Hi!

Pretty quick this time right?

Hope you're all doing great and enjoying the story, I've been writting to get me out of my Delena funk so I hope this story is doing the same for you. I'm pretty excited about this chapter, I really want to know what you think of it so please leave a review, I always love reading what you have to say.

Thanks a lot to Lorena who corrects this thing for me even when she's super busy, you're an angel!

And thanks to all of you!


Hello

Hello, can you hear me?

I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be

When we were younger and free

I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet

There's such a difference between us

And a million miles

-Adele-

.

Elena contemplated the clothes piled up on her bed and scrunched her nose up, there was nothing that convinced her, she wanted to look pretty but without looking like she had tried too hard. She had banned her friends from her hotel room because they were making her feel even more nervous and the last thing she needed right now was to add more stress, with dread in the pit of her stomach she had more than enough.

God, she had no idea what to expect from tonight, if you had told her a month ago that she would be getting ready for a date with Damon Salvatore she would have started laughing…and then probably crying. But here she was, feeling so much like the fifteen year old girl dying with excitement and nerves when he picked her up for their first school dance together.

Elena huffed and decided for a light champagne colored summer dress, it had spaghetti straps and the skirt flowed beautifully above her knees. She curled her hair slightly and applied just a little bit of makeup, she didn't want to look like a clown either. She put on a pair of gold sandals and looked at herself in the mirror, Elena wasn't blind, she knew she was pretty but right now she felt like the most gorgeous girl on the planet and she knew it had nothing to do with the clothes she was wearing, it was all about the spark in her eyes and the way her cheeks were already starting to flush, she was happy, truly happy for the first time in almost ten years.

The beeping of her phone brought her back to reality and she picked it up to see a text from Damon telling her he was already waiting in the lobby, a missed call from the caterer, who she would have to call tomorrow morning and a bunch of missed calls from her mom, who she wasn't planning on calling back.

Elena took a deep breath, grabbed her purse and left the hotel room. She didn't even let her friends know she was leaving, they would follow her to the lobby and she didn't want that, so she would text them when she was already in Damon's car.

Damon paced nervously around the lobby, his palms were sweating and his legs were starting to quiver a little bit. He laughed under his breath, he was a thirty year old man but right now he felt like that seventeen year old boy who picked her up for their first school dance together. It was truly amazing how many emotions that woman could evoke from him.

He felt her coming, it was as if he was attuned to her, all the hairs on his body stood up and goose bumps appeared on his skin. He turned around and noticed her walking towards him with a nervous smile on her face. God, he loved that smile. She looked absolutely stunning, he knew that there were probably women more beautiful than her but for him she was perfect, she was the most beautiful creature he ever laid eyes on and there would never be another like her.

"You took my breath away" He whispered in a raspy voice when she was standing right in front of him. She only laughed and fidgeted with her purse in response.

"You look pretty good too" She stated honestly. And it was absolutely the truth, he was wearing dark dress pants that hugged his ass marvelously and a dark blue long sleeved shirt that made his skin paler and his eyes bluer, he was truly a vision. It always amazed Elena, to realize how handsome he was, how sexy, she would never get tired of looking at him.

He smiled at her and wanted to take her hand but decided against it, he knew he was walking on eggshells tonight and didn't want to push things too much "Come on, the car's outside"

They walked together in silence and he opened the door for her to enter the car, Elena couldn't help the feeling of comfort that overwhelmed her again at being inside his Camaro, it was something so familiar to her, somehow she felt more at ease here than in her own car back in San Francisco.

"So, where are we going?" Elena asked once Damon was inside the car and driving towards wherever they were going

"I was planning on taking you to a fancy restaurant but decided against it" He answered honestly

"Why?" Elena asked with a slight smile on her face. She was grateful he didn't take her there, she wasn't in the mood for big fancy restaurants, she wanted something more intimate.

"First of all, I wouldn't be able to have you all to myself" He said and Elena's body quivered with the sound of his voice "Second of all, we would have all of Mystic Falls talking about us in the time that it would take us to order our entrée" Elena laughed out loud at his comment and he did the same

"That is true" She said

"And third, I wouldn't be able to show off in front of you how much of an amazing cook I am" He gave her a crocked grin and winked. "So we're going to my apartment, right above the shop"

"Wait… you live above your shop? I thought you were still living in your old house" She asked while trying to keep her mind occupied. His apartment! He was taking her to his apartment, did that mean he was expecting something to happen between them tonight? "No, hold on, more importantly, you can cook? You used to burn water!"

