my expression, not such luck. I picked up my phone and held my hand out for my bag, Jennie refused. Matt came back over and took my bag from behind Jennie.

"If I give you your bag back are you going to give me money of any kind, that I do not want?" he said winding me up, clearly knowing that I was going to give him a tip.

"Oh bite me Donovan!"

"Damon's . . ." Jennie started.

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence, Miss Bollands." I said with a smirk then turned back to Matt held my hand out and demanded he give me my bag back. He just held it out of my reach and smirked at me.

"You are not getting you bag back until you are inside your house." he said plain and simple.

"So, what? You're walking home with us now?"

"No, you're coming in my truck with me."

"What, Matt no. The meal was enough."

"Jennie, could you please make her leave before I have to forcefully remove her from the premises?"

Jennie flushed a little at Matt addressing her, she always did, especially after they broke up, she never really did get over him. She took in a deep breathe before continuing.

"Come on Miss Duncan, you stand here arguing any longer you will be late for your own wedding."

"Urgh!" I moaned and through my hands up in the air before walking out the door and to Matt's old blue pick up truck that he has had for at least six years. Matt got into the drivers seat and I sat next to him with Jennie next to me. As much as she was annoying me right now I wasn't about to play the mean best friends and make her uncomfortable by sitting next to Matt. Oh, don't get me wrong, it had crossed my mind.

Matt drove to my parent's house with a little chit chat going on along the way. He pulled up outside and I gestured for my bag once more; he completely ignored me, got out the car and walked up to the house. I just stared at him as he walked across the front of the truck.

"You really are serious about the whole 'not getting my bag back until I'm in the house' aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Well you fail, because I need it now else I can't get in the house and there is no way you are going through my bag Matt Donovan before you even think about it. I can see it in your eyes." He smirked a little and I had a smug little grin on my face until he handed my bag to Jennie to dig through and find my keys. "Oh my God! You cannot be serious!" I said as I slumped against the wall next to my door as Jennie opened it. "Matt Donovan I could quite happily kill you right now but I'll save it for after the wedding." I stretched up onto my tippy toes and kissed him gently on the check, grabbing my bag and keys off Jennie quickly as I ducked inside the house, deliberately leaving them alone out there.

"Erm, well, yeah . . ." Jennie started nervously as I stood out of sight at the living room window. "O, ring Tyler for me to make sure he is here at half nine to take the preparation photo's would you? That gives him half an hour."

"Sure. Jennie," he said as she turned to go, "Make sure she looks stunning."

"Don't worry, I will. See you later." She said with an actually smile. The first genuine smile I had seen her give Matt in a long, long time. I smiled to myself as I thought of things finally getting back to normal between them to, my hopes where shattered when Jennie came bursting through the living room door.

"Don't you ever, under any circumstances, do that to me again? You hear me?" she snapped.

"Bit hard not to hear when you're right in my face babe. Back of, you'll get breakfast smell on my face, I don't want Damon smelling that when he kisses me." I laughed as I shoved her off me and in seconds her laughter rang out as well. It was hard for us to stay mad at each other for long anyway.

We took our boots off and changed our tops to one of Damon's button up shirts that I had nicked before I left last Saturday so we could take our tops off and get into our dresses with out ruining our hair. Perfect logic, I did wondered how long it would take for Damon to notice that they were gone.

We got back from The Grill at nine and by quarter past the champagne were open and Tyler Lockwood was knocking at the door. Six years ago you would have thought that Tyler would have perused a career in football; instead he took up art and photography. He is a brilliant photographer which is why he is doing it today. He came to the engagement party and took a few snaps like a normal guest would; only I and Damon saw just how good he was and asked him to do the wedding as well. It was Jennie who booked him for the preparation photos.