The next morning Elena awoke in the happiest mood that she had been in a while. She turned over looking to Stefan's bed to see it empty. With a confused face she got up to see the hotel room was empty. Elena panicked for a moment until she found a note laying on the table saying he had gone out for a hunt and that there was blood in the fridge for her.
She smiled and made herself a glass of bed as she went about getting ready to road trip it once again. She knew they were not far out from Florida and that excited her. She was ready to feel the sun on her face and the sand between her toes as she walked along the beach hand and hand with Stefan. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she waited for Stefan to return. Dressing in some shorts and cute top Elena slipped into some flip flops before deciding on what to do with her hair. She was so thankful that Stefan was nice enough to buy all her beauty supplies for her. She literally felt like his princess yesterday at the mall as he let her buy whatever her heart desired. She couldn't ask for a better man to love her. Elena knew that her parents would be happy with her choice in a man to love for the rest of her life. He was everything that her parents would have wanted for her. Elena knew that they would be disappointed in some of the decisions she had been making regarding her relationship and how she had recently been with Damon, but she couldn't change the past and that was something she was coming to terms with. Damon wasn't this bad guy that everyone thought he was. Elena in a way did love him but it was for all the wrong reasons and deep down she was sure that he knew that. Elena had fallen for both brothers and it was something that she couldn't have prevented from happening, but she could have prevented her actions that she took with Damon. Somewhere along the way she lost sight of who she was but she was starting to see things through a different light. Damon deserved an explanation from her because she knew he truly did love her and she wasn't ready to break his heart, but she couldn't lead him on when she knew her heart wasn't all the way with him. Elena decided that soon she would give him a call, but she didn't want to ruin the happiness between her and Stefan right now. She knew she was living in a fairy tale world but she liked it and she wanted to stay there until she was ready.
Elena jumped when she felt two arms slip around her waist from behind. "Good morning." He whispered kissing her cheek.
"Good morning." Elena grinned looking in the mirror at the two of them causing him to look as well with a smile. "I didn't hear you come in."
"Vampire thing." He said.
"I guess I'll have to try it out sometime. How was your hunt?"
"It was good. I got a few squirrels nothing too tasty." Elena made a face. "Still not a fan of feeding off of small animals?"
"I'm not into the whole bunny and squirrel thing yet." She replied. "I didn't mind the deer too much though. Maybe we can try again with me soon on a hunt?"
"Anything for you." He gave her one last squeeze and kiss on the shoulder before leaving her to get ready. "We're leaving in 15!" He called out as he laid on the bed flipping through the TV channels.
Stefan was anxious to get on the road this morning. He was surprised that Elena had woken up as early as she did considering how drunk she got last night, but he was happy none the less. He had woken up at sunrise and watched her sleep for an hour before deciding to go out and hunt since he knew they'd be on the road most of the day. Stefan knew that Elena would be over eager to get to their destination, but so was he. He couldn't wait to take her to the beach and show her around. Stefan was super pumped about it and he knew things were only getting better. He woke up this morning feeling a lot better about everything than he had yesterday. This would be the first time he had been back to Florida in years. Lexi had begged him to go to the beach one last time with her before he enrolled himself back in school, but Stefan denied and he was glad that he did deny her invitation because if he wouldn't have then he wouldn't of been back in Mystic Falls in time to save Elena.
"Okay all ready." Elena said standing in front of the TV with her hands on her hips.
"You look cute." Stefan said standing and grabbing their bags. Maybe it was a mistake to take her shopping considering she had three bags compared to his one.
"Why thank you handsome." She stood on her tip toes and kissed him lightly on the lips before leading him out of the hotel room.
Stefan checked them out of the hotel and they stopped at a local coffee shop to grab a cup before hitting the road. "So where are we off to today Mr. Salvatore?"
"It's a surprise." Stefan said slipping on his sunglasses.
"Ugh I hate surprises."
"No you don't."
"Do too!"
"Since when?"
"Since now!"
Stefan rolled his eyes and laughed at how cute she was when she was being impatient. It was something he would never tire of. Elena rolled her eyes as well before she slipped her sunglasses on as well courtesy of Stefan.
