I walked over to the wardrobe and started pulling out most of my clothes before walking back over to my bed and placing them in to the suitcase. "This is a joke right?" I whirled around to see Jeremy standing there suspiciously.

"No." I replied as I continued packing. "It's not a joke."

"So you're really getting married?" He scoffed. "Come on, Elena. Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying." I said a bit too quickly.

"So you're marrying some guy that you barely even know." I opened my mouth to protest but he didn't let me. "And don't give me that crap that you told dad about you've been dating for months. I know you and you always tell me everyone you date."

I sighed heavy. "You can't tell anyone." I pleaded.

"So it's really a sham?" I nodded. "What the hell are you doing?" He questioned. "This isn't you. The Elena I know doesn't have a deceiving bone in her body."

"I know Jer but you don't understand I have to do this."

"Then make me understand!" He yelled.

"I need to get my trust fund back. I need money Jer, to look after this baby. You think I like the idea of marrying someone I don't love; I hate it!" I exclaimed. "But I have to do this. I'll only be married to him for a few months and then we'll just get a divorce."

"But I can help you; I still have my trust fund." He argued.

I smiled warmly at him. "That's thoughtful Jer but I'm not sponging off my brother." He huffed. "You can't tell anyone Jer. No one can know."

The door to my room swung open then and Caroline bounded in. "How could you not tell me?" She screeched before she grabbed my hand to scrutinise the ring. "It's beautiful and… expensive. So who's the guy?"

"Damon." I answered.

"DAMON!" She screamed. "As is the deliciously hot brother of my boyfriend who you hate?"

"No, as in the deliciously hot brother to your boyfriend who I love." I corrected.

"Oh come on, you hate him. You told me so and you would have told me if you were dating him."

"I couldn't Caroline. I couldn't risk my dad finding out" I took a big breath and forced the words out of my mouth. "and we both know you can't keep a secret to save your life."

Caroline's whole posture deflated. I hated hurting her but I needed to do this. She was quiet for a few minutes before she shrugged and smiled. "You're right I probably would have opened my big mouth and blurted something out. So you love him?" I nodded. "Well it's a reason why I get to buy a new dress so I forgive you."

"Remember Caroline, you can't out shine the bride." Jeremy joked.

"I won't." She laughed. "So were exactly are you going?" She inquired as she gestured to my suitcase.

"Italy. Damon thought it would be better to tell his parents about the engagement and the baby in person."

"Wait, so they don't know about the baby?" She questioned in shock.

"Nope." I said popping the 'p'.

"Well that's going to be a great conversation starter." She smirked. The doorbell went then and a big Cheshire grin spread across Caroline's face. "Time to interrogate the fiancé." Before I could stop her she took off down the stairs.

"Jer, go help him please."

He smirked. "I think I'm going to help her." I opened my mouth to speak but he'd already disappeared. Great. Just great. I quickly finished my packing and zipped up my suitcase before pulling it off the bed. I started pulling it along the floor but once I reached the top of the stairs it was pulled from my grip.

"Hey!" I said as I looked up to a smirking Damon.

"No heavy lifting remember." He replied before he hoisted the case in his arms and walked down the stairs.

"Thank you." I said as I followed him down the stairs.

"So how long are you going to be gone for?" Jeremy asked.

"Two weeks, give or take." Damon answered as he started to walk towards the door. "But knowing my parents, they'll try to keep up there." He added with a smirk. "Especially when they find out they're going to be grandparents."

"How do you think they're going to react to that news?" I inquired nervously as we approached his black Ferrari.

He shrugged. "Be disgusted, hate us, and moan at us for bringing a child in to the world before marriage." I stopped in my tracks horrified as I stared at him wide-eyed. He laughed as he put my bags in the boot of the car. "Relax Elena, I was kidding. They'll love it and they'll love you."

"Awwwww." Caroline cooed from the doorway. "It's not even the wedding and I'm already emotional." She said wiping her eyes. "Aren't they adorable?" She asked Jeremy.

He nodded hesitantly before he wrapped me in a hug. "Be safe." He said aloud before whispering "Don't let him have your heart, guys like him will just rip it out" in my ear so only I could hear.

When he pulled back I was instantly pulled against Caroline's chest. "You better ring me, I don't care if it costs, you needto ring me." I laughed as I blinked back my own tears. "That's if you can strive away from the bedroom." She smirked.

I blushed. "His parents will be there." I stated. "Kind of puts a damper on it."

"I really don't need that mental image thank you." Jeremy cringed.

Me, Caroline and Damon all laughed at that. "Come on, beautiful. We don't want to miss our flight." Damon said as she slid in to the driver's side.

"I love you." Jeremy said giving me one last hug.

"I'll miss you." Caroline said softly as silent tears fell down her cheeks.

"I'll only be gone for two weeks." I reassured them. "But I love you both and I'll miss you two."

I opened my eyes a stretched in my uncomfortable position. "Sorry." I mumbled when I realised the pillow I'd been using had been Damon's shoulder.

"It's alright." He replied. "You must have been dreaming about me, it explains the drool." He smirked.

I smacked his shoulder and he pretended to be hurt but we both knew he wasn't. "How long was I asleep?" I asked.

"About 6 hours." He answered.

I nodded as I ran a hand through my hair before relaxing back in to the seat. "What if your parents ask us questions about our relationships?"

He shrugged. "Improvise."

"And if they ask us questions about each other?"

"I don't know Elena." He bit out. "Believe it or not I don't have everything mapped out." He said rather rudely.

"Sorry for trying to help our situation!" I snapped as I crossed my arms over my chest in an angry huff.

He sighed. "What's your favourite food?" He asked.

I looked at him quizzically for a moment before answering. "Chicken parmesan."

"Mines tortellini; it's a typical Italian dish."

"Favourite drink? I love Fanta fruit twist."

"I actually do like that." He smirked. "But I'd have to go with bourbon."

"What do you work as? You already know I work at the grill."

"I own an Italian restaurant in town."

"Really?" I questioned surprised. He nodded. "What's it called?"

"Cucina di Salvatore."

"This is your captain speaking we are approaching land." The captain said over the inter com just as the seatbelt sign flashed.

Damon grabbed both of our bags from the conveyer belt and took my hand as he led me out of the busy airport. An oldish woman wrapped her arms around Damon as soon as we stepped outside. She had long black hair that was showing a few grey strands and when she turned back to me I could see her ice blue eyes. "Mother, I'd like you to meet Elena. Elena this is my mother, Cecilia."

"Nice to meet you." I smiled as she pulled me in to a hug.

"You are the first woman my son has ever brought home from America to meet us, you must be very special." She smiled in a heavy Italian accent.

"She is." Damon answered.

"And you can introduce her to everyone tonight."

"Why tonight?" Damon asked.

"We're having a welcome home party. Now come on, the car's waiting and I'm sure you both want to get settled in before our house is overrun with guests."

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