Three Days Until Christmas

"You do know that you can tell me anything, don't you?" Damon asked her softly.

They had been sitting on the couch for a while now, and he was simply holding her in silence. In fact, it was almost nightfall and they are barely moved from the couch all day. They were just sat in each other's company, his arm around her shoulders as they told each other more about their own lives.

"I do," Elena said. "I trust you. I really do," She sighed. "It's just that I've been through so much, Damon. And now they are taking away my house. I had applied for a loan when I still had the job-I used to be an accountant. I wasn't as qualified as anyone else, but I was still good in it. Mason ruined that too, because it wasn't enough to kick me out. He talked to some friends that worked in the company I used to work in and I soon lost my job after that. He told them that I was a whore and sent them some pictures of me dressed up that way. The boss didn't approve of them. It wasn't enough that Mason got me into that life, abused me and hit me...He wanted to ruin me completely. That's when I started working for your company but I just can't keep up with the payments. They have only given me a couple of days."

"I want to help you, Elena," He told her sincerely. "I really do. Have you considered my offer again?" He asked her, his hand running through her hair. "You can work for me as a receptionist. You'll have a higher wage and a better life. And you won't become homeless," He told her, taking her chin in his hand.

She looked at him, confused. She remembered when he first offered her the job. Although the idea was appealing with her wage going up and making something of herself, she didn't want anyone to think she was some type of charity.

"I have a house you can live in, just a few minutes away from here. I was going to sell it when I bought this one, but I never did. You can stay there for as long as it takes."

"Thank you, Damon," Elena said, "But I can't accept it…"

"Please, Elena," Damon stroked her cheek gently. "I want to help you, in whichever way I can."

"I don't know, Damon…I don't want to burden you."

"You're not," He said firmly. "Let me help you."

She looked at him with a smile. "Thank you."

It was so strange to be sat here, just talking like a normal person, not having to worry about what he would say or do next. Unlike Caroline or anyone else she knew, Damon was unjudgmental about anything she told him.

"So, tell me more about your family." She asked, moving closer to him.

"Stay the night here," He told her after a while. "It's the weekend, Elena. You deserve a break. And I don't want you staying alone in that apartment of yours. Besides, my house is nice a warm, plus, I cook a perfect breakfast."

"Are you always this persuasive?" Elena giggle, staring up at him.

"Most of the time." He winked, before squeezing her arm lightly. "So…will you stay the night again?"

She looked at him for a few minutes before nodding. "Okay,"

"Good," He said happily, jumping up from the couch to grab them both a drink.

He slowly made his way back over to her and handed her one of the glasses as she muttered a 'thanks' before she took a massive gulp, finishing half the soda in one go.

Damon just looked at the floor, his lips pressed into a thin line as he swirled the remains of his drink around in his glass. This, right now, was the most relaxed she had seen Damon, ever. The usual comments and remarks that he would make were nowhere to be seen or heard as he cuddled up next to her, sighing contently.

She placed her glass on the side table and made her way over to his side of the couch more and took his face in her small hands.

His gaze slowly locked to her own. She sighed, tracing circles on his cheeks with her thumbs before reaching down to his glass and placing it on the side table as well. She buried her head in the crook of his arm and relaxed against his chest as she brought his hands up to her face, kissing the tops of his knuckles. It was a simply gesture and not in any way sexual to if she had kissed his perfect lips, like back at the office.

Elena knew that it may have been inappropriate but she couldn't help the safe and warm.

"Can I ask something…about your mother?"

Elena felt him stiffen a little, but in soon faded. "Of course."

"How is she?"

"She's okay, I suppose. Like I said, she has her good days and bad days, fortunately the last few weeks have been good."

Elena nodded. "You said she owned the café."

"She does. My brother, Stefan and I, we look after the place now. But her names still on the forms." He sighed, running his hand up her arm. "I guess we just keep wishing that she'll get make a full recovery…but I know she won't."

"At least you have her with you." Elena whispered, a little sadly.

"Hey," He soothed her. "Your parents are still around."

"Yeay, but they don't want to know me."

"I'm sure that is not the case."

Elena scoffed. "Trust me, they want nothing to do with me."

Damon took a deep breath, sighing. "Just give them a chance. Maybe not now, but in the future perhaps?"

