To Love Again

Chapter 10

A/N: Hey guys sorry about all the switch arounds when it came to this story. I do multiple stories on my account and sometimes I forget certain details, but the ages for Elena's children are now sixteen and ten and Their names are permanently Audrey and Caleb. Sorry for all the confusion. Now enjoy the story.

Elena felt as if she were a teenager again as she did her hair and makeup for the seventh time that night. It was her first date since Stefan had died and she didn't want to screw things up. She didn't want to go to slow that Damon would lose interest, but she didn't want to go to fast with Damon that she felt like she had been a horrible wife. She already felt like that enough. Was she really doing the right thing by going out with Damon so soon after her husband had just died? Normally she would frown upon such activities if other people did them but now that she was placed in the same situation she understood.

Sighing she put on the last of her mascara on before she looked in her full length mirror inspecting her outfit to make sure it wasn't too childish, but it wasn't too adult either. She had chosen to go with a simple black sheath dress with a black belt, black hoop earrings, a black and white stripped cardigan, and a pair of red heels. Her hair was in a complicated style that her daughter had taught her which she called a fishtail braid with a bun. She had to admit that it was pretty cute even for someone her age.

A knock sounded on the door as Elena looked at reflection one last time, put on some deodorant, and than went downstairs to open the door. Damon stood there with red roses and a big smile on his face. She had to admit that he looked rather good in his dark blue shirt and a black slacks. A little smile came to her lips as she looked into those blue eyes that made her weak before she looked away. Why the hell was she feeling these things so early on. She needed to focus more on making a standard connection first before she jumped into anything.

"Hey." he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

She was just glad that it wasn't the lips. Sure they had gone a little far the other day, but she really wanted to take things at her own pace and not mess this up. She really needed something stable in her life right now and something complicated was not something she would look for.

"Hey." she said shutting the door.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs as she watched Audrey and Caleb round the corner with curiosity planted on their faces. She hadn't really told them about the date yet, but she didn't want them to get their hopes up either in case things didn't work out. After all why would they? Who would want a recent widow to begin with?

"Uncle Damon." Audrey said throwing her arms around Damon.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

"I'm just glad you're here, because there was something I wanted to ask you."

"Ask away."

"I was wondering if you would go with me to this father-daughter luncheon thing next week. I know it's a silly thing to ask but, you're the closest thing to a father I have right now and I would really love it if you would come with me."

"I would be honored. "

Audrey smiled as she looked over at her mother.

"You look nice tonight mom, but now that I think about it so do you Uncle Damon. Is there-Is there something going on between you two."

"Well your Uncle Damon is taking me out tonight."

"Ooh, so are you two-"

"Stop prying Audrey and go back upstairs. After all I know you have some major studying to do."

"Fine."

"And take your brother."

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she shouted as she and her brother went upstairs.

"You're too young to be doing anything."

She sighed and looked back at Damon.

"Well I guess we better get going."

Damon smiled as he pulled the door open for her. She smiled and went through the threshold excited for what this night might hold.

Elena sat back on the soft interior of Damon's car just taking all the sights in. She wasn't sure where exactly they were going but she knew that it was good to get out of the house for a little while. It was getting better for her but every now and then she would get a memory of Stefan and break down. She knew that the healing process was slow and would take time, so she wasn't really worried about it, what she was worried about was her fast paced feelings for Damon. Did she really like Damon? Or was she just going out with him because he was the closest connection she had to Stefan besides her kids? All she knew was that she had to find out.

When they arrived at their destination , Damon went to her side of the car opening her door and extending his hand. She took it as he helped her out. She met his blue eyes with a smile as he grabbed her hand. She wondered where he was taking her.

After a minute or so she got her answer. She looked in amazement as a boat appeared in her sight. She felt as if she were in some Nicolas Sparks movie only she hoped this didn't end tragically.

"Oh my God, Are-Are you serious right now?"

"Do you not like it?"

"I-I love it."

"I'm glad."

He looped his arm around hers as they walked to the boat. It was still a little bit away, so they had time to get to know each other a little better.

"So tell me a little about yourself."

"You act like you don't know a thing about me."

":Well here's what I do know about you. I know that your related to my husband. I know that you two had a estranged relationship for a while even before him and I met. I also know that you're great with kids especially mine. You also like poetry which is very rare in a man now a days And I know that you're probably the only one whose made me smile since Stefan died."

"I'm glad that I can be here for you. Well you and your kids."

"I'm glad that they have someone like you to talk to. I know sometimes there are certain things they can talk to you about that they can't talk to me about."

"Like what?"

"Like how much they really miss their dad."

"You want to know what I think?"

"By all means."

"I think that you have two of the most wonderful and amazing kids in the world. I believe that if they are keeping things away from you it's just because they don't want to see you sad anymore."

"I'll always miss him Damon."

"As you should. He was your husband and if you still need time after tonight to heal all you have to do is tell me. I promise I won't disappear just because you need time and space to cope with who've you lost. Trust me I get it my brother was an amazing guy."

"Thank you for understanding, but I would kind of like to see where this goes exactly. At least for tonight I want to be just Elena. Not the woman who lost her husband, because all I need is just some way to cope with this."

"Than by all means, do what you think is right."

Elena smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. We can just hang out like we usually do."

"No. You put so much work into this date and here I am ruining it."

"You could never ruin anything. And we can still take the boat ride if you want to."

"I would love to."

"Than come on. Let's go. But no funny business or I'm taking you straight home."

"Whatever you say captain."

He smiled as she took her hand and led her onto the boat.