Elena grumbled as she felt someone nudging her gently, "Elena wake up." No..
Her eyes fluttered open as they met Damon's and he grinned, "We're leaving in an hour, moms waking up Stef now so I thought I'd wake you up before she comes in."
"Right," She muttered as she stretched her arms and threw the covers off of her, she gave Damon a quick smile before returning to her own room just before she heard Mary knocking on Damon's door before her own.
"Morning Elena, we're leaving at 7 so I thought I'd wake you up now. See you downstairs," Mary said before disappearing. Elena grinned and let out a sigh of relief. The last thing I need right now is Mary seeing me sleep in Damon's bed with him.
After showering and straightening her hair, she threw on a dark pair of jeans and white blouse before applying a touch of makeup to freshen up her face. Once she was done she gathered her stuff together. She headed downstairs where she found all three Salvatores waiting for her.
"Sorry," She mumbled as she headed into the kitchen. Uh oh I kept them all waiting.
"Its quite alright dear, we're actually early. How would you like to stop off for breakfast on the way down, rather than cooking something now?" Mary suggested, Elena nodded happily as she followed them out to Mary's car. They packed their stuff into trunk of the car before Mary and Stefan slid into the front, leaving Damon and Elena in the backseats.
Once they'd buckled up Mary started the car up and soon began on their journey. The ride down was silent as both Stefan and Elena had fallen fast asleep leaving Damon and his mother to talk.
"Did you have a good night last night at the party?" She asked as she drove down the freeway.
Damon grinned at the memory of kissing Elena, "It was fun. We left shortly after midnight."
"I heard you come in," Mary acknowledged, "I also heard Elena sneaking out of your room this morning."
"Mom-"
Mary smiled softly, "I know you didn't do anything. Just don't let her go Damon, she's special."
"I know," Damon replied as he looked over at Elena who began to stir. She opened her eyes softly and let out a yawn as she stretched in her seat.
"Sleep well?"
Elena grinned at Damon, "Definitely. How far away are we now?"
"About 2 and a half hours. We'll stop off in about half an hour, we're halfway through North Carolina." Thank god, if I don't eat soon I swear my stomach will end up embarrassing me.
Elena nodded happily as she pulled her phone out of her bag grinning when she saw she had a message from Caroline.
Bon and I miss u already! Have a good trip and keep us updated. See you school when you get back :(
She grinned and quickly typed out a reply.
I'll call u later at the hotel. Don't even mention school!
After a quiet drive through North Carolina they finally found a diner and service station, Damon and Elena headed into the diner whilst Mary woke Stefan up.
"So did you hear what my mother was talking about in the car?" Damon asked as he walked by her side.
Elena shook her head and raised an eyebrow, "No. Why?"
"Oh it was nothing important," Damon brushed off, feeling a little relieved. They quickly found a table and sat down, Elena immediately grabbed a menu and scanned her eyes eagerly. Within seconds she found what she wanted and put the menu back down.
"Someone knows what they want," Damon commented with a grin as he picked up his own menu.
"Yeah well someone is extremely hungry," Elena answered, her stomach rumbling to prove a point. They both shared a laugh and settled down as they saw Mary and Stefan heading towards them.
After finishing at the diner they continued their drive down to South Carolina they made it to North Myrtle Beach where Damon's grandparents lived. Elena's face was pressed firmly against the window as they drove through the town, fascinated by the sights. I am in love with this place already!
"We're about five minutes away from the hotel," Mary confirmed as she glanced back at Elena smiling.
Elena nodded but didn't take her eyes away from the window, "Its beautiful here."
"That it most certainly is," Damon replied as he gave her a grin. Does he have to look at me like that? My insides are melting!
A few minutes later they pulled up outside a quaint little building which Elena made out to be the hotel. The four all got out of the car and each carried their own bag into the hotel. Mary walked up to the reception desk and was immediately recognised by the owner.
"Mary my dear, it's great to see you again!" An older lady around Mary's age exclaimed as she made her way around the desk to greet her friend.
"You too Annie!" Mary replied as she hugged the woman back, Annie squeezed her so tightly as they spun around. Damon and Stefan laughed at the strange exchange of affection between the two friends. Elena raised her eyebrow but smiled. What is going on?
"Damon, Stefan it's wonderful to see you both how you've grown so much since I last saw you! You've still got that black mop of a hair style," Annie teased as she hugged the two boys tightly. Damon grinned, surprising Elena completely at his reaction.
When Annie pulled away she then turned to Elena, "And who might this beautiful young woman be?"
Elena grinned, "Hi I'm Elena. A friend of Damon and Stefan."
"My my, aren't you beautiful!"
"She is isn't she," Mary agreed happily as she linked arms with her friend, "We're about to head to my parents, we must catch up later!"
"Of course! I'm sure Pete will be able to run the place on his own tonight." Annie agreed, "I'll just get you your room keys and then we'll sort out a time."
Once Annie reappeared with their keys she guided them onto the first floor where their rooms were. Luckily Elena's room as across the hall from Damon's and Stefan's shared room, she opened the door and walked in smiling at the small but cosy room she had been given. Wow, I can tell that I am going to love this place already.
She placed her bag down gently on the bed before walking over to the window which overlooked the beach. She let out a content sigh as she admired the beauty before turning around to see Damon gazing at her curiously.
"Hey, are we going now?" Elena asked as she sat down on her bed, Damon immediately sat down next to her.
Damon nodded, "In a minute, we're just waiting for mom. Do you like it here?" Like would be an understatement.
