Chapter 7 – Revelations
"No, no! That centerpiece goes on the head table at the front. Marcia, where's the special order serving set for the cake table? Okay, people, we've got exactly five hours until show time. Let's get everything here and in place!" Stephanie was already exhausted, even with her vampire endurance. This was one of the biggest weddings she had ever taken on and the expectations were high. When she had a moment to sit, her thoughts turned to Damon. She really looked forward to seeing him later. Then, she thought of the other vampire and wondered if he ever thought of her. Then, there was the other one that was a mere mystery to her. What about him? Why did she feel he was important to her somehow?
As the hours passed by, she managed to put all the final touches together for her client. Steph felt a surge of contentment as her masterpiece wedding became reality. It was truly an under-the-sea dream world and the bride was ecstatic. Once all of the events were over and the happy couple left in their limousine, Steph gave the final directions to the cleanup crew and sent Damon a text to let him know that she was ready. Making a quick trip to the ladies room, she touched up her makeup and hair and examined herself in the full length mirror. The sides of her hair were pulled back from her face, leaving a few wisps falling around her cheeks, and she wore a sleeveless coral pink dress with a full skirt that fell just above the knee. In her opinion, it was professional, yet playful. However, she decided to wear a pink strapless bustier underneath with matching lace panties, hoping that the sexy lingerie would give her the courage to give in and sleep with Damon. But the thought of him taking what he wanted from her, then leaving, was too much to bear. Why do I fear that so much? She left the ladies room and stepped outside. Damon stood waiting for her, leaning on the column just outside the reception hall. He was wearing a black blazer, charcoal gray dress shirt, and black dress pants. He was devastatingly handsome. She felt as if she would melt into the floor as he flashed his sweet, sexy smile at her.
He found himself at a loss for words when he saw her. She looked so beautiful that it was impossible to take his eyes off of her. He quickly realized that it wasn't just her looks that had him so enamored, but her femininity and inner strength radiated from the inside out. It was the first time since Elena that he felt his heart stop for another woman and he suspected that he was beginning to feel a kind of love for her. They walked towards each other and joined hands. Damon placed a kiss on her cheek. "I predicted you'd be a knockout. I was right, as usual." He enjoyed seeing the slight blush cross her cheeks. "You are so beautiful, Steph."
"Thank you, Damon." She couldn't stop beaming.
After sharing a brief moment to get lost in each other's eyes, Damon observed, "From the looks of things, your wedding must have been a huge success."
Steph grinned with pride. "Yes, it was. Everything went as planned. How was your day?"
Elijah's visit came to mind, but he decided not to bring it up until later. "Just hung out with my little brother."
"I'd love to meet him sometime."
"I'm sure I can arrange that." Damon reached into his pocket and pulled something out that Steph couldn't see. "Give me your hand."
Steph obliged, watching as Damon took off her daylight ring and replaced it with a new one. It was exquisite, with a large oval shaped lapis lazuli stone in the center and elaborate silver swirls encircling it. Upon closer examination, two oval shaped diamonds were set on either side of the stone and very fine threads of gold swirls held them in place. She heard herself gasp. "How did you…I mean, it's beautiful! I love it!" She threw her arms around him and kissed him.
"I found the witch that made your first ring. I told her that she'd better take her time and make you a better one or I would end her witchy ways permanently." Seeing that Steph didn't believe him from the look on her face, he continued, "Oh, okay. I paid her handsomely for it."
"I don't know what to say. Thank you for this."
"You deserve it. Are you ready to get out of here?"
"Yes! Where are we going?"
"Someplace upscale. I want to spoil you tonight."
She smiled shyly as they got in Damon's car and he drove them to the most expensive restaurant in town. Steph was impressed with Damon's ability to go from an outsider rebel persona one minute to a sophisticated man of wealth with exquisite taste and etiquette the next. As they dined on seafood and steak with the best champagne on the menu, the casual conversation they shared soon turned to the mystery of Steph's dream.
"Did you tell Stefan about my dream?" She inquired, sipping her champagne slowly.
"Yep, I told him everything."
"He must think I'm a nutcase," she mumbled in return.
"What? No way. You're no further off your rocker than I am." He flashed her a quick grin before he took another bite of his steak.
Seeing the light in Damon's eyes made Steph happy. It made her realize that in the brief time she had known him, he had become her best friend. "Damon, I really want you to know how much I appreciate your friendship. For the first time in so long, I don't feel alone." She reached over and held his hand.
