A/N: Three weeks?! I am so sorry I let it go this long before updating.
Also, I know things are kind of "happy" for Stefan and Elena right now. But you hopefully knew that I have a few more obstacles for them!
"Let's do a feeling check-in before we start" Dr. Erickson said, taking a seat across from Stefan. He could sense that Stefan was feeling a little anxious on that particular morning, as though something was really weighing on his mind. It was early on a Monday. Dr. Erickson didn't normally meet with clients before 8 AM, but Stefan had called over the weekend and asked to switch the time and day, and he sounded insistent. So Dr. Erickson obliged. He liked Stefan and had watched Stefan come a long way in the last few months.
Stefan's eyes immediately found the wall with the emotion charts. There was an animal one for the kids, with an angry lion and a happy hippo. Stefan always thought it was a stereotypical poster, but he never said anything. If it got the kids talking, so be it. His eyes found the chart with just the emotion words. He scanned it a few times, taking his time deciding on which one he felt. "Anxious" he decided. He figured Dr. Erickson already knew that.
"Could you please explain what has you feeling anxious?" Dr. Erickson asked, sitting in a relaxed position as he waited for Stefan to answer.
"A lot of things" Stefan began. He sighed, completely exhausted. He was going into work with Elena, but he hadn't slept at all. Even with Elena asleep next to him, his brain wouldn't shut off. "I start working again today" he mentioned. It had been close to eight months since he worked last.
Dr. Erickson nodded. "It has been a while" he said. "Returning to work after a long absence can be stressful" Dr. Erickson agreed, validating Stefan's feelings about it. "Do you have a plan? If you get too anxious or stressed?" he asked.
Stefan shrugged. "My brother is my boss, and he told me I could work as little or as much as I want" he answered. So, he could go home early if he needed to. "And Elena will be working there too, so I'll have her" he added.
"Sounds like you have a support system set up" Dr. Erickson smiled. "I'm really happy to hear that you are taking this step" he added.
Stefan nodded again. "Me too" he said. "I have Elena in my life again and I want to be able to provide for her, for us" he said honestly. Sure, it might not be the exact same lifestyle he had provided for her when they were married, but he got the feeling that she hadn't been completely comfortable living like that anyway.
Dr. Erickson smiled again. "So you and Elena are in a relationship again?" he asked.
Stefan nodded. "We're taking things slow" he assured him. "But it's nice having her around. She's the kind of person who makes you feel good about yourself, even when you're feeling your worst."
"What makes you feel the worst about yourself right now?" Dr. Erickson asked, sensing there was more.
Stefan leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. "I'm terrified I'm going to hurt her again" he admitted quietly. It was a nagging thought in the back of his mind. It had been there all along, but some days it bothered him more than others.
"Physically, or emotionally?" Dr. Erickson asked for clarification.
"Both" Stefan answered. He ran his hands over his head and sighed. "Lately, I have this urge to drink. Like I did back before I went to rehab" he said, completely disgusted with himself. "I don't know why, because my life is really good right now. I was given a second chance by a girl with the most amazing heart. I have a house I love and a job with my brother. I have everything that I had before, so I know what I have to lose, and yet I want to drink" he rambled on. "What is wrong with me?" he asked. He had asked that question a lot in his sessions.
Dr. Erickson let his question hang in the air for a moment. "What was your mother's way of coping with stress?" he asked.
Every muscle in his body tensed upon hearing the question. "I don't want to talk about her today" Stefan said. He hadn't wanted to talk about her the past few sessions.
Dr. Erickson nodded in understanding. "I know this is a difficult topic for you" he said, empathizing with him. "You also know my thoughts and beliefs on early childhood experiences and how those impact behavior and coping in adulthood" he reminded gently. "I'm just wondering if watching your mother cope has had any impact on how you cope" he told him. "Both biology and environment are strong factors."
Stefan shook his head, not really agreeing or disagreeing with Dr. Erickson. "So I'm screwed either way?" he asked. Would he never be safe enough, or good enough for Elena?
"Most definitely not" Dr. Erickson assured him. "You're here, and I know you want to work on being the best person you can be, for you and for Elena."
Stefan lowered his head slowly. "Is it fair to make Elena wait around and hope I don't mess up again?" he asked. She deserved happiness and stability.
Dr. Erickson smiled gently. "That's not up to us to decide" he reminded. "Elena has seen you at your best and worst, and she chose to be with you again" he mentioned. "I think you have to accept that she can make her own decisions. You have to keep working on you. Let her worry about what she wants or deserves out of life" he explained., sensing Stefan's insecurities about keeping Elena around.
Stefan thought about Dr. Erickson's wise words, agreeing that Elena had been the one to initiate their relationship again. "Elena wants to start meeting as a couple again" he said.
"We'll get you on the books" Dr. Erickson promised.
"Thank you" Stefan said with a long sigh. He felt a lot better, verbalizing his fears. Much, much better.
