Chapter 3: Parents

A/N: HEY EVERYONE! Yes, I know you're angry that I haven't updated in forever but I have good excuses as always :) I've been working like hell, so its been hard to get time to write and I've got through ALL of my stories and edited them, being grammar and layout, so you may notice the difference if you read back. I'm still editing, so they're not all the same yet :)

I have taken off death and never know where this might go, but I still have them on file in case.

I hope you enjoy and thank you again for being patient :)

Shauna

xx

It was early morning, the sun just rising over New York City as Elena rolled over in bed and latched onto the other pillow, holding it close. Moaning in content, she tucked her hands underneath, feeling the cold crisp sheets brush against her fingers. The door opened as Caroline skipped in and flicked the switch, light filling the room as Elena groaned in pain and tugged the covers over her head.

"Caroline! What the hell are you playing at?" Elena peeked from under the covers, the light stinging her eyes.
"Come on! Its 5 in the morning! Rise and shine!" Caroline clapped with a grin on her face as the brunette narrowed her eyes at her friend.

Elena whined, "Ah, stop! Stop being so loud!" Pulling the covers back over her head, she sighed tiredly and closed her eyes again, feeling relaxed as sleep began taking over again.

Caroline grabbed the covers and pulled them off of Elena as she whistled, a grin on her face. Elena groaned as the blonde clapped her hands again, trying to keep her awake. Elena sat up, digging the heel of her palm into her eyes as she tried to wake herself up. Once she gave her eyes time to adjust to the light, she looked up at her friend, shooting daggers.

"Oh stop with that, come on! I've left the shower running for you, so hop in and get your ass dressed."
"Where are we going?" Elena frowned.
"It's a surprise, now move it or we will be late." Caroline skipped up with a smile.

Pushing herself up off of the bed, Elena made her way to the bathroom and grabbed one of her towels that were hot from the radiator. Closing the door over, she stripped down, tying her hair up into a bun as she gave it a wash the night before. Looking into the mirror, she let out a yawn as she stretched her arms over her head. Caroline was going to be the death of her if she didn't let her catch up on well needed sleep. Looking through the steam, she stepped into the shower and closed the door over as she let the water soothe her body.

Elena looked into the mirror and bit down on her lip as she checked over her appearance. She had on her blue woolly dress and black tights with her laced up boots. She had tied her hair back into a high ponytail, only applying light make up. She had on her mascara, dark smoky eye shadow and a lip-gloss. Inhaling, she checked her appearance one more time as she flicked the switch and lifted her phone, making her way into the living room.

"Caroline, have you seen my phone charger?" Stepping into the living room, she stopped in her steps when she seen her case standing against the wall, "Huh?"
"Elena, you're ready! You look gorgeous!" Caroline smiled, holding out a cup of coffee.
"Uh, Caroline, what the hell is going on? Am I being evicted?" Elena furrowed her eyebrows, sipping her coffee.
"Not the last time I checked," She laughed, "Me and you are going away for a little while, a break for the both of us."
"Really?" Elena grinned, excitement running through her, "For how long? Where?"
"It's a surprise of course." The blond explained.

"Ah, is that why you packed my case for me? When did you even do it?" Elena looked at her case.
"While you were sleeping, you are a heavy sleeper Elena Gilbert. You'd sleep through a hurricane."
"Pfft. So, have you packed away my phone charger?"
"Yeah I have, don't worry. I know you need your phone to survive."
"When are we leaving?"
"Actually, as soon as our ride gets here."

Caroline moved over to the window, looking out as Elena sat down, finishing off her coffee as she felt the energy growing within her. Seeing the car pull up, Caroline took a deep breath, hoping that her plan worked. Plastering a smile on her face, she jumped up and down, clapping her hands as she turned to Elena and rushed over, lifting the case. "Come on, its here, lets go."

Elena jumped to her feet, moving into the kitchen as she placed the cup into the sink and moved back into the living room, "Where is your case?"

"Oh, I thought it would be easier for us to share one instead of us dragging around two cases." Caroline smiled, tilting her head.
"Good idea, you're the smart one out of the two of us." Elena walked out of the apartment as the blonde followed suite, leaving the latch on the door as she whistled, following the brunette to the elevator as they both got inside.

Elena wrapped her arms around herself, watching the numbers on the elevator as they got to the first floor. Caroline got off first as she walked outside and smiled as she seen the town car waiting. Opening the trunk, she placed Elena's suitcase on top of the one already in there and shut it over quickly. Walking out, the brunette smiled at Caroline, pointing to the car as the blonde nodded, giving her a thumbs up.

"This is beautiful car, I love it." Smiling, Elena pulled the door open as Caroline moved around to the other side.

Getting in, Elena pulled the door shut and smiled as the heat automatically hit her. "And its already heated for us too!" Grinning, she turned to her side to look at Caroline when she froze. Fuck. Swallowing, she stared into the blue eyes that were filled with hope, fear, adoration and…love? "What the hell is going on!?"

