A big hug and thank you to May for making me an esthetic of Damon's proposal in chapter 24. It's on my facebook page it you want to have a look.

Rik is sitting on the bed, watching Damon get ready for the ceremony. He can't help but feel a little smug, he has to admit that he's quite impressed by his young friend's determination. He never dreamed that he would propose and have a wedding organized in just two days after he found his Elena. Shaking his head, he can't keep the grin off of his face as he remembers how bold Damon was when he proposed to her only a few short days ago.

It was obvious to him that Milos and Jarmila were a bit taken aback by it all but he was impressed that they didn't even try to talk to dissuade Elena. They knew just as well as he did that there would be no talking her out of it. She looks like a meek and fragile little flower but he's equally impressed with her determination especially when it comes to Damon.

When he happened to glance at the good doctor, he was smiling like the cat who ate the canary. Rebeka too was visibly excited, hugging Elena tightly as soon as her guardians let her go. The young blonde is a beautiful girl. It's a little perplexing to him that no one has snatched up such a lovely girl by now. Despite everything, Rik still is flabbergasted that they have been able to put a wedding together in under a week's time.

Damon stares at himself in the mirror. It feels a little strange because he hardly recognizes the person returning his gaze. He touches his face with his fingertips, he just doesn't look the same. Is it that he's older? For a minute, he's frozen, completely oblivious to everything around him. Although he doesn't look half dead anymore, he's still considerably underweight, Elias suit is too big for him but it's the best they could do on such short notice. Unable to look away, he still can see the haunted look reflected back at him. When he thinks about surviving three years in Terezin and somehow escaping the greater hell of Auschwitz, it's beyond miraculous really. He's far from the naïve boy he was before the war. Swallowing thickly, he snaps out of it when he hears Rik clear his throat.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just.. I feel a little guilty for asking her to get married like this. She deserves the world and I'm offering her a quickly cobbled together ceremony."

"She loves you, Damon. She doesn't care about the pomp and circumstance. All she wants is to be your wife."

"I promised her and her family that one day I will give her the wedding that she deserves. One with cake and ice cream, flower girls, ring bearers and the whole works." Looking into the mirror again, he straightens his tie. He intends to keep his promise to her but for right now, he only needs her and the certificate that says that she is officially his because he knows as long as she's at his side, they'll be able to withstand everything that life throws at them. A smile forms because he knows that she isn't angry or disappointed but someday he still wants to give her the wedding that she probably dreamed about when she was a little girl. When he looks up, he sees Rik standing behind him with an amused expression on his face. He rests his hands on Damon's shoulders and gives them a squeeze.

"You're a lucky man, Damon. We have a wedding to go to." He steps in front of Damon to adjust his tie for him. When he finishes, the two men embrace as brothers.

"Thank you, Rik. I can't imagine this day without you standing at my side."

After Damon takes one more look in the mirror, they leave the room to wait for Elena and the rest of the ladies to finish dressing.

Elena stares at herself in the mirror, still not quite believing that she's going to be Mrs. Salvatore in just a few hours. Mrs. Nova and Jarmila are putting the finishing touches on her dress while Rebeka works on her hair and even puts a little rouge on her lips and cheeks. She wants to cry when she thinks about how Jarmila, Rebeka and Mrs. Nova insisted that she have a proper wedding dress.

It's a white square neck, tea length frock with pearl buttons all the way down her back. It also has an appliqued bodice and skirt, the waist is fitted around her petite figure. Rather than a veil, her hair is pinned up and she wears a white bow at the base of her skull. Once she's dressed, Jarmila opens up her palm to reveal a pearl necklace. She gives her daughter a kiss and then secures it around her neck.

"Something borrowed. It was my grandmothers." Elena can't hold in her tears when she hugs her guardian. When they separate, Rebekah pins a small sapphire pin on her dress. It's a light blue Ceylon sapphire cluster pin that forms a spray of lilacs.

"Something blue," Rebeka smiles, kissing her on each cheek.

"Thank you."

"Oh my dear, I will miss you," Mrs. Nova says, giving Elena's hand a squeeze. She wipes a tear from the corner of her eyes and then picks a pair of stockings, a hard commodity to come by during the war. "For your something new, I got these by bartering with a soldier who wanted a pretty scarf to take home to his wife."

