***I'm very excited to post this chapter tonight for you guys. It's finally a step in the direction of where I have been wanting to go. I have wanted so badly for the story to progress and for us to finally get somewhere with the characters developing... And well now I can finally do that. You will all hopefully see after you read this chapter. As always read, enjoy and review! ***

"Happy birthday by the way," Elena heard Rose say after they had been sitting in silence for the past half hour. She looked up and stared at Rose for a minute.

"Excuse me?" She asked and Rose tilted her head and smiled.

"It's your birthday today is it not?" It took Elena a moment to realize the date and it then dawned on her Rose was right.

"I guess it is," She mumbled and shifted in her seat. She had been coming here for the past three weeks, once a week to see Rose. She didn't speak, she gave one word answers when Rose would try to engage her in a conversation.

"Must be a lot of your mind if you forgot today was your birthday," Rose said and Elena shifted in her seat again the feeling of nausea sweeping over her like it had been constantly for the past week. She shrugged her shoulders and picked at her fingernail. She wasn't surprised she had forgotten today was her birthday. All her days blurred together the past couple months. The only way she realized what day of the week it was would be when Alaric would come on Thursdays every two weeks.

"Elena are we ever going to talk during this hour you come to see me?"

"Probably not," She replied not caring if she was rude because at least she was being honest.

"I see," Elena glanced at the clock. "Well than I see no point in us wasting each other's time, you're free to leave if you want to."

"Thank you," She said and stood up from her chair and walked to the door. When she went out into the waiting room she saw Bill sitting in one of the chairs reading a magazine.

"You're done early," He said and she nodded.

"Yes," Bill looked at his watch.

"Well I suppose we can leave then. How did things go today?" He asked her.

"Same as always," she got into the car as he opened the back door for her. "Bill?" He looked in the review mirror at her as he climbed into the driver side.

"Yes,"

"Where has Caroline been lately?" She asked and he smiled.

"She has been around, would you like me to ask her to stop by?" He asked and Elena shook her head.

"No that's fine, just wondering." The drive home was quiet and Elena noted it took longer than usual. When they pulled into the driveway Elena let Bill open the door for her and got out. As she walked up to the front door, she went to push it open but it didn't budge. "It's locked," She said turning to Bill who pulled a key out of his pocket but didn't answer her. When he unlocked the door she walked into the house and began to go upstairs.

"Elena would you mind coming into the living room for a minute, Mr. Salvatore wants a moment of your time." She froze on the stairs and sighed heavily. She walked back down and Bill let her go ahead of him as they headed to the living room. Elena's head was down as she heard the loud cry come to her ears.

"Surprise!" She heard and jumped as she looked up to a room full of people standing in front of her. Her mouth dropped open as she looked around at everyone who was there, her eyes quickly finding Damon who stood next to Stefan. The people in the room began to flood towards her. Elizabeth approached her first, pulling her in for a quick embrace and a kiss to the cheek.

"Happy birthday my darling," She said and pulled back looking Elena up and down. Elena waited for her to say something about the way she was dressed but she didn't. Instead she gave Elena an odd expression and walked away slowly.

"Happy birthday," Everyone said as they came up to her slowly one by one some hugging some kissing. Elena smiled at each of them and thanked them, but she silently wished she could just go hide upstairs.

"Happy birthday Elena," Caroline said coming up to her looking unsure if Elena would accept her being there.

"Thanks Caroline," Elena said and opened her arms for Caroline to give her a hug.

"I'm so sorry," Caroline said whispering in her ear.

"It's okay it's not your fault," Elena said quietly back.

"I missed you," She said pulling back.

"I missed you too,"

"Awe such a girl moment," Stefan said coming up. "Happy born day Lena." He gave her a kiss on the cheek and she smiled.

"Thanks," Elena made her way around the party falling in small talk with groups as she walked by. As the time went on she had to admit it wasn't horrible, even though it wasn't what she had wanted.

"I hate these parties," She heard a voice whisper in her ear and she turned around to see Ric standing behind her smiling.

"You seem to do so well though," She said and he shrugged.

"I just come for the booze," He said and she laughed.

"Well thanks,"

"Well and of course my favorite student," She looked at him.

