...And should we ever

find our way back

to each other,

we will lay beneath the stars

and pick down

the ones we like best.

-Beau Taplin

Damon sits in the living room, his daughter watching Disney channel while he handles his emails.

"Dad, look!" Isabella calls out, the young girl pointing to the screen as Damon looks to the television.

"Yeah." Damon nods as if he is excited before the doorbell suddenly rings to life. Rising off of the couch, Damon strolls over towards the apartment door.

"Hey bro." Stefan smiles, Damon's younger brother appearing on the other side of the door as Damon opens it.

"Hey man," Damon smirks, pulling his brother into a manly hug as Stefan steps inside.

"Uncle Stef!" Isabella then shouts from across the room, her bare feet hitting the floor as she sprints over to where the two men stand.

"Ahh, if it isn't my favorite girl in the world." Stefan bends down as Isabella runs into the young man's arms, Stefan standing back up with her in his grasp.

"I missed you." Isabella smiles, the young girl showing the deep affection she holds for her uncle.

"I missed you more." Stefan kisses the young girl on the cheek as she squirms, the young man tickling her side before setting her back down to her feet.

"I'll be back." Isabella nods sternly, her blue eyes serious as she turns to run away. Her brunette hair sways as she runs quickly, momentum catching up with her as the air breezes by her body.

"Well, she's still energetic." Stefan laughs as he watches the young girl, Damon watching her too before the two men look to each other.

"Always," Damon nods before both of the men head towards the kitchen. "So how have you been?" Damon looks to his brother as he rests his elbows on the kitchen counter, the faint noise of the television sounding through the apartment.

"Good, good. Caroline and I got in yesterday." Stefan tells Damon as an uncontrollable smile begins to appear on the secretive man's face.

"What?" Damon questions, his eyes narrow and his brows furrowed as he watches his alarmingly quiet brother.

"I have to tell you something." Stefan rests his hand on the table too as Damon stands up straight, the man waiting nervously for his brother's announcement.

"Okay?"

"I asked Caroline to marry me and she said yes." Stefan unveils his secret as Damon's blue eyes go wide, the man incredibly surprised.

"Holy shit Stef." Damon shakes his head, the news still sinking into the man's brain. His shock then turns into happiness as he smiles, the man deeply proud of his younger brother.

"I know, it's a lot." Stefan nods as Damon walks over, wrapping his arms around Stefan.

"Congratulations bro," Damon smirks, hugging his brother as he takes in the news. His brother is getting married before him. That statement hits Damon like a truck because four years ago he imagined his whole life too, the man not knowing what the future actually held. At twenty, he met the girl of his dreams and he fell madly in love. At twenty-one, he was shaken to his core because he had to grow up. At twenty-two, he was brought into the world of fatherhood, the young man believing that he would spend the rest of life with his two girls. At twenty-three, the fights began, success dividing a wedge between the two people. And at twenty-four, both Damon and Elena made mistakes that determined their future, the two people shaping their world into something they never imagined. And at twenty-five, they no longer even lived together, both of them too stubborn to admit their wrongdoings. Maybe it is because they were so young, life happening to them at full speed. Because at twenty-six, Damon stands here, hugging his engaged younger brother while his four-year-old daughter sits in the living room. Elena isn't here, nor will she be tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day. But no matter what happens he will always remember everything she gave him, including that first unforgettable summer.

Six years ago

Elena stands in the kitchen, the girl wearing Damon's T-shirt as she flips pancakes. The morning air brushes through the windows as Elena hums lightly, the girl making breakfast for the still asleep man.

"Elena?" Damon questions as he walks out of the hallway, looking from right to left for the girl. "I thought you might have left." Damon walks out of the hall, grey sweatpants hanging low on his waist as his imperfect and yet perfect abs entice the young woman.

"Nope." Elena shakes her head as comes closer towards her. Flinching, Elena then quakes as Damon comes up from behind her, his hands sliding over her waist.

"You are so beautiful," Damon whispers into her ear as he tucks his face into her neck, the young man kissing her skin lightly as she still holds the spatula.

