Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries. However, I do consider the plot line as mine. Don't be a thief!
Thank you Carol for beta reading this chapter!
Starcrossed Lovers
Chapter 35
Damon POV
Entwining his fingers with Elena's, Damon walked through the city, feeling like the luckiest man on the face of the Earth. Sometimes it was just unfathomable to him that this beautiful girl was by his side. They spent a week in Mystic Falls before Elena had to return to work. Rebekah was in desperate need of her assistant. Tons of work had piled up for Elena while they were away. Sadly, that meant she barely had a spare moment to spend with Damon.
Although he missed spending time with her terribly, he understood that she had to think about her job now that he'd lost his primary source of income. He'd been trying to find a position at a few law firms. Most didn't want to hire someone who'd been fired by Richard Lockwood. Suffice to say Damon's patience was hanging by a thread and he was majorly pissed off. He'd never been unemployed before. That alone was enough to fuck with his confidence and unleash his quick temper.
"I finished the sequel's first three chapters. Rebekah said she can't wait till I finish the new book. She's getting impatient with me. She wants to publish it as quickly as possible to capitalize on the success of the first one. They gave me a June deadline, but I don't know if I can put it all together by that time. I still have a shitload of research to do for this book before I can even think about writing the conclusion," Elena explained. Damon didn't like how much pressure Rebekah was putting on Elena. He understood why she wanted the next book so soon, but Elena didn't need that kind of stress right now.
"Just take your time, Lena. She'll just have to wait. You're not a damned word processor. The woman needs to understand that your creativity will suffer if she keeps pushing you," Damon stated, shaking his head. Maybe he needed to have a word with Rebekah.
"It'll be fine," Elena shrugged. Damon didn't like how sad she sounded. This was supposed to be her dream come true. Rebekah was spoiling the fun part. Elena loved writing, finding pleasure scribbling down even her most mundane thoughts. Rebekah shouldn't make this totally about money, it should also be about creating something beautiful and lasting.
Before Damon could utter another word, someone stopped them. Looking up, Damon groaned aloud when he realized who it was. "What do you want, Kat?" he asked, sounding impatient. The woman was bad news. She unnerved Elena and made Damon feel like a fool for ever caring about her. Honestly, he couldn't understand what could've ever possessed him to take up with her in the first place. The woman was poison.
Katherine grinned, her chocolate orbs filled with amusement. "Well, well, well, who do we have here?" She acted like it was a surprise to encounter them. Damon knew damn well there was no such thing as coincidence where Katherine Pierce was concerned. If you happened to cross paths with her, it meant she had an agenda. Katherine was a complicated, conniving woman.
"Don't play dumb with me, woman. We both know that you showing up out of nowhere isn't a coincidence," Damon countered. Katherine Pierce was the last person he wanted to see today. He was having a nice afternoon with Elena. He'd been in a good mood, but that was about to change if he had to stare into Katherine's face much longer.
"Don't be so hostile, Damon, it doesn't suit you," Katherine stated, her voice laced with amusement. It was clear she was enjoying taunting him. She'd always found it highly amusing to torment other people. Diabolical plans were her forte.
"I was having a nice afternoon with my girlfriend until you showed up, Kat. I'd like to continue what I was doing," Damon said through gritted teeth, his arm wrapping around Elena's waist and pulling her closer.
"Still into the writer, huh? Tell me, was she worth all the trouble? I mean seriously? You could've gotten so much better than her, Damon. I didn't think you'd be into people like her," Katherine commented, disgust written all over her features as she looked at Elena.
Damon's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before returning to their normal size. "What do you mean 'Was she worth the trouble'?" Damon asked in confusion. The only thing he'd given up was his title as the city's most eligible bachelor. It didn't mean anything to him, not anymore.
Instead of answering, Katherine's grin spread from ear to ear. "You selfish bitch!" he cried out, his eyes filled with venom. Elena immediately stepped between him and Katherine to prevent an altercation. Katherine humorlessly laughed before turning around and walking away.
"You cunt!" he shouted after her, but Katherine was already out of earshot.
"Damon, calm down!" Elena bellowed, pushing him back, clearly not understanding what just happened.
"She's the one, Lena! She planned all of this" Damon grunted, taking a step back.
"What do you mean?" Elena asked in confusion, still not understanding what he meant.