"Stefan can I ask you something?"
"Sure?"
"Where do you get all your money from?"
Stefan had wondered how they had never had this conversation but he figured now was as good as any. "I invest it actually. It stays in my account throughout the years and just builds up. Every few decades I'll work somewhere or run a business and make millions of dollars and just put it into a bunch of different bank accounts all over the country and I let it sit. I have a lot of different degrees so I put them to use when I can, but I have so much money now that I have no need to ever really work again but I like to. I've done a lot of things in my life time."
"Like what?" She asked intrigued.
"I was a lawyer in Washington for a few years back in the sixties, and then in the seventies I was an editor for a popular magazine. I was CEO of a few different companies all over the world back in the nineties. That's where I got a lot of my money from but after a while you will learn that your money just starts to add up and you don't know what to do with it. If it wasn't for Lexi I'd still be sitting on trillions of dollars." He chuckled.
"So you're saying I can be anything I want over and over again?"
"You can go to college everywhere and get a degree in everything that there is. Start off at places getting paid the best money there is and then you just simply invest it. I can show you when the time comes around, but you'll never need to work I'll share my money." He smiled at her.
"It's not the 1800's anymore Stefan. Women work in this century."
"Maybe so, but we wouldn't have time for you to work, we'd be too busy having the time of our lives living it up everywhere we went."
"I would very much so like that."
The two traveled in peace just laughing and singing along to the radio as they traveled across the state. Elena was in awe of everything she was seeing. Everything was just so beautiful and new and she couldn't get enough of it. If Stefan wanted to travel for the rest of their lives then she would follow him anymore. They stopped and at lunch and Elena had resisted the urge to feed off of someone in the place. Stefan was impressed with her strength to resist and Elena wasn't sure how she had even stopped herself from doing what was feeling so natural to her. She wanted to sink her teeth into someone so bad but she knew it wasn't what she really wanted to do. The blood bags would just have to do. She couldn't go on feeding off of humans if she was going to be like this forever. Thinking about being vampire forever hadn't crossed her mind because she knew somehow someway someone find the cure for her especially since Klaus wanted her blood.
"I should call Jeremy soon." Elena said feeling the guilt sink in about neglecting her brother.
Stefan took her hand in his bringing it to his lips. "Whenever you're ready but sooner would be better for us."
"I just don't want to answer a million questions. I'm happy and I want everyone to accept that."
Stefan nodded understanding. "Then do just that. Explain you left to be free of it all. Elena that town would have left you miserable if we wouldn't have gotten out when we did." Stefan told her honestly. "If you're happy then they will get over you leaving without any goodbye."
"Do you really think they will understand?" Elena was afraid of hurting anybody else that she cared about. She had already made that mistake with Stefan and she couldn't bear to hurt anyone else with her selfishness.
"I know they will. Caroline will flip out at first like she always will but she will let it go, Bonnie will be fine with it and probably jealous we didn't bring her with us, and as for Jeremy he will be happy you left. He doesn't want that life for you and I know he doesn't want you to witness the killer side of him. He's pure and innocent like you when it comes to a human life." Stefan said.
"Damon's going to be upset with me."
Stefan let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. He himself wasn't ready to face his brother but he knew Elena needed to in order to truly let go of the guilt she was holding onto. "He loves you." Stefan said quietly.
"Stefan I love the both of you." She felt him tense beside her in the car. "But..." She said to get his attention. "But I love you in different ways. Damon was there for me when you weren't but after everything that has happened between the three of us I've realized that I can't be Katherine. I can't toy with the both of your hearts. I'm in love with only one of you and that's you Stefan. I have to tell Damon but I don't want him to go off the deep end and do something stupid especially with Jeremy with him. You know how Damon gets when he is hurt. He shuts off his feelings and we can't afford for him to do that while we are gone."
"Elena he isn't the same Damon anymore, you've changed him and as much as I hate that you are his reason to have a heart these days it's the truth. Damon won't harm anyone you love, he's going to be a dick but you have to do what makes you happy and if he truly loves you like he claims to then he will let you go while he searches for the cure. He will want you to be human again just like me."
