Coming Home Chapter 13: Belong

After that last semi-chapter, it's time to get back to the story, right? I promise, this chapter is magnificent. Seriously, I'll be waiting for reviews of love and happiness and unicorns. ; )
I own nothing, but if the Nian breaking up rumors are true, hopefully one day I'll own Ian's heart?

"Ow, ow, ow..." Bonnie said as the five of us trudged our way back to the jeep after spending literally all day on the beach. Poor Bonnie, being the only human, was burnt. Even though she stayed under the umbrella all day, her fair skin sensed the sunlight and burned anyway. Haha. The worst part was none of us were willing to risk giving her some of our blood to heal her because of what that blood may or may not do to baby D.
"Seriously? None of you will give this poor burnt pregnant woman a drop of your magical healing blood? Ugh." Bonnie rolled her eyes as the other four of us looked at one another and tried to stifle smiles in response to her over reaction.
"Bon, you do realize you're a witch, right? You can just do some anti-sunburn spell and vioala, you're magically cured." I said, turning around to face her as she came up behind me. I couldn't help the smartass grin that found its way onto my face.
"Son of a- I did forget."
Caroline gasped. "Wait, so now I have a partner in ditziness?!"
"Looks like it, for another, oh, seven months?" Katherine replied. At Care's giddiness, Rebekah vamped to the car before she could be reeled into the hug fest about to take place. I liked her thinking. I followed and we watched from the safety of the car as Caroline hugged the living shit out of poor Bonnie who I suspected was blushing. There was no way to tell, she was red all over.
"You guys suck." Caroline said as she opened the hatch to replace the beach items we'd been using all day. She promptly stuck her tongue out. I couldn't resist, I turned around in my seat, made sure to make eye contact with her, vamped for a second and baring my fangs. "I know we do." I smugly responded and then I stuck my tongue back out at her. The entire car burst into hysterics. Even me. She chuckled as she shut the door and climbed into the drivers seat to take us all back to Falls Church. On the ride home, everyone had knowing smiles plastered to their faces.
Something was going. Nothing good could result from all these women being able to keep the same secret, whatever it was.

7pm: Salvatore Boarding House

Stefan was standing on the back patio, directing Alaric and Tyler who had between them a gigantic marble fountain we'd been meaning to put in the back yard for ages. Somewhere along the line, Alaric and Stefan had switched places and Stefan was calmly standing with his head cocked to one side.
"Little more to the left. Perfect!" With a grunt both men dropped the base of the marble fountain the remaining inch to the ground.
I walked out and took in the scenery. "Guys, this is perfect. Thanks so much. She's going to be astounded." I said, truly in awe of what these three had done in such short time.
The fountain flowed in the center of a rose garden that my mother used to have. Stefan had managed to find rose bushes this morning to plant in the exact place where the old ones stood so many years ago. Roses in every color dotted the miniature maze that led to the fountain in the center.
The rest of the back yard was cut and strands of white lights had been draped over the ancient sycamore, oak, and maple trees that sporadically lined the edges of the property in the back. The lights weren't on yet, but when they were, the whole scene would look like a fairy tale.
I had spent literally all day in the kitchen with Elijah cooking Elena's favorite meal.
"Care says they're on their way back now, should be here by 8." Stefan called from the patio. It was crunch time.

Stefan, Matt, Tyler and Alaric went upstairs to shower and collect Klaus before heading out to Atlanta for the night to drink and get Klaus' mind off of everything that had happened recently. Elijah washed up as well and waited in a tux to greet Elena when she got home. Everything was going to plan, so far.

I went upstairs to my room and took a hot shower. I entered the bedroom and put on a pair of black dress pants, white dress shirt, black bow tie, dress shoes, and black jacket. The bouquet of roses I had for Elena lay on the bed. She would definitely freak when she saw those, I thought to myself and a smile spread across my face. This was going to be epic. One way or another. I looked at the clock and read 8pm on the dot. I heard the jeep roll up the driveway and knew...
It was show time.