"Katherine is the one who filed the sexual harassment report. She's the one who paid someone to torch my apartment. This all traces back to Mason and Katherine. They hatched this diabolical plan to wreck my life," Damon explained, hands in his hair as he struggled to come up with his own plan to take those two down. Problem was, Katherine would never admit she was the one behind the scheme and there was no evidence to link them to the crimes. The bitch knew how to avoid leaving incriminating evidence behind. She wouldn't screw up. Katherine was a master at deceiving people, the police included.
"No," Elena stated simply, shaking her head in disbelief. She obviously didn't want to accept the truth.
"Baby, we have to go to the police station. They can't do anything without real evidence. At least we can tell them who we think is doing this to me," Damon said softly, watching Elena's frozen body. Katherine was going to pay.
"No, no way!" Lexi shouted. Damon shook his head. He should've known she'd make a scene. The woman could be so melodramatic at times. She was just as bad as Caroline Forbes. Of all people, why again did Elena need to be friends with them?
"Yes way!" Caroline screeched, doing some sort of happy dance with Lexi. Damon simply rolled his eyes and looked away. He didn't have time for this shit. The stores would be closing in two hours and they still needed to leave the house.
"You're really going to ask Elena to marry you?" Lexi repeated, asking for confirmation, not believing what she was hearing.
"Yes, Alexia, I'm going to propose to Elena. Don't sound so surprised. You know I love her," Damon said, ignoring the urge to roll his eyes a second time. Why couldn't these women just shut it and help him the fuck out? No, they needed to keep asking like they were expecting him to say it was a joke or something. Damon would never joke about something as serious as a proposal. Was it that hard to believe he'd want to marry Elena?
"I do know you love her. I just never expected you'd ask her to marry you this soon. I thought you were all for taking it slow?" Lexi questioned, still in shock.
"I'm not waiting any longer. Elena and I have been through enough. I want to make it official…as official as it can get," Damon stated without hesitation. He was done taking it slow. He knew Elena wanted to get married and have children. Why should they wait any longer?
"You'd never guess what he did," Caroline interrupted, elbowing Lexi in the ribs. It was crazy how the two of them already acted like close friends. They'd only met half an hour ago for heaven's sake.
"What?" Lexi asked, eyes wide.
Damn it. He should've never told the little gossip. "He asked Elena's mom for her approval!" Caroline squealed, smiling like a freaking lunatic.
"No way," Lexi said again, shaking her head.
"Yes way!" Caroline repeated, grinning.
"Ladies, as much as I'd like to continue listening to your freak out, we have an engagement ring to buy. I let you in on this for a reason. I'm beginning to regret asking you guys for help. I need to find the perfect ring," Damon sighed. He'd have a major headache by the time he got home. What the hell was he thinking, two blonde chatterboxes? How was he going to handle it? It was going to be a disaster!
"Don't spoil the mood," Lexi told Damon, sending another grin in Caroline's direction. They were totally teaming up against him.
"We should go to that jewelry store where Tyler bought my engagement ring. They have such pretty designs!" Caroline exclaimed excitedly.
"I think Elena needs something delicate, no bling-bling," Lexi commented.
Caroline nodded in agreement. "You're right. Elena wouldn't like a big diamond. She's not someone who wants to draw attention to herself. She'd rather wear something unique than something expensive," the younger blonde stated.
"Maybe we should visit a few pawnshops? Sometimes they have some pretty estate rings. Elena would like something like that. She could totally rock an antique diamond," Lexi proposed.
"That's not a bad idea. Not bad at all. I could totally see Elena wearing a ring like that," Caroline nodded, a huge smile spreading across her features.
"Do I get a say in this at all?" Damon questioned with a raised eyebrow, growing impatient about being left out of the conversation. He was the one who had to buy the diamond after all.
"Isn't it enough that you get to pay for the ring?" Lexi replied with a grin.
"I have the right to veto. If I don't it, we're not buying it," Damon told the women strictly.
Caroline sighed and nodded. Lexi rolled her eyes, but eventually nodded as well. "Deal."
Two hours later they were still traipsing across the city without an engagement ring. Most stores were closing up and Damon was ready to admit defeat. He wasn't going to find the perfect ring today, maybe never. None of the rings Lexi and Caroline pointed out were 'it'. He didn't know exactly what he was looking for, but knew he'd know the perfect ring when he saw it.
"Maybe you already have the perfect ring," Lexi suddenly stated. Damon's eyebrows raised in confusion.
"What do you mean?" he asked. Caroline looked just as confused.
