Author's note: Hi, sorry for not posting in a while. I've been away at a festival and have been busy with family and friends. I absolutely love this story and will certainly be continuing to write for it, however at the moment I am going to be focussing more attention to another story I have been dying to write. In the future, I will be aiming to update this story weekly/fortnightly depending on how busy I am, and I will aim to update the other story I'm working on a few times a week when possible. There is no way I am abandoning this story because I love it too much and would never just let it end suddenly. Anyway, this chapter features the long-awaited wedding. It seems to me that Stefan and Elena have been living in too much a bubble since getting to Texas, so we will have to see what challenges the future will hold. Hope you enjoy!

{Stefan's POV}

Tomorrow is the day of the wedding, so people are running around everywhere making sure all the final preparations are done and ready to go. Everyone who is taking part in the wedding, like the groomsmen, bridesmaids, flower girls and ring boys and of the course the bride and groom are already heading to the country club tonight to sleep over in the hotel section to help ensure a flawless run in the morning. Being one of the groomsmen, at first, I was excited to be going to the country club to stay the night, but when I realised that didn't include Elena, I wasn't so eager to go. I tried begging my Grandma to let Elena come and stay in my room, but she said that was the least of her worries since she had taken it upon herself to organise the wedding. Reluctantly, I let it go because it would have been selfish of me to kick up a fuss about it given the circumstances. Come on Stefan, you can survive at least one night with Elena, can't you?

Everyone was sat around the table, just finishing dinner before most of us had to get ready to go. It felt good to be home, despite the altercation with Damon and the missing presence of my parents. That part of me that had been missing for God knows how long, feels like it's slowly but surely starting to heal, and I guess that's all down to Elena. Normally, I would just run away from reality and emotions, in fact if Elena hadn't come with me, I'm not sure I would have even made it outside of Whitmore, never mind all the way to Texas to face my family. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my Grandma's voice.

"Right, now that everyone seems to have finished their food, I think it's about time everyone heading to the country club should be collecting the last of their luggage and heading off" Grandma announced.

Most of the people around the table nodded in agreement and started to go get their stuff, me included as I climbed the stairs to go get my bags. Whilst packing my last few items, I heard a light knock at the door and as I turned around I saw Elena standing there with a half-smile her face. Instead of returning her smile, I just pouted with half fake, half serious sadness.

"Awwww does my poor baby not wanna leave me?" Elena asked whilst crossing the room and wrapping her arms around my neck. I just wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her neck, whilst mumbling 'nope'. "Come on Stef, it's only one night. You'll see me in the morning" she tried to reassure.

"Yeah, but when I'm in bed, who's going to be my little spoon to cuddle? The hotel pillows aren't going to have anything on you" I whined like a little boy making Elena laugh.

"How do you think I feel? I'm not going to be able to sleep with out your big warm arms protecting me" Elena replied mimicking my whiny voice.

"Hmmm, how about this?" I asked whilst taking my hoodie off and putting it on her. "It's warm and it smells like me, so there you go".

"I guess it's a little better but it's not the real thing. I'm going to miss you" she whispered just centimetres from my lips.

"I'm gonna miss you too" I whisper back and lean into her lips. Her soft lips welcome mine in a slow emotion filled kiss, like always our desires grow and our make out session becomes more heated. Just as I'm about to press her into the mattress, we're interrupted by someone clearing their throat. I groan and shoot a glare at the door.

"Dude, will you stop kissing your girlfriend and get your ass out the door. I'm getting married tomorrow and I need you to get in my car, so we can go to the hotel" Harry said amused.

"Fine" I mutter through gritted teeth. Harry just grinned and turned around to leave. "Babe, I gotta go".

"Okay, see you soon" Elena replied and let go of me. I planted a soft kiss on her forehead and grabbed my bags walking out the door.

Walking down the stairs, I realised how shitty that goodbye was and even though it's cheesy, I had to go back. I barrelled back up the stairs and burst through my bedroom door.

"I forgot something" I blurted out.

"Wha…" Elena tried to ask but I cut her off with my lips. I kissed her with everything I had, knocking her breathless. When I heard her silent moan and felt my lungs starting to burn due to lack of oxygen, I pulled away and pressed my forehead against hers. She just laughed breathlessly when I pecked her on the lips and started walking to leave.

