*** Gosh I know, I know it has been forever once again since I have written. And I had every intention of doing so after I started the new story Pretty Hurts. Some pretty intense things have happened and since I have tons of faithful readers I will fill you in briefly. My two dogs Chyna and Houston passed away within a week of each other. Being raised together their whole life and being older dogs, when Houston passed away my little Chyna seemed to lose her will to live and passed away shortly after Houston did. I know some people will say they are just dogs but to me they were my family and my babies. Ever since then i have had major writers block and just only recently open up my computer to start writing again. I hope everyone before they begin to read this chapter will say a little prayer for my Chyna and Houston that they are having fun playing in doggy heaven with each other. And as always Read, enjoy and review.***

Elena sat nervously fidgeting in the living room chair positioned towards the front door. Her eyes flickering back and forth between the clock on the wall and the front door. Today was the day she had been waiting for since the first time she picked up a paint brush. To be tutored by the greatest, so she too could become one of the greatest.

Damon had informed her last night before they went to bed Alaric Saltzman would be coming to meet with her today. Elena hadn't been able to sleep after that, just barely dozing in and out for a few hours before she had rose and anxiously roamed the house until now.

"Hold still Elena," Damon said coming into the room but a small smile was displayed on his lips.

"I'm nervous," She said and he sat down on the couch.

"Don't be," he replied. It sounded simple enough and Elena tried to relax, but once she heard the doorbell ring she was up on her feet. "I'll get it." He said and rose from his seat. He opened the door and Elena's legs went weak. The thrill of seeing her idol walk into the living room she now stood in was too much.

"Ric," Damon said and the two embraced briefly before pulling apart. "Gain a few pounds buddy."

"Thanks missed you too buddy." Alaric said his eyes raising up and meeting Elena's. " And this much be your fiancé Elena, nice to meet you I'm Alaric Saltzman." He took a couple strides forward and held out his hand for Elena to take.

"I know," She said quickly and took his hand. "I mean I'm a huge fan of your work." She flushed as she let go of his hand. Her eyes glanced to Damon and she saw his eyes narrow some.

"Well I'm flattered really," He glanced at Damon. "Damon showed me one of your paintings and I have to say I was truly impressed."

"Thank you, you have no idea what that means coming from you." She said feeling the blush rise to her face.

"Shall we go outside and have a bit of lunch," Damon interrupted.

"As long as you have that bourbon." Alaric said and Damon chuckled taking ahold of Elena's arm possessively.

"Always," He pulled Elena chair out for her on the patio table and she sat down. Damon and Alaric followed after her and the maid Damon had hired appeared bring plates full of food out to them.

"Thank you Rosa," Elena said gently when she set hers down. The younger girl smiled some before quickly walking back inside.

"So Elena how long have you been painting?" Alaric asked making her head perk up.

"Since I was thirteen seriously,"

"And you never had lessons?" Elena shook her head at his question.

"No,"

"I picked that up off your painting, there was something so raw about it."

"Is that a bad thing?" She asked and he laughed at her.

"No, that's something we've been missing from this generation of artists. Nobody just has raw talent, or if they do we modify them to paint with what's expected now. It's refreshing to see uh someone so untouched." He gave her a gentle smile and Elena felt herself blush under his compliment again. Damon's throat was cleared again and he set his fork down.

"I figured Tuesday and Thursday's would work out best for the lessons. But of course I explained to Rick we need about a month before your lessons begin."

"A month?" She asked tilting her head and the looming day of dread was approaching faster than she could comprehend.

"Our Honeymoon Elena," Elena nodded and forced a smile.

"Of course, must've slipped my mind." Alaric smiled and looked from Damon to Elena's face.

"I would be happy to work with you anytime after your guy's honeymoon Elena."

"Thank you," She said and for the third time Damon cleared his throat when they finished eating and chatting.

"I do apologize Ric for rushing you out so fast, but me and Elena do have a busy day today."

"No problem bud," He stood up and slapped Damon on the back and shook Elena's hand. "It was great meeting you Elena, I'll see you on Thursday." He said and Damon walked him out to his car. When he came back in Elena didn't like the look he was looking at her. His eyes were very cold, very distant as he came up to her slowly. His fingers reaching out and firmly gripped her chin, his face inches from hers and she was frozen.

"Am I going to have a problem with you and him?" His voice was so low and calm it sounded deadly.

"No," She managed to whisper after a moment. She wasn't sure exactly what she had done but she knew now wasn't the time to question it.

"Good," he ran his finger over her bottom lip before pulling away. He turned away from her and walked away disappearing in his office off of the living room. Elena blew out a sigh of relief and looked around the large empty house.

She knew every single girl she had ever known would kill to live in this house, along with her new husband. She felt their stares, heard their whispers when her and Damon went out. And Elena would gladly give it to them. Her finger swirled the large diamond ring on her hand and the feeling of torture as she couldn't just take it off and return it.

The wedding rehearsal came quicker than she expected. When it finally came she was rolling out of bed at the crack of dawn to try and prepare herself for the day to come. She went to shower first, the hot water easing some of the tension in her neck.

"Elena?" She froze at the sound of his voice coming into the bathroom.

"Yes," She said able to make his shape threw the shower door.

"You know my mother isn't coming for another couple hours right?" I cleared my throat.

"Yes," His hand rested on the shower door and Elena felt her heart freeze. It felt like it literally stopped moving in her chest.

"Don't be nervous, you'll do great ok?" He said and he removed his hand and began to walk away and out of the bathroom.

