A/N: This is the second last chapter of Secrets, Lies and Love. Sorry again for having to cut it short. There is still time to cast your vote. Alaric, Jeremy or Neither. Please see my profile page for the poll.

Chapter Fourteen

Ten Years Later...

When Ella woke up on the morning of July eleventh, confused. It took a few seconds for her to remember where she was. When it finally dawned on her that she was in her old room at the Salvatore Boarding House she smiled. It had been a long time since she had slept in this room and it still held some great memories.

It was where Jeremy had proposed to her when she was eighteen. It was technically where she had found out that Alaric was in love with her. It was where Damon had given her his mother's ring. There was so much history here, so much love, but pain as well.

With a sigh, Ella sat up and swung her legs off the bed. The wooden floor was cold under her feet and it sent a shiver up her spine. Still she got up and hurried to her dresser to pull on some socks. Her feet felt almost instantly better.

"Ella?" a familiar voice called from the other side of her bedroom door with a soft knock.

"Come in," she responded, turning to greet Caroline as she entered the room. "Morning Care...or should that be Aunt Caroline?"

Caroline laughed. "You know I hate it when you call me Aunt, it's weird."

"Well...you did marry my Uncle," Ella pointed out with a grin. "It does technically make you my Aunt. Just like Elena is my stepmother."

"And she hates it when you call her that too," Caroline reminded her.

"That's what makes it so much fun," Ella laughed.

"So...are you nervous?"

Ella walked over to her bed and perched on the edge. She considered the question, taking in how she felt at that moment before shaking her head.

"No. I'm not nervous at all. This has been a long time coming, I'm excited and I'm ready."

"You two have definitely been through a lot to get here. I can't believe it's been ten years."

"I know!" Ella exclaimed. "It's been a long time, but it's here now."

"That it is!" Caroline beamed, sitting next to her best friend. "I can't believe you're getting married today."

Ella's smile lit up the room. She couldn't believe it either, in just seven short hours she would be a marrying the man she had loved for more than ten years. Unable to contain her excitement any longer, she jumped up onto the bed and began bouncing.

"I'm getting married today!" she squealed loudly. "I'm getting married today!"

Running could be heard outside the room and a few seconds later Damon, Elena and Stefan burst into the room looking worried. When they saw Ella bouncing on the bed, giggling like a school girl while Caroline watched her, laughing, they all relaxed.

"We heard screaming," Elena said, stifling her own laugh.

"I'm getting married today!" Ella answered.

"Ella, get down off the bed," Damon instructed, but he was smiling.

"Nice Dad," she grinned. "Very authoritative."

"But you're not coming down are you?" he laughed.

"Nope."

"Fine," Damon nodded. He grinned mischievously then ran to the bed and jumped up himself.

Ella squealed happily as the two bounced up and down on the bed. Everyone was laughing hysterically at the pair. It was a full ten minutes before they stopped jumping and got down off the bed. When they did, Ella threw her arms around Damon's neck and hugged him tightly.

"I love you Dad," she told him.

"Love you too, kiddo," Damon responded, hugging her back. "Always will, even when you're married."

"I'd hope so."

"Come on you two," Stefan laughed, shaking his head. "There's a lot to get done today."

"So as two married couples, do you have any advice?" Ella asked her family.

"Breathe," Elena told her. "Remember I nearly fainted because I was so nervous and worried that something would go wrong and I forgot to breathe?"

"I remember that!" Ella exclaimed. "We thought we'd have to carry you down the aisle!"

"Luckily you didn't," Elena smiled, blushing slightly.

"Tissues and extra make-up is also a must," Caroline piped in. "Crying, a lot of crying, is coming your way. Before the ceremony, during the ceremony and after the ceremony."

"Remind me again why people put themselves through this?" Ella asked. She was beginning to feel nervous and nauseous.

"It's worth it," Stefan assured her, looking lovingly at Caroline. "You'll be spending the rest of your life with the person you love more than anything else in the world. The second you're pronounced husband and wife nothing else matters."

"Wow," Caroline breathed. "After all these years honey, you still know exactly what to say."

"It's a gift," Elena smiled.

"It's annoying," Damon countered with a playful punch to his brother's shoulder. "We should get going. We're meeting Matt, Ric and Jeremy at your place to get ready. Bonnie will be here soon to get ready with you three."

"And the twins?" Ella asked, suddenly worried. "Where are they? They were with Bonnie weren't they?"

"I believe Bonnie is bringing the little rugrats here," Damon answered with a shrug. Ella knew he adored them even though he called them rugrats. "They are girls after all."

"Ok," Ella nodded with a smile. "We'll see you at the church."

"I'll be waiting to walk you down the aisle," Damon promised.

They all said their goodbyes and then it was time to get ready for the wedding.

TBC...

Don't forget to vote for Ella's future husband!