A/N: Thank you so so SO much for the reviews! I knew I was being a baby. I just wasn't sure if people were actually reading it, or if they were reading a few sentences and realizing it wasn't for them. It helps to have feedback, and I appreciate all the love! I hope you love this chapter!

Work was brutal. I spent the entire weekend in my bedroom laying in my bed. I kept myself busy at work, but I was so distracted. My body could sense his presence everywhere. I tried to stay in my office as much as I could. I didn't really see him that much. Once I passed him in the hall on the way to the bathroom, and I looked at the floor like a timid puppy. And one other time, I ran into him coming out of the elevator. I breathed a quick sorry and then ran out of their before he could see me cry. It was even more torturous when I could hear his voice. I could hear him talk to my other coworkers, and I just wanted to drown out his voice, but at the same time I wanted to savor every syllable.

Once it was the weekend Jeremy and Bonnie came over for Christmas and it was a great distraction. Christmas wasn't technically until the following weekend, but they got cheaper airline tickets that way. We spent the weekend doing all the Christmas traditions we did as kids. We made cookies, exchanged gifts, listened to Christmas music while we decorated my apartment, and we even watched The Grinch.

"These taste just like I remember," Jeremy said eating his cookie.

"It is moms' recipe," I smiled, enjoying a cookie myself.

"I think you finally got it," Jeremy joked. "Your cookies weren't so edible before."

"Thanks," I grimaced.

"That means you're improving!" Jeremy defended his comment.

"I guess," I giggled. "I missed you."

"I know," he shook his head as I got all sappy. "We should probably go visit Jenna soon in Mystic Falls."

"I know," I sighed. "I just hate going back there."

"I do too," he agreed. "But she would love it."

"I know, and I miss her," I thought. "I just hate that it brings back so many emotions that I'm sick of feeling."

"I try to remember the good times," he smiled.

"That's exactly it… All it does is remind me that I can't make more good memories with them," I frowned.

"Mom and dad wouldn't want you to think like that," he reminded me. "They want you to be happy. Move on… I'm not saying forget them. I'm saying learn to be happy without them, without forgetting about them."

I nodded my head letting the words hold their weight, "You're right."

I walked over to him and gave him a hug; he was one of the only few people I had left in my family. I wish I could be with him more.

The next week we had our company Christmas party. Every floor had their own celebration. They catered in lunch for everyone, and the last few hours of our workday we got to have fun and get paid to do it. We got a nice Christmas bonus, and they got us all gift bags with fun little knick-knacks and candy. I had avoided Damon as much as I could. I just wanted to move on, and not feel this way anymore. I had caught him looking at me a couple of times. I had been doing my own fair share of staring too. It wasn't good for me to linger. It wasn't helping me move on at all.

A few of us went out for drinks after the party, and I was happy to have a distraction, and drink. I went out with Marion, Andrew, Jessica, and Josh. They were the closest to my age, besides Marion but she was just a blast. I decided to let loose and have a few shots with all of them. It felt good to wash that familiar ache away. I drank until I had a tingle in my brain and warmth in my cheeks.

"Car-ollline," I stammered when she answered the phone. "I need a ride."

"Sounds like it," Caroline laughed. "I'm over at Stefan's right now…" she sounded like she didn't really want to leave.

"Oh, I'm-I'm sorry," I felt like an idiot. "I call an uber."

"No," Caroline sighed. "I'll get you a ride, just hang tight. Where are you?"

I read off the name of the bar to Caroline. "Thanks, besstie." I slurred before hanging up.

I waited inside, the rest of my coworkers had just left, and I was definitely waisted. I must have been really drunk when I started to hallucinate Damon. "Damon?" I said out loud.

"Little birdie told me you needed a ride home," he eyed me.

"A bird?" My eyes widened.

He chuckled, "You are drunk, aren't you?"

"I just had a couple shots," I tried sounding sober. "And like two glasses of wine… or was it three?"

"Let's get out of here," he put his arm around me to stabilize me, as he walked me out to his car.

"You smell so good," I blurted as he buckled me into the passenger seat.

