Hey guys! So the summer is winding down and getting busier so this story will be wrapped up between this and the next chapter. It's been such a joy for me to write and thank you for all the follows and reviews! There might be a little beyond "Rated Teen" in this chapter so I apologize.

Though Lovers Be Lost

Chapter 10 – Home Again

Gilbert Lake House

Elena POV

The dark winding road that led to my family lake house seemed extra long tonight. All I wanted to do was get there and curl up into Damon's arms and go to sleep. Between our crazy adventure in the Nether World and the crazy battle in New Orleans I was ready for a pause in the insanity that was our lives. I remember the last time we were here I was so in love with Damon but he couldn't believe it. That stupid sire bond messed with his mind so bad that he couldn't believe that my feelings for him were real. Now there was no doubt. I had followed him into death to get him back and now here we were, curled up against each other in the back seat of Alaric's car.

"Are we there yet?" Damon joked with a coy smile. I looked up at him and smiled back before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Just about." I replied and laid my head back on his shoulder.

Genevieve was tied up and gagged in the front seat and Stefan, Jeremy, and Bonnie were in the car behind us. Genevieve had promised to help us reclaim our home in Mystic Falls by removing the anti-magic spell the travelers had placed there. Apparently the elders weren't too keen on the spell and this was one of the keys to her salvation after failing to kill Hope Mikaelson.

The house was finally in sight and we pulled up the long driveway. "It's late," Alaric said as he out the car in park. "We should all get some rest and figure out our next move in the morning."

"Couldn't agree with you more buddy," Damon said getting out of the car first. Damon grabbed the one bag we had of stuff we acquired in our brief stay in New Orleans. "You ready to head inside, baby?'

I smiled at him and shook my head and then followed him upstairs to our room. He placed the bag down on top of the dresser and I sat down on the bed to take off my shoes. Damon turned to face me. "Well, I guess camp nowhere is as close to home as we are gonna get right now."

"We will get the Boarding House back Damon," I said to him as I stood up and walked towards him. "That is our home. It's where we made our life together during those summer months of bliss before I left for college and it all started going to hell. We are getting that back, just like I got you back." I held his face in my hands and looked into his electric blue eyes. He scooped me up into his arms and started leading me towards the bed.

"Your confidence is impressive Mrs. Salvatore." Damon lowered me onto the bed and laid down beside me.

"Wait a minute, what did you just call me?"

"Mrs. Salvatore. You better start getting used to that name because it is your future. Elena Salvatore." Damon playfully teased me while planting sweet kisses all over my body.

"I really like the sound of that."

"You do huh?"

"I do." I kissed my future husband back with fierce intensity. I would marry him right here, right now. I didn't need a big elaborate event; I just wanted to be joined with him forever. I tore his shirt off as I have so many times before and we sank deeper into the throws of passion. We were two beings, human beings, joining together for the first time like this. I felt him inside me and knew of the possibilities that were before us now. We could have a family, our own children, and grow old together if we so desired.

"I love you so much Elena," Damon breathed as he was gently moving inside of me. He was on top of me and had my face in his hands, our eyes locked on each other both stuck in this glorious moment. I knew he was ready, and I softly whisper back my love for him. "I love you so much Damon."

With that he released inside of me, breathless and exhausted. Human sex was not something that Damon Salvatore was used to. He collapsed on top of me and I ran my fingers through his thick raven hair and up and down his smooth, muscular back.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, slightly worried at how tired and still he appeared.

"I'm perfect. Just trying to savor this moment before the next inevitable disaster comes our way."

"Don't think like that. Once the spell is out of Mystic Falls, there is nothing standing in the way of our future. Katherine is gone, the Travelers are dead, and the original family is happy and content with their own little kingdom."

"The last time I felt this much…hope was the night you told me that you were in love with me in front of our fireplace, and that you weren't sorry about it. That was such a good night. But I think this one beats it."

I couldn't help but agree with him on that one. Our relationship is rock solid, we are getting married, and laying peacefully together after making love. It doesn't get much better than this. We drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever challenges faced us tomorrow.

The Next Morning

Damon POV

I woke up slowly with Elena in my arms. I looked at the clock and it was already 10:00am. Without vampire hearing it's a hell of a lot easier to sleep later. Elena was starting to stir. "Morning sleepyhead."

Elena looked up at me with adorable sleepy eyes. "What time is it?"

"Time to get our home back. Lets get downstairs and see what Alaric and Stefan are cooking up."

We got ready for the day quickly and headed downstairs to see where everyone else was. Bonnie and Jeremy were sitting on the couch and Stefan and Alaric were standing on either side of Genevieve who was sitting in a chair. I spoke as we entered the room. "Are you sure it's a good idea to let her loose?" I asked seeing that Genevieve was untied.

"We all want the same thing." Stefan said somewhat reassuringly.

"I have no reason to betray your trust. I need this spell removed just as much as you do." Genevieve said, finally addressing the group.

"So what's the plan then?" I asked looking purposely at Alaric. I knew he would take charge like the father figure he was always meant to be.

"Genevieve should tell us. She can explain is better than I can. Go ahead." He nodded to Genevieve for her to start talking.