Dazed, Elena falls back against his larger body. Last night marked the first night she ever spent here and as much as she wanted him, Elena didn't feel ready. Throughout her whole life, Elena only slept with one boy. But Matt isn't Damon, no one is quite like Damon. And a part of her is scared, scared that she won't live up to his expectation, scared that she can't compare to the other girls he's been with. Damon intimidates Elena, but he makes her feel alive. He simply awakens the girl, the man showing her the adventurous side of life.

"You know I have a writing class today, I really shouldn't be here," Elena tells him as he continues to kiss her, the girl's attention divided between him and what she is saying.

"A writing class huh? Can I come?" Damon smirks as he tugs at her top, Elena jumping slightly as his cold hands touch her bare stomach.

"No." Elena shakes her head, a cute smile plastered across her face as Damon turns her chin to the left with one finger.

"No? I'm sorry I don't know that word." Damon smirks before catching her lips with his, the girl moaning sweetly against his mouth as he deepens the kiss. Her beauty drives him crazy, never has a woman made his head spin quite like Elena Gilbert.

"Damon," Elena shakes her head as he shuts off the stove, removing the spatula from her hand as he places it on the counter.

"Come here." Damon turns the beautiful girl so that she is facing him as he wraps his arms around her, kissing her lips as her hands fall to his chest.

"I really should go."

"Fine, what time does it end?"

"Pick me up at seven." Elena grabs his neck, standing on her tippy toes as she kisses the happy young man once more. "And by the way, what are you planning on doing all summer?" Elena questions as she pulls away, her hands still resting on his neck as he looks down at her passionately.

"You," Damon answers smoothly, a blush creeping onto Elena's cheeks as he does.

"Damon, I mean really."

"I'm taking an internship at my dad's business," Damon tells her, rolling his eyes back as he speaks of it.

"That sounds fun, maybe you could spend a little more time with him," Elena tells him, her voice light and hopeful as Damon shakes his head.

"I'd rather die than spend time with that asshole," Damon swears, Elena realizing the hostile relationship Damon and his father share.

"I'm sorry." Elena shakes her head because at times she understood. For years she had to take care of herself, Grayson not willing to step up to the plate after losing his precious wife. People may say he was a coward or a bad father, but in reality, he was just hurt. After losing his wife, Elena's father couldn't keep it together. And she didn't blame him, she still doesn't.

"It's okay, so I'll pick you up at seven."

"Yep."

Present Day

Elena walks through the double doors, needing a drink after her long day full of conferences and meetings. Her manager currently occupies the position of begging Elena to write another novel, begging her to write anything. And Elena tries, she desperately tries, but the words never come. So with that, Elena has now subsided to alcohol for a slight dose of comfort. She never drank, but sometimes a glass of wine didn't hurt.

"Hi." Elena sits on the barstool, the bartender looking at the stunning brunette with narrow eyes.

"I'm going to need to see an ID." The man holds out his hand as Elena rummages through her purse, searching for her ID.

Looking through her whole purse, Elena then realizes that she does not have her ID. "Look," Elena looks up, her brown eyes meeting the bartenders as he shakes his head.

"I'm sorry but I can't serve you if you don't have an ID." The bartender shrugs casually as he wipes down the bar with the grey rag.

"I'm twenty-four, I'm a mom for god's sake," Elena explains her situation to the hard-eyed bartender who is not budging for anyone.

"I'm sorry but no I-" The bartender goes on but his voice fades away as Elena looks beyond the bar. Sitting at a high stop is Damon, and not just Damon but a woman too. A beautiful, tall, light brown-haired woman. Elena's eyes can't seem to fall from the sight as she watches them, the pair clearly on a date. His smile is wide as she speaks, the woman clearly making him laugh. A blush creeps onto the woman's face as he gazes at her, the unfamiliar woman consumed by those blue eyes. Elena was once consumed too, in fact, a part of her still is. The part of her that still does now comes out, sadness controlling her body as she looks down. He's done it, he's moved on. She always knew he would, someday, but a part of her never wanted to see him with another woman. A part of her thought that she was his forever.

