I'm so excited to be getting to this part of the story!

You all know what happens ;)

Damon's POV

The Manor was silent.

Strain from the day's events had ended and a peace had settled in it's place.

Caroline had given birth to her young.

The labor had been long and strenuous, but she'd gotten through it.

She and the fair haired baby boy were resting in the infirmary.

Klaus and Michael were with her, along with Elena and Jo, to make sure everything was moving along as it should be.

I hadn't been present during the birth, knowing the kind of protective male instincts that flood you when your mate is in pain, and Klaus hadn't needed more to worry about.

But I had heard Caroline's cries, and was once again reminded of the night Elena gave birth.

I wasn't sure the image of her lifeless body would ever leave my mind, nor would the memory of the pain that losing her had caused.

So instead of sitting around feeling antsy, I'd come upstairs, to my children's room.

It helped to see them, safe and sound.

They were asleep now, the small night light on the wall illuminating their tiny frames.

I sat in the chair that had been in the corner of the room since it was a nursery, and watched as they slept.

Daniel's hair was a tuft of a dark mess, going every direction.

He was wearing a pair of batman pajamas and his mouth was hanging slightly open.

Skylar, however, had flipped onto her stomach, her head turned away from me.

But her chocolate hair was a tangle of curls, and fell halfway down her back.

She wore superman pajamas from the boys section, because she'd thrown a fit when Daniel had been allowed to get a superhero pair and all the girl aisle had was pinks and purples.

I smiled, remembering how she'd nearly changed the color of every item of clothing in the entire section before Elena had been able to calm her down.

Luckily, no one had taken notice, and we'd bought her the superman pajamas.

It had been a cause for worry though.

What if we weren't so lucky next time, and someone did notice something?

I had a feeling that a witch hunt from the humans would be no more fun than a wolf one.

I sighed, letting my head fall back against the chair.

At least Daniel had control of his power, as much as could be expected anyway, and his emotions didn't get the better of him.

Skylar however...she certainly had her mother's temper, but it was triggered much faster than Elena's.

And much like the wolf was, her powers were tied to those emotions.

But for whatever reason, she could control her wolf.

I'd never seen her turn without meaning to, or have difficulty with the transition, unlike her brother, who I could tell still felt pain with each Change.

Skylar was able to help him through it though, and he was able to help her keep a level head.

So despite the magic that put them in danger, it had given them a beneficial bond.

Maybe that would be enough to keep them safe until they were both able to grow into themselves.

Or until I could get rid of every threat against them.

"Damon?"

I glanced up at the whispered voice, and saw Elena in the doorway.

"Hey," she smiled, "I was going to grab something to eat, then head up to bed. Did you want me to meet you-"

"I'll come with you," I told her quietly, standing up.

I gave the twins one last glance, then followed her out to the hall, shutting their door behind me.

"Everything okay?" Elena asked, taking my hand as we walked downstairs to the kitchen.

"Yeah. I was just checking on them."

The look in her eyes let me know that she knew it was more than that, but she didn't press me.

"How's Caroline?" I asked instead, as she dropped my hand to walk over to the fridge.

"Tired," she said with another smile, "But healthy. The baby too."

"Good. Did they decide on a name?"

Elena had grabbed some left overs and moved to the table, "Yeah. William, after her father."

I sat down across from her as she took a bite of what smelled like potato salad, "He passed?"

"When she was in high school," Elena nodded.

I considered that.

"Do you ever regret not naming the twins after your parents?"

"Not at all," she assured me, "It works for Caroline, but she's human. Her lineage is much simpler. And she loved her father."

"You loved your parents," I pointed out.

She shook her head, "I barely knew them. And then I found out that I wasn't even theirs. So no, I'm perfectly happy with the names we chose."

I smiled and she took another bite.

"So," she said after she swallowed, "Are you going to tell me what you're thinking?"

"What do you mean?"

