Hey guys!

How you been doing?

I wish you all the best in this holidays, hope you have an amazing start of the year.

I want to thank you all for being with me this year, supporting me and reading my stories, you make my life so much better.

I also want to thank Lorena for being the best beta ever! She's the best and I'm really gateful of having her.

Hope you enjoy the chapter and that you let me know what you think.

Love,

Sam

"I don't know who I am without you, but I know that as long as I'm with you, time will stand still. So who is Damon Salvatore without Elena Gilbert? A selfish friend, a jealous brother, a horrible son? Or maybe with a little luck, I'll do right by you. Because you may be a thousand miles away or a hundred years away, but you're still here with me and my heart is right there in that coffin with you. Until you come back to me"

-THE VAMPIRE DIARIES-

.

She heard the laugher echoing in the hallways and a small smile spread across her face, it was nice to have some joy in this house again. Since the moment she set foot here since her return it had seemed to her that the house was lonely, a hollow place that had so much to offer and now it finally had some life inside again. How sad it was to think that in a few days all that laughter would be nothing more than echoes of good times spent in this place.

With a sigh Elena opened the door and placed her suitcase at the foot of the bed, the guys had started to arrive with their things a few minutes ago and Annie had been ecstatic. She made them lunch and started to talk about all the times Elena and Jeremy spent here during their childhood. The house was practically a mansion so each of them chose a room, Elena decided to stay in what was her old bedroom and almost fell to her knees when she opened the door and found everything exactly as she left it. Her grandparents didn't change a thing, the bed clothing was still of that aquamarine color she loved so much, the lacy drapes blowing in the wind, the walls were white and a poster of Hayden Christensen was on the back of the door, she smiled when she spotted it. This place always felt more like home to her than the house where she lived with her parents, being inside this room was like entering a time capsule and there tucked in the boudoir's mirror were pictures of happy times: her and Caroline with their arms around each other next to the lake; Jeremy and her as toddlers with her parents in Disneyland; Stefan giving the valedictorian speech; Stefan, Damon, their mom and her by their fireplace in the Salvatore house; she and Damon dancing in the bar while looking at each other with adoration and love in their eyes.

Elena took the picture between her hands and felt her chest constricting with nostalgia, how happy she had been back in the day, when she had everything in her hands and didn't even know it. She stroked her fingers across Damon's face and sighed loudly remembering their short talk earlier. She agreed to meet with him at the bar later since he was working today, she knew he could tell that something was off with her but chose not to bring it up.

Elena placed the picture back on the mirror and dropped herself on the bed, her hair sprawling on the covers and her eyes fixated on the roof. There was so much confusion in her head right now, she truly didn't know what to do, her brain was telling her to get the hell away from Mystic Falls but her heart was telling her to go to Damon and never let him go.

"Okay so now you gotta tell us what the fuck happened with you and Damon last night," Meredith said while barreling into the room with Kol and Bonnie trailing behind her.

"Ugh" Elena closed her eyes and threw her arm across her face as her friends climbed on the bed next to her.

"Come on Lena spill the beans" She heard Bonnie add

"Annie made cookies" Kol said and then stuffed an entire cookie into his mouth "I think I might kidnap this woman and take her back to San Francisco" He said with his mouth still full, Elena couldn't help but laugh.

"Come on! We want to know what happened" Meredith said while removing Elena's arm from across her face "Or I could tell you what happened between me and Ric" She teased while raising her eyebrows

"Ugh" They all moaned in unison "Mer nobody wants to know what happens in your sex fest with the teacher" Kol told her and the brunette just rolled her eyes at him.

"Well if Elena doesn't want to talk, I will tell you that I met someone" Bonnie said and even Elena sat up straight to look at her

"You what?" Kol asked. Out of their whole group of friends Bonnie was always the most reserved, always in long term relationships, always doing a complete background check of a person before dating them, never taking chances so it was pretty strange that she told them she met someone.

"Yeah, his name is Lorenzo and he's Damon's friend" She said with a timid smile as Meredith gave her a suggestive smile

"Ugh" Elena exclaimed before dropping herself on the bed once again. What was it with Damon's friends that were charming all of HER friends?

"Lorenzo? Uh, he sounds yummy" Meredith told them

"Seriously, you can even make someone's name sound dirty" Kol shook his head in silent laughter while looking at Meredith

"What can I say? It's a gift" Meredith scrambled closer to Bonnie on the bed "And…what happened between you two? You got lucky?"