He walked around to the driver seat and started the car.

"I love your car," I said as I ran my hands along the leather interior. "it smells just like you."

He chuckled lightly, "thanks."

I ran my hands along my dress that I wore to the Christmas party. "I wore green," I told him. "Because I know how you feel about red."

He smiled shaking his head, "thanks for thinking of me."

"Although maybe I ssshould of worn the red," I bit my lip looking over at him. "Then maybe I wouldn't be a virgin anymore."

He shifted in his seat; his face unreadable. "I scared you, didn't I? Virgins…" I shook my head. "It's like Lord Voldemort."

"Elena," he stopped me.

"What?" My brain was a bit foggy.

"You're too drunk for this conversation," he warned me.

"You're probably right," I put my hand on his knee. "I'd much rather do something else." I slid my hand up his leg, finding his hard, and extremely large erection.

He took my hand and removed it from his cock.

"Be careful," he said under his breath.

"You're massive," I said in shock. "I mean I only have like two to compare it to, but damn!"

He tried hiding his smile, "Were here," he said referring to my apartment. "Keys?"

I dug my hands in my jacket, and it dawned on me. "ohhhh shit."

"Did you leave them at the bar?" He groaned.

"Work I think," I tried recalling. "We walked from work… I don't know maybe I put them in my coat?" I dug out my phone. "I'll call Caroline. Ssshe can let me in."

"No," he took my phone. "She is at Stefans, and they are finally getting dirty, so she had me come pick you up."

"What do I do?" My eyes widened.

"Looks like you're sleeping at my place, princess," he smirked.

I woke up with a raging headache and a bad taste in my mouth. The bright sun was extra annoying, due to this awful hang over. As I tried to remember last night my eyes adjusted to the light and I was unfamiliar with my surroundings. I was in a plain bedroom. A king size bed, with navy bedding. A nightstand, with a light and a book. There was a dresser, and plant in the corner. No pictures or wall hangings. I looked down at my body and was dressed in a men's t-shirt and I had my black underwear on from last night.

I quickly got out of the bed and tried remembering last night. I remembered going out with my coworkers, drinking way too much and then calling Caroline… My brain was catching up fast as I focused. Damon showed up, he drove me to my apartment… I didn't have my keys, and that's all I can remember, along with some embarrassing comments… and actions.

I walked out of the bedroom and saw a kitchen, as I turned the corner it opened up to a living room, and there he was laying on the couch, a thin blanket barely covering his half naked body. His hair was messy from sleeping and his eyes were closed, his chest rising in a steady rhythm.

His dog perked up from the floor when it saw me enter the living room. I froze not knowing what kind of dog she was. Was she a lover? Or more of a guard dog?

She stood up, stretching her limbs, and slowly walked over to me, her nails clicking against the wood floors. Damon stirred, as I bent down to pet her on the top of her head.

He opened his eyes and looked up at me. He slowly sat up; his abs rippled as he moved.

"H-hi," I flushed feeling embarrassed from last night.

"Morning," his voice was deep and rough from the morning.

"I'm sorry about last night," I apologized. "I'm really embarrassed. I don't even remember anything after I discovered I left my keys at work."

He stood up, revealing more of his marvelous body. He wore some loose sweatpants, that showed off that perfect V, and little bit of hair leading down to…

"Not much happened after that," he smiled as if he was replaying the memory. "You babbled all the way back to my place, and then once we got inside, I gave you some clothes to change into and then you passed out in my bed in a matter of seconds."

"I babbled?" I prayed that I didn't say anything completely humiliated.

"Yeah," he nearly laughed as he walked past me to the kitchen. "You bitched about Stacie and talked about how much you hate wearing earrings, and how you wish you could have a pet goat."

"What?" I couldn't help but giggle.

"It was quite entertaining," He started brewing a pot of coffee.

I remembered all the embarrassing stuff that I did earlier in the car and my smile faded. "I'm sorry I said things that were… inappropriate. And I'm sorry I touched your…"

"Dick," he offered.

