Elena moved over to the large window that over looked the front lawn as she stood in her bedroom. Streetlights illuminated the pavement below and few houses were lighted. Cars passed by the house every so often and the voices of people rose up from the streets.

She wanted a baby so bad. She'd always wanted to marry Stefan and have a family. She didn't think it was fair that dream had to get ruined. She leaned her head against the cool pane of glass.

The bedroom door opened and Stefan walked up to her. He draped his arms around her from the back. Elena leaned her head back on his shoulder. He softly kissed her neck.

Then he said quietly, "I have to feed but I'll be home soon. Don't wait up, if you're tired go on to sleep."

"All right. Be careful though."

"Why? What could happen?"

"Stefan, you know. A certain someone...." She let her sentence trail.

Realization flickered across his fine handsome features and he nodded.

"Don't you worry about me." He smiled to reassure his wife. Then with a quick hug he turned and left the room.

A moment later Elena heard the front door shut.

She needed to think and she had a lot on her mind. She moved over to her bed and pulled down the satin crimson sheets. She snuggled beneath them and shut her eyes, contemplating her situation.

Elena's eyelids fluttered open as she heard the door open. First she was frightened, thinking perhaps it wasn't Stefan, but Damon. Only when she saw the door open slightly and Stefan poke his head in did she know who it was.

There was a whisper. "Elena?"

"I'm up."

"Oh, didn't want to wake you."

Shortly he was next to her.

Elena lay in Stefan's embrace, her head on his chest. Stefan smiled at her in the dark, and pulled her closer. Threading his fingers through her hair he watched her.

"I love you."

There was no reply. Elena had fallen asleep.

****

When Elena woke up the next morning she was surprised to see Stefan awake. He grinned at her.

"Morning."

"Morning." Elena sat up slowly, stretching. An idea had occurred to her last night and she had a complicated day ahead of her if she was to go ahead with it.

She padded over to the closet, threw on a blouse and a pair of jeans. Then, ran a brush through her slightly disheveled hair.

"Listen...." She paused, thinking. "I've got to go to the grocery store before it gets too crowded," she lied. "Need anything while I'm there?"

"No, I don't think so."

"I shouldn't be too long."

"Okay, I guess I'll sit home and do nothing...."

"Stefan!" She shook her head.

He tossed a smile at her. "I'm joking. Go ahead."

"Okay. See you when I come home."

Elena winced as she unlocked the front door and slipped outside. She hated lying to Stefan. But she needed to do this. She needed to get to Damon.