Elena glared at her and went to get out, "Nu uh, stay!"
"Caroline!"

"Elena, let me explain." Caroline was leaning in through the window on Damon's side, smiling, "You're going to London with Damon."
"You tricked me!" Elena went wide-eyed, glaring at her friend as the blonde rolled her eyes.
"Of course I did! You're stubborn as hell and I had to trick you!"
"You could have just left it! I didn't want to go!"
"Well, you're going, have fun. So get over it."

Moving back, Caroline smiled at Damon who had been quiet during their conversation. Banging the top of the car with her hand gently, the car drove off as she smiled, taking a deep breath. She just hoped now that her plan worked and that Elena could see that she couldn't be without Damon because she loved him. Rubbing her arms, she ran back inside into the warmth.

The drive to the airport had been quiet. Elena turned away and looked out the window, hugging herself. The whole time, her heart was racing knowing she was so close to Damon that she could just turn and throw herself at him, but fighting temptation seemed like the best option at this time. When the car came to a stop she come out of her daze and seen the private jet waiting. Taking a deep breath, she heard Damon get out of his side as he shut the door. Lacing her hands together, she felt them shaking as she thought about being alone with Damon. Of course she was in love with him, but she was trying to do what was right, which doesn't seem right to everyone else but her. The door opened as she looked up and seen Damon giving her a soft smile, still not speaking a word.

"Thank you." Elena whispered, getting out as she looked around, the sky dull as the wind swept past her, sending chills up her spine.
"Come on." Damon placed his hand on her lower back, leading her over to the place as she leaned into him, relishing in the feeling.
"What about our cases?"
"They've been dealt with."

Smiling, he ushered up the steps as she smiled softly, slowly making her way up as she ducked her head and moved into the plane, looking around. Wow, it was amazing. Biting her lip, she lowered herself into a seat as she curled her legs underneath her and studied the interior. It was a plush creamy white and all of the furniture had a velvet fluffy feeling to it. Damon walked along, sitting opposite her as he tugged his belt on, looking back at the pilot. Elena tugged her belt on too, looking out the window as she took a deep breath. This was it, her and Damon, going to London.

The door closed as the pilot got ready for take-off. Elena gripped onto the arms of the chair and closed her eyes, thinking of rainbows and unicorns, knowing it was a lot better than thinking about the plane crashing. Wonderful, now she was thinking about the damn plane crashing. Feeling a hand over hers, she opened her eyes to see that Damon had leaned over and placed his hand over hers. Giving him a soft smile, she closed her eyes again as the plane started down the runway, gaining speed as it took off into the air. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked out the window to see that they were in the air and let out a sigh of relief.

"Better?" Damon asked with a smile, leaning back into his chair.
"Mmh, thank you." Elena looked up at him, "Why are you doing this?"
"Elena-"
"I'm not mad. I was, but I'm not anymore."
"I just wanted you with me and when you said no, Caroline said she had a plan, so I went with it. I just needed to see you Elena."
"Damon-"
"Elena, don't give me the speech. We love each other and we both know it. I don't know what's holding you back from being with me."
"With everything that happened, I just…I feel-"
"Scared?"
"Yes."

Damon looked up as the seatbelt sign went off and sighed in relief. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he moved over to the mini bar, pouring himself a bourbon and looked over to Elena with a raised eyebrow. Swallowing, she gave her head a shake and unbuckled her seatbelt, looking out the window. Moving back over, he placed a bottle of water down for her and sat back in his own seat as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm scared too." He admitted, his voice soft.

Elena looked up at him, biting into her lip as she let out a shaky breath, "Of what?"

"Losing you." Damon responded gently, looking up at her as their eyes met.

This was going to be a long trip.

Walking into the hotel, Elena was starstruck as she looked around. It was beautiful. Once they had touched down in London, half an hour ago, it was raining heavily, which was the normal weather anyway. They then made their way to the hotel they were staying at and she couldn't be more amazed if she tried. The marble flooring, the marble walls and ceiling with a chandelier hanging above the lobby. Damon had made his way over to the reception area to book them in while she snooped around. Feeling a hand on her back, she looked up, seeing Damon giving her a soft smile.

"Were ready to go up." Smiling, he walked towards the elevator with her and got inside as he pressed the button for the penthouse*
"The penthouse? Seriously?" Elena furrowed her eyebrows, chewing her lip.
"Why get any less then the best?" Damon smiled, kissing the top of her head as she closed her eyes, inhaling.
"I want my own room."
"It's a double, don't worry."

