PART NINE

They had decided on a wedding date. The wedding would be held on May 18. Three months from now and Elena thought it was the perfect date. She had always wanted a Spring wedding and the wedding would finally be perfect. It wouldn't be too hot or too cold and she could wear a nice dress.

Elena still felt the remainder of Damon's kiss on her lips. She couldn't help, but smile as she remembered how it felt. It had felt so wonderful, she had always thought that first kisses had to be awkward and terrible, but a first kiss with Damon had not be terrible at all. It had been lovely.

Elena wanted to do it again just to make sure that she hadn't dreamed it, but she was too shy to ask for another kiss and she didn't even know if Damon would want to kiss her again. Elena couldn't believe that today was her birthday. She was turning twenty-three today. She had already received birthday calls from her parents and a birthday package from Bonnie in the mail. Bonnie had included a letter wishing her the best for her birthday and telling her how busy she was with med school.

Caroline had invited her for a special birthday lunch since for the past few days she had been extremely busy with work. Elena hadn't told Damon about her birthday. Not because she didn't want him to know, but because she didn't know how to bring it up.

It didn't matter though, Elena had never been too fond of birthdays and besides she was turning twenty-three. It wasn't exactly a special birthday. Elena straightened her hair, watching the thick, brown locks fall against her heart shaped faced.

Ever since Damon had forced her to quit her job she had devoted much more time to her appearance, but she was bored. She checked her watch and realized that she was supposed to meet Caroline soon. She slipped on a black skirt and a red blouse and darted out the door.

Her purse felt heavy even though she didn't have much, but her wallet and some lip gloss. Her wallet, her cheeks flushed as she remembered the shiny blue credit card that Damon had given her. He insisted that Elena use it for anything and Elena had agreed, even though she still wasn't too comfortable using Damon's money. Elena felt like a lady of leisure and not in a good way.

Caroline was already seated at their favorite table at a small café called Benedicts. Her blond hair shined in the sun and she looked happy as always. Elena noticed that a small, pink wrapped gift was in front of Elena's place. Elena shook her head. "Caroline, you didn't have to get me anything."

"I wanted to," Caroline said as she hugged her friend. "Besides 23 is a big birthday. It's your special day so I'm deciding to spoil you, I hope your dear fiancé is doing the same."

"He's not actually." Elena cleared her throat. "I didn't tell him it's my birthday."

"Elena," Caroline complained. "Why the hell not? The whole point of having a rich fiancé is for him to spoil you on your birthday, otherwise what's the point."

Elena smiled. "The point is Damon is paying me to be his wife, I don't need anything extra. Now can I open my present?" Caroline nodded as she watched in excitement as Elena tore off the pink ribbon.

She pulled out a camera and she gasped. "Oh, Caroline, a camera. How lovely, but it must have been so expensive- "

Caroline shook her blond head. "I don't want you to think about price Elena, consider it an engagement and a birthday gift. Besides you deserved it, I remembered how much you loved blogging in high school. I thought if you had a camera it would inspired you more."

She nodded. "Thank you so much, Caroline. I really appreciate it, honest. But this is so fancy- "

Caroline rolled her blue eyes. "It really is not, stop exaggerating." She pushed a brochure towards her. "Mystic Falls community college offers some great photography courses. You should take one."

"I will think about it," Elena promised as she stuffed the brochure in the bag. "But, thank you. You're a good friend." She fiddled with her hands.

Caroline sighed. "Ok, spill it, Elena I know that you are dying to tell me something so spill it."

"Damon and I kissed on Sunday," she flushed. "After having dinner with my parents."

Caroline gasped. "No way! Was that your first kiss? Never mind, stupid question of course it was, you've never been on a date before Damon. How was it? Tell me everything!"

Elena could feel her cheeks turning red as she fanned herself. "It was very nice. I think it was very nice for a first kiss. He did tease me at first, but when he kissed me Caroline I felt like I was melting."

"Lucky," Caroline joked. "When I had my first kiss Brian ended up biting my lip so hard that I had to get stitches, well what do you know, Damon is capable of being an actual gentleman. Have you decided on a wedding date?"

"May 18." Elena said. "I will give you the invitations as soon as I picked them."

Caroline shook her head. "So soon? That is only a couple of months. You still need to pick your cake, your dress, and I need to plan your bachelorette's party of course- "

Elena shook her head. "I don't want a bachelorette's party, Caroline."

Caroline scoffed. "Don't be silly, you need to have a bachelorette's party," she looked at Elena curiously. "Oh, honey I forgot. This is going to be your first night with Damon. I'm so silly, it's like putting a lamb in the hands of a lion. Well, if you need any sex tips let me know, like if you want to get to orgasm quicker, you need to spread- "

Elena interrupted her when she realized that the rest of the patrons were looking at her with too much curiosity. "I think it'll be fine, Caroline."

"Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?" Elena looked up from when she was eating Chinese take out. Damon had asked Elena to meet so that they could discuss how many people were coming to the wedding.

"Who told you?" Elena asked, briefly thinking that Caroline had opened her mouth.

"Stefan," Damon said flatly. "While we were going over the marriage contract. You should have told me, Elena."

Elena played with her chopsticks. "It's not a big deal- "

"It's a big deal to me," Damon interrupted. "Just because this is a marriage of convenience doesn't mean that I don't care about your birthday."

"All right," Elena replied not bothering to hide her smile.

-End of Chapter Nine-

P.S. I know Elena's birthday is in June, but I decided to make it a little earlier so that this chapter would make more sense. Thanks for reading! Best wishes.