She looked at everyone in the room, their eyes fixed on her in anticipation. The look I gave was more of a warning. If she tried anything I would be the first to snap her witchy little neck. She finally started talking.

"First let me say that this spell is one of the biggest spells ever to be cast. I mean, a spell to end all magic is not going to be easy to undo. The only saving grace is that it stopped before spreading too far beyond Mystic Falls. The elders gave me the instructions and what we will need. First, Bonnie will have to help me. It's fortunate that she is a witch again because the strength of the Bennett line is exactly what we need for this." She paused for a second causing me to worry about what came next.

"And? What else is needed for his crazy spell?" I asked to urge her to keep going.

She slowly exhaled before continuing, "The original spell needed a large amount of blood from both doppelgangers. Unfortunately, we will need that again."

Everyone was silent and still. Of course she needed their blood. Elena and my poor brother were never going to be free from this curse as long as they live. She nearly died to get us back here at the stone circle and the fear of losing her again coursed through my veins. Alaric was the first to state the obvious.

"Well taking a large amount of blood from them is a bit of a problem now isn't it? Elena is human. She won't be able to heal as she did before."

Alaric was right. Stefan had nothing to worry about, but Elena, it was a huge risk for her. One I knew she would be willing to take. "What if she changes back into a vampire first?" It was the voice of little Gilbert, the voice of reason.

"She could do that but it is her choice. The spell will work all the same." Genevieve sat quietly while the rest of us looked at each other to see who would talk first.

"Damon, can I have a word? Alone." Elena asked breaking the silence. We walked out onto the deck to have a "private" conversation, although I knew the two vampires in the house would hear our every word. I let her speak first, I knew what I wanted but had to let her talk.

"Damon, I had a feeling this was going to happen. That she would need my blood for this spell and that this…" she broke off and started crying.

"Hey, hey, baby it's okay." I held her and tried to comfort her so she could finish. "Tell me."

"Ever since we came back…human, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Well not just thinking, I have also been dreaming. I dream of our wedding and of us having children. They have your beautiful blue eyes and my wide smile, and our gorgeous dark hair and they are running around the Boarding House laughing. Damon I'm not ready to let go of that. I thought we could have that part of our lives and then decide if we wanted to turn back into vampires and have our eternity together." She buried her head in my chest and I ran my fingers through her hair.

"You don't want to turn back yet." I said making sure I understood what she was trying to tell me.

"But I don't want to die either!" She said looking up at me. "But if I have to choose I think I want to take that risk. I want that dream, that life. I could always drink Alaric's blood to heal me as soon as Genevieve has enough blood."

I shifted uncomfortably knowing that once Elena makes a decision her mind is made up and there is no changing it. "Elena I understand why but what if something goes wrong? You came so far to get me back and now you want to risk it all over again? I would rather never step foot in Mystic Falls again than lose you." It was a feeble attempt to change her mind.

"Damon it's not just about getting our home back. What if more travelers show up and figure out how to restart the spell? We can't risk the spell starting again. I have to do this. And I need to do it as a human." Her voice was resolute as ever.

"Did you bring me out here to ask my permission or to help me understand why you would put your life at risk again when we finally have our whole future ahead of us?" I asked her realizing how angry I sounded and immediately regretted my tone.

"I just want you to understand how important the future I have in my mind is to me. I'm willing to risk everything for it. We have struggled enough; it's time for us to have our happy ending. In Mystic Falls with our friends and family."

I knew I had to accept this. Accept that what Elena Gilbert wanted was what Elena Gilbert got. I was terrified of losing her but had to trust in her instincts that she would be okay. I didn't do that before and she almost never forgave me for it, I won't make that same mistake again. It was time to tell her. "I do understand if you want to go through with this as a human. I want that life too, Elena. But you need to understand how freaking terrified I am right now. I won't lose you. Not now, not ever."

"I'm strong Damon. I can do this."

"I know how strong you are princess, I've seen you in action many times." I said finally breaking a small smile. "I don't like this but I understand."

We kissed again before walking hand in hand back to the main living room. Stefan and Alaric were pretending to not know what we had just discussed but Jeremy and Bonnie were still clueless. I knew it would be hard for Elena to say it herself so I answered for her. "We have decided that Elena will stay human for the spell."

Jeremy let out his frustration and disapproval and Alaric just looked down at the ground silently. Stefan look at Elena and asked her himself. "Elena, are you sure about this? You remember what it was like when the travelers had us and were draining us…"

"I'm sure Stefan." She interrupted before he could finish.

"Damon are you really going to let her do this?!" Jeremy was furious and for good reason. He didn't want his sister risking her life unnecessarily again.

"Jeremy, I am going to let her do this because it is her choice." Oh Jesus I sounded like Stefan. In the past I would never let her do this. Why was I letting her now? But I knew…I was trying to rectify the one single moment of my time with Elena that I still regret. When she urged me to let her take the elixir and I shoved my blood down her throat. I still shudder when I think about that action and how she could have turned and hated me forever. Thank god she didn't.

