A/N: This update is rated M.
Thank you for your continued support!
It was freezing the day she married Stefan. Although the sun was shining as they stood facing each other on the beach, the air was chilly with signs that Fall was already on its way.
Sunday, August 31st at 9:30 PM, just as the sun was sinking. The ocean breeze caught her white dress, swirling it around as she stood there with him, holding both of his hands and listening to the officiant talk about love and the future.
Elena barely heard a word the stranger was saying. She was too busy silently mouthing words to Stefan, and reading his lips when he said something back. The night he had proposed to her had left her with a whirlwind of emotions. But she didn't hesitate to say yes. Elena knew Stefan was one of the good guys that only came around every so often. He made her smile, and he made her believe that a future with him would be the fairytale she always dreamed she could have.
So a little over a month later, she had stood on that beach with him, professing her love and her promises to him.
Elena wore a simple white dress strapless dress that fell to the sand she was standing on. Her hair was left down in curls, and she wore the matching diamond earrings and necklace that Stefan had bought for her.
Stefan was dressed rather casually in black slacks and a dark blue button down shirt. His eyes never left hers, as he too was focused on the girl in front of him, rather than the stranger reading from a book.
Damon had stood silently behind Stefan, having been reluctant to show up in the first place. Elena knew Damon thought they were moving too fast, and he was worried about them being so young and knowing so little about each other. But Damon couldn't miss witnessing his little brother getting married.
Elena knew it meant the world to Stefan to have Damon there. She only wished she could have had Bonnie there with her too. She and Stefan had decided to get married right before their lives got hectic with work and school, and then later on, if they wanted, they could have a reception to celebrate.
Bonnie. Bonnie had been furious when Elena had told her of her plans to marry Stefan so soon. It had ended in tears for both she and Bonnie, with Bonnie begging Elena not to go through with it. "If he really loves you, he'll wait" Bonnie had said tearfully.
Elena hadn't wanted to wait though. She had many fears for her future, but being with Stefan wasn't one of them.
After they had been pronounced husband and wife, they kissed, sealing their love with an unspoken promise. That day, he had given her a life to look forward to, and she couldn't wait to start each day with him by her side.
It had been just over two years since she and Stefan had said "I do" on the beach, and it hadn't turned out to be the fairytale she had hoped it would be.
The first year and a half had been perfect though. Elena felt like she and Stefan hadn't changed much. She went to school and he went to work. They came home, ate dinner together and talked about their days. Sometimes they waited to have sex until it was time for bed, and other times, they jumped one another the moment they saw each other after a long day. And still other times, they felt quite content just holding each other and falling asleep.
Elena found herself wondering what had happened along the way. She would guess that it was about six months ago when she realized that something wasn't right. When things started to not feel right anymore. But she kept her concerns to herself, because Stefan didn't seem concerned and maybe she was just overreacting to her observations.
Lying there alone in the bed she shared with him gave her time to think about what was bothering her though. The large house Stefan had purchased for them was silent, giving her no distractions.
"He loves me" Elena would repeat to herself when she was alone, waiting for him. She loved him too, so much.
She heard footsteps walking along the wood floor. She stopped breathing as she listened, waiting. Their bedroom door opened slowly as he walked inside, then it closed. Elena heard some shuffling about as he got undressed.
She was absolutely still as he slipped into bed with her wearing only his boxers. His arms found her on her side of the bed and wrapped around her to pull her back against him. Stefan kissed the back of her neck. "I'm sorry I'm late" he whispered.
She let herself breathe finally, when she realized he hadn't been drinking. She couldn't smell it on his breath and she didn't detect it in his speech. Still, she didn't reply to his apology. She hated when he came home late, without a phone call or anything. Elena always worried about him, and she missed him terribly. It wasn't like how it used to be, where they both rushed home to be with one another. Distance had wedged its way between them, and she didn't know why.
Stefan knew she wasn't asleep. He could tell by the way she was breathing. "You're really tense" he whispered, running his hand from her shoulder, down to her hand and linking his fingers with hers.
Elena sighed, knowing she couldn't ignore him all night. "I was worried about you" she whispered. It was past ten o'clock on a Thursday and she hadn't heard from him.
"I left you a voice mail, telling you I'd be at work late" he mentioned. He hadn't meant for her to worry.
Elena hadn't even bothered with her phone, because he usually didn't call her. At least, not when he had been drinking, which was more and more lately.
Stefan felt bad for worrying her. "I'm sorry" he said, apologizing. He leaned in and kissed her shoulder, only to feel her move away from him slightly, as if she was rejecting his touch. That had stung. "Hey" he said, lying still behind her.
Elena's eyes began to sting and a couple of tears escaped. She normally didn't cry in front of him. She waited until he left, or passed out. "It's fine" she answered. Her voice failed her, giving her away.
