Title: Miles To Home
Summary: For Elena Gilbert life couldn't be more perfect. She has the perfect life, perfect boyfriend, and headed towards the perfect dream job. Everything is going, well, perfectly. There's just one catch… her twin sister Katherine. When Katherine disrupts Elena's perfect life, she runs away to New York. It was the perfect plan… until she has to return home and face everything she ran away from; including her ex-boyfriend Damon. Based off the amazing trailer of the same name by the extremely talented minds and video editing talents of ElePatro (noralsel) and Caro (_LightToMyDark).
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.
A/N: A huge, HUGE, HUUUUGGGGEEE thank you to Morgan (morvamp) for helping me with this chapter. To say I was stuck would be an understatement. I've been working on this chapter for days! Working and reworking and rewriting until it still just didn't feel right. Thankfully, Morgan was able to help and knew exactly what this chapter needed to give it the depth it was missing. And now I finally feel confident enough in it to post. All thanks to my peaches x3 If you haven't already (AND I MEAN SERIOUSLY) check out her fics. They're honestly some of the best out there!
Now enjoy some dress shopping and cake tasting before you get to that last bit and really start to hate me...
"Dress… Done!" Caroline squeals, writing on a page in her wedding planning binder.
I smile, putting my arms around her and squeezing her shoulder. We're standing in the bridal boutique, surrounded by various shades of white gowns and beige walls. We've been here for hours, but seeing Caroline put on her wedding gown for the first time was worth the wait. "It's absolutely gorgeous! Even your mom was crying."
Caroline closes her binder, hugging it to her chest. "I think it's finally hitting her that I'm getting married. I moved out but I think now it's for real. She's worried I'll forget about her."
"You could never. She's your mom."
"I know. It's just a lot. Dad left. I'm gone. She doesn't want to be alone."
I look over to where Liz is paying for the dress and chatting happily with the saleswoman putting away Caroline's dress to be fitted. Her dress is strapless and lace with a raised front and layered bottom. I have to be honest, I always imagined Caroline in a huge princess ball gown with lots of bling, but this dress is simple and elegant. The moment Caroline slipped it on she beamed and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. She just looked so happy, so blissfully happy that you know it was the dress.
This is the dress she was meant to walk down the aisle and marry Stefan in.
And that happiness radiating from her is what caused her mom to break down. Because suddenly Caroline wasn't her little girl anymore. She was a woman about to become someone's wife, someone's forever.
I shake my head. Liz's tears weren't out of worry for herself or her daughter. They were proof of happiness in the woman Caroline's become. "She's just realizing how grown up you've become these past few years."
Caroline nods. "Still need my mom."
My returning smile doesn't have its usual sparkle because now I'm thinking of my own mom. Has she ever really loved me for who I am or just the way I've been compliant? I've been the perfect doting daughter, never strayed off the path they laid out for me. With the exception of Damon, I've never done anything they haven't approved of. Until now.
Our words the other day were argumentative. And then I went to Katherine and it opened my eyes to how I could've just as easily been in her shoes had I not done every little thing my parents wanted. Looking at my life now I have to wonder if I chose medicine or if it's just what my parents wanted. And all this thinking and revaluating of my life has me feeling like I'm diving without a parachute.
I used to think we were close but seeing the way Liz walks towards Caroline, smiling through happy tears and giving her a fierce hug, I don't think I've ever experienced that kind of unconditional love. I've felt their pride and happiness, but never this. Never just that deep love.
"Well," Liz says, pulling back and addressing me, "Caroline is all done. How about we get the maid of honor dress checked off as well."
"We don't have to," I say, knowing I've already made this trip enough about myself. "It's Caroline's Say Yes to the Dress day."
Caroline is already shaking her head. "We're here, Elena. And I think I have the perfect dress in mind."
"Do tell," I nudge, linking my arm through hers as her mom leads us up a floor to where all the bridesmaids dresses are held. I'm pretty exhausted, to be honest. I'm not really in the mood to pull off a fashion show for Caroline. But whatever the bride wants.
"Well, I'm thinking light, flirty, fun. Pale pink chiffon tapered out just at the knee. Sleeveless with gathered fabric at the top."
"Oh, is that all?"
"Yes," she smiles. I look ahead as Liz steps into an open room full of bright colors and different fabrics and styles. It's bright and fun and full of opportunities. Everything is color coordinated but I know that finding Caroline's ideal dress for me to wear is going to be harder than she thinks.