"Oh Mrs. Nova, thank you." Elena hugs her too. She turns to face herself in the mirror again. She knows that Damon is determined for them to wed again and in style, she doesn't need that. All she needs is him. She's determined never to wish for anything big again because God and fate and whatever else is good in the universe was kind enough to bring him back to her.

However, she can't help but hope that Damon's other big wish will come true. He wants to find his father. Staring as if in a trance, she has to wonder how Dr. Michalek and Milos managed to get permission and all the correct papers in order for them to be able to marry so quickly. Suddenly she feels Jarka smoothing her dress and fixing the folds. She hears her sniff and then turns around to embrace her.

"Mama," she breathes out naturally. Now that her tears are falling, Rebeka shakes her head, offers her a handkerchief and then proceeds to do her makeup all over again.

The small marriage ceremony takes place at Newtown Hall at Charles' square. Rik stands beside Damon as his witness while Elias takes his place beside Elena as hers. Their guardians and Rebeka stand close to the happy couple. The small wedding party also includes Jan, who Milos holds in his arms as well as Mrs. Nova, her husband Tomas and Mr. Benes. As they stand in front of the Mayor, Damon can feel Elena's hand trembling, he gives it a squeeze for reassurance. She gifts him a small smile that tells him she's perfectly alright and dare he say happy so nothing can ruin this moment for him.

For them.

After the ceremony, they return to the Michalek home where they all have a lunch. Rebeka and Jarmila truly outdid themselves. They prepared a traditional Bohemian platter consisting of roast duck and pork that Mr. Benes brought with him. He explained that he has his way, then laughs and mentioned that he has relatives that live in the country. They also have red and white cabbage, bread, bacon and potato dumplings.

Rebeka and Elias surprise everyone with a genuine wedding cake. Elena is speechless again but her happy tears are thanks enough. Because they still have rations and money is a rarity, Elias is often given things like flour and sugar as payment for his services. As they partake in the feast, Damon has a good feeling that this is going to be a wedding to remember.

No matter the rush or the circumstances, it's been the perfect day. Damon can't stop looking at Elena, she's beautiful, truly beaming with happiness. It's his greatest desire to see her like this forever. He's more than content just to sit there and breathe in the friendly atmosphere and watching his wife she's truly happy among her friends and family, their friends and family.

It's a good feeling, one that he hasn't felt since his mother was dragged away from the theater. He feels a pinch of melancholy because she isn't here with him today. He raises his eyes and silently tells her he loves her. He hopes that somehow she can hear him.

Rik notices the brief glimpse of pain that washes over his friend. He doesn't want Damon to be sad today so he leans over and lays his hand on Damon's forearm, giving it a slight squeeze to silently tell him that he understands. When their eyes meet, Rik suggests, "Maybe you want to take your bride for a private ride?"

Speechless, Damon looks around. When his gaze lands on Elias, he can see that the doctor's eyes are full of mirth. He wonders what the two of them have conjured up. He stands to follow Rik onto the porch. His mouth drops open when he sees that a carriage is waiting for them. "How did you...?"

"You know what? Don't thank us, just take Elena in your arms and we'll see you tomorrow. Sometime...," Rik grins and pats his shoulder. Elias is already bringing Elena, also the others come outside to see them leave. Elena is stunned and in awe too. The first thing she does is pet the horses. The second, she latches onto her husband's hand allowing him to help her inside. Damon then climbs in, taking the seat beside his new bride.

They wave at their family when the driver starts to pull away from the curb. When they turn the corner and onto the main street, Damon asks the coachman; "Can we drive along the theatre?" The man doffs his hat and with a smile on his face, he nods. "Of course sir, I've been instructed to do that very thing by the Doctor."

Their hands are tightly entwined as they enjoy their day. The ride through Prague on this warm summer afternoon is breathtaking. When they reach the theatre, the driver pulls over to the side of the road. Damon jumps out and then lifts Elena to the ground. They hold hands and walk around, looking at the ornate structure where they met. He feels a chill when he touches the door handle. Even though the place holds both good and bad memories, he doesn't want to go inside. So with Elena at his side, they walk around to the back alley.