I could feel my face burn as he finished the sentence for me. "Yeah," I said barely over a whisper.

"Don't worry about it," he walked back over to me.

"You're really sweet to take care of me last night," I gave him a small smile.

"Free entertainment," he shrugged.

I laughed a little, "but you should probably take me home."

"Do you have plans?" he asked.

"No…" I trailed off.

"Come with me today," he demanded.

"What?" My eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"Meet my parents," he continued. "I'm going over there for Christmas Eve tonight."

"What?" I said a little louder. "Why would I do that?"

"Because," he stood confidently. "I like you. I made a mistake, and I want you to meet my parents."

"Damon," I sighed. "Are we really going to have this conversation again? I think it was pretty clear that we don't work."

"I want to show you how serious I am about you," he ignored my statement. "I have never brought anyone home to meet my parents. My mother is going to die and go to heaven when I bring you home. I would never get her hopes up if I didn't think I was serious. That would be cruel. I love my mom."

"That's not going to change how you feel about marriage and kids,"-

"Maybe not," he said honestly. "But you have me thinking about it… a lot."

"Don't change because of me"-

"That's exactly it," he interrupted me. "You couldn't pay me all the money in the world to get married before I met you. And now…" he looked me deep in the eyes. "It's different."

"How?" I shook my head in disbelief.

"I don't know?" he admitted. "But I can't stop thinking about you. It was killing me this last week to try to let you go. I can't do it anymore."

"I can't ask you to change for me," I stepped back from him.

"But I want to," he stepped closer. "If I have to be more open minded about the things you want over ending things with you then I choose being open minded every time."

"Damon," I shook my head. "You can't."

"Yes, I can!" He was starting to get louder.

"I don't want you to!" I raised my voice.

"Why?" His eyes were full of anger and pain.

"Because you're going to regret it," I told him.

"You don't know that!" His eyebrows furrowed. "You're just scared!"

"No, I'm not," I wanted to walk away from him, but I didn't know where to even go.

"Yes, you are!" his voice nearly echoed off the walls.

I turned away from him wanting to escape. I went back to his bedroom and looked around for my dress from last night, I was ready to leave.

I was a little surprised when he let me be. He didn't say a word and he didn't try to stop me. Once I found my dress folded on the dresser, I turned around to close the door for privacy. I noticed Damon turned away from me, his hands rested on the counter, his head hung low.

"What's wrong?" I walked towards him, in wonder.

He turned to look at me, "I'm not ready to let you go."

"No," I shook my head. I turned him back around to get a better look. There was a thin tube in his arm. On the back of his tricep, was a port taped into his arm. It was taped up his arm and down then it hung off his back down to a little box connected to his pants. "Are you diabetic?"

He was quiet for a moment, before he walked to the coffee pot.

"Damon," I waited for an answer.

"Yeah," he answered as he poured a cup of coffee. "You want one?"

"Type 1?" I ignored his question.

"I'm fine," he rolled his eyes.

I stayed silent watching him. He was so caring and loving one minute, then the next he was standoffish and short.

He sighed as I kept my eyes glued on him trying to figure him out.

"I get very sick sometimes," he finally spoke. "When my blood sugar gets too high or too low, I get really sick," he looked down at his coffee. "I've been hospitalized many times… almost dead. From the time I was a kid I've watched my mom and dad paralyzed by fear, that I was about to die time and time again. My mom calls me every morning just to make sure I'm alive."

"That's why you don't want to get married," My brain clicked.

"I don't want anyone to feel the way my parents do," he finally looked at me. "And I certainly don't want to pass my fucked-up genes to my children."

I walked into the kitchen, feeling relief and fear all at the same time. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't expect this," he gestured between our bodies.

I stepped closer to him, needing the closeness. "I'm relieved that it's not because you can't be in a monogamous relationship. But…" I could feel the tears burn my eyes. "I didn't want this… I don't want you to be sick." My voice cracked. I could feel the sudden wave of emotion hit me like a tidal wave. Suddenly the fear of losing him took a whole new meaning. It wasn't just the risk of losing him in a relationship… It was losing him because of death.