XXXXXXXXXX

After a few hours of getting ready, me, the other groomsmen and the bridesmaids were setting up along the sides of the altar before the guests arrived. All of the groomsmen were wearing dark grey suits with black shoes and a white flower in our suit jacket pocket. The bridesmaids looked beautiful in their violet floor length dresses. Harry came walking down the aisle to prepare himself at the altar, it was weird, I couldn't believe one of my cousins that I grew up with was getting married. I walked up to him and gave him a man hug.

"You look great man. How you holding up?" I ask.

"Thanks Stefan. I'm good. I don't get this whole thing about getting cold feet, you know? When I look at Amara, I have no doubt that she's the person I want to spend the rest of my life with" he said with a smile on his face. I just nodded with a smile in response.

"I'm happy for you. Good luck" I say giving him another hug.

Minutes later, the guests came flooding in and taking their seats. I couldn't stop myself from scanning the crowd to find Elena. Then I saw her walking in with my Grandma. I didn't think it was possible for someone to look more and more beautiful. She was wearing a pastel pink dress that had had white flowers on it and a pair of navy flats that complimented her tanned legs. Her hair was wavy and her make up was natural, which made me glad because she didn't need make up to look gorgeous. She looked over and blushed a little and smiled when she caught me staring at her, I smiled back at her.

All of the guests took their seats and quieted down, to allow the ceremony to start. The small orchestra they had hired started playing 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri and then Beau and Taylor and some other kids started spreading flower petals across the aisle as Amara followed them. She looked stunning in her lace white dress and veil. It made me wonder, what it would be like if I was in Harry's position and it was Elena walking up the aisle. Woah, Stefan calm it. I mean yeah, I love Elena, but thinking about marriage is way too over the top. I know Elena is going to be a part of my future, but I don't feel any need to rush things. The next step for us will obviously be me asking her to be my girlfriend, but I don't know when to do it. I want it to be somewhat romantic and I want it to be soon, that's for sure.

The service isn't lasting too long, they didn't want to rush it, but they didn't want to make it drag, so they're already at the 'I do's'.

"Do you Harry Salvatore take Amara Bevington to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do".

"And do you Amara Bevington take Harry Salvatore to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do".

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Harry you may now kiss your bride" the marriage officiant said with a smile on his face.

Harry leaned in and kissed Amara causing everyone to erupt into applause and cheers. The orchestra started playing once again as they walked down the aisle hand in hand.

Everyone taking part in the wedding had to gather again to have our photos taken, whilst the remainder of the guests went to the function room until some were called for photos. I had my photo taken with Harry and Amara, Harry and all the groomsmen, all the groomsmen and bridesmaids, Beau and Taylor and then everyone in the wedding got one together. The photographers followed us inside to the function room, so they could take photos of the other guests after we had food.

Spotting Elena at the bar, I started weaving my way through the crowd of the guests. When I got up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist suddenly to catch her off guard, she gasped, and I knew I had achieved my goal. I planted a soft kiss on her neck.

"Hey you" I said as she turned around in my arms.

"Hey you" she responded with a smile and kissed me on the lips. "How did you sleep?"

"It was awful, I hardly slept at all without you" I said sounding like a total sap, but it was true.

"Really? I slept amazingly, it was so nice to just go one night without some guy slinging his heavy arms around me" she said teasingly. I squeezed her sides making her squeal in response.

Some of the waiters and waitresses came out and motioned for everyone to sit down and get ready for food, so I grabbed Elena's hand intertwined our fingers before walking across the room to the table where we were seated. We were sat down on a table with my grandparents and some of my aunts, uncles and cousins. The table fell into light conversation about how amazing the ceremony was. Then I remembered I hadn't told Elena something.

"You look beautiful by the way" I leaned into Elena's ear and whispered. I backed away a little to give her room to turn and face me. Our lips were no more than an inch away.

"Thanks, you look beautiful too" she replied. I have no idea why, but her comment made me blush, she just raised her eyebrows at me and I laughed shyly. She leaned in and pecked my lips, then returned to the conversation. I turned back to the conversation too and found my Grandma smiling at me, I returned her smile.