"How many students do you have Ric?"

"Well just you but you would still be my favorite even if I had more." She laughed again and grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray from a waiter walking by.

"Like you said at least there is booze," She raised her glass and Ric met hers with his.

"Thank god for that,"

"Thank god for what?" She looked over and met Damon's eyes.

"Booze," Ric said and Damon smiled.

"Always thankful for that aren't we Ric,"

"Damn right, and for that if you'll excuse me." He said pointing to a waiter walking around carrying a tray of food and made his way after them. Elena and Damon stood in silence for a moment.

"Do you like your party?" He asked her and she nodded.

"Yes I do,"

"Good I'm glad, I have another surprise for you." She nodded again taking a sip of her champagne.

"Okay,"

"Everyone!" Elena jumped as Damon raised his voice to be heard above the noise in the room. It didn't surprise Elena as everyone in the room was instantly quiet as they all looked over to Damon. "I would like everyone to join me out in the front of the house, if everyone could please make their way out there." Elena looked over to Damon.

"What did you get me?" She asked and he gave her a devilish smile.

"You'll see," He said and put his hand on the small of her back leading her outside with everyone else following. When they walked outside he led her to the middle of the driveway and had her stand there. "Just wait here for a moment." He said and walked down the driveway disappearing behind the bend. Elena stood awkwardly with everyone looking from her to where Damon had disappeared.

"Elena dear," Elizabeth said walking towards her.

"Yes," She said.

"I think I'll take that champagne, don't you agree." Elena raised her eyebrows as Elizabeth whispered this to her and grabbed her champagne.

"Why?" She asked. Elizabeth didn't answer and walked away with the glass to join everyone else. She heard the horn of a car beep after that and turned to see a shiny sleek black car approaching her with Damon driving. Damon honked the horn a couple more times before stopping the car right in front of her and getting out. Elena was in shock for a moment and didn't even flinch as Damon wrapped his arm around her.

"What do you think?" He asked and she looked up at him.

"You really bought me a car?" She asked and he smiled.

"Do you like it?"

"Well I mean, yeah I do." She said wishing she didn't give him the satisfaction of saying she did like it.

"Well go on and look inside," he said and she slowly went to the driver's door and opened it. Elena heard a tiny bark and looked around. "Look in the back seat," He said. She shut the driver's door and opened the back door, her eyes going to a round present box sitting on the seat. Elena went to touch it and squealed as the box moved.

"What is it Damon?" She asked and went to touch the lid of the box.

"Open it," Elena did and quickly pulled the lid off the box. Two little heads poked out of the box and she practically melted . "Oh my god," She said and her hands reached out to the lift the two tiny dogs out of the box. One of them was black and a dark tan while the other was white with big black spots on the body. Their little bodies moved with excitement as their little tails wagged and she brought them both to her chest. Little tongues quickly began to lick her face and the smell of puppy breath filled her nose.

"Puppies," She heard Caroline squeal and the blonde was quickly at her side. "Oh my god they are so cute." She said and Elena offered for her to hold one.

"They are adorable," She said and pulled the little black one away from her to get a good look at him. "Are they Chihuahuas?" She asked Damon who stood close by watching her smiling.

"Yes I went and got them today and they were the last two."

"So you just got both?" Elizabeth asked walking up now.

"Well I didn't want to leave the other one lonely and I couldn't choose what one to get so I just got them both." Elena brought the little boy black puppy to her face and kissed his head.

"They are beautiful Damon, thank you." She said and he nodded his head.

"I just want my wife to be happy," Elena glanced away and looked to the puppy Caroline was holding.

"Want to trade?" She asked laughing.

The party lasted a few more hours, and Elena was happy to see the people go as she collapsed on the couch after going to grab her puppies from her room. She couldn't get over how cute they were, as she watched them play together next to her.

"What are you going to name them?" Caroline asked as she came up and sat down next to Elena.

"I was just thinking about that," She said as she studied the puppies. "She looks like a little China doll doesn't she?" She asked reaching out to stroke the little black and white one.

"She does,"

"Maybe I'll name her Chyna but with a y instead of an I," She said and picked the puppy up. "Do you like the name Chyna?" The puppy licked her nose excitedly.