She smirked, "Come on, Damon. That look in your eyes is too far away for small talk. What's going on?"

I sighed, letting out a small chuckle.

As if I could forget how well she knew me.

"I guess this whole birth thing just got me thinking. Remembering...I almost lost you, kitten."

Elena frowned, then moved from her seat, and into my lap.

"I'm right here."

I smiled, wrapping my arms around her, "I know. And thank God for it. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Oh probably fail at everything and end up getting yourself killed."

I laughed, "Yeah, probably."

With a smirk, she kissed my forehead, "I'm kidding. You would be fine. You managed it before I came along."

"Yes well, you saw how quickly that changed after I met you, or don't you remember?"

She seemed to recall the memory, then laughed, "I remember when you proposed the first time."

"It was godawful," I chuckled.

She shook her head, tightening her arms around my neck, "It was sweet."

"It was desperation," I corrected, and Elena laughed again.

"We were young," she said, "We didn't know the difference."

I lifted a hand to her cheek, surprised, even after all this time, that she'd said yes.

"But still, you agreed to be mine."

She leaned into me, stealing a kiss.

"Yes," she breathed against my lips, "Yes, I did."

"I can't believe you've never done this," I laughed as Elena sat cross legged in front of the fire I'd built.

"I've had s'mores by a campfire before," she defended, "I've just never slept overnight in a tent. I've never done the whole camping thing."

"Well I guess there's a first time for everything," I smirked, handing her a straightened rod I'd made from a metal hanger, "Here. Put you a marshmallow on it."

She reached for the bag that we'd bought and fished for one of the white puffs.

I watched as she speared it, then began roasting it in the fire.

"Did you want one?" she asked, looking over at me as hers caught flame.

I shook my head as she blew it out and put it on a graham cracker, "Not yet."

We were back by the river, on the outskirts of Pack land, because it was the only place we could be alone, yet for me to still be close enough to home in case Alaric called, though I prayed he wouldn't.

It didn't hurt either that the water and full moon as a backdrop helped set the mood I was going for.

A date night type thing, where I got to have Elena all to myself for a while.

She didn't seem to mind it either, as she moved to snuggle closer to my side.

Early November had brought a particular chill in the air, and though my wolf-blood helped me handle the cold, Elena was still dressed in layers.

I imagined how fun it would be to peel them off of her later.

I would go slow, and tease her with each piece I removed.

Or maybe I'd just rip them all away in my hurry to get to her body.

My wolf liked that idea better.

"Are you okay?" Elena asked, having finished eating her s'more.

I meant to answer her, but suddenly all I could focus on was the chocolate at the corner of her mouth, and the way the firelight danced off of her skin.

"Come here," I said, and she obeyed like I'd given an Alpha command.

I pulled her into my lap, then gave special attention to her chocolatey lips.

"Mhmm," I smirked against her mouth, "Sweet. But you're much sweeter."

I cupped the outside of her sex with my hand, and she moaned.

"I want to taste you now," I whispered, and with a few moves, had her on her back by the fire.

I kissed her again, then moved down her body and went for her jeans with my teeth.

"Wait," she said breathlessly, and I halted.

As if she had commanded me, her words froze me on an instinctual level.

No matter how badly I wanted her, how achingly hard I was, or how close the scent of her arousal was to my mouth, with a single word, she chained my wolf.

He listened to her, and God, if that just didn't make me want her more.

"Tent," she managed, pulling herself up.

I nodded, and followed her towards the thing, knowing it was a better option that the cold ground.

I'd put it up next to the fire pit so we would be warm, and we'd stuffed it with every blanket and pillow that we could get a hold of.

Cozy was the word that came to mind when we crawled inside.

Elena attacked me as I'd barely gotten my shoes off, and somehow I was the one that ended up on their back.

Elena straddled me and made a show of stripping off her jacket.

Then her sweater.