"Thanks," She called after him as he shut the door. Elena quickly washed up before getting out and bolted to her closet quickly and quietly to get dress. She searched the closet for something that would be comfortable for her to wear and pulled out a pair of jean shorts and a red tank top. She was surprised she had even found them at all hidden deep down in one of her many drawers.

"Would you like to go get breakfast?" She jumped and spun around to see Damon standing in the doorway.

"How long have you been there?" She asked pulling a black three quarter cut white sweater over her tank top.

"Does it really matter how long I've been standing here?" He asked and she resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. "Would you like to go get breakfast?"

"Sure," Elena said turned away from him to her vanity set. She ran her brush through her hair and applied some mascara and lip balm before walking out of the closet.

"Ready?" Damon asked and Elena was surprised to see him in jeans and a regular black t-shirt.

"Uh yeah I'm ready." She said and they walked out of the house together to a black car that sat in the driveway. Damon opened the passenger door for her and she slid inside on the smooth leather seat. "Where are we going?" She asked when they pulled out of the driveway.

"Denny's," He said and she smiled at his answer. "What?"

"I just never figured you as a denny's type of guy."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me Elena, and as or Denny's it was one of my favorite places to go growing up." She nodded and looked out the window neither one of them saying anything else until they got to the restaurant.

"I hope you don't mind, Stefan and Caroline are supposed to be meeting us here."

"Did you call them?" She asked confused because of the early time.

"Yes I did, you don't mind do you?"

"No of course not," She walked inside and immediately spotted Caroline who was waving her hand like a madman to flag them down.

"Finally I feel like I've been waiting for you two for forever."

"We've been her for like ten minutes Caroline." Stefan said shaking his head and smiling.

"Exactly forever,"

"Well were here now." Damon told her and sat down with Elena taking the chair next to him.

"Thank god because I'm starving like it's nobody's business this morning." Caroline opened up her menu and Elena did the same, making small talk with the three of them throughout their morning meal. When they said their goodbyes and got in the car to leave Damon reached out for Elena's hand and brought it to his mouth kissing it gently before releasing it.

"Did that help you relax some?" She forced a smile his way and nodded.

"Yes thank you," They got back to the house and Elena followed Damon inside. "I think I'm going to go paint." She told him and went to get the art easel and supplies to move it to the patio outside so she could enjoy the fresh air of the gentle breeze coming from the ocean.

The minute her paintbrush touched the canvas she was lost. She was in her own world, the only thing that she was zoned in on was her painting. Sounds were cut off from her, even someone touching her she wouldn't feel. So that's why when she felt hands wrapped around her waist and lips touching her next she dropped her brush and paint. The hands moved to run down her bare shoulder and Elena regretted taking off her sweater.

"Damon," She managed to say and his hands left chills down her skin as he slowly brought them back up her arm to her shoulders.

"Have I ever told you how flawless your skin is?" He said and kissed her neck softly.

"Damon!" She said more harshly making him spin her around on the stool to look at him.

"What's your problem?"

"Isn't it clear what my problem has been these past few months?" She asked and he gave a small smirk.

"No tell me more about it?" She could hear the sarcastic tone to his voice and tried to push him away as he settled himself comfortably in between her legs. His lips tried to capture hers and Elena felt the electric current run through her body but she still pulled back and tried to push him away again.

"Get away from me!" She cried and when he tried to come back in she smacked him as hard as she could and he froze no longer trying to kiss or touch her. Instead he gave her the most chilling look she had ever received from him.

"We are getting married tomorrow Elena,"

"I think I remember that thanks." She managed to slide off the stool and go around him to the stairs. She could hear his footsteps on her heels, and she tried to shut the door and not let him in after her but he pushed the door open with ease.

"What do you expect to happen after our wedding Elena? I'm fine with you wanting to hold on to your virtue," He said with air quotes, "Until after the wedding. But I am a man who has needs and I expect my wife to fulfill the needs I'm going to have."

"Go buy a whore I'm sure you can afford a real nice one."

"I thought I already did," The words stabbed into Elena and it hurt worse than being physically hit. The tears she had been so desperate to hold back flowed freely down her face.

"Go to hell Damon!" Elena said bitterly. He didn't respond for a long time before she felt the bed sink in next to her and felt his hand gently touch her shoulder.

"I shouldn't have said that, it was uncalled for and cruel and I apologize." She didn't say anything back the wound of his words had cut her way to deep to respond to him at this moment. "I'm trying to make you understand Elena, I've told you I'm a patient man. But my patience can only hold out for so long, I need you to please understand that. Tomorrow you will be my wife and I will be your husband. I won't wait anymore for what is mine, I don't want to have to be cruel about it. I would rather you enjoy it, and it be a wonderful experience for you. But you choose, because I've already made up my mind and tomorrow is the day I will claim you in every possible way. Do you understand?" A sob tore through Elena's throat and she turned to look at him.

"So basically your telling me tomorrow night you're going to rape me?" She tried to have her voice stay steady but the words came out chocked and in sobs.

"All I'm telling you is what I'm expecting of you tomorrow, and if not than what you can expect of me."

"I hate you," She said as he stood up off the bed.

"That's fine, now if you don't mind I have to get ready for our wedding rehearsal and you should do the same thing." He bent down and kissed her on the forehead before disappearing into his closet. Elena felt her heart slowly breaking piece by piece every time she thought of what was to come tomorrow. The day had finally come when she would no longer be Elena Gilbert, but instead she would now be Mrs. Elena Salvatore. And that just broke her heart.