"You still have your mother's engagement ring, right?" Lexi questioned. Damon's eyes widened before he slowly nodded, understanding dawning on him. "It's the perfect ring, Damon. You've mentioned how much your mom loved that ring. It was your grandmother's first right? Giuseppe gave it to your mother. I'm sure Elena would be thrilled to wear a ring that has been in your family for years."
A small smile broke free across Damon's lips. How could he have forgotten? Lexi was right, his mom did love that ring. She used to tell him the story of that ring, how it had been passed from generation to generation. Damon completely forgot that it was his turn to propose with that ring. Stefan had already gotten married. Damon was the only Salvatore left to pass it on.
"You're right," Damon agreed, nodding. "You're absolutely right. Elena would love that ring."
Caroline, smiling brightly, clapped her hands in excitedly. "That's a brilliant idea, Lexi," she concurred.
"Now ladies, I'd say our mission has been successful after all," Damon grinned, wrapping an arm across both women's shoulders and pulling them close. They both laughed loudly. Damon didn't miss the pleased look in Lexi's eyes though. She was proud of him and it felt damned good.
"Caroline is such a nice person," Lexi told Damon as he opened the door for her. They'd just arrived at her house after dropping Caroline off at Tyler's.
"You just say that because she reminds you of you a few years ago. You were just as bubbly and talkative," Damon groaned, still remembering teenager Lexi vividly. After giving birth to Lewis, she matured. Before that she was just as bad as Caroline.
"You say that like it's a bad thing. We bubbly blondes have to stick together," Lexi grinned, an excited squeal leaving her lips as she saw Stefan standing in the doorway with Lewis sitting on his arm.
"Hi, honey," Stefan smiled, greeting his wife with a quick peck to her lips as he handed Lewis to her. Lexi smiled at him in return and carried their son inside.
"Did you find a ring?" Stefan asked curiously, already in on the marriage talk. The first thing Lexi did after finding out about Damon's news was to tell Stefan. Spoil sport. Damon had hoped to tell Stefan himself, no such luck.
"No, we didn't, but your wife came up with the perfect solution. I'm going to use mom's ring," Damon explained. He never would've thought of that ring had Lexie not suggested it.
Stefan smiled and nodded. "That's a great idea. Elena will be thrilled."
"I never told her about the ring, but I'm sure she'll love it knowing it holds so many special memories," Damon agreed.
"Mother would've been proud of you, Damon. I don't remember her as well as you do, but I know she'd be thrilled for you. I'm certain she would have loved Elena as you do. It took you a while, but you're on the right track. I'm sure there's a bright future waiting for you and Elena," Stefan stated, patting Damon on the back.
A little shocked at Stefan's words, Damon's eyes widened as he looked at his brother. Stefan was the unreserved one in the family, never holding back his thoughts or emotions. Damon wasn't so forthright but he appreciated Stefan's words.
Still at a loss for words, Damon nodded. "You won't regret this, brother. Marriage is a beautiful thing if you marry the right person for the right reasons," Stefan grinned. "I can't imagine my life without Lex. Marrying her was the best decision I ever made."
"I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that," Damon grinned back.
Stefan smirked before his face suddenly turned serious. "Whenever you get cold feet, just come to me okay? It's okay to be scared. Marriage is a big step. I'm sure most men get cold feet till they see the bride walking down the aisle. She looks so damn happy you wish you could fast forward to the wedding night."
"I'm not going to get cold feet, Stefan," Damon assured his brother.
"You can never be certain. I just want you to know that if doubt arises, I'll be here to listen to you and advise you. We've had our differences in the past, but you'll always be my brother, Damon."
Damon nodded, again at a loss for words. That happened a lot lately. After years of isolating himself, Damon had finally started to open up. As if Damon wasn't uncomfortable enough, suddenly everyone was sharing their feelings.
"That's enough of the heart-to-heart, Steffi," Damon smirked, hiding his discomfort by slipping the mask back on. He hated feeling vulnerable and exposed. It gnawed at his confidence.
Stefan just shook his head and laughed. "I wonder how I ever missed the way you use sarcasm when you get anxious, Damon."
Damon rolled his eyes, again in an attempt to get his control back. "I don't use sarcasm, Steffi."
"Whatever helps you sleep, brother. Just realize that I know you better than you think," Stefan grinned.
"Goodnight, Stefan," Damon said as he turned around and started walking back to his car. Stefan's laughter echoed through the yard, making Damon smile himself. Stefan wasn't always his favorite person but he was glad they were still friends after all these years.