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Stefan was happy to be back home after his session. He carried the coffees he had picked up on his way home and juggled them in one hand as he unlocked the door. The first thing he saw was Elena in the kitchen, packing lunches.
"Hey" she smiled, wrapping a sandwich of some sort and placing it in a brown paper bag. "I thought I'd pack us lunches for our first day" she explained.
She used to pack his lunches when they were married too, and he loved the thoughtfulness behind it. He really loved the notes she would leave in there for him, telling him how much she loved him. "Thank you" he said, walking around the counter to kiss her cheek. "I picked up coffee" he added, setting her cup down.
"Thank God" she said, relieved. "I'm not going to have time to make any." She finished with the lunches and wiped her hands off.
It was then that he noticed the floral print dress she was wearing. He made a mental note to thank Katherine for the dress having sleeves and not being cut too low in the front or back. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You look beautiful" he whispered.
It made her smile. "Thank you" she said, turning slightly to kiss him. "How was your appointment?" Elena asked.
Stefan thought about how down he had felt going in to the session, and the things that Dr. Erickson had asked him to think about. His mood had drastically changed when he came home and saw Elena. "It was pretty good" he replied, hugging her closer. "I told him we wanted to set up an appointment together."
She was relieved to hear that. It sounded like he was getting something out of his sessions, rather than just going because others wanted him to. She turned around in his arms and placed hers around his neck, gazing into his eyes. "I'll tell you every day Stefan. I am so incredibly proud of you" Elena told him.
He never really knew how to respond when she did tell him that. "It means a lot to me to hear that from you, after everything" he admitted.
Elena smiled softly and rubbed his shoulder gently as she prepared to leave his arms to grab her things.
He had other ideas though. She felt herself being pushed backwards until she gently bumped into the countertop. His lips were crashing down onto hers without giving her any bit of warning.
He nearly had her up on the countertop when she finally, and reluctantly, pushed on his chest and pulled her lips from his. "We can't be late on our first day" she reminded him, smiling from the exciting rush he had just given her. It was nice to be wanted.
"Our boss is my brother, remember?" Stefan asked, his lips mere inches from hers again. "Let's be a little late" he said suggestively. Truthfully, he wasn't ready to give up spending all day at home with her.
Elena shook her head, quite amused with him. "We can't have special treatment. Everyone will hate us" she told him.
Stefan shrugged. "Again, our boss is my brother. Who cares if they hate us" he told her, leaning forward again to steal another kiss.
Elena ducked her head though and got herself out from between Stefan and the counter. She grabbed her coffee, her bag and their lunches. "Maybe we can build that into our schedule" she mentioned casually, turning back around as she held all of her things for work.
"Build what in?" Stefan asked. He knew exactly what she meant, but watching her blush from embarrassment was worth playing dumb.
"You know what" she said, calling him out. "Come on, let's go" she encouraged, trying to change the subject.
"I'm serious, build what in to our morning?" he asked, following her out the door.
Elena shook her head, feeling her cheeks warm at what she meant. "You and me time" she answered, giving him the PG version.
Stefan opened the Jeep door for her. "And what will we be doing during this time?" he questioned.
"Showering separately if you don't stop this" she replied, getting in. Stefan broke out into a smile, one she had been seeing a lot lately and that gave her a lot more hope than she had six months ago. "I did miss you this morning though" she added.
Stefan felt a little guilty for leaving her. "No more morning appointments. I promise" he said, leaning in and kissing her quickly. He shut the door and jogged to the driver's side to get in. He glanced over to his right and found Elena looking at him, a smile on her face. He knew already that it was going to be a good day.
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"I could call in sick" Damon said, watching as Katherine picked her clothes up off of the floor. He was still in bed, a sheet covering his lower half. He was leaned up against the headboard of his bed, his hands behind his head and his legs crossed at the ankles.
Katherine pulled her pants on and turned around to face him, smirking. "Stefan and Elena start today. You need to be there for that" she reminded. "But it is nice to know you'd rather stay home with me" she told him.
He couldn't take his eyes off of her when she stood in front of him with no shirt or bra on. "This weekend" he said thoughtfully.
Katherine finally pulled her shirt on, much to his dismay. "What about this weekend?" she asked.
"Let's get married this weekend" Damon told her. "Just you, me, my brother and Elena."
"Have you told them about us yet?" she questioned.
"They'll support us" Damon assured her.
Katherine simply nodded. "Okay" she said. "This weekend." She came and sat down on the bed close to Damon. She looked at him, her dark eyes searching his blue ones. "Just don't tell Stefan I'm sick" she said. "I don't want him worrying until he has to." She cared far too much about Stefan to let him worry about her. He had enough to worry about.
Damon nodded, agreeing to her request. Though he hated when she used the word "sick" to describe herself. Maybe he was in denial. "You're going to get better anyways" he told her, sounding so upbeat and positive. He had to believe it. Damon leaned in and kissed her gently. "Let's get married on the beach. Saturday morning at sunrise" he whispered against her lips.