His breath hitches and he squeezes her hand tightly when they reach the little window. Stooping over, he touches the glass pane. His heart starts to pound wildly inside of his chest when he unconsciously touches his forearm, suddenly feeling the flesh ripping off of his bones all over again. It's feels as real as when the dogs did tear him apart.

When Elena sees him flinch, she pulls him up. She links her arm in his and then the two return to the carriage. As soon as they're back in, Elena wants nothing more than to lay her head on his shoulder but it wouldn't be proper so they have to settle for keeping their hands entwined on the space between them on the seat. Damon is similarly torn, he's very much enjoying the ride but he wants to be alone with his bride.

Shortly before six, they arrive at Damon's house. He gets out and shakes the driver's hand while thanking him. And then instead of helping Elena to her feet, he lifts her up to carry her over the threshold. He doesn't stop until they reach the living room. After carefully setting her down, he pulls her close enough to kiss her properly.

"All afternoon I have been longing to do that."

Elena gives him a beaming smile and happily obliges, locking their lips together again. When the need to breathe tears them apart, Elena steps back, her bosom heaving as she sucks in a much needed gulp of air. Once she's back on an even keel, she brushes another wispy one to his mouth and then walks around to take in the room a little bit.

Rik and Damon spent the last few days here trying to get the place in some kind of order. Their impending wedding was motivation enough to get him to clean up the mess. They focused on turning his room into their room and getting the living room and kitchen in some kind of order too.

They're very lucky that they have their own place and Damon didn't need to deal with changing the other rooms yet. Although she knows he's happy, she also sees the winsome look on his face. It's obvious to her how much he misses his parents and his grandparents because she feels the same melancholy when she thinks of her own family.

Elena looks around, knowing that there's still much of the place that needs work. She doesn't want to think of them on this day, the happiest one of her life, but she can't help but feel a pang of bitterness at what they did to not only Damon but also to his home.

He follows her gaze. "I'm sorry, we tried to have it ready for us to stay here, I'll work on the rest as soon as possible."

"Damon…" Elena puts her hand on his face and turns it to her. "We will work on it when you are ready, whether that's tomorrow or next week or next year. Stop apologizing. I don't need a big wedding or a fancy house, I just need you, I love you…"

Damon will never get tired of hearing her bright voice, especially when she's saying the sweetest things. "And I love you..."

They kiss some more, lazily, savoring each others taste. He realizes this is the first time they're officially alone together. Elena doesn't seem to be nervous, but he's not sure. Their only experience of being intimate was a little… disconcerting, but maybe in a good way? He wouldn't trade it for anything. After years of dreaming about making love to Elena, he feels ready but he has to do it right.

"I want to make love to you. So much. But… are you nervous?" he whispers breathlessly.

"A little?" her answer sounds more like a question. The light blush on her cheeks is beautiful. "But I do want to be with you. I'm not scared. I was…," she breaks off, words escaping her.

"What?" Damon urges, wrapping his arms around her middle.

"I was… dreaming about you…"

Damon regards her with a brilliant smile. "One day I'm going to tell you about dreams I had of you."

Elena's blush deepens and Damon's smile is beaming, so enjoying the effect he's having on her. He feels almost giddy and suddenly, not a bit nervous at all. He catches her in his arms and runs up the stairs into his, their room.

Elena holds onto him for dear life but her lips are smiling. Once there, he sets her on the floor, carefully undoes the buttons on the back of her dress and her shaky fingers do the same with the ones on his shirt.

He helps her from the dress, deliberately keeping his eyes on her face. Then he cannot wait any longer and pulls her back into his arms where she belongs. The rest of their clothing is shed in no time. Only their underwear still protects their modesty. As Damon pulls back the covers on the bed, Elena crosses her arms over her chest nervously. Damon smiles gently and offers her his hand to bring her closer. Elena doesn't hesitate. She takes it and sits next to him, she lets him lay her down on the pillow.

I want nothing, if I can have her this way for the rest of my life...

Unbelievably happy now his eyes begin to roam all over her body. Strangely, she doesn't feel the least bit self conscious. When Damon adds his fingertips to where his eyes touched her first, she leans into it and pulls him closer. While his hand gently slides along the edge of her panties pushing it in little lower, his mouth unexpectedly circles her nipple through her lingerie first one side and then the other.