"Then I'll call him at our next stop." Elena wasn't even sure what she would say to him but something needed to be said. Damon deserved that much from her. She couldn't be the heartless bitch forever. She took a deep breath taking in the fresh air that the windows were letting in as the hair blew with the wind. She was taking this all one step at a time.
Elena had long fallen asleep as Stefan continued driving. He knew they didn't have too much longer before they were at their stopping point. He could see the lights already as he entered the city. The streets were buzzing with people and Stefan smiled being back in a familiar territory that brought back so many memories for him.
"Elena." He called out to her gently nudging her with his hand trying to wake her from her slumber. "Wake up sweetheart." He said running his hand over the top of her hair feeling the softness.
Elena opened her eyes to see bright lights and crowded streets. She looked at Stefan with a curious face wondering exactly where they were but he only nodded with his head for her to look out the front windshield to see a huge sign saying "Daytona Beach."
Elena's eyes widened with the biggest grin ever. She had no clue this was where Stefan was going to take her when she had asked to go to Florida but what did she expect from him? It wasn't like he would give her anything less than the best.
"OH MY GOD!" She squealed like a little girl again. This was a total dream come true for her. "Stefan this is amazing! I've always wanted to come here, I always tried to get everyone to save up their money to come over the summer or on spring break but something always came up and one of us couldn't go. Oh my God thank you, thank you." She said with so much happiness in her voice that she leaned over stealing a kiss from her as Stefan smiled into their kiss. The look on her face was priceless it was something he would remember forever.
"You are very welcome."
"Can we go to the beach?" Elena looked like she had just hit the jackpot as she looked out the window taking it all in.
"I never thought you would ask." Stefan said as he went down the streets and drove alongside the beach making sure he was going at a slow enough speed that Elena could take it all in. A few minutes later they pulled up in front of this beautiful beach house and Stefan parked the car in the garage as he got out walking to Elena's side opening her door as she sat there in shock still of everything.
"A beach house?" She questioned stepping out of the car. "You rented us a beach house?"
Stefan laughed and unlocked the door leading her inside as her jaw dropped once again at the pour beauty in it. Elena walked around noticing pictures around the place. There were many photos of Lexi and Stefan and a few with Damon in them and of other people she did not know.
"You own this place?" Elena asked.
"I bought it one year when Lexi and I were visiting. She had accompanied me to college when I was at the University of Florida, she was the reason I joined a fraternity and she joined a sorority. This was out getaway house throughout the 5 years we were there." He said approaching her taking the picture of Lexi and him and a few other people out of his hands. "These were my brothers." He said remembering them. "They are in their thirties by now. This guy right here was Sam." Stefan pointed to a blonde guy that was standing with his arm wrapped around Lexi. "He was my big brother, taught me everything there was to know about the Greek life." Stefan laughed. "You should really join a sorority when you go to college. You'd have a blast."
"What about him who was he?" Elena pointed to a red head guy who was standing by Stefan and the others. They all seemed to be so happy as they made funny faces in the picture.
"That was Clay, he was my roommate. We were together from the start as he pledged with me. Great guy he majored in teaching." Stefan's tone changed and Elena took noticed that his features had changed from happy to sad.
"What happened to him Stefan?"
"He died of cancer a few years after we graduated. I never knew he was dying until it was too late." He said sadly. Elena wrapped him up in a hug and kissed his forehead.
"I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. Everyone has to die of something right?" Stefan walked away from her as he went into the kitchen. "Ah the bar is still stocked." He reached into it pulling out a bottle of vodka and then a bottle of Malibu Rum sliding it towards Elena. "Knock yourself out we're at the freaking beach." He grinned at her opening the vodka and taking a long pull from it. Elena eyed him and wondered what had changed in him suddenly.
"To Clay." She said raising the bottle before she took a long pull from it as well. Stefan gave a nod before drinking the vodka again.
"I'm going to go get out things." Stefan said before walking outside. He needed a breather for a second. He had forgotten all the memories that this placed had held for him. Oh how he was missing Lexi at the moment. He would give anything for her to be with Elena and him right now.