After eating our delicious food, the DJ prepared on stage and introduced himself and announced that it was time for the first dance. 'All of me' by John Legend started playing as Harry led Amara to the dancefloor. Their first dance was over, and the DJ started playing feel good party anthems that are probably played at every wedding in the world. Instead of following the crowd to the dancefloor, I headed back to my seat. Don't get me wrong I'll have an occasional dance but it doesn't mean I love to do it.

"Hey, come dance with me" Elena said as she approached me.

"I don't really like dancing. I'm sure Taylor or someone will dance with you" I replied, and she looked at me funny.

"Nice try but you danced with me at the masquerade ball" she said pulling on my tie.

"Well, that was a slow song. If you're expecting me to get my party moves out, you're gonna have to get me drunk" I tell her, and she rolls her eyes.

Instead of replying, she walks over to the bar and comes back with four shots. She sits on my lap.

"Fine, two shots of tequila each" she said matter of factly. Rather than arguing I just smirked at her challenge and knocked my shots down.

A few drinks later, Elena was still happily perched on my lap with her arms around me as we swayed a little to the music. All of a sudden Elena leapt of my lap, and then I realised it was because Maroon 5 one of her favourite bands was playing.

"Come on Stefan, please, please, please, it's 'Sugar' by Maroon 5 you know how much I love this song" she begged giving me her puppy dog eyes. Even though I wasn't drunk, I couldn't resist, so I just got up and pulled her to the dancefloor.

I span her around a few times and then pulled her close to me. We started dancing to the beat of the song and she raised her eyebrows at me.

"Wow, you really have got some moves" she said in surprise.

"Told ya" I responded cockily.

I then grabbed her and dipped her, which made her giggle, but I silenced her with a kiss.

We continued dancing for the next few songs and had people coming up to us telling us how great we were together. One of my aunts even asked when I was going to pop the question, I just laughed in response and said that I'd maybe do it further in the future. 'The Way You Look Tonight' by Frank Sinatra started playing and I pulled Elena even closer to me, we both had one arm wrapped around each other as our other hands were intertwined. Her head was on my chest and I ducked my head down so that my nose was grazing her temple. It was like everything was frozen in time and it was just me and Elena in our own perfect world. I can't remember the last time I was this happy and at peace with the world. It didn't matter that a few days ago I had tried to knock my brother out, it didn't matter that I'd been heartbroken in the past and it didn't matter that Elena once hated me. All that mattered is that I had Elena, and I wanted to have her for as long as possible and that meant taking the next step. After my parents died, Damon was given my father's ring and I was given my mother's necklace as a reminder that they would always be with us. To this day, I carry that necklace with me wherever I go. When I was younger, I adored both of my parents, but everyone knew I was a momma's boy. I remember asking my mom about what love is and she replied with…

"Love can be many things, Stefan. But true love is where you love someone so much that you can't imagine your life without them and you would do whatever it takes to keep them in your life. It's about making them happy no matter what, because that in turn will make you happy. It's being able to put someone else's needs before your own simply because you love them. When you find that Stefan, you should never let it go".

Remembering that moment in time made me smile, I realised that Elena was the person that I shouldn't let go. I didn't care if it was too soon, in my opinion I had waited long enough. I pulled away from Elena just enough to look at her and she looked at me with slight confusion.

"Elena I've got something I want to say" I say nervously and concern washes over her face. "Don't worry, it's a good thing. Well I think it is anyway. Elena, I know things between us have sort of been fast and a bit of a whirlwind since we arrived here. But I got everything I wanted, which is you. I guess part of me knew that if I asked you to come here, then maybe we could happen. Obviously, it worked because we're here now, like this. God, I'm babbling. Anyway, what I'm saying is that I love you Elena and when I envision my future I see you in it". I reach into my pocket and pull out my mother's necklace and show it to her. "Elena, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Oh my god, Stefan. You didn't have to" she said motioning to the necklace.

"No, it's something I've had forever, and I've never wanted to give it to someone until now" I say back shyly. She grabbed my face with both hands and caressed my face.

"I love you Stefan Salvatore, of course I'll be your girlfriend. The necklace, it's beautiful" she said and leaned up to kiss me. She then turned around, so I could put the necklace on.

