Chapter 10

Elena woke up late the next morning and barley had time to shower. Her hair was still damp when she rushed outside to meet Damon. She really didn't need him knocking on the door at six in the morning and waking up her dad.

She couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach when his car started down the road. She had a lot of fun with him the night before. She couldn't remember the last time she was able to just really let loose and have a good time like that. Sitting with him on the couch had felt so right. She actually had a hard time getting back to sleep alone in her bed. She liked the feeling of being tucked under Damon's arm. It had been a long time since she had been close to someone, she realized now she missed it.

He grinned at her as he pulled into the driveway and she smiled back as she got in.

"Thanks for picking me up." She said. "You must be tired."

"Nah." He smirked. "Not anymore then you are."

She yawned in agreement.

"Don't worry I have coffee going." He smiled. "And food."

"Ah, you're my hero." She winked.

"That's new." He said looking thoughtful. "I kind of like it."

She giggled and leaned back relaxing in his car it was comfy blue Chevy.

"So...I might need your help with something today." He started as he pulled to the Salvatore house.

"Do I want to know?' She asked raising an eyebrow.

"It's not that bad...well it might be." He said. "They can build the elevator."

"But..." Elena prompted.

"The staircase is going to have to be altered." He said.

"How altered?" She asked wincing.

"Like gone." He grimaced.

"He'll freak out." Elena said her eyes wide.

"There is no where else they can install it with that staircase it is to big. If they get rid of it and build a smaller one they can fit an elevator on the side." Damon explained.

"So what do we do?" She asked.

"We can't let him spend the rest of his life confined to a bedroom." Damon sighed.

"Your the guy will all the 'plans'." Elena pointed out. "So what's your plan?"

"You are." He smiled and winked suggestively.

"I was talking about the elevator." She gasped blushing.

"So was I." He smirked. "Get your mind out of the gutter Elena."

She smacked his arm and crossed her arms shooting him a dark look.

"You Elena." Damon drawled. "Are going to talk him into it."

"What?" She asked. "Why me?"

"Your the only one that will be able to." Damon said getting out and walking with her into the house.

"I seriously doubt it." Elena augured walking behind him.

They went straight to the kitchen and Damon poured them some coffee. Stefan was already at the table going over the plans.

"Just be in the room then while I break it to him." Damon said pulling some scrambled eggs from the oven. "Cause I'm doing it whether he likes it or not."

"What good is me being there going to do? His mind is set." Elena asked sitting across from Stefan and sipping her coffee.

"He won't want to lose his temper in front of you." Stefan smiled. "He has a soft spot for you. We have a better chance if you tell him it's a good idea."

"It wouldn't hurt if you told him you think the staircase is kind ugly anyway." Damon pointed out.

"That actually might be a good idea." Stefan laughed.

"Let's just get this over with." Elena said hurrying to get Giuseppe's tray ready.

"Wait until he eats and takes his pills." She directed as they followed her up the stairs.

"Good morning Giuseppe." Elena said motioning for Stefan and Damon to wait outside.

"Good morning dear." He smiled and started on his food as she opened the window for him.

"I slept better last night. I only woke once. Stefan said I fell back asleep within an hour. The doctor hopes the new pills will help." Giuseppe said after Elena took helped him with his pills and took her usual seat near him.

"If only you could get outdoors more." Elena mused. "You would probably sleep better."

"No bother." He waved his hand. "But I do hope for another fishing trip this summer."

There was a soft knock at the door and Giuseppe looked at Elena who shrugged and went to answer it.

"Hey dad." Damon said walking in and sitting down Stefan followed him sitting in the chair Elena was just in. Elena started cleaning the room avoiding direct eye contact with Giuseppe who looked a little suspicious.

"What brings you both here this morning?"Giuseppe asked his eyes narrowed.

"We just wanted to run a little something by you." Stefan started slowly. "You can say no..."

"No you can't." Damon said.

"We spoke with a really reputable construction company about installing an elevator in here and it is possible. I spoke with your doctor about it yesterday and he agrees that you being able to be mobile more often would be really good for you." Stefan explained.

"Your not spending 24 hours a day in this room anymore. It's possible so we're doing it." Damon said as Giuseppe started to open his mouth.

"Father you really need to consider the benefits of this carefully before you say no." Stefan said glaring at Damon.

Elena watched the exchange from the corner and smiled at the good cop bad cop tactic they had decided to employ.

"What about the staircase?" Giuseppe asked.

"Details." Damon scoffed.

"Father the staircase is just a staircase." Stefan sighed. "You being able to travel downstairs for breakfast once and awhile, being able to go outside or even just come sit by the fireplace far outweighs the antique staircase."

