Chapter 21

Elena

I pull out two dresses from my closet. The first is a long sleeved black a line dress. The second is a cap sleeve high low fad dress. It is a light purple at the top; that blends into a darker blue.

There's a knock at my bathroom door. I look over as my dad pokes his head in. "Picking out an outfit?" he asks walking into my room.

I nod my head. "I don't know which one."

He rubs the back of his neck. "That one," he says pointing to the high low dress.

I smile and hag the black a line back up. I put the high low dress on the hook of my bathroom door. I walk back over and kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you, daddy."

He pulls me in for a hug. "I'm proud of you Elena. You've become such a wonderful lady."

"Thanks," I whisper into his chest.

"Okay. Get ready kiddo," he says releasing me. "I'll let you know when we're leaving."

"Sounds good. I will be down soon." I say as he walks out my door.

I finish my shower and pull on a light purple strapless bra and matching panties. I apply a light coat of mascara and my lip balm. I grab my dress off the hanger and slip it over my head. Deciding on my hairstyle, I pull some bobby pins out and twist the sides of my hair; placing in the bobbies.

I walk over to my closet and grab my black open toed ankle wrap heels. I sit on my bed and put them on. Checking my reflection once more I'm ready to go downstairs.

I step into the living room. My mom is in a red dress, and Emma is wearing a baby pink a line. My dad has on a dark blue suit with a white button up shirt underneath it.

"Wow Elena," my dad chokes out. "You look beautiful."

I duck my head and smile, "thanks daddy." I look from him to mom and Emma. "You guys look great too."

"Alright, it's 18:45 and the reservations are at 19:00." He says twirling his keys around his finger. "Everyone ready?"

"Ready," Mom says

"I guess so." Emma grumbles and I laugh nodding.

"It's nice of Damon to arrange a dinner for all of us before you leave." I say to my dad as we arrive at Violi's.

"It sure is," mom agrees with a smile.

We enter the restaurant and my dad tells the hostess the reservation is under Salvatore. The hostess says our party is waiting and we follow her towards the back of the room.

I walk behind my parents and next to Emma. When we get to the table, Damon and Lily are both standing.

"You look gorgeous" he tells me; placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth.

He pulls back and I see he is dressed in a blue shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows; black slacks and black dress shoes. He is clean shaven, and his hair is even styled with gel. "You look good too," I tell him as he pulls out a chair for me.

We all sit and place our orders. I decide on a side salad for an appetizer and eggplants parmesan for my main course. Damon ordered mozzarella caprice and chicken marsala for his main dish.

Easy conversation flows throughout dinner. Everyone is getting along seamlessly. I continuously glance at Damon during dinner and every time he catches me looking at him, he smiles. The server comes back and asks if we are ready for dessert. We all order a different variety, but I decide on a cannoli.

Our dessert comes and our parents are talking about our move to New York City. "Yeah, I want to go with Lena after graduation and check out some apartments." Damon says to them.

Dad agrees but asks us about roommates. I look to Damon because we've never discussed that. I know he said that money will not be an issue, but I also know it will be expensive.

"Oh no sir, definitely no roommates. I was looking at purchasing a co-op." Damon says confidently.

I choke on the bite of cannoli I just had. Damon pats my back. "Buying?" I ask wide eyed.

He chuckles. "I was going to talk to you about it first. But it makes sense with how much we would eventually be spending in rent."

"B-b-ut how?" I stutter out. "We can't afford to buy."

He rubs his neck and turns to face me. "Money isn't an issue Lena. I promise. I have a trust fund."

I nod, but I'm still in shock. I look over at Lily and she has a huge smile on her face. I look to my parents and my dad is looking at me concerned. I shake my head and go to stand. "I'll be right back. I have to use the restroom."

I walk away from the table ignoring everything. I enter the bathroom and splash water on my face. How could he spring that on me? I know that it's not completely my business, but still. And he wants to discuss it later. Call me petty, but this is a huge deal. And I'm not in the mood to deal with this right now. Not with my dad leaving tomorrow.

The bathroom door opens, and mom walks in followed by Lily. I bite my lip and shake my head. "I will be out in a minute."

"Are you okay?" Mom asks.

"I didn't know. We've never talked about it." I tell her shaking my head. "I mean, I was prepared to get a part-time job and help split the cost. And now he says he can afford it? What the hell is that?!" I demand.

"Elena, money like that is so hard to bring up in conversation. It's never a good time." Mom says hugging me.

I groan and hug her back. "But I don't want to seem like a mooch mom. He shouldn't have to foot the bill for everything."

Lily walks up to us. "He wants to take care of you. He loves you."

"I know he does," I say releasing my mom. "I love him too. God I can be such a bitch." I mumble out.

Mom and Lily both laugh. "His Grammy set up a trust fund for him. Damon's fraternal grandparents owned a publishing company. When he turned 18, he gained access to his trust. When he turns 21, he will get his inheritance." Lily explains. "It's not up to me to discuss his financials, but I will tell you that he doesn't actually ever have to work. He is set for life, along with his children."

I gasp out loud. "I can't believe it. Now I get why he never said anything."

She nods her head asking; "you ready to go back out?"

"Yeah, let's go." I say and follow them back to the table.

When I reach the table Damon stand up and looks down at me, raking his teeth over his bottom lip. He releases it and juts it out. "I'm sorry if I upset you Lena."

I shake my head and hug him around the waist. He grips me tight. "You didn't. Well, you did a little, but I was bitchy. I'm sorry too."

He chuckles quietly and kisses my forehead. "I love you Elena."

"I love you too," I whisper back.