"Perhaps," She murmured lowly, closing her eyes.

"And I know that this might be hard for you, our…relationship. I know you're not ready for anything to serious or close, but if you want this I promise to take it at your pace. Everything is up to you Elena."

Elena looked up at him, squeezing his hand again. "We'll get through this," She whispered, squeezing his hand in her own. "I promise."

Damon made a low chuckle that rattled his chest. "Aren't I meant to be the one saying that?"

She smiled, happy that some of the 'normal' Damon was shining through in this desperate time.

He started to run his hand up her arms again whilst leaning down and nuzzling his face in her hair, making a low humming sound that almost sound like a cat purring. It was a sound that made him seem calm and at peace with everything around him.

He wrapped his arms around her, responding to Elena's touch. His chin found the top of her head and they lay like that in a comfortable silence for a long time, just watching the fire flickering it's warmth around the room.

The next day, Elena woke late to find a note from Damon in the bedside table. He'd gone out into town to buy her some new clothes and promised to be back soon, also saying that she could use the shower if she wished. Elena smiled at the thought and stretched out on the bed before pulling her night shirt over her head.

Yesterday had not gone how she had expected, but she couldn't be happier. Even though she still wasn't sure what that meant between the two of them, she felt expected and happy that he knew. And knowing his story was well making sense a little more into why he was the way he was.

Elena pushed the thoughts out of her head and stumbled over to the shower, peeling off the rest of her clothing along the way. When the first drop hit her skin, every muscle in her body relaxed and everything just seemed so clear. She let the warm droplets form steam on the glass as she stood there motionless, letting all the stress leave her body for once.

She slowly started to rinse her hair with shampoo before letting it fall over her shoulders as she washed the rest of her body. Once she was finished, she just stood there with her back to the water; her skin was burning from the mellow droplets morphing into sharp blades of fire on her spine. If only life were this easy, to just stand here and forget the world.

For the first time in a long time she felt better about herself. Telling Damon about herself had seemed to take all the weight off her shoulders. He was so understanding and patient, but Elena understood why now. They were so similar…two lost people in a world that didn't understand at all.

Elena snapped out of her thoughts with ease staring down at her hands to see they were a wrinkled mess from being in contact with the water. There was a lightly knock at the door and her breathing hitched in her throat.

"Hey…um…Elena?" Damon called, sounding nervous. "I…I got you some clothes. I'll leave them on the bed for you."

"Okay, thank you." She called back, listening to him shuffling about the room.

He was completely different to how she thought he would be and she realised now that he was hiding behind a mask. The real Damon and Mister Salvatore were too different people. One was a little shy and the other was cocky and sophisticated. Because of that difference, it made her want to be around him and get to know the real Damon even more.

They spent the day together, laughing and joking. They didn't really touch on yesterday, because everything that had to be said was said. Instead, they were both focused on enjoying themselves for a change and at around noon, Damon sat Elena down around the table in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" She asked him.

"I'm making you a plate of my favourite dish." He smirked, "Spaghetti Bolognese."

"You don't have to, Damon, I'll eat when I get back home."

"Oh no, you won't," He said, standing behind her and resting his large hands on her shoulders. "Today you are all mine. After lunch, I'm taking you out."

"Out? Out where?" She exclaimed, "I don't even have anything to wear. It's all at home," She said, pointing at the shirt he had given her."

He smirked again and walked to one of his wall units, taking out a bag. He walked towards her and handed the bag to her. "Here, you now have a choice. I bought these for you when you were asleep this morning."

She raised her eyebrows and opened the bag, finding three beautiful dresses, makeup, perfume, and anything that a girl would need.

"Damon…"

"Shh," He hushed her before she could even speak, "You deserve a happy Christmas, Elena. And I'm starting now. Tonight, I want you to put one of these dresses on and I want you to come with me."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise," He said. "Tell me. Which one are you going to wear?"

Elena smiled teasingly. "That's for me to know and for you to dot dot dot…"

Damon told Elena to be ready by eight p.m., and by six she was already dressed in the finest pink silk gown. It was long and elegant, with the hem of the skirt surrounded with black lace. She put on pair of black heels and focused on applying a small amount of makeup and jewellery, before turning her attention to her hair. She was surprised to even find a curling iron stuffed in the bag as well, but she decided to make use of it. Her hair was now worn down with soft waves hanging past her shoulders. She looked like an ancient Greek Goddess of beauty, and for a while she just stared at the mirror, unable to believe that the girl looking back at her was herself.