It all feels so natural to him, being with Elena is as easy and as necessary as breathing is. His lips and mouth can't seem to leave her skin as he travels down her Aphrodite like body, taking the last piece of her underwear with him. Wanting this to last as long as possible, he takes his time worshiping her body until she's trembling and shaking uncontrollably. He can feel his own control slipping away so he quickly slips off his own underwear and then crawls back up her body. He wants to ask but she nods before he can voice the words. He joins their mouths in a torrid kiss. When he pulls back, he sees that her eyes are full of love and adoration.

There's no fear. Only absolute trust. Damon's amazed that she doesn't try to hide, she's opening up to him in every sense. An overwhelming wave of emotions washes over him. With their eyes joined, he sighs in anticipation and then buries himself inside of her. He drops his forehead against hers to try to get his emotions under control. Being connected with her like this, it's like coming home again.

In no time his body starts moving on its own accord, his powerful thrusts pressing her into the mattress. The friction caused by their bodies sliding together is Nirvana. He revels in her soft whimpers and the bruising clench of her fingertips on his back. It's been so long since they were together like this. As much as he wants this to last endlessly, he can already feel the maelstrom coming and wants to take her with him.

In the final moments as he's on the cusp of oblivion, his hand slips between them to tease her and with a slight change of angle, a tidal wave of intense pleasure washes over her. Her body reacts so strongly, her walls gripping him so tightly that it pulls him over the edge right along with her.

Sometime later they're both laying awake in the dark. Elena is snuggled in flush against his chest, his arm embracing her and gently caressing her bare back. Damon can't help but think of how incredibly lucky he is. Despite all the odds against him, he made it through hell and so did his best friend. He's here with the one person that he couldn't bear to lose. Now that she's his wife, he will never have to say goodbye to her again.

Despite all of what he told Rik, he does want her to know everything about him and finds himself wishing he could share even his heaviest thoughts with her. He is beyond grateful to be alive but he sometimes wonders how can it be fair when his children, the Brundibár group and the rest of them all perished? When he feels her fingertip drawing circles on his chest, he brushes a kiss to the top of her head. He doesn't want to spoil their wedding night with such sadness.

"I can hear your mind whirling a mile a minute," she lets him know by murmuring against his chest.

He smiles and starts traveling his fingers over her back, her still soft voice will never cease to amaze him. "Sleep," he whispers, "You must be tired."

Elena turns her head to study him, he can see her face illuminated by the glow of the silvery moon. "So should you, you have hardly gotten any sleep either these last few days," she sounds concerned and out of nowhere the truth slips over his lips.

"I can't sleep..."

"What?" Elena looks confused. "Never?"

Damon sighs and opens the can of worms, praying it's not a mistake, doing this on their wedding night. What kind of memories will she have...?

"I... I got so used to your presence, in the theatre, it was the best feeling in the world, having you next to me, waking up to your smile. And then... at the camp, there was never enough space for us to sleep without touching. I always felt Rik or some other guy next to me. When there was no one beside me.. I couldn't sleep well or sometimes not at all. It still keeps me awake these days."

She watches him for another minute then nuzzles her nose against his neck, her hair falling over both of them. "Tell me about it. Please. I want you to share everything with me. We're one now, Damon."

He hesitates but his resolve not to bring it up tonight slips. "It won't be pretty... I don't want you to think of our wedding night in connection to this."

"I need to know, Damon. We used to tell each other everything. You knew and understood me even though I couldn't say the words. And I don't want you to have to carry this alone. This night is a good one to start. What is mine it is yours too. And what is yours.. it's mine. If you hurt, I hurt..."

Once the dam is broken, he can't stop talking about the horrors he witnessed, his kids, losing Rik, the man who was sent to Auschwitz in his place. It all spills out. Elena listens till the brink of dawn. He feels freer.

Elena doesn't look shocked or scared, her calming touch works magic on his agitated mind. Although it's early morning, it's still dark and then he finally sleeps. For the first time in years, with Elena in his arms, he sleeps long, peacefully so and for once he's given a reprieve from the terrors that the night usually brings.