But then her hand reaches out and straight ahead, right in the center of the room on a mannequin, is the exact dress she is describing. It beautiful and exactly how she described it: flirty and fun. I squeeze her arm and say, "It's beautiful!"
Again, not what I was expecting for Caroline's wedding, but I'm slowly learning that this isn't going to be anything like what I imagined. The vision I have in my head is from the Caroline who was afraid of love. She's a different woman now. Caroline isn't marrying Stefan for the big beautiful wedding, she's marrying him because she loves him. It's as simple and beautiful as that.
"It's already paid for and in your size. We called ahead and had them do this for you. It's going to look perfect on you."
"But I haven't even tried it on."
Caroline shrugs and waves her hand. "Please. I know your size and what looks good on you. We've been shopping together since we were kids."
I hug her. "And here you are getting married."
"Can you believe it?"
I squeeze her as tightly as I do my eyes to keep myself together and hold back the tears. But they're still there when I open my eyes and release her, staring at her through glassy eyes. "I'm just so happy for you, Care. But you didn't need to pay for it."
"My treat," she smiles. "You came here for me. It was the least I could do."
"I couldn't miss your wedding."
She stares at me, meaningfully. "You know what I mean. You're here. Planning this with me. Getting this sorted out with Damon and Katherine. I'm just not sure I could do this without you."
The tears are really falling now as I hug her again. "I'm sorry I've made you doubt me. I won't ever let it happen again."
I hear her let out a little choke of a cry. "Well, you're really going to hate me now."
"What?" And when we pull apart I see her happy tears are gone and her face is now full of apprehension. She chews on her lip and gives her mom a pleading look. I can't be more confused. "Caroline, what's going on?"
"I need you to pick out our cake."
"Okay…" I say. "I can do that."
"The thing is," she pauses, takes a breath. "Well, Damon's going with you."
My eyes go wide, but I try to keep my panic attack at bay. I had to expect this when I found out Damon would be the Best Man. We were going to have to plan together. The only thing I can manage back is, "Why?"
She gives me a nervous smile. "Something about representing Stefan's point of view. Stefan and I can't go because we had a last minute opening with the top florist in Virginia. Damon offered himself up."
"Of course he did."
And I'm actually smiling now. Not running for the hills and trying to get myself out of it. I'm actually embracing and accepting that I'll be spending the day with Damon. We'll be trying out cake and talking about the wedding and being alone together since the night he showed up at my hotel room. And I'm okay with it. I have to be. Caroline is my best friend and she's marrying his brother. We're going to be in each other's lives and once upon a time he was my best friend.
"Are you sure it's okay? If it's not, we can just move some stuff around or I'll have Stefan go with Damon to do cake and we can do flowers. I mean, they do run a restaurant. They'll know what tastes good. And I can give them strict instructions or email the bakery designs ahead of time."
I place my hands on my best friend's shoulders. "It's fine. Damon and I have this cake covered. Just send me what you want and I'll handle it."
"Really?"
"Of course. Damon and I reached an understanding. We got this."
Caroline practically attacks me with her hug. "Oh, thank you, Elena!"
And I hug her back because what are friends for?
"Personally, I'm a big fan of the chocolate."
I place down my fork, chewing a bite of almond amaretto cake before I give my reply. Smiling, I say, "Of course you are."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That you have an unnatural affection for chocolate for a guy who owns as many leather jackets as you do." I hear him laugh as I pick up my fork reaching for a slice of Italian cream, trying and failing to hide my smile. "Which one?" I ask, placing it quickly in my mouth and closing my lips around the fork as I slide it free.
"Huh?" Damon responds and I can still feel his eyes on me. Watching my mouth. My lips.
"Which chocolate?" I try to laugh but I can't help but feel subconscious over the way he's staring at me. It's without shame and full of something I'm scared to name. He knows I have a boyfriend. He knows my thoughts on his love confession a few days ago and yet I find myself craving the look he's giving me. He's been sneaking versions of it since the moment I slid into his car.
Since I didn't have a car, Damon picked me up at my hotel. At first it was awkward but he broke right through that launching into some story about a customer giving him a hard time at the Grille. After he got the conversation going it was easy to keep it up. I filled him in on what Caroline told me she was looking for in terms of design and he told me how Stefan just cared that it tasted good.
When we got to the bakery, we were given plates of every single kind of cake combination there could possibly be. At first it was overwhelming to have all these plates in fronts of us and the responsibility of choosing Caroline and Stefan's wedding cake. We certainly didn't want to ruin any part of this wedding.