"I wont allow you to take down the staircase." Giuseppe shook his head.

"To bad." Damon said leaning back in the chair putting his boots on the side of the bed.

"24 years old and you still don't have any manners." Giuseppe spat out pushing his feet off the bed.

"Giuseppe." Elena said softly. "I don't mean to interfere. But Damon and Stefan are right. You cannot stay cooped up here. This is the only option."

"It's not an option. I am fine where I am." Giuseppe said frowning.

"Have you even researched how much taking out the staircase will devalue the house?" He asked Stefan.

"Yes I have and the elevator actually adds value." Stefan smiled.

"How is that possible?' Giuseppe asked. "That staircase is an original from 1864."

"I'm sure you can sell it on pawn stars for some nice change." Damon shrugged.

"It's because it modernizes the house." Stefan explained. "People enjoy antiques but they would rather have something new and modern."

Giuseppe groaned and crossed his arms. "It's my house. I can refuse this."

Damon raised his eyebrow but Elena cut him off.

"Giuseppe..this is really a good idea. They are doing this because they love you and they don't want you cooped up. They're going to do it whether you let them or not..just try and understand." Elena persuaded.

"I don't want this." He shook his head.

"But you need it." Stefan stressed.

"What if we can find a way to preserve the staircase or a part of it?" Elena suggested.

"That's a good idea we could make a bench out of it something." Stefan smiled.

"We?" Damon raised an eyebrow.

"Yes we." Stefan laughed. "We will find someone who knows how to do that and pay them."

Giuseppe groaned. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Selectively." Damon grinned.

"Please try and preserve it maybe I can donate it to the mystic falls museum." Giuseppe finally relented with a heavy sigh.

"Now leave I need some rest." He groaned turning his head and closing his eyes.

The rest of the week was long and daunting for Elena. She took a long relaxing shower friday before getting ready for her date. Construction had started at the Salvatore house and Giuseppe was really crabby over the noise and losing the battle itself. To top it off Damon suddenly decided he needed to tie some things up in New York though he assured her he would be be back to pick her up for their date and she believed him but she still felt an uneasy nervous feeling about everything.

It bothered her not having him around. She was getting used to seeing him every day having breakfast with him. She realized she was full on crushing at this point was was ready to stop stressing and just go with the flow. Then he had to leave and after only two days her mind was spinning.

Of course he had to go back to New York he lived there. He obviously had taken off on a whim and left everything as it was. But that was what was bugging her. He lives in New York he has a life there. He's here now for his dad but for how long? Realizing he would eventually go back to his own life had reawakened the stresser in her and now she wasn't sure if it was a good idea to keep letting herself get close to him.

"As if I can even stop it now." She moaned throwing her robe in and going to her closet rummaging for something to wear. She heard Caroline and Bonnie giggling and talking as they came up the stairs and sighed in relief.

"How you doing Elena?" Bonnie asked peering at Elena's pale face as they walked in. "It's just a date not a root canal."

"I know." Elena groaned. "I am just so nervous and I'm starting to think this is a bad idea..."

"Of course it is." Caroline laughed. "It's Damon Salvatore it's a terrible idea."

"Caroline!" Bonnie exclaimed.

"But...you really like him and he..he's decent around you. He did make up with his dad for you and he's been nicer to me sort of. Plus I mean he's obviously crazy about you. He asked me a million questions about you before he left for New York." Caroline added.

"Like what?" Elena asked.

"Your favorite food, flower, color..." Caroline rolled her eyes. "He even asked if you have any allergies."

"What?" Elena asked laughing. "Why would he ask that?"

"Maybe he's cooking for you." Bonnie smiled.

"He cooks breakfast for her every day. He better take her out and spend some money on her. We know he's got plenty of it." Caroline countered pulling out a low cut red dress and handing to to Elena who looked and it and shook her head continuing to rummage through the pile. Rolling her eyes at the money comment.

"He cooks for you everyday?" Bonnie asked. "That is so sweet."

"For Giuseppe. He just makes extra for me." Elena explained.

"Still sweet." Bonnie shrugged. "Matt's idea of romantic is opening a beer for me."

Elena found a short shimmery black dress that caught her eyes and held it up.

"He watches chick flicks with you." Elena pointed out adding the dress to the maybe pile.

"That's not romantic it's expected." Caroline laughed sneaking the red dress into Elena's maybe pile when her back was turned. Bonnie stifled a laugh and got up to start rummaging through clothes with them.