He tilts my head with his fingers and glides his thumb across my jaw. He places both hands on my jaw. He thumbs; swiping back and forth. "I love you so much."

I go to say it back, but he presses his finger on my lips silencing me. He stares into my eyes and removes his finger from my mouth. His palms still in place. My eyes close and I slowly open them back up.

"When I first met you, I thought you had spunk." He says chuckling. "I went home and talked to my mom about you. She told me you were such a sweet girl and I laughed in her face. Do you know what I called you?" He asks quietly.

I smile and shake my head. He tilts his head down to level his face with mine. "A firecracker."

I laugh at him and he kisses my nose.

"And I was right. You are a little firecracker, but you're also the sweetest person I've ever met." He says kissing the corner of my mouth.

Damon wets his lips and I mimic him. He snickers and shakes his head, "When I first danced with you, I knew there was something different for me." He kisses the corner of my mouth. "I fell for you hard and fast. Again, my mom was right. She knew I was in love with you before I knew that's what I was feeling."

A couple laughs sound from the table when Damon rolls his eyes. "I've told you once or twice before and I'm telling you again. You're my forever, and I don't know what I'd ever do without you in my life."

My eyes cloud and a tear slips down my cheek. Damon kisses it away and I close my eyes. When I open my eyes, he goes to kneel. I gasp; my hand flying to my mouth.

I grab at him and whisper shout; "what are you doing?!"

He chuckles as I look to our table and see my parents, Emma and Lily all staring at us. Smile's on everyone's faces. "Elena Marie Gilbert," Damon says, and I snap my head back to look at him.

He slips his hand in his pocket and holds out a silver ring with a rose colored diamond in the center. I look from the ring back to Damon; shaking my head. Oh my god. Is he? Yes, he is. Holy shit.

He stares at me. "I told you that you're my forever. And I want that to start now. I promise to love you and care for you for the rest of our lives."

I cover a sob and he chokes out; "I can't live without you."

He takes my left hand in his; "will you spend forever with me Lena? Will you marry me?"

I cry. Full on sob. My hand is shaking in his. I try to speak but find it impossible. So, I nod.

"Yeah?" he asks; the corner of his mouth tugging into a half smile.

I nod again and choke out "yes."

His grin is huge as he slips the ring on my left finger. He stands up and grabs me. He spins me around; applause filling the restaurant. He puts me down and kisses me. He keeps the kiss sweet and innocent.

"Yes!" he shouts and hugs me again. I laugh when he wipes my tears off my face. Our families surround us and we get hugs and congrats from everyone.

Damon

I kiss her sweetly on the mouth. I shout a yes and hug her again. Lena laughs and I wipe the tears from her cheeks. Our families all give us hugs and congratulations. I grip her side and place a kiss on her temple.

She said yes. I can't fucking believe it. I feel like I'm on cloud 9. I feel like I'm invincible.

I pay for our meals and pull her against me as we leave Violi's. We walk to our vehicles and I tell her parents that I would drop her off in a couple of hours.

I help her into my car and lean down kissing her again. I pull away and get into the driver's seat. I drive for a few minutes holding her hand the entire time. The ring on her finger. I kiss it twice.

I pull onto a back road and turn into a wooded area. I unbuckle and pull back my seat. I unbuckle her and tug her over to straddle me. "I am so fucking happy right now" I say kissing her jaw. "I love you so much Lena. So fucking much."

She moans as I kiss down her neck. "I love you so much Damon. More than words."

I kiss her mouth again. Swiping my tongue across her bottom lip and nipping it. She whimpers and I thrust my tongue into her mouth. I mimic fucking her with my tongue. She moans and grinds into me. I groan and pull back.

"God, I need you." I whisper kissing down her chest.

"Yes" she agrees.

I lift the edge of her dress and pull it above her head. I smile into her neck when I unhook her bra. I lean down and capture her nipple in my mouth. I suck and flick my tongue over her taut peak. I hook my thumb in the edge of her lace thong and pull it aside.

I slide my thumb down to her wet center and back up to her hard nub. I swirl my thumb and thrust 2 fingers into her pussy. I switch breasts and curl my fingers. She moans out and fumbles with my belt. I chuckle, releasing her nipple when she growls at me.

I pull my fingers out of her hot center and quickly undo my belt and open my slacks. I raise my hips and pull my pants and briefs down my legs enough. I grind her pussy over my dick and kiss her again.

"Damon please" she mewls out.

I nod and raise her hips positioning my rock hard dick at her entrance. I slide her onto me; groaning at the feel of her slick heat.

I place her arms around my neck and raise her hips. I pull her down as I thrust up. I continue thrusting in and out of her. I slip my thumb onto her clit and rub it fast. Her walls flutter.

I fuck her faster and her pussy tightens almost too tightly. "Yes oh god yes" she screams into the air.

"Shit" I shout as I pull out and slam deep inside. My orgasm crashing into me. Stars. Dazed vision and blinding fucking stars. My dick throbs inside of her as my vision clears. "Damn baby. I will never get tired of that." I say licking my bottom lip.

"Me either" she mumbles kissing me. I slow fuck her mouth with my tongue and she pulls back.

"I want to spend the night with you, but I want to spend time with my dad." she says gripping me.

"Go home tonight and I will see you in the morning." I say chuckling. "Pretty soon you'll never be able to get rid of me."

She bites her bottom lip and stares at the ring. "It's beautiful."

"It was my Grammys. I had it engraved." I say rubbing her neck.

"Really? What does it say?"

I kiss her lightly. "Forever."

She smiles at me. "Forever."