Thankfully we quickly crossed off several flavors and somehow narrowed it down to the final five: chocolate and buttercream, Italian cream, almond amaretto, citrus splendor, and chocolate cookies and cream. It amazed me how similar our tastes were. Together we breezed through it, only arguing over cookies and cream and citrus splendor. I thought the cookies and cream was too childish and he wasn't crazy about the tart taste of the citrus splendor.
So, of course we tasted them again. And again.
"Uh," Damon says, taking his eyes off my mouth to look down at his plate. "I like th-the chocolate and buttercream. It's a crowd pleaser."
I nod, reaching over to place my fork into the slice of chocolate and buttercream and bring it to my mouth. It's delicious—melt in your mouth delicious. "I agree. You can't go wrong with it. But is it too simple? Too...ordinary?"
Damon shakes his head. "I think it's perfect. People always choose fancy flavors that no one ever eats. In my book? Chocolate? Good. Buttercream? Good!"
I roll my eyes. "I honestly can't argue with you. Caroline hasn't exactly chosen anything I imagined her choosing. She's going for what feels right. And I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually think this is the way to go."
"Why is it so hard to say? Because it's not upper-brow?"
Nodding, I say, "Yes? Most people try to out-do themselves at weddings. But I think we have ourselves a winner here."
"And I agree," he responds. "Stefan and Caroline aren't trying to impress anyone here. They just want to celebrate."
"And that's how it should be." I smile because I'm so happy everything has been going so well. Caroline's wedding planning, while overwhelming, has been going quite easily. Damon and I are getting along, and Katherine and I are on speaking terms and working towards getting back custody of my niece. My return home hasn't been anything like I expected.
I look over at Damon and find him smiling too. A genuine, real smile that lights up his whole face. His eyes almost seem to sparkle in the sunlight coming in from the large window beside us. It causes me to look away, down at the plate in front of me as I suddenly become absorbed in the pattern my fork is creating in the icing.
"So, we're decided then?"
I nod. "Chocolate and buttercream it is."
"Look at us," Damon says, leaning back in his chair. "Agreeing on something all civil-like."
"We've been civil."
"Especially since that out of the blue hug at the future Avery's."
Blushing, I reach for another bite of the almond amaretto—a favorite of mine—and try to hide my face. That freaking hug. He's never going to let it go. He's been making little jokes about it every chance he gets. "I was just grateful and more than a little overwhelmed."
"Hey, if it gets you close to me I'm not complaining."
"But you'll just continue to embarrass me about it."
Damon leans forward, picking up his fork and digging into another bite of chocolate cake. "What is there to be embarrassed about? It's only me and you."
Me and you.
God. If only it was that easy.
I'm too conflicted over everything. Being back here—being around Damon—is stirring up everything I've been burying deep down inside. Making me forget the life I've created in New York. The life I built to run away from this. But now that I'm not running and now that I'm seeing the truth behind things it's muddying everything. It's too easy and familiar being with Damon. He's just so real about everything that it's hard not to open up to him and ask him whatever pops in my head. Like now.
"Was your connection with Kat really always about not feeling good enough?"
His eyes widen, but he swallows and answers as if this question hasn't come out of nowhere; as if we've been talking about our past and my sister this whole time. "I think there was an attraction initially but the more we talked the more that shared connection grew. The more that friendship took over. And once you got in the middle, there was no way I was crossing that line."
"I really got in the middle?" I find myself placing my elbow on the table and resting my chin in my palm as I eagerly await his answer. I've fought against these questions for so long that to have answers to them feels like putting my mind at ease.
He frowns. "With the way you and Katherine fought, I had to choose a side. And I chose you. But that didn't mean I wasn't going to do my damnedest to mend your relationship. But your parents… They had already created that wedge too big for me to bridge it."
"Yeah, I never realized how cruel they've been. How… manipulating."
Damon looks at me curiously. "What's happening with you and your parents?"
My eyes widen as I realize what I've said. I quickly sit back in my seat, back straight, hands clasped on my lap. It's a pose my mother has been instilling in me since I was little. Very Rose DeWitt Bukater. Just because I've fallen back into familiarity with Damon doesn't mean I'm ready to let him in to everything in my life.
Especially my parents.
"Nothing. Nothing is going on."