Part one of Damon's mission had been successful. He had the ring. Now it was time to work on part two of his well-thought-out plan: finding the perfect location and creating the perfect moment to propose. Damon had several locations in mind, but there was one that stood out above all the others.
"Lena, come sit with me for a minute," Damon told Elena as he patted the empty spot beside him on the couch.
Elena stared at him in confusion, but obeyed just the same. Once she sat down next to him, Damon turned to face her. "What do you think of going away for a weekend?" Damon propositioned excitedly.
"Going away?" Elena repeated, looking perplexed.
"Yes, getting out of city for a weekend," Damon confirmed. "You've been working so hard lately. I know you could use a weekend off to relax," he explained. Although they'd just been to Mystic Falls, Damon knew Elena was already at the brink of exhaustion. Rebekah constantly pushed more work on Elena, expecting her to work double shifts almost daily.
"I don't think I'll be able to get a weekend off, Damon. There's just too much work at the firm. Rebekah will never agree," Elena replied, sounding disappointed.
"I'm sure I can arrange something with Rebekah," Damon insisted.
"I don't think that's such a good idea," Elena stated, giving him a warning look.
Damon looked confused for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Lena," he smirked. "What Rebekah and I had is long past. You know I love you."
"She's still your ex-whatever, Damon. You slept with her. Don't you think it would feel a little weird asking her to give your girlfriend a weekend off?" Elena questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Just because we're no longer fuckbuddies doesn't mean we can't be in the same room together. We're both adults and we knew there would be no future together when we started sleeping together. She accepted that," Damon explained.
Elena sighed deeply. "It'd still be weird," she mumbled.
Damon grinned and shook his head. "You'd feel weird," he remarked. "Rebekah doesn't have any issues about me moving on."
"Okay," Elena admitted, "I'd be the one feeling weird about it."
"There's no reason to, Lena. Rebekah and I are both adults. We both knew what would happen when we first started sleeping together. Rebekah is happy I found someone to spend the rest of my life with."
"The rest of your life?" Elena repeated, looking shocked.
"Babe, don't look so surprised. We've talked about this before. I'm serious about you," Damon quickly explained, cursing himself for letting those words slip. He was going to ruin the perfect proposal if he didn't keep his mouth shut!
"I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing you say such things, Damon. I still can't believe we're really doing this," Elena admitted sheepishly.
"You better get used to it," Damon winked. "Now, about our weekend?"
"If Rebekah gives me the weekend off, I'll go away with you," Elena said, finally giving in. "Now tell me, where are you planning to take me?" she curiously asked.
"The city where it all started for us," Damon grinned, memories of their time together assaulting his brain.
Elena looked confused for a moment, a frown appearing across her features, before a smile broke free. "Paris?" she guessed, looking excited.
Damon knew it was the perfect place to take her. Where better to propose than in the city they first met? His business trip to Paris seemed such a long time ago. Still, he vividly remembered every second he and Elena spent together. He was such an asshole back then. He should've never let Elena get away. Fortunately, fate stepped in and gave them another chance. It almost sounded like something out of a romance novel.
"Paris," Damon confirmed, nodding. Elena's smile spread from ear to ear as she jumped into his arms.
"That's such a lovely idea, honey. I've been wanting to go back there since you told me you wanted us to be together," Elena confessed, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
"Well, this is your chance, sweetheart," Damon grinned, pressing a soft peck against her lips. She was going to be stupefied when he proposed. Damon couldn't wait to see her face when he dropped down on one knee and popped the question.
Elena's smile faltered for a moment. "It's going to suck if Rebekah says 'no'. I was getting so excited about this."
"Don't worry about it," Damon reassured her. He knew once he let Rebekah in on his little secret, she would have no qualms about giving Elena a weekend off. No warm-blooded female would ruin a perfectly romantic proposal. Rebekah would eat it up just like Lexie and Caroline had and try to help him out.
"Don't be so full of yourself, Salvatore. I'm going to kill you if you've gotten me this excited only to disappoint me if Rebekah isn't agreeable," Elena teased.
"Babe, once I turn on the charm, no woman can say 'no' to me," Damon smirked.
Elena just rolled her eyes and stood up. Damon watched her walk away with a smile across his face. He was going to make her so happy she would burst. This would be his life's mission.
Dun. Dun. Dun. It were Katherine and Mason after all! I don't think it's that big of a surprise, but still. I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter! Please let me know what you think!
I'm going through a rough time in real life at the moment, so I apologize if the chapters aren't as long, regular or good as always. Please understand I'm just human. I can't make any miracles happen.
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