"Elena" he said, feeling his heart ache. He hated upsetting her, and he hated knowing that she wasn't happy. "What's wrong?" he asked, sensing that she wasn't just upset about him coming home late that night.
Elena let herself take a few calming breathes before she spoke. "I just miss you" she told him. She missed him when he worked late, and she missed him when he was drinking and he wasn't himself.
Hearing her say that was enough to want to make him quit his job on the spot. The last few months had demanded a lot out of him at the office, but at the same time, he was moving up in his career and he was affording her the life he wanted to be able to give her. "Come here" he said, opening up his arms as she turned to face him. Elena immediately melted into him, feeling such relief that he was there holding her. "It won't always be like this" he told her softly.
Elena felt him slip his hand under her tank top and run his fingers up and down her back soothingly. She wanted to believe him, that things would get better. But they had started out so amazing, and she was scared that they would never get that back. "Can you be home for dinner tomorrow night?" she asked in a quiet voice. The only reason he would be home late on a Friday night was if he went out with the guys he worked with, which had been more frequently the last few months.
Stefan kissed the top of her head. "Tomorrow at five o'clock, I'll be heading out the door, on my way home to you" he promised. He was sad to hear her say she missed him, but he knew he was working a lot more lately. Other than that, he felt like his relationship was as great as it was two years ago when he had asked her to marry him. To that day, asking Elena to marry him had been the best decision he had ever made. There was nothing more rewarding then getting to come home and see Elena after a long day's work and wrapping his arms around her and trying to kiss her while she made dinner. He loved listening to her talk about her classes or about how her afternoon went working with Damon. He still loved getting ready for bed with her and then falling asleep with her in his arms.
He loved everything about her.
"You could pick up pizza and we could have a lazy night in" Elena suggested, feeling herself give in to the soothing stokes of his hand on her back. She didn't want to go to sleep quite yet though.
"That sounds perfect" he told her. He began kissing her neck while his hand began to wander, sliding down her hip and resting on the back of her thigh. Elena moaned softly, feeling his lips against the sensitive skin on her neck. Stefan's mouth kissed all the way up to her ear. "What time do you have to be up tomorrow?" he whispered.
Elena felt his hands grab onto the waistband of her pajama bottoms and her heart rate took off. It wasn't always a matter of wanting him. Sometimes, she needed him. "Early" she gasped, feeling him roll her onto her back as he settled on top of her. Elena's arms wrapped around his back, her fingers digging into his skin as she tried to control herself.
Stefan continued kissing her neck, nipping at her skin. "I probably shouldn't do this then" he breathed, slowly sliding her pajama bottoms over her hips and down her legs.
"You most certainly should" Elena told him, lifting her legs slightly to aid him in pulling the bottoms off all the way. They got lost somewhere under the covers at the end of the bed, but Elena didn't think she'd need them again that night.
Stefan smiled against her skin. "You better not blame me when you fall asleep during lecture tomorrow" he said, taunting her as he ran his fingertips lightly up the back of her legs, resting his hands on her hips. His mouth was suddenly on hers, kissing her hard as he rocked his hips against hers. His mouth swallowed her moans, and he could tell by the way she was digging her fingers into his back that he was getting the reaction out of her that he had wanted. He knew how to drive her crazy in bed, and he looked forward to doing it.
His hands slid up her body, sliding under her tank top and running his fingers over the smooth skin of her stomach. She moaned softly, her entire body aching for him.
Stefan's lips slowed over Elena's. He smiled when he looked down at her, hearing her short panting breaths. He remembered the first time they had been together, on the night of their wedding. He had been nervous as hell, until the moment he had Elena in his arms, in their bed. Their first time felt like anything but, and Stefan attributed that feeling to his love for her, and her love for him.
"I love you so much" Stefan whispered, placing a soft kiss against her lips.
Elena paused, letting his words ring in her ears. They were words she had really needed to hear, especially lately. She was so distracted by her thoughts when she felt his strong arms pulling her to sit up in front of him. Stefan grabbed the bottom of her tank top and carefully slid it over her head, sending it flying off to the side.
In the glow of the moonlight coming through the window sat the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her brown eyes stared longingly into his green ones. The trust and love she had for him was what kept him going each day. She was the reason he got up every morning, and the reason he considered himself the luckiest man alive.
Elena shivering had him laying her back down and his body hovering over hers again. He held his weight on his elbows as he kissed her shoulder lazily. Her body felt entirely too wound up for his teasing. "Stefan … please" she begged softly. "I'm ready for you" she whispered. Stefan always liked to take his time though, and while Elena appreciated the attention he gave her, sometimes she got impatient. Especially when they hadn't had sex in a few weeks.