"Looks perfect" I whispered in her ear.

Once again, she lifted her hands to caress my face, she leaned in and placed a firm but affectionate kiss.

"Stefan, take me upstairs" Elena breathed out against my lips.

Before I knew it, we were stumbling through my hotel room door and grabbing at clothing. I kicked the door shut and Elena immediately pushed my jacket off and was frustratedly trying to work on my tie.

"Hey Elena, slow down baby. I want to do this right" I say tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. In response, she nodded and laughed nervously.

Slowly, I leaned in to capture her lips with mine and she responded passionately. With one hand on her cheek and the other on her neck, I pulled her closer so that our chests were pressed together. Her hands rubbed up and down my chest and slid to my tie again, this time I helped her take it off. She began working on the buttons of my shirt and pushed it off my shoulders, then she started kissing along my collar bone and chest whilst running her hands up and down my abs. Reaching out, I grabbed her hips and pushed a little, so that she would turn around. I brushed her hair over one shoulder and then grabbed the zipper and pulled it down the length of her back. As my fingers lingered on the skin of her back, I felt her shiver. Pulling the top of her dress down her arms, I leaned in and pressed kisses on the back of her neck and down her shoulder blades. We both kicked our shoes off as she turned to face me. Looking into her eyes, all I could see was love and adoration, which told me to carry on. I leaned in to kiss her again, she unbuckled my belt as I pushed her dress the rest of the way down. I stepped out of my pants as she stepped out of her dress, it was as if we just pressed pause for a moment as we looked at each other. The way her matching white lace panties and bra contrasted her tanned, olive skin was almost too much. Meeting each other's gaze again, our lips met in the middle as my hands grazed the skin of her back and unhooked her bra. I tore my lips away from hers and began my mission down her jaw, neck and then to her chest. Our heavy breathing filled the room, and when my lips lazily locked around one of her pert nipples, Elena elicited a moan and wound her fingers tightly in my hair. Lifting her in my arms, I carried her over to the bed whilst keeping my lips fixated on her breasts. Her legs tightened around my waist as we flopped down on the bed. My lips trailed from her chest down to the waistband of her panties, when I got there I placed a kiss on her most sensitive spot, I could feel how ready she was for me and it made my already throbbing length grow harder. She tugged on my hair, bringing my head back in line with hers, so she could kiss me.

"Is this okay?" I asked just to be sure.

"This is more than okay" she replied breathlessly, giving me the green light.

Kneeling up, I grabbed her panties and slipped them off her legs and, on the way, back down I left a trail of kisses down her leg, making her moan more. She adjusted her legs around my waist so that her feet were at my hips and kicking my boxers down. This was it. I kissed Elena on the lips when I slowly slid my length into her. I intertwined our hands either side of her head. Our lips detached as we both moaned, and I started a slow and steady rhythm. Elena's hands gripped and scratched at my back as I rocked into her. God, she was so tight. It was like I was in heaven.

"I love you so much. You're beautiful" I whispered in her ear as we made love.

"I love you too" Elena managed to get out.

Burying my face in her neck, I could hear Elena's panting and moaning in my ear and I could tell I was getting close, so I started to thrust a little faster and harder. From the sounds she was making, Elena didn't mind at all and was clearly close herself.

"Oh god Stefan. Don't stop" she moaned loudly.

She didn't have to tell me, I wasn't stopping for anyone. Her walls tightened around me and I continued thrusting into her as she rode out her orgasm. I looked down at her face, her hair was sticking to her face, her eyes were screwed shut and her mouth was in the shape of an 'o'. One more push and I was gone, I came apart and as I went through my orgasm, Elena stroked up and down my back. I rolled of off her and pulled her to my side instantly, so that she was half lying on top of me.

"That was amazing" I whispered into the air.

"You're telling me" she responded just as breathless as myself. "So, that was sex with Stefan Salvatore, huh?"

I shook my head no and she looked at me confused. "That was making love with Stefan Salvatore, I'll show you sex some other time" I teased with a wink.

"I can't wait. I love you" she said and pressed a kiss to my chest.

"I love you too. Goodnight" I responded.

We fell asleep in each other's arms, and I knew that I had everything I ever needed.