Caroline out of the blue (well, not so much for her) decided to stop off on our way back into town to dress shop. She insisted on buying me a dress that I particularly liked, mostly because it looked eerily similar to the dress I wore to my first Miss Falls Church pageant. The color was dead on, but the shape of the dress was more mature. The neckline dove lower and it was tea length instead of floor length. It had what I'd always called poof in it, making the skirt fluffier. Caroline demanded that I try it on with these black strapped stilettos. I did look stunning. A she rung it all up and paid, I tried to get forgetful to spill the details of what the hell was going on.
"Okay Bonnie, spill. What awaits me when we get home?"
"What the hell are you talking about, Lena? I don't remember anything about something going on." She replied. I could tell she was telling the truth. Poor thing, her memory was already haywire and she wasn't even through her first trimester. I conceded defeat and allowed myself to fall prey to whatever awaited me at home. Things got even weirder before we left, though. I was left in the fitting room without anything to wear but that damn dress and shoes. Very odd...even for Caroline. I decided to roll with it and fix up my hair while I was at it. By the end of the whole ordeal I looked damn sexy.
The rest of car ride home was eerily quiet. Something huge was up, I just knew it. God help me, what was I walking into?
We rolled up the driveway, having passed what looked to be all the guys heading in the opposite direction. I was beyond confused. Why would Caroline insist on dolling me up if no one was home? She put the car in park and I got out. Katherine grabbed the door and shut it, locking it before I could get back to it. Caroline waved innocently and then backed the jeep up, turning around and heading in the same direction the guys were going.
Shit. What the hell wa-
"Miss Gilbert?" I heard Elijah's soft voice ask from behind me. I turned and gasped. There stood Elijah in a tux. He was beautiful. He offered his hand and I took it as he assisted me up the stairs in my stilettos.
"Why, thank you Mr. Mikelson." I replied in my best southern accent. He guided me to the front door and as I turned to ask him what was going on, he disappeared. Seriously? Who or what in the almighty was on the other side of that door?
Fear gripped me as I slowly turned the knob on he front door and gently pushed it open. My mouth fell open and tears welled up in my eyes as I took in the scene before me.
Damon fucking Salvatore was standing in the main room, a fire blazing in the fireplace. He had a glass of champagne in each hand and the most contented, beautiful smile I'd ever seen on any man, ever. He was wearing a suit that fit him in all very right places and made me feel hot all over. He offered me one of the champagne flutes and I took it from his outstretched hand, never breaking eye contact. I was swimming in a sea of cobalt and I could have drowned in it and died the happiest woman ever.
He offered his arm and I linked mine with his. "Shall we?" Was all he said as he nodded his head in the direction of the dining room. Of course I said yes and went very willingly with him.
Again the tears threatened behind my eyes as I took in this scene. Two places were set up, a blood red candle burned between he settings and the food was awaiting us under silver plate covers. I could smell it all already. Damon had cooked every one of my favorite foods. He guided me to my seat, pulled my chair for me and gently pushed me toward the table, placing a feather soft kiss to my temple as he went. He sat across from me and counted to three.
"1...2...3." We both uncovered our plates at the same time. Apricot-Cranberry Salad with Pecans, Fetticuini Alfredo, cinnamon glazed apples, and home made chocolate ice cream lay before me. It was unbelievable.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked up at Damon, who was wearing the most genuine smile I'd ever seen him have.
"Wh-what is this? How did you? Why?" Was all I could manage. He had literally rendered me speechless.
"Because you deserve it, Elena. I wanted to give you the evening you should have had all those years ago."
It was all I could do not to sob, so instead I asked another question.
"But, how did you know my favorite foods?" I knew I had never told him before...or had I?
"Because I know you Elena. You've been by favorite topic of study all this time." He replied. My answering smile practically split my face in half.
"Now lets eat, the evening has only started." He looked at me with his signature smirk and I knew I was in for it, whatever it was.

Elena looked even more amazing than I'd ever thought possible. I needed to remember to thank Caroline tomorrow. Having over a hundred years under my belt helped me to hide the utter terror flowing though my veins as I guided her toward the feast. Her reaction to it all almost made me forget the plan. She kept almost crying and although she probably thought she was hiding the tears well, I knew her too well for them to go unnoticed. This was going to get wet.
We ate in comfortable silence. When we finished, those feelings of utter terror returned to my gut. This was where it was do or die. Deep breaths, Salvatore. I pressed the button on the remote next to me and "I Have and I Always Will" by Dave Barnes begins to play on the patio.

I guess it's because I just do
Following heaven's clues
This is a big mystery
How I found you found me...

Damon takes my hand and pulls me into his arms in front of the fireplace. Lost in the moment, all I can do is lose myself in his scent, the warmth of his hand as it slowly strokes my back through my dress. He pulls me close and whispers "You look magnificent, Elena Gilbert." I blush as he pulls away to look me in the eyes. What he says next makes a few stray tears stream down my face. Thank god I didn't put any makeup on.

And you are changing now
You're part of me somehow
And I will never be alone

In your darkest hours
Will I love you still?
I have and I always will

"I love you so much, Elena. So much that it hurts when you're not right next to me." I choke back tears as the comment leaves my lips.

I watch as tears stream down Elena's face. I gently wipe them away with the pads of my thumbs. My hands remain on either side of her face, rubbing soft circles on her cheeks. Slowly, slower than I thought I could ever move again, I bring her lips to mine. The kiss we share in that moment, to that song, in front of the fireplace where our whole relationship formed, is filled with every moment we've ever shared, every feeling we suppressed. It's a gentle kiss, a deep kiss, the type of kiss only two people who were meant to be together could share.
As our lips part, I watch the tears fill her eyes, but remain there, refusing to fall.

