AN: All characters are of my own creaton.

"Close your eyes." Doug scolded.

"They're closed." I responded.

It was a month after the Ahmets had been turned human. My family and I were at a company picnic for Dad's office. Me, Doug, and a bunch of other kids were starting a game of hide-and-seek.

I got to thirty and went in search of the kids. Sure there were plenty of people my age to hang out with, but there was only one person that I truly wanted to be with and he wasn't here. I reached up to my chest and carressed the amulet.

I found almost all the kids and was looking for the last one, Doug. I got to where all the picnic tables were and started looking under them.

"Did you lose something?"

I bumped the back of my head on the underside of a table as I stood up. I looked around for the voice and felt my heart stop. I stared right at Damon. He had barely changed. His scar was still there, his eyes were dark brown, and his hair looked as if he had just gotten out of bed.

"Damon?"

"That's me. Were you looking for me? I can tell you this, I wouldn't be under a table."

"You don't recognize me do you?"

"I think I would've remembered a face like yours. Should I?" He had a comical look on his face, like he thought it was a joke.

"I don't know. Just tell me this. What do you think of this?" I held the amulet up and he looked at it.

A shimmer of confusion crossed his face. I turned away but he put his hand on my shoulder. I looked back. Realization lit up his face and he smiled.

"Serena? Serena, I remember everything. I knew something was missing." He swept me into his arms and swung me around.

"Damon, where have you been?" I asked as he set me down.

"Father's been looking for a job ever since we turned human. He found one with this company. If I'm right, we'll be moving in a couple houses down from yours. How have you been?"

The next few hours passed blissfully. Doug ended up playing with Elizabeth and both our parents got to know each other. Everything seemed to fall right into place.

"Damon, promise me something." I said wrapping my arms around his neck.

"What?" He wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Never leave me like you did."

"I promise. Promise me that you are, now and forever, mine."

"I promise."

He pulled me to him so that my feet were no longer on the ground and kissed me.