Elena walked around the house checking everything out. Everything was decorated so cute and she knew it had to of been Lexi's touch. The beach house was perfect and Elena wondered why they would ever leave this place. It was right on the beach in the perfect place. The whole back wall of the house that was facing the water was made of glass. It was breath taking to see the waves crashing in on the beach. Elena walked closer to the window and looked out wondering how she had come so far in the past few days. Her life had been turned upside down but in a good way. She had wanted this more than anything and now she had it and she wasn't quite sure how to take it all in. Stefan was being so loving and understanding of her needs and she didn't even deserve it.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Stefan's voice broke her thoughts.
"Breath taking." She stated.
Stefan stood beside her wrapping an arm around her waist pulling her into his side as he kissed the top of her head. "Is it what you dreamed it would be?"
"It's better than anything I've ever dreamed it could be."
"Elena this is all yours for the taking." He told her turning her to face him as he cupped her cheek in one hand. "Everything you see can be yours and everything that is mine is all yours."
Elena placed her hand over his not wanting to lose his touch. "I see you Stefan."
Stefan leaned down towards her lips as she closed her eyes awaiting his lips to touch her. "I'm yours." He whispered pressing his lips to her. Stefan tasted the coconut on her tongue as his touched hers mixing both flavors together in a delicious way. Elena grabbed onto the back of his neck making sure that this time he didn't pull away from her. Elena kissed him as if it would be her last making sure she poured her heart in should into it. She wanted Stefan to feel all of her love through the kiss; she needed him to know how much she truly loved him.
Finally breaking the kiss Elena rested her forehead against his. "Aren't you going to give me a tour of the place Stefan?"
Stefan laughed and pulled back but not leaving her embrace. "How rude of me."
"Awfully rude." She teased.
Stefan kissed her nose before taking her hand and walking with her outside where the most gorgeous patio resided. Stefan tugged her along as he walked them down to the beach. Elena has so giddy as they got closer and closer. She couldn't take it anymore she kicked off her flip flops and left Stefan as she ran towards the beach laughing. As the water hit her toes she ran through it and danced around splashing the water around her. She had never felt so free in her entire life. Even though she was doomed to be a vampire her entire life if they didn't find a cure she was here now feeling the most freedom and happiness she had ever felt.
Stefan watched as his love danced and let her inner child come to life. This right here was what happiness was to him. She was free. Elena danced throughout the water with the most beautiful smile on her face so carefree of everything going on. He knew that in that moment that if she wanted him to be hers forever that he would be. He would do anything to see this girl this happy every day for the rest of their lives. He wanted it all with her. Stefan wanted to be the man she wanted forever. If the cure was found and there was enough for him he would drink it with her and if they didn't then he would stay here forever with her. This girl was his happiness; she was his reason to exist.
Stefan kicked off his shoes as well before he went running towards his girl. He reached her and picked her up twirling her around as her feet hit the water. Stefan laughed with her as their eyes locked. He knew and she knew that this was all they would ever need from life. Elena took his face in her hands and brought him to her lips as they collided in a salty sweet kiss.
"I love you Elena." Stefan told her.
"I love you Stefan." Elena reached down and with vampire speed she splashed him soaking Stefan.
"You little..." Stefan reached down and splashed her back but Elena was already gone. He saw her running up by the shore already and he took off after her grabbing her by the waist making Elena squeal as he caught her.
Elena thrashed her legs trying to get away but Stefan was stronger than her as he ran them back into the water. He took them deep enough where he fell backwards taking Elena with him underneath the water. Coming back up Stefan shook his head making water fly everywhere as Elena splashed him in the face with a playful smirk. Stefan did the same and soon they were in a splashing war with each other.
This was the way things were supposed to between them, carefree and happy. They were both only teenagers, well one of them was and she deserved to be able to attain happiness in the simple things. Stefan dodged her last splash and grabbed her hand pulling her to him. Elena could no longer touch the ground as she treaded the water light. Elena licked her lips as she watched the water droplets roll down his face and how his shirt clung to his chest. The way the moonlight was hitting his face made him look even more flawless than he already was. Stefan leaned down and kissed her passionately as he opened her mouth with his tongue. Elena immediately grabbed onto his wet locks pulling him closer as Stefan's hands grabbed onto her hips. Elena moaned as Stefan pulled her closer roughly wrapping her legs around his waist. Their tongues danced with each other as their hips danced to the same song. Stefan slowly rocked into her as his building desire rubbed against Elena's core. She broke the kiss and kissed down his neck sucking and biting making Stefan groan in delight. He hadn't felt this alive in so long.
