This is probably my favourite in the whole series!
Something tickling the end of Stefan's nose woke him. He batted it away but whatever it was, it was relentless. Stefan opened his eyes and came face to face with a grinning Lexi. She was using a strand of her hair as her weapon of choice.
If he was dreaming about Lexi on the morning of his wedding it was going to be a good day, he could feel it in his bones. He stretched and smiled at her.
'Hey,' Stefan said as he slid his arm behind his head. He'd learned a long time not to reach for her, sometimes it made his dreams fade faster and he woke with an ache in his chest.
'Hey yourself,' she said resting her head on Klaus' empty pillow.
'I'm getting married today,' Stefan whispered.
'I know, I'm your wedding gift from Klaus, at least I'm one of them,' she propped her hand underneath her cheek. 'Klaus by the way!'
Stefan sighed. 'We're complicated.'
'No, you're having fun. I watched you with Elena, you were content, and happy and satisfied, and you're all those things with him too, but you're having fun. He's fun,' Lexi grinned. 'And you're kinky.'
'That's vourisym!' Stefan said but Lexi wasn't bothered, and neither was he. He knew Lexi wouldn't have invaded his privacy that way, she would have left before things got too intimate. Hopefully.
'Yeah well you're both worth watching,' Lexi shrugged. 'He's also head over heels for you, you know that right? He's the most dangerous and powerful creature on earth and somehow you've turned him into your little lap dog, or should I say bunny?' Lexi teased.
Stefan smiled and he couldn't resist any longer, he reached out to touch her. Her skin was warm and he felt his heart swell when she didn't fade away as she had so many times before. He swallowed and tried to hold back tears as his hand cupped her shoulder.
'Hey, what's wrong?' She whispered.
'I miss you so much, I don't want this dream to end,' Stefan said. 'I dream about you all the time but this is the most real it's ever felt.'
'That's 'cause it is real dummy. I told you, I'm your wedding gift. A few witches owed Klaus and he collected,' Lexi stroked his hair.
Stefan sat up. 'You're real, in the flesh?' Stefan said as he touched her skin.
'Yes,' Lexi laughed. Stefan did too, pulling her against him to hug tight.
'So how do you feel about walking me down the aisle?' Stefan said.
It was a surprisingly small gathering, perhaps thirty people. Most gaped at Lexi but Stefan ignored them as she walked with him to the alter. Klaus was strolling along alone with his hands in the pockets of his white suit. He looked amazing. They arrived together, just as Caroline had planned, but before anyone spoke Stefan reached out to Klaus and pulled him close for a kiss.
'Thank you, thank you so much,' Stefan pressed his forehead to Klaus'.
'I told you, anything, I'll do for you, as long as it's within my power,' Klaus whispered.
They kissed again and Elijah cleared his throat. 'Normally you kiss after the ceremonies,' he advised smartly.
'I'll kiss Stefan whenever I damn well please!' Klaus snapped but they put a few inches between them and turned to the officiant and listened as she began to speak.