I have and I always will

"I love you too, Damon."
"I've got something to show you..." Damon says as he pulls me toward the back door that leads to the back patio. The song fades and a new one begins. Just before he opens the door, he abruptly turns to me and kisses each of my hands as he holds them in his.
The door opens and I am once again rendered speechless.
Norah Jones' "The Long Day Is Over" plays as I take in the fairy tale that was just this morning nothing more than a back yard.
White lights twinkle in the trees that line the back yard. A miniature rose maze is planted where stumps used to be. Red, yellow, pink, orange, and purple roses line the path that leads to the most beautiful marble fountain I have ever seen. Lights twinkle from the gazebo erected around the fountain and thin translucent curtains are tied aside around the pillars holding up the roof. Rose petals cover the path of the maze. I look over to Damon and realize he's been watching my reaction this whole time.
"Damon, this is...wow. It's like..."
"...a fairy tale? Yeah, it is. And to make it magical, these are for you." He says as he produces from behind his back a bouquet of two dozen BLUE roses. Blue!
"Oh my god. Damon, they're beautiful." I gasp as I take them from his extended hands.
"Yeah, they're alright. I figured you could show them how to be beautiful, though." He smiles my favorite smile and I place a kiss on his lips.
"Thank you." I say as he takes my hand and we walk through the maze.
"So those stumps were your mother's rose garden?" I ask.
"Yeah. She would have loved you, 'Lena. I wish like hell you could meet her."
"Me too."

The song ends and a song I've never heard before begins playing...

Wake up lonely with you by my side
One more night it doesn't feel
There are movies playing in your eyes
You dream of our fortunes...

We reach the fountain. And I realize that Damon is nervous. He can't be...

The moon is the only friend I have outside
One more drink and I'll be healed
I told you the words and then knew it was a lie
I wish I could offer an appeal

So much for hiding my nervousness. It's time. Before Elena can start talking, I go for it.

"Elena, you know I've loved you ever since I first laid eyes on you all those years ago. You were my brother's girl and all. I never thought I would have even the slightest chance to make you mine. Then he left you. And I watched that summer as you fell out of love with him and miraculously in love with me. You fought against your feelings for all those months. Then you died..."

What I'd give for that first night when you were mine
Tried with all that I have to keep you alive

"I remember when I realized you were dead, not knowing how Meredith had saved you. My entire existence stopped right there. Any kind of life without you in it isn't worth living to me. That damn sire bond messed everything up and then you turned it off, because I told you to. You walked out on me that morning and although it stung, just knowing you were out there somewhere, I could keep going until you came back to me."

I wasn't taught this way
With a thousand things to say
I was born with a broken heart

"Seeing you walk through that door last week, and everything that's happened since. I cannot imagine another day where you aren't next to me, Elena. I love you so damn much. No words or actions will ever be able to even begin to show you the depth of my love for you. The way I feel whenever you're near. I don't deserve you. I've been a jerk, I've put you through so much. But still, you accept me. I'll never understand why, but I'll never ever take a second of your love for granted. You complete me, Elena."

What I'd give for that first night when you were mine
Thought you were mine

"Elena Gilbert, sweetheart, I have to ask you...will you marry me?"
At this point I've made it down onto one knee and as I say the last sentence, I open the ring box and present it to her. She's sobbing at this point.

So I'll put this cigarette to bed
Pull some sheets from off your side

"Damon Salvatore. You have made me question everything. You've done unspeakably horrible things. You've hurt me so many times..."
"But I love you. More than anything or anyone I've ever known. You've made me feel alive more so after death than before. I fought for so long to not feel anything for you, but it was useless. I was meant all along to love you. To be yours." A smile breaks across my face as I think about every moment he and I have shared.

"You are the love of my existence. So yes, Damon. I will marry you." I say with a face splitting grin and tears flooding my face.

I put my arm around you safe in the night
Still dreaming of fortune

He stands and slides the ring on my finger. We both look up at the same time and as the song ends, I leap into his arms, my mouth crushing his with passion, excitement, and above all, love.
Damon deserves me. I intend to make him believe that. We have all of eternity, after all.

But you're wrong
I don't belong
You're wrong
I don't belong
I don't belong

Elena's speech causes my own tears to fall. I, Damon Salvatore, age 162, am weeping. I slide the ring onto her finger and the next thing I know, she's in my arms, kissing me with passion, excitement and love. I kiss her back with all of that and something else, too. Awe. This woman just agreed to spend forever with me. Not Stefan, me.

Time stops for us both. We stand there in front of the fountain and make out until the sun rises on a new day, and a new life I never thought would actually happen...