"Elena I spent years with you. Years before that talking with Katherine. You have never, ever uttered a single negative thing about either of them. Something happened." Then suddenly recognition takes over his face. "That's what made you seek out Katherine. That's why you demanded to know what was going on with her."
"Damon, can we just stop?"
He puts up his hands in surrender before putting them down and reaching for a bite of cake. "Fine. Fine. But whatever is sparking this change in you… Well, it's a good thing."
I look at him oddly as he hovers his fork over a selection of chocolate on chocolate cake before diving in for the bite. And then I smile. And I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because Damon isn't pushing me into explaining everything or maybe it's just because he's acknowledging a change in me and still accepting me at the same time. Whatever the reason I feel lighter because of it.
And the stiff pose I was in becomes more relaxed and natural.
He slides the fork from his mouth and I smile, noticing the bit of frosting on the top of his lip. Without thinking, I reach out and wipe it away—nearly bring my finger to my mouth to lick it away— and suddenly we both realize what I've done and freeze. I quickly wipe my hand on a nearby napkin and try to silently wish the last few moments away from existing. But when I meet Damon's eyes he seems to be in a stupor.
We're both stuck in this moment I'm trying to forget and I still can't explain why I did it. It just seemed to natural to do what I did. The Elena who used to date Damon certainly would have.
Then Damon gives a slow smile and I have to look away. Thankfully when he speaks, it's not even to me but rather the owner, Mrs. Flowers, and I'm thankful to finally be leaving. When Mrs. Flowers makes her way over, wiping her flour covered hands on her floral apron,I finally feel safe to look up again. Damon lets her know our decision and I add in my opinions and let Mrs. Flowers know once again everything Caroline wants done. She assures me she received Caroline's photos in both emails and texts with a laugh. And once she finishes jotting everything down, Damon and I say goodbye and thank her and exit the bakery.
The warm summer breeze hits both of us as we step outside. Damon slides on his sunglasses and together we make our way towards his car. He opens the door for me and as I slide in, he pauses and says, "I had fun today."
I smile up at him, blocking the sun from my eyes with my hand. "I did, too."
"Think this is the start of a beautiful friendship?"
Laughing, as I remember all the times I made him watch Casablanca, I respond, "It's the start of me not wanting to kill you."
He shakes his head, smiling. "It's a start."
"It's a start," I repeat.
And for some reason we both hang there, looking at each other. I can practically feel all the words he's fighting back—whether they're about my parents or about that moment with the cake. Either way a part of me is wanting to hear it, to truly open up to him again and share all my fears with him from why I had to run away to that conversation with my advisor. But I just can't. He's not the person I should be opening up to. He's not my boyfriend. He's my ex. But still I wonder if he's thinking the same thing I am and fighting back the words just as I'm doing. I wonder if he's wishing that the day didn't have to end.
"Don't worry, brother. I can certainly handle party favors. How hard can it be?"
I can almost imagine Stefan's face after my words. The way his sigh carries over the phone paints quite the amusing picture. "Just listen to Elena and don't be a pain in the ass."
"But it's my most charming quality," I tease.
It's another gorgeous day in Mystic Falls. Every day has been since Elena breezed back into my life. We've been navigating this whole friendship thing pretty well. I've been the perfect gentleman but even I can't help staring at her. She's caught me looking a few times and I don't even have it in me to feel ashamed. I've gone years without seeing her face and having it there right in front of me makes me want to cherish every moment since her visit has a deadline.
But what gives me hope is the fact that I've caught her staring, too. Her eyes watch me and when we really get lost in a moment she reaches out and touches me with these small gestures that fucking drive me wild. Don't get me started on that moment when she wiped away frosting from my mouth and nearly brought it to her mouth. It's just another example of how she's falling back into the ease of being together and another example to add to the list of why I have to remember to take this all slow.
One wrong move and I could ruin everything.
She knows how I feel, but ever since I burst into her hotel room I haven't muttered a word of it. I have to pick my moment to breach the topic again. Elena has to be feeling everything I am. But she's living in that stupid river in Africa and pretending they don't exist. Eventually it'll all become too much. And that's when I swoop in.
I have all summer until the wedding to slowly remind her of all the reasons why we're meant to be together. No matter what her little life plan says.
And today as we make the rounds to all various shops around town and she browses ideas and I make sure they're not too cheesy, I'm going to bring up the good ole days. I have plenty of stories and we have all day together.
"Just be good, please," Stefan pleads.