The newlyweds don't get up until noon. Damon rolls her beneath him and starts to kiss her till she's breathless. He drops his mouth and blazes a trail of heat along her jaw and when he reaches that soft spot behind her ear, goosebumps erupt on her skin.

His hips sink down and hers raise up joining them together again, both gasping at the exquisiteness of it. Slow strokes soon give way to the frantic slap of skin against skin, as Damon presses into her, his pleasure filled moans drowning out everything else. When he drops his mouth the soft spot between her neck and shoulder, she hurtles over the edge, crying out his name and dragging him right along with her.

Several minutes pass before then Damon lifts his head, he looks into her eyes and suggests they take a bath together, leaving her to make the decision. Elena is overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness and at the same time eager to dive into this new exciting life with her husband. He gets up and with a wink, he lifts her into his arms and carries her into the bathroom where they join again as man and wife.

In the afternoon they go to spend some time with their family. They have dinner and then before they go home Damon and Rik make plans to look for Damon's father. The two friends make arrangements to meet at the train station tomorrow morning. Neither Damon or Elena want to get up but knowing Rik will be waiting, they force themselves to do so and before noon, all three of them are on a train bound for Pilsen.

It's not a long ride, but they have to go through document controls at least twice before they're allowed to move freely. However there's a cheery atmosphere which makes things a little easier to bear. The three of them are mildly optimistic. The first thing they do is look for a place to stay overnight. This is a whole new world for Elena, who's never left Prague before.

Although she keeps a tight grip on Damon's hand, she feels safe with her husband and Rik as her bodyguards. The hotel looks like it's seen better days but at least they have shelter for the night. They get settled and then wash up. Damon suggests that Rik and Elena get some rest while he goes to the nearby military unit that the hotel clerk mentioned to him.

He's hoping that he won't have to jump through too many hoops to find out if they know anything about his father's whereabouts. Elena and Rik exchange glances knowing this is Damon's way of asking for space so they happily agree. Elena manages to swallow words of encouragement because she's aware they wouldn't be welcome at the moment.

Damon walks through the streets. The town looks quite healthy but it's not free of war wounds. He thinks it would be hard to find a city or village in Europe that's free from war wounds. Either they've lost young men or civilians or their town is laid in ruins, perhaps even erased from existence like Lidice and Ležáky.

When he feels anger beginning to brew, he has to stop and take a deep breath to calm himself down. He happens to notice a sign for a pub so he walks inside to ask for directions. After thanking the barkeeper, he makes his way down the street until he comes across the building that the US Army is using as an office.

Damon feels fortunate that there aren't many people waiting in line ahead of him. It doesn't take long at all before he finally gets the chance to speak to the officer that is responsible for evidence of the missing and the dead.

"What can I do for you sir?"

"I'm looking for my father. I have a reason to assume he came here with the US Army."

"His name sir?"

"Giuseppe Salvatore."

The officer's mouth forms an 'o' as comprehension dawns. "You mean Giuseppe Salvatore, the virtuoso?"

Speechless, Damon's heart starts slamming against his chest. His mouth opens and closes and when nothing comes out, he nods vigorously.

"You're lucky sir, you can see his performance tonight at the People's House."

Humungous thanks to all of you for reviews, follows, favorites, encouraging words, support and most of all your friendship. You are all truly the BEST group of people.

Huge thanks to Eva. You're the one, my friend, my sister, my co-writer and I love you dearly.

Chapter title: 'The Mind Maelstrom' by Sirenia.

I am not the best at describing fabrics, so I have posted a picture of Elena's wedding dress on my facebook page.

Florencia7 has so many beautiful DE stories. Salvatoreboys4ever is the author of the seductive story, 'Captive of Her Beauty. Justinia Korax has a page turner in "Hole in Her Heart'. Her story "My Deathless Heart" is excellent as well. Vamphony is on hiatus but she has several great stories. Mariah April May just began posting, "Marry Me Instead'. TheLittle MissVixen says new is coming soon and Deepwater1978 is a writing machine. Her story "The Game" is in progress. They are all the nicest people, wonderful friends and great DE writers.

Have a safe and a wonderful day. Thank you all again, we'll see you next with the TIWWM update.