Elena was ready and nervously pacing a few minutes before Damon was supposed to arrive. Somehow she had manged to let Bonnie and Caroline convince her to wear the red dress and she was feeling a little self conscious. It was a silky red dress that fell a little above her knees. It had a wrapped bodice that was a little low cut and revealed a little bit of her cleavage. She had her hair in a half up half down style and kept her makeup natural. She realized Damon had so far only seen her in jeans or scrubs and wondered if she was way over done. Not that she would have time to change at this point anyway.

She heard Damon's car pull up and started towards the door when she heard his car door close. Her heart was pounding out of her chest by the time she heard him softly knock. She opened it and stepped outside joining him on the porch.

"Hi." She said feeling shy her eyes widened he was all cleaned up and dressed up like he had been the night they met at the grill. He had a silky black and white button up shirt on and black pants over his usual boots.

"Elena..you look so beautiful." He said gazing at her his blue eyes seemed to glitter as he took her in.

"Thank you." She blushed. "You look really good too."

He smirked and extended his arm. "Ready?"

"Sure." She laughed nervously and took his arm he surprised her by walking her to her door and opening it for her.

"I didn't realize you were such a gentleman." She remarked with a smile.

"Well I have a really hot date to impress." He smirked.

She felt her nerves ease up a bit and glanced over at him he looked incredible she had a hard time pulling her eyes away. She had missed getting to steal glances at him while he was gone.

He pulled up to the old Mystic Falls cafe which had closed down a few years ago.

"What are we doing here this place has been abandoned for a long time." Elena said looking confused.

"You'll see." He said getting out and racing her to her door to open it for her.

He extended his arm again and led her to the old building. One of the boards had been removed from the door. He led her inside.

"Are we even supposed to be in here?" She whispered.

"We're here right?" He asked switching on the lights.

She gasped looking around, the place had been cleaned up inside and one small table was set up in the center of the restaurant with some rose scented candles, a bottle of California Merlot and a large bouquet of pink roses all her personal favorites.

"These are all my favorites." She smiled in appreciation.

"I did some digging." He admitted.

"I heard." Elena giggled.

"Stupid gossip Barbie." He muttered.

"Damon." She chastised but smiled as she leaned down to admire the roses.

"Come here I want to show you the kitchen." He said extending his hand. She took it and felt a warmth when their hands interlocked. He led her into the kitchen which was also all cleaned up. There were some new looking pans out and a grocery bag full of food.

"When I asked her what your favorite food was she shrugged and said pizza." Damon said.

"What?" Elena laughed.

"I didn't think so..so I decided to make you my favorite food." He smirked.

"Which is?" Elena asked.

"Shrimp diablo." He said pulling out a box of pasta and some assorted vegetables from the bags. He walked over to the large walk in cooler and pulled out another bag with the shrimp and some other items. "Barbie did say you liked spicy foods. I hope she got that right."

"I love spicy foods." Elena assured him.

"Are you sure we're supposed to be in here?" Elena asked as he starting making himself comfortable in the abandoned kitchen.

"Of course." He smirked. "I know the owner. He's an awesome guy."

"There is no owner." Elena protested. "I'm pretty sure the bank owns it or something."

"Ah...but there is an owner now." He grinned and winked at her.

"Damon?" She asked her mouth dropped open. "You mean..you..."

"Bought a restaurant?" He finished for her. "Yup."

"But... you live in New York." Elena stammered once again completly shocked by Damon Salvatore.

"Not anymore." He grinned. "I subleased my apartment and had the rest of what I couldn't fit in my car shipped here."

"You did?" Elena gasped. "So you're moving here?"

"I'd be looking at a pretty long commute to work if I didn't." He said as he started throwing stuff into a pan.

"I just...I figured you would eventually go back. It's your home." She said feeling all her earlier worries start to slide away.

"Nah, there's nothing there for me." He said softly gazing into her eyes.

Elena smiled up at him feeling a rush of emotions she couldn't quite get a handle on. "I'm really glad your moving here."

His eyes widened and he smiled happily as he continued to gaze at her. "I couldn't get you off my mind these last 2 days Elena. I don't like being away from you."

"I might have been missing you a little too." She smirked. "And not just for the coffee and breakfast."

He laughed and turned back to his pans on the stove. The food was starting to smell really good and Elena's mouth was watering.

"So you bought a restaurant?" She laughed as it just sunk in.

"Well.. I can't live off my trust fund forever." He teased. "Life is not just a big party right?"

Elena smirked at him. "Talk about going from one extreme to the next. What made you decide to buy a restaurant?"