"Like it? Damon I love it, this place is perfect! You didn't tell me we were staying right on the beach."
Damon shrugged, "Thought it would be a nice surprise."
"Well color me surprised."
"I'm glad."
"So Annie seems nice," Elena commented as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"She is. She went to high school with my mom and they've kept in touch ever since," Damon explained as he put an arm around her.
Elena smiled, "That's sweet. Damon I-" Before Elena could continue Stefan opened the door to her room, "Moms ready to go now!" As much as I love Stefan I am going to kill him one day.
Damon reluctantly got up, helping Elena up with him before heading out of the door silently cursing at his little brother. Once they were out of the hotel they walked along the pathway beside the beach until they reached a beautiful villa facing the beach. Mary opened the gate excitedly with Stefan following behind shortly. Damon hung back a little as he saw Elena hesitating slightly.
"What's wrong?" He asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I, I guess I'm just nervous to meet your grandparents. What if they don't like me?" I can't stand the thought of them not liking me.
Damon grinned goofily at her, "Elena trust me, they will love you. My mom does, Stefan does and I certainly do. Just be yourself." Did he just tell me he loved me?
Before Elena could even take in what he had just told her he was already by the front door with his brother and mother, Elena smiled to herself before joining them. Mary tapped on the door gently, her mother opening it almost immediately as she stepped outside with her husband.
"Mary darling!" She exclaimed as she threw her arms around her daughter and kissed her on the cheek. Her father grinned as he shook Damon's and Stefan's hands before patting them on the back, "It's good to see you boys."
Once Mrs Rosenthal had pulled away from her daughter and greeted her grandsons she then turned to Elena. "And you must be Elena! It's great to finally meet you, my two grandsons haven't stopped talking about you these past few months!" Mrs Rosenthal greeted as she pulled her into a warm hug. Now I see where Mary gets it from.
"It's nice to meet you too Mrs Rosenthal," Elena said, blushing slightly, "And you Mr Rosenthal."
"Please, you can call us Linda and John," Mrs Rosenthal said giving Elena a warm smile. This is where Mary definitely gets it from. She then led the four into the house and towards the kitchen, "I'm preparing lunch now so I hope that you're all hungry!"
"When am I never hungry," Stefan joked as his stomach made a strange noise, Linda ruffled his hair and grinned, "That's my boy."
John turned to Damon as he walked beside him into the kitchen, "So kid, got yourself a nice young lady yet?"
"Not yet," Damon confirmed, "But there may be someone that I possibly like."
John grinned, "Come, tell me about her kiddo."
As Damon and John walked out onto the patio Elena followed Linda into the kitchen, "Do you need any help?"
"Would you mind prepping the salad? I hope you like chicken pie."
"Of course," Elena agreed as she walked over to the worktop and began chopping tomatoes, "You have a beautiful home Mrs Rosenthal."
"Why thank you dear. It's great to have you down here to visit. Stefan and Damon, especially Damon hasn't stopped talking about you over the phone. I feel like I already know you." Wow, Damon talks about me?
Elena beamed, "Really?"
"Yes," Linda answered truthfully as she grinned at Elena, "I think you've played a bigger role in his life than you expect dear."
"We've only known each other for 5 months now, he had it in himself to change and he has," Elena said as she smiled to herself.
Linda grinned, "Yes he has, but he just needed the right person to help him along the way and that my dear was you. Trust me, a grandmother always knows best."
After lunch Linda had ushered the four out of the house so that she could prepare for dinner in the evening as she discreetly slipped some money into Damon's hand, telling him to treat Elena to something nice. He grinned and tried to decline, telling her that he had his own money but knew she wouldn't give in so he took it.
"So, what are you all planning to do now? I think I'll go back and see Annie," Mary said they walked out of the gate.
"Well I was hoping to show Elena around, if that's okay with her?" Damon asked as he turned towards Elena, she nodded happily and smiled, "Of course."
"That's alright, lets all forget about poor Stefan here," Stefan joked, causing them to laugh. Mary patted his back soothingly as she laughed, "You do remember that Annie has a daughter around your age."
Stefan grinned, "On second thought, I think I'll go back with you mom." Oh Stef..
After saying their goodbyes, Elena and Damon hurried away. "So where are we going?" Elena asked curiously as she walked beside Damon.
"Aha, that's for me to know and you to dot dot dot," He replied with a glint in his eye.
Elena pouted, "Oh come on you have to tell me." I will get him to tell me. I must.
"Sorry princess, I don't see that happening. Pouting won't work on me."
Damon glanced at her again and noticed she was still pouting, "Still not happening." Damn.
"Alright," Elena started coyly as she grinned, "What about if I do this?"
She stopped in her tracks and placed a soft kiss on Damon's cheek, "Working yet?"
Damon let out a small moan, this girl would be the death of him, "Maybe." Gotcha.
"Well," Elena whispered, "If you're lucky maybe next time it will be on the lips."
"Do it and find out," Damon uttered out as his eyes locked onto hers.
"I could," Elena mused as she smirked at Damon, "But you'll have to catch me first."
She tore off along the beach, Damon stood dazed for a moment before realising she had gone. He groaned as he chased after her, he smirked as he grew closer and closer. Finally he caught her and tackled her to the ground, she rolled over so that she was on top of him pinning him down. Now this I could get used to.
"Thought you'd never catch me," Elena teased as she placed a small peck to his lips. She then got up and brushed the sand off of her attire. "Now, where are we going?"
AN: Hope you enjoyed this chapter, it's not my favourite but hopefully you guys like it. Leave a review and let me know ;)