I moved before she got to her tank top and ripped the thing open down the middle, snapping her bra with it.

I sat up and wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as my mouth fell to her chest and I kissed every inch of her that I could.

Teasingly, I ran my tongue over one of her erect nipples, then the other.

Her moan was the only encouragement I needed.

I flipped us so that she was beneath me, and I went back to my original mission of removing her pants.

Then her panties, though I was careful not to tear those, as I had a respect for black lace.

"I love the feel of you," I told her, nuzzling my way between her thighs, "Taking you against my tongue…"

She gasped as I did exactly that, stroking her core slowly.

I felt honored by her pleasure; her allowance of me to take her in this vulnerable way, and I showed her my reverence until she fell apart against my lips.

"Fuck," she exhaled, her body going slack.

I smirked, "We aren't done yet, kitten."

She chuckled into the night, "I'm not stupid enough to think that that satisfied you."

I kissed my way back up her body, settling into her neck, "Not even close."

"Then take off your damn clothes," she ordered.

Slow and reverent flew out the window as she grabbed my face and kissed me hard, and we fell into our usual tumble.

The never ending fight for submission that neither of us wanted to give.

I loved this kind of passion with her almost as much as I enjoyed making love to her.

It was as much a battle as it was fucking, but we both got off to it.

Elena really was my match in every way, challenging me and making me question things I'd always thought I was certain about…

Damn, I loved her.

My wolf refused to be dominated tonight, as it needed to take its mate, and take her hard.

I let him lead my actions as I gripped Elena's wrists, which were stripping my underwear, and pinned them above her head.

She fought me, as she usually did, but I needed her and the attempt was feeble.

I nipped at her skin, suckling on her until her legs parted and my erection touched her core.

With a few adjustments, I was able to slide home, sheathing myself in her warmth.

She was completely with me then, her hands in my hair, on my shoulders, on my face, and words of love and pleasure poured from her mouth.

I loved seeing her like this.

I wanted to be the only one to ever see her like this.

I growled as she came again, squeezing around me, and my canines elongated, ready to mark.

Fuck.

It took everything in me to fight the urge, and I could only guess that the full moon was bringing out more of my primal tendencies.

But I loved Elena, and no matter how badly I wanted to claim her, I wouldn't risk her health again.

I stopped thrusting as her tremors ceased, and I pulled out of her.

Elena sat up, as if wondering why I'd stopped, and frowned, "You didn't finish…"

I chuckled, "Yeah, I know."

"What's wrong? Don't you want to?"

Hell yes, I did. But the urge to mark her was strong and I wouldn't risk losing control.

"Just thought I'd give you a breather," I teased her, "That last one seemed intense."

"They always are," she said, settling into my arms as I laid out on the blankets, "But I don't mind. I could be with you forever, and never get tired of that."

I smiled, looking down at her, "Forever, huh? Would you spend forever with me, Elena?"

Because I could easily spend an eternity with her.

Duties be damned.

She laughed softly, "And if I said no?"

"You'd be lying," I smirked, turning onto my side so I could see her.

She looked up at me, "And if I said yes?"

I crooked my head, "Are you?"

A slow smile broke across her lips, "Maybe."

Her tone was teasing, but her brown eyes held a more serious fixation.

I lifted a brow and she blushed, then exhaled, "I love you, Damon, more than I've ever loved anything else in my life. Today, tomorrow, forever...it doesn't matter, because my mind won't change. I'm yours, always."

Her words stole the breath from my chest, and put words on my lips that had no right being there.

But I couldn't help it.

I needed her to be mine in a way that she would understand.

In a way that would claim her and show everyone who she belonged to.

"Then let's do it," I said, holding her gaze.

Her eyebrows pulled together, "Do what?"

"Forever. Let's get married."

She giggled shortly, then paused, "You're serious?"

"Completely," I promised.

Her expression changed then, to incredulity, "You want to get married? As in wedding bells and till death do us part and all that?"