Stefan dropped his hips into hers, letting her feel just how ready he was too. "Soon" Stefan promised, trailing his tongue over her skin until he reached the top of her chest.
Elena held her breath as she felt his mouth seal over left breast, licking and sucking on skin already so sensitive from just his close proximity.
Her back would have bowed off the bed had his weight not been holding her down. His lips were as soft as ever and his mouth so warm. His mouth did things to her she was too embarrassed to talk about sometimes. She didn't think the feeling could get any better, until one of his hands began massaging her other breast.
Elena's breath became more ragged. Her hands found their way into his hair, gripping the tiny tuffs of light brown. Her hums of approval kept him going, his lips and tongue working together. Stefan moved his mouth to her other breast and gave it the same careful attention. "Ahh, Stefan" she hissed, feeling the warmth between her legs now too. She needed him. Badly.
Stefan's lips left her abruptly, causing a groan of disapproval from Elena. He was smiling as he tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, then cupped her face gently in his hands. Slowly though, his smile disappeared. "I need to hear you say it" he said quietly. He needed the reassurance too.
Elena looked up at him, seeing the need in his eyes. She grabbed his hand on her cheek. "I love you, Stefan" she told him. "I'll always love you."
That was all he needed. It was enough to calm him down and to remind him that everything was fine. Slowly, his hands let go of her face. Stefan took his boxers off, kicking them towards the end of the bed. Then he rested his body on top of hers for that warm skin-to-skin contact he knew they were both craving.
Stefan's hand moved to rest on the inside of her thigh, spreading her legs open a little more as he guided himself into her slowly. Elena's head collapsed back into the pillow as she closed her eyes, bit her bottom lip, and moaned contently.
He eased himself out and then back in, giving her a little more of him each time. Elena gasped softly when she felt him push in particularly deep, filling her so fully.
Stefan rested his head against her shoulder, lying still for a moment as he let them both revel in the feeling of being so close. "This" Stefan said, panting softly as every nerve in his body began to tingle with anticipation. "Is the best feeling in the world" he told her. He could feel her heart beating with his against his chest as he lay on top of her, surrounded by her warmth.
Elena wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him close to her. This was one of the good moments she could hold onto. She needed all of them she could get.
It wasn't long before Stefan was back on his elbows, kissing her wildly as his hips thrust against hers, taking care not to hurt her, but giving her what she was crying out for. "Please don't stop" she told him in between labored breaths, moving her hips to match his rhythm. "That's so … so good" she panted. Her back was arched, her nails dug into his skin.
He would bring her to the point where she was teetering on the edge and then he would bring her back down, only to drive her crazy all over again. Stefan growled, feeling the tension of the week leave his body as he made love to the one person he loved. Nothing else mattered when he was with her. The positive feedback she gave in bed only served to keep him going. "I'm close" he said, grunting softly to try and rein back his control.
He shifted his hips slightly, giving them a different position that allowed him to stroke more sensitive areas inside of her. He was just about ready to slip his hand between their bodies to help her out a little, when he felt her body tense suddenly, and then quiver uncontrollably as the intense sensation wracked her body unapologetically. Elena cried out his name, gripping the sheets beside her.
Stefan slowed down his movements, giving her time to calm down. Then he thrust a few more times and cried out his release as well. He collapsed on top of her, his need for air competing with her own need.
He did manage to lift his head up to look at her. All he saw was a very well-loved and satisfied woman. He intended to keep her feeling that way. Gently, Stefan brushed more strands of hair off of her sweaty face, kissing her lips softly.
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Elena said a silent prayer when Stefan came home that next evening with a box of pizza in his hand. He was on time, and he was in a good mood. "Hi" he smiled, joining her in the kitchen and kissing her.
"Hi" she smiled back, enjoying one last kiss from him before he walked away to set the pizza down.
Stefan grabbed out two plates from the cupboard. "I'm going to run upstairs and shower real fast" he said. "Did you find a movie?" Stefan asked.
Elena nodded. "There's a few to pick from. I'll let you decide" she replied. Stefan ran upstairs to shower and Elena made a small salad for them. When the door rang, she dried her hands off on a towel and went to answer it. A smiled formed instantly. "Damon" she said. The past two years had given her the opportunity to grow closer to her new brother too. "What brings you by?" she asked curiously. Not that she was complaining.
"I just needed to give this to Stefan" Damon said, holding up a file folder.
"He's upstairs showering" she said, taking the folder from Damon. "We got pizza if you want to join us" she offered. She had taken it upon herself to worry about Damon, because he was all alone in his house.
Damon smiled, but declined her offer. He never liked to intrude, especially now that his little brother and Elena were married. "I'm afraid I can't. I have a lot to do, but thank you" he told her.
Elena sighed. "Well at least come in so I can give you some cinnamon rolls I baked this morning" she said, stepping aside to let him in.