My body found his as I buried my face in his chest. The tears spilled over my eyes immediately, as he enveloped me in his arms. His skin was so warm against mine. And his arms felt so safe. I tried to control the sobs that escaped from my body, but they were stronger than me.

"This is why," he chuckled lightly. "This is why I didn't tell you."

"How can you laugh?" I sniffled, my nose running from the tears.

"Because I've dealt with this my whole life," he said matter-o-factly.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, needing to be closer to him. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," He tightened his arms around my waist. "I haven't been hospitalized for a long time."

"So, is it good?" I pulled away just a little to look at him.

"Are you kidding me?" He smirked. "it's a pain in my ass. I have problems with my blood sugar on a weekly if not daily basis."

"That's not funny," I glared at him. "Why are you smiling?"

"Because it's a pain in my ass," he kept smirking. "Like you."

"I'm so sorry," I sighed feeling like a jackass. "If I would've known"-

"I'm fine," he cupped my face. "I am fine. So quit apologizing. Quit worrying about me, and just kiss me."

He leaned down and we locked lips. It felt so good to kiss him. It felt exciting and thrilling yet comforting. It was gentle and sweet. His lips fit perfectly with mine. Our tongues tangled as our bodies rolled in the need to get closer. I needed him like I needed air. I wanted to be closer to him. Our mouths were connected, and our bodies were as tangled as they could be. His hands snaked down to my butt, which was barely covered by my cheeky underwear. His topless body had my brain becoming foggy and my body grew with desire. I hummed into his mouth clawing at his back and running my hands through his already messy hair. He picked me up with ease, spinning me around and setting me on the counter. His lips trailed down my jaw to my neck and collarbone, and I moaned loudly, digging my heels into his butt. I grabbed the hem of my shirt… or rather his shirt and pulled it up over my head, revealing my bare breasts to him.

"Oh fuck," He groaned. He held onto my arms restraining me. "Oh, baby I would love to do all the things I've fantasized about to you right not but…" He breathed heavily. "One… you are a virgin. Two… I have an exceptionally large penis. And three… I want to make it special for you."

My body was still buzzing with want and need. My brain was trying to think logically but my hormones were coursing through me like hot lava. I bit my lip trying to think of something, anything other than Damon burying himself inside me on this kitchen counter right now.

Damon was staring at my chest, beathing just as heavily as me. He leaned in kissing my collarbone slowly. "You are fucking gorgeous," he growled into the crook of my neck. He kissed down… further… slowly. My breathe was shallow and uneven, anticipating what was to come next. His lips found my nipple and his tongue swirled, around it, making my panties more wet than they already were.

"AH!" I nearly yelled, pulling his head closer to my breasts. He released my nipple and I whimpered in sadness, but then he descended down my bare stomach, and I leaned back opening my legs, so ready for him to do anything… Anything!

His lips reached the top of my panties and he stood up quickly breaking contact. "Fuck!" He cursed as he bent down and picked up my shirt. He held it up to cover my upper body. "I need a cold shower," he leaned in close to me. "I'll bring you back to your place after my shower so you can change."

"Change?" My brain was still foggy.

"I'm taking you to meet my parents," he reminded me.

"Are you serious?" My eyes widened.

"Yeah," he smirked. "I want them to meet my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" I blushed, my smile growing bigger.

Yeah," he kissed my lips slowly. "My girlfriend who is welcome," his hand brushed between my parted legs, along my wet panties, "To take care of her needs in my bed while I take a shower." He pinched my clit, and I jumped in pleasure, a noise escaping my parted lips.

The shirt fell off me again, and Damon growled looking at my bare chest. "I'm going to take care of myself in the shower." He walked away quickly before we played with this dangerous game anymore.

A/N: What did you think? Do you think they made up too quickly? Are you excited for her to meet his parents? What's your predictions for the rest of the story? Remember... It's all finished. I just have to go through and edit each chapter. I'd love to hear your predictions. LOVE you all! Leave a review please, and I'll see you next week.