"You gave me the idea." He explained. "You said I should open up a breakfast cafe and I thought of this place. I noticed it when I was first driving into town. My dad and I talked about it and he really believes I could make something of this place. I wanted to wait, go to culinary school first. But he insisted I take advantage of the low price they had on this place while I could. I probably won't really start putting it together yet...I mean it would take to much time away from my dad. But it's here and it's mine when I'm ready for it."

"I know it's going to be awesome." Elena encouraged him. "Is it going to be a breakfast cafe?"

"I haven't decided yet." He murmured. "I do make other things besides breakfast. I think a nice Italian place would be great in this town."

"It would." Elena nodded. "There is no where nice to go out around town."

"Well luckily we now have our very own private restaurant to go to." He said finishing up the food and piling it on top of plates.

"I love it." She smiled sitting down at the table and lighting the candles. "It's really romantic."

"You inspire me." He said softly setting their food down carefully and opening the wine.

He poured two glasses and handed her one.

"Thank you for all of this Damon.." Elena started.

"No thank you." He said toasting his glass with hers. "For waking me up. I'm not just talking about my dad either."

"Well someone had to." She said toasting him back and talking a long sip of the wine. It was delicious she closed her eyes enjoying the flavor. "My all time favorite wine ever. Of course Care remembers the booze but not the food."

"Speaking of favorites. I do need to know what your favorite food really is." He said sipping from his own glass.

"Well." She said taking a bite of food and moaning happily. He had really outdone himself it was perfect. "I was going to say your famous omelets but now I think it's this shrimp diablo."

His eyes lit up at her compliments as he dug into his own plate.

"Okay then what was your favorite food before you met this sexy world class chef and all other food was basically ruined for you." he smirked.

"You'll laugh." She said.

"Why is it that bad?"

"To a world class chef such as yourself it probably is." She teased mocking his earlier cocky tone.

"Nah. I'm not the judgey one here." He teased back and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Come on tell me." He pouted.

"It's grilled cheese and tomato soup." She admitted.

"I happen to love grilled cheese and tomto soup." He smiled.

"So you really like this stuff?" He asked seeing half her plate was gone already.

"So good." She nodded.

"So how's my dad been this week?" He asked.

"A little crabby." Elena admitted.

"A little?" Damon raised an eyebrow.

"Okay really crabby." She laughed. "But he seemed better today."

"Now that it's almost done I think he's looking forward to being able to be able to get outside." She added.

"Not that he's gonna admit it." Damon laughed getting up and walking over to the radio. "I wonder if this still works..."

He turned it on and music blasted the room.

"Guess it does!" Elena yelled over the music.

He turned it down a little and walked over to her holding his hand out.

"Do you want to dance?" He asked his voice husky.

"I would love to." She said grabbing his hand. He pulled her up so swiftly it nearly took her breath away.

She wrapped her arms around him and gazed up at him he was staring at her so intensely she felt like her whole body was on fire. Being this close to him filled her with a desire she hadn't felt in so long. It was almost overwhelming.

It wasn't just that he was the most gorgeous man she had ever laid her eyes on. There was something about him, something about the vulnerability and softness he hid behind the off handed comments and additude that just called to her. Something about the way he challenged her. Something about the way her body seemed to just react on it's own accord to him. There was something between them and she wondered if it had always been there waiting to be found.

He held her close to him and spun her around the room expertly. Their bodies fell into a perfect sync with each other as if they had danced together many times before. But despite the perfect harmony they seemed to make she still felt so exhilarated and excited. Her heart was racing and she could feel Damon's heart racing to. She rested her head on his shoulder and he pulled her in really close.

"I could dance with you all night." He murmured.

"I wouldn't complain." She said gazing up at him.

He spun her around dramatically in response dipping her down so low her hair touched the floor. They both laughed as he pulled her back up. Her face was inches from his. He was still holding her close to him and her arms were still wrapped around his neck. She looked at his lips and back up at his eyes. He leaned in close to her and his lips just barley grazed hers. The contact filled her with an electric feeling. He parted from her and gazed at her for a long moment.

"Your so beautiful." He whispered before pressing his lips on hers again and kissing her softly and tenderly. His hand came to rest in her hair and she pushed her body up close to his. The world around her seemed to fade to black. Every sense in her body felt heightened with awareness and desire for him. She tangled her hands through his dark hair and kissed him back passionately. She could feel her knees start to buckle and drew back to take a breath.

He held her up and gazed at her his eyes were lit up and bright blue. She was swimming in them.

"I've never been kissed like that." She said breathlessly.

He stroked her cheek softy. "Me neither."

Thanks for the reviews everyone. I hope you liked the update and the date! Please review!