He laughed out loud, a throaty sound that went straight to every nerve ending in Elena's body "I've learned a lot in ten years, Lainey, trust me I'm going to surprise you" They stopped on a red light and he looked at her intently, doing that eye thing that always drove her crazy with lust "And yes I live above the shop, works for me. And the house is Stefan's now, he and Caroline are starting a family and they needed a place like that, besides we made a deal he gets the house and I get the bar" He grinned at her "If you ask me, I think I got the better end of the deal"

"Yeah, I think you did" She smiled at him as the red light turned green and they started moving again "So wow, two successful businesses Damon, that's awesome, you must be so proud of yourself"

He shrugged "It's probably not something like the things you've accomplished or the things you're used to but it's pretty good, more than what I thought I would get"

Elena could see that this subject made him uncomfortable and she didn't like that one bit, she hated the way he spoke about himself, diminishing his achievements "Well I'm proud of you. I always knew you were meant for great things Damon and seeing your life now definitely proves it."

He blinked in astonishment at hearing her words, couldn't hide the look on his face, the fact that she thought that high of him made him feel strange things, things he had never felt before. And it gave him hope, hope that he could somehow fix the mess he created and win her back. He wasn't giving up so easily, not this time.

"So, your friend made a big impression on my friend" He changed the subject, not wanting to be on the spotlight anymore.

She smiled widely and looked at him "And he made a big impression on her as well, I swear I have no idea how it is that they got off so easily."

"Trust me, I have no idea. Ric is a really reserved person, I was truly surprised that he went home with her"

"Well I hope he's nice to her, I don't want her getting hurt"

"Trust me, I think it'll be more likely that she hurts him" Damon said while rolling his eyes "Ric is like this gigantic Teddy bear who likes bourbon a little bit too much" Elena laughed and they continued the rest of the ride in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable, it was as if they were just enjoying the quietness of being together.

They entered his apartment through a staircase located in the back, so they wouldn't have to open the front of his shop to the apartment. The place was exactly like Elena expected it to be, not too crowded, dark wood furniture and yellow light that made the place look incredible cozy. It was a bachelor pad in every sense of the word but it had that classic style that Damon loved so much.

Elena wouldn't be surprise if his bedroom had a big king sized bed and an even bigger headboard. "Why am I thinking about his bed?" Elena thought to herself while she tried to calm her racing heart.

"It's very beautiful here" Elena murmured and Damon smiled at her "And it smells even better" Elena said while closing her eyes and inhaling the marvelous smell of food around her

"Thanks" He gently took her purse out of her hands and placed it on his couch, then took her hand and led her towards the small balcony located in front of his living room.

"Wow it's really nice in here" Elena said without releasing her hand from his clasp, in front of her stood the lights of the little small town that saw her grow up and she felt a sense of calm invade her.

"It's not the view from the Golden Gate but I think we can almost topple them" He smirked at her and led her towards the table placed strategically in the center of the small balcony

"Yes, I believe you can" She said softly and smiled at him when he pulled out the chair so she could sit. The table had a white lace cloth on top and a set of candles were placed in the center of the table, she didn't need a fancy restaurant, she had more than enough right here.

"Just wait here, I'll go get our food" He walked back inside and Elena took a deep breath, it was so strange to be here with him right now but at the same time it felt like the most right thing in the world for her. And to think that she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the wedding…which was in five days…and then she'd be gone again. A sense of dread invaded her body, just like it did ten years ago when she was driving with her parents towards the airport that would take her away from Mystic Falls for good.

"I really hope you like it, I busted my ass in the kitchen all afternoon" Damon interrupted her thoughts when he entered the balcony with plates that smelled just like heaven.

"It looks delicious Damon, what is it?"

"Chicken parmigiana with baked potato wedges" He placed the food on the table and went back inside to retrieve a bottle of cabernet sauvignon.

"Damn, you're really spoiling me tonight" She said while he poured the wine in her glass "I seriously cannot believe you cooked this" She told him while she looked at the plate in front of her

"Ouch, I'll try not to feel too hurt" Damon told her while taking his seat in front of her

"You can't believe for thinking it, you used be a complete zero in the kitchen" She took a sip of her wine and almost moaned at the taste of the cool liquid going down her throat.

"And just wait until you see dessert" He winked at her and her cheeks flushed

Their eyes locked for a moment and a million of things passed through them. For just one second, sitting there in front of each other, they were transported to a place very far away, somewhere where they were two teenagers in love with their whole lives ahead of them and a million of dreams to reach. Together.