When she was satisfied with the look, she put some perfume on and grabbed the white coat that was laid out on the bed, neatly.

She heard a soft knock on the door.

"Elena, may I come in?"

"Yes," She called out as he entered.

Elena glanced over her shoulder and she could almost see his jaw dropping, making her blush. Damon was watching her, one hand stuffed in his pocket, the other balled nervously at his side. It was strange to see him like that, nervous or uncertain. His vulnerable side was one that he would normally never show and he was quite clever in the way he disguised it. But he couldn't fool her.

"Wow," He finally said. "You look beautiful, Elena."

"You really think so?" She blushed again.

"Of course I do," He nodded, taking careful steps towards her as he turned her to face the mirror. "That dress suits you."

"Thank you," She said, looking at their reflection in the mirror. "You don't look too bad yourself."

He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath, and his hair was tidy and blacker than ever.

He took the risk and came behind her, locking his arms around her waist. Elena sighed out loud, her eyes fluttering as she rested her head on his chest and leaned against his frame. It was nice to feel so calm and relaxed for once in her life, especially around a man.

"I want you to have fun tonight, Elena." He whispered next to her ear.

"I know I will," She smiled at him, and he placed a soft kiss on her neck.

"Would it be possible for me to kiss you, Miss Gilbert?" He asked her with a smile, but she could hear the sincerity in his voice.

She decided to give her consent by turning to face him. No words were exchanged as she locked her lips with his, in a passionate and romantic kiss. It started as a slow one but then Damon gently cupped her face and deepened the kiss, his tongue attacking hers.

"You're beautiful," He told her against her lips when he finally moved away.

Elena turned into a soft pink. "I'm not, Damon."

"You are," He insisted, rubbing her arms. "Now come on, our ride's here."

"Ride?" She raised her eyebrows.

Damon smirked at her. "We best be leaving now." He said, stepping back and holding his arm out to her. "M'lady?" He said playfully.

Elena giggled and hooked her arm in his, taking a deep breath as he lead them from the room and to a night that was sure to be filled with entertainment.

He opened the front door and she gasped when she saw a black limousine just waiting for them. She looked at Damon, her eyes wide.

"For us," He told her as he led her to the limousine, opening the door for her himself. They were served champagne and finger food, and the limousine took them for a ride. For once, Elena felt like a princess.

He took her to a posh restaurant where they were served the finest food and wine. Everybody's attention was on them, and Elena, who wasn't used to being the centre of attention, couldn't stop fiddling.

"Relax," He told her. "You're fine."

After dinner, Damon led her to the dance floor where everybody was swaying softly with the music. Damon's arms were wrapped around her waist as she saw the restaurant quickly turn into a Christmas atmosphere as there was snow outside. People were singing along to carols on the background and Elena sighed, resting her head on his firm chest.

"It's beautiful, Damon," Elena exclaimed. "Thanks for bringing me here..."

"It's my pleasure," He told her as they danced slowly.

"You didn't have to do all of this."

"Yes, I did." Damon said, pulling back so that his forehead was rested against her own. "Do you want to come back to my house? I have something important to take care of."

"Oh really? What's that?"

"Well, I'm not sure if you noticed, but I still have yet to decorate my Christmas tree." He spun her around, before dipping her back, his lips pressed to her ear. "Do you want to help me with that?"

Hi! OMG, three days 'til Christmas! Who's excited?

So this was just a nice and fluffy chapter to show the development with Damon and Elena's relationship. They are not completely sure what they are together, but they want to try and work at it. Elena has almost become a different character since telling Damon because she feels that even after revealing her dark past, Damon still hasn't run from her like others have and he understands her like no one else. Yet, they are still not sure what they are relationship wise, so they are just taking it easy for now. You'll get to see more development of that soon ;)

Amy did and amazing job with this chapter and check out her stories! We will have another chapter tomorrow for you! Until then!

Next chapter: It's the 23rd and the night of the company's Christmas party. Will it be a night to remember or another horrible holiday memory for Elena? Stay tuned ;)