"What?! No, Mer I just met him"

"So? I just met Rick and we've-"

"Stop it" Kol held his hands in the air in front of him "We all know what you and him have been doing"

"We kissed and exchanged numbers and-"

"Oh you kissed? How sweet"

"Meredith stop messing with Bon" Elena reprimanded her friend who only smiled at her and plopped herself down on the bed once again.

"We're meeting at the bar again today"

"Did you guys notice that we've been at the bar almost every night? I feel like we're in a never ending party" Kol said with a pensive look "And I feel lonely, you're all getting lucky and I'm all alone here"

"You have a serious girlfriend" Elena reminded him

"Yeah, yeah" He shrugged

Bonnie sat kneeled on the bed and stared straight at Elena "So, Lena are you going to tell us what happened with Damon now?" The three of them looked at her expectantly and if her mood was any other she probably would have laughed at the sight

"We slept together" She admitted with a sigh

"Told ya" Meredith said to Kol

"Damn" He pulled out a fifty dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it over to Meredith

"Were you really betting on my sex life?" Elena shrieked as she sat up on the bed "Seriously?!"

"And I won" Meredith told her with a wink as she gave her an indignant look

"Ignore them" Bonnie said "So? Are you two like together again?"

"NO! Yes, I don't really know" Elena closed her eyes and moved so she could now rest her back against the headboard "I really don't know what to do"

"Here, have a cookie" Kol handed her one and she took it with a smile as she moved her knees so they were know tucked against her front "It will make you feel better"

"You love him" Meredith said and looked at her intensely. It was the most serious she had been since coming to Mystic Falls "I have to admit that when we came here I was very keen on castrating Damon and I thought… I thought that you just needed to put closure on all of this to move on, that you were just living based off old feelings" Elena looked at her expectantly, her doe eyes pleading with her to tell her something useful, Meredith was always the voice of reason and Elena trusted her advice with her soul. "But then I saw you two together and it all made sense"

"What did?" Elena asked

"I've never been in love Elena, no offense Kol"

"Non taken" He answered with a smile

"I've loved quite a few guys but I've never been IN love" She shook her head lightly "I've read a lot about it, even heard my parents talk about it, they're one of those couples you know, who just can't live without the other and I've always wanted something like that" Meredith looked at her friends with a murderous expression "If any of this comes out of this room I will kill you all, because you know it could ruin my badass reputation" They all laughed and nodded so she could continue "I've always dreamed of finding someone who looks at me the way my dad looks at my mom, you can see it in his eyes you know, the love shinning in there…the all-consuming, burning thing that everybody talks about, the epic kind of love that is passionate and wild and leaves your head spinning and unable to sleep at night , I've never had that, Elena, but I've seen it, I saw it in my parent's every day and I saw it in your eyes yesterday…I saw it in his while he held you on the dance floor"

Without noticing it a single tear was rolling down Elena's cheek "And I think deep inside your heart you know what that means and what you need to do" Meredith told her "It doesn't happen often Elena and once you love someone like that I don't think you can ever stop"

"I just, I feel so confused" She admitted "And isn't it all pointless in the end? I just have a few more days and then I'll have to leave"

"Do you want to?" Kol asked her and Elena felt sucker punched. "It's a simple question Lena, do you want to go back?"

She stared at him without uttering words and shook her head slightly "Then that's your answer" He smiled sympathetically at her.

"Stop doing what everybody expects from you Elena" Bonnie stroked her knee and smiled at her "Do what you want to do, for once, even if it seems crazy, just take a chance and stop being afraid"

Elena smiled at them and thought of how lucky she was to have friends like them, that could understand her even when she couldn't understand herself and who were always so willing to comfort her and give her advice.

But in spite of what they thought she couldn't' stay. She had a life back in San Francisco and she was going back to it, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to enjoy her time here.

"So, what time are we going to the bar?" She told them with a smile.

Elena laughed at something Tyler said before taking a gulp of her drink and shifting her gaze to the bar where Damon was working, it was incredible but even watching him pour drinks and mix cocktails was a turn on for her. She came to the bar tonight with the idea of having fun and enjoying the moment and that was exactly what she was doing and of course she couldn't take her eyes off him either and the fact that he looked in her direction every five minutes wasn't helping either.

They were seated in their usual booth near the jukebox, all of them were there with the exception of Stefan and Caroline, apparently she hadn't been feeling well and they decided to stay home, Elena made a mental note to go visit her tomorrow to check on her, the wedding was the day after tomorrow and she wanted to try her best to mend things with her former friend before returning to San Francisco.