Elena cleared her throat, the air around them suddenly too charged with nostalgia, regret and pain. She wanted things to be easy again "You did all of this just this afternoon?" She asked with a raised eye brow

"I may have bought all the things in the morning" He shrugged "I was keeping my hopes up that you would accept to coming"

Elena smiled and shook her head lightly before taking the first bite of her food "Oh God Damon, this is really good!" Elena said with her eyes closed "It's the best thing I've had in a long time"

"Really?" He asked hopefully and she smiled, happy that things were becoming lighter again.

"Yes, it's just delicious" She moaned and the sound went straight to Damon's crotch. "I truly cannot believe you made this"

"You really are trying to hurt my feelings tonight" He told her and she winked at him.

"So tell me, how's life in San Francisco?"

"It's pretty amazing, a lot more hectic than here but not as much like New York" Elena answered between bites of her food

"You work a lot?" Damon asked while looking intently at her

"Yes, my friends always say I work a little too much" She winced "But I like to be busy" It stopped her from thinking too much but she didn't tell him that.

"And what about your parents? Are they still as charming as ever?" He joked and Elena couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Believe it or not, they became soft with time" Elena said "Or maybe it's because I don't see them as often as before" She snickered a little "They're currently traveling around Europe but will be here for the wedding"

For some reason the idea of having her parents back here in Mystic Falls was an idea she didn't like. They didn't seem to fit in this idyllic place, in this part of her life she loved so much.

The night continued flowing easily between them, with the wine and the good food, they laughed and joked and remembered old times. When it was time for dessert Elena swore that nothing would ever compare to Damon's chocolate fudge, despite having been to so many restaurants in her life. The night turned chilly and goosebumps appeared on Elena's skin but she could no longer tell if it was from the cold of the night or the wine or maybe simply for the fact that she was here with him and he always had a way of making her body sing. There in the starry night, under the dark blue sky she realized how much she had longed for this, for this moment with this man.

How every night in the loneliness of her apartment she dreamed of this exact moment. But he never gave them a chance, he ended things before they could reach this exact moment. And that's when Elena started to get mad, without realizing it she had somehow turned into that eighteen year old girl again, hurt and mad because he had been so cruel as to end their love over a phone call, thousands of miles away from each other.

"Why did you do it?" She asked suddenly, he was telling her about a time he and Stefan went surfing in Florida and she realized she had never been to the beach with him. She realized he had done millions of things without her in the span of ten years, he left her behind and she hated him for it.

Damon gave her a questioning look "Went surfing?"

"No, you idiot! Why did you leave me?" The hurt in her voice was evident and he felt his heart shrinking at the sound.

"Elena…maybe right now isn't the time-"

"Really? And when will the time be?" She sat straighter on her chair and stared at him "I want answers, Damon…you just- over a fucking phone call Damon, seriously?! Didn't I deserve more than that?!"

He cringed at her words. That phone call had been the one mistake that kept haunting him even now "Because if I didn't do it over the phone I wouldn't be able to do it at all" His voice was a soft whisper and Elena felt a lump in her throat at hearing his words.

"Why did you have to do it at all?" Her voice was broken and she could feel her eyes starting to water. But she fought against the tears, she sure as hell wasn't going to cry in front of him "I loved you Damon, with all my heart and I was sure- I was so sure that you loved me-"

"I did Elena, I do" He said, trying not to panic too much at her use of the past tense when she referred to loving him "Don't you ever doubt that, you're still the best thing that's ever happened to me and that's why I had to let you go. It was the right thing to do. I wouldn't have-"

"The right thing to do?!" She screamed and stood up, her chair moved backwards and the sound of the wood against the concrete floor echoed in the balcony "I've been miserable over the last ten years Damon" For a moment she couldn't believe the words that had left her mouth, she was horrified but at the same time she felt liberated, it was so great finally being able to say those words out loud and once she started she couldn't stop "You have no idea how many times I've wished you were there with me"

"Elena, please-"He stood up and went towards her but she stopped him by raising her hand in the air

"Don't, just don't" She sniffed and closed her eyes. Fucking tears "Do you know what I did the first time I slept with someone else? I cried Damon…I cried the entire night because he wasn't you" She looked at him and knew that her words were hurting him but she didn't care, she was hurting too and wanted him to suffer with her "I've reached so many things, I have everything I ever dreamed of but I feel empty inside. You left a hole so big that nothing is able to fill it. And I tried to hate you, Damon, I tried to move on but I couldn't…I just couldn't"

"Elena, just stop for a second, hear me out just for one moment" He walked closer to her and this time she didn't stop him "I've never regretted anything in my life like I regret making that call… but I was young and stupid and very confused" She shook her head, not wanting to hear any more of the crap coming out of his mouth. He stopped talking, instead took her into his arms and let her cry freely into his chest.