As the elevator came to a stop at the floor, Elena walked out and looked at the carpeted flooring with a grin. It was a gold colour and with the lights shining down on it, it sparkled. Looking up, she seen Damon half way up the hall as he got to the door and opened it up with the key card. Following after him, she smiled, stepping in as he closed the door behind him. The place was huge. Elena took a deep breath, her eyes wide as she moved into the middle of the room. There were two couches in the middle with a coffee table in the middle. There was a mini bar over by the wall, as there were 4 different doors. Two were obviously for the two bedrooms and the other two led out onto the balcony. Biting her lip, she opened the door to one of the rooms and looked in to see an en-suite. Wow.

"Drink?"
"Huh?" Elena turned on her heel quickly, forgetting he was in the room with her, "Oh, yes please."

Damon poured two Bourbons, sipping his as he held hers out, "It's strong, so take it easy."

"Thanks dad." She rolled her eyes, taking a sip as she walked over to the doors, pushing them open slowly as she stepped out onto the balcony, the whole of London before her eyes.
"Amazing huh?" Damon leaned in the doorway, tilting his head, "Glad you didn't miss it, huh?"
"You still tricked me." She inhaled, frowning.
"And you know why I did it."
"I," Taking a deep breath, she tipped her head back, swallowing the bourbon down in one as she slammed the glass on the counter, "I'm going to lie down."

After trading looks with him, she walked into the first room and kicked the door shut, falling onto the bed as she moaned into the pillow, her heart and head fluttering all over the place. What the hell was she supposed to do? She was in one of those situations where she was stuck in a never-ending cycle. Admit her feelings or stew in them. What a predicament.

A hand lay on her back, shaking her lightly as if they were trying to wake her from her slumber. There was another shake and a gentle kiss to her temple as she stirred, moaning quietly as she forced her eyes open. Damon sat on the edge of the bed, stroking her hair back as she looked up at him, still trying to wake up.

"Were going out to dinner, okay?" Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he got up and left the room.

Inhaling, Elena rolled onto her back and leaned up on her elbows, frowning. She didn't even remember falling asleep, how long had she been asleep? Looking up at the time, she seen it was 5:00 pm. A while then. Looking down, she seen her boots were off and smiled softly. Damon was really something and when she was trying to ignore him. Unzipping her case, she pulled out her red silk dress that reached mid-thigh and had straps on, which were embroided with jewels. Laying it out on the bed with her black blazer jacket and black heels, she walked into the bathroom, knowing she had to wake herself up.

After having a shower and getting her hair straightened, along with applying make-up, she was ready to go. Looking down at herself, she took a deep breath, smiling softly. It was good enough for dinner right? Brushing herself down, she tugged her blazer on and stepped into her heels as she twirled in the mirror and smiled. She was ready to go it seemed. Lifting her clutch, she walked out slowly and froze as she seen Damon on the phone to someone. He was wearing a suit and god, it was a stunning suit. He was wearing the dress pants, the jacket and a blue tie that matched his eyes. He was handsome. No wonder she was in love with him. Feeling her presence, he looked up from the phone call, stopping in his step as he stared at her, catching himself in a daze.

"Uh, alright, bye." Hanging up the phone, he swallowed, looking over at her, "You look…beautiful."
"I uh," Blushing, she chewed her lip, "Please don't start."

Walking over to her, he took her hands in his, pressing a kiss to her knuckles as he looked into her eyes, the magnetic pull still there. Exhaling, she squeezed his hands gently and moved away, heading over to the bar as she poured herself a bourbon and took a sip, her nerves suffocating her from the inside. Watching her, he smiled, looking her over as he followed her and wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning his chin on top of her head.

"You can keep running away from me, but I'll be right behind you Elena." Damon whispered into her ear.
"Then I'll have to run faster." She replied and closed her eyes tightly as his lips fell to her neck, brushing their way down to where her shoulder was hidden by her blazer.
"Not fast enough for me."
"We have dinner."
"That we do, lets go then."

Damon wrapped his arm around Elena's waist, leading her inside the restaurant as he looked around for their table and smiled when he seen it. Elena looked up, following his gaze a man and a woman that already occupied their table. Feeling nervous all of a sudden, she followed him over, her heart racing and she couldn't figure out why she wanted to turn into a pile of goo. Reaching the Damon, the woman stood up, dark brown curly hair, stunning blue eyes and a smile which you could fall for easily. She pulled Damon into a tight hug as he hugged her back. The brunette looked between them, something going on, but she was to slow to figure it out. Pulling away, Damon gave the man a hug who had the black hair and green eyes.

Elena stood, her heart racing as Damon pulled back, a grin on his face as he pulled Elena close to him and pressed a kiss to her temple, seeing the panic on her face, hoping it would calm her down.

"Elena, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Elena, my girlfriend."

Parents.

Parents.

PARENTS.

The parents who Stefan told her were dead.

Well…fuck.

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed and sorry again that its been a while! Thank you for being so patient, you're amazing! :)

Shauna

xx