Damon looked down at their joined hands, then at her. A wave of emotion came over him as he realized that as much as he enjoyed their friendship and was glad she felt the same, he wanted more from her. "As long as you need me," he managed with a hint of playfulness in his voice.
She smiled warmly, then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. As she began to sit back, she suddenly stopped when their eyes met. It was obvious that he wanted more from her and she knew deep down that she wanted more from him, but she still felt that something was preventing her from taking the next step with her feelings.
He found that he could read her very well at this point. So, Damon decided to tell her the truth, realizing that it may be the only way to get her to completely open up to him. "I found him, Steph. He's in town."
Her eyes grew wide. "He's here? Where? Does he want to see me?"
"He does. If you want to see him, I can call him for you. It's your choice."
Steph took a deep breath, excited and scared at the same time. "Who is he?"
"Elijah Mikaelson. He's one of the Original vampires from Mystic Falls."
"You know him?"
"All of them." He tried to hide the spite in his voice.
"Did you ask him about my dream? Was there someone else?"
Damon was the one to take a deep breath this time before responding. "There was someone else. You were compelled to forget him, Steph, for good reason. Elijah has the answers, if you want to know everything."
"You know but you won't tell me?" Her voice held disappointment.
"I'm only telling you this much because of my promise to be honest with you. I want you to make your own choices about this from here on out." Damon was proud of his maturity. He knew Elena would be proud too.
Steph could see the doubt and fear in his eyes. She had to know the truth, even though she had a feeling it was going to be painful. "Will you call Elijah for me? I'm ready to see him."
Damon pulled out his phone and dialed. He handed it to her.
"Hello, Damon," Elijah answered.
"No, this is Stephanie."
There was a brief moment of silence and she noticed an immediate warming to his voice. "Hello, Stephanie. I hope you are well."
"I'm fine, except for all the unanswered questions in my head."
"I will be happy to answer those questions if you would like."
"Come to my apartment tomorrow. I'll expect you at 10am."
"Give me your address."
She gave him the address and a brief set of directions, then ended the call and handed the phone back to Damon. "Will you be there with me when he comes over?"
"I can't, Steph. I'm sorry," he stated with more curtness than he intended.
"Why? You just said that you would stay as long as I needed you."
"Because I don't think I can stomach hearing about it all over again. Trust me, you're not going to need me for this. You have to do this without me."
"Should I be scared?"
He leaned forward and took her hand in his, looking at her intently. "Just focus on the fact that your questions will be answered and you'll have complete control again."
Damon paid the tab and drove Steph back to her car. As they stood in the parking lot, Damon could feel that she was fearful of meeting with Elijah. He began to change his mind, but then he realized that details of Steph's relationship with Klaus would be too much to bear hearing about. I admit it, I'm jealous and I don't want to listen to how much she loved him. Big Bad Hybrid, of all people. I just might throw up.
Steph held onto Damon's hands. "Thanks for dinner."
He nodded. "You're gonna be okay, you know."
"I hope so." A tear began to slide down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away. "What if I need you?"
He caressed her cheek with his palm. "Then you call me." He paused, his voice softening. "I'm going back home to Mystic Falls with Stefan tomorrow."
Another tear slid down her cheek as panic rose in her chest. "When will you be back?"
"I don't know, but I can promise you that I will be back. In the meantime, I think you might need this." He pulled out Esther's necklace and briefly explained its origin and how it should keep Elijah or any other Original from compelling her. "Do not take it off, okay?"
She nodded in acceptance. "Thank you for this." The tears kept coming and Steph couldn't stop them. "I'm sorry, I'm just scared, I guess."
He held her face with both hands, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. The look on her face nearly broke his heart. He gently placed his lips on hers, increasing the intensity as she immediately responded by wrapping her arms around him and holding him tight.
The kiss lasted for several blissful moments. She realized that she didn't want him to leave her. He had become a vital part of her life. Whispering in his ear, she asked, "Will you stay with me tonight?"
He backed up so he could look at her. Even though he knew the answer, he had to ask anyway. "Tell me exactly what you want."
She thought hard on that question before answering. "I want you to sleep next to me. I want to feel your arms around me. I want…"
He stopped her by placing his lips on hers, giving her a brief kiss. Backing up ever so slightly, their lips almost touching, he whispered, "I'll give you whatever you want. I'll follow you home."