Letting her drain everything she had inside her, every moment of pain and loss she felt over the last ten years, and he was there with her, suffering through the same things because he had been miserable too. He never could get over her.

The ringing of her phone brought her back to the present and even though he insisted on letting it ring she answered, it was Jenna telling her she was already waiting in the bar. Elena cursed mentally and hung up the phone.

"I've got to go" She said to Damon while cleaning the running mascara under her eyes, she would have to redo her makeup in the car since she didn't want any of her friends to know that she had been crying.

"No Elena, we still have a lot of things to discuss" He told her

"I'm sorry, Damon, but Jenna is waiting for me"

He knew her words were final, he saw her in the way she stuck up her chin and her eyes darkened; the moment for weakness was gone. "At least let me drive you"

"No, I'm going on my own" She entered the living room and went to retrieve her purse.

"Fine, but I'm going as well" He closed the balcony door and followed her.

He would make sure to clean everything up later.

"As you wish" She said and exited his apartment with him trailing behind her.

Things got out of control, but he was not letting this night end this way. She was going to listen to every word he had to say.


"Okay, I think it's time you stop drinking" Jenna said to Elena while removing the bottle of whiskey she had in front of her "You don't even like whiskey"

"Oh come on, it's not like I'm drunk" She whined

"No, but you will be soon if you keep that up" Jenna reprimanded her

"I'm sorry, Jenna, this was supposed to be our night and I'm ruining it all" Elena closed her eyes and rubbed her temples "I'm such a mess"

"Don't worry about it, sweetie" Jenna took her hand and squeezed lightly "We've all been there" Elena smiled softly at her "Now tell me what the hell happened between the two of you"

"Nothing did"

"Nothing my ass. You're here wanting to drink your weight in alcohol and he's over there looking at you like a lost puppy" Jena pointed out "So yeah something happened"

Damon couldn't take this any longer, he was miserable, she was miserable. They could at least be miserable together. Enough of this shit, he was going to make things right, he couldn't keep wasting any more time.

He went straight to the jukebox and inserted a couple of coins, then selected the song he wanted. When the soft tune started to sound he saw her head lifting, she remembered. This was his favorite song back in the days and they danced to it once, next to the lake under the shinning moon, with no one else but each other as witness of their love.

One grinning wink like the neon on a liquor store
We were sixteen, maybe less, maybe a little more

Elena drowned another glass of whiskey and tried to block the sound of the music. Then she felt him, he was standing right beside her "Go away Damon"

He leaned towards her "Dance with me" He whispered into her ear and she felt like crying once again. "Please" She nodded and he took her hand under the surprised eyes of Jenna.

He led her to the back of the bar next to the juke box and took her into his arms. The soft music was like a lullaby and as they swayed to the tune she felt something inside of her breaking and regenerating all over again.

He smelled like leather with a hint of something sweet and it was so familiar to her that she knew without a doubt that she was exactly where she was meant to be. She heard him humming softly to the sound of the music and smiled slightly before burying her face in his neck. She knew what they probably looked like right now but she couldn't care less.

Call it predictable, yesterday my dream was of you

Damon lifted his gaze and saw that almost every person in the bar was staring at them, people in this town knew them since they were babies and had seen their love evolving through time and now he could see the hope in their faces, hope for that love that he let go so many years ago. He closed his eyes and pressed her closer to him. How he missed her, he had been so incomplete without her this last decade.

Between the trees and the pond, you put your hand in mine
Said, "Time has bridled us both, but I remember you too"

They were supposed to get married and have kids, a family, they would grow old together. Dreams and promises made under starry skies and sunny mornings, the dreams of two teenagers completely in love. Promises he never fulfilled.

"I've never been able to stop thinking about you" He whispered into her ear and she clutched him more tightly. "You're the only woman I've ever loved, Elena" She closed her eyes to stop the tears. How much time had been wasted? How much pain and loneliness? How many dreams broken? "Please, forgive me" The song was coming to an end and somehow he felt their together was ending as well. "I love you, I still love you and I will love you until I take my last breath on this earth"

"Damon-" She looked up at him, her doe eyes staring straight into his soul "I- I-" There were so many things she wanted to say but she couldn't, she just couldn't "I'm sorry" The song ended and she hurried out of the bar, leaving him there standing alone under the stare of everyone around him.

Fucking hell.

He ran after her.

He was not letting her go this time.

.

I hope that you're well

Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happened?

It's no secret that the both of us

Are running out of time