"I can't believe you Damon. If anything happens to her you will never be able to look at yourself again!" Jeremy stormed out making Elena cry. He was right though; if this went bad I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

"I'll go talk to him," Bonnie said with a smile. "Elena, I think you are being very brave to fight for our home and for the future you want. I support you, okay? I want you to know that."

Elena looked up at Bonnie and smiled. "Thank you Bonnie."

Before she left to find Jeremy she asked, "Genevieve is there anything else?"

"We will go the cemetery on the edge of town tonight. I will teach you the spell after you deal with…what you need to deal with." She pointed in the direction that Jeremy ran off to.

"Alright then it's a plan. See you all tonight." Bonnie said and left to find Jeremy.

"Gather anything you want to bring back home. You should all be sleeping in your own beds tonight. And I will be back in favor with my elders."

The Cemetery

Elena POV

We arrived at the cemetery around 9:00pm and found Genevieve there with Bonnie finishing up the last bits of preparation for their spell. My fear was mounting but I knew I wasn't alone. Both Damon and Jeremy were on either side of me and I could just feel the fear and trepidation just radiating off of them. Alaric and Stefan walked silently behind us. Damon grabbed my hand as we walked closer to Bonnie and Genevieve.

"Welcome, I think we are ready." Genevieve said as we approached them. "Stefan I need you to lay here." There were two areas on the ground cleared of leaves and surrounded by candles. Stefan laid down in the first one. "Elena, you need to lay here." She pointed to the other one. Before I took my place I turned to Damon and gave him a slow, tender kiss.

"See you soon." I told him.

"Yeah, see you soon." He whispered back with a glistening tear in his eye.

I took my place in the circle of candles next to Stefan. "You need to place your hands in the center between you." I put my right hand in the area between us and Stefan put his left. The whole time my eyes never left Damon's. He was looking at me with a sad, scared expression that made me want to change my mind about doing this. Genevieve approached us and slit Stefan's wrist first. The blood started flowing onto the ground between us. "Ready Elena?" She said before cutting me. "Yes I'm ready." I told her and she sliced open my wrist.

I winced in pain and Damon did as well, a sympathetic reaction to what I was feeling no doubt. I took my eyes off of him just for a second to see what was happening with the spell. The blood was flowing together but Bonnie and Genevieve didn't start yet.

"When the hell are you guys going to begin? Come on!" Jeremy asked anxiously.

"There isn't enough for the spell to be effective. We need to wait longer." Genevieve replied in a calm voice.

"Elena, are you okay? Stay with us as long as you can okay baby?" Damon spoke to me and I turned my head to look at him again. I was starting to feel light headed but I smiled at him.

"I'm fine, just a little dizzy." I knew my blood was getting dangerously low. My eyes started drifting as I was beginning to feel unconsciousness beckoning to me.

"Elena. Elena! Keep your eyes, open and stay focused on me, okay?" Damon was trying to talk me through this and keep me awake. It was helping but wasn't enough to keep me totally conscious. I heard voices in the darkness. Damon's angry voice was the loudest.

"God damn it you have enough! Start the spell! Come on!" His voice was so angry and worried. Once the spell started Alaric could come in and feed me his blood, but only when they had enough to begin.

"We are ready." Genevieve said and I heard Damon's exhale of relief. The chanting began and I felt a wrist near my mouth and a thick liquid slide down my throat. I felt peaceful and relaxed but couldn't bring myself to completely wake up yet. I could feel and hear everything around me but I just couldn't wake up. I felt arms around me pulling me up.

"Stop!" Genevieve yelled. "You can't move her until the spell is done." The gentle hands set me back down and I laid there in darkness as the chants of Bonnie and Genevieve surrounded me. When they finally stopped everything was still. "It is done." I heard Genevieve say. The gentle arms that lifted me before were around me again lifting me up.

"Elena. Elena!" I think it was Damon's voice in the distance. I wanted to come back to him, needed to come back to him. I pictured our life together again as if it was a movie running through my head. I felt wetness on my face and figured it must have started raining. It wasn't until I realized that it wasn't rain at all, it was tears.

Damon.

He would never be able to forgive himself if I didn't come back from this. I couldn't bear his pain, this imperfect yet perfect man that I loved so much needed me. My eyes finally started to flutter.

"Elena? Oh thank god Elena." He kissed my forehead and rocked me in his arms.

"Hey you." I said with a weak voice.

He smiled back looking down at me. "Hey you. You're okay. You're okay."

"I told you I would be."

"Hey!" Stefan was yelling at us from inside the old spell's border. "I think it worked! No more anti-magic spell."

I tried to stand up but still felt a little lightheaded. "Whoa, easy there baby." He supported me as I stood up and helped me as we walked over the old border.

"We can go home now." I said to him.

"Yes we can. Thanks to you, we can."

We all grabbed our things and headed back on the main road into Mystic Falls. The road Damon and I took to our deaths. The road that let me show him that I was all in to be with him for eternity, whether it was in life or in death. It looks like that blissful eternity is going to be in life.

Stay tuned for one more chapter guys! It's going to be a bit of an epilogue that takes place a little ways into the future. I think it will be a beautiful way to end this story.