"So are you guys ready for the wedding? You know it's forever and stuff like that" Tyler asked Jeremy and Anna who hadn't been able to keep their hands off each other.

"Tyler, leave them alone" Matt said with a grin

"What? It's a valid question"

"Yeah we're more than ready, we really can't wait to be husband and wife" Jeremy answered and a wave of awws was heard across the table, all of them came from the females of course, the boys just rolled their eyes and shook their heads.

"How sweet, and are you excited for your bachelorette party Anna?" Meredith asked while raising her eye brows at the younger girls

"Bachelorette party?" Anna asked in confusion

"You didn't tell her?" Meredith asked Elena

"I would if I had an idea of what you're talking about" Elena answered before taking another sip of her drink

"Well I guess I forgot" Meredith shrugged "Anyway, we are kidnapping you tomorrow and taking you to the most amazing bachelorette party and Jeremy will be staying at the hotel because it's your last day as single people so we can't have you two sleeping together like an already married couple"

"And when were you planning to tell us this?" Jeremy asked while a very confused Anna looked at him

"Well I'm doing it now" Meredith said with a grin "Come on, don't be such a spoil sport"

"Yeah Jeremy and we can have your bachelor party" Tyler offered "Oh it's going to be awesome" Tyler said, his head already spinning with ideas.

"And you don't even have to sleep at the hotel, you can stay at my place" Matt told the younger Gilbert.

"Oh boy" Elena whispered before casting her eyes back at the bar and frowning when she didn't spot Damon there.

"Do we have a choice?" Jeremy asked

"Nope" Bonnie said while winking at them

"Then I guess it's fine" Anna said with a small smile. She was quite a shy girl and being around such a large and loud group of people made her feel a little uncomfortable. But she knew they were important to Jeremy so she would try her best to get along with them, even if that meant having to stand a bachelorette party.

"Don't worry Jer, I'll take good care of her" Elena told her younger brother.

"And I'll take good care of you" She heard him whisper in her ear and all the hairs on her body stood up. He placed a kiss on her cheek and her skin tingled at the sensation "Come on, let's dance" Damon asked her, completely ignoring everyone else at the table who were now staring them with knowing looks.

She smiled slightly at him and took the hand he was offering her, she saw him pull some coins out of his pocket as they walked the few steps separating them from the jukebox "What do you wanna hear?" He asked her

She skimmed her eyes trough the selection and smiled when she spotted the song she wanted, she took the coins in Damon's hand and pressed the buttons right before taking his hand and leading him to the dance floor.

I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

"Good choice" He told her with a smile as they started to sway to the sound of the music

"I have the best taste in music" She answered and he rewarded her with a twist, she was wearing a deep blue summer dress that flew around when he twirled her

"Everyone is staring at us" She whispered and he casted his eyes up to see that in fact everyone in the room was paying close attention to them, even their friends

"Let's give them something to stare at" He told her and she let out a carefree laugh as he dipped her and sang to her in a deep voice, trying to imitate the one blasting from the jukebox

I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line

"You're crazy"

"Only for you" He answered and her heart skipped a beat.

Just having fun right? Nothing was going to change, she would go back to San Francisco and keep living her life. Right?

As if sensing something was wrong Damon pulled her close and embraced her as they swayed, she clung to him tightly and closed her eyes while burying her face in his chest, breathing in his scent. Who was she kidding, nothing was ever going to be the same. She and Damon were never going to stop feeling this way.

Because you're mine, I walk the line

"It's been so long since I've enjoyed something so much" She whispered into his ear

"I know what you mean" He answered and moved her so he was now staring at her face "I've missed this face" He said while cupping her cheek with his hand, Elena leaned into his touch and smiled at him.

"And I've missed those eyes" She told him and he smirked at her before dipping her again

The music kept playing and more couples started to crowd the dance floor but they didn't take notice, not even when the song changed because they were so deep in their own little world, where nothing else existed but them. A place where the mistakes of the past or the uncertainty of the future didn't matter. Where they were only Damon and Elena, falling in love all over again.

Elena spent the rest of the night in complete bliss, after dancing with Damon she completely let go and stopped thinking about the future or the past, she just enjoyed herself, sang along with her friends, danced with her brother and relished in the feeling of being loved and happy.

She watched Meredith make out with Ric like they were teenagers and Bonnie dance with Enzo and smiled to herself, apparently Mystic Falls was indeed a magical place and she felt more than happy to see her friends being so carefree and joyful, this place was changing them all. Well not all, Kol was still the dork he usually was.

After dancing a few more songs with Jeremy she excused herself to the bathroom, she put her hair in a high ponytail and pressed a wet paper towel to the back of her neck, she had been dancing the entire night and her body was heating up, she looked at herself in the mirror and watched a grin appear there, she looked happier than ever. She put on a bit of powder and a new coat of lipstick before leaving the bathroom. Unfortunately once she was out all that joy evaporated from her body. There, right at the bar was Rose and worst of all, she was speaking with Damon, Elena watched them and felt like someone had punched her in the stomach, somehow she felt like the intruder, the one who came to disturb the quietness and normalcy of Mystic Falls.

With a deep sigh she headed towards the door, she needed some fresh air, the night had turned bitter and dark and she felt the anger and sadness creeping into her body. Was this going to be her everyday life if she went back to Damon? Resentment and sorrow?

Elena pressed her back against the wall and closed her eyes, letting the warm summer air caress her skin, the sound of the music was a low hum and the sound of footsteps made her open her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Damon asked her as he touched her cheek with his hand. He watched her walk away from the bar and followed her immediately, he knew how easy it was for her to let the doubts and fears change her mind and he was having none of it.

She flinched at his touch and it felt like a shot to the heart for him "I just needed some air"

"Something's bothering you" He whispered and moved closer to her. He wasn't going to let her have any space tonight. It was too dangerous.

"Maybe you should be more worried about what's bothering Rose" She spat and regretted it immediately, the last thing she needed was to give him something to use against her. But contrary to what she thought he didn't taunt her with her obvious jealousy.

"Lainey, the only one I'm concerned about is you" He took a strand of hair from her ponytail and wrapped it around his finger "I already told you that what I had with Rose wasn't anything like you and me, and she knew that, I never pretended to be in love with her, she knew since the first moment that I could never be what she wanted me to be"

Elena closed her eyes and let herself soak in the words he was saying, it was too easy, to just let him convince her that everything was going to be okay, but then at the most insignificant of signs her wound opened up again and she started to bleed.

"Well she thinks you'll come back to her…I don't know what you told her about us but she-"

"Hush" He placed a finger against her lips "I never never spoke with her about us, I never spoke with anybody about us love, you're only mine and those feelings were too deep, too important, I never shared them with anyone but Stefan" He took a deep breath "I know- I know what she said today to you, Caroline called and I guess that's the reason why you're like this right now but Elena she knows nothing, nothing about us, she couldn't possibly understand the way I feel about you" Elena's breath got stuck in her throat as she looked at his eyes turning bluer "You don't have to worry more about her, I'll make sure of it"

"But it isn't just about her Damon, it's everything" She said, exasperated. "It's you breaking up with me over the phone, us losing ten years, my parents coming to town tomorrow, Rose and San Francisco…" She threw her hands up in the air pushing herself away from the wall and from him "It's everything, everything's doomed to fail with us and I can't-"Tears started to gather in her eyes "I can't do this again"

"Hey, hey" He walked to her and took her in his arms, she resisted at first but eventually let herself be embraced by him "That phone call is going to hunt me forever but love, you need to give me a clean slate, I know it's too much to ask after everything but we need to start over"

"But-"

"No buts, I'm not letting go this time Elena, and you can fight it all you want, and there can be a million of obstacles between us but I won't let anything come between us this time, not even you" He stroked her hair and felt her going limp in his arms "I will wait for you, all the time in the world, until you're ready to truly come back to me, I'll be here Elena, I'm not going anywhere" She lifted her head and stared straight into his eyes "I love you" He whispered "You have my heart now and forever"

She took a shaky breath and clung more tightly to him "And you have mine Damon, it has always been here with you"

The low tune of Strawberry Wine could be heard from the inside and she smiled slightly, lacing her fingers behind his neck as they swayed slowly to the music with nothing but the stars as a witness of their love.

"Would it be too presumptuous of me to ask you to go home with me tonight?" He whispered to her, their foreheads were pressed together and their lips almost touching.

"It would be indeed, Mr. Salvatore" He smiled at her words as they kept moving "But I don't mind, not today"

"So, would you go home with me Mrs. Gilbert?"

"I would love to" She answered before he dipped her, earning a laugh from her lips "Take me home Damon" She whispered and he smiled at her before taking her hand and leading her towards the parking lot.

They had no idea what the future had in store for them but it didn't matter, not today, not under the beautiful night and the promise of that all-consuming epic love only fairytales talk about.

Review? Pretty please?