Katherine hated admitting to herself that she wasn't as excited about marrying Damon again as he was about marrying her. But he looked so happy, so she smiled for his benefit. "Sounds perfect" she told him.
Damon smiled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him so he could hold her. "I love you, Katherine" he said quietly, leaning his head against hers.
She remained quiet, her thoughts occupying her time as she sat there with him. She knew in her heart it was wrong to marry him again. He was happy and she was using him.
It wasn't that she didn't love him. She did. She always would.
But the next time she left him, she knew she wouldn't be back.
The next time she left him for good, it would be because her heart gave out on her.
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Elena had been the one to reach for his hand the moment they left the Jeep and headed for the trailer that served as Damon's office. Stefan smiled and looked down at her, squeezing her hand. He had a feeling she was a little nervous too.
It was practically dead around there. Most of the employees were out at customer sites completing jobs. Stefan spotted a mechanic working on one of the pieces of equipment in a large garage. Someone else with a clipboard was wandering around, talking on his phone. Stefan felt better knowing not all the guys were around. He had admitted to himself that he felt a little insecure when it came to seeing other men look at Elena. But he also knew that Elena would receive complete respect from all of Damon's employees, or else they would be asked to leave and not come back.
"Hey Stefan?" she asked, bringing him out of his thoughts. He looked down at her and she leaned into his side a bit more. "Do you think tonight, you could help me look at the Fall class schedule?" she asked.
Relief washed over him, now that he knew she was serious about starting school again. He had been the one to take that from her, and he was determined to give her education back to her. "Yes" he answered her. Stefan let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her waist, hugging her close. "4:30 can't come soon enough" he said, leaning his head against hers.
Elena smiled. "I can't wait to get home" she told him.
"Oh yeah? Why?" he asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.
They reached the trailer door and she grabbed for the door handle. She turned around and looked up at him. "It's not appropriate to discuss at work" she said innocently, but her eyes were looking at him anything but innocently.
Elena opened the door before he could reply and they were greeted by his brother.
"Hi you two" Damon said, standing from his messy desk. He handed them both a decent size stack of papers in a blue folder. "All your hire paperwork" he explained. "Look it over, sign what needs to be signed and I'll make sure it gets taken care of."
"Thank you" Elena said politely as she held her folder.
Damon smiled at her. "Welcome back. I hope you realize what you're getting yourself into again."
Elena laughed. "I think I can handle it" she assured him.
"And you" Damon said, turning to his brother. "She's in charge. Whatever she says, goes" he told him, pointing to Elena. "I set up an office in the trailer next to mine. You should have everything you need in there."
Stefan smiled, completely okay with Elena telling him what to do. He was glad that Damon was making it a point to make her feel important. "You are putting us in an office together?" Stefan questioned. He wasn't sure how much work he could get done when he could look at her all day.
Damon shrugged. "Katherine's idea" he replied. He wouldn't argue with her, especially when he was naked in bed, at her mercy. "FYI, her and I are getting married on Saturday, and we'd love for you two to be there."
Stefan and Elena both turned to look at each other, somewhat surprised. "Umm, yeah" Stefan finally said, smiling. "We'll be there."
Elena nodded. "Yeah, of course" she said, stepping towards Damon and hugging him. "Congrats."
"Thank you" he said, hugging her back briefly. "Katherine is picking you up a dress" Damon told her. "She said khaki pants and a nice shirt will work for you" he added, letting go of Elena and looking at Stefan.
Stefan nodded. "No problem. Just let us know when and where."
"Working on that now" Damon replied. "I hate to cut this conversation short, but I have to drive out to one of my sites" he explained. "I'll check in on you two later. I left a list of things I would like you to do today, on yours desks."
"We'll make sure it all gets done" Elena assured him, finding a sense of pride in having a job again.
"You just earned yourself employee of the month, and you've only been here five minutes" he smiled.
Elena smiled too. "I really appreciate this, Damon" she told him.
"I'm happy to have you here. Both of you" Damon said, looking from his brother to Elena.
Elena looked over at Stefan again. "You ready?" she asked.
"Definitely" he told her, taking her hand and leaning down to kiss her.
"Hey hey, none of that" Damon warned them. "We have a no PDA rule here" he reminded them. He was only partly joking, even though he had told all of his other employees that PDA was not allowed to keep a safe and professional work environment.
Stefan kissed Elena again and even pulled her closer, making it a point to show PDA in front of his brother after being told not to.
Damon sighed. "Defiance on the first day" he said, shaking his head. He was trying not to laugh though. "Get out of my office" he told them, kicking them out.
Elena blushed slightly, a little embarrassed that Stefan had kissed her like that in front of his brother. "We'll keep things professional" she promised as she opened the door and started to leave.
"Her words, not mine" Stefan said, winking at his older brother.
Damon threw a pen at him on his way out and it bounced off of his shoulder and landing on the floor. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his brother looking so happy. He hoped that Stefan felt as happy as he looked.