Stefan kissed Elena once more grabbing onto her ass and pushing her flush against his erection and they both moaned at the feel of each other. He began to walk them back towards the shore as their kiss continued. Barely out of the water Stefan lost his footing as they landed on the beach. Elena smiled into the kiss and Stefan took this as his turn to drive her crazy as he kissed down her neck. Elena grabbed his shirt in her hands and ripped it open ran her hands along his chest. Stefan growled as he felt her nails dig into his skin drawing blood, Elena quickly rolled them over and leaned down licking up the few drops of blood. Stefan through had other ideas and pinned her back down as he slowly removed her shirt and took his time kissing her newly exposed skin. Elena was itching for me as she arched her back trying to get closer to him. Stefan wanted more as well. Picking her up again as he legs wrapped around his waist once more he walked them into the house. Stefan slammed Elena against the wall as she bit down once more on his neck.
Stefan reached behind her unhooking her lace bra as he pulled it down her arms letting it drop to the floor he dove in for her breast. Elena threw her head back in ecstasy as his tongue swirled around her nipple. She hadn't felt so much pleasure like this since the last time they made love. This though was like a whole new experience for the both of them. Stefan took turns between each breast before trailing his tongue back up to her lips. Elena nipped at his bottom lip dragging it closer to her as she attacked his mouth hungrily like she had been deprived of him. She pushed them off the wall making Stefan slam into the other wall and she grinned when he gave her a surprised look at her strength. He grabbed a hold of her hair tugging it back as she leaned her head back exposing her neck to him and Stefan roughly but carefully bite at her neck careful not to break her skin as Elena moaned in excitement. Stefan then let go of her hair and walked down the hall and up the stairs kicking open the door before throwing Elena on the bed.
He took his jeans off before he pounced on top of her. Stefan kissed down her body as Elena's fingers threaded through his hair. Stefan was met with her shorts before he unfastened them and threw them to the floor. He could smell her arousal and it was intoxicating to him. He could already taste her in his mouth. Teasingly he ran his tongue at the top of her underwear. Elena was wiggling underneath him trying to get him where she most wanted him but it wasn't happening right now. He looped his fingers through the lace and pulled them down her long tan legs as he kissed each one worshiping her body. Stefan had every part of her body memorized but he was kissing her body like it was his first time to explore it all over again. Elena was becoming impatient as her desire for him grew. She felt on edge each time his lips made contact with her body.
Finally he was back at her center again and she was ready to beg him to just do it if he didn't hurry up. Stefan slowly slipped his tongue out as he ran it across her wet folds. She tasted so good. He groaned before diving back in running his tongue all along her. Elena cried out in pleasure as she was finally getting the release she had longed for. Stefan worked his tongue over her as Elena's legs were placed over his shoulders. Stefan brought her to her release as she cried out his name.
Stefan worked his way back up her body before slamming his lips into hers as he kissed her while she came down from her high. He settled himself in between her legs as Elena wrapped her legs around his waist. Stefan tip was so close to entering her and she wasn't sure if she would be able to handle it right now. Their kiss slowed from the sloppy kiss to something so gentle that it reminded them of their first kiss they ever shared. Elena looked into his eyes as Stefan looked into hers; he slowly slid into her as they both moaned each other's names. Tears slowly fell from Elena's eyes as Stefan stayed still in her not moving. He saw the tears as he felt his own drop down onto her cheeks.
They had found their way back to each other after everything. After all the pain and heart ache they had somehow found their way back to each other. Their love had won through it all.
Stefan slowly moved himself as Elena reached out for his hands lacing their fingers together. Stefan thrust in and out of her as their bodies both went into over drive. Moans filled the room as the two both brought each other over the edge. The night went on as the two rediscovered each other.