"Whatever you want," I told her, "As long as I get to put a ring on your finger. You said that this was it for you. Forever."

Slowly, her shock seemed to wear off and a smile took its place, "You're actually serious…"

"As serious as I've ever been. I love you too, Elena. I want you to be mine...what do you say? Let's make this real."

She seemed to think for a moment, her eyes searching my face, then they softened, "Well, I guess I could pencil you in."

Now I was the one shocked, "Yeah?"

She grinned, "I must be insane, but yeah, let's do it. Let's get married."

Then she laughed from the absurdity of our commitment and I smiled, thinking of my ring on her finger.

A mark that would be seen by all males and would never fade.

She was my mate, and if marrying her was how I could show the world that, then damn it, I would stand through any wedding she wanted.

I kissed her, taking her back down to the blankets with the force of my body, and she laughed, "We're crazy, you know that? Certifiably."

"I don't care," I murmured, kissing her neck, "Not if it means that I get to keep you."

She smiled and pulled my mouth back to hers, and we picked up where we'd left off earlier, my wolf satisfied with the claim I would soon make.

By morning, neither one of us were too keen to stick around the camp site.

Especially not with the idea of showers and ring shopping in mind.

The Pack was loaded with decades of stock, investments, interests, and savings, so I wasn't worried about having to hold back.

If my wolf had its way, Elena would be wearing the biggest, shiniest diamond I could find.

Something easily noticeable, that screamed "taken".

I couldn't wait.

Within the hour we'd made it back to her dorm, and snuck past a sleeping Lexi, to the shower.

Cleaning off didn't take long; convincing myself to keep my hands off of Elena's body though…

"I thought you wanted to go look at rings," she teased, as I kissed her neck.

"I do," I promised, "But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy you."

She smiled, "Well I'd enjoy not waking Lexi up. Come on, we can get a hotel later, and you can enjoy me all you want."

I groaned at the images running through my mind, but she was right.

I couldn't have her like I wanted her with her roommate in the next room.

So we got out of the shower, dried off, and got dressed.

Lexi was still passed out when we walked by her, but it was Saturday, so the sleep in was understandable.

Half the world seemed to still be passed out, as we made our way out the door and to my Camaro.

Half the world, except for whoever was blowing up my phone.

I opened Elena's door for her, then pulled the buzzing thing out.

Two text from the Pack.

I ignored them, turning my phone on silent.

Today was for Elena.

We drove downtown, to whatever jewelry shop Elena had looked up on her phone, but as I parked, I heard her heartbeat spike.

I glanced over at her, but she was staring at the store.

I frowned, wondering if she was having second thoughts.

"Elena…"

Her eyes moved to mine, and I was surprised to see tears in them.

"Kitten, what's wrong?"

She shook her head, laughing wetly, "Nothing. It's stupid."

"Hey," I grabbed her hand, "We can wait if-"

"No," she said quickly, "No. I want this."

"Then what's wrong?"

She sighed, "Promise not to laugh?"

"I would never laugh at you in pain," I stated.

Elena shook her head, "I'm not in pain. I'm...happy."

"You're crying because you're happy?"

She laughed again, "I know. It's silly, but this...us...it's what I've always wanted. I never really had a family, something or someone to belong to, but being here, getting this ring, becoming your wife…" she exhaled, "It just feels surreal. Like it's not my life. I've never been this happy before."

My heart broke for her, despite the fact that she was smiling, and I squeezed her hand, "It's the same for me."

She stared over at me, "But your family-"

"Gave me a reason to live," I said, "But it was a hollow existence, until you. I never thought I was capable of feeling this way for anyone...but-"

I hesitated, stuck between that which I wanted to tell her, and that which she was allowed to know.

I sighed, "I meant what I said before, Elena. I'm not a good person, not without you. I've done things that…." I swallowed, rerouting my words so not to spill about the blood on my hands, "that I wish I didn't have to. I have my share of baggage. But I love you. You make the rest of the world go away for me, and I'm happy too."

