Chapter-9: Epilogue


Five Years Later


I wake up slowly, stretching like a kitten … a very satisfied kitten.

Turning my head to the side, I frown. His spot is empty with the sheets cold. "Damon?" I call out.

No response comes.

Getting out of bed, I pull on the shirt I pretty much ripped off of his body last night. I can't help smiling at the memory.

As I'm about to walk out of the room, I notice a little piece of paper right next to the bed. "Congratulations, Graduate. Your breakfast awaits you in the kitchen." It reads.

I can't help the smile that radiates across my face as I walk down to the kitchen. When I get there, however, I'm greeted with a plate filled with pancakes and a bottle of chocolate syrup next to it, but no Damon.

Next to the plate lies another piece of paper. Picking it up, I read it aloud. "Eat up, baby girl. I'm taking you on a treasure hunt. Come find me in the place where you first told me you love me."

Polishing off my breakfast, I go back to our bedroom to freshen up and get dressed before setting off for my old high school. When I reach the gym where I confessed my love for him in front of the whole student body, I see that Coach Young is there ... alone.

"Elena, honey!" she greets me. "It's good to see you."

"Coach, how have you been?" I give her a quick her, glancing around to see if he's around. Nope, no such luck.

"Damon tells me you've been offered a position at Whitmore," she tells me, beaming with pride. "It must be great to be working side by side for you kids."

I blush. "I can't wait to begin."

A wistful look comes over her as she sighs. "We miss you. The cheerleaders these days are just not like you. And I'm sure the AP Physics students miss having the legendary Mr. Salvatore's class. I still can't believe he quit the job just like that."

I can't help the smile the memory of brings to my face. "He did it for me. The day he got the job at Whitmore, he could finally be with me."

She nods. "I'm glad you have him. He's a good man."

"I know."

"Speaking of him ..." She brings out a folded piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to me. "I'm supposed to give you this."

Quickly unfolding the paper, I see his handwriting. "Hope you're not getting tired. I'm waiting for you in the place we met."

Taking my leave of the coach, I head to the place we'd met for the first time … the library.

When I get there though, I'm astounded by the emptiness of the place. There's not a soul in sight … not even the librarian. "Damon?" I call out.

"Elena," his voice sounds from behind me.

Turning around, a gasp escapes me. There, surrounded by racks upon racks of books about love and adventure, kneels the man I love with everything I am, holding a ring in his hand.

"I've waited for this moment since the first time you tasted bourbon on my lips," he says, his eyes unwaveringly staring into mine. "Elena Gilbert," he starts before swallowing and taking my hand in his. "The first moment I saw you, I loved you and every moment since then, I've spent falling more in love with you. Time is finally ours for the taking, baby. I can't promise you a lifetime of happiness because that's really not possible. What I promise you, is a lifetime of adventure. Will you marry me and agree to start this new adventure with me?"

I try to blink away the tears steadily falling from my eyes and nod. "Yes."

The way his whole face lights up with that small word from me tells me just how much this man loves me. I pull him up so I can kiss him and I can't help chuckling. "You are terrible at treasure hunts."

"I needed you to win, baby girl," he says cheekily.

"Sure, sure," I tease. "You're lucky I love you."

"Incredibly so."

Without any more words, he pulls me to him, telling me that he loves me too with his lips on mine.


A/N: And that's it.

I sincerely hope Kouga's Eternal enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Ashmerlin, girl, I don't know what I'd do without you. Love you to Mars and back.

Love

Ann