Six years ago

"Where are you taking me, Salvatore?" Elena looks over at the man, her brown eyes full of amusement as she views the smirking man.

"Do you like stars?" Damon questions, his smirk so damn arrogant and yet so damn sexy as Elena swallows down her lust.

"Who doesn't?" She answers his question with a question as his eyes drop to her lips, the boy unable to resist the beautiful young woman too.

"Well, that's where I'm taking you." Damon turns, the young man stepping on the gas as they drive through the sunset.

"You're taking me to the stars?"

Damon then looks over, a wicked smirk plastered across his face as he glances her up and down. The silky black dress she wears is thin, the cotton clothing barely covering her tanned thighs.

"You know you can't walk around in a dress like that when I'm not allowed to touch you," Damon tells her, Elena's eyes snapping to him as he speaks.

Breathing slowly, Elena watches as he looks over, a cheeky grin displayed on his handsome face. "I never said you weren't allowed to, just not yet." Elena answers.

"Well, what if I can't wait?"

"Trust me, I'm worth waiting for." Elena answers confidently, the brunette's eyebrow raised wittily as Damon chuckles.

"You don't think I know that?" Damon questions as she smirks, the girl knowing how sexy she is.

Elena then turns up the radio dial as the music sounds through the silent car. The warm, night air flies by the girl as she rests her head on the rim of the open window. Her brown eyes are soft as she watches the trees past by. Startling the young woman, Damon then slips his hand over her exposed thigh. Elena's dress barely reaches her knees as the material rises, Elena watching him touch her. Her breath gets caught in her throat as his hand slips towards the inside of her thigh, his fingers playing with the end of her black dress delicately.

Damon smirks as he looks to the right, the young man noticing the effect he has on Elena. But honestly, he is convinced that she has an even greater effect on him.

Shortly after, Damon pulls into the grassy lot. Opening his door, Damon gets out of the car as he heads towards the front of the Camaro. The hill overlooks all of campus as Elena gets out too.

"Come here." Damon sits on the edge of the blue Camaro as his eyes trail the brunette. Gleaming, bright stars shine through the dark night as Elena makes her way towards the dark-haired man. They both sit on the front of the car as they look up, the two people watching the shining stars.

"Wanna play a game?" Elena turns to face him, a cute smile shown on her face.

"A game?" Damon looks over at her, his eyes wide as dirty thoughts creep into his corrupted mind. Watching him, Elena immediately slaps his arm as she shakes her head.

"Not that type of game, a getting to know each other game."

"Okay, this should be fun." Damon grins as he leans against the car, his hands resting behind him.

"Okay so question one, I know you grew up here but why didn't you venture off to New York like your brother?"

"Argh, they're serious questions?" Damon groans as Elena rolls her eyes at his babyish behavior.

"Just answer,"

"Okay fine, after high school, I just figured Whitmore would be cool. I've always liked it here and thought it would be nice to just live on my own." Damon answers as Elena nods. "Okay, now my turn, what's underneath that black dress?"

"Damon!" Elena scolds him as she laughs, the girl pulling her dress down as he laughs too. His mind is always in the gutter, isn't it?

"Just answer," Damon repeats Elena's previous words as she shakes her head.

"I guess you'll never know," Elena speaks lowly. Her voice is sassy and seductive as Damon bites his lip wantingly. Looking down at her mouth, Damon tries to resist kissing her.

"Okay fine, and this is a serious question. You told me that you have only been with one guy. Who is that one guy?" Damon asks her seriously, a form of wonder and jealousy evident in his husky voice.

Surprised by his question, Elena loses her words for a moment. "Umm his name is Matt."

"Matt?"

"I dated him for two years but we have known each other forever." Elena shrugs as she turns her brown eyes to the narrow-eyed man.

"What went wrong?" Damon questions, his voice full of intrigue.

"Umm, I don't know. I guess we just grew apart."

"Grew apart? Come on, what's the real reason?" Damon nudges her, the young man wanting her to spill the truth.