"I think that's a yes," Caroline said laughing.

"Chyna it is," She said putting her down and she picked up the little boy. "And what about you, you have such a big personality for a little guy." He wiggled excitedly in her hands trying to get away to go bully his sister. She set him back down.

"What about Max," Caroline asked and Elena shook her head.

"What about Houston?" She asked and Caroline nodded slowly.

"I like that, it's got a spunk to it just like him."

"I like it too, do you like that name Houston huh cutie?" She asked and she got a little growl in an answer as he lunged at his sister tackling her. Caroline and Elena laughed and watched the puppies wrestle in silence for a moment.

"Elena?" She heard Elizabeth's voice say and she looked up to see her standing at the entrance of the room holding a bag. "Will you come with me please," She said and began to walk away. Elena and Caroline exchanged glances before she got up and caught up with Elizabeth.

"I thought you left," Elena said as she joined into step with her mother in law.

"I did I went to the drug store to grab you something,"

"Oh Elizabeth please you already got me enough," She said thinking of the diamond tennis bracelet she had opened from her earlier.

"Not another present dear, something you actually needed." She handed Elena the bag and stopped in front of the bathroom downstairs.

"What is it?" She asked and opened the bag to look inside. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw what was in the bag. "Elizabeth I don't think I need this." She said and tried to hand the bag back to her.

"You do, trust me I'm never wrong about these things."

"But-" Elena began and Elizabeth held up her hand.

"Just go take the test Elena," She reached in the bathroom and turned on the light. Elena stood still for another moment before she walked into the bathroom on shaky legs. Her hands shook as she pulled the pregnancy test out of the bag and began to read the directions after she opened it. She sat down on the toilet and pulled the top off the test and followed the instruction on how to take it. When she was down she put the cap back on and set it on the counter. Her eyes watched the blank screen and the seconds ticking by felt like hours. She turned around not wanting to look, not wanting to see what it said.

"Everything alright in there?" Elizabeth asked knocking on the door and Elena opened her mouth to answer but Elizabeth walked in. "Did you take it?" She asked and Elena nodded and watched her eyes go to the test on the counter.

"I haven't look yet," She said quietly and Elizabeth walked forward and peered over at the test and she looked to Elena. Her face was expressionless for a moment before a huge smile appeared on her face.

"Elena you're pregnant,"

"What?" She asked and turned to look down at the test. The word pregnant stared back at her as she looked at the pee stick on the counter.

"I'm going to be a grandmother, of course I think I'm too young to be called that…" Elizabeth's word began to drift as Elena felt her world beginning to spin. She gripped onto the counter as she began to feel faint and felt her legs giving out. "Elena!" She faintly heard Elizabeth cry as her body collapsed harshly to the floor and her whole world went black.

"Well is she going to be alright?" The voice was faint as it came to her ears and she began to open her eyes. At first she didn't know where she was, as her eyes focused in on her surroundings. Elena soon realized she was in her bed upstairs in her bedroom. The voices she heard, she recognized as Elizabeth and Damon's and someone else. She tried to sit up to see who they were talking to but her head began to spin again and she laid back down falling into her pillow.

"Elena," She heard Damon's voice come close to her and there was a tone of concern in it. "How are you feeling?"

"What happened?" She asked and his face came into her view. His blue eyes stared at her face with such concern it made Elena feel even more sick than she felt.

"You fainted darling," Elizabeth said and Elena tried to sit up again Damon helping her this time. He put the pillow behind her back letting her lean back. "Right after you found out you were pregnant. At first I thought it was because of shock but the doctor said sometimes pregnant woman will have little fainting spells."

"It's very true miss, I don't think we have anything to be worried about right now at this time." Elena looked to the older man in the room. Her mind flashed to the positive pregnancy test she had seen earlier and she felt faint again.

"I think I need to get some rest," Elena whispered quietly.

"Of course you do dear, I will be by in the morning. Caroline is going to take care of your puppies tonight downstairs for you so you can rest." Elizabeth came to her side and gently brushed some hair off her forehead. "You just take care of my grand baby inside of you now, don't worry about anything else." She said and gave Damon a kiss on the cheek before walking out with the doctor in the room. The room filled with silence as Damon sat down on the edge of the bed next to Elena.