"So you don't think we're jumping the gun with this?"

"Probably," I smirked, "But does it matter? If it's what we want."

Elena smiled, "No. I guess it doesn't then."

"So you want to do this?" I clarified.

She was silent for a moment, but her voice was sure when she spoke, "Yes. Yes, I want to marry you."

"Then we'll be fine," I kissed the hand I held, "Now, let's go find your ring."

She nodded, just as my phone, in the center console, lit up.

"Alaric," she read the Caller ID, "Do you need to answer."

I frowned at the thing, before just reaching over and turning it off, "No. They can wait."

We went into the store, and it didn't take long for me to realize it was a good pick.

The elderly sales woman smiled at us as we walked around, but wasn't pushy when we didn't ask for help.

There were a wide selections of rings in every shape, color, and size.

I paused at a large three diamond cut, but Elena kept walking.

Curious to see what would catch her interest, I followed close beside her, taking note of any time her eyes gave a ring a second look.

She was a simple person when it came to fashion, so I really shouldn't have been surprised when she paused next to some solitary bands.

She stared down at the case for a whole minute, then smiled over at me, "That one."

I came closer to see which one she was indicating.

She pointed through the glass at a silver band.

It was thin, but had a line of small diamonds encrusted along the front.

Not as flashy as I would have chosen for her, but the happy gleam in her expression had me swallowing those thoughts.

A ring was a ring, and this was the one she wanted, "You're sure?"

She nodded, "Absolutely."

I smiled, and kissed the side of her head, before motioning to the sales woman.

The older female made her way over, "Can I help you dears?"

"Yeah. Can we see that ring there?" I pointed to it, and she nodded, pulling the thing out.

Elena's grin broadened as it was placed in her palm.

She slipped it onto her finger.

Other than being slightly loose, it looked perfect, and my wolf growled in appreciation.

"This one," she said, no doubt at all in her voice.

"Did you want to see any similar styles?" the sales lady asked.

Elena shook her head, "No, thank you. This is the one I want."

The woman smiled, "Alright then. Let me see if we have a smaller size in the back, and would you also like to see the matching groom's ring?"

Elena blinked in surprise, then looked up at me with a raised brow.

I shrugged, "Sure. Why not?"

I hadn't really planned on getting a ring until it was necessary, but I found the idea of having Elena's mark on me just as satisfying as having mine on her.

The sales woman returned a moment later with two boxes.

"Here," she said, "Try this size, dear. And this is the male's version."

I took the ring she offered me.

It looked similar to Elena's but was much simpler, with no diamonds, which I was more than fine with.

And unlike Elena's ring, when I slid this one in place, it fit perfectly.

"Oh, good," the other female smiled, "You won't have to wait for them to be sized."

I looked down to see that Elena had put on the new ring, which held to her finger and shimmered.

I felt a smile break across my lips, "We'll take them."

Elena's eyes shot up to me, "Right now?"

"Why not?"

Apparently, she had no good reason, because she just smiled, and handed the ring back to the lady to check out.

I did the same, and a few minutes later, we were walking out with the purchased jewelry.

"I can't believe this," Elena laughed, as we got in the car, "Damon, we're engaged!"

I chuckled at her excitement, and kissed her, "Then why don't you put that ring back on."

She smirked, but pulled out the box, "Oh, this one's yours. Did you want it now, or did you want to wait?"

I glanced over at her, "What would you prefer?"

She thought for a moment, "I want you to wear it. I like the way it looks on you. Like you're already mine."

I laughed, because I'd been thinking the same thing about her, "I am already yours, kitten."

She grabbed my hand, and put the ring on it, "Then never take this off."

Now that was a promise I could easily make.

Fluff! And the engagement! Enjoy it while it lasts...

I think we all know what's coming next ;)