"We just," Elena gives in, the girl rolling her eyes at his persistent behavior as she begins to explain her former relationship. "Matt and I were just simple. We didn't-We didn't have any-any-"

"Passion?" Damon questions huskily as his eyes focus on her soft lips. Looking at him, Elena's gaze then falls to his enticing lips as well. The lust hanging between the two people is heavy and uncontrollable as Elena scoots closer to the sexy young man.

"No, we didn't have passion." Elena shakes her head while her eyes still remain focused on his lips. Damon's pinky then gently caresses hers as he scoots closer to her. His breath brushes across her soft cheek as Elena gulps, the girl trying to shut down her burning, sexual desire.

"Anyway, how about you?" Elena questions as she blinks once, the girl breathless after their passionate gaze. "I assume there is more than one girl."

"Maybe, but none of them are quite like you Gilbert," Damon smirks, the young man noticing her breathless behavior.

"You're such a liar." Elena shakes her head. "Tell me, have you ever had a real, stable relationship?"

"Real? Yes. Stable? God no." Damon chuckles as he reflects back on his past.

Cocking her head to the side, Elena is officially intrigued. "Okay, who is this girl?"

"Katherine, she was my high school girlfriend." Damon shrugs as he looks up at the star-filled sky. "But it was mostly a sex thing. I didn't think that at the time, hell I thought I was in love with her, but it turns out I was only in love with having sex with her so-" Damon shrugs nonchalantly, the man not showing an ounce of affection.

"So what's real about that?" Elena asks, her eyes narrow as she questions his intentions.

"What's not real about that? I was faithful to her. I took her out. I had sex with her." Damon shrugs, the wide-eyed man not understanding the unconvinced brunette.

"Damon that's not a real relationship."

"Then what is?"

"A real relationship is when you love spending time with someone just as much as you love sleeping with them. Sex isn't everything Damon." Elena tells him, her eyes serious as his eyes fall. Turns out, Elena teaches him just as much as he teaches her.

"Maybe you're right," Damon speaks to her huskily, his eyes serious and significant. "Then I guess you've never had a real relationship either."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I think that this Matt guy only gave you one of those two things," Damon speaks seductively as he runs his hand over her waist, the man pulling the woman into him.

"And what's that?"

"You know what," Damon smirks, the man winking at the girl as she shakes her head.

"Let's stop talking." Elena laughs as she lays down, the girl looking up at him with her doe, brown eyes as she rests her head on the car.

Chuckling, Damon gives in as he lays down too. He moves the girl slightly so that he is beneath her, the girl's head resting on his chest as he holds her against him. His arm is wrapped tightly around the woman as she runs her hand across his soft shirt-covered abs. The stars move across the sky, one by one, but all Elena can feel is his arm wrapped around her. All she can notice is his heart beating beneath her ear, his tight abs hiding beneath his shirt, his blue eyes staring down at her as she tries to focus on the sky.

Present Day

Elena stands as she watches Damon through the dim bar light. His hand is enclosed inside the woman's and a smile is shown across his face. A true smile, a smile that Elena loves dearly. That smile weakened her six years ago and it weakens her now.

At the moment, Damon is most likely making an inappropriate joke that causes the woman to roll her eyes but also causes her to fall for him none the less. His sexy, dark hair and dreamy, blue eyes are most likely wowing the woman. And he is most likely being swept in by her as well, by the looks of it, his eyes are solely focused on the unknown woman sitting across from him. Perhaps he is just trying to sleep with the woman. Perhaps he is faking his lust. Or maybe he isn't, maybe he likes her, maybe he is finally moving on. Maybe he no longer sees Elena everywhere he goes. Maybe his eyes have found a new home. Maybe, maybe, maybe. But through everything, Elena still wishes him all of the happiness in the world. And as she watches him now, she realizes that there is nothing more she wants than his happiness. Because that smile, his smile, is a sight she never wants to see fade away. Maybe someday she will be the one to make him smile again. Until then, Elena decides to walk out of the bar, alone. But she isn't alone because no matter what happens they will always be the ones who showed each other what a real relationship is. And like a flower, somethings can still blossom even after a cold winter.

Thank you for reading. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I am super busy with school but once I'm out I will be writing chapters for all of my stories. LEAVE A REVIEW and have a nice day!