I look out into the courtyard across from me and I see Elena approaching in a floral red sundress. Her hair is in soft waves that blow in the slight breeze drifting in the air. She's staring down at her phone, typing away on it, oblivious to the world around her. I shake my head, smiling. She's can be so absorbed in that thing sometimes.
"I will." I tell my brother. "She's actually here now."
Just as she's passing the gazebo I see a man race up behind her. He's in a suit like some wall street know-it-all. I'm about to bolt to her rescue but the guy places his hands over her eyes. Elena freezes and moves to push aside his hands but then she smiles, a huge smile and then bites her lip before screaming a name. She turns around and launches in to the guys arms and then they're kissing. Full on make out session right in front of me, right in the middle of town.
It's making me sick.
"Uh, Stef. I'll talk to you later."
I hear him say goodbye but I can't hear it. I've gone deaf, mute; practically blind to anything but the sight in front of me. All I can seem to focus on is the way Elena's body curves into this guys and the way her one leg seems to pop as he lifts her into the air and spins her around. Then she's laughing and it carries over to where I am. It's so filled with ease and real that I can feel my heart crack.
Maybe I've been reading more into these past few days than I should be.
The guy places her down and she pulls him back to her, hugging him, and the two of them just stand there like they're a fucking statue before finally pulling apart. Then I can tell Elena is launching into a huge speech and this boyfriend of hers is trying to keep up. He places his hand on her cheek, caressing it; and I want to fucking break every finger of his that touches her skin.
Part of me wants to run over there and remind Elena that we have plans, and another part—the glutton for punishment—wants to just stand by and watch the girl I'm in love with completely fawn over some other guy.
Thankfully, someone snaps me out of my predicament before I become pathetic.
"Sucks watching someone you love be in love with someone else, doesn't it?"
I turn my head from the disgusting sight in front of me to see Katherine standing beside me, a smirk on her face. She has several grocery bags on her arm and her gaze is turned towards her twin sister.
"You weren't in love with me, Kat. You were just mad Elena stole a potential boy toy."
She shrugs. "Still hurt the same."
I roll my eyes. Kat and I may have worked past the anger I felt at her for the part she played in my breakup with Elena but it doesn't mean it's not a sore subject. "So what brings you into the daylight? I thought vampires had to avoid the sun."
"Har-har," she chides. "Elena made me a list of things to get fixed in my place before the court appointed social worker pays a visit."
"So, you're finally fighting this thing?"
She nods and I can tell she's nervous. "Elena has a way of making you think anything's possible and God help me I actually think she can help."
"If my charms couldn't sway the judge, your sisters will power definitely can."
"She certainly did her research. Had her big shot boyfriend over there get in contact with some lawyers and worked out a plan for me."
"So that's the boyfriend," I say, trying not to let my jealousy seethe through my tone.
Katherine laughs. "Like you haven't been standing here watching them like some peeping Tom."
"Well, Elena and I had plans but it looks like she'll be cancelling them."
"Yeah, I think she will. I got a text from my parents that I have to be over there for dinner and to be on my best behavior."
My brows furrow. "How did they know? Elena looked like she had no idea."
"I guess Elijah called ahead to make sure he wouldn't be interrupting anything."
"And here he is doing just that."
Katherine nudges my shoulder with hers and pointedly looks ahead towards where the reunited couple is. "Looks like Operation Get Elena Back will just have to wait."
I follow her sight and see Elena typing on her phone as Elijah leads her into the gazebo. Looks like it will have to wait. There's no way she's breaking off plans with her boyfriend to hang out with me. Sure enough, seconds later my phone vibrates in my hand. I look down and see a new message pop up from Elena and my heart drops.
Can't get party favors today. Something came up! Sorry!
"Looks like it." I frown. I turn my attention to Katherine putting on my best smile. "You're not busy, are you? Care to pick out wedding favors?"
She shakes her head. "That's more my sisters speed. But I need a handyman to help me with these tasks."
She smiles and shakes the bags in her hands. It's tempting and it'll take my mind off of wondering what Elena and Elijah are up to. I send a quick text to my brother and let him know the change in plans. Elena will have to deal with Caroline. There's no way I'm getting blamed for this.
"Well, since I have nothing better to do."
"Looks like the Second Choice Club is back in session."
I take the bags from her hand and lead her towards my car. "Maybe we need to think up a secret handshake?"
Katherine laughs, linking her arm through mine. "How about we just clink beers and forget our problems instead?"
"Deal."