"Cinnamon rolls?" he asked, his face lighting up at the mention of them. Stefan had brought some by one day and Damon swore they were the best things he had ever eaten. "Those cinnamon rolls alone are worth keeping you around" he told her.
Elena laughed as they walked to the kitchen. "I'm glad you like them so much" she replied. Elena was always making enough food for Stefan to take, since Damon so rarely accepted their invitation to come over for dinner. Damon leaned against the counter and watched Elena wrap the cinnamon rolls. "Here you go. I gave you extra frosting" she said, smiling as she set them on the counter for him.
"You're the best, Elena" Damon said, leaning forward and wrapping his arms around her. He hugged her tight, so thankful that his brother had such a great girl in his life.
Stefan came down the stairs, fresh from his quick shower, and found Damon in the kitchen hugging Elena. "Hey" Stefan said.
Damon stepped back, letting go of Elena and turning to look at Stefan. "Hello, Stefan" Damon said. He picked up the folder and held it up. "Think you can look over these reports when you have a spare second?" Damon asked.
Stefan nodded, walking around his brother and wrapping his arm around Elena. "Sure" he said. "Tomorrow. I promised Elena she would have me all to herself this evening." Stefan kissed the side of Elena's head.
"Whenever you get to it is fine" Damon assured him. "I should be going. Elena, thank you again" Damon said, grabbing the cinnamon rolls and smiling at her. "I'll see you two Sunday?" he asked.
"Yes" Elena said, looking forward to it. She and Stefan walked Damon to the door and said their goodbyes.
"Go make yourself comfortable. I'll get the pizza and drinks" he said, kissing her quickly before leaving her side.
Elena plopped down on the couch, tired after a busy week of classes, studying and work. She needed this lazy night in with Stefan.
She couldn't fight the disappointment she felt though when she saw him walking towards her juggling their plates, her glass of tea and a bottle of beer. The reason she hadn't said something about it already was because of the nagging thought in the back of her mind telling her she was making a big deal about nothing.
He liked to have a few drinks. So what? He was 24 years old. If he wanted to drink, then he could.
"Here" he said, sitting down next to her and handing her the glass and plate. "I'm kind of in the mood for something scary" Stefan mentioned, picking up the remote and scrolling through their options. Halloween was nearing and it seemed fitting.
"Sure, sounds good" she said, sounding less enthusiastic than she had wanted to.
He picked right up on it. "What's wrong?" Stefan asked, turning to look at her and watching her pick at her pizza.
Elena shook her head, not wanting to get into this with him right then. She wanted to enjoy an evening with her husband, which was a rare occasion lately. "Nothing" she answered finally.
Stefan turned the T.V. off and turned his entire body towards her. "Something's bothering you" he told her. Elena shifted nervously on the couch next to him. "Hey" he said, grabbing her hand. "You can tell me anything. You know that" Stefan reminded her gently. It was the worse feeling ever, knowing she wasn't happy.
Elena sighed, knowing he wasn't going to drop this. "I don't want you to get mad" she told him, fearing that he might become defensive over what she was going to say.
That had stung, knowing she thought he could ever get mad at her. He couldn't think of a time when he was even a little annoyed with her, let alone mad at her. "I would never get mad at you" he promised.
Elena wished that were true. Sometimes he did get mad at her, he just couldn't ever remember the next day, or whenever he woke up after sleeping off the alcohol. "I've just noticed lately that you're drinking more, and … it … worries me" Elena said quietly, avoiding his eyes. It was made worse by silence from him.
Stefan sat back in the couch and scratched the back of his head, processing what she had just shared with him. "I guess I do have a few drinks every now and then" Stefan stated neutrally. Elena wanted to point out that it was a little more frequently than he thought. "Elena, I'm sorry" he said, apologizing right away. "I had no idea it bothered you. You should have said something sooner" he told her.
Elena felt guilty for how guilty he felt. "I get that you want to kick back and have a drink or two" Elena said. "But sometimes, you have a little too much to drink, and … I don't like seeing you like that." She would leave it at that and not go into detail.
Stefan ran his hand over his face, shocked by what she was telling him. The last thing he had ever wanted to do was give her a reason to be concerned. "I honestly had no idea Elena" he told her. "I don't need to drink. I won't, anymore" he promised. Stefan turned to face her once again and smiled for her, because he could see how uncomfortable she was with the whole conversation. "Thank you, for telling me" he said, reaching his hand up to cup the side of her face. "I'll stop. I will" he told her, reassuring her that he would. Elena nodded her head slowly, believing him. "I love you" he told her, brushing her cheek with his thumb.
Elena felt like she was going to cry, so she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him instead. "I love you too."
A/N: I'm curious about what you think. Was this what you thought it would be? This is just the beginning. There is more to be revealed …