"You scared me there for a moment." He said and tried to take her hands but she pulled them away.

"When can I move out?" She asked and looked at him.

"Elena…" he said his voice drifting off.

"You're not going to keep your promise to me are you?" She asked her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for his response. When he didn't respond she turned to look at him and the tears that had been threatening to spill from her eyes began to run down her cheeks. "You promised me Damon, you promised me you would let me go if I gave you what you wanted." She could hear the begging in her voice and she didn't care if she sounded weak because of it.

"I know I did," he said and sighed heavily running his hand through his hair.

"I've done everything you asked me to do, I have done everything. I have given you everything," She put her face in her hands and began to sob. She felt Damon's hand reach out to console her and she pulled away. "Don't you fucking touch me!" She screamed. Her hand lashed out and she caught him in the face. A look of surprise registered on his face, and Elena reached out and hit him again. "I hate you! I hate you!" She screamed as she kept delivering blows to his face.

"Elena, Elena stop!" Damon said catching both her fists in his hand. She let out a blood curling scream as he pinned her to the bed.

"Let go of me!" She cried.

"I will when you stop trying to bash my head it." Damon yelled his furious face close to hers.

"Because I hate you!" She screamed. "I will never love you, don't you get it."

"Shut up Elena," He said and his jaw clenched.

"Why are you doing this to me?" She said sobbing her breath hard to catch. "Why?"

"Damon Salvatore!" Elizabeth's voice filled the room and Elena tried to get Damon to let go of her wrist. "You let go of your wife this instance or help me god."

"Mom please mind your own business," He growled.

"I said now Damon!" She cried and Damon let go of Elena's wrists. "What the hell is the matter with you? She is pregnant and she is your wife!" Elizabeth came forward and helped Elena's sobbing body up off the bed. Elena saw Caroline standing in the doorway looking in with concern at the scene before her.

"Exactly she is my wife," Damon said putting emphasis on the word my.

"Well your wife will be coming home with me tonight," She said and handed Elena off to Caroline who wrapped her arms around her shoulders gently.

"You're not taking her," Damon said walking forward to grab Elena back from Caroline and Elena clutched onto Caroline and gave a terrified cry. Elizabeth stepped into his path and put her hand up to Damon's chest.

"And who is going to stop me? You?" Elizabeth laughed. "Do you see how badly you have damaged that girl tonight? Do you see how broken she is? Is that what kind of husband you want to be? Is that what kind of father you want to be? To have your child grow up and witness these kinds of fights, to see their mother treated like this? Is that what you want son?"

"I just want my wife,"

"No, not like this Damon, not while I'm still alive. I knew what this was, but I didn't realize it was this bad. I won't stand by and watch this happen," She turned to Caroline. "Go get the dogs and put Elena in the car, I'll be right down." She said and Caroline took Elena down the stairs grabbing Chyna and Houston on the way out the door. Caroline helped Elena in the car and her sobs slowly faded away as Caroline stroked her hair gently.

"I'm so sorry Elena, I'm so sorry." Caroline said.

Elena looked up as Elizabeth climbed in the back seat of the limo and looked at her. The door shut behind her and she sat down grabbing the bottle of wine chilling in the ice bucket and a glass. The girls watched as she filled it and set the bottle back into the bucket.

"Elena I want you to cry as much as you need to on this ride to my home, and then I want you to wipe your face and I want you to gather your pride. Us Salvatore women are tough, we do not sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. The path you're on may be a tough one, but that is why you need your strength and you won't get that sitting crying for yourself. Do you understand?" She asked and Elena nodded and she reached over and patted Elena's hand. "Good, I have beautiful guest rooms and in the morning we will go shopping for whatever you need while you're staying with me." Houston gave a little bark and Elizabeth looks at the little puppy inching his way over to her slowly. "And we can buy you two some things as well." She reached out and stroked the puppies head softly.

"Thank you," Elena said.

"There is no need to thank me Elena, I told you the minute you said I do to my son you were family. I meant that." Elena nodded and leaned back in her seat wiping the last of her tears away. She couldn't believe today she had started off not even